NEW system pics

Posted by: Andrew Randle on 17 July 2001

Finally I got my mits on the office digital camera, and these system pics seem to have come out rather well. Much better than the previous indistinct photo - bad scanner and lighting.

For reference, the system is CDX/NAC 72/Hi-Cap/NAP 110/Kan II

Andrew

Andrew Randle
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Posted on: 17 July 2001 by Andrew Randle

Here's another one with the CDX's tongue sticking out

Andrew

Andrew Randle
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Posted on: 17 July 2001 by Andrew Randle

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I give you the legendary Kan IIs.

Andrew

Andrew Randle
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Posted on: 17 July 2001 by Andrew Randle

Obligatory wood-grain shot. These are "teak-coated"

This is the last shot of the series.

Andrew

Andrew Randle
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Posted on: 17 July 2001 by Tony L

That is a really cool system, and not that dissimilar to one I know very well.

Ah well, now you have exposed it to the world, we can all tell you what's wrong with it!

Location: That 72 is being crippled sonically by its proximity to both the Hicap and 110. I ran mine like this for quite a while until I finally moved my preamp away - the difference is really big. More space, clarity, and its far easier to follow things. By contrast the pre next to a transformer sounds shut in and stifled.
Mains: I see a two way adapter of some description to the left of the rack. Loose it! After years of trying the only mains options I have heard to work are the little Maplins 4 way plug and at a far higher price the Music Works Megablock.
Speaker lead: Its not coiled is it? Again I discovered this one embarrassingly late, but coiling the cable does bugger up the sound quite a lot. Just gently double it back if it is two long.

Give the above ideas a go, they will honestly make a difference at least equivalent to a costly component upgrade.

Nice Kan IIs, same colour as mine.

Tony.

Posted on: 17 July 2001 by Andrew Randle

Thanks for the tips Tony. Here's the details on the history behind these set-up points:

1) The 72 will be moved to the top shelf once I get that extra fully-welded Sound Organisation stand for the CDX. I once place the old Mimik on the bolt-together rack around the corner (and repositioned the 72) - the Mimik reacted badly to it.

2) I haven't got around to buying Maplin block yet. The block in the picture isn't too bad as it is constructed with 30A cooker cable and has no switches. However, I will take on your advice ASAP.

3) The cables have to be relaid, and I will try and zig-zag them. I've been a bit of a scaredy-cat about bending the A5.

Despite this, the performance is fantastic.

Andrew

Andrew Randle
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Posted on: 17 July 2001 by Mick P

Andrew

A couple of years ago before the upgraditus bug bit, my main system was cd3.5/32.5/140/ Castle Chesters.

The 32.5 and 140 were placed next to each other similar to yours and then I read on this forum that the two units should be at least 12" apart.

I contacted Naim who advised that the main thing was to ensure that the pre amp was 12" away from the power amp and Hicap.

If you cannot buy another stand, just try placing the 72 on the CDX. You will find an improvement.

I think you may be reluctant to place something on top of your shiny new CDX, so you could try placing a Vuk style platform on the CDX and the 72 on that.

I once spoke to Mark Tucker about this and he reckoned that if the nuts and ball bearings are placed on the corners of the CDX, it will have no effect on the sound.

If you are interested, I have a load of chromed nuts and ball bearings which I could let you have on Friday.

Oh by the way...the sound improved quite a bit when I moved the 32.5, so its worth a 5 minute experiment.

Regards

Mick

Regards

Mick

Posted on: 17 July 2001 by Andrew Randle

Mick, the new Sound Org fully-welded 2 tier stand (same as the one in the photo) will sort it all out. Thanks for the offer though.

Andrew

Andrew Randle
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Posted on: 17 July 2001 by Tony L

Dave C:

quote:
Anyway, Tony, care to post a picture of yours....

Ok, I'll stick one up soon, though I will get told off about having my TV in the same room. What about you sticking a pic up here too.

quote:
oh yes, Annie's asked me get in touch with you - any chance of those books back?

Oi! Its Roger who has Annie's books, not me!

When are you lot comming over to check out my new flat then?

Tony.

PS I still need to buy half of my second system off you (Heybrooks / A5)!

Posted on: 17 July 2001 by Tony L

quote:
give us a bell tonight if you can

Ok.

Tony.

Posted on: 17 July 2001 by Andrew Randle

Dave,

Another thing that I have tried, and will attempt to improve on, is avoid running cables in parallel... for EM cross-talk reasons.

Sometimes these cables do seem to have a life of their own, and don't go where you want them to!

Looks like when I get the new table, I'll be rolling up my sleeves and have a bit of work to do.

Oh, before anyone wonders, cable isn't touching the loudspeaker stand.

Andrew

Andrew Randle
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Posted on: 17 July 2001 by Alco

Very nice pictures of a Very nice system, Andrew!

man, I'm getting jealous again... Just recently I saw Rob Holts pictures of his beautiful Santos-Rosewood Kan's and loved the fine woodwork.

Since I have the boring (looking!)blackies,I got pretty jealous. Only recently I said to myself: "well,Alco. Get used to it boy, yer kans are as black as can be and there's nothing you can do about it"
I thought:"OK, it's the sound/music that counts,right? ...right!"

But now I see your nice teak Kan's ...

Whaaaaa,sniff,I want 'em also in rosewood,teak,cherry or the like, whaaaaaahh
(o,ok,I'm acting like a kid here, I know...)

but nevertheles, Nice and well balanced system!

