How do you tell you have a good system

rtp_burnsville · May 13, 2011

Laatsch55,

Could go a couple different routes, depending on what I come across.... I currently have a Sansui 9090DB (bought it new in 78) driving some EV speakers for my main system that I like. In some ways would like to get separates for the main system and then move the Sansui to the shop downstairs. Have looked at a receivers mostly being they are what tends to pop up around here. If it's a receiver something in the upper mid-range or better as I have become spoiled with the 9090. For separates a nice preamp, power amp, and tuner. Rack stuff is always nice as it fits in with the recording stuff in the backroom easily.

BTW: I played music in Gillette back in 78-79..... It was like a mining town, lots of dirt streets and trailer parks in the middle of town. Great people! Really liked it out that way!

Thanks,
Robert

laatsch55 · May 13, 2011

Are you SHITTING ME??? in 78, that was boom times!! Where'd ya play??

laatsch55 · May 13, 2011

Google Gillette now, just spent 50 mill on a rec center, nothing like it in the country.

stuwee · May 13, 2011

gamve said:

on the rockbox, and :thumbup:

+ for the music in it!!

rtp_burnsville · May 13, 2011

If I remember right it was a place called "The Sands". The club was part of the motel (Best Western maybe) or right next to it. Played there 3 or 4 weeks over a 2 year period. Yep, it was booming times......

Robert

laatsch55 · May 13, 2011

Yep the Sands, got thrown out of there a lot. RTP, any preference on gear. This is your lucky day, I'm spring cleaning. Got some PL400's and some PL pres that will be going cheap.

nakdoc · May 13, 2011

Larry,
You have to travel. You have to listen to other systems with records and/or CDs that you are very familiar with. You have to listen honestly (really difficult, but it can be done). If you have an emotional reaction to what you hear, trust that over any logical reactions.
Don't be afraid to listen to bad equipment. It is a great way to learn. Borrow stuff and play with it. Listen at background music levels...the good systems will sound amazing even when they are not "in your face". Leverage your long term references, for example, you have a Phase 700. Harsh highs, deep bass, and explosive dynamics. Now compare other amps relative to this set of characteristics. You do not need a perfect system to judge, only a reference to begin a comparison. There is great value, for example, in listening to Dahlquist DQ-10s using your 700. You could certainly hear the speaker's imaging qualities, but you could also hear how the speaker swallows the 700's dynamics, for the worse. You can then say, the DQ 10 is a fine speaker, but it is not what I like.
I hope this gets the thread away from equipment and back on track.

laatsch55 · May 13, 2011

It used to have harsh highs.

speakerman1 · May 13, 2011

I have my Creek and my tubes to listen to. Travel. Not me LOL

Larry

stuwee · May 13, 2011

Great post doc, I haven't heard the DQ 10's in a long time.

I have 5 systems set up in the house, each is very different.

Pilot console 1090-A, 1959 tubed with el84's. Superb with the classical FM station in town. Great for Sunday mornings

Main rig: Thorens/SME/Shure, Teac V-8000S cassette, Fostex E-2 RtR, Teac A-3400 RtR (awaiting work), Panasonic DVD F61A for CDs, Marantz 2270 pre-out, Yamaha MX-800U amp (soon to me replaced with AV123 Monoblocs

) Martin Logan Sequel speakers

#3: Pioneer A-1000A/Grado Gold TT, Kenwood KX-1060 cassette, Teac X-3 RtR, Marantz 2270, JBL L-56

#4: Denon DN-790R cassette, Nakamichi BX-300 (needs to see the nakdoc), Sanyo -35 int. amp, AKG K-601 headphones, Grado SR-60 cans, speakers ??

#5 (2)Luxman K-112 cassette, Astone 2TB harddrive thru the Dell laptop, Yamaha CX 600U RS preamp, Kenwood Basic M1D amp, AR 4a speakers, big truck box speakers

Unused: B.I.C. T-1 cassette SAE P102 preamp, SAE A202 amp, SAE 180 parametric EQ

speakerman1 · May 13, 2011

laatsch55 said:

There is nothing harsh about that 700B. It will jam with the best of them.

Larry

nakdoc · May 16, 2011

stuwee said:

Great post doc, I haven't heard the DQ 10's in a long time.

