Started to put together this system about 18 months ago and I'm very happy with it so far. I replaced an old onkyo receiver that I thought sounded quite good with the Cambridge when the onkyo packed it in. Wow the difference was like night and day, I think the Cambridge is a bit of a giant killer especially what I paid for it , very good buy. The creek is probably not the best cd player in the world but I think it
will make a half decent transport when I
get a good dac later on. I then replaced
an old set of Jamo floorstanders with the
tannoys. I just love the tannoys, I lost some of the bottom end but everything else is so much better the imaging ,soundstage the bass is so much sweeter. I then replced the interconnects with the xlo , I wasn't prepared for how much of a change they would make over audioquest king cobra. So much more detail and way more enjoyable. I added a musical fidelity tube buffer that seemed to have smeared a bit of the detail but the whole system is so much more musical. The xlo speaker cable was next the bass I got out of these cables is incredible. I'm quite happy with the whole package at the moment so I'm putting a bit of money into new music and trying to find some new artists. My room is 7 metres by 4 metres ceiling height is 2.9 metres with wooden floors and quite large windows. Any thoughts comments or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thankyou.
Hi Islandmandan, All fixed now, just been to lazy to do it. I really like the tannoys they sound great. Would really like to get some real Tannoys one day. Something along the lines of kensingtons maybe. The Bakoon and kensingtons would be quite impressive I think. I like being able to change my main rig around between the high power and low power, I just need some tubes to throw in the mix as well. One day. Cheers Dave.
Hello Dave, nice little system you have, but do the Tannoys sound better on their sides? Maybe I should try that!
Just kidding, I'm also a Tannoy guy, and using a 9Wpc SET 300B to drive my 12" HPD's.
I remember back in the day (ca 1972), driving my first pair of DIY 12" MG's with a Kenwood 45Wpc integrated amp, and they sounded amazing. Can't go wrong with Tannoy.
Yeah I'm using the coax out from my cdp to dac, then RCA to preamp. Have got a new coax cable coming soon to replace my cheap one I'm using. The Audio GD dac is a really nice sounding piece of kit. It uses two of the 1704 uk dac chips which have a very good following. The dac has made my system sound a lot less digital and more lifelike, more organic. The audio gd gear has a big following here in Australia but not so much elsewhere, which is a shame. Cheers Dave.
I have been wanting to get a DAC for a long time since I do not inquire a cd player. I have been using my laptop as a source. Are you using the coax out on your DAC?
The Gales were made in 1975, the chrome end gales were styled by an Australian yacht designer I believe. They sound really really good, for a speaker nudging 40 years old. I don't think that they can keep up with modern designed speakers in some regards but you can sit and listen to them all day without tiring. Being a sealed box design the bass isn't so deep but it's very controlled and tight. They don't image as well as the tannoys but they are still quite good. I think the imaging has to do with the way the speakers were designed to sit, horizontally. But just look at them, I think they look gorgeous. I have also picked up the Audio GD dac 19. It has two 1704 uk dac chips in it. It's sounds really good also. Music and instruments just sound right through this dac. Cheers Dave.
Hey Highend64, ive tried to keep it nice and clean but also sound amazing. Its quite hard to do when the room isnt ideal for sound, and the girlfriend doesnt like all the gear in the room, she would prefer Bose. There has been lots of changes over such a little time its hard to get my head around, but i know it sounds the best it ever has. Cheers Dave.
Well how things have changed. The Cambridge is gone. I have finally taken possession of the little 15 watt Bakoon. It is such an amazing little amp. It sounds unbelievable, and drives all of my speakers well. I have also scored a set of Gale chrome end 401a's. Beautiful looking and sounding speaker. Had to get them worked on a bit, but they are well worth it. It blows my mind that these are nearly 40 years old. Also got my hands on a complete Kenwood L1000 set from around 1990, consisting of pre, power, tuner and cdp. Sorting out a few issues with them at the moment, but they are an awesome bit of kit. Had all signal path caps in the power amp replaced, need a new laser for the cdp. The Gales really love the Kenwoods, they really come alive. I've also picked up some more vintage Kenwood gear on my travels. A fully restored KA 6100, ka 5700, ka 3500 and also a KT 7300. This is such a fun hobby, the last few months have been great. Cheers Dave.
Well, big changes are on the way. I have finally settled on which amp I will buy. I I'm going to get a Bakoon satri amp. But as it doesn't come with remote I'm toying with the idea ofgetting the power amp over the integrated and either a dac or cdp with volume controls and remote. Or I could just get off my lazy arse to turn volume up or down. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Nuforce dac 9 has been suggested by my dealer, Pat at War audio.
Thanks for the responses guys, sorry for the late reply. Jimbo I have thought about thick curtains and pillows and such but the girlfriend is not keen on them. We overlook the hills from our window so don't want to spoil the view with curtains. And I'm not keen on covering up our floor boards either, they are a local timber called jarrah and they look awesome. I am really happy at the moment with the system I'm just playing round with small stuff at the moment , like new xlo ultra jumpers and cleaning all my connections etc. I'm slowly saving for a new integated , maybe tubes? But who knows I will cross that bridge when I get to it and let my ears do the walking. Musikaladin that is an awesome looking system , those speakers are unbeleivable would love to hear them I'm sure they sound as good as they look. Thanks for the suggestion but I don't think the misses would approve of those tannoys. I walk I real fine line with my girlfriend when it comes to my hi fi . Thanks guys
Hi Pops, thanks for the kind words.. I see that you are located in Australia? Sydney, to me is a very nostalgic place, 'cause that's where I first got bitten by the bug and began this long and winding journey.
I remembered started buying stuffs from DME in '80s. Yes, I too am once a proud owner of an Onkyo and Jamo system! As I recalled, they sounded awesome and did impressed many many visiting friends then.. :) Quite a few years later, I graduated to an Accuphase integrated 302s(? I think) +some Pro Ac Towers from Len Wallis and was like - WOWed! Soon after, was a regular at Seeto in Drummoyne playing with ARC, then Joe (Audio Connection) took good care of me, and the rest is history!
As you can see this virus could be a long standing and recurring one, so quit while you still can! ;)) LoL.. But it's all in good fun, and most importantly, enjoy the music! Cheers 'mate!
Nice open space and very clean! The only thing I would try is some window treatments and maybe some large throw pillows to act as WAF "room tunes". The only reason I know is that I tried it and it made a big difference to my "lively" room. Looks great and bet it sounds even better!! Enjoy!
...I also quite like Tannoys, specially their vintage and studio stuff...just check out my "system for modern nomades #1", this active studio monitor could give you back all you miss at the bottom end...
