I've got a mullet and I don't care!

Posted by: Lo Fi Si on 07 May 2002

Got the new SBLs on Friday. Yeah, I know that I have now severely mulletted the system, but the opportunity to get new (ex-dem) SBLs at a reasonable price was too tempting. I blame Garyi for advocating the get'em when you can philosophy. (cheers mate).

Bugger me, they sound good, not that the Minstrels were crap. The bass goes lower and is better controlled and less one-note, the mid and treble are a lot sweeter and more open. Verlaine's voice and guitar on Guiding Light is just stunning.
The image has a bit of a hole in the middle on some recordings but I have limited scope for adjusting their position and I'm not too worried about sound stage anyway.
Have hardly stopped listening; installed at 4:00 pm Friday, 2:00 am Saturday morning packed it in as needed to get up early on Saturday. Friends round on Sunday, 4:00 am Monday morning finally fell asleep after hours of stupid smiles and silly dancing.
Now just need to get the front end sorted!!
Simon
"We've got a mullet and we're going to use it"

Posted on: 07 May 2002 by garyi

snigger.

As long as it sound good who cares about the hair cut?

Posted on: 07 May 2002 by garyi

Nick I am still trying to get a look at your new speakers, you email link never worked.

Then I can decide if you are a member of the pipe smoking brigade

Posted on: 07 May 2002 by Lo Fi Si

Nahh Nick, I'm a punk again, Just bought Ramones, Damned and The Only Ones Live. All excellent.
What interested me was that going from a nominally well balanced(ish) system to an obvious non source first arrangement would sound so much better.
And so it should, I hear you say, the SBLs list price is 10x that of the Minstrels.
Now, if I get the same sort of improvement by upgrading the TT and pre, I shall be very happy.

Simon

Posted on: 07 May 2002 by garyi

Lo Fi, under no circumstances blame me if your bank balance takes another beating but just try a 102 for the weekend, this pre is made for the 180, really it is.

The SBLs upgrade from credos made me grin, but the pre-amp upgrade from 92 nearly made me wee, it was that good. You are also in a position with the SBLs to see just what a difference pre amps make, something I was largely immune too until I tried.

Damn this game, Damn it all to hell.

Posted on: 07 May 2002 by jpk73

I too upgraded my Credos to SBLs *before* upgrading the amps (92/IXO/2*90.3)... Far better than Credos!! But from that I was really in need of decent amps... Now my SBLs are totally happy with [see my profile]

- Jun

Posted on: 07 May 2002 by Greg Beatty

It strikes me that this label could equally apply to two distinct camps...

- GregB

Insert Witty Signature Line Here

Posted on: 07 May 2002 by garyi

Sniker, I don't use pipes, prefer rolled.

Have now seen the speakers on transit to nick, me gods they look odd, (well at least in a 7k Jpeg!)

Nick judging by your discription these speakers will be better into the room?

do I detect a hint of roundness to these speakers?

Posted on: 07 May 2002 by Rico

Whey hey! Si, don't even consider a better pre until you have either an LP12 or a CDX at the front.

Welcome to "the club". SBL's rock.

Question: Is the pipe-smoking brigade the name for the federated Hutter owners club?

Time to go spin "devil's haircut", with all this talk of mullets.

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio

Posted on: 07 May 2002 by Lo Fi Si

Rico
I think "Devil's Haircut" is far more round earth:
"Here comes the boy with the pudding bowl haircut"
"Here comes the boy, he's got bat wing doors for ears"
Excellent, must give it a spin when I get home.

Simon

Posted on: 08 May 2002 by Rico

at last! someone else on the forum who has Hunters & Collectors tattooed on their soul.

I even have the Payload ep. [gulp]

Tim Oldridge should now take this opportunity to bag me severely, having politely considered their message and delivery on my insistence. Without audible or visible sufferance.

Might be a couple of weeks before I dig that one out from the boxes.

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio

PS - waiting for a aDVD release of "the way to go out" (remember that on Radio with Pictures?)

PPS - Living in Large Rooms and Lounges is a must have for an H&C fan.

[This message was edited by Rico on WEDNESDAY 08 May 2002 at 09:13.]

Posted on: 09 May 2002 by Lo Fi Si

Yep, got Payload as well, thought they lost it bit after that (Jaws of life was OK). Excellent live though, saw them a couple of times at Vic in the early 80s.
Now back on topic... What is the best de-mulleting option. Upgrade the pre or the TT?
Given that a second hand 82 or pretty good LP12 can be had for much the same money, which is going to give more bang for the buck?
I'm not entirely convinced that the LP12 sound is my cup of tea (or pipe of weed), having heard a fully Naimed one on a number of occasions - although I have not heard one on Mana. What else should I be looking at? P9, SME, Michell, Clearaudio.. all would need to be secondhand.

Simon