What did you do to your stereo rig today?

treitz3

Doctor R's table is definitely a beautiful table, no doubt!

Here is a photo of the temporary rig as it sits today. Much of it is missing and the stand is being modified/painted as we speak. The "stand" in this photo is currently a set of unused Tyler Acoustics custom subs. The crossover units are not even spiked yet or in their final location. I also have not really done anything with cable management other than get the SC's up off the floor.



As you see, the crossover units are rather large. The subs are flanking the mains and it is strictly a digital system right now (running through the Marantz) and the new tubes are coming together in the Canary much better than expected. Some songs I always thought were "fairly decent" sound like reference songs now. Especially now that the F-25's are dialed in like as tight as a knat's posterior with the rest of the system and to the room. When I say that this system is "tight"? That is a blatant understatement. I blink my eyes many times when certain things strike.....even when I know it's coming.

I can't wait to get the stand completed and the rest of the rig back in order. I miss my vinyl and it would be nice when I am working in the office to use the NAP to stream songs once again, even though this is not my preferred listening.

I'd much rather be back in the listening position. I have been listening all day today and throughout most of yesterday, well into the evening. I am having a blast listening....Such joy!

I love this hobby!!!

Tom

treitz3

Here are a couple of examples of "fairly decent recordings" sounding like reference songs...

Christopher Cross - Think of Laura

Counting Crows - Perfect Blue Buddings

Air Supply - I want to give it all

The string instruments are out of this world real on the Air Supply song. There is a raspiness that is so realistic as if they are playing that instrument in the room. Almost as if you could hear the individual horse hair variations on the violin bow. Hard to explain....wouldn't even know where to begin but it sounds like they are there in the room playing the instrument before you.

Same album, the song Goodbye. Many aspects could be considered reference. The bass riff should have a plethora of texture and cycling that should be easily heard with no one note bass.

Back to listening...

Tom

OldmanSRS

I built a second HSU VTF-3 sub clone and "Polked it out" like the first one. Parts Express was sold out of HSU VTF-3 plate amps so I had to make some changes. On the first sub which has the plate amp, I added some inputs and a pre-output, some switches to reverse the mods and run it stand alone again if I ever want to or in the current situation, use its preamp to drive an Adcom GFA-555 stereo amp to power the drivers in both subs. So the arrangement is, the left sub develops the bass drive from its preamp to drive the Adcom that drives speakers in both subs. I added a power switch on the first sub that powers off its main amp leaving only the preamp on when the system is in use. I am more than quite pleased with the sound quality and impact on bass stings and the depth of organ pedals when listening in the less than perfect room. Sorry if the pics posted out of order as usual for me.

sgmsmg

Very nice! Excellent work! My OCD appreciates the symmetry and I am sure there is also the added benefit of having two of them

OldmanSRS

Thanks! I read that doubling the cones quadruples the bass energy. I like symmetry and symmetry of sound in this case. One was good but I could tell where it was at times and that bugged me. A pair really hits hard, deep and tight when required.

treitz3

Do you notice any drum hits/strikes that are more noticeable in stereo?

Tom

treitz3

Also, when listening, do you pull them out from the wall? The ports are choked when they are up against the wall like that.

Tom

joecoulson

Also, do you sit with your left buttcheek lower than the right? If not, your not doing it right.

GlennDog

Clipdat wrote: »

I bought this simple and unassuming looking Lumin U1 Mini from AudioThesis, and I'm amazed at how much difference a high quality streaming transport can make.

I've never heard Tidal sound this good on my system. Worth every penny.

Mike Reeter wrote: »

We need a Polk Audio Forum "Excusive Drew Review"

Clipdat wrote: »

I have it connected to my Ruby DAC via an Audioquest Forest USB cable. Would like to try a higher end USB cable with it to hear any differences.

Tidal SQ thru the Mini is very good. I’m impressed.
Before you finalize that review, try the Mini with a “higher quality” cable. I’ve not heard the AQ Forest, it may be a very fine usb for a sub hundie. I’m currently running a WW Platinum and all I can say is wow.
That said, I wonder what a Final Touch Audio usb could do for me? I’ve only heard great things about it ...

maxward

It’s all about the symmetry, isn’t it?

OldmanSRS

treitz3 wrote: »

Do you notice any drum hits/strikes that are more noticeable in stereo?

Tom

I'm not running stereo on the subs since the Adcom amp is driven from combining both channels in the left sub's preamp and feeding that mono signal to both channels of the Adcom which in turn feeds the driver in each sub speaker.

