I have made some major changes during the last year or so.
Have replaced the Dart with Ypsilon electronics. I had originally ordered the new model of the Dart but the wait became longer and longer. I had the chance to try the Ypsilon gear alongside my Dartzeel and had no doubt about selling the Dart. The only down side was going back to a 2 box configuration, one of the reasons for getting the Dart was reducing boxes! oh well.
The GG DAC is excellent, a lot more body and richness compared to the Playback MPS-5 I had previously. The PD had been the best sounding digital to me for some time.
Wow I love the Kuzuma! Love your setup. Since you are from West Wales you may be interested in Abefan The Green Hollow Eve Myles. Part of my family comes from Wales going back about 800 years. A special place.
System edited: The infinite baffle sub reinforces the bass impact to instruments like double bass, drums and especially the lower registers of piano. The bass is very tight and clean no boom or bloat, it did take some time to tailor the response using the sub controls and room treatment. Used REW to measure the room response which is pretty flat now. Another benefit is the increase in ambient information on all types of music.
System edited: Have now installed the modified Kuzma XL, it has a single DC motor instead of the 4 AC motors in the previous version. It has made a very significant improvement. I have also just, luckily, obtained a Lyra Atlas at a very advantageous price. This performs extremely well in the 4pt. The analogue sound has moved further ahead of the digital playback, the two formats were converging for a while. Tremendous power and lower frequency detail with the vinyl now, the sound field is wider, deeper and more precise. My guess is the TT has a lower noise floor somehow and the Lyra brings greater precision, balance and detail.
I imagine the Atma-Sphere MP-1 would sound very good with the ATCs, it has balanced outputs which the ATCs like.
Yes I am in the UK, moved away from BAT as they are no longer supported in the UK. I expect their latest models sound good, have you heard any of them?
thank you for your comments, I have been building the system for some time. Managed to get most of it ex-demo or second hand. Did come a bit unstuck with the MPS-5, it needed a new laser and power supply. Had it fixed by Bert Gerlach in Germany and it is as good as new now. I am very pleased with it - compared it to Dcs Puccini and Paganini - prefered the MPS.
We've enjoyed similar journeys with BAT starting out with the VK-51SE preamp. I have no doubt you had experienced great sound with your ATC actives and BAT.
I wonder how the ATC's would sound with an Atma-Sphere MP-1 preamp, upstream?
Yes, the MegaLine III loudspeakers feature an active external crossover...nothing between the monoblocks and DALI, except speaker cable :-)
I have just finished installing a fairly extensive range of room treatments, traps, diffusing surfaces etc.
I am surprised how much improvement has been achieved. The already well defined bass is now even more textured, imaging even better, width and depth of sound stage also improved.
Good recordings sound amazingly life like, live albums like joni mitchell's shadows and light have tremendous presence.
System edited: The Kuzma has been modified to a single DC motor unit, this has been a great improvement to an already excellent TT. Have installed a range of acoustic room treatments to great effect.
Hi Sam, lovely system. I really like BAT gear. I used a P10se and 52se (and 51) with my ATC 50 anniveraries and 100s. The ATCs go really well with the balanced output of the BATs. I moved on from my BAT amps as the brand is not really supported in the UK any more. You mentioned an interest in ATC the new ones come with the new tweeter I am sure they would be extremely good with your rex amp. My 100s have the "anniversary" amp pack as a special order. Do you have an active set-up with your Dali speakers?
Apologies for slow reply. I have been in the process of renovating and house altering! so have not been on the forum. I have now put my system back together. I am very pleased with the sound in the new room. The 100s do integrate well with the C6 sub, it took a while, trying different positions and altering the controls on the sub. I hope to instal the new tweeters when available.
I managed to borrow the 2nd hand Dart pre prior to purchase and was very surprised how well it worked with the ATCs.
The Atcs and DZ are very quiet- they produce a very transparent and dynamic sound together. With good recordings they can sound incredibly realistic.
System edited: Moved house recently and have managed to modify the interior to construct a dedicated music room. The room is bigger than the previous one, it is now 19x16.5 ft. the sound is more spacious and natural, with greater depth to the sound stage. Reinforcing the floor and various room treatments have helped.
System edited: I have replaced my trusty BAT and Ref 2 phono with a Dartzeel 18NS. This has proved to be very transparent. The phono stage is amazingly quiet and it matches the MPS-5 to increase it's resolution and detail.