Sir Rab of Everest Posted October 8, 2013 Posted October 8, 2013 Bryan's preamp is a Tram2. But Bryan has modified every electronic component in his system. I have essentially the same system, but (to date), not so finely tuned/tweaked. My amplifier remains stock. Regarding waiting times, it took us nearly a year to get our amplifiers built, but some of that was R&D time, so new buyers may do better. - r.
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted October 8, 2013 Author Volunteer Posted October 8, 2013 How do you avoid frying the kids, Rab? That is the thing that holds me back at the moment.
Herbyj Posted October 8, 2013 Posted October 8, 2013 Hi Rab Are the amplifiers modfied Acoustats? Modified by Roger Modjeski? Which Acoustat panels are you running them with? I heard the Acoustat X many years ago and they are certainly one of the best. I treid to buy a pair a few years ago but they had sold by the time I got to make an offer. Herby
PixelPlay Posted October 9, 2013 Posted October 9, 2013 It is an amazing system, Bryan has spent a great deal of time conjuring it up! I really like the stands and once they have some grill cloth on them they will visually disappear, well almost.
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted October 9, 2013 Author Volunteer Posted October 9, 2013 It is an amazing system, Bryan has spent a great deal of time conjuring it up! I really like the stands and once they have some grill cloth on them they will visually disappear, well almost. Agreed, with some nice covering they will actually look very good - not dissimilar to many other panels They certainly disappear sonically
Juicester Posted October 9, 2013 Posted October 9, 2013 Anyone want a pair of Zingalis? granted - your comment is slightly tongue in cheek, but the premise of your story has an important moral that I'm taking away. Don't go listen to anyone elses system unless you're pretty confident that your setup will sound better. Following this approach will ensure complete satisfaction on return to your own audio environment. 1
PixelPlay Posted October 9, 2013 Posted October 9, 2013 Yup, I know what you mean, I could have done with your advice a couple of months ago as I have now sold my entire system accept for the reel to reel after hearing his system! 2
Newman Posted October 9, 2013 Posted October 9, 2013 I have auditioned some pretty hot home systems including the full top MBL line, Clearaudio/ME/Quad, and of course darthlaker's temple of sound. But my best music playback experience was at Adelaide Studios, when I had the good fortune of a private audition. This is one of only 21 Dolby Premium certified spaces in the world, and the audio playback standards that have to be met are incredible -- certification can only be granted after in-person inspection by an extremely picky UK expert consultant. The studio was conceived from the ground up (literally, i.e. hole in the ground) with this aim in mind, including full computer modelling, massive isolation from exterior sounds, floating floors, full interior treatments, equalization, etc etc. Järvi's Beethoven in surround? -- I just don't think readers can understand without hearing it. What did I learn from this experience? That ultimate sound is not about pieces of audio gear and their 'sound' qualities and synergies, but rather it is about total system integration towards a fully specified sound field target. And that multi-channel is the path to take if we want the best. 2
Monty Posted October 9, 2013 Posted October 9, 2013 Nice write up Zingmore - gives a sense of your thrill in listening to this system. Given the other impressive speakers you've heard and liked, it must be something special. I also liked reading about the music you listened to - some great selections, well described.
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted October 9, 2013 Author Volunteer Posted October 9, 2013 granted - your comment is slightly tongue in cheek, but the premise of your story has an important moral that I'm taking away. Don't go listen to anyone elses system unless you're pretty confident that your setup will sound better. Following this approach will ensure complete satisfaction on return to your own audio environment. I'm not sure it is entirely tongue in cheek!
hedalfa Posted October 9, 2013 Posted October 9, 2013 'ease and grace, with no effort whatsoever, they simply stepped aside and let the music flow'. Impressive, no mean feat. Much easier said than done, a rediscovery of the music.
