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Post by stevew on Oct 16, 2021 6:30:23 GMT
Or more accurately Electrocompaniet RENA SA-1 Streamer & Stereoamplifier I’d requisitioned the basement and set up a principal system. the plan was to remove the equipment rack in the sitting room containing all the usual paraphernalia of amps dacs streamers and power supplies. To replace it was something that was almost hidden (although a settled agreement was to keep the Harbeth stand mounts.. ) it also meant that speaker cable either had to be routed under the old Victorian joists or thin enough to fit under the carpet and navigate around a fireplace. I’d exchanged a few messages with Antonio (Dave) about solutions to the issue. I was leaning towards a Lyngdorf 1120 (2 grand) However being a hero, Dave had found an Electocompaniet all in one box from a small hifi outfit called 8th Dimension Audio. No me neither. Anyway.. top result as the guy said he would accept £300. Well .. I didn’t have high expectations especially as I’d connected it with 10 metres of qed cable at £20. However to my amazement it sounded rather good from the off, streaming Qobuz via Roon. My only concern was the lack of bass.. but the Harbeths have always been guilty of that. Then I remembered that Roon has a dsp function that I’d never explored before. After a lot of faffing about … That’s done the trick! Bit of boost to the low end, and a bit of edge taken off the top. Ok.. it hasn’t got the 3D soundstage I can get in my basement system.. but then I can go down there and get it! But it sounds pretty good. Top result thanks to Dave, and yes I owe him a beer.
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,142
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Post by Bigman80 on Oct 16, 2021 6:35:11 GMT
It's a good looking little box that.
I think you have found a cracking solution to some casual music in the lounge. Has the gaffer taken to it?
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Post by stevew on Oct 16, 2021 6:41:16 GMT
I think so. If it was entirely down to her I think the speakers would go, but then again she does actually sit with me and listen occasionally. When strictly isn’t on. So yeah… brownie points all round. With the added bonus that a free hand is given in the basement. Another discovery yesterday.. that will only be useful for anyone using Roon. I bought a new Apple TV. Also discovered a Roon control app. It’s brilliant. I can browse Qobuz on the telly and get it playing through the system. Hit fed up of squinting at my phone all the while.
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Post by firebottle on Oct 16, 2021 6:52:47 GMT
Brilliant result Steve, well done. Wouldn't mind a listen at some time.
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Post by stevew on Oct 16, 2021 6:59:26 GMT
We WILL do that Alan! Fiona’s just had her booster and so hopefully give it a couple of weeks and her immune system will be on a level playing field! Reckon mine will be mid to late November. Goes without saying that I cannot wait
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Post by macca on Oct 16, 2021 7:58:07 GMT
Tidy solution that.
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Post by gninnam on Oct 16, 2021 8:34:01 GMT
Looks very nice and glad it works for you
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Post by brucew268 on Oct 16, 2021 9:00:13 GMT
Brilliant solution for a minimalist and attractive system. Well done Steve and Dave!
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Post by antonio on Oct 16, 2021 14:00:13 GMT
So very pleased the Rena SA1 is working for you, sheer guesswork on my behalf (gut feeling) and it certainly looks nice on the shelf, and by the way the room looks great also. Well done in using Roon's dsp function, you'd be more used to that than me owning a Lyngdorf
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Post by stevew on Nov 14, 2021 11:44:53 GMT
So a final poste script and further thanks to be given. Obvs to Dave/ Antonio for discovering the Elecrocompaniet in the first place. But also to Andy/Grinnam. We’d had a bit of a discussion about using Ethernet cable as speaker cable and Andy very kindly sent me 15 metres to play around with. I’d already hooked up 2x5 metres of qed 78 strand. Initially the sound was great using dsp on Roon to compensate for some shortcomings. However the Ethernet Andy sent was cut to size and fantastically it fits under the carpet squeezing in a gap in the gripper rods… so all nicely hidden. I turned off the dsp and tried it.. absolutely brilliant. No distorted bass and lovely separation. The whole set up is now great for telly and some listening. I do admit that it could be better but I’m truly happy to leave it. Not least of which because it’s become clear to me the shortcomings of the Harbeths. As good as I thought they were, when I compare them with my old Technics sb-m300 they lack detail, soundstage and dynamics However in this sitting room 2nd system they do well for just having music on and not being too fussed them sounding as though you are listening through a small porthole. It’s all a bit of a journey. Anyway., thanks again to Dave and Andy for assistance in getting a system together that delivers what it needs to.
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Post by antonio on Nov 14, 2021 12:58:09 GMT
Thank you Steve, I'm really pleased the SA-1 is working for you, ok it won't be as good as main system, but I'm sure your wife is happier, especially with the CAT speaker cable you have been able to hide away. Now all we need to do is find out which brand of ethernet cable is he best
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2021 12:59:11 GMT
You have not seen the SAEC version then?
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Post by macca on Nov 14, 2021 13:34:48 GMT
with your DSP your better off leaving the bass flat and just cutting higher up to give a net bass boost. Those little Harbeths won't like boosted bass.
Lack of imaging has to be the speaker position, guess with it being the living room you can't have them further out but that chimney breast is a killer.
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Post by stevew on Nov 14, 2021 14:22:18 GMT
with your DSP your better off leaving the bass flat and just cutting higher up to give a net bass boost. Those little Harbeths won't like boosted bass. Lack of imaging has to be the speaker position, guess with it being the living room you can't have them further out but that chimney breast is a killer. Nah mate… it’s the Harbeths. Tried them in the basement… pulled out a bit, with the Lyngdorf amp, on Townshend bars… all sorts. The Technics walk all over them. They are what they are.. very nice pipe and slippers…
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