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Hi All
Jun 13, 2018 18:54:37 GMT
Post by macca on Jun 13, 2018 18:54:37 GMT
Y'all know me. DSJR said this is where he is hanging out now so said I would pop in and say hi. Hi to you too Andrew, I've still got those speakers.
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Deleted
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Hi All
Jun 13, 2018 19:12:10 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2018 19:12:10 GMT
Well Howdy old chap.
S.
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Hi All
Jun 13, 2018 19:24:09 GMT
Post by macca on Jun 13, 2018 19:24:09 GMT
How's it going? Was reading your XTZ CD player thread with interest the other night although it got bit sidetracked.
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Jun 13, 2018 19:28:30 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2018 19:28:30 GMT
Same as usual. I find the XTZ a bit too warm sounding. Sounded fairly nice playing Bob James's 'Cool' Album.
S.
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Hi All
Jun 13, 2018 19:44:54 GMT
Post by macca on Jun 13, 2018 19:44:54 GMT
I've got the matching amp to that player and that does seem to prefer 'warmer' sources so maybe that's why?
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Bigman80
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Hi All
Jun 13, 2018 19:55:38 GMT
Post by Bigman80 on Jun 13, 2018 19:55:38 GMT
Y'all know me. DSJR said this is where he is hanging out now so said I would pop in and say hi. Hi to you too Andrew, I've still got those speakers. Hi Martin, it’s great to see you here. I love the fact you found someth8nh special in those Akais. They became pretty well known as a result of your posts on them. I still have my Spicas and I think I probably always will. I’m loving using Duevel planets right now though and I can’t see me parting with team either.
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Jun 13, 2018 20:17:43 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2018 20:17:43 GMT
I've got the matching amp to that player and that does seem to prefer 'warmer' sources so maybe that's why? Perhaps, Martin. Even What Hi-Fi said it sounds polite. S.
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Hi All
Jun 13, 2018 20:22:03 GMT
Post by macca on Jun 13, 2018 20:22:03 GMT
The Dueval are certainly different. Not heard them but not sure they would be my sort of thing.
I'm using the Akais on the TV nowadays. I took them to a bake off in Stoke a while back in case some high sensitivity speakers were needed. They weren't but we did at one point lash them up to a Luxman amp and a tricked-up Thorens TT and they impressed quite a few people.
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Hi All
Jun 14, 2018 4:26:52 GMT
Post by antonio on Jun 14, 2018 4:26:52 GMT
Welcome Macca.
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Hi All
Jun 14, 2018 8:42:09 GMT
Post by dsjr on Jun 14, 2018 8:42:09 GMT
Hello from me Our little amp-comparison chat recently got me thinking
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Bigman80
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Jun 14, 2018 10:41:28 GMT
Post by Bigman80 on Jun 14, 2018 10:41:28 GMT
The Dueval are certainly different. Not heard them but not sure they would be my sort of thing. I'm using the Akais on the TV nowadays. I took them to a bake off in Stoke a while back in case some high sensitivity speakers were needed. They weren't but we did at one point lash them up to a Luxman amp and a tricked-up Thorens TT and they impressed quite a few people. Both my mates thought those Akais were remarkable. Try as I might, I just couldn’t find anything for me in them, but I seem to be in a minority of one, I would love to attend more shows and bake-offs but they never seem to match up with any trips back to the uk. I have modded Minstrels on my TV. Better than stock, but still not a speaker I can love. Just a bad design as far as I am concerned: Too short, audible ports, limited dynamics and the doped driver is drowned in sound deadening goo. Undoubtedly the worst Ackroyd I’ve ever heard. Replacing the doped driver with an undoped equivalent will help them, but they are still flawed. Th Duevels are probably more of a stretch to get your head around than semi omnis. They take what a semi does and run with it, which might be a bit of a shock to people used to “straight shooters”. Other than Snell, I can’t seem to tolerate ordinary box speakers these days. I won’t part with my Campion but at some point I will pick up a bargain Audion Sterling mk1 and try it with the Fuevels. I have a feeling the pair will be special together. Sorry for thread drift.
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Hi All
Jun 14, 2018 19:23:13 GMT
Post by macca on Jun 14, 2018 19:23:13 GMT
Hello from me Our little amp-comparison chat recently got me thinking Go on....
