My system through the years

[cheyworth]

Well here goes.... (all done from memory)

I started in 1996 with an Ariston CDP, Cambridge amp, and Eltax speakers.

I had this for about 2 years and then when I went to Uni I got this!

Marantz CD-48, PM-66SE, and Eltax Symphony 8.2's.

This was a big step up and I was happy.

But then I decided I wanted to go surround.

I picked up a NAD T770surround amp, dvd player, and finished the 5.0 with symphony centre and 4.2 rears.

I added a C270 power amp and Marantz DR6000 cd recorder.

Again I was happy!

I then decided that I needed new speakers so got some MA Silver 8i's. 6 months later the centre speaker was changed MA centre 10i to match.

Looking better now.

I changed the NAD to the pre/power T163/T973 and got some silver 3i for surround.

I then added a TAG McLaren CD20R

And stayed the same until this summer!

Will post the rest this afternoon!

Chris

 

[Anonymous]

Can't see the pictures.

 

[cheyworth]

looks like i will need help to post them.

 

[John Duncan]

All the files are on your hard drive - you need to host them on a file sharing site like photobucket or flickr and then post the links from there.

 

[cheyworth]

picks sorted

 

[cheyworth]

So..

This last summer I have continued to add and improve my system to finish (so far) with.

Nad T-163/T-973

Panasonic DMP-BD30

Sky HD

Tag McLaren CD20R
Pro-Ject Head Box 11

Pro-Ject Debut 111

LG 42PG3000

Monitor Audio 8i,3i,C10i,FXi

PC connected to Nad and TV

CD connected with VDH first

Nad to Nad with VDH D102 MKIII

Front 3 speakers with CS-122 (bi wire)

Rest with Gale cable

Video cables Cambridge audio HDMI

 

[cheyworth]

I have just added a second C-270 power amp and am biamping the silver 8i's and it is much improved!

I am now getting a large stack of amps!

Chris

 

[cheyworth]

I have now changed the project debut 111 for the Thorens TD160 as in hi-fi post.

 

[cheyworth]

well it's change again!

gone is the Thorens, and in comes an RPM5 with 2M RED.

and a home made hifi rack!

 

[jimdonnelly]

Nice kit. One question though....are you a Mountie?

 

[cheyworth]

Good spot!

Not a Mountie but a Scout leader.

Chris

 

[nomismo]

Just saw this blog and got me thinking, far to many things to list,but a quick reckon up,i've blown around 40k over the years on swapping part exing you name it, but now with age and kids i'm now sitting with a set up of,

Meridian go7,Meridian 551,Meridian 555, Bi Amped and double wired(vdh TeaTrack), to a pair of Mission 782's,cables range from Russ Andrews mains leads,super purifier,nordost red dawn,vdh,audio quest interconnects,specalist purpose built isolation plateforms,Apollo Sonarta stand this grounded through a suspended floor via 1" stainless steel pillars into a solid concret block,,custom designed and made brackets for stablizing the missions to the floor.Musical Fldelity xcans/Senheisser HD650's

Being an electrical engineer i've installed a sperate distribution board on the incoming mains,ran 10mm radial circuits to each individual socket,these all MK logic unswitched,having been stripped and cleaned aka Russ Andrews, i've, ran a dedicated 16mm earth out to a matrix of earth rods in the garden, these all being regularly warted, and the impedance checked reguarly,. All fuses are soldered in with wonder solder, every thing cleaned with di oxit and pure gold sprays. Having put the dedicated earth link in had to use an rcd on the disboard,again use a selected mk unit again teated with dioxit/pure gold.

Current project is a mains isolation unit again AKA russ andrews,currently trying various components,

Next up grade soon to be having just brought a sony kdl 32w 5500 tv, a full meridian surround system,so it's back to endless hours at work,missing the kids grow up,eatting bread and jam, but hey a man has to have at least on vice, and mines music,go music lve or recorded.

Just brought an ipod touch, why i don't know,ok for walking the dog.

Suppose some of you think i'm mad,my wife and kids are begining to wonder,but it keeps me going.

 

[Anonymous]

Like the rack a lot!!! very nice and spacious. Plus the floorstanders look great on those slabs. Would definatley get some more neutral curtains though as they are like looking at static on your tv. ughhh, lol.

 

[cheyworth]

The room was my brothers and I have not replaced the curtains, I was thinking black to help with watching films during the day?

I built the rack myself, cost a total of £150 including screws/glue/varnish and toke 2 1/2 days to finish. (and I did not have access to a proper work bench so am very pleased.)

If I did it again the CD/SKY/Blue Ray would swap with the T973 as the 1m cables from CD to amp only just reach!

Chris

ps I still need to sort the wiring!

 

[Anonymous]

cheyworth, just out of interest how does your Pro-ject RPM5 compare to your Thorens TD160? I just wondered how the new deck stacked up to the classic Thorens.

 

[cheyworth]

The old Thorens was almost as good, but the RPM 5 adds a bit more sounds staging and much improved bass (depth and timing). Just sounds more listenable.

May be the wall mounting as well.

Chris

 

[cheyworth]

Well its about time I put some updated photo's on here.

I now have 2 P25's one 2 channel, one 3 channel, bi-amping my Silver 8i's, and

A P85 powering my rears, and a P75 for the surround's.

Less power but a much better stereo sound.

 

[harveymt]

Im in the market for a rack. How do you find sound of the centre with it being 'closed in' in the rack? Does it muffle the sound any? Was looking for a rack with a cantilever to mount the TV and set the speaker on top of the rack. The problem is getting one with enough space for all the other equipment.

What's your rack made of?

 

[Dougal1331]

cheyworth:
I have just added a second C-270 power amp and am biamping the silver 8i's and it is much improved!

I am now getting a large stack of amps!

Heh heh, glad you liked it, I think I sold it to you!

Jon

 

[Anonymous]

Looking organised and flush, what about those static looking curtains of your? lol

 

[Anonymous]

i have a 13 year old system, work perfectly used every day

aiwa dx-9300m - 5cd

aiwa mx-z3300m - 330w

aiwa tx-z9300

aiwa fx- wz7300

aiwa sx-fz2600 - 160w 16ohm

 

[cheyworth]

The curtains are going to be replaced (the room was mu brothers and has only had a quick paint when I moved in).

The whole room could do with a fresh coat of paint and new curtains.....

Chris

 

[Anonymous]

Fantastic AV Rack!!! Is this custom-made?

 

[cheyworth]

Yes, I made the rack, 2 days work, cutting/varnish....

My only regret is not having any cable management at the back (only done with cable ties...)

Chris

 

[cheyworth]

A new addition!

I have just picked up a near mint Musical Fidelity KW DM25 DAC.

I am using my Tag CD20R as transport, and also dug out my minidisc player to go through the DAC also.

Will give my thoughts this weekend. I have moved some stuff about so will take a pic or 2.

Chris

p.s. in the box was a review of the KW range the transport, dac, pre and power amp and some speakers....

is this a miss match in price?

CD transport + DAC £4,000

Pre + power amp £3,000

MA RS8 speakers £800.