astonmartinv8 Posted February 3, 2019 Posted February 3, 2019 I have a PS Audio Directstream with a Bridge 2, and two Bryston 7BSST, into B&W 802D's. I am getting sick of the space it takes up and the wires!! I have a weird shaped room, like a quarter of a circle, 5m from centre to outer edge and the system sits on the outer edge firing in. Any ideas as to what I could replace it with that might give me the bulk of the sound quality. I was thinking of two Devialet phantom golds for example. I'd keep the 802s if I could find a good enough one-box source. Any good ideas welcome. Thanks, Marcus.
warweary Posted February 3, 2019 Posted February 3, 2019 If i may ask, what's your equipment rack and cable routing like? You might be able to fix your issues with some cable management. Otherwise, two integrated amps come to mind, the Modwright kwi 200 with the dac, or the Classe 2200i. Both have the power and quality your 802's need.
astonmartinv8 Posted February 3, 2019 Author Posted February 3, 2019 Good suggestion re cable management, any thoughts re quality equipment racks?
astonmartinv8 Posted February 3, 2019 Author Posted February 3, 2019 15 minutes ago, todagt said: Gryphon Diablo with DAC card? Interesting
Eagleeyes Posted February 3, 2019 Posted February 3, 2019 (edited) Hi Marcus The Vitus integrated powers my 802's very well. you can add a second amp if you want to bi amp but with 350 odd watts the speakers you don't need it IMHO I have the Direct stream too - have you done the free upgrade to Snowmass as its well worth it . Not really the perfect answer but you have good gear- i see and have heard a lot of people try the Devialet and they some seem to sell again pretty quickly. I am not sure if the technology is as good as it makes out when it comes to amps especially, I tried a really nice Stello class D amp and yes it was nice but just not the same, good luck with your searching and sorry if my rant is a bit off subject. cheers Adam PS Vitus can have DAC and phono stage cards added too if required. Edited February 3, 2019 by Eagleeyes
Pim Posted February 4, 2019 Posted February 4, 2019 21 hours ago, Irek said: HI, there is one Devialet 220 pro for sale. As an owner of a Devialet 200 and 1000 Pro I can tell you the 220 won't have the power the Brystons have and will probably disappoint on the 802's. It might not sound like much, being only 30 extra Watts, but the 250 Pro is a cracker of an amp. Upgradable to 1000 Pro if you want will only ask for 4 extra cm in hight. I took my 1000 Pro to a mate with 802's and he was very impressed. As for the Phantom, have a look on DevialetChat. There are plenty of enthusiasts there but also some who just can't seem to reliably keep them playing music. I for one would't thouch them. 1
cafe67 Posted February 5, 2019 Posted February 5, 2019 (edited) What about those new Kii (spelling) speakers, amps, pre, dacs, dsp all in 2 boxes? https://www.stereophile.com/content/kii-audio-three-loudspeaker-measurements Edited February 5, 2019 by cafe67 2
sjay Posted February 5, 2019 Posted February 5, 2019 Pass labs make a very beastie integrated. It may have the current to slap the 802's around like a step child. You can store your 7b's with me until you decide on your final setup, they can keep my Ayre MX-R's company in regular shoot outs
Buffle Posted February 5, 2019 Posted February 5, 2019 2nd on the Kii Three. Just provide a source and be done with it. If you’re looking to reduce your gear and cable count they’re very hard to beat.
MattyW Posted February 8, 2019 Posted February 8, 2019 I have tried to take backwards steps with gear..... You'll never be satisfied with less. I'd suggest looking into better cable management or furniture which allows you to hide the wires. I personally love entertainment consoles. Below is a somewhat out of date picture of my system (components have changed) though you get the idea. Don't know if something similar would work for you?
andrewhollo Posted February 14, 2019 Posted February 14, 2019 (edited) On 03/02/2019 at 3:18 PM, astonmartinv8 said: I was thinking of two Devialet phantom golds for example. I replaced a $40k+ multi-box system (MSB DAC + SGR speakers with separate powersupplies etc ---- six boxes in total with numerous leads) with a $10k pair of Devialet Phantom Golds. I listened to the Kii3 as a comparator (although it's twice the price at around $20k) and didn't think it was as good - perhaps better in the midrange but physically bulkier and harder to place in my room. The Phantoms are remarkably forgiving in terms of placement. Regarding stability, yes, there are a few 'resets' required from time to time (about once a week), but that inconvenience is way less than the Tea Ceremony of powering up my previous system! I've never been happier. Just bought the 'baby' Phantom, the Reactor, for the office too. It's great. Andrew Edited February 14, 2019 by andrewhollo
Guest Posted February 15, 2019 Posted February 15, 2019 6 hours ago, andrewhollo said: The Phantoms are remarkably forgiving in terms of placement. Interesting... Can you please elaborate more on placements that you have tried. What is your room like, how much treatment ? Steve Huff, who is well known for photography, loves the Gold http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2016/12/01/hifi-the-devialet-phantom-gold-speakers-full-stereo-pair-review/ He mentions that the stands are critical, so what stands are being used?
