System Pics 2018

Franz K posted:

Slighly different angle

Seventeen boxes, plus record player and speakers. I’m sure it sounds absolutely brilliant, but it does look rather ridiculous. We then see Graham’s Vitus outfit, with three, albeit rather unstylish boxes, which is a very different approach. No criticism is meant or implied, of either setup. But why is everything just so.... big? How many boxes is too many? 

Franz K posted:

Slighly different angle

it’s a naim audio shop ?

Franz K posted:

J.N. posted:

Yeah; fabulous, Franz. Thanks for the excellent photos.

Assuming you previously had an Aro; do I want to know how the Javelin compares???

John.

Yes John, I had an Aro before and actually still have it just stored away at the moment. Unfortunately I can’t really single out the contribution of just the new arm as several new pieces were introduced all at once at the same time.  Yet, I am confident that the javelin holds a not unsignificant portion to the massively improved  performance of the deck now. it’s just  sublime.. so yes, you do want to know how the Javelin compares ????

Can I ask what else Peter changed on the TT during his recent visit Franz? I’m also strangely intrigued by the Javelin. I’ve ordered a new LP12 build from Peter which includes a Roksan Nima. I much preferred that unipivot to any of the Linn arms, but didn’t audition any other ‘better’ Unipivot. Curious about how much better a unipivot could be. I think I must surely have missed the boat on Aro, but Javelin is another possible top option. Kevin

Kevin- If you "get" the unipivots' strengths and like what they bring then the Javelin should be high on your list

I have not heard it  myself but those  who have feel that it draws on the strengths of the Aro and adds a bit more still.. I would speak with Peter..

ATB,

Mark

William posted:

Nice new Roon Bridge on top. Maxed out on acceptable box count.

Better make the Metrum black, it now looks..... well

John Willmott posted:

We're up in Nova Scotia for the summer .. the sound system and the data center are both on-line.  Music sounds wonderful.  View doesn't hurt.

Wall consolle and window of the year. Sound system doesn't hurt, too.

Graham Russell posted:

Experimenting with a simplified 3 box stack as the LP12 is hardly used and out performed by the DAC.

Graham, I'm curious about your experience using two extensions with Isoblue. Any detected wobble? I'm considering doubling the 65-mm extension on my amp shelf for more ventilation and separation. It would be at the second from bottom level in a six-shelf stack, my TT on top.

joerand posted:

Graham Russell posted:

Experimenting with a simplified 3 box stack as the LP12 is hardly used and out performed by the DAC.

Graham, I'm curious about your experience using two extensions with Isoblue. Any detected wobble? I'm considering doubling the 65-mm extension on my amp shelf for more ventilation and separation. It would be at the second from bottom level in a six-shelf stack, my TT on top.

Isoblue sell bolts to secure double extensions to the shelf. I don't have them (yet) so there is a slight wobble if the rack is pushed sideways. As nothing touches the rack when in use I don't think this is an issue.

I've had this set up for many years. I first got the double extensions to clear the NAP500 I previously used.

Hungryhalibut posted:

Franz K posted:

Slighly different angle

Seventeen boxes, plus record player and speakers. I’m sure it sounds absolutely brilliant, but it does look rather ridiculous. We then see Graham’s Vitus outfit, with three, albeit rather unstylish boxes, which is a very different approach. No criticism is meant or implied, of either setup. But why is everything just so.... big? How many boxes is too many? 

The penalty for active DBLs. But the sound quality you get is worth every one of those boxes, so in reality, it's no penalty at all. The point at which we decide the increase in sound quality isn't worth the added complications and complexities of more boxes varies with the individual, but once you're at this sort of level, life really is too short to fret about the aesthetics.

Franz K and John Wilmott's approaches to system building represent the two polar extremes; the rest of us sit somewhere in between on the line with our individual compromises to suit our own needs and wallets.

I find systems like the one Franz has shared with us utterly amazing, and can only imagine what it must sound like.

Though when I looked a little further into the system Graham shared a little later I didn't quite the same thoughts initially as, until I looked a little further into the 3 boxes he has there, I didn't quite have the appreciation of what I was seeing and once again I find myself imagining what that must sound like.

This made me think a little more about box count, mixing components from various manufacturers and wondering what might be possible without quite so many boxes, shelves, power cables and assorted additional equipment let alone all the cable dressing etc etc.....

ATC active ????

ct posted:

I find systems like the one Franz has shared with us utterly amazing, and can only imagine what it must sound like.

Though when I looked a little further into the system Graham shared a little later I didn't quite the same thoughts initially as, until I looked a little further into the 3 boxes he has there, I didn't quite have the appreciation of what I was seeing and once again I find myself imagining what that must sound like.