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Hi All
Jun 14, 2018 19:49:35 GMT
Post by dsjr on Jun 14, 2018 19:49:35 GMT
Concerning little amps sounding involving and musical 'all the time' when in fact maybe they shouldn't 'always' sound as good as this... Bigger versions are more revealing of inner aspects I think.
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Hi All
Jun 14, 2018 20:59:46 GMT
Post by macca on Jun 14, 2018 20:59:46 GMT
Oh I see. I'm sure you are right but there is still a 'house sound' which I completely understand why people go for but ultimately it's not what I'm personally after.
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Hi All
Jun 15, 2018 7:55:40 GMT
Post by dsjr on Jun 15, 2018 7:55:40 GMT
I do think the bigger ones discriminate far more, but best to leave it there I don't think either of us have heard the Krell the way it was designed to be heard, so when you can, PLEASE try it fed by a balanced driver, even a cheap pro buffer between your passive and power amp. I know it's extra faff, but tying one input rail to earth via those links so you can use the RCA sockets is a royal bodge it seems. Wish I knew more about it to discuss with authority, but I don't...
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Jun 15, 2018 11:02:06 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2018 11:02:06 GMT
Bloody hell guys, you can mention the make of the amp....jeez!
S.
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Bigman80
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Jun 15, 2018 12:04:33 GMT
Post by Bigman80 on Jun 15, 2018 12:04:33 GMT
What amp? Krell or NVA. Oh well, I’ve mentioned both now. All gear is welcome to be talked about, photographed and commented upon, especially if it’s eye candy!
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Jun 15, 2018 12:20:13 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2018 12:20:13 GMT
NVA
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Hi All
Jun 15, 2018 17:13:42 GMT
Post by macca on Jun 15, 2018 17:13:42 GMT
Yes we are comparing Krell KSA50s to NVA A30.
Not really fair as the Krell would be on the way to ten grand if still made and the NVA is what now? £330?
Sound-wise they are chalk and cheese. The Krell gives more of a studio sound, the NVA, as everyone says, majors on the music and the performance. It sounds like a good push-pull EL84 valve amp. It paints in broad strokes with a 'glow' around everything. It's an impressive sound but it doesn't show up the differences in recordings whereas the Krell does. And I like that. But I reckon a good percentage of people would prefer the NVA sound. I'm just not one of them.
I changed tack a couple of years back and decided to go for an 'objectivist' system just to see what it was like. In other words buy stuff based on good technical spec alone. Quite like what I've got now and it is very close to being exactly what I want, but it wouldn't suit everyone.
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Hi All
Jul 1, 2018 17:34:29 GMT
Post by macca on Jul 1, 2018 17:34:29 GMT
What me?
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Hi All
Jul 1, 2018 18:15:25 GMT
Post by macca on Jul 1, 2018 18:15:25 GMT
I don't understand? Why wouldn't I be?
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Bigman80
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Jul 1, 2018 18:25:10 GMT
Post by Bigman80 on Jul 1, 2018 18:25:10 GMT
I don't understand? Why wouldn't I be? Don’t you mean “throw me a frickin’ bone here” ? Sorry. Couldn’t resist, I’ve been waiting for a chance to quote it.
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Hi All
Jul 1, 2018 18:28:23 GMT
Post by macca on Jul 1, 2018 18:28:23 GMT
Yeah I missed my line there.
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Bigman80
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Jul 1, 2018 19:59:32 GMT
Post by Bigman80 on Jul 1, 2018 19:59:32 GMT
I’ll let this run for now as I hope it can clear the air and perhaps allow a chance to air or work out any differences. In the long run though, I want to keep this forum focused on the gear. If anyone wants to use this forum as neutral ground to organise any bake-offs or get togethers, they are welcome to do so.
I really want to keep this forum away from inter forum arguments, but if it can help people get together and actually listen to stuff, than that’s a good thing AFAIC. Pity I’m too far away to join in.
I know we only have a handful of members but if anyone wants to join just to host any get together, then please do.
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Jul 1, 2018 20:09:48 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2018 20:09:48 GMT
Good, you tell them, Andrew.
S.