KRSDarwin Posted February 15, 2019 Posted February 15, 2019 Self designed cabinet might be an option - we designed this 0ne for our room (based on Peactree Integrated Amp) and had it built to order, stores audio gear and records and accessories
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted February 15, 2019 Volunteer Posted February 15, 2019 On 05/02/2019 at 9:49 PM, Buffle said: 2nd on the Kii Three. Just provide a source and be done with it. If you’re looking to reduce your gear and cable count they’re very hard to beat. This
maxspl Posted February 16, 2019 Posted February 16, 2019 (edited) The Kii Three sound better than the B&W 800D3 I heard recently , so not only will you reduce box count but also get an upgrade in sound quality. Try to audition quality active speakers , such as dutch and dutch , devialet , atc , sgr and the Kii. Edited February 16, 2019 by MarkT
Gordon Macfarlane Posted February 16, 2019 Posted February 16, 2019 SGR or Linn actives come to mind ,with a streamer/pre of your choice.
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted February 16, 2019 Volunteer Posted February 16, 2019 2 hours ago, MarkT said: The Kii Three sound better than the B&W 800D3 I heard recently , so not only will you reduce box count but also get an upgrade in sound quality. Try to audition quality active speakers , such as dutch and dutch , devialet , atc , sgr and the Kii. SGR, Kii, D&D are in a completely different league to devialet (IMHO). I haven't heard ATC, so I can't comment
maxspl Posted February 16, 2019 Posted February 16, 2019 (edited) 21 minutes ago, Sir Sanders Zingmore said: SGR, Kii, D&D are in a completely different league to devialet (IMHO). I haven't heard ATC, so I can't comment I haven't heard the devialet but they do seem to be well regarded and a cheaper option plus have the WAF . Edited February 16, 2019 by MarkT
paulrp Posted April 13, 2019 Posted April 13, 2019 Self designed cabinet might be an option - we designed this 0ne for our room (based on Peactree Integrated Amp) and had it built to order, stores audio gear and records and accessories Nice cabinet.On a bigger scale, obviously not condensing a system....A new idea came to mind while looking at your cabinet that i hadn't considered before. If like me you had a hallway or access on the other side of the wall that the cabinet backs onto, leaving the wall studs in place you could cut out the plaster from behind the cabinet on both sides of the wall and add cabinetry doors or easily removable inspection panels to the other side of wall, drill through the studs for taking wiring side way etc, without effecting any structural aspect of the wall.Remove the rear pannels on your cabinet. If you moved house, yes you'd have to plaster patch your wall either side and repaint.You would have wall thickness to run cables and fully access the rear to your equipment giving room to play. While the cabinet remains tight up against the wall, neat and tidy.Another idea is that you make the cabinet 700mm deep for the bottom sides and top, but shelves and gables only 600mm. No back on the cabinet and put heavy duty stick on felt or cabinet feet with felt. Then you slide out the cabinet for access, then push it back in.Works for timber floors or tile.Another tricky door system to use for a cabinet is Pocket doors.Where the doors slide back into the sides inside the cabinet. You do need to allow about 50-70 mm either side for the pocket, but the doors are housed inside the cabinet and can remain open. Only challenge is that you need independent shelving support either side... a seperate gable either side to support the shelves or vertical posts etc. Tricky but no doors open in the room.My cabinet is just over my garage area which is underneath and i could also pump hot air through the floor or wall downward into the garage to extract heat from the cabinetThe joys of running a 11 speaker system for theatre and a two channel dedicated listening rig all in one set up.You do then need a great preamp with theatre bipass.Heat is an issue.
paulrp Posted April 13, 2019 Posted April 13, 2019 I like the idea of the Gryphon Diablo with DAC card. Awesome. Joseph at Audio Connect would be a good contact. He raves about the power of Gryphon.What about Dynaudio studio custom install.Or special forty or C1 stand mounts. Less size in the room.
Wimbo Posted April 14, 2019 Posted April 14, 2019 (edited) On 09/02/2019 at 12:15 AM, MattyW said: I'd suggest looking into better cable management or furniture which allows you to hide the wires. Can't remember how many places I've been to, trying to fix hums and buzzes and non musicality because of cable management. Edited April 14, 2019 by Wimbo
DJGopal Posted April 14, 2019 Posted April 14, 2019 Don't do it. Very few of the options mentioned will deliver what you already have. Tidy up your cables, put on some tunes and pour yourself a drink 1
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