System Pics 2018

lambretta posted:

Thought I'd put my picture up here for comments - the chap who serviced my LP12 was pretty horrified to be honest, but then he was trying to sell me a Fraim... If it would be better off elsewhere please do let me know and I'll repost!

Anyway, some context, we moved into the new house 3 years ago and I had managed to put enough money to one side to buy my ideal setup: LP12, CDX2, Nap 250, Nac 282, Superline phono stage, there's a supercap in there, a hicap (which I think powers the superline, I can't quite remember) and the Lingo for the LP12.  The speakers (Focal 1028be) sit either side the bifold doors into the garden and required £600 worth of AC5 cable to be buried under the floor to reach them!

I then designed the unit to house everything, based pretty much on what I had bought (actually there have been some small changes since I first bought everything, the superline is new and that space used to have a Pioneer streaming thing which I ditched for a (hidden) Sonos with the Hugo/ W4S combo you can just make out behind the CD's on the left).

As you will (hopefully) notice, the unit was designed to be aesthetically pleasing, the Veebee painting on glass above the TT is a favourite of my wifes (so gets her buy in), the lego built by my 11 year old etc etc. What I didn't do was any research into how this would sound - I also didn't know anything about needing seperate spurs or suchlike, which is frustrating as the house was ripped to pieces so would've been very easy to do. 

So my question is, do I really need to consider a change to the layout? Can I get the best sound out of this setup? I was toying with trying to remove the superline and use a smaller phono stage so I could then fit a second supercap for a Nap300. If I did that, I could at least site both supercaps on the shelf either side of the TT, which would move them away from the amps. 

There's lots I would do if I was designing it again, not least make the thing moveable as getting all of the wires sited properly was a nightmare, and I can never remember how everything is connected! But it cost a pretty sum and we do like the way it looks, so I'd be loathed to change it unless it really was a no brainer. It's probably also worth noting it's a big room with an odd shape, so again not an ideal listening space anyway.

I think it sounds great, but I have very little to compare it to in terms of experience.

Do your worst!

Well I think you said it "it sounds great" so what's not to like? The mass your vinyl is providing is doubtless cutting down  vibrations which is the purpose of a rack. Some people say you get different sounds depending on the choice of materials used but the proof of the pudding is in the eating.  As the saying goes, "if it works, don't fix it"!

System Pics is not the place for advice, so you may wish to start your own thread on your specific questions. 

Will do!! 

But in the meantime a 300 has it’s own supply not a supercap, shame to ditch a superline though. I rather like it with a supercap and don’t mind a 282 with hicap.

Stand 20 added to my Contour 20 and a dedicated stand for my Naim stack  it's a cheap stand but British made. Need a little wire management now but things are sounding really nice right now  

Looking good.

I thought I was the only one to mark the speaker spot with masking tape

Halloween Man posted:

Looking good.

I thought I was the only one to mark the speaker spot with masking tape

Thanks. 

That was for the old stands. Need to redo it once I’ve got them where I want them. 

What is the purpose of the panel leaning against the wall behind the speaker? What is the material?

 

spurrier sucks posted:

Stand 20 added to my Contour 20 and a dedicated stand for my Naim stack  it's a cheap stand but British made. Need a little wire management now but things are sounding really nice right now  

I’d try moving the box below the 272 down a shelf if poss, so that the gap is beneath the 272 rather than where it is now.

Just in the interests of keeping the more powerful transformers as far away as possible from the things most affected by being near to them.

Optimal, depending on cable dressing etc, is probably

272

Gap

250

XPS

Worth a go at least, nothing lost if it doesn’t improve things.

Santa arrives early today, as pictured in my hall this morning;

Fraim shelving and my new ND555.......

System as it was this morning (with NDS and Fraimlite);

...and following a clean up (note the Dyson - first time that the floor under the rack has been vacuumed in many years!), swap-out of the Fraimlite for Fraim as well as swapping the NDS for the ND555 and system rebuild;

Now looks like this;

Listening to System now, and must say that the music is sounding better than ever!  Even though the ND555 is straight out of the box, the system is sounding superb!  Just playing some of my favourite albums now....

