Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,358
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Post by Bigman80 on Dec 18, 2020 21:53:41 GMT
No idea yet as they are not finished. I need to re-wire them. They are supposed to sound/better the LS5/3A but I'll post something on here when I've finally had chance to listen. Good stuff! Looking forward to the end result |
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Post by rexton on Dec 18, 2020 22:00:31 GMT
Hopefully get them done before Xmas. Perhaps that's my Xmas pressie to myself.
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Post by rexton on Dec 19, 2020 19:25:04 GMT
Managed to get one JR149 speaker finished today. It works and produced music. Tomorrow will be round two. Lets see if we can get a working pair!
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Post by rexton on Jan 18, 2021 22:09:24 GMT
IMF Super Compact MK II now playing away. I've always wanted to own a pair of IMF, very happy with them, now that means I'm yearning to see what the big brothers sound like!
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,358
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Post by Bigman80 on Jan 19, 2021 0:21:33 GMT
IMF Super Compact MK II now playing away. I've always wanted to own a pair of IMF, very happy with them, now that means I'm yearning to see what the big brothers sound like! Pics! |
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Post by rexton on Jan 19, 2021 21:45:03 GMT
As if by magic!
The IMF's sitting in front of my ATC's. They produce a decent amount of bass. Presently they are being powered by my valve system (out of shot) and they make an excellent additional for when I feel like listening to Rock/Metal on this system. My big Tannoy's don't quite cut the sonic mustard for that sort of stuff. The soundstage is full room width and reasonably deep as well. They are spec'd to be 100db sensitivity but that is VERY optimistic.
The mid range drivers usually dry out of these IMF's and my examples are no different.
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,358
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Post by Bigman80 on Jan 19, 2021 21:50:07 GMT
As if by magic!
The IMF's sitting in front of my ATC's. They produce a decent amount of bass. Presently they are being powered by my valve system (out of shot) and they make an excellent additional for when I feel like listening to Rock/Metal on this system. My big Tannoy's don't quite cut the sonic mustard for that sort of stuff. The soundstage is full room width and reasonably deep as well. They are spec'd to be 100db sensitivity but that is VERY optimistic.
The mid range drivers usually dry out of these IMF's and my examples are no different.
Oh vintage and cool! I like them. |
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Post by antonio on Jan 19, 2021 22:09:32 GMT
Just the style of the speakers and stands bring back memories
Which valve amp are you using?
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Post by rexton on Jan 20, 2021 19:57:37 GMT
Just the style of the speakers and stands bring back memories Which valve amp are you using? Have a look on Page 11 you'll see some pictures of my kit. |
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Post by antonio on Jan 21, 2021 2:26:26 GMT
Sorry Andy, once I saw a your post, your kit is listed at the bottom, pensioners moment and I'm not quite there yet  |
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Post by rexton on Jan 21, 2021 8:28:42 GMT
Sorry Andy, once I saw a your post, your kit is listed at the bottom, pensioners moment and I'm not quite there yet No problems, I'm getting them with increasing frequency and I'm 47!!!!!!!!! |
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Post by rexton on Jan 21, 2021 22:39:04 GMT
Monacor replacement units have arrived 24 hours after order was placed, VERY IMPRESSED with Falcon. So, tomorrow, I may get chance to install these. I must say these IMF's are a fantastic speaker. A little limited in some respects but they are probably the best 70's designed paper doped speaker I've ever heard. I fitted the super tweeters up today and this has improved things even further, hearing a lot more detail tonight. I'm very happy as these were a complete unresearched punt off eScum.
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Post by rexton on Jan 23, 2021 22:06:00 GMT
ERM.... I managed to screw up one of the Monacor drop in drivers for the Super Compacts II, that's the bad news. The good news is that I decided to give myself the green light on going to town on these. I ordered some Cardas solid copper binding posts, a new Monacor mid-range driver, and a re-cap kit from Falcon. Replacing the binding the posts should be very easy indeed, just a matter of removing 4 screws, a bit of soldering and then bolting the new binding posts into place. I've decided I like the "tone" of these speakers and will be keeping the tinned copper wiring. I'll be initially re-capping with a re-cap supplied by Falcon and then probably move onto something a lot more exotic. Overall I'm VERY happy with these speakers and they make a welcome addition to my stable of classic UK speakers which join Tannoys 15" MG's, Quad 57 ESL's, Celestion Ditton 15's, JR 149's and a pair of Heybrook HB2. Pics to follow.
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Post by robbiegong on Jan 23, 2021 22:15:45 GMT
Which Phasmation cartridge have you got Andy ? Tell us a bit about it as part of your blog Edit - just realised I was reading from the start of your blog and your blog is 13 pages long so sorry if you've already covered the Phasemation / if i'm late to the party  |
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Post by rexton on Jan 23, 2021 22:35:04 GMT
Which Phasmation cartridge have you got Andy ? Tell us a bit about it as part of your blog Edit - just realised I was reading from the start of your blog and your blog is 13 pages long so sorry if you've already covered the Phasemation / if i'm late to the party I've got a big stable of cartridges, several DECCA's, several SPU's, a few classic Shure MM's, Ortofon Cadenza's. My 3 main decks all have a Ortofon cart at the moment, I really must try something different. |
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Post by macca on Jan 24, 2021 12:45:07 GMT
The 100db sensitivity for the IMF Super Compact is quoted at 40 watts/ 1 metre.
for 1 watt at 1 metre which is the usual spec, that makes them about 86db by my calculation.
Serious speakers though, not surprised they sound good.
