i agree with Biomimetic, get into vinyl. You wont be disappointed. My Project table is bottom of the barrel but has been the most satisfying purchase yet.

jlind325is April 28, 2006 12:20

I dunno man, you sound ready for vinyl. A cheaper vinyl player would sound alot better than any CD player... plus, you would get to find out about all sorts of new gadgetry, and plan a whole 'nother level for your system. Plus, Pass Xono's and BAT's and all sorts of cool upper tier stuff.

biomimetic April 28, 2006 00:54

thank you for the insight- I was talking to one of my fellow audio advisors (salesmen) he said the my front end (Arcam CDP) should be upgraded. heck my CD player is only a year old, but its become the weak link in the chain. He suggested the Ayre entry level CD player- anyone have any experience with them? Anything similer sounding? comments appreciated

philoman2 April 22, 2006 22:08

What about a Manley Shrimp if you are looking for a tube preamp? Great output, also top notch service like Bryston. Makes pro gear so you get a little extra clout. Definitely worth auditioning. The Bat's are deceptive, but I can imagine it might be a little blah with the Bryston b/c they are both kind authoritative, detail oriented pieces and might have less synergy as a result instead of more. I have heard the FMJ CD's but I prefer the 23 to the later ones - the ringDAC had more of that special something to it.

biomimetic April 22, 2006 01:29

When i was shopping around for "my sound"- I really didnt explore every little nook and cranny of HiFi audio. It turns out that each component were to replace onld ones, I just didnt go out an purchase the equpment in one full swoop.
For example:
My origional system (debating puting it in Agon) had a Jolida 102b Integrated, Acoustic Research AR-3a, and a walkman. First order of buisness was to buy a proper CD player (current Arcam). AR 3a, had issues with the Mid and Hi frequency pots, and inconsistant sound. I decided to purchace the Thiels so this wouldnt happen. I knew i needed to provide a temporary amp for the Thiels because of their low impedence, less than 3 ohms in areas. So i purchased a cheap HK 430 Twin Powered (1976?) to drive the Thiels as a transition between a new amp and an old one. Next came the Bryston combo.
It will take time to find the sound which suits you, I really didnt follow this rule, but there thank God there was a sinergy between the components.
When I revamp my system- (if i do)- i would research more and spend more time listening to components, and even home auditioning some to find the best sinergy.

philoman2 April 21, 2006 14:46

Thanks for the input. I beleive this weekend i will be able to demo the BAT. My local dealer is small so he dosent have alot on hand to audition. i am positive that i will find my sound, it may just take longer than i had imagined.

jlind325is April 19, 2006 11:57

In response to Jlind325is's comment-
I havent heard the PS Audio PCA-2, but i hear others are very happy with it. recently (less than a month) I was out at Glenn Poor Audio Chicago, I auditioned the Wilson sophia and watt/puppys with all BAT equipment. I wasnt really impressed with their sound compared to the Sophia/Halcro pre/BAT Power/CD not sure?
The sound of the BAT's seemed to be just "There", it wasnt "emotionally crippeling." So i believe that it could have been the BAT preamp (Tube),but this statement would seem countrary to most reviews of Tube equipment.
I am not sure what the Bryston BP 26 sounds like, but from what i have heard, it has improved upon the BP 25 (My Pre) makeing it more musical and less "electronic" sounding.
the preamp make a huge difference on what the sound is like (I proved this to my dad, so i was able to get the BP 25 instead of the BP 6) Between thouse two preamps are night and day.
try auditioning some more equipment (Balanced Audio Technology is very well recieved, it could just be my ears making a wrong assumption ??)

philoman2 April 18, 2006 15:23

I got pre-amp used, its also a discontinued model- but i felt that it opened up the sound on the Thiels. When auditioning the Thiels, I thought once or twice about them being a little bright. But when i paired them with my CD Player which adds a little coloration (Review somewhere??) The thiels sounded richer. I havent really auditioned the thiels with a "good" audiophile CD Player. (SOMETIMES- less expensive components add coloration)- this is my own personal opinion. If i were looking for a more expensive CD player such as one from arcams FMJ Line, or a Cary, etc... then they may make the thiels sound more "Neutral" - less coloration.