This made me think a little more about box count, mixing components from various manufacturers and wondering what might be possible without quite so many boxes, shelves, power cables and assorted additional equipment let alone all the cable dressing etc etc.....

I grew my Naim system to 552DR/500/555, dual 555PS, added a "fully stuffed" LP12, moved from CD555 to KDS (upgraded each time Linn released a new version). I had many hours of pleasure from the system. A couple of years ago I explored options to reduce box count, simplify the set up while improving upon an already superb system. This journey has led me to the current system. Most recently upgrading from KDS to Melco + Tidal Camira DMC DAC + Tidal cables. I still have the LP12 but as it's it hardly used (because the DAC outperforms it) I decided to experiment with a single stack to see if I can live without vinyl.

This is a very personal hobby with loads of options to suit musical tastes, space available, "rules" from SHWBO and wallets

Franz K posted:

Rosy DBLady in the foreground, Eklipse under the new Plinth

I've not seen DBLs in rosewood before, but they look just gorgeous. If only Naim still made them...

kevin J Carden posted:

Franz K posted:

J.N. posted:

Yeah; fabulous, Franz. Thanks for the excellent photos.

Assuming you previously had an Aro; do I want to know how the Javelin compares???

John.

Yes John, I had an Aro before and actually still have it just stored away at the moment. Unfortunately I can’t really single out the contribution of just the new arm as several new pieces were introduced all at once at the same time.  Yet, I am confident that the javelin holds a not unsignificant portion to the massively improved  performance of the deck now. it’s just  sublime.. so yes, you do want to know how the Javelin compares ????

Can I ask what else Peter changed on the TT during his recent visit Franz? I’m also strangely intrigued by the Javelin. I’ve ordered a new LP12 build from Peter which includes a Roksan Nima. I much preferred that unipivot to any of the Linn arms, but didn’t audition any other ‘better’ Unipivot. Curious about how much better a unipivot could be. I think I must surely have missed the boat on Aro, but Javelin is another possible top option. Kevin

Hi Kevin 

Sure, happy to answer. Peter did a complete rebuild of the deck with a new stiletto plinth, the  Skorpion base board and Eklipse support underneath. Also a new bearing with new platters. A tranquility is also newly fitted under the inner platter. The Javelin is just the top without the javelin base but with it’s own excentric pillar sitting in my original aro base. So what’s really left from my original deck is the motor, aro Keel with aro base and the cartridge. The improvement really comes from all these parts but I would attribute most to the stiletto  plinth and the Javelin.  ???? F 

Robiwan posted:

William posted:

Nice new Roon Bridge on top. Maxed out on acceptable box count.

Better make the Metrum black, it now looks..... well

Well, that's just a matter of taste. I think I have more than enough black. Or would you have me put it all on a black rack?

Hungryhalibut posted:

Franz K posted:

Slighly different angle

Seventeen boxes, plus record player and speakers. I’m sure it sounds absolutely brilliant, but it does look rather ridiculous. We then see Graham’s Vitus outfit, with three, albeit rather unstylish boxes, which is a very different approach. No criticism is meant or implied, of either setup. But why is everything just so.... big? How many boxes is too many? 

Hungryhaliput

I am surprised you seem unfamiliar with the number of required boxes for an active three way speaker system which at a minimum adds up to twelve. Throw in a few more sources and you end up at seventeen or even more. You don’t have to like the way my system looks, it’s not all I find here or elsewhere to my taste either. But I would never call somebody’s kit looking ridiculous, because it is, yes, insulting.

cheers F

Franz K posted:

Hungryhalibut posted:

Franz K posted:

Slighly different angle

Seventeen boxes, plus record player and speakers. I’m sure it sounds absolutely brilliant, but it does look rather ridiculous. We then see Graham’s Vitus outfit, with three, albeit rather unstylish boxes, which is a very different approach. No criticism is meant or implied, of either setup. But why is everything just so.... big? How many boxes is too many? 

Hungryhaliput

I am surprised you seem unfamiliar with the number of required boxes for an active three way speaker system which at a minimum adds up to twelve. Throw in a few more sources and you end up at seventeen or even more. You don’t have to like the way my system looks, it’s not all I find here or elsewhere to my taste either. But I would never call somebody’s kit looking ridiculous, because it is, yes, insulting.

cheers F

Franz, your system is a precise construction of very finely engineered product. If one wants the best there is, it's got to look like that. I love the look of it and for me, all that high end power and glory is what I truly love to see.

Thanks for the pics and you know that what you have acquired, with no doubt, is pretty damn special!

regards,

Mario

Franz K posted:

Hungryhalibut posted:

Franz K posted:

Slighly different angle

Seventeen boxes, plus record player and speakers. I’m sure it sounds absolutely brilliant, but it does look rather ridiculous. We then see Graham’s Vitus outfit, with three, albeit rather unstylish boxes, which is a very different approach. No criticism is meant or implied, of either setup. But why is everything just so.... big? How many boxes is too many? 

