Post by Arke on Jun 10, 2022 13:53:39 GMT
IT'S ALL IN THE LISTENING...
The BB3 has been in my system for around 3 weeks. It has had around 15-20hrs with a signal running through it. Oli advises that it'll take 50-100hrs to fully open up, but I thought I'd post my initial impressions now.
I've never written a review for hifi equipment, so please bear with me! I realise we all hear differently and all have different systems/rooms so this is just the perception of my humble (slightly old) ears!
First things first, the setup:
Rega RP10 deck with RB2000 arm and Ortofon Cadenza Black Cartridge
Musical Fidelity X-P100 with JS Audio stage 2 upgrade and upgraded power supply
Musical Fidelity A3.2CR power amp with JS Audio stage 2 upgrade
Ekta MkII speakers - DIY build based on a Troels Gravesen design - Scanspeak drivers
Scanspeak 10" Sub - DIY build based on a Troels Gravesen design
Cables are various and will be upgraded when the stereo settles in its eventual music room.
Further details of the speakers and sub will come in future build threads.
The outgoing Phonostage is a Rega Aria - A roughly £1k solid state phono. I felt this was the weak link in my system, hence the search for a new stage. The Rega Aria is my only relative comparison to the new BB3.
First impressions are very good, the BB3 is simply better at everything! It's really hard to pinpoint any one thing, however, the biggest and most wonderful quality is the lovely open, natural and thoroughly musical soundstage. Yes, the Aria has a soundstage, but the BB3 presents it more naturally and fluidly - it's wider, deeper and more immersive. On a decent recording the speakers really do disappear. The tone of the BB3 is more natural and less 'hard edged', but still gives a much greater insight into the details and texture of the instruments and vocals. The BB3 definitely sounds way more 'real' and is just thoroughly enjoyable to listen to - I often forget the HiFi and just get lost in the music.
Bass is definitely tighter, more extended and more tuneful. Double basses sound more realistic and the kick drum has more attack and presents a more realistic impression. *{Kick drums are definitely not 'real' sounding yet, but they never will be with 7" drivers handling the 40-800Hz range! One day I may have 12-15" bass drivers so hope to get closer to the realism of the kick drum.}
Treble is one of the most fantastic improvements... I thought the Aria did reasonably well at treble and then along came the BB3! The BB3 is often startlingly good. Cymbals have an attack, realism, sparkle and detail that is just scarily realistic. Treble is so much more real and extended, but (somehow) never edgy or harsh! Even some of my poor recordings are flattered by the BB3. Some recordings used to sound wooden and flat on the Aria, but have now come alive. It's great to have a phonostage which flatters good and poor recordings alike.
Midrange is wonderful also; saxophone, piano, strings, vocals... well, just everything is so much better. More detailed, more open, more natural, more texture... Just wonderfully musical and a joy to listen to. I am still surprised and impressed by how competent and musical the BB3 is. I am often listening and just wowed by the realism and wonderfully immersive sound. Yes, I realise there will be much better phonostages (the BBu and Avalon to name two), however, for now I'm very happy and will thoroughly enjoy the BB3 until the next phonostage upgrade/build occurs.
THANKS SO MUCH TO OLI FOR BUILDING THE PCB AND HELPING (VIA MESSAGES) WITH THE BUILD OF THE BB3 - I SIMPLY WOULDN'T BE HERE WITHOUT YOU OLI!
THANKS SO MUCH FOR READING THIS BUILD AND THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR KIND WORDS AND RESPONSES. SUB BUILD NEXT, SHORTLY FOLLOWED BY SPEAKERS.
The BB3 has been in my system for around 3 weeks. It has had around 15-20hrs with a signal running through it. Oli advises that it'll take 50-100hrs to fully open up, but I thought I'd post my initial impressions now.
I've never written a review for hifi equipment, so please bear with me! I realise we all hear differently and all have different systems/rooms so this is just the perception of my humble (slightly old) ears!
First things first, the setup:
Rega RP10 deck with RB2000 arm and Ortofon Cadenza Black Cartridge
Musical Fidelity X-P100 with JS Audio stage 2 upgrade and upgraded power supply
Musical Fidelity A3.2CR power amp with JS Audio stage 2 upgrade
Ekta MkII speakers - DIY build based on a Troels Gravesen design - Scanspeak drivers
Scanspeak 10" Sub - DIY build based on a Troels Gravesen design
Cables are various and will be upgraded when the stereo settles in its eventual music room.
Further details of the speakers and sub will come in future build threads.
The outgoing Phonostage is a Rega Aria - A roughly £1k solid state phono. I felt this was the weak link in my system, hence the search for a new stage. The Rega Aria is my only relative comparison to the new BB3.
First impressions are very good, the BB3 is simply better at everything! It's really hard to pinpoint any one thing, however, the biggest and most wonderful quality is the lovely open, natural and thoroughly musical soundstage. Yes, the Aria has a soundstage, but the BB3 presents it more naturally and fluidly - it's wider, deeper and more immersive. On a decent recording the speakers really do disappear. The tone of the BB3 is more natural and less 'hard edged', but still gives a much greater insight into the details and texture of the instruments and vocals. The BB3 definitely sounds way more 'real' and is just thoroughly enjoyable to listen to - I often forget the HiFi and just get lost in the music.
Bass is definitely tighter, more extended and more tuneful. Double basses sound more realistic and the kick drum has more attack and presents a more realistic impression. *{Kick drums are definitely not 'real' sounding yet, but they never will be with 7" drivers handling the 40-800Hz range! One day I may have 12-15" bass drivers so hope to get closer to the realism of the kick drum.}
Treble is one of the most fantastic improvements... I thought the Aria did reasonably well at treble and then along came the BB3! The BB3 is often startlingly good. Cymbals have an attack, realism, sparkle and detail that is just scarily realistic. Treble is so much more real and extended, but (somehow) never edgy or harsh! Even some of my poor recordings are flattered by the BB3. Some recordings used to sound wooden and flat on the Aria, but have now come alive. It's great to have a phonostage which flatters good and poor recordings alike.
Midrange is wonderful also; saxophone, piano, strings, vocals... well, just everything is so much better. More detailed, more open, more natural, more texture... Just wonderfully musical and a joy to listen to. I am still surprised and impressed by how competent and musical the BB3 is. I am often listening and just wowed by the realism and wonderfully immersive sound. Yes, I realise there will be much better phonostages (the BBu and Avalon to name two), however, for now I'm very happy and will thoroughly enjoy the BB3 until the next phonostage upgrade/build occurs.
THANKS SO MUCH TO OLI FOR BUILDING THE PCB AND HELPING (VIA MESSAGES) WITH THE BUILD OF THE BB3 - I SIMPLY WOULDN'T BE HERE WITHOUT YOU OLI!
THANKS SO MUCH FOR READING THIS BUILD AND THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR KIND WORDS AND RESPONSES. SUB BUILD NEXT, SHORTLY FOLLOWED BY SPEAKERS.
