Cheers Lindsay, I'll have take some good pics of my new toys for you tomorrow then...although my delivery has been delayed by the weather...not much longer now...

entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitatem:entities are not to be multiplied beyond necessity - Ockham's Razor

My speakers have arrived!Hard to believe that not more than a year ago I first posted a series of really naive questions about setting up a new system for under 6K. At the time I only new of those glossy magazines and glossy salesmen who sold the usual equipment. Now, only slightly less naive it's finished (ha!). Never got the 6k however through wise SNA counsil I have put together a much less expensive system of used gear that certainly offers something different perhaps even special and certainly better value than the more prosaic retail options (Rega RP1 aside). So here it is:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]36504[/ATTACH]

and a close up of the black pearl finish on the HB 1's just for Rantan

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It sounds as it should.

Edited October 1, 201114 yr by houdinifangs

Look fantastic! Congrats hudini.

Looking forward to your impressions

entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitatem:entities are not to be multiplied beyond necessity - Ockham's Razor

My speakers have arrived!Hard to believe that not more than a year ago I first posted a series of really naive questions about setting up a new system for under 6K. At the time I only new of those glossy magazines and glossy salesmen who sold the usual equipment. Now, only slightly less naive it's finished (ha!). Never got the 6k however through wise SNA counsil I have put together a much less expensive system of used gear that certainly offers something different perhaps even special and certainly better value than the more prosaic retail options (Rega RP1 aside). So here it is:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]36504[/ATTACH]

and a close up of the black pearl finish on the HB 1's just for Rantan

[ATTACH=CONFIG]36505[/ATTACH]

It sounds as it should.

You have done well enjoy your journey

G'day Matt.

Now that pearl black looks far better and the overall system looks very suave indeed. Funny thing though.........that amplifier looks kinda familiar

Have fun mate, you deserve it.

Initial impressions - Cut and Polish

This has always intended to be a small scale 70-80db, intimate and focused system. It won't fill the house and the sweet spot is pretty narrow. Not the best for entertaining or playing in the background while your frying eggs or taking a shower - perfect for one serious listener

Digital: Soooo much more detail, imaging and perhaps an element of swing has entered. Texture and tonality with a liquid finish. Anything from the ECM label sounds clean and lush. Electronic is tight and clean. Bass is very articulate and deep enough to enjoy with a morning coffee but perhaps not earthshaking for those who like to rock out at 90db+ Unfortunately poorly recorded and especially unbalanced recordings are revealed. They don't necessarily sound bad just not as magical as the good stuff - I'll be entertained sorting the wheat fro the chaff in my library.

Analog (TT): The limitations of my TT end have been revealed. The emperor wears no clothes. The HB's have a sensitivity of 97db. Every snap, crackle and pop is highly audible. My old system had very poor imaging so the imaging of my DAC was never heard and I preferred the warmth of vinyl. This system images and the limited imaging of my TT makes my records sound lifeless compared to my digital source. Time to invest in some record cleaning solutions and saving for an analog upgrade.

Conclusion: It is everything I wanted it to be and I am a very happy camper

Now that pearl black looks far better and the overall system looks very suave indeed. Funny thing though.........that amplifier looks kinda familiar

So do those speakers....

Funny thing though.........that amplifier looks kinda familiar

So do those speakers....

I can't imagine why...

Well I think that the whole set up is WAF friendly

Glad the search is over

Now enjoy the music

FR

I heard Matts system this morning. It sounds great. Very balanced and not too shabby on the eyes either. The sound Is revealling and engaging, drawing you into the performance. Being the second pair of full rangers I have heard, I was surprised by the frequency extension. The finish on the speakers is spectacular with the light bringing out the fleck. A very enjoyable couple of hours with a large variety of vinyl and digital tracks.

I heard Matts system this morning. It sounds great. Very balanced and not too shabby on the eyes either. The sound Is revealling and engaging, drawing you into the performance. Being the second pair of full rangers I have heard, I was surprised by the frequency extension. The finish on the speakers is spectacular with the light bringing out the fleck. A very enjoyable couple of hours with a large variety of vinyl and digital tracks.

Glad you were there to make me persist with vinyl - came up nicely with the right wax

Now enjoy the music

FR

Oh yeah. I spun The Revolution Will not be televised just for you...

Oh yeah. I spun The Revolution Will not be televised just for you...

I am still enjoying John Zorn and other artists that you introduced me to, and I thank you for it

Having said that I am sure that you will enjoy listening to music with full range driver speakers

FR

The couple of melodic tracks I heard from the new Zorn lp were great. I really enjoyed zomby.

Hey Fangs, might have to take a trek down to the boondocks (I grew up in your fair town, ahem) for a listen sometime,

always intrigued by full ranger's imaging

regards Ian

Hey Fangs, might have to take a trek down to the boondocks (I grew up in your fair town, ahem) for a listen sometime,

always intrigued by full ranger's imaging

regards Ian

More than welcome Ian - i'd love to hear some Monolake on this system...

Couple updates.

Most obviously a Spider Rack - simple, elegant and I think it's smaller footprint and skeletal frame has created more space for the image to hover...

I've also sold off the TeraDak - it sounded great but I don't like using computer as an interface. At the time I wanted some $$$ to buy a new phono but the one I was coverting in the FS sold before I could sell the TeraDak

So, I bought Unclemacks's Shangling CD player. I still have a large CD collection so I've unjoyed having a silver disc spinner again. It's top loading which is what I really wanted as the drawer mechansim has broken on my other CD players each time and it also has tubes.

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Thar be the glow from the CDP...

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Hi Matt.

Wow. What a great looking system. That rack looks the biz as well and suits the room/gear perfectly. It's also nice to se someone with a nice CD player instead of a computer, especially a tube output stage player.

I have an old-ish Audio Space CD player and it still sounds fabulous, so I can understand the attraction.

Congrats mate, it looks just wonderful.

Cheers.

Nice looking system there houndi!

system look great Matt. Nicely balanced.

Very tidy work Matt.

Looking very sheik Matt, and congrats on the CDP. I agonized over getting some Hoyts Bedfords for some time- in fact it was that particular pair.

Hey matt,

I too think you have awesome photographic skills- self taught?

Of course it helps having a great looking set-up. I'm sure its great sounding too. Next time I'm in your neck of the woods I would love to hear it for myself.... and I'm confident I would come away with more obscure must purchase music.

Congrats.

James

Very Nice!

beautiful looking system you have there Matt. Hope to get hear it and meet you soon : )

Thanks for the kind words and I'm due for a Saturday or Sunday to have a few "strange stereo thingy" people over for some tunes and a beverage. I do like taking photographs but I don't own a DSLR and need to borrow one whenever I feel the need. Mrs Fangs wants one so perhaps I'll get lucky with that later in the year.