After getting tired of the sound from my Logitech Z5500's I decided it was time to venture into the world of 2ch.

System comprises of:

Vintage Nikko NA-2090

Matrix Mini DAC

US Audio (something or other's) - Soon to be replaced

The vintage Nikko was sitting in the garage collecting dust and the left channel wasn't working (once belonged to my old man). After getting it repaired and firing it up again I was seriously surprised how good it sounded even with the crappy speakers it was driving. I can't wait to get some higher quality bookshelves. I'm thinking MA BX2.

The Nikko came up really nicely!

Nice clean unit.

That's a cool starter system Smoovie. I remember my first system fondly and the happiness that brought me.

Cheers,

Bodhi

Nice work, it looks like a great start.

So i've been bitten by the upgrade bug. System is now as follows:

The Emotiva combo seems to do a much better job of driving the Ushers. The soundstage has opened up considerably.

Usher Audio S520

Emotiva USP-1 and XPA 200

Edited October 13, 201213 yr by Smoovie

Oooh! How do the Ushers and the Emotivas go together? I recall that the Ushers sound their best with a bit of grunt behind them.

Oooh! How do the Ushers and the Emotivas go together? I recall that the Ushers sound their best with a bit of grunt behind them.

I think the combo works well, although if you had a 'bright' DAC it might be a little much. Instrumental and female vocals sound amazing.Crisp and clear.

i hope you've got those ushers on stands my friend! ...

Looks like "speaker" stands!

Congrats to the op, that system looks great.

Looks like "speaker" stands!

Congrats to the op, that system looks great.

They are "speaker" stands. Well spotted!

The old US Audio 660B's are doing an admirable job as stands for the Usher's.

Nice combo for great bang for buck

They are "speaker" stands. Well spotted!

The old US Audio 660B's are doing an admirable job as stands for the Usher's.

well the next upgrade you make should be proper stands... you'll notice an improvement!! (or at the very least, maybe some vibrapods under your speakers).....

well the next upgrade you make should be proper stands... you'll notice an improvement!! (or at the very least, maybe some vibrapods under your speakers).....

Excuse the ignorance, but what are vibrapods.?

http://www.vibrapod.com/

help take out unwanted resonances entering your speaker/amp/cd player etc.... definitely think the cone + pod works best for gear, but that wouldn't work with speakers - pod only.

It has been a while since the last update and I have been through a few components since the last update. 

 

First System:
Nikko NA2090

Matrix Mini Dac

US Audio (can't recall the model name)

Second System:
Emotiva USP-1
Emotiva XPA200

Usher Audio S520

Third System (downsize):
Rega Brio-R

Rega DAC

Q Acoustics 2010i

 

Fourth System (following move to London UK)

Q Acoustics BT3 (great little speakers for the money)

 

Fifth System

Rotel A12

Q Acoustics 3020i (again, excellent for the money)

Ifi Zen Stream

 

Sixth System (current)

Rotel A12

Monitor Audio Bronze 200

Ifi Zen Stream

 

I'm not really loving the MA Bronze 200, so will be looking to move these on in the coming months. There is something about the mid-range that is really lacking. I have my eye on Wharfedale Lintons or KEF R3's with an appropriate amplifier upgrade (open to recommendations below 2000GBP).

What do you think of the Q Acoustics 3020i?

They're currently on special down here for 208 pounds.

I don't need another pair of speakers, but it wouldn't hurt

1 minute ago, Darryl said:

What do you think of the Q Acoustics 3020i?

They're currently on special down here for 208 pounds.

I don't need another pair of speakers, but it wouldn't hurt

They're excellent for the price! I actually preferred them over the 3030i.

 

Obviously the laws of physics still apply and they don't dig particularly deep, but they're a very easy listen. I only swapped them out because I moved to a larger flat and the 3020i's just couldn't fill the room. 

Yeah they'd only be used in a small room (about 5m x 3.5m) and I prefer not to be overpowered with bass in a room that size so might give them a go.

Cheers.