New speakers arrive (including pictures)!
Posted by: GeeJay on 22 May 2016
System before Wednesday (Bowers & Wilkins 804D2);
The new speakers (Bowers & Wilkins 803D3) are delivered (170Kg combined weight on the pallet);
Speakers are carefully taken up to the music room (2 person job) unpacked and installed;
Wider angle shot of the room with the new speakers;
......and two different views of the system;
First impressions are great (speakers still bedding in), with more of everything compared with the 804D2s (increased sound stage, extension, control). My NAP500 also just back from DR upgrade at Salisbury, so many 'settling-down' changes, however already definitely notice a huge step up in terms of performance, 'listenability', grinning and 'toe-tapping'. Will avoid the HiFi clichés, however the system sounds fantastic! More to come as things settle down.
803D3s fit in the room superbly (not that much larger than the old 804s), and are still on casters (to allow final position tweaks) before finally locking them down on spikes in the next 2-3 weeks.
Huge thanks and call-out to the good folks (Paul & Ian) at Billy Vee Sound systems for making the magic happen!
Thoroughly enjoying this system - back to listen to it now.......
GeeJay posted:
Will avoid the HiFi clichés, however the system sounds fantastic!
It would be a serious matter if it didn't...
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Thanks Jason - yes, after 4 years, I'm probably at the final destination (I'm considering a post of photos of the system as it's developed). You make a good point with the glass/ball bearings option, and at some stage, I may well do the audition to hear if I can hear a difference.
One remaining wish is for multi room, and will explore options later in the year (e.g. a Unitiqute or ND streamer connected to my Pioneer home cinema system downstairs). A Muso is another option.
Anyway, back to the music....
ATB. George.
Thanks Roberto.
Colour is called 'Rosenut'. B&W 800D3 Series also available in gloss black (with black 'head') or gloss white (with silver 'head'). Apparently factory considering lighter colour veneers later in the year, however apparently US market (where most 800s are sold) prefer the black - much longer waiting list. I personally prefer the wood veneer over the paint finishes. My separate home cinema system has 4 rosenut B&W CDM1s (now over 22 years old and still going strong!).
The Naim system already on two stacks - separate 'Brain' and 'Brawn';
- 'Brain' on left (from top-down; NDS, 552 & 500);
- 'Brawn' on right (from top-down; 555PS, 555PS, 552PS & 500PS).
WIll try the full Fraim again at some stage with new system, however when I was at the 252/300 stage, I couldn't pick out any sonic differences (YMMV).
Finally, here's a shot of the listening area from the left hand speaker!
ATB. George.
GeeJay posted:Thanks Jason - yes, after 4 years, I'm probably at the final destination (I'm considering a post of photos of the system as it's developed). You make a good point with the glass/ball bearings option, and at some stage, I may well do the audition to hear if I can hear a difference.
One remaining wish is for multi room, and will explore options later in the year (e.g. a Unitiqute or ND streamer connected to my Pioneer home cinema system downstairs). A Muso is another option.
Anyway, back to the music....
ATB. George.
I remember about six years ago saying something along these lines to SWMBO as I settled down to listen to a new preamp....
...what a misguided fool I was, to be sure 
Very very nice! Congrats
GeeJay posted:
Great pic of a lovely speaker. Looks like a nice dedicated listening room as well. I like the (perhaps unintended?) selfie reflected in the spotless lower horn. You look nothing like Bender
joerand posted:GeeJay posted:
Great pic of a lovely speaker. Looks like a nice dedicated listening room as well. I like the (perhaps unintended?) selfie reflected in the spotless lower horn. You look nothing like Bender
Eagle eyes you have got there. Nice reflection. Yes, nice speakers that seems to be built like a brick. The B&Ws have surely evolved throughout these years. When compared to the 804 as shown in the photo at the top of the thread, the new 803 looks much more substantial and premium.
Thanks for all for the nice comments and feedback everyone.
Speakers (and DR upgrade) still bedding in, but already the improvements are there in spades; natural bass extension (not forced or 'boomy'), greater dynamic range, lack of noise and general increased enjoyment of music collection.
Had a vinyl-playing friend round last weekend to listen to the system – he was blown away by just a how good a properly executed streaming digital system can sound (we listened to some of his music as well so that he could compare - Little George Sueref and the Blue Stars, Slow Club (Yeah, So-), Laura Veirs (Warp & Weft) and Tamikrest (Chatma)). His feedback on bass extension, the timing of the music and the top end all beating his red rose amp, SME turntable and any of his Snell/ProAc or Focal Mini Onken speakers. He wont be changing his system anytime soon (as he still prefers the warmth of his system), but he did find it educational and a lesson in not believing the oft-held pre-conception that digital music is inferior to vinyl - different, yes - inferior, no....
Here's some of the tunes I'm particularly enjoying at the moment;
Yes, the inadvertent 'selfie' is funny - clearly some work to do in Photoshop here!
To RJS, I agree that one should resist saying 'never say never', however for this room with its given size and layout, the end of the 'roadmap' for this set-up is probably where I am now. Next upgrade would be to move house!
Thought I'd share some photos here of the packing material that I've now safely stored in the loft. There's a lot of it!!
ATB. George.