Recent content by Noddy

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    Cambridge Audio Melomania P100

    The others have exaggerated bass, the P100 have natural bass. What HiFi reviews are subjectivity dressed up as fact.
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    Prejudices about equipment

    I removed the cable between the amp and the power socket, and the sound was lacking in vitality and musicality. Then I reconnected it, and removed the cables between the amp and the speakers. Again the sound was lacking in vitality and musicality. So I reckon there is a holistic synergy that...
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    Question Is this too good to be true?

    The first thing to check is the domain registration: https://www.whois.com/whois/connecteddirect.co.uk A recent registration is a warning sign. This one dates from 2018, so that’s okay. I’ve found fake shops and the prices are always way below normal. Some prices are credible. For example...
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    Pulled the trigger!! KefR3 Meta!!

    From what I have read, the meta technology does make a noticeable improvement, so what you say makes a lot of sense. I too considered the R3 non meta as it was on offer, but chose the LS50 Meta. The R3 Meta was more than I wanted to pay. I still think the R3 Meta is more attractive.
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    Chord Anni - speakers?

    I did mention it because Britain doesn’t seem to have strong enforcement of Made in Britain unlike Switzerland, Germany and others I can understand that, it’s a good reason, albeit not one that drives my hifi decisions.
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    Chord Anni - speakers?

    I would have thought you could get a much more powerful good quality amplifier with an excellent built in DAC for significantly less money. Regarding made in the UK, I’d be interested to know where the components (case, circuit boards etc) are made. I wonder if they would tive an answer?
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    Question What's your next HiFi purchase?

    I recommend you get an amp and some speakers.
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    R11 Metas + Cambridge Audio Evo 150

    You will learn more from nopiano’s last reply, and the article he links to, than anything I could write. Generally high powered amps are needed for high volumes, for example in a large room. You have an excellent amp with plenty of grunt and some people would bite off your ankles to get it.
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    R11 Metas + Cambridge Audio Evo 150

    As a musician you will have very good hearing, unless you play heavy metal or are Phil Collins (1) of course. So you could scratch that itch by taking a demo unit home, giving it the wife test, and if it passes, doing a listening test. I’m with nopiano, and the impedance of the speakers only...
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    Topping E30 - worth it?

    Then in that case I will post evidence: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-64206950 https://foreignaffairs.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Egregious-Cases-of-Chinese-Theft-of-American-Intellectual-Property.pdf...
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    Speaker upgrade suggestions.

    Studio monitors are made for near field listening, including Genelec and Neumann but they’re often not cheap. Many suggestions here are costly and as they say, maybe not good up against a wall for close listening. And placing speakers directly on a desk is usually bad news. Another option is...
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    Topping E30 - worth it?

    The headquarters is in California. It’s not uncle Sam through and through. The chief technology officer, VP of hardware engineering and the chief business officer all grew up and studied in China. I couldn’t find details for others, but all the senior team outside of regional sales have chinese...
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    NAD amp with knobs

    This might be obvious, but the reason for touch sensitive controls and buttons is cost reduction. Selection dials are more expensive. I worked for a company making displays used in cars, and having a display for several functions such as air con is cheaper than lots of buttons. The display...
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    NAD amp with knobs

    Having owned a Chord Mojo and Arcam Solo Movie, I choose traditional knobs over buttons and menus anyday. The Mojo is a failed design IMO, looks great, hard to use.
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    Topping E30 - worth it?

    I did refer to Chinese design, as well as pointing out that most are China manufactured anyway. My £400 Chord Mojo failed after 2 years. Supposedly made in England, but that can mean just assembled in England. My £1,000 Arcam Solo Movie, failed after about two years, beyond economic repair. My...