Hair cut needed! Please advice on mullet removal options

Posted by: Martinm on 06 September 2001

My system has ended up as becoming somewhat mullet orientated, and my last purchase of the pre/power amps has really highlighted this.
My system as it currently stands:
Rega Planet
Naim 72/140
Cura CA10
Since I picked up the 72/140 (had a nait 3) I have been getting increasingly frustrated with what I am assuming is being caused by the amps being rather better than the CDP.
The problem is whilst the amps have really added so much certain tracks are now sounding messy – a good example is track 2 on Madonna’s Music album as the track becomes more layered and the lower frequencies become more prominent the track degenerates and becomes uncomfortable to listen to and the music loses any clarity and precision particularly at high volumes.
At the end of the month I should have some spare cash and could afford a high cap for the 72 will this make any difference at the moment or would I be better off waiting a little longer to get a CD5? I have heard a CD3.5 with the 72/140 and found it a bit harsh to my ears (This was with credos on the end however).
I listened to the 5 series stuff and did enjoy the sound immensely but ended up with the 72/140 as I enjoyed the punch that these provided the music more than the 5 series.
I have my stuff on a basic Sound Org stand at the moment would a change here perhaps help?
Any advice warmly received, I am however still a student and this purchase would be of the back of my placement bonus so funds will not stretch very far!
Cheers
Martin

Posted on: 06 September 2001 by Peter Stockwell

I see you are using a sound Org stand, with the Rega Planet on top ? What kind of floor have you got ? Is there any way you can get your Rega away from high SPLs.

Do the Curas have deep base response ? Deep base response can be a pain if you equipment is not well isolated.

Peter

Posted on: 06 September 2001 by Dev B

Hello Martin,

Welcome to the internet home of Mullet Audio. My advice to you is to check whether your current system is working at its best before doing anything. So check whether you are using the right speaker cable with Naim plugs, preamp separated from power amp, blah, blah, blah.

If that fails try anotehr CD player, which is a bit smoother, musical and detailed than your Rega.

I would listen to some old Arcams, first generation Pioneers (only avalable second hand) or a Naim CD3, CD5 or if you can stretch to it a second hand CDX or something.

DB/Mullet Audio
'Music is nothing without the Mullet Effect'

Posted on: 06 September 2001 by Martinm

"I see you are using a sound Org stand, with the Rega Planet on top ? What kind of floor have you got ?"
Hi
Rega is on top shelf 72 on the next, 140 is two below this at he bottom. The floor is wood with carpet on top.

The Curas are standmount so bass is restricted as per most standmounts.

“I would listen to some old Arcams, first generation Pioneers (only avalable second hand) or a Naim CD3, CD5 or if you can stretch to it a second hand CDX or something."

Are the older arcams a different tonal balance to the newer ones as I found these to sound far to mushy for my liking.
I've tried shifting the equipment all round the room the only changes it seems to make is increase or decrease in base and the slam factor - both increase together.

I don't yet have naim speaker cable I've got Qed silver anniversary stuff I was looking to change this at the end of the month as well.

I like what the Rega does with simple music and would like to retain these qualities with a new CDP whilst allowing more complex tracks to sound at ease as well. In other forum threads it has been suggested that tonally the Naim CDPs are similar but better than the Rega. The CD5 seemed to bear this out but i'm wondering what the second hand options would offer?

Cheers
Martin

Posted on: 06 September 2001 by John C

A second hand CD3.5 for 500-600 quid or cheaper if you bargain is better than the planet to my ears. You could add a FC2 benefitting the CD and preamp at a later date when funds allow.

Johnd

Posted on: 06 September 2001 by Eric Barry

When I added a hicap to 32-5/140, the effect was larger and more to the good than subsequently changing a Rotel 955 for CD3. So that's what I recommend. YMMV.

--Eric

Posted on: 06 September 2001 by Martinm

That's one for for the CD
One for the Hi-Cap
And one for the stand!

My girlfriend has just come in seen the thread and cast her vote - "Don't you dare spend another penny on that damned Hi-Fi until you've bought me an engagement ring!"

I think I am now going to have to buy a new pair of underpants!

Back to the orginal question What is the likely benefit from each option. When I changed the amp it gave more of what I already had. Will adding one of the other components do the same again or will they make a more fundemental change to how the music is delivered?

i.e. will it stop everything losing the plot when the music becomes more complex?

Martin

Posted on: 06 September 2001 by Martinm

Is Mana equipment mail order only? I've just moved to north London (Finchley) where would my nearest dealer be so i could have a listen/loan one?

I've had a quick look on the website - what would you recommend I started with there are lots of different racks!

