System Pics 2016

DrMark posted:

Posting system pics after Tony is not too dissimilar from standing at the next urinal to John Holmes...

 

 

 

 

 

Is that a cue for a reassuring 'size isn't everything' comment, Dr Mark? 

At times like these I prefer to quote that great philosopher Popeye the Sailor Man...

Unfortunately size is everything..... 

tonym posted:

davidf posted:

wenger2015 posted:

tonym posted:

Very impressive set up, just not sure about the SBL's....( only joking) 

How long does it take u to take down, clean, and then reassemble your entire system i.e. Spring clean up?   I have 2 fraim racks of olive boxes and it takes me 2 hours. David

"Clean"? Not sure what you mean...

Actually, every year or so I get Andy from my excellent dealer, Signals, to strip it all down & rebuild. Takes him half a day, but then he's very good at it! I'd do it myself but arthritis prevents.

No need for a rug. There's a very large dog's bed offshot, but the rooms actually very benign acoustically. It's some 14 metres long.

Tony - What a "fantastic" system - I can only try to imagine how good it sounds !?!??!

Regards,

Al

Yeah when I see Tony's room I like to picture a Marshall half stack at the other end and me standing in the middle with both ends cranked while I play along - tinnitus be damned...

Playing now: Quad FM2 (tube tuna) 102/Hi/250  Gale 401s

CD replay: Karik / Numerik

Out of shot: LP12/RB1000/2M bronze

Mr Tibbs

DrMark posted:

And for those who are interested in such things, the other side of the room behind the listening chair...

The New York Rangers motif one is one I just finished "building" - assembling really - they are cheap guitars and I gutted it down the the body and replaced literally every bit of it (neck, tuners, electronics, pickups, hardware) besides the customized core.

(There's a Taylor GS-mini in the bedroom too.)

Luv the carpet - where did you find this Dr. Mark?

Nick from Suffolk posted:

Ok, after Tony's tour de force let's just turn it down a few googolplexes of notches

 

Oh come on Nick! Your main system ain't exactly shabby now, is it? 

Acoustics Guy posted:

DrMark posted:

And for those who are interested in such things, the other side of the room behind the listening chair...

The New York Rangers motif one is one I just finished "building" - assembling really - they are cheap guitars and I gutted it down the the body and replaced literally every bit of it (neck, tuners, electronics, pickups, hardware) besides the customized core.

(There's a Taylor GS-mini in the bedroom too.)

Luv the carpet - where did you find this Dr. Mark?

It's been so long I cannot say with certainty, but I want to say Amazon - and in fact I did find a very similar one there just search "guitar rug" - $54.99 with free shipping! A google search of same appears to return other options as well including one exactly like mine...

Tony,

I note you have a six stack of Fraim, with what appears to be two medium shelves followed by four standard height shelves. Was there any trepidation by the part of your dealer whether this was sub-par? I ask because I have one medium shelf followed by four standard and have been thinking about adding another standard. Other forum members have counseled that the good book of Fraim rejects such notion, much to my chagrin...

Aric

Hi Aric,

I think it's absolutely fine, perfectly stable. Adding another stack of Fraim just wasn't an option. I wouldn't want to go any higher mind!

(PS - it's possible to go higher).

Looks pretty high to me... 

tonym posted:

(PS - it's possible to go higher).

Given the habit to put source on top, it's quite a climb to the CD555 :-)

Oxygen free cables only on the top rack air might be a bit thin at that altitude.

tonym posted:

(PS - it's possible to go higher).

It looks like Mr Heavens is in some form of meditative state, eyes closed, right hand  feeling to see if the stack is in absolutely the right location.

(And my picture was meant to be a small antidote to your rather impressive looking and sounding system, Tony!). This is what amuses me, occasionally. Hard to get a good photograph in a small room!

tonym posted:

Hi Aric,

I think it's absolutely fine, perfectly stable. Adding another stack of Fraim just wasn't an option. I wouldn't want to go any higher mind!

That's wonderful to hear - thanks Tony!

Hmmm, Supercap or PS for nDac?...

PS for nDAC. 555PS non-DR to be more exact. There are some availble from reputable UK dealers.

Adam Zielinski posted:

PS for nDAC. 555PS non-DR to be more exact. There are some availble from reputable UK dealers.

Yes, I think I'm sold on the 555PS. Unfortunately I'm in the States, and they don't come up very often here

Yes, they actually do and they sell for huge discounts. I just sold mine and was amazed at what the market would provide in offers. The DR upgrade has slashed prices on non-DR units imo. Keep an eye out on the usual sites...

ATB,

Mark

Aric posted:

Adam Zielinski posted:

PS for nDAC. 555PS non-DR to be more exact. There are some availble from reputable UK dealers.

Yes, I think I'm sold on the 555PS. Unfortunately I'm in the States, and they don't come up very often here

Didn't realise you were States-side. I'd start hunting now - it took me a best part of 6 months to find one and it was worth it. It really does transform the nDAC.

varyat posted:

Yes, they actually do and they sell for huge discounts. I just sold mine and was amazed at what the market would provide in offers. The DR upgrade has slashed prices on non-DR units imo. Keep an eye out on the usual sites...

ATB,

Mark

I picked mine up for less than 1/3 of a new one. It's a 2008 model, so good to go for another 7 or so years (500 series components need re-capping every 15 years apparently).
Odly enough my NDS sounds better with a 555DR.

They come up often? Really, hmm, will have to look harder. One issue I would have thought to be evident is that it's the pinnacle of its product category, so unless someone had a redundant source or was leaving Naim entirely, why sell? Couple with the presumed cost effectiveness of booking the DR upgrade vs. purchasing a brand new one w/ DR and they'd be even scarcer. 

Regarding the most ubiquitous place here in the States, I never see things like 252 (i've seen more 552s than 252s), SC, 555PS, CD555 or NDS. Power Lines are about as rare too. Yet to see any SL cable either. 

But with the pound falling, AV Options' voltage conversion fee is looking more and more enticing! 

Well "often" might be a stretch... . I check the usual US sites at least a few times a week - searching for an n-Sub. Now  an n-Sub is a very difficult item to source in the States!! Anyway, I have seen non-DR 555PS . Mine was posted for a few weeks before it actually sold. Some UK dealers have SH gear that they will post to the USA...

Did I mention that I will be visiting my favorite UK dealer, Cymbiosis ,in October to demo some new speakers? 

Atb, 

Mark