Also pleased in ‘simplification’ of number of levels of shelving - the system looks much ‘cleanerk now!  Finally bit the bullet and upgraded from Fraimlite to Fraim - the ND555 deserved the best!  Not looking forward to the added complexity of dusting the Fraim (vs Fraimlite) though!

Big shout out to Paul at Billy Vee Sound Systems for spending the day with me today on the installation & system rebuild to help create this awesome sound I’m hearing now possible!

ATB.  George.

The black plastic package of joy.....I was just expecting cardboard boxes. Looks great....you will enjoy even more as it settles in.

Thanks Gazza!

yes, that surprised me as well, however the ND555 box and accompanying accessory box was securely packed in the black clinkfilm tamper proof security tape.  Maybe there’s been issues with tampering of boxes not similarly secured?

Here’s additional photo of the NDS and Fraimlite (packed up in the old Fraim boxes) stacked for the dealer to take away;

ATB.  George.

GeeJay posted:

Santa arrives early today, as pictured in my hall this morning;

 

Fraim shelving and my new ND555.......

System as it was this morning (with NDS and Fraimlite);

 

...and following a clean up (note the Dyson - first time that the floor under the rack has been vacuumed in many years!), swap-out of the Fraimlite for Fraim as well as swapping the NDS for the ND555 and system rebuild;

 

Now looks like this;

 

 

 

Listening to System now, and must say that the music is sounding better than ever!  Even though the ND555 is straight out of the box, the system is sounding superb!  Just playing some of my favourite albums now....

Also pleased in ‘simplification’ of number of levels of shelving - the system looks much ‘cleanerk now!  Finally bit the bullet and upgraded from Fraimlite to Fraim - the ND555 deserved the best!  Not looking forward to the added complexity of dusting the Fraim (vs Fraimlite) though!

Big shout out to Paul at Billy Vee Sound Systems for spending the day with me today on the installation & system rebuild to help create this awesome sound I’m hearing now possible!

ATB.  George.

Looks lovely, I love the way the curtains complement the Fraim and the 803s, great colour matching. And it’ll sound even better than it looks I’m sure.

Many thanks Eoink!

ATB. George.

Geejay/George - that new set-up looks absolutely fabulous. Lovely photos, too.  You're going to have great fun, I'm sure.

GeeJay posted:

 

That's a handsome looking stack. Enjoy your new kit  

Great system, George. Those Fraims are a perfect match for the 803s. I suppose you've shut down that radiator,  right?

Thanks Tony.  Radiator rarely on (TRV is set low), but also further from the speaker and system than it looks in the photo.  No effect on the system in nearly 3 years.......

Thanks though!

ATB.  George.

MDS posted:

Geejay/George - that new set-up looks absolutely fabulous. Lovely photos, too.  You're going to have great fun, I'm sure.

Many thanks MDS - listening to System now - I must take a break and get something to eat today - it’s been very addictive listening to the system!

ATB.  George.

eeJay posted:

Santa arrives early today, as pictured in my hall this morning;

 

 

fabulous system!!

enjoy/ken

ken c posted:

eeJay posted:

Santa arrives early today, as pictured in my hall this morning;

 

 

fabulous system!!

enjoy/ken

Yes, absolutely agreed. But that's the before shot with the NDS and Fraim lite. 

Clive B posted:

ken c posted;

 

fabulous system!!

enjoy/ken

Yes, absolutely agreed. But that's the before shot with the NDS and Fraim lite. 

Thanks Ken & Clive.  Yes, here’s the ‘after upgrade’ shot;

ATB.  George

Maybe Ken did mean the NDS picture

Only joking, what a fantastic setup George looks and I bet sounds amazing.

Pics of a system i have been building for a little while.

Although the crossovers are still in place on the SBLs there is a second NAP180 awaiting the arrival of a SNAXO to slot in behind the HICAP

Loving what this does so far, so happy with the old Olive system, makes great music......

Looks nice, is that a custom design rack.