nodice Posted August 27, 2012 Posted August 27, 2012 I have finally gotten around to upgrading my speakers and I am now a very happy owner of some piano black cx4f's. For those of you that kindly replied to my amplification thread back in 2010 over here, I went out and came home empty handed when I came to the conclusion I was expecting too much from my Dynaudio 52's. At the moment I have the cxf4's running out of the dacmagic plus, It sounds great for it's price, however I have ordered a m51 for some hopefully gained improvements. The cambridge unit is a bit thin for my taste, we'll see how it compares. The vinyl is also taking a back seat until I feel comfortable investing in a pre, but I think one step at a time might be a good idea considering the amount of extra music I am already hearing. I've attached a photo for some contrast between the old and new. 2
joz Posted August 27, 2012 Posted August 27, 2012 Haha!, those little Dyns couldn't stand a chance next to the CX4s. Well done!
PorkBun69s Posted August 28, 2012 Posted August 28, 2012 (edited) Another satisfied SGR customer. Congrats, those CX4's are quite transparent, not surprised you're hearing all those extra details coming through.. Edited August 28, 2012 by katattack74
Catostylus Posted August 28, 2012 Posted August 28, 2012 Congratulations. I expect to join you on Thursday. 1
Young Skywalker Posted August 28, 2012 Posted August 28, 2012 Congratulations. I expect to join you on Thursday. Thursday is indeed the big day . 1
Telecine Posted August 28, 2012 Posted August 28, 2012 Congrats on the upgrade, they are superb speakers that I am sure you will enjoy for many years to come. 1
nodice Posted September 5, 2012 Author Posted September 5, 2012 Thank you everyone, I just want to say that I got around to adding the Mac Pro to the USB setup on the dacmagic plus and things have improved with the hi res music and also what I think is upsampling on normal flac rips. I think I'll be sticking to digital for a while
Catostylus Posted September 5, 2012 Posted September 5, 2012 Thursday is indeed the big day . Thursday was a very big day indeed! 1
nodice Posted September 5, 2012 Author Posted September 5, 2012 Thursday was a very big day indeed! Have you made a thread Catostylus?
krebetman Posted September 5, 2012 Posted September 5, 2012 Very elegant setup, the idea of a good dac/pre driving active speakers...
nodice Posted September 25, 2012 Author Posted September 25, 2012 Still waiting on the m51, however it is suppose to arrive this week. I have played around and installed audirvana to the mac and what a difference... good bye vlc.
Catostylus Posted September 25, 2012 Posted September 25, 2012 Have you made a thread Catostylus? No, the world* seems to have enough CX4F threads already. Glad you're enjoying yours. *Well, SNA anyway.
BATMAQN Posted September 25, 2012 Posted September 25, 2012 Nice speakers You don't see much wood panelling nowadays a blast from the past nice. I grew up in a house with wood panelling.
nodice Posted September 25, 2012 Author Posted September 25, 2012 Nice speakers You don't see much wood panelling nowadays a blast from the past nice. I grew up in a house with wood panelling. Thanks, I really like them, even though they are older than I am
dralj Posted September 29, 2012 Posted September 29, 2012 Beautiful speakers, I have heard these and they are fabulous, must sound nice in a big room like yours. Any room treatments in store?
nodice Posted September 30, 2012 Author Posted September 30, 2012 Beautiful speakers, I have heard these and they are fabulous, must sound nice in a big room like yours. Any room treatments in store? Hi dralj, They do and the treatment is something I am unsure of at this point. I prefer to sit back at the table behind where the picture is taken occasionally, I can then hear the end of the bass notes more as being equal with the triangle I am a bit submersed. Sitting behind the triangle I feel I am getting a concert feel with the low end. If anything maybe some reflection panels to grab the high's, the bass is great and not boomy or anything like that.
PorkBun69s Posted September 30, 2012 Posted September 30, 2012 No, the world* seems to have enough CX4F threads already. Glad you're enjoying yours. *Well, SNA anyway. I think you should at least start one to track your journey here on SNA
nodice Posted October 10, 2012 Author Posted October 10, 2012 The M51 arrived, so so... beautiful. Instant difference over the dacmagic plus (a tad less than half the price), but it did a great job temporarily with these speakers. Believe the hype.
nodice Posted February 11, 2013 Author Posted February 11, 2013 I am just going to journal here some recent upgrades and what I think about my journey so far. MSB Dac - fixed everything wrong with any of the other dac's I had that were mush cheaper and made the speakers disappear. A more balanced performance of instruments and I can play the music at deafening levels with no distortion. Van den hul interconnects - upgraded from xlr cables that were donated, not sure on the brand. Gained better stage/dimensional music/cleaner highs and more detail. It took some boomy ness out of the sound even though I did not think any existed. Cheap usb cable that is visibly shield under a transparent layer, I was using a belkin pro from an old printer, very significant upgrade for nothing. Kicking myself really for not experimenting. Generally speaking, the interconnects and usb cable upgrades were definitely worth it, though I would not be happy if I took one of those away now, they perfectly complimented each other. I do have some power leads coming my way and I'll post my thoughts on those when they arrive.
GraemeB Posted February 11, 2013 Posted February 11, 2013 (edited) I am continually reminded how transparent (a much over-used descriptor) the SGR CX4Fs are. Like all too many here, little remains static in my system, trying different combinations of cables, valves, speaker positions, etc, etc Awaiting imminent arrival of a Concert Fidelity pre-amp. New (NOS) valves ready to be installed. Also going to experiment with the other NOS output valves in my Lampizator level 4 DAC. And the constant in all of this audio nervosa-driven activity? My CX4Fs of course! Edited February 11, 2013 by GraemeB
nodice Posted February 11, 2013 Author Posted February 11, 2013 My opinion is if its not recorded with valves than I will not follow, the gains are minimal otherwise imho. Wish you were closer I'd like to listen!
GraemeB Posted February 11, 2013 Posted February 11, 2013 (edited) The thing is, nodice, how much of the music of the last 50-60 years was recorded using valve gear somewhere in the recording process, in mics and mixing desks etc? Not suggesting you know, just wondering aloud... My aim in all I'm doing is to attenuate digital-sounding audio to get closer to the experience of the black grooved-vinlyl platter reproduction. I know some people love the romantic tactile experience of handling and playing vinyl, but I enjoy the versatility that computer audio offers, although still in it's infancy by comparison. Ultimately, it is each to their own. No rights, no wrongs, (but I may be mistaken...) only personal experience and preferences. As I said previously, I'm just glad I've got a pair of speakers that provide reference enough for me to play and compare other system options. Edited February 11, 2013 by GraemeB
nodice Posted February 11, 2013 Author Posted February 11, 2013 (edited) If you were assuming you would assume correct. I just recently watched sound city on itune's and these guys would know what it's all about I'd imagine. I think your aim is great and I am happy that you share your explanation as a number of people only generalise and leave us wondering. See I don't want it to sound like vinyl... I thought thats what I was looking for, but it's got nothing to do with the vinyl and it's all about the mixing desk and who's behind it. I also know that there is many better systems out there then mine, but it's not the way and i just think we are being taken for a ride. In fact it's evident. What I mean is though you still need good gear that we both have, but to chase can in most circumstances be a waste after this point. But the real fun begins for me, chasing music and not amps or speakers etc Edited February 11, 2013 by nodice
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