System Pics 2015

Posted by: hungryhalibut on 21 December 2014

It's the 21st of December, so it's time for the new System Pics thread. 

 

The SuperUniti and UnitiServe are the same as last year, but the Hutter rack and PMC twenty.23s are new.

 

Posted on: 13 September 2015 by nigelb
Originally Posted by trickydickie:
Originally Posted by True Blue:
Richard,
 
Nice set up very similar to mine.  What have you found with the new 250DR as opposed the 200.  This is my next planned move (once auditioned).  Be interested to hear your views
 
Originally Posted by trickydickie:

Haven't posted a system picture before but have enjoyed seeing everyone else's, so here's my humble system

 

I've just changed a NAP200 to a NAP250.2 DR yesterday and am pleased as punch!

 

Richard

 

 

 

True Blue

 

The improvement is significant, the system seems less hurried and frantic that it did before.  Odd to say but it seems faster but also has more time to do what it needs to do.  The 250.2 DR is much smoother and refined than the NAP200 and more detail seems to come through without drawing attention to itself. It's the low level detail that shines through, the extra beats you didn't really notice even though they were there but now make perfect sense. You here why things were played not just how. When you turn up the volume the system doesn't change in character, it just gets louder without becoming muddled which the NAP200 good though it is can do so on occasions. Bass goes down another octave as well.

 

I spent 6 hours non stop listening yesterday, it was nice of Stacey Kent to call by for dinner!

 

The Kudos C20's (and S20's) can be accused of being bright.  I don't believe this to be true it's just that the Seas Crescendo tweeter is exceptionally revealing and shows up the slight lack in refinement the 200 has.  The system before on occasions seemed a bit too analytical to me, the NAP 200 is sometimes accused of being a bit dry.  I noticed this when last year I changed to the Kudos speakers from Spendor A5's which were a very smooth 'harmless' speaker which worked well in our room but never set the pulse racing.  I now seem to have the best of both worlds.

 

I was concerned that the bare NDX may not be good enough a source, but it is and I don't find any negatives in the upgrade, i.e. it isn't highlighting any obvious limitations in that department but clearly any future upgrades should be at the source end of the system.

 

The 250.2 is not yet run in so I am looking forward to see how things develop.  It was a bit of an impulse buy as it was offered reduced having been used at a well know UK dealer's show last weekend so it only has a limited number of hours on the clock but was only shipped 2 1/2 weeks ago.  I expect some forum members have spent more time with it than I have!  I was pondering getting a used old model 250.2 and perhaps doing the DR upgrade at some point but was put off by the not universal preference of the old model over the NAP200 and buying used often means no audition.

 

If you fancy a trip down to Poole you are welcome to have a listen, check my profile.

 

Richard

+1 but I have moved from 200 to 250.2 to 250DR. I would echo the comments about being more detailed but not drawing attention to itself in a 'look at me' way which makes listening a more relaxed affair and reduces listening fatigue. I have lived with the 250DR for 6 weeks now and I have noticed my listening sessions are longer with the 250DR. It is very strange but the 250DR compared to the 200 and 250.2 (non DR) is less impressive but more rewarding IMHO - it is a weird one to try and explain. Don't get me wrong I think the 200 and 250.2 are great - the 250DR is however a step up in subtlety and sophistication.

Posted on: 13 September 2015 by True Blue

Richard,

 

Many thanks just what I was wanting to hear.  I saw "that deal" on the dealer in questions website.  Nearly bought myself blind at that price you are a lucky man with obviously a quicker internet connection than me

 

Posted on: 13 September 2015 by trickydickie

Sorry True Blue, I spotted it early Wednesday morning and I am lucky not to work on Wednesdays so had time to build a business case to myself and SWMBO!

Posted on: 13 September 2015 by Chris Murphy

Harry, the demo Statement is in Perth currently.

Posted on: 13 September 2015 by Ricky Dasler
Originally Posted by Richard Dane:

Those NZ Tapon plugs may not look like much but they certainly perform well.

Especially if you have a dedicated mains line for the hi fi and use a non-switched wall socket, then plug the components into it in the right order...power amp---pre amp---digital sources.

