Howdy, I bought my system a year ago mostly s/h and would like expert opinions on the setup or tweaks to make it better.
Equipment: from top
Roksan Caspian tuner
CD 5
----------------- shelf
92 preamp
-----------------
Flatcap2
-----------------
90 Power amp
-----------------
JVC VCR
-----------------
Stand is a Sound Organisation metal with glass shelves on spikes. Economical and bought it on advice. Shelves leave about 4" between components
---------Spendor2/3 speakers on sand filled spiked stands. Set out 1' from the wall and separated by 7' , and 8' from listener and crossed just in front of me.
The room: 12'x18'x8' high or approx. 3Mx4.5Mx2,5Meters high if my conversion isn't too off.
Second floor apartment, plaster walls with 6"drop down edges around the ceiling. Wall to wall carpet over creaky wood floor.
The right side of sytem is open to my dining and entry area, the left speaker is set out 18" /45cm from the wall.
I hear good bass to highs, but I have nothing to compare it with other than my old system and it beats the pants off that one. I'm just wondering if I can get more detail with what I have.
Questions:
1. putting tuner on top of the CD is bad?
(haven't noticed a difference if I set tuner on table to the right)
2. do those Final Daruma ball bearing thingies work? How many would I need and where would I put them?
3. should I rearange the components on my shelves?
4. power wire's are a bit cramped behind coffee table against the wall tho I've tried to keep them from crossing over and under each other.
5 speaker wires are loose and don't fold back on themselves and just a bit longer than needed.
Any suggestions or glaring problems anyone sees? I'm not moving because my rent is incredible for Los Angeles. I can't include photos but would be able to email them.
gkwolf@earthlink.net
Posted on: 22 August 2001 by Wolf
Gee, that was fast Vuk.
Now you've all talked about mana, but is there a web site? I've seen the Fraim, looks hot but very large for my corner. but not heard the rating with Mana.
I was trying to keep the CD player away from the VCR because of possible higher frequencies and the power amp would sit on the shelf just above it.
Name that Naim!
Posted on: 22 August 2001 by Joe Petrik
Wolf,
quote:
Now you've all talked about mana, but is there a web site?
Yup but I suggest you tread lightly for the first post and, at all costs...
(1) avoid squabbles with the Fox and Pig,
(2) don't diss Harleys or manly Brit bikes, and
(3) don't ask about Avalon amps.
It'll all make sense in the fullness of time.
Joe
Posted on: 22 August 2001 by Mick P
Wolf
Most of the guys in this forum have very little taste, so ignore them. Mana sounds OK but looks bloody awful. It's akin to plonking an oil rig in your room and the wife acceptance factor is nil.
It is an awful dust trap and it needs constant adjustment to keep it in tune which is a total pain in the ass.
Vuk isn't married so he dosen't have the visuals problem.
Your ultimate aim should be the Fraim, but like all good things it don't come cheap. It is, however, a superb piece of furniture as well as an excellent sonic table.
If finance is an issue, the Hutter is an excellent choice. Superb visuals and it really brings out the music. Its a solid wood construction with pianolaquer finish.
The good thing about the racks (whatever type you go for) is that they last forever.
I once thought racks were a gimmick, but they do improve the sound of you kit tremendously.
Anyway, good luck.
Regards
Mick
Posted on: 23 August 2001 by Arthur Bye
Joe/Vuk:
Both of you are guilty of leading this poor soul down the primrose path (to destruction). After all, Paul has asked us to be nicer to the newly initiated.
Wolf: lurk around a bit in Manaland. Everything you need to know can be gleaned from observation. Forget about posting.
Mana has a bit of a cult following and they love to devour fresh meat.
Arthur Bye
Posted on: 23 August 2001 by David Dever
Perhaps you should try stripping down the system to
CD5 + NAC 92R + NAP 90
and then try optimizing the positions on the rack. As everything else you have has a transformer of some type inside, positioning the preamp away from powered devices is a moot point--just don't stack anything on top of it.
Once you've sorted out where on the rack things somewhat sound best (a good exercise), then add in the FLATCAP 2 (pleasant surprise) and the Roksan tuner. The VCR (aside from cosmetic considerations) probably could/should be set elsewhere, via a longer interconnect.
Hope this helps,
Dave Dever, NANA
P.S. Once you've tried the above, you should start getting a feel for the subtle differences that changing your system setup causes--this is good ear training and will teach you quite a bit, should you decide to upgrade your equipment rack(s).