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Bigman80
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Jul 1, 2018 20:28:29 GMT
Post by Bigman80 on Jul 1, 2018 20:28:29 GMT
Personally I’d prefer a tandem loan arrangement if I was in the market for two competing products.
1. Draw up a list of interested parties. 2. First person gets a fire bottle and NVA sent to him. Listens then sends them as a package to number 2 and so on. 3. Some form of feedback would be nice but it doesn’t have to turn into a battle. At the end of the day it’s about the recipient being able to get a heads up,on what suits them. It’s likely both companies will get sales. If not, then one will probably get an education.
With phono stages it gets a bit trickier but you could have a 2 round contest. First round MM, Second Round MC with agreed settings.
Far better to hear stuff in your own system and in your own time without other people to influence you,
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Bigman80
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Jul 1, 2018 20:49:47 GMT
Post by Bigman80 on Jul 1, 2018 20:49:47 GMT
If it has to be a bake off, I think you might benefit from getting some rest like Savvy to negotiate terms on neutral territory. He can do it here if he likes, on a thread or by PM. From what I gather he’s a former negotiator. Yes, I know it shouldn’t need a negotiator...... it’s not like there’s a hostage situation, but if it gets you what you want then why not?
These days I’m nobody’s friend, ally or fan, so doing something here would remove any issues of playing at “home” or “away”, I don’t even have any intention of buying a phono stage, so I have no axe to grind and I really don’t care who “wins”. To me, the folks getting a free listen are the winners.
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Bigman80
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Jul 1, 2018 21:02:35 GMT
Post by Bigman80 on Jul 1, 2018 21:02:35 GMT
I completely agree which is why I am running a NVA loan scheme, where any member of HFS can have a loan of available NVA product. I am a great fan of this way of doing business, but it seems I am the only one. I have tried to get other forums to host them, and for a while TAS did it with great success for members, and a few sales for me, so the other trade objected, and the usual Dunn haters (like with this bake-off) sabotaged the process, so it was banned. You are too small to have any influence as a forum Westie but in time perhaps you could become a middle ground where this could be done in a way you suggest. BUT don't hold your breath, just watch as you and your forum are drawn into the bullshit, they will stop you anyway they can. It is not in the interest of the slurpers in this industry to have fair comparisons, that is why forums have been hi-jacked and commercial blogs and magazines are bribed with advertising money. You’re right that size matters and we are Liechtenstein or maybe even the Duchy of Grand Fenwick! Y’know if Alan or anyone wants to sell more Phono Stages they could do a lot worse than start their own loan scheme on AoS or wherever. It cannot possibly do any harm. I don’t know how many he’s sold but he will surely sell more this way. If he or anyone does start loans, there will inevitably be people who loan yours and their products. That can only be good for everyone, especially the people getting to choose in their own home.
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Bigman80
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Jul 1, 2018 21:47:26 GMT
Post by Bigman80 on Jul 1, 2018 21:47:26 GMT
I watched how it all unfolded, but its made NVA forbidden fruit in many ways. If I was trying to market something, getting it censored would be a great tactic, especially getting a big banner erected telling everyone’s it was banned. I’d imagine it probably boosts rather than dampens interest.
I’d also imagine that contentious discussions and rows would be good for forum traffic, so banning a topic that everyone tuned in to read about would decrease interest in the forum.
It’s all too easy to assume forums matter at all though. I have a good few Hi-Fi mates. Not a single one even glances at forums. They even look blankly when I mention the forum names. I’d love to know how many buyers of new kit have anything to do with Hi-Fi forums. I bet it’s very low. So many people on forums either DIY or buy used.
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Hi All
Jul 1, 2018 21:49:02 GMT
Post by dsjr on Jul 1, 2018 21:49:02 GMT
This started as a loan scheme on TAS Westie. Many members embraced it but bit by bit, other trade parties complained, despite these loans being free and with absolutely no add-ons apart from the request to report what was heard, good and bad. The complainers won out eventually and the loan scheme was abandoned for a while. It's started upon HFS again, but I have nothing to do with it as 'The Doc' likes to know exactly where things are.
When this scheme was on TAS, the request was repeatedly made for other manufacturers to join in. MCRU was one of the most vociferous against it and I believe it was only afterwards that Stan Beresford expressed an interest. I believe you were around at the time and must remember the shananigans...
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