#4: Denon DN-790R cassette, Nakamichi BX-300 (needs to see the nakdoc), Sanyo -35 int. amp, AKG K-601 headphones, Grado SR-60 cans, speakers ??

Look for Yamaha NS 30 speakers.

You like flat response. Even the Pilot system, as colored as it is, is matched to a purpose. Many folks want one system to "do it all" . How many of you have pushed your listening rig to maximum resolution only to find that you do not ENJOY listening. I love analytical systems, but will not listen to them, if that makes sense.

Larry, arriving at something you like may well be the ultimate goal. Many of us do not seek to upgrade once we have something we are happy with, but do so when we get to borrow a unit. Are you saying you do not get out and about? If you are not listening to other systems, you loose the compare/contrast tool that is a bit easier to keep a hold on reality with (as opposed to Absolute Sound).

laatsch55 · May 16, 2011

There is great value, for example, in listening to Dahlquist DQ-10s using your 700. You could certainly hear the speaker's imaging qualities, but you could also hear how the speaker swallows the 700's dynamics, for the worse. You can then say, the DQ 10 is a fine speaker, but it is not what I like.
I hope this gets the thread away from equipment and back on track.

Could you explain that one a little further Nakdoc??

nakdoc · May 16, 2011

Let's say you like a system that almost loafs when it plays loud. As you raise the volume none of the dynamic peaks seem to change in any way. Insert a speaker like Magnepan MG-2 or Dahlquist DQ 10, and you have an upper limit to the loudness, even with a 500 watt amp. The DQ -10 swallows power and turns it into crossover heat. Magnepans simply reach their maximum air moving ability and quit.
Take a Phase Linear and use it on K Horns; effortless until the horns distort the air. But, at low volumes, the Phase isn't detailed or lively. So, when making changes to a SYSTEM, you have to listen to the whole shebang.

laatsch55 · May 16, 2011

Ok , theres another term i'm not familiar with, how do horns "distort the air".

stuwee · May 16, 2011

nakdoc said:

I completely understand what you're saying doc, that Pilot is melt your heart gorgeous with classical, early jazz and vocals, I don't play hard rock on it, it just sounds awful. Thanks for the Yammie speaker recomendation, but I never cared for their bright, analytical studio monitor sound.

I have lot's of friends that bring their just bought cd over to play at my place (some even have a system in mind they want to hear it on)(the Gall of some people!) :mrgreen:

, J/K, I love it! However, they then go home to their BPC boxes and are happy. I only know one audio nut like me. He's got old Scott tubes, amp/pre/phonopreamp and older Maggies.

stuwee · May 16, 2011

To cont. I'm greatful to Larry for letting me try that X-Amp, that really open my eyes and ears to something special!! I'm converted, and on the same token, well almost, we talked Lee into a major purchase with those Cary mono's, he'll experience something very few can, a well designed powerful tube amp. Whole new areas of music well open up for him

I try to get more of my friends that live near here into the hobby, but they just can't be bothered, yet they still come over with their favorite pieces of music :twisted:

laatsch55 · May 16, 2011

And its not like I've got shit speakers, just the driver and crossover upgrade was 2400.00 Not that money instantly equals better sound , but the wood Tractix horn and 2 inch driver is in another league. I'm real excited to hear some powerful, clean tubes on em. there are times when i want TO BE ASSAULTED by music and other times when I want to cry when hearing something.
I am just ever so thankful I can afford to do this. When I think of the money I wasted on stuff that didn't make me feel half this good.......................................................

stuwee · May 16, 2011

I word of advice Lee, I thought of it at dinner, you know not to power those amps up without speakers hooked up right?

I wouldn't hook up your prized pair right out of the box(es) either, hook a pair of beaters. The reason is if God forbid something happened during shipping or they had an issue prior. You could Destroy the speakers, this is an old tip for anyone with any amp you just purchased used. Hell, I even hooked the X-amp up to my beater Sony's first before the ML's. Test it, then use your 'babys'.

This has been a public service announcement :faroah:

laatsch55 · May 17, 2011

Bug, bless her heart was yard salin saturday and brought me a pair of sacrificial "Emersons"

How do you tell you have a good system

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