System Pics 2020

One certainly does marvel at all of these amazing systems and most look like they are dust free. Since returning to England I’m finding dust levels far higher than in Canada!

Tim

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I usually give my system and Fraim a quick wipe down before taking pictures of it. When reviewing the image, I clone out any major bits of dust which may have settled on it again. It’s like photoshopping fashion models. Gotta make the system look it’s best! :sunglasses:

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Nope although I already had a pair of Aria 926s that I was happy with. I was actually at my dealer having my LP12 fettled and he was demoing various turntables with those speakers, SN3 and the NDX2. It was at that point that I decided I needed that set up in my life and I haven’t looked back. I have a fairly low tolerance for sitting in demo rooms for hours on end trying out this that and the other, the last time I did it I just ended up really frustrated.

I have no doubt that there are likely to be speakers out there at half the price but with 90% of the performance but I’ve made my choice, spent my hard earned and now I’m more than happy with what I’ve got. Have no intention of fiddling anytime soon but a logical step would be power supplies but that’s a long way off.

Not sure if that’s much help really?

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Now you tell me, I could have touched up all the scratches on my SO stands, or even given the LP12 a shiny new red plinth! :grinning:

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Funny how good those Sound Organisation stands look, that really takes me back. And good to see Night Ride Home being taken for a spin :slight_smile:

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I find your fashion model analogy very apropos, as I noticed your system had a nice rack! :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

I’ll get my coat now…

:rofl:

Looks fantastic
What are the spike cups that the speakers are sitting on?
Best wishes
Jonny

Thank you.
They are from Track Audio - the same manufacturer as the spikes that come with the speakers. They are very effective on my solid wood floor.

Interesting. Do they knock the socks off the Aria 926s? I’m likely to be heading out to spend some time in said demo room comparing the Aria 936/948 and the Kantas.

My set up:-

NA Hyperspace FR64s Denon 103sa
Innuos Statement
32.5/hc/135’s
dCS Bartok & Rossini clock
Avalon Avatars

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Not in the blow your mind sense, no. I liked the 926s a lot and when I hooked them up the other day for chap who wanted to buy them I’d forgotten how good they really are. That said, the Kantas are in a different league and the sound is felt rather than heard not just because of their physical size and ability to move sound around but it all feels so effortless. Room size obviously has a large part to play and whilst my room isn’t particularly big I felt that I had to crank up the 926s a little too much to get involved. Not so smart in a semi-detached house. Fair to say that my Kantas are ex-demo so got a sizeable chunk off but still big bucks all the same. I’m honestly not sure I could swallow the RRP, even though my dealer reckons that they are the best speakers he’s ever heard at that price point (I didn’t buy them from him, I got them from somewhere else).

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Have you tried arranging it differently? Cool stuff, but I bet the 32.5 is unhappy there.

How you you find the sopra?
Just waiting for mine to replace 804
With ndx2 . Nap 250, 282, XP’s and super L cable and interconnect

I’ve not had any complaints so far😉 but I don’t think I want to change the symmetry.

It’s often difficult to balance domestic harmony with hifi setup, but I have to agree that stacking preamps and sources in with other boxes like that cannot be ideal. I’d be prepared to bet that two low racks would work much better.
I would also keep the NAS/server well away from the rack. With a network connection it will work just fine (or possibly better) from a more remote location on your LAN.

The Sopras have been part of my system for about 4 years, at the time with a 250DR and 272 with NACA5, and subsequently moving to a 552/ND555/300. They have replaced a pair of Wilson Benesch Arc (lovely Stand mount speakers, beautiful mid range but limited bass).

I like the Sopras very much. I’ve listened to them in a full 500 system (at the time I had the 272/250DR) and I knew I could continue to step up the source and amplification and the Sopras wouldn’t be limiting the system.

They are pretty efficient, and I play them both relatively loud and at Low volume at other times and they sound great in both situations.

I had experienced bright sounding earlier Focal speakers but it’s not the case at all for the Sopras. They can produce tight bass with the right amplification and mid range is very pleasant.

I’ve heard them in a few different room setups and they always sounded very good. You won’t be disappointed.

My current system could call for speakers at least twice their price, but I’m in no hurry to change them.

By the way, reading your post again, I see that you mention SL cables. I tried the SL speaker cables and didn’t quite like them as I found they took away some of the boogie (at the time with a 272/555PS/300 system). I’ve just started using Witch Hat Phantoms and first impressions are v.good.

I guess that for most people SO tables are an anachronism in 2020. I spent years not liking their appearance and looking for attractive wood stands to match our traditional dark oak cottage furniture. Moving house gave us the opportunity to completely change things and one of the first pieces we bought was the coffee table, which made me think that the SO tables could work in the room.

I am now happy with their minimalist industrial look, and also the low height and small footprint. Cannot imagine how I could ever get a genuine demonstration of how other stands might improve the sonic performance!

Oh, and a Joni book on the coffee table :grinning:

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My setup:

Naim uniti nova
Roon rock
Exposure s2 3010 power amp
Arcam avr 380 for home cinema
Isotek sirius, Isotek sequel, Atlas Hyper 3.5, Atlas hyper dd ultra
Spendor A7

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Out of curiosity, do the spendors work well close to the rear wall or do they demand more space as in your set up? Thanks