I'm just back from an unusual assignment.....sorting the Parish Priest with a sound system.
Living next door to the Chapel, we have struck up a friendship with the local representative of God (in a very atheist sort of way). When in for the odd coffee, he was particularly struck by how enjoyable our system sounded and wanted to know if he could put something together, but for a bit less....he had a budget of little over £2k. He wanted a streamer and the ability to plug his TV/DVD/Skybox etc into it...I could feel a trip to Lyric coming on.
My plan was to have a head to head with a Linn Sneaky DSM and a Naim UnitiLite, with speakers consisting of Concept 20s, LS50s and the new Rega Standmounts. I was also going to throw in the Naim Mu-so, in case simplicity was the answer.
Anyway, off we set...Myself, Mrs Cno and the Parish Priest....on a Hifi pilgrimage.
An hour and a half later, were were sat, Cappuccinos in hand and listening to a Beethoven violin concerto coming from the Naim Mu-so. It was OK, but we missed the big 3D image projected by a well set up 2 channel system.
Next up was the UnitiLite with some Concept 20s. Big improvement. Much more involving and a proper Soundfield. Those little Q Acoustics are the best speakers I've heard in their price range, but I felt they were a little to small for the room they'd be going in.
We then put the LS50s on the end of the Naim....again, big improvement, with more of everything. It had the typical Naim traits, where it was full of drive, but for my taste, it slapped you about the face with the music and got a little harsh when the volume was turned up a bit.....I kept my views to myself though, as I didn't want to influence the decision.
We then swopped to the Linn, with the LS50s. The music lost a little drive but gained refinement and to these ears, sounded more natural, especially with piano.
After a variety of pieces, "The Good Father" declared that he found the Linn more relaxing and musically involving.....and that the LS50s were at the top of his list.
Finally, before committing, we thought we would try the new Regas with the Linn, as they were the same price as the Kefs.
From the first note, we were all a bit underwhelmed. They were pleasant, but lost much of the detail, clarity and excitement of the LS50s. As Mrs Cno aptly put, they sounded like a cheaper speaker.
So job done....Linn Sneaky DSM and Kef LS50s ordered up. We all seemed pretty much in agreement about what we heard and what we preferred. Both myself and Mrs. Cno kept our opinions to ourselves until the decision had been made.
A big thanks to Michael of Lyric for his patience.
Living next door to the Chapel, we have struck up a friendship with the local representative of God (in a very atheist sort of way). When in for the odd coffee, he was particularly struck by how enjoyable our system sounded and wanted to know if he could put something together, but for a bit less....he had a budget of little over £2k. He wanted a streamer and the ability to plug his TV/DVD/Skybox etc into it...I could feel a trip to Lyric coming on.
My plan was to have a head to head with a Linn Sneaky DSM and a Naim UnitiLite, with speakers consisting of Concept 20s, LS50s and the new Rega Standmounts. I was also going to throw in the Naim Mu-so, in case simplicity was the answer.
Anyway, off we set...Myself, Mrs Cno and the Parish Priest....on a Hifi pilgrimage.
An hour and a half later, were were sat, Cappuccinos in hand and listening to a Beethoven violin concerto coming from the Naim Mu-so. It was OK, but we missed the big 3D image projected by a well set up 2 channel system.
Next up was the UnitiLite with some Concept 20s. Big improvement. Much more involving and a proper Soundfield. Those little Q Acoustics are the best speakers I've heard in their price range, but I felt they were a little to small for the room they'd be going in.
We then put the LS50s on the end of the Naim....again, big improvement, with more of everything. It had the typical Naim traits, where it was full of drive, but for my taste, it slapped you about the face with the music and got a little harsh when the volume was turned up a bit.....I kept my views to myself though, as I didn't want to influence the decision.
We then swopped to the Linn, with the LS50s. The music lost a little drive but gained refinement and to these ears, sounded more natural, especially with piano.
After a variety of pieces, "The Good Father" declared that he found the Linn more relaxing and musically involving.....and that the LS50s were at the top of his list.
Finally, before committing, we thought we would try the new Regas with the Linn, as they were the same price as the Kefs.
From the first note, we were all a bit underwhelmed. They were pleasant, but lost much of the detail, clarity and excitement of the LS50s. As Mrs Cno aptly put, they sounded like a cheaper speaker.
So job done....Linn Sneaky DSM and Kef LS50s ordered up. We all seemed pretty much in agreement about what we heard and what we preferred. Both myself and Mrs. Cno kept our opinions to ourselves until the decision had been made.
A big thanks to Michael of Lyric for his patience.
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