Hungryhaliput

I am surprised you seem unfamiliar with the number of required boxes for an active three way speaker system which at a minimum adds up to twelve. Throw in a few more sources and you end up at seventeen or even more. You don’t have to like the way my system looks, it’s not all I find here or elsewhere to my taste either. But I would never call somebody’s kit looking ridiculous, because it is, yes, insulting.

cheers F

What’s the problem Franz? HH wrote explicitly: “No criticism is meant or implied, of either setup.“ Why is it so difficult to take a positing at face value? Or did you expect “praise” from everybody? FWIW,I agree with HH’s statement: to no doubt, it must sound georgeous, but it does look somewhat ... cramped into that corner...

Hungryhalibut posted:

Franz K posted:

Slighly different angle

Seventeen boxes, plus record player and speakers. I’m sure it sounds absolutely brilliant, but it does look rather ridiculous. We then see Graham’s Vitus outfit, with three, albeit rather unstylish boxes, which is a very different approach. No criticism is meant or implied, of either setup. But why is everything just so.... big? How many boxes is too many? 

The word ridicule is related to ridiculous. ... Both words come from the Latin redire which means to laugh. When you are ridiculed, you are made a laughing stock, but being the object of ridicule is never funny.

From vocabulary.com.

I would think that someone with such a masterful grasp of the English language as you would have picked a better word to describe another members system pic.

Timo posted:

What’s the problem Franz? 

 

re Franz: "but it does look rather ridiculous".  re Graham: "albeit rather unstylish"   Those are insults.

re HH "No criticism is meant or implied"  That does not make it all better.  He has a PhD in being insulting.

Timo "Why is it so difficult to take a positing at face value?"  If that is how you feel, you are insulting the forum members who attempt to treat each other with common courtesy.

"How many boxes is too many ?"  I am pretty stupid (and according to #9, I am a post padder), give me a minute.

Jeff A

Thanks Franz and Varyat. I think I should do the sensible thing and see how I get on with the Nima for a while, see how much I use Vinyl as a source before committing more funds to it. The deck is being built by @cymbiosis now and will be delivered in a few weeks time. Anyway, I’m pretty sure I know that Peters view would still be to commit any extra funds to, in order of priority, upgrade Lingo4 to Radikal, then Keel for Kore and only then to consider tonearm change... My build is costing £5,500 and that’s plenty enough for me for now given it’s ostensibly just for listening to pre 1990, non-Classical music. 

Of course, I’ve not really written any of the above paragraph for your enlightenment since I asked the question about the Javelin in the first place. I think we all really know that I’ve just written myself a ‘desist’ message 

Have fun rediscovering your LP collection yet again Franz!  Kevin

Too many boxes?  I really don't care, as my eyes keep being drawn to those gorgeous rosewood DBLs...

Best regards, FT

Timo posted:

Franz K posted:

Hungryhalibut posted:

Franz K posted:

Slighly different angle

Seventeen boxes, plus record player and speakers. I’m sure it sounds absolutely brilliant, but it does look rather ridiculous. We then see Graham’s Vitus outfit, with three, albeit rather unstylish boxes, which is a very different approach. No criticism is meant or implied, of either setup. But why is everything just so.... big? How many boxes is too many? 

Hungryhaliput

I am surprised you seem unfamiliar with the number of required boxes for an active three way speaker system which at a minimum adds up to twelve. Throw in a few more sources and you end up at seventeen or even more. You don’t have to like the way my system looks, it’s not all I find here or elsewhere to my taste either. But I would never call somebody’s kit looking ridiculous, because it is, yes, insulting.

cheers F

What’s the problem Franz? HH wrote explicitly: “No criticism is meant or implied, of either setup.“ Why is it so difficult to take a positing at face value? Or did you expect “praise” from everybody? FWIW,I agree with HH’s statement: to no doubt, it must sound georgeous, but it does look somewhat ... cramped into that corner...

 

Perhaps three Statement boxes would not look ...cramped

Franz K posted:

I am surprised you seem unfamiliar with the number of required boxes for an active three way speaker system which at a minimum adds up to twelve. Throw in a few more sources and you end up at seventeen or even more. 

No, minimum for active driving of 3-way speakers is not 12, but 6:  source, preamp, active XO and 3 power amps, so 6 boxes (plus speakers). With streaming sources using a combined streamer/preamp like NAC 272, or a store/renderer plus DAC direct to the XO it is still 6 including the store.  It is only when you add additional PSs (or use amps for which mandatory) that the box count goes up.