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Post by rexton on Jan 24, 2021 15:30:43 GMT
I did say 100db was optimistic!! I worked it out to be about 84-85db so I think were in the same ball park. These things need a decent amp to get the best from them. My Sondex S100 knocks out 100W so that should be enough, I would like to see how well controlled they would be with lets say a Neurochrome 686. Perhaps later in the year I might do a Neurochrome build.
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Post by rexton on Jan 24, 2021 18:00:27 GMT
More IMF stuff.
I decided to clean the drivers today.
And after the clean.
Side by side...
Finally a picture of one of the new midrange drivers and my super tweeters connected up.
I've got some new Cardas binding posts, new midrange driver and a recap kit coming next week so I'm hoping to get all these installed and then can finally have a listen with a pair of working speakers. The single unit that does work sounds very good indeed. I could tell an immediate difference with the new midrange driver installed. Things improved further with the super tweeters. More news next week....
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Post by jimbo on Jan 24, 2021 21:03:33 GMT
I bet those sound great Andy.
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Post by rexton on Jan 24, 2021 21:53:37 GMT
I bet those sound great Andy. Hi Jim,
Yes they do and I would really recommend a pair to anyone. Bass is superb and very deep. I've been doing some reading about the Super Compact II (SC2) and many people seem to say the same thing. Firstly they seem to be a mini clone of the larger speakers further up the food chain, secondly the need a lot of watts to get the best from them. I would agree with this statement, 84db not being particularly sensitive, I bet a decent SS amp could drive these better than my Sondex. They are not that picky with placement I've got them about 2 meters apart with a decent amount of in=toe and I get a large wide soundstage. I've not really lived with them long enough to get their nuances yet. They are very articulate and handle complex passages of music with aplomb. I've got them about 12" of the floor with roughly the same distance from the walls. I think they will probably give even more when the new caps and midranges have had a few hours. You can buy new tweeters which are supposed to be better than factory spec but I need to do some more reading. They are definitely keepers and have gone to the top of my list of small speakers I own.
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Post by jimbo on Jan 25, 2021 9:57:44 GMT
I bet those sound great Andy. Hi Jim,
Yes they do and I would really recommend a pair to anyone. Bass is superb and very deep. I've been doing some reading about the Super Compact II (SC2) and many people seem to say the same thing. Firstly they seem to be a mini clone of the larger speakers further up the food chain, secondly the need a lot of watts to get the best from them. I would agree with this statement, 84db not being particularly sensitive, I bet a decent SS amp could drive these better than my Sondex. They are not that picky with placement I've got them about 2 meters apart with a decent amount of in=toe and I get a large wide soundstage. I've not really lived with them long enough to get their nuances yet. They are very articulate and handle complex passages of music with aplomb. I've got them about 12" of the floor with roughly the same distance from the walls. I think they will probably give even more when the new caps and midranges have had a few hours. You can buy new tweeters which are supposed to be better than factory spec but I need to do some more reading. They are definitely keepers and have gone to the top of my list of small speakers I own.
I will take a look at the larger version of these speakers. Interesting find. |
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Post by rexton on Jan 25, 2021 13:22:49 GMT
Jim, I wouldn't bother. The SC2 are supposed to be the sweet spot in that they accurately replicate what the larger alternatives can achieve due to the same drivers being used and very clever cabinet design.
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Post by rexton on Jan 29, 2021 21:12:04 GMT
Finally finished the IMF's. New Cardas solid copper binding posts, these are lovely works of art. Recapped XO's and fresh installed mid range drivers. Just set them up and now listening. No opinion as yet. I'll probably give them 30-50 hours to bed in. Happy days.
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Post by antonio on Jan 30, 2021 3:16:10 GMT
Well done, look forward to your comments
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Post by jimbo on Jan 30, 2021 9:16:56 GMT
Finally finished the IMF's. New Cardas solid copper binding posts, these are lovely works of art. Recapped XO's and fresh installed mid range drivers. Just set them up and now listening. No opinion as yet. I'll probably give them 30-50 hours to bed in. Happy days. Those Cardas posts are superb. |
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Post by rexton on Jan 30, 2021 17:13:14 GMT
Finally finished the IMF's. New Cardas solid copper binding posts, these are lovely works of art. Recapped XO's and fresh installed mid range drivers. Just set them up and now listening. No opinion as yet. I'll probably give them 30-50 hours to bed in. Happy days. Those Cardas posts are superb. They sure are I think I'll be buying another pair for my Tannoy's. |
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Post by rexton on Jan 31, 2021 21:36:06 GMT
More IMF tinkering.
The latest bits to be installed. A new cap kit from Falcon, a new midrange driver and some amazing Cardas binding posts.
Did I mention the Cardas binding posts?
Open heart surgery with the XO before modification and the bass driver.
A close up of the XO, wonderful old caps which are very prone to go wandering with their stated values.
And new after a refresh with modern day equivalent caps.
WBT meets Cardas...
More updates at some point chaps... 
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,358
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Post by Bigman80 on Jan 31, 2021 23:00:54 GMT
More IMF tinkering.
The latest bits to be installed. A new cap kit from Falcon, a new midrange driver and some amazing Cardas binding posts.
Did I mention the Cardas binding posts?
Open heart surgery with the XO before modification and the bass driver.
A close up of the XO, wonderful old caps which are very prone to go wandering with their stated values.
And new after a refresh with modern day equivalent caps.
WBT meets Cardas...
More updates at some point chaps...
Love the binding posts. Got a link to them? |
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Post by rexton on Feb 1, 2021 8:39:10 GMT
Ollie just have a look on hifi collective under the cardas section for binding posts.
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Post by rexton on Feb 2, 2021 20:38:44 GMT
Musing over which resistor to go for on the IMF XO's.
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!!!!
