Wow, what a system!

[plastic penguin]

Went out to see a client this morning, and on the way back popped into a hi-fi store - just being nosey, really - any s'way after 5 or 10 mins chatting to one of the staff there, the manager came up and said there was a system set-up in the dem room. I walked into the room to find a Naim XS amp and CDP set-up with Focal 816 speakers.

It sounded really ballsy and nicely detailed. I asked about the new Cyrus range and conveniently had a the CD 8 SE sitting by the Naims. He also hooked up some Spendors A5's. What a cracking sound!

The system was:

Naim XS amplifier

Cyrus CD 8 SE

Spendor A5

He then changed it back to an all Naim set-up and SA1 speakers. That was also gorgeous sounding, but the Cyrus seemed to sound slightly smoother.

Although smitten by the two systems, how they would sound in my living room could be a different matter.

Oh, and there's also a little matter of about 3 Grand.......

 

[Sliced Bread]

I must admit, I am really tempted to sell my AV system and use it to fund a dedicated stereo setup such as an all Naim hmmmmmmm. Just sooo toorn!!

 

[jimdonnelly]

Everytime I walk past a hifi dealer I am torn. Always want to go in but know that I will be so discontented when I leave.

 

[plastic penguin]

So tempting, eh? I only went in for quick browse......

 

[Anonymous]

PP - Congratulations for finding work so quickly!!

 

[plastic penguin]

ValianTX:PP - Congratulations for finding work so quickly!!

Thank you, but it's one of these 'will I or won't I' type of positions. Just to fill my time until a proper job comes along......

No, I'm not commiting myself to a new system.....yet.

 

[Anonymous]

Good on you. I hope this year proves much better for you.

 

[plastic penguin]

ValianTX:Good on you. I hope this year proves much better for you.

Kind sentiments. Thank you.

 

[plastic penguin]

jimdonnelly:Everytime I walk past a hifi dealer I am torn. Always want to go in but know that I will be so discontented when I leave.

That's a fair point. As long as you keep your current set-up in context and be realistic, just use it as a wonderful experience. Keep thinking positive, cause maybe at some point you'll have a system of dreams. That how I approach it.....

Back in the summer I heard a Leema Pulse, Arc 192 and MA RS6 which blew me away. Now I have a second system that makes the juices flow. Which one is better? impossible to say, unless I hear both systems in the same environment.

Good to have a genuine choice......

 

[Anonymous]

The current range of Spendor speakers really are very good indeed! What did you think of the bass quantity of the A5s?

 

[plastic penguin]

igglebert:The current range of Spendor speakers really are very good indeed! What did you think of the bass quantity of the A5s?

Very expressive. It was a very 3D sound, really raised the hairs on the back of my neck. There was no aspect of the character that made me think, "well maybe this is a bit harsh or that is a tad heavy": so well balanced, at the same time, very pacy.

The only fly in the ointment is: would it sound that good in my living room? again, without a home trial, it's not even worth guessing.

 

[Anonymous]

igglebert:The current range of Spendor speakers really are very good indeed! What did you think of the bass quantity of the A5s?

The bass is very nice. Not like a full blown bas that you get with a Monitor Audio, but a more precise, organic and taut bass. If you listen to a lot of hiphop though the bass can be unsatisfying. It's not the kind of bass that makes your pants vibrate or that goes right through your guts. It's a nice full, round, bass that's good for the ears. I have to say that connecting a Wireworld Electra 5*2 to my amp improved the bass though. They're very nice speakers for the price.

 

[Anonymous]

plastic penguin:
igglebert:The current range of Spendor speakers really are very good indeed! What did you think of the bass quantity of the A5s?

Very expressive. It was a very 3D sound, really raised the hairs on the back of my neck. There was no aspect of the character that made me think, "well maybe this is a bit harsh or that is a tad heavy": so well balanced, at the same time, very pacy.

The only fly in the ointment is: would it sound that good in my living room? again, without a home trial, it's not even worth guessing.

What are the measurements of your room? Mine is about 40 square meters and it sounds great. They're not too fussy about placement like the review says which is true. I like them 2.5 meters seperated from each other. Toed in slightly so that they cross at the back of your head. Also I lifted them up about 10cm. Really do need a good two or three weeks to sing imo. Could also be the other gear needing to burn in as I bought everything new.