If there's too many plugs you just use a stick under the last one so they don't sag...not kidding..it works a treat.

Posted on: 13 September 2015 by Minh Nguyen
@trickydickie
Your system looks so neat and tidy in the corner. The finish on your speakers complements your furniture beautifully. You have such an immaculate house that looks so welcoming and cozy. You should be very proud of your 'humble' system
Posted on: 13 September 2015 by James L
Originally Posted by Ricky Dasler:
Originally Posted by Richard Dane:

Those NZ Tapon plugs may not look like much but they certainly perform well.

Especially if you have a dedicated mains line for the hi fi and use a non-switched wall socket, then plug the components into it in the right order...power amp---pre amp---digital sources.

If there's too many plugs you just use a stick under the last one so they don't sag...not kidding..it works a treat.

Too right!

 

The older white tap-on plugs are better than the new black ones, too. 

 

For the wall socket/s, I use the industrial PDL 56 series. These really supercharge things. For $80.00 or so, it's tweak worth thousands when trying to gain the same performance anywhere else in the chain, IMO.

 

Posted on: 14 September 2015 by trickydickie
Originally Posted by Minh Nguyen:
@trickydickie
Your system looks so neat and tidy in the corner. The finish on your speakers complements your furniture beautifully. You have such an immaculate house that looks so welcoming and cozy. You should be very proud of your 'humble' system

Minh

 

Thank you for your kind words.  The furniture is mainly yew which was fashionable when we moved in to our house 23 years ago and cherry is a good match.  This is why the cherry Fraim and Kudos C20 don't look out of place.  We've thought of changing the furniture, but decided to work with it as what is fashionable now won't be in a few years time and it is reasonable quality and we liked the suite and curtains which go well with the yew..

 

We got lucky with the house, it was new when we moved in and was a one off design, the layout is unusual and it has a nice feel about it which we like even though it is not a particularly large house.

 

Richard

Posted on: 14 September 2015 by ekfc63

Recently moved my system from an upstairs room:

To a room in the basement:

No view of the mountains and water in the new room, but better sound with the added bonus of being able to shut the door so as not to disturb the rest of the family.

Posted on: 14 September 2015 by Minh Nguyen
Originally Posted by ekfc63:
Recently moved my system from an upstairs room:

To a room in the basement:



No view of the mountains and water in the new room, but better sound with the added bonus of being able to shut the door so as not to disturb the rest of the family.

@ekfc63
You are a indeed fortunate to have your own listening room in the basement. It's a well proportioned room as well! There's plenty of natural light and those bass traps look like modern a feature. Grey is a good choice of colour because it blends in nicely without attracting too much attention. I would assume your system sounds even better than before now that the Fraim has been isolated from the speakers? Happy listening!
Posted on: 14 September 2015 by ekfc63
Originally Posted by Naijeru:

Now with turntable!

(not pictured: VTL S-200 amplifier)

 

Love the sideboard!

Posted on: 14 September 2015 by rackkit
Originally Posted by ekfc63:
Originally Posted by Naijeru:

Now with turntable!

(not pictured: VTL S-200 amplifier)

 

Love the sideboard!

Seconded!  

Posted on: 14 September 2015 by rackkit
Originally Posted by ekfc63:

Recently moved my system from an upstairs room:

To a room in the basement:

No view of the mountains and water in the new room, but better sound with the added bonus of being able to shut the door so as not to disturb the rest of the family.

Very Nice ekfc63! 

Posted on: 14 September 2015 by rackkit
Originally Posted by gary yeowell:
Stunning looking setup and room Rackkit!!

Cheers Gary! 

Posted on: 14 September 2015 by Foot tapper

Hi ekfc63,

A lovely looking system and a great room to house it.

 

How do you like the Vertere motor controller on the Xerxes 20+?

 

Best regards, FT

Posted on: 14 September 2015 by james n

I've got to say that the standard of rooms and systems this year is superb. Keep it up chaps 

Posted on: 14 September 2015 by k90tour2
Originally Posted by ekfc63:
 
Lovely room. Congratulations.  We're you already aware of the need for the acoustic panels?  How did you decide on their placement?