I'm planning on buying me a TT soon,as soon as it hits the top-shelf of my Sound-factory rack,I'll post some pictures of my system too.
(though not the same high quality as yours, I'm afraid)

greetings from Holland,

Alco.

Posted on: 17 July 2001 by Tony L

quote:
Anyway, Tony, care to post a picture of yours....

Apologies for the awful scan quality - the high street chain I took the film into really botched the CD stage, though bizarrely did quite a good job on the printing. Getting a film scanner next, so quality as low as this will will hopefully be a thing of the past.

Tony

Posted on: 17 July 2001 by Andrew Randle

Tony,

Nice picture, but it's so small that I can't find your cables for analysis

Looks like a better room than your previous flat. Bigger too.

Alco, thanks for the compliments. You too have a cool mean-machine of a system, but do change those 'speaker stands.

If you like the Sound Factory stand, then buy another 1 or 2 (particularly for the TT). This would ensure that you have the table you like - even if they become unavailable.

Andrew

Andrew Randle
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[This message was edited by Andrew Randle on TUESDAY 17 July 2001 at 19:59.]

Posted on: 17 July 2001 by Alco

Thanx,Andrew

I just ordered the Kan-stands about 20 minutes ago, by sending an E-mail to my nearest Linn dealer. (there are not so many in my area)

Hope this will work and that I can get rid of my current Target HR60 stands.

Would the Kan stands really make a big difference/improvement over the Targets ?
The Target are very stable and solid as a rock.
(also weight as much!)

I know Linn promotes light and stable stands for their Kan's,but I'm curious what the improvements would be over heavy and stable ?

'bout the equipment-stand. I intended to buy me the Sound-factory (spiked) TT-Isolation shelf to put on top of my system-support. i don't have room for another system-stand.
(don't like the looks anymore either,to be honest)

well, see ya guys

Alco

Posted on: 18 July 2001 by Rico

You can be sure Tony shouted at that chair before he bought it!

Of Kan stands and Kytes - yes, most certianly. I ran this combo for some time. The Soundorg open frame stands are also very good.

Rico - let them eat Kans.

Posted on: 18 July 2001 by Tony L

quote:
i see some of us use a high backed chairs

Depends a hell of a lot on what reflections you have behind you as to whether you want high or low backed. I must admit I bought the chair shown because it was quite cheap and very comfortable, It is leather so not that sonically absorbent. It will do me until I can afford the classic 50s Eames chair that I really want.

My room is nearly as big behind the chair as it is in front from an acoustic point of view, the kitchen opens off behind the chair. This means that I don't have too much problems with booms, but I do have some noticeable bass roll off / unevenness due to the chair being so far from room boundaries, this does sound a bit odd on some recordings. I am still working of the acoustics, though considering I have only been living here for about eight weeks it is sounding very good indeed, it normally takes me about six months to stop tweaking, so will report back in another four!

Re Kans and heavy / light stands, expect very big differences. Light stands are fast, open, and very musical, heavy stands sound weightier in the bass, tonally flatter, but usually kill the fun. I heard recently of someone really enjoying Kans of heavy Foundation stands, though have never heard them myself.

Tony.

Posted on: 18 July 2001 by Tony L

quote:
Can't really see the cables to be able to have a go at them. Although there's enough other material to hold a conference!

I know - here's my list:

TV / Video / Sky Digital box: in pretty close proximity to both the equipment rack and the right hand Kan.
Justification - I want / need the TV in this room, and I love the TV sound through the stereo.
Mains - all the above plugged into same double wall socket as the Megablock.
Justification: Available options, the music works lead does have the left hand socket (electricity dresses to the left!).
Megablock is also too close to wall and other electrical stuff.
Justification: Again I have little options if I want the room to function properly as a living space.
Speaker leads running against the skirting board.
Justification: Its my bloody living room! I don't want cables all over the floor, especially with speakers as light and easily dislodged as Kans.
Sofa appears to be in front of left hand Kan.
Justification: Photo does not capture the scale or perspective very accurately - the room is actually a lot bigger than it looks here, the Kan is not impeded by the sofa, in fact that side of the room still needs further damping.
Windows above Kans.
Justification: Actually works well, the wall is a solid exterior one, the windows are double glazed and metal framed, so are pretty solid, and they have vertical blinds which act as quite a good diffuser.
Bass guitar and bongo drums in room.
Justification, I like them there, lucky Dave did not spot the acoustic guitar out of shot… Doh!
Kitchen in room. Justification: Erm, just don't go there!
Not enough Mana. IMHO I need a Soundstage to get the rack to work correctly. Dave will obviously disagree with this!

Anyone for anymore?

Tony.

Posted on: 18 July 2001 by Mike Hanson

quote:
Out of interest, what are the most important components to separate in terms of distance and what is an 'adequate' or 'effective minimum' distance for each.

I've found that the pre-amp makes the biggest difference, and Mick's 12" number is a good rule of thumb as a minimum distance. Beyond that, it doesn't seem to make much more difference.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Posted on: 18 July 2001 by Andrew Randle

quote:
TV / Video / Sky Digital box: in pretty close proximity to both the equipment rack and the right hand Kan. Justification - I want / need the TV in this room, and I love the TV sound through the stereo.

Now there's a guy badly in need of a projector!

quote:
the music works lead does have the left hand socket (electricity dresses to the left!).

I see you dress to the left!

quote:
Bass guitar and bongo drums in room.
Justification, I like them there, lucky Dave did not spot the acoustic guitar out of shot… Doh!

Passive resonators!!!

Andrew

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