System Pics 2020

Lucky they are so cheap!

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Hi MDS, is it possible for you to describe the sonic improvement and h…h…how much? :face_with_hand_over_mouth: ATB Peter

Hi Graeme! Looks great! I have 82 with 2 hicaps and think it sound pretty good. How would you describe the imorovement to move to 52? I am currently running a newly serviced 250 but have 2 135’s awaiting installation!

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Hi Peter. As MrUnderhill hints, they are pricey! Quadraspire do three types in the range and I went for the top one @ £900 a set (gulp). I justified it to myself on (a) the improvement in performance that was very quickly apparent and (b) the relative cost compared to the black box they were sitting under.

It must be a couple of years ago that I did the experiments with my dealer and I then had a 300DR rather than the 500DR. And of course memory fades. The things I remember most clearly was that the improvement was greatest under the PSU rather than head unit and that lead and bass guitar work was much clearer (we used a Led Zeppelin album).

I subsequently had a chance of an A/B comparison at a friends who has a top-flight LP12 with Naim amplification all on Quadspire. The difference when he popped a set under his Radikal was very obvious.

Oh, my dealer tells me (quietly) that he has heard them on a full-fat Frame and, yes, they made an improvement. So, Peter, sorry if I’ve now created an ‘itch’. You did say you might be bored! :innocent:

Hi @Josaa, the 52 does everything the 82 does so well, but more so. Add to that scale, coherence, more detail, and emotional connection to the music. It is a truly wonderful amp, and has exceeded all my expectations of it.

Haha! I am about to seal the deal on a pair of 135’s hopefully very soon.

You have a fine system there, enjoy!

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I’m sure our local Boots has something for that. :rofl: ATB Peter

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Yes, a new capacitor would do the trick :slight_smile:

I will keep on looking for a 52/sc then!

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I a guy down in Kent builds them to your sizes
Woodendall.
He gets the Walnut from the states :+1:

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I’d completely agree, I ran an 82/Hicap/135s amp from 1993 to 2018. Then I first added a Supercap and then a 52. The 82/135s was a superb amp and I listened to thousands of hours,of music with great pleasure through it. The 52 does everything 82 does and enhances most of it. It keeps the rhythm and pace, and just offers more of the music. I think it’ll be another 25 years before I feel any need to move on from this amp.

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Just buy a few cases of beer, invite your buddies over and hand them all shovels. Instructions are keep digging until you hit cement.:grinning:

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Great looking room and system @MDS.
Not familiar with Focal Electra 1028b, are they the predecessor to the Sopra line?

Beautiful, Graeme. Classic.

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Yes, @jsaudio, though Focal also have the Kanta line. The 1028be were the middle of the range with a stand mount 1008be below and bigger 1038be above. I’ve had the 1028be for some time now and have Sopra 2 and Sopra 3 on demo at home (when I ran a 300DR). Although the Sopras did some things better than the 1028be, I guess I just really like the 1028s.

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Just adding a Supercap to your NAC82 will give a massive improvement (way better than two HiCaps). Then you’re part way to a NAC52. So you don’t need to go all the way in one step, although it may be more difficult to find them separately on the s/h market.

My latest iteration - addition of Contour 20s. Will have another shot from the home office tomorrow (Atom + Iotas).

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Those are really sharp looking speakers/stands. Very nice.

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They look very nice and the stands are beautiful, they suits your room.
Gary

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The stands are Dynaudio Stand 20. I’m waiting for the New Contour 20i , I may make a move from my S40 when they are available in the US.

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You will love the 135s, I have a CB pair and they sound amazing compared to the CB 250 I had before which was also excellent. If I were you I would move your boxes to the front of the rack. Not only will it look better but it should sound better. This is what is recommended for Fraim so I would imagine it would be the same for your rack.