Recently moved my system from an upstairs room:

 

To a room in the basement:

 

 

No view of the mountains and water in the new room, but better sound with the added bonus of being able to shut the door so as not to disturb the rest of the family.

 

 

Posted on: 14 September 2015 by ekfc63
Originally Posted by Foot tapper:

Hi ekfc63,

A lovely looking system and a great room to house it.

 

How do you like the Vertere motor controller on the Xerxes 20+?

 

Best regards, FT

I liked it enough to buy it.  It was definitely a step up from the Roksan reference PSU/controller I had previously and the hit to the wallet was reasonable.  In particular there was a greater ease to the delivery, which helped musical flow. The fellow I sold the Reference PSU to put it on his Original Xerxes to great effect.  He was well chuffed.

 

With hindsight I would have liked to have compared it to Roksan's newly released RPM PSU prior to purchase, but oh well.

Posted on: 14 September 2015 by ekfc63
Originally Posted by k90tour2:
Originally Posted by ekfc63:
 
Lovely room. Congratulations.  We're you already aware of the need for the acoustic panels?  How did you decide on their placement?

Recently moved my system from an upstairs room:

 

To a room in the basement:

 

 

No view of the mountains and water in the new room, but better sound with the added bonus of being able to shut the door so as not to disturb the rest of the family.

 

 

 

The panels were located to as closely as possible replicate this.  Coincidentally my room is also 16'x12'.

The bass traps and scatter blocks are out of shot behind the listening position.

 

The room is drywall with hardwood flooring on concrete slab, windows and double leaf glass/aluminum frame sliding doors, so very lively.  The acoustic treatments have significantly tamed the liveliness.

Posted on: 14 September 2015 by k90tour2

That's very useful, thanks very much.  I'm listening mainly in my study from which I run a small business.  So boxes everywhere and lots of hard surfaces.  I'm playing about with acoustic foam to see what works best and where.  Even the replacement of a laptop for a 29 inch display and a Mac Pro has altered the sound, much for the worse.

But again, great room and an inspiration.

Posted on: 14 September 2015 by ekfc63
Originally Posted by k90tour2:

That's very useful, thanks very much.  I'm listening mainly in my study from which I run a small business.  So boxes everywhere and lots of hard surfaces.  I'm playing about with acoustic foam to see what works best and where.  Even the replacement of a laptop for a 29 inch display and a Mac Pro has altered the sound, much for the worse.

But again, great room and an inspiration.

PS - PS85 6.0 is still the better racquet

Posted on: 14 September 2015 by k90tour2
Originally Posted by ekfc63:
Originally Posted by k90tour2:

That's very useful, thanks very much.  I'm listening mainly in my study from which I run a small business.  So boxes everywhere and lots of hard surfaces.  I'm playing about with acoustic foam to see what works best and where.  Even the replacement of a laptop for a 29 inch display and a Mac Pro has altered the sound, much for the worse.

But again, great room and an inspiration.

PS - PS85 6.0 is still the better racquet

Very good!  Wasn't expecting that!.  I have one waiting in the queue to be strung.  The avatar is a K Blade 93 tour.  Enjoyed it but a bit stiff.

You made me laugh.  For a moment I thought I was on Talk Tennis.

Posted on: 14 September 2015 by Naijeru
Originally Posted by rackkit:
Originally Posted by ekfc63:
Originally Posted by Naijeru:

Now with turntable!

(not pictured: VTL S-200 amplifier)

 

Love the sideboard!

Seconded!  

Thanks @rackkit & @ekfc63!

Posted on: 14 September 2015 by ekfc63
Originally Posted by Naijeru:
Originally Posted by rackkit:
Originally Posted by ekfc63:
Originally Posted by Naijeru:

Now with turntable!

(not pictured: VTL S-200 amplifier)

 

Love the sideboard!

Seconded!  

Thanks @rackkit & @ekfc63!

The rest of it doesn't look too shabby either ��

Posted on: 15 September 2015 by Jumping Jack