 

[plastic penguin]

SlickenSmooth:plastic penguin:

igglebert:The current range of Spendor speakers really are very good indeed! What did you think of the bass quantity of the A5s?

Very expressive. It was a very 3D sound, really raised the hairs on the back of my neck. There was no aspect of the character that made me think, "well maybe this is a bit harsh or that is a tad heavy": so well balanced, at the same time, very pacy.

The only fly in the ointment is: would it sound that good in my living room? again, without a home trial, it's not even worth guessing.

What are the measurements of your room? Mine is about 40 square meters and it sounds great. They're not too fussy about placement like the review says which is true. I like them 2.5 meters seperated from each other. Toed in slightly so that they cross at the back of your head. Also I lifted them up about 10cm. Really do need a good two or three weeks to sing imo. Could also be the other gear needing to burn in as I bought everything new.

My room dimensions are 18' x 13'. Due to the orrible design of our bungalow, the speakers playing across the 13', around 12" from the wall. So in real terms you're sitting about 8' or so from speakers. My speakers are ever-so-slightly toed in; after immense experiementation, I found this to give optimum sonics.

 

[Anonymous]

I've found that when I sit as close as you say from my A5's they sound amazing. Ofcourse the only way to be 100% sure is a home auditioning.

 

[plastic penguin]

SlickenSmooth:I've found that when I sit as close as you say from my A5's they sound amazing. Ofcourse the only way to be 100% sure is a home auditioning.

That's interesting. Thanks.

I would never spend that sort of dough on a complete system without a home trial.

The other problem is my RS6's are all-rounders: they are brilliant with films and TV as well as CD's and vinyl. I know that Igglebert did mention last year that his SA1's weren't as good as MA's with film and TV. So I need to be 120% happy before splashing the cash.

 

[Anonymous]

plastic penguin:
SlickenSmooth:I've found that when I sit as close as you say from my A5's they sound amazing. Ofcourse the only way to be 100% sure is a home auditioning.

That's interesting. Thanks.

I would never spend that sort of dough on a complete system without a home trial.

The other problem is my RS6's are all-rounders: they are brilliant with films and TV as well as CD's and vinyl. I know that Igglebert did mention last year that his SA1's weren't as good as MA's with film and TV. So I need to be 120% happy before splashing the cash.

I can't help you on the film part as I only use mine for music. But I can see the Monitor Audio's doing better in a home cinema. Or get the Spendors and a Subwoofer

 

[Anonymous]

plastic penguin:
ValianTX:PP - Congratulations for finding work so quickly!!

Thank you, but it's one of these 'will I or won't I' type of positions. Just to fill my time until a proper job comes along......

No, I'm not commiting myself to a new system.....yet.

Filling your time in visiting hifi stores?

 

[plastic penguin]

Graham_Thomas:plastic penguin:

ValianTX:PP - Congratulations for finding work so quickly!!

Thank you, but it's one of these 'will I or won't I' type of positions. Just to fill my time until a proper job comes along......

No, I'm not commiting myself to a new system.....yet.

Filling your time in visiting hifi stores?

Joys of being a freelance I suppose.

 

[plastic penguin]

SlickenSmooth:plastic penguin:

SlickenSmooth:I've found that when I sit as close as you say from my A5's they sound amazing. Ofcourse the only way to be 100% sure is a home auditioning.

That's interesting. Thanks.

I would never spend that sort of dough on a complete system without a home trial.

The other problem is my RS6's are all-rounders: they are brilliant with films and TV as well as CD's and vinyl. I know that Igglebert did mention last year that his SA1's weren't as good as MA's with film and TV. So I need to be 120% happy before splashing the cash.

I can't help you on the film part as I only use mine for music. But I can see the Monitor Audio's doing better in a home cinema. Or get the Spendors and a Subwoofer

Oooh no, the OH won't entertain a sub. Been there, got the t-shirt, bought the DVD.

We play mostly music but once you hear a blockbuster on the RS6's, you kind of expect £1500 pair of speakers to be better in that area. Maybe they are.

When I borrowed DB1's back in the summer for 4 days, music was so much better than my MA's but dissapointed with films. Maybe I'll have to console myself that I can't have the best of both worlds.