System Pics 2016

I've been thinking about changing my speakers for a while and finally decided to ask my dealer to organise a demo in store of the PMC 25.23's with a system as close to mine that they could get.

They had to order the speakers from PMC as they didn't have any in. Anyway, got a call last week to say that they were in and wouldn't I rather just take them straight home to demo at home. No pressure to buy them or even give them back in a hurry, in fact I would do them a favour running them in.

Great service as usual, thanks Music Matters in Stratford on Avon!

So here is the before and the after:

3 days in and I'm absolutely loving the sound. Even my wife has commented how much better they sound. Beautiful finish and engineering too.

The bass is super clear and the mids/highs very open and detailed.

Its a cliche I know, but I'm hearing things in tracks that I've never heard before. Superb! 

Think its going to be a no brainer decision.

That all sounds very positive. They look super in your room, and not too big at all. I very much enjoyed my time with the 20.23, and the 25.23 is supposed to be considerably better. 

Yes, thanks HH, I'm well chuffed.

The speakers were definitely the weakest point in my system as you and several others pointed out. The change up in speakers is definitely allowing the system to shine, that's for sure.

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

james n posted:

Thanks Simon - Yes they probably look much better in the flesh - i like them. I'll be interested in your 'active' pursuits 

Hi, alas, this is not going to be straightforward.. My dealer does not currently have a relationship with ATC to facilitate a home evaluation/demo... So unless I can achieve this I won't be exploring down this path... as I never buy without home evaluations... not with this sort of money... 

i was in a similar boat. audio emotion in scotland organised a new pair direct from atc to my home for demo (but you have to pay in full). if i didnt like them then they would take them back and refund, no quibble. they were very good and patient with me. dealt with mark and marion.

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

Kuma, I think Europe and the UK might be a little different as physical media is proving surprisingly resilient in sales (at least it was when I last looked) ... it appears the forecast rate of its decline was over egged... the real suprise is downloads as they have been largely impacted by streaming. In the UK most albums of all categories are released on CD in my experience with increasingly a delay after launch with some artists before they are available on streaming.  EPs less so these days and are more the domain of streaming and downloads... but I note lossless downloads are getting more popular so this is not always such a bad thing.

Simon,

I figured that the numbers can vary country to country. I know in Japan, CDs are still strong and there are still brick'n'mortar retailers to support 'em but I have not seen hard numbers.

Honestly I do not know any *civilian* friends who still spin CDs in the US. ( the numbers above is from RIAA  which support my observations last 5 years. )

Well Kuma, we may not be friends, but I still spin 'em. In fact any more, given the price disparity with vinyl, I'm 90/10% more likely to purchase a CD over comparable vinyl. I had really been looking forward to the recent Peter Gabriel So remaster, and while I will commend them on a very quiet pressing, the damn thing wobbles so bad at the edges that my cartridge must be up and down in the 4-6mm range. Quite a compliment to Rega that it tracks without jumping. People with lesser rigs probably can't say as much.

A couple of weeks back I loaded up on CDs from Amazon - think the average price was like $7. Much better than back in the 90s when I used to buy at my local Tower Records. I think back then I was paying $15-17 a cd. Nice to have some deflation in a few places...

Aric,

But you hang out at a hifi forum, so I don't consider you as  a *civilian*.

I looked at your CV and normal folks do not shell out for a cryo-treated power cord nor call their hi-fi ( btw, I have noticed some younger folks don't even know what that is ) *rig*.

Quite a number of audiophiles which you and I fall into this category, spin CDs as we know there are some decent CD players still around and they sound a whole lot better than a run of a mill streaming because we invested in a good enough system to hear the difference.

I am with you in that a last couple of years I have bought more CDs than  a decade ago. As a classical music listener I should subscribe to a stream service but I will not ditch my CD player.

Kuma,

Earlier in the year I grabbed a smorgasbord of classical CDs off the 'Gon for around $3 / CD. Think the lot had around 120ish CDs. Some early 80s pressings that were taken care of and had no issues playing - including some really nice RCA Red Labels. 'Twas a splendid purchase. Don't know if you've purchased these types of lots before from there, but have no fear!  

The great thing about that purchase was it basically doubled the size of my classical CD library. I would have managed probably 10 LPs for the same price.

Also, I take it as a high compliment not to be relegated with the masses!  

