This is my main system. It is moved from the hall into my working room. It is a fairly small room 3x5 metres (around 10x16). Despite the 30cm woofer, the active system control well the woofer and there is no any bass overload in the room. This is a warm, detailed, very dynamic sound. This is not a modern detailed and cold sound, typical of many modern studio gear. It is really rather the sound of the eighties. Warm, inviting, natural and dynamic sound, designed in an are when still analog was the main source of the music and not only amplified music existed. Actually. save the dac, every piece of my gear is made before 1983. Philips once, before acquiring Marantz was a leading manufacturer of quality audio pieces. These well engineered old studio equipments are wonderful, close to live music, while lacking of coloration of so many high-endish product produced by small firms seeking a niche market in the sea of tastes.
I almost exclusively hear at home classical music. Very rarely rock and jazz, when my friends come over. It is not picky: 99% of cds and Lps just sound good on it. This is a system, which could play any type of music, loud or at moderate SLP level: equally good. Save the Tice powerblock I don't have any typical audiophile product to redress the balance of the system(or to colour it, if you like). Simple cheap solid core OFC cables, no powercables, nada. Still it sounds well. There are many good sounding systems are in the world. I like soundlabs, martin logans, big nautilus line of bowers, big thiels. They may provide a more exciting sound, but I think this system also gives a very good dynamic and natural sound, which is not fatiguing at all and good for long term pleasure.
Power conditioner. It works audibly and makes the sound much clearer.
Accuphase T-101
I have replaced Accuphase T-105 with a T.101 modell. Wow, what a difference. T-101 is a completly new world: more dynamism, more live, solid bass foundation, more extended highs and nicer midrange.
Magnum Dynalab Ribbon Antenna
Nice upgrade to my tuner for good reception and it made background noise to disappear.
Teac VRDS-10se
I have added TEAC VRDS10 DE as a transport. The ML 39 is a fine player,only let down by its transport. Earlier I have used Accuphase DP 80. It was a fantastic transport with very analogue like dry sound. The TEAC seems to be give a more dynamic, powerful, more open soundprint.
Apogee Rosetta 200
Oh, what a wonderful DAC. It is way better than the ML39, which served me nicely in the last 3-4 years. It has an inbuilt AD converter which I use for recording radio programs. With inbult firewire card connects to my computer also.
Pioneer PL.707
Direct Drive Turntable. Smooth, warm and dynamic sound. Just a fantastic bargain.
Technics technics 205 MM cartridge
Very nice cartridge. Good combination of openess and warmth.
Philips AH-572
The high-end preamp of Philips from the eighties.
Philips MFB 454
The biggest version of the MFB active studiomonitors with 30cm woofer and three inbuilt amplifier. 20-20.0000 hz range according to its technical specification. Warm, detailed, natural sound. The building base of my system.
System edited: Philips Ah 752 preamplifier replaced the Philips Ah 280 preamplifier. This was the high-end attempt of Philips in the early eighties. Very clean and detailed sound with wonderful phonostage from a time when phonostage was not an added on thing but the main part of any preamplifier.
Dear Ajahu: Good to hear that you like the MM alternative and yes the Technics 205 you own is one of the best MM out there and in many ways better that several MC ones, congratulations for that.
System edited: I have replaced the Wilson Benesch Full Circle with a Pioneer PL-707 direct drive turntable with MM phono. MC phono preamp also out and introduced the Philips AH 280 preamp, made in the early 80s for the MFB speaker line with MM phono. What a change! Beautiful, warm, lush and at the same time dynamic sound with realistic body. Certainly, it lacks some of the air and transparency of the WB with MC pickup. But much more musical and nicer sound. Given that I only play classical music LPs, for this kind of music a wonderful change.
System edited: I have added VH Audio flavour 4 powercords throughout the system, It seems to be fairly neutral cords, just increased dynamics and more colourfull sound.
System edited: I have added TEAC VRDS10 DE as a transport. The ML 39 is a fine player,only let down by its transport. Earlier I have used Accuphase DP 80. It was a fantastic transport with very analogue like dry sound. The TEAC seems to be give a more dynamic, powerful, more open soundprint. W
System edited: I have replaced Accuphase T-105 with a T.101 modell. Wow, what a difference. T-101 is a completly new world: more dynamism, more live, solid bass foundation, more extended highs and nicer midrange.
How about some pics! I have not heard those Philips monitors but they make great stuff. The best CRT Tube TV I ever owned was not a SONY but a Philips! If you can avoid chasing naimes and get out of the fashion race you can find some bargains on some amazing gear!! I'lll bet this sounds awesome!
System edited: Philips AH 280 preamplifier built for the MFB series speakers in the early eighties. It replaced the Philips 572 laboratory series pre-amplifier. Compared to the 572, it has a more punctual, detailed, but slightly cooler (less upper bass warmth, but more open high) presentation.
Hi, Yeah, mine is doing the same. Also I bought used, without any documentation. I dont have the slightest idea why is it like this, but I can live with it. Maybe it was manufactured before accuphase adopted total quality manufacturing methods?
Hi there, I recently bought an Accuphase T105 which is fantastic, but I have a question to you, since I have no manual, and I hope you are willing to help me out! When I push the "scanning" button, the tuner starts scanning, but doesn't STOP at ANY station! When you search manually, you do find a lot of stations. Am I doing something wrong, is the unit OK or is there something wrong? Since you have the same tuner, I was hoping you could check this for me. Thanking you in advance for your reply, Sincerely, Robert Beurkens, The Netherlands
No problem, about one third literature, one third history (my other hobby), and one third sociology and political sciences. No, I have very strange relationship to jazz. I love to go jazzclubs and love live jazz music. Somehow, coserved jazz music does not fascinate me. I find it uninteresting. Sorry. But the same goes for folkmusic. I live folkmusic, I go very frequently folk concerts - at home... not, very rarely. Maybe because these music still live when there is audience there.
Hi, Ajahu ... Too many threads to read, so I may bore you with a repeat ... but what kind of library are you housing? Literature and some kind of clinical work? It's always a pleasure to have a dedicated room. However, you don't include jazz (of any sort) on your play list?