Cheers
Martin

Posted on: 06 September 2001 by John Schmidt

quote:
....flying bumble bees are unlikely as well but they happen.....

A widely circulated, but incorrect, bit of common knowledge. Back in the 1930s or 40s a German graduate student showed that a bumblebee could not fly if it's wings were assumed to be rigid. What seem's to have been lost in the infinite recitations of this cliche is that the student then showed that a flexible wing was needed for flight to occur. Which, of course, a bumblebee has.

If the principles of vibration isolation were as well understood as those of air moving over a flexible membrane, there wouldn't be nearly as many slanging matches about how or if Mana really works.

Cheers,

John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon

Posted on: 06 September 2001 by Steve Toy

You need to get these quick, sharp!
Naim amps do not work without them!!! I don't think warranties are an issue with your amps, but fortunately these cables are cheap @ 6.60 GBP per metre.
They will certainly tidy up you bass, as well as ensuring you don't do any more damage to the power amp than you may have already done!

It's always a nice day for it, have a good one
Steve

Posted on: 07 September 2001 by Peter Stockwell

Martin,

Having seen your response about the standmounter and limited bass, well some of them can really shake a small room, and if believe Max Townsend below 150hz is going to give your equipment the willies.

I believe that the equipment support is the problem, or rather the isolation of the planet from external vibration.

I auditioned my Nait 5 with a planet 2000 and didn't feel the CD player lacking.

Oh and your girlfriend may be an issue, especially if she prefers TV to music ;-)

happy trails

Peter

Posted on: 07 September 2001 by Rico

quote:
My girlfriend has just come in seen the thread and cast her vote - "Don't you dare spend another penny on that damned Hi-Fi until you've bought me an engagement ring!"

Oh man - cave in to this one, and next it'll be "no more [insert proposed upgrade here] until you've bought [insert household appliance/holiday/house here]. Or perhaps she's just trying to tell you something?

Perhaps the only way to defray the effects of such ultimatums is to negotiate a non-proliferation pact.

Still, the Mullet Audio reponse is "get big amps and lots of iron!" and forget about rocks on the hands, for they go with rocks in the head!

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio (tongue firmly in cheek)

Posted on: 07 September 2001 by Andrew Randle

Some simple advice....

Trade your Planet in for either the new Planet2000 or the Jupiter2000. The Planet2000 is said to be significantly better than the old Jupiter/Io combination.

Or, go for a CD5, which does have a tidy presentation. Or, go for a Linn Genki which is very good.

Andrew

Andrew Randle
2B || !2B;
4 ^ = ?;

Posted on: 07 September 2001 by Dev B

Ignore those infidels from the land of Mana. They may be correct, but I suggest you follow the first part of my advice before splashing out on boxes or stands.

quote:
My advice to you is to check whether your current system is working at its best before doing anything. So check whether you are using the right speaker cable with Naim plugs, preamp separated from power amp, blah, blah, blah.

Since you live very near me, I can lend you some NACA5 to try in your system before splashing out.

DB/Mullet Audio
'We know whats good for you'

Posted on: 07 September 2001 by Martinm

Wow,
Just got back into work, cheers for all the responses everyone!

I think my first priority from what i can gather is to get the cable sorted asap!

I had asked a dealer about this before and got told not to worry about it!!!:mad:

As to the girlfriend issue - She said last night that whatever i spend on a ring she'd match me on a CDP! - clever way to get an expensive ring me thinks! How much is a CDSII?

I know she secretly loves the hi-fi but its become a bit of a running joke because its the only thing I am really stubborn about.

Thanks for all the advice (and humour!)

I shall be going to a dealer in the next few weeks!

Martin

Posted on: 07 September 2001 by Rico

quote:
How much is a CDSII?

Somewhere near a reasonable .75-1.0ct set in platinum made to your design - for comparison purposes, of course!

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio

Posted on: 07 September 2001 by Martinm

[QUOTE]Somewhere near a reasonable .75-1.0ct set in platinum made to your design - for comparison purposes, of course! [/!QUOTE]

Bugger, does it do anything other than make you hand rather heavy?
If it played some nice tunes that would help!

And how do you use these tag things? confused

Posted on: 07 September 2001 by Rico

quote:
Bugger, does it do anything other than make you hand rather heavy?

Don't ask me mate - I don't wear one. I think they have a secondary use scratching the insides of car windscreens when the wearer clears condensation with back of hand.. sccrrrrrrrthhhh.

Don't know if they can really hold a tune.... but known to make a girlie sing.

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio

[This message was edited by Rico on FRIDAY 07 September 2001 at 15:36.]