Aric,

Buying software by a lot is an economical way to go, but I get easily overwhelmed so I have avoided doing so. I also use a local library which still carry a few classical CDs. I also find used vinyl's .99 cent bins useful to explore new classical music or artists. ( when I am done give it to a friend or go back into the wild. )

ALso a last few years, various record companies are releasing super value box sets ( I have no idea how they make any profit! ) which come in on average 2-3 bucks each for a CD.

Blue.Dog posted:

I need a better camera!

Hi Blue.Dog,

I've just purchased a Rega Elex R and will set up system the same way you have using the UQ2 as a source only. Apart from switching the speakers of in the settings menu, is there anything else required to do?

Thanks

Lewis posted:

I frequently move my system around but it pretty much looks like this now (note I have repositioned the HC and Nac to inside the cabinet in pics 2 & 3)!

I use a UQ2 and Sondek as sources, a Nap 100 through some SBL's, and the HC and Nac 32.5 as power and pre accordingly.  The sound is goddamn awesome, not to mention the looks

 

 

 

 

Hi Lewis

I've just purchased a Rega Elex R and will set up my system the same way you have using the UQ2 as a source only. Apart from switching the speakers off in the settings menu, is there anything else required to do?

Thanks

Artferg20 posted:

Lewis posted:

I frequently move my system around but it pretty much looks like this now (note I have repositioned the HC and Nac to inside the cabinet in pics 2 & 3)!

I use a UQ2 and Sondek as sources, a Nap 100 through some SBL's, and the HC and Nac 32.5 as power and pre accordingly.  The sound is goddamn awesome, not to mention the looks

 

 

 

 

Hi Lewis

 

I've just purchased a Rega Elex R and will set up my system the same way you have using the UQ2 as a source only. Apart from switching the speakers off in the settings menu, is there anything else required to do?

 

Thanks

Make sure it's in a room on land , rather than on a ship caught in a great storm.

tonym posted:

Perhaps our dealer needs a little nudge in ATC's direction Simon?

Tony - we discussed it - it appears ATC is aligned with another dealer in our part of the world - and so nothing doing with Signals - Big A was quite apologetic.

Artferg20 posted:

 

Hi Blue.Dog,

I've just purchased a Rega Elex R and will set up system the same way you have using the UQ2 as a source only. Apart from switching the speakers of in the settings menu, is there anything else required to do?

 

Thanks

No, that was all that was required.

Of course, the fun starts when you realise that your amp uses the same IR volume control code as the Qute ...

Blue.Dog posted:

No, that was all that was required.

Of course, the fun starts when you realise that your amp uses the same IR volume control code as the Qute ...

The remote codes for the Qute can be reconfigured...

Eloise posted:

 

The remote codes for the Qute can be reconfigured...

I didn't realise that. It's academic now anyway as the Qute has been moved to the living room - I needed the rack space for the ND5 that arrived two weeks ago.

Blue.Dog posted:

Eloise posted:

 

The remote codes for the Qute can be reconfigured...

I didn't realise that. It's academic now anyway as the Qute has been moved to the living room - I needed the rack space for the ND5 that arrived two weeks ago.

What volume level do you set your Qute to?

It really depends on your preferred 'mode' of operation. Either set the Qute to 100 and use the VC on the amp, or wind the amp up as far as you are comfortable with and control the Qute's volume with the app - that was my preferred method.

Artferg20 posted:

Blue.Dog posted:

I need a better camera!

I can't remember if I commented before, but I really like that rack. Looks solid and aesthetically pleasing.

System has changed...

The last  4 years - 172/200:

The last 2 weeks - nothing:

Since 2 day - Devialet 400:

Still got the fraim - Nice sunday to all of you...

DrMark posted:

I can't remember if I commented before, but I really like that rack. Looks solid and aesthetically pleasing.

Yes, I think they were the exact two comments that I put in my review of it when they asked. I've always had Atacama 'furniture' in the past, seemed sensible to stick with them and I have no complaints.

An updated pic is also due after a wee attack of upgraditis ealier this month (not just the curtains, obviously!).

Little experiment with Volumio on a Raspberry Pi feeding a  Meridian Explorer DAC plugged into the XS2. Impressive ...

Here is our hi tech no expense spared dining room system. 

HH

Is that a Tivoli Model 1 on your dresser ?

About 20 years ago a brought my parents one for their Kitchen which is still in service.There nearly 90 now and they tend to listen at 4 oclock as there getting hard of hearing.

Best wishes with your recovery

Tivoli Model-1 = me too in the kitchen,  nice little job, we've tried a Pure DAB/FM thingy (now in the bedroom) but prefered the Tivoli for its fit & form in the kitchen & more so for it's SQ.