System edited: Update (over the past year): - Stereo has been completely separated from the home-theater and have been placed in a separate room. - replaced integrated amp with separates (Cambridge 840E/840W) - added maple-shade power strip (more to come) - new enclosure (salmander S40 single)

toshipenguin November 08, 2012 23:13

Thank you for the compliment! I am not sure whether I am using "fine" or "coarse" thread rods; the steel rods were purchased from a local HomeDepot's Hardware department.

There are no dampening material being used. Rather than utilizing neoprene, a more of a "Mapleshade Records" approach was used; Theoratically the steel nut/washer combination permits the vibrations of the components to be "drained" into the floor (but I may be full of it, too).

In the end, it was the cost of the material (HomeDepot's price on Maple is outrageous!).

I would highly recommend doing a bit of looking to see if you can locate a local hardwood supplier; I found one near my house called NWWood (www.nwwood.com). Dedicated hardwood suppliers will carry a various types of maple. It is my plan to build a pair of "rigid" speaker stands using the "Fiddleback" maple.

Take care,
T

toshipenguin January 13, 2010 06:09

I think you did an excellent job on the maple rack!! I've been wanting to do something like that for a secondary rig. Were you able to find fine all thread rod or did you use coarse threads? It seems like fine threads would be better, but I wouldn't know where to get it. I will put neoprene gaskets in between the washers and the wood on top and bottom when I build mine. Did you do any of this kind of dampening work on yours? Anyway, I love that rack!!

rosedanny January 08, 2010 17:15

Jazzcrooner12,

Your assumption is correct, I've made the decision of not purchasing any subs.

A few things of note, however, regarding bass-performance:
a) Room placement is key, I would recommend moving the speakers to get the "best" sound (i.e, the sound that works for you)
b) Speaker cables will affect performance (as you already know). It would be important to have your friends purchase oxygen-free copper stranded 12-gauge (available at Fry's) wires, at the least ;)

For home theater (i.e., movie watching) I did end up turning the bass a few dbs. However, when listening to music only the tone-controls are by-passed.

I am still loving the 685s, they are great for the small room that I have.

toshipenguin December 21, 2009 05:52

I recommended the 685s to THREE friends of mine, both just starting out with their systems. Two are using an NAD integrated, and one is using a Marantz integrated. You probably don't even need a sub with them. I didn't see a sub in your system, so I assume you reached the same conclusion regarding their bass output...

jazzcrooner12 December 05, 2009 19:19

System edited: Two big changes where: first of all is the new home-made rigid maple-rack. The rack was hand-made using materials from HomeDepot and Lowes. The project took 7-days to complete, mostly after work hours, resulting in a beautiful rack. Why build one rather than buying one? First reason was cost, another was for the challenge. I have always enjoyed working with hardwood, and couldn't really pass-up on an intriguing opportunity to hone my "Man" skills. Second change is the addition of a new integrated amplifier: Cambridge Audio 840A. As it was recommeded, the 840A has transformed the B&W 685 monitor speakers! No longer do I get a perception that the speakers are under-performing. Please take a look, and let me know what you think. Thanks for looking.

toshipenguin October 06, 2009 06:47

Thanks for not shooting ;)

toshipenguin September 25, 2009 05:30

thanks so much for your reply.

its funny, ive been pondering a way to bring in music from a source like an ipod. i knew the Wadia could bypass the ipods DAC, but i was afraid i would have to spend a huge (to me) amount of money of a good DAC, but as you just mentioned i could just use the digital in on the cd player.

dont know why i didnt think of that myself. rest assured, i will do no shooting :-)

chriswilson September 22, 2009 16:49

Chriswilson,

Thank you for the comments.

As for omission of the cd-changer, I have not missed it at all; I enjoy listening to an album from beginning to end, similar to when listening to an LP.

The biggest benefit of replacing a CD-changer with a single-disc player, is the dramatic reduction of one of the biggest offenders in an audio-system: vibrations (oh, how I loath thee).

Vibrations, both external and internal, diminishes qualities of reproduced music. More you can do to eliminate vibrations the better. So, IMO, a single cd-player more appealing than a cd-changer.

If you still wish to be able to use a "shuffle" option, then the following may be an alternative that you may consider: (everyone, please don't shoot me for this)

a) Purchase a Cambridge 740c (~$1,100)or 840c CD-player (~$1,500) (unfortunately, 640c is not appropriate in this scenario), as both units have digital-in.
b) Rip your CDs at the loss-less onto your iPod
c) Purchase the Wadia 170iTransport digital transport ($$350) and connect to to your CD-player's digital-in to play the music through.

The Wadia 170iTransport unit is capable of extracting digital content of an iPod as-is, i.e. digitally, without having to going through the iPod's DAC. Essentially the iTransport is able to turn an iPod into a portable digital transport.

Using this approach, you are able to "shuffle" your music through the quality up-sampling DAC available in your CD-player. It may not sound that bad, either ;)

Good luck,

toshipenguin September 22, 2009 06:37

that is quite a sweet system you have. youre basically a step and a half ahead of me. i have the B&W DM602.5's, which is a 2 way tower. im looking at getting the 740 integrated from cambridge, and am still debating which cd player to go with. it would probably be the 740 or 640 from cambridge, but i want to get the integrated first.

there is something im worried about, and be honest please: was it hard going from a multidisc changer to a single? ill usually throw on 4 or 5 discs and hit shuffle when casually listening. so although i could see life with a nicer singledisc player, i just worry ill miss my shuffle too much. any thoughts/experience?

from one cambridge/B&W fan to another, great system and happy listening! :-)

chriswilson September 21, 2009 01:23

Beachbum007

Indeed, it has been fun and a challenge building a system "on a budget".

Thanks for your recommendations and comments

toshipenguin September 18, 2009 20:12

take a look at what i have put together for $700 bucks,shows great music comes with education not truck-loads of money,i really have a great love for the budget/value for the dollar systems,i mean for a wealthy person to have great sound,that's easy,but for the common person ,this is a miracle,point is ,i like your system .....best of luck

beachbum007 September 17, 2009 13:47

Beachbum007,

Very true indeed. My next purchase is slated to be CA 840A integrated amplifier. I can't wait to get it, in a few months.

toshipenguin September 17, 2009 06:53

you could be very happy finding yourself a good 2 channel amp for those 685,s,u have not heard what these are capable yet...IMO

beachbum007 September 15, 2009 11:33