Downstairs in the garage I do run one stereo channel to each sub. I can't say I notice much separation. Sometimes the bass content below 40 hz contains some out of phase info that when running stereo subs mixes in your head instead of being cancelled out by making it mono first, and I can hear the results like a ghost bass image behind me but it's rare.

OldmanSRS

treitz3 wrote: »

Also, when listening, do you pull them out from the wall? The ports are choked when they are up against the wall like that.

Tom

Not thus far. I listen pretty loud and the cones are not moving all that much. I ran a continuous 25 hz test tone through them and cranked it up until I could hear some port noise but I have yet to get them that loud with material. I will play around with distance from the wall and see if it changes their response.

treitz3

OldmanSRS wrote: »

I'm not running stereo on the subs since the Adcom amp is driven from combining both channels in the left sub's preamp and feeding that mono signal to both channels of the Adcom which in turn feeds the driver in each sub speaker.

Downstairs in the garage I do run one stereo channel to each sub. I can't say I notice much separation. Sometimes the bass content below 40 hz contains some out of phase info that when running stereo subs mixes in your head instead of being cancelled out by making it mono first, and I can hear the results like a ghost bass image behind me but it's rare.

Hmmm, thanks for your observations. I have my subs up on stands and at the same height with the tweeters. The signal is in stereo on a full range system. If you ever have a chance to do this? I would highly recommend it sir.

Great looking system!

Tom

OldmanSRS

I was looking at your setup and did not know those were subs on the stands. I'm sure having them inline with the tweeters helps with sound continuity. What subs are they and how much do they weigh? I was planning on running stereo subs in the main room but since I could no longer buy the HSU plate amp for the second sub, I went with dual channel mono. T he main thing my 1.2s lack is tight bass when the listening position is midway between the speakers and a rear wall. I fought this and lost in several homes. My last home had a 26 long by 14 wide room and I listened from near the rear wall. The bass was great but if I moved to midway, the bass and the punch disappears. These subs restored that and then some in my current setup.

I'm not a real high end guy or an audiophile. I just like stuff that works well enough for my taste, and to impress friends occasionally and I like to build as much of it as I can.

OldmanSRS

Dang, I just typed a long response to you and then edited it but it went away! It's too late to keep going. Signing off til tomorrow.

treitz3

The subs are Rythmik F25's. As for the weight? Good question. They are heavy. Definitely a two person lift onto the stands. Once they are on? I simply twist them to make adjustments...although not easy given the space restraints.

Even full range speakers could use subs IMO/IME.

Although I am a KISS (Keep it simple stupid) kinda guy, the subs round out the system as a whole and offer yet another level of (in spades) listening enjoyment. When in stereo, the sound stage is at an even higher level of enjoyment/playback realism.

It can offer you pinpoint reproductive efforts with so many things other than the drums. With the drums, it can offer you pinpoint locationality cues to where one can point a laser at each individual component within the drum set and/or sound stage.

Tom

treitz3

OldmanSRS wrote: »

Dang, I just typed a long response to you and then edited it but it went away! It's too late to keep going. Signing off til tomorrow.

Trust me when I say that I have been there, done that. The guys on this forum have given me grief about it as well. It happens. TTY tomorrow.

Tom

ZLTFUL

What ever could these be...

marvda1

you need to get those bad boys set up now!

ZLTFUL

marvda1 wrote: »

you need to get those bad boys set up now!

Between you and Skip, I swear!
Sending my Nordost Heimdalls out to be re-terminated from bi-wire to shotguns on Monday. But I will use a set of Canare 4S11 or whatever they are...

joecoulson

ZLTFUL wrote: »

What ever could these be...

Maybe catnip?

ZLTFUL

You would think...
But between those and our modular closet set, the dining room is loaded with boxes and the cats are going gaga

nooshinjohn

Wipe them down with antiseptic wipes and bleach first. You don't know where they've been.

ZLTFUL

I’ve already licked them...they’re mine now!

Mike Reeter

ZLTFUL wrote: »

What ever could these be...

New Elba 2's ?

ZLTFUL

Indeed. Walnut pair.

pitdogg2

ZLTFUL wrote: »

I will use a set of Canare 4S11 or whatever they are...

Not a dang thing wrong with Canare wire.
I just happen to use a dual run to each speaker of 4S11. I can thank Frank at Signal cable for the idea. Is 8 gauge cable overkill???
Nope!
😁😁

Mike Reeter

ZLTFUL wrote: »

Indeed. Walnut pair.

Good for you! I'll have to plan a little road trip this Summer. I'd love to get ears on a pair.

steveinaz

Very cool...get busy we want to see them!

displayname

Very exciting! I'm jealous, but hopefully at some point I'll snag a pair. Walnut would be my color of choice as well