Evolution of my system

[WinterRacer]

It's been a while forming and some major changes in the last couple of years, but here's the evolution of my system

I'd spent some years to get to a system I was happy with based on a Cyrus XT-SE transport, Cyrus DAC-X, Roksan Caspian pre and mono-bloc amps and Monitor Audio PL100 speakers. However, due to finding myself in temporary accommodation I needed a system with a low fewer boxes. Entry AVI ADM9.1 (as a temporary measure).

Once back to somewhere I could set up my system again, as a priority I set up a 'bake-off' to decide what would stay and what would go. I did have it all set up on a rack, but this is the only photo I've got, taken as I was setting it up.

I decided to keep the AVIs and let the rest of the kit go, so here are some picks of my current setups:

Lounge (Squeezebox Touch, AVI ADM9.1 + AVI Sub)

2nd System - (Squeezebox Duet, Pioneer DVD player, Yamaha DSP-E800, Audiolab 8000px power amp, AVI Neutron 5s)

Study (genelec 6010A, Genelec 5040A subwoofer - with obligatory WHF shot)

 

[BenLaw]

All 3 very nice! How do you find the genelecs?

 

[WinterRacer]

Thanks, I'm happy with them, although there is another change on the way...

The Genelecs are good, but perhaps not worth the money. If I was doing it again I think I'd just go for the next size up in the Genelec range and not bother with the sub.

Having said that, they sound great, good stereo image, are very unobtrusive and go plenty loud enough for near field use. It would have been good to see them up against he B&W MM1 and Focus desktop speakers in the recent WHF test.

 

[BenLaw]

Having heard the MM1s I'd be surprised if your genelecs didn't outgun them. You have a really nice office setup, bet you don't get much work done!

 

[WinterRacer]

Yep, they definitely make working at home more fun

The come with "isopod" feed that allow you to tilt them back when placed below ear height and they also have some DIP swiches on the back to adjust for placement on desks and in corners, etc. I originally had them on the desk, but found lifting them up to ear height and setting them to 'flat' made them sound much better - hence the less than professional looking homemade stands!

 

[BenLaw]

I actually quite liked the stands - definitely good now you say they're homemade! I hear a lot of good things about genelec (one of the few to be mentioned in the same breath as ATC ) although unfortunately office actives are low on my hi fi 'to do' list at the moment.

 

[vinod_david]

Wow, nice setup. PC setup looks cool.:clap:

 

[Messiah]

Very nice!

The ADMs are certainly more living room friendly than traditional kit. A small part of me though misses the look of the Cyrus kit and rack I had but I would not swap the ADMs for anything. Well maybe some Meridian DSP8000s.

 

[moon]

I love the office setup.....

 

[WinterRacer]

Thanks all, I really like the look of the PL100 speakers:

The Cyrus and Roksan kit looked good too, but I don't miss the stacks of boxes and since buying my first Squeezebox I never played CDs.

 

[WinterRacer]

Wow, nice setup. PC setup looks cool.:clap:

Thanks, those Focals look really nice too!

 

[Frank Harvey]

...but I would not swap the ADMs for anything. Well maybe some Meridian DSP8000s.

Surely the AVI's sound better...

 

[WinterRacer]

...but I would not swap the ADMs for anything. Well maybe some Meridian DSP8000s.

Surely the AVI's sound better...

Are DSP8000s Meridian's lower powered versions of AVI ADM9s but sat on a pair of subs?

Messiah, are you tempted by the forthcoming AVI ADM40s?

 

[Messiah]

...but I would not swap the ADMs for anything. Well maybe some Meridian DSP8000s.

Surely the AVI's sound better...

Ha ha

I have not heard anything better than Meridian DSP8000s. Just need a lotto win now!

 

[Messiah]

Messiah, are you tempted by the forthcoming AVI ADM40s?

To be honest. No.

Perhaps if I had the money spare I might consider them but the truth of it is the ADMs 9.1s provide the kind of sound I had spent years (and plenty of money) trying to attain.

Maybe if/when I get back into surround again then the 40's could be at the front and the 9.1s moved to the rear. Hmmmm

 

[WinterRacer]

I know what you mean, it's hard to justify upgrading ADMs when they've not got any obvious faults. However, I think the cherry would look better in the lounge than the black ADMs on metal stands. Is that enough of a reason?

 

[Messiah]

That reason is more than enough!

 

[WinterRacer]

The final piece of the jigsaw arrived today. These are the new AVI ADM40s, I've not had long with them, but so far very very impressed.

 

[CnoEvil]

Great looking job...enjoy.

 

[John Duncan]

Yes indeed. Not my bag aesthetically, but very interesting nonetheless. Look forward to the review...

 

[WinterRacer]

Thanks both. Both me and Mrs WR prefer their looks to the gloss back ADM9.1s we had. It's obviously very early days, but I'd say they're quite a bit better than anything I've had before. Most immediately obvious is that they have a more extended bass and that vocals and piano sound extremely life like. I'm currently thinking that the sub is surplus to requirements, but will try experimenting a bit more when I've got some time...

 

[WinterRacer]

After a bit of experimenting, I've now moved the sub to the HT room and use the ADM40s sans sub as there's plenty of bass to my ears.

Still loving them, highly recommended!

Some photos that shows them off a little better:

 

[AlmaataKZ]

WR, congrats and enjoy!

 

[WinterRacer]

WR, congrats and enjoy!

Thanks, I am!

Are you still in the market for new active speakers? Are you thinking of getting a pair of these?

 

[BenLaw]

Congrats WR Look forward to the full review. Are you one of the first to get these?