QS Ref versus QS Ref (bog seat) - an A/B test using Allaes
Posted by: Steve Toy on 06 February 2002
Naim CD5 on the top shelf of QS Ref (sans holes) on the left, 102 on the top shelf of QS Ref (bog seats) on the right, with a 180 on the bottom shelf into the new Allaes, which are currently being run in...
The system was a bit of a mullet on account of the CDX being out on loan, so I asked for a Hi-cap to give the CD player a fighting chance.
Duly installed, I then moved the 102 down one shelf to free up the top shelf for the A/B dem of the two racks.
I selected a couple of tracks from the Heart Greatest Hits album.
Moving the CD player across to the bog seat version opened up the soundstage, freeing the music from the confines of the speakers. Melodic threads became even more apparent and easier to follow in both isolation, and in the temporal context of the rest of the musical performance.
The comparison was quite subtle in many ways; there was no really huge dynamic lift as I had been expecting, just more music, more tunes.
The difference between the two stands is probably equivalent to adding a Hi-cap to a CD5, i.e: well worth the ten quid per shelf or the upgrade.
Mine should hopefully be arriving in the next few days.
As for the Allaes, they were showing promise, but they weren't really reaching their full potential yet for some rather obvious reasons...
Cheers,
Steve.
[This message was edited by Steven Toy on WEDNESDAY 06 February 2002 at 14:06.]
I really don't want to fall out with you, Mick, but you've been on my case for a while now.
I would like instead to discuss the merits of cutting holes in QS shelves and possibly wax lyrical about those new Allaes (when run in), and Naim gear in general.
Hey, even the 102 sounded sweet.
Cheers,
Steve.
›
The ones I have heard, and can therefore comment on are:
1) Quadraspire Q4 Standard.
2) Quadaspire Reference without holes.
3) Quadraspire Reference with holes.
4) Mana.
I suggest that you try 3 and 4 before you come to a final decision.
Everyone who wants a high-performance rack should at least hear what Mana can do.
It may not be my personal preference, but it could well be yours - you won't know until you've tried it.
The Quadraspire Reference (with or without holes) is not as good as Mana in terms of dynamics, leading edges, detail and sheer scale, imho.
However, it trounces it in other areas such as timing - the contrasts between fast and slow, interplay between musicians, lyricism, and above all accurate pitch and harmonic detail.
The holed version gives a little more in musical terms, and it gives a better sense of scale and openness, but it is not particularly more dynamic than the non-holed version.
Marco
I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of my bog seats, and I shall give a more in-depth analysis when I get to hear them in my system at home.
Anyone else
If this thread interests you then great!
If it doesn't, just don't bother reading it or posting on it.
I have not interrupted another broadcast to bring you this news, so select a different channel for something you find more entertaining. 
Cheers,
Steve.
quote:
Given you've already ordered the bog seats (which must render the already ugly QS beyond Mana in the wife unfriendly stakes) I can see there being a problem with your objectivity (conscious or unconscious) with a test such as this. I know I would worry about my own objectivity if I'd coughed up - I'd want to hear an improvement so I probably would...
This is a well-worn question regarding the psychological influences/bias and subjective listening, imho.
Yes, I have already blindly ordered my bog seats - it was an act of faith on my part which should enable me to get my hands on them sometime in the next few days now that my dealer has got his, rather than in, say, two or three months' time.
For the sake of a tenner a shelf, I thought I'd take the risk.
Also, as usual, I have taken care to outline exactly what the differences/improvements are, rather than just say that it was better.
Regarding pre-conceived ideas as to what I would hear, I awaited a noticeable lift in dynamics.
If it happened, I certainly didn't hear it.
The slightly laid-back, unforced presentation prevails with the bog seat version, and thus my expectations on that particular score have been confounded somewhat on this occasion.
With subjective listening, thee is never any concrete proof - we can all be liars to ourselves and others, but hopefully, as this thread develops, so will an element of consensus amongst the differing viewspoints.
Consensus is like circumstantial evidence - it does not in itself provide proof, but it is nevertheless convincing enough for people to go and try these things out for themselves.
Cheers,
Steve.
[This message was edited by Steven Toy on THURSDAY 07 February 2002 at 13:38.]