From my experences right now I believe that the Bryston/Bryston combo makes the music sound "Nuetral" - some people prefer "just the facts" , others might prefer the emotion of a more colored source.
If anyone thinks of the Bryston combo, it requires long auditioning to see if you prefer this direction to neutrality. (Personally I am very happy with my system) When I change my CD Player, I hope my impression will stay the same.

philoman2 April 18, 2006 15:10

Nice system! I have a 2BSST paired with a PS Audio PCA-2 pre and i think its a little too bright. Im sitting in the nearfield which isnt helping things. My question is with your Bryston/Bryston combo do you think it sounds bright? Im trying to find synergy and dont know if the pre or the amp or both need to go to find the warmth i want. I will be demoing a BAT int. soon that should help me figure things out. Any opinions will be appreciated.

jlind325is April 18, 2006 12:04

Now you just need a good room...took me until I was 28 to get one that worked halfway decent in my second house. Just make sure when you go to college none of your knucklehead roomates blow it up like mine did by pouring beer on it or playing snoop dog at ridiculous volumes when you are out!

sbrtoy April 18, 2006 09:55

The cones on the Thiels are metal diaphragm drivers. You would normally expect the tweeter/midrange driver to sound "tinny" and with hi-frequencies pronounced more so than a silk dome, etc. But Thiel has somehow designed it so it sounds wonderful. With the bryston amp and pre-amp, the music is very neutral. The music isnt colored with emotion, as with some speakers, but instead is very frank and to the point. (some people might prefer "emotional" speakers)
I can say i dont have an extensive music collection as of yet, only about 30 really good mastered CD's. But music genres include; classical/baroque- Handel, Bach, Telemann, Mozart, Beethoven. Classic Rock- Stones, Beatles, british invasion bands (hollies, etc)
Tube preamp- I havent really listened to a tubed preamp with the bryston, so i cannot suggest one which fits well. But I have listened to the VTL -TL 2.5. I really enjoyed listening to it.
If i could afford the Halcro DM8- I would get that. I listened to the Halcro, with a BAT Amp (Solid State) (model unknown), and Wilson Sophia's and DCS CD Player (model unknown)- This was a mind boggeling experience- with a similer price tag.

philoman2 April 18, 2006 07:09

Are those ceramic cones on the Thiels? How's it sound with t he Bryston? What kind of music? Top five albums? If you were going to add a tube preamp what kind would it be?

biomimetic April 16, 2006 20:50

Well MY room is quite small, probably around 14x14x9?? I was considering bookshelfs, such as the Sonus Faber's but I then factored in that our family is moving to a larger house, with more space for the speakers to "breathe"
-I have tried to change the speakers placement, but im not quite able to move it away from the radiators. Also my listening position is where i have taken the photos, so maybe 7 feet from the speakers. I am not able to move my listening position because I have a built-in desk opposite the speakers, which makes it complicated to sit in the optimal position

philoman2 April 16, 2006 12:18

I am 29 and dont have a system like this!!!

Wish I were in your shoes.

D

eccbo April 15, 2006 03:59

Philoman2,
you have fine equiptment, now let it breathe. I don't know about you living conditions but to arrange the room where the systen is on the short axis, and the music is projecting out to the longer axis of the room. The speakers must be equidistant from the side & back walls as much as possible. But we don't live in soundrooms, but you are just doing wonderfully.

surfgod April 15, 2006 01:28

Mom and dad are good to you huh?
Well, good for you.

enzopolotso April 14, 2006 23:30

System edited: I changed some of my photos, which i believe shows it off better than my previous pics. I also moved around some of my furniture, in order to widen the distance between the speakers for better imaging. The result is a enormous sound stage. I have not changed any components in my system.

philoman2 April 14, 2006 19:41

Great choice of components to compliment wonderful speakers. The hardest part is giving the system some room to breathe. In the right of the above picture if that is a radiator, try to get the speaker away from a heat source.
I had to rearrange my living room to accomidate my system.
Wish I had half as good as a system when I was 16.
Enjoy.

surfgod March 28, 2006 00:23

That's an excellent system! I know audiophiles that been involved in this hobby for years and chose an integrated amp in the end so your system is a pretty darn good effort for a first try!

phd March 06, 2006 21:18