This is my living room system. Mostly used for background music rather than critical listening, I want to balance hifi performance with livability. Since the speakers are unique, my other equipment selections were made to compliment the Tannoys. The GRF Professional was a forefather to the current Westminster. It uses a 15" Monitor Gold dual concentric driver in a large back-loaded horn cabinet. It's one of the largest cabinets Tannoy sold - only the rare Autograph Professionals with 2 x 15" drivers per cabinet were larger. These cabinets have sufficient volume to generate Stygian bass. While not exactly neutral, they compensate by sounding very natural, combining gorgeous tone with colorful harmonics. I'm especially fond of these speakers.
I use this system 80% of the time, because it's in the living room where it can be enjoyed while doing other activities like reading, eating, and socializing.
15" Monitor Gold drivers in original back loaded horn cabinets. These are large speakers, nearly the size of a kitchen refrigerator. http://www.ominous-valve.com/big_spkr.html
Lamm Industries M-2.1
200wpc hybrid power amplifier. I bought these for my main system. While listening first on the Tannoys, I was pleasantly surprised at how well they matched the speakers. They bring a welcome sense of balance to the Tannoys.
System edited: Added Lamm M2.2 power amps, replacing the Ayre. I bought the Lamms for my main system. While listening first on the Tannoys, I was pleasantly surprised at how well they matched the speakers. They bring a welcome sense of balance to the Tannoys.
@Rikkert1978, regret the long delay. The Morrow is a fine speaker cable, but in no way to be mistaken for higher offerings from PAD. The PAD cables have a distinctive flavor - quiet, black background, explosive dynamics, and deeper bass. Still, the Morrow cables are fine, with errors of omission rather than coloring the sound.
I made progress with the speakers in their new location. The bass sounded muddy and lost that colorful tone when I moved the speakers across the room. They were first located too near the rear and side walls, for aesthetics. As I moved the speakers around, the bass cleaned up the further they were moved away from the walls. Now they are almost 3 feet from the back wall, and almost 2 feet from the nearest side wall. The front of the speakers are almost 5 feet into the room. Although they are further in the room than I prefer, the sound is back and as clear as before, and the speakers will stay where they are.
System edited: The new room layout still doesn't sound as good as I remember the former layout. The main culprit is my Steinway piano (in its new location) resonating like crazy, energized by the Tannoys. The piano is physically farther removed from the speakers, but now on the centerline of the room. I suspect there is a major bass node here. There are other loose objects in the room that seem to be energized by the speakers, too. This is an example of how the room dominates sound below 200hz. Steps taken to treat the piano include adding an insulating foam board and cardboard sheet over the large sound board, draping a wool rug over the top, and placing pillows beneath the bench to dampen vibrations. Before this treatment, the piano rang for a solid 3 - 4 seconds after hitting the 'pause' button, finally decaying to silence. Now, the reverb time is around 1 second. This was a huge improvement resulting in much better sound.
System edited: Updated with some system changes. Moved speakers across the room, to either side of the fireplace. Replaced Marantz 8B with Ayre power and pre-amps (yes, this was a counter-intuitive move). Added my first DD turntable. Will update later when I have a clearer picture of the results, but these are my first impressions... Moving the Tannoys to a different wall and rearranging the furniture was a benefit in terms of aesthetics and enjoyment. Unfortunately the move comes with a cost - sound took a step back with the bass losing tone, color and articulation. The Ayre amplification is a significant move towards better sound. The Tannoy golds come alive with more power. Also added Venustas speaker cables. Reminds me of why I love the PAD sound, even products beneath Dominus bring me closer to the event.
System edited: Auditioning Ayre pre and power amps, and new living room layout. The Ayre gear moves the system towards a more contemporary hifi sound: tighter more powerful bass and deeper extension, and more transparent overall. The solid state gear is a benefit in the living room - no warm up required and less anxiety about a guest being burned by exposed tubes or poking around. This has nothing to do with sound. Solid state is simply more pragmatic here... Interesting contrast with the vintage gear - two different perspectives on my music.
System edited: Took delivery of vintage Monitor Golds in factory Autograph GRF Professional cabinets. They are very large, nearly the size and volume of my refrigerator. Each weighs close to 200# and moving them in was an exercise in strength and agility. Just hooked up, and getting familiar with my new speakers
Macdadtexas - my first "high end" TT was the AR. It had a Shure V15MR cartridge, was beautiful to look at and listen to, and I regret ever selling it. Last year I found a Garrard 301 in my parent's closet. What a score... Grease bearing in hammer tone grey. I need to get a plinth and enjoy. It would look great with the 3012 and SPU.
With the addition of LPs, music is so much more enjoyable.
System edited: Added Lamm L1 preamp and Marantz 8B power amp. Removed VAC Avatar integrated amp. I'm listening to this little system about 75% of the time now. Even though it is smaller and much less expensive than my main system, it delivers 80% of the enjoyment. I think I can live with this for awhile.
System edited: Well, there is always more to learn in this hobby. It's amazing how superior the Marantz 8B is compared to the VAC. Both are EL-34 PP circuits with similar power ratings (based on measured performance). Yet, music is recreated with more power, control and swing on the 8B. I suspect the answer lies in the power transformers. Can it really account for the jump from merely good to great sound?
System edited: Updated description, components, and added pictures. Many changes - finally feel this is a system I can happily live with and enjoy. I probably listen to this "little" system 75% because it is in a common use area of the house. My big system is downstairs in a dedicated room. This system serves up hours of satisfaction, but when I power up the big horns downstairs, it is amazing how good the big system is. But, the enjoyment is only an incremental improvement compared to this system. Conclusion - big audio is great fun, but music enjoyment comes in many different shapes and sizes. Kind of like women.
Rpfef, I don't regularly check this thread and just read your post. This forum is for system comments, not airing real or imagined grievances. But then, you're a champ at being a victim... I have 42 transactions on Audiogon, all positive feedback (including yours). Selling my speakers to you was easily my most high-maintenance transaction. - You asked me to hold my speakers for you without a deposit or any other form of commitment - You were unable to pay promptly and asked for time to raise cash - You are correct in that I took extraordinary measures to pack the speakers (better than OEM) for shipment - And like a spineless weasel you first implied that I sent you a damaged speaker, even with evidence of catastrophic damage to the packing materials from shipping
Speaking of "very gentle imprecations", you are a pain in the ass. I should have been more discriminating before accepting your offer. Go away, Richard.
System edited: Auditioned Eico ST-70. No go. Too vintage sounding: soft and wooly. In retrospect, the Eico isn't consistent with my "Toyota Camry" plan for reliable everyday use. So, still searching for a contemporary 30 - 40 watt tube integrated amp. Considering: Jadis Orchestra, Vac Avatar, Manley Stingray, other....
System edited: Added Sony CDP-X3000 CD player. I really like this unit. It was for Japan only, has beautiful aesthetics, and sounds nice. The transport is a unique top loader beneath a sliding acrylic cover with a fixed laser, so the CD spindle actually moves, rather than the laser assembly. It is cool to watch, and a pleasure to use and listen to.
System edited: Added my other Sansui TU-9900 tuner to replace the Mcintosh MR-74. This based on results of a tuner shoot-out between the Mac, a Pioneer TX-8100, and the Sansui. The Sansui is a better tuner than the others, with superior reception and sound. It continues as my favorite tuner, although I have not heard the legendary TU-X1. Too bad, as I prefer the aesthetics of both the Mac and Pioneer over those of the Sansui.