Guest gnnett Posted October 11, 2013 Posted October 11, 2013 Hi Guys These sound like an amazing and exciting piece of kit to say the least! Having played around with more conventional Acoustats over the years this is definitely at a whole new level. I am a little confused by reference above to 2m wide Acoustats andan inference that Bryan has Spectra 66's or at least startedwith them, as they are definitely not any more.With panels about 230mm wide, this suggests 8 panels per side! That is someserious panel area is this right?Best WishesGrant
gamve Posted October 12, 2013 Posted October 12, 2013 No 4 panels per side single height only Cheers Graham
andyr Posted October 12, 2013 Posted October 12, 2013 Yup, I know what you mean, I could have done with your advice a couple of months ago as I have now sold my entire system accept for the reel to reel after hearing his system! You've got rid of your 3.7s, Greg??? :eek: And your TT? Andy
Sir Rab of Everest Posted October 13, 2013 Posted October 13, 2013 (edited) I have heard a few pairs of Acoustats and they sound pretty good. I know where there is a pair of the big Spectra 66's like Bryan's in Perth. They are not and never were spectra 66's. They are a DIY design using raw early Acoustat 9" panels (i.e., just the raw 'drivers') - originally from a pair of 2+2's, not that it matters... One of the best things about Acoustat panels is that they are nearly indestructable: the stators are threaded wires covered with insulation, so there is no arcing. Ours are from the 1980's. I believe it's safe to say that these DIY speakers significantly outperform any of Acoustat's commercial speakers, so if people reading this thread think they know what these would sound like, think again! I have no idea what something like that kind of setup would cost. I was thinking 10's of thousands :/ The basic components are not so expensive, but every component has been modified with upgraded (and expensive) parts... i estimate total system cost approaching $30k Which Acoustats are they? I think the servo amps originally came with the X and the Monitor 3/4 but you can use the amps with the more current models by bypassing the transformer and direct coupling the amp to the panel. That's correct, but the Acoustat direct drive amplifiers were notoriously unreliable, which I understand is one of the main reasons they quickly changed to transformer coupled interfaces, also allowing Acoustats to be used with 'normal' amplifiers capable of driving low impedance loads. But the early direct drive amplifiers are said to have sounded much better, and our experience certainly supports that. How do you avoid frying the kids, Rab? That is the thing that holds me back at the moment. My kids have shown no interest in the speakers, but in any case i warned them to stay away when they are turned on (generally only when i am listening to music, and the speakers are pulled out into the room). But once the design is finalised, the exposed wiring will all be covered up and out of reach of inquisitive fingers etc, so no more dangerous than any electrostatic speaker. Are the amplifiers modfied Acoustats? Modified by Roger Modjeski? No. It's a new amplifier developed by Roger. - r. Edited October 13, 2013 by rab
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted October 13, 2013 Author Volunteer Posted October 13, 2013 Thanks for the clarifications rab. I'm not big on the technical details but when I said the speakers were 'nominally' acoustats I meant that, as you suggest, they may have started life as acoustats but they have been modified into something completely different. Also, as you suggest, it's the system we were listening to. I believe that the speaker end of the system is so incredibly transparent that it would be completely revealing of any upstream flaws. All of these upstream components have been heavily modified so that the whole thing comes together as a complete system
Juicester Posted October 13, 2013 Posted October 13, 2013 $30k - that's a fairly reasonable amount. I've probabyl spent a touch over half that and I'm sure my system doesn't sound half as good.
tuyen Posted October 23, 2013 Posted October 23, 2013 I, along with a few other Perthians were fortunate enough to spend a good 6-7hrs listening to this system on Monday, while we were over in Melb for the hi-fi show. I have to admit this system Bryan has meticulously build and tuned, is truly amazing. Ultimate in coherency from top to bottom. Bass impact/articulation that I never thought would be possible from a panel. Musical peaks of 110db with low distortion. Soundstage width and depth is superb (though expected from a dipole speaker). The music actually came alive! Bravo Bryan! 2
houdinifangs Posted October 23, 2013 Posted October 23, 2013 Hmmmm....I'm not convinced until I see pictures 1
Meddi Posted November 8, 2013 Posted November 8, 2013 I kind of love and hate threads like this. On one hand I really want to hear this system as maybe it's what I have been searching for. On the other I love going home and having a drink on my lounge and listening to my system (which is more than 30k) which currently I am very happy with. I'd probably lose my daily poise if I heard it. Also the wife won't let me have large ESL's...... Exactly how big are they?
Steve M Posted November 14, 2013 Posted November 14, 2013 Having now heard LPG/Bryan's system and re-reading Whatmore's report on them, he is pretty spot on. Very special sounding loudspeakers ... Steve.
Dr Good Vibe Posted November 14, 2013 Posted November 14, 2013 Would like to hear them at some time Bryan. the greater interest is the direct drive.
Sir Rab of Everest Posted November 14, 2013 Posted November 14, 2013 I believe Whatmore heard Bryan's system with the CDC transport, which produced much better sound than the borrowed transport Bryan was using when Steve M et al visited!
Steve M Posted November 15, 2013 Posted November 15, 2013 The mind boggles at what could sound better than what we heard that day, in terms of the things that really matter ...sheer impact aside.
gamve Posted November 15, 2013 Posted November 15, 2013 Would very much like to hear LPG's system again but this time with the modified TL1. I don't think Bryan will mind me saying that his TL1 needed some attention. The bearing was worn and the machine was taking a long time to read TOC and boot up. Good that all is up to speed and working again. Bryan says the new design bearing fitted lifts the Sound quality of the TL1 up a notch. I have mine booked in with Mark OTL for a replacement bearing and some power supply work over Christmas. Now to get my foot patched up and get mobile again and get my panels and dd OTL amp hooked up
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