System Pics 2020

Yes I had that happen a couple of times with my old Olive 250, once during a raucous playing of all 4 sides of Quadrophenia.

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As an aside, is there any other way to play Quadrophenia?

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Clive, I think you have sussed the essence of that activity!

And always ensure that you have enough surrounding space for air guitar windmilling!

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Current ATC speakers arenā€™t that easy a load though they are easier than their older models.

Thatā€™s the subject of an entire semester course in philosophy. Philosophy 515 is the course.

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I wasnā€™t going to get a SuperCap but when I found one that was from 2018 and less than 50% retail, I succumbed.

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Howā€™s the stereo imaging from there? :wink:

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who said the music was playing ? :grinning:

Itā€™s all an illusionā€¦

ā€¦or treat it like a piece of modern art?

I quite often listen from that chair. The sound totally fills the room and itā€™s not necessary to sit in a ā€˜hot seatā€™ position to enjoy the music. Iā€™m not really much fussed about the imaging anyway, and itā€™s largely an artificial construct. You can still enjoy a concert if you are sitting at the side.

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Probably 85% of my listening is totally off axis as I listen whilst working. Hereā€™s a pic from the hot seat;

Iā€™ve never been that fussed about imaging either as long as the sound seems free of the speaker.

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I do so agree with this statement. Most of my listening is off axis and no less enjoyable for it. If the system is set up well, you donā€™t need a ā€œsweet spotā€ to sit in.

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Same here, thereā€™s no way Iā€™m going to position my head in the precise position required for optimal sound and stereo image. I sit where I want to sit. Besides, if youā€™re not alone, you canā€™t both be in the sweet spot.

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Thanks thatā€™s a good idea, I also thought about trying to make some , canā€™t be too hard

The most difficult part might be the embarrassment of buying a pair of black stockings!

I have a basic Naim system and the imaging does maters to me when I want to receive the maximum pleasure of listening to music. Reading different threads I understand that the cables and cable dressing mater, the Naim frame maters, the positioning of the Naim models maters, the positioning of the speakers maters, the PS maters, the next model is night and day difference etc. thatā€™s why itā€™s strange to me that the imaging doesnā€™t mater (or the position of the listener). But with higher Naim systems this might be truthā€¦ Otherwise for casual listening a mobile phone and bluetooth speaker can do the job without serious investments and efforts. I can watch TV in the reflection of the mirror but itā€™s not the same. Anyway this is just my opinion and having in mind that the English language is not my native one please do not consider it as invitation for hot dispute. Maybe I misunderstood.

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That picture was taken at 10.30 at night after Iā€™d just finished doing the sudoko in The Guardian - hence the book to lean on - while listening to music and finishing a glass of wine. I find I can enjoy music sitting anywhere in the room. I donā€™t believe in having the perfect chair in the perfect position and worshipping at the hifi shrine. If the system is good and well set up - all those things that you mention - you should be able to sit anywhere. My wife had the prime position on the sofa in front of the speakers. To me itā€™s about hearing the emotion of the performance and it sounding like real instruments. Imaging isnā€™t really part of that. If you see live music and shut your eyes you really canā€™t tell precisely where each of the musicians is. I canā€™t anyway.

I just experimented with Uniti driving the speakers rather than 252/SC/300 and it wasnā€™t totally outclassed.
Given how much listening I do through headphones Iā€™m tempted to downgrade.

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If you had a source that was of similar standard as your superb amplification you would get a very different result. All the amps are doing is revealing the limitations of the Uniti, so itā€™s not surprising that the Uniti alone is little worse.

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Yes, ended up with a very unbalanced system. Great bonus back in 2010 wasnā€™t the beginning of the hoped for mega-bucks. Still really enjoy it all though which is the main thing.

Streaming Qobuz is fantastic and Iā€™m listening to all sorts of new music. Canā€™t remember the last time I stayed up this late listening either.