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Post by antonio on Nov 22, 2020 5:25:30 GMT
Looks like I will be staying in Cambodia for quite a while yet so have upgraded my hifi. At present it consists of the following: Laptop with external HD to Oehlbach Master Clock to Topping D30 to Topping PA3 to JBL Control 1's I have found the sound to be a little on the thin side with no real bass, the room has something to do with it, tiled floor and bare walls.  So I have purchased from a pfm member, who is sending them by courier to me in Phnom Penh a pair of these. markaudio-sota.us/cesti-mb/I have been thinking about a tube amp to go with them so have been searching the web for something suitable, and of course vfm. I have today pressed the buy now button on this, although not from this supplier. www.aliexpress.com/item/4001090654048.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.1000014.53.7ff36a39CeKJOQ&gps-id=pcDetailBottomMoreOtherSeller&scm=1007.14976.200453.0&scm_id=1007.14976.200453.0&scm-url=1007.14976.200453.0&pvid=28661e30-72d2-40f3-9d27-27d018f7e858&_t=gps-id:pcI'm hoping these will work together really well and give me a fuller/bigger sound. Will update when these arrive and are settled in. After purchasing the speakers I took the grill off the JBL's only to find the rubber/foam seals have completely perished, only had them less than a year, so my guess is they were very old stock. I have ordered a re-sealing kit and it is being sent here, so will have a go at doing something I've never done before. There is a video on YT showing you how to do it which should be helpful. |
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Bigman80
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The HiFi Bear/Audioaddicts/Bigbottle Owner
Posts: 16,398
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Post by Bigman80 on Nov 22, 2020 7:52:36 GMT
Surprised the JBL have suffered such a date so soon. Has the climate played a part?
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Post by macca on Nov 22, 2020 9:04:26 GMT
I'd guess the climate, mine are getting on for 15 years old and are still fine. High humidity not good for foam surrounds.
If the surrounds are gone no wonder there was no bass!
The Mark Audio look interesting, proprietary wave guide design, pricey though.
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Post by stevew on Nov 22, 2020 9:08:16 GMT
Oli - If you remember those Linn stands I dropped off with you a few years ago had rusty spikes and rust marks on the joints.
That’s coz they had spent 5 years in Mumbai.
I remember another expat there had the back of his telly (before flat screen!) packed with silicon gel packets. Still didn’t stop components getting damaged by humidity.
We got back there once after a month away during the monsoon and I opened a drawer to find a leather wallet covered in mold.
Don’t know if Cambodia is quite that harsh.. but I can imagine it’s challenging!
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Nov 22, 2020 9:35:44 GMT
Oli - If you remember those Linn stands I dropped off with you a few years ago had rusty spikes and rust marks on the joints. That’s coz they had spent 5 years in Mumbai. I remember another expat there had the back of his telly (before flat screen!) packed with silicon gel packets. Still didn’t stop components getting damaged by humidity. We got back there once after a month away during the monsoon and I opened a drawer to find a leather wallet covered in mold. Don’t know if Cambodia is quite that harsh.. but I can imagine it’s challenging! Wow....that's unreal! |
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Post by dsjr on Nov 22, 2020 10:26:17 GMT
Sorry to butt in, but if you're currently in Cambodia Antonio, might there be a chance of obtaining something a little bigger and smoother in balance for not much money as per some of the ASR tests on smaller boxes we can't get in the UK?
In any case, Control One drivers should be cheap enough if the supplier doesn't pile massive margins on (I needed a tweeter for mine due to a split) and ordered a pair for not much dosh, the only difficulty being the older ones were all but glued in and a pain to remove, unlike the bass drivers which should come out ok. Good luck.
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Post by macca on Nov 22, 2020 10:47:22 GMT
No point replacing the drivers just for them to rot again in the next monsoon.
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Post by stevew on Nov 22, 2020 11:02:46 GMT
Keep your air conditioning running!
That was our problem. Whilst we were away someone was supposed to keep it running... they didn’t. Bless ‘em.
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Post by antonio on Nov 22, 2020 17:13:49 GMT
It is possible the climate has played a part, I had thought of that, but they have been in a room with air conditioning for 4 months and in our present room for 5 months which doesn't have air conditioning. I really don't like AC, much prefer to have a couple of fans running, definitely healthier. DSJR, you pay a premium for luxury goods here, so hifi has never been a big thing here. It is only recently a shop has opened, but their prices must be 30% higher than in the uk. Only a couple of days ago I saw an advert for dining tables and chairs, couldn't believe the prices. A simple table and chairs which would cost £100 were selling at $200, yet every day things can be very cheap. Just out of curiosity Dave which smaller boxes are you talking about? I think I will go and look for someone to build a pair of speaker stands, most probably wooden, hopefully for $50-60. I believe there is now a mk.2 Cesti out, so are being sold of much cheaper now if you fancy a pair Macca. www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Markaudio-Sota-Cesti-MB-speakers-pair-New/184000238391?hash=item2ad744d337:g:RUkAAOSw2WhdqbcN |
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Post by antonio on Dec 5, 2020 1:58:20 GMT
Well the speakers have arrived from the uk, and to say I am pleased with them would be an understatement. I had a pair of 70cm speaker stands made, and have the speakers approx 30cm from the wall (manual says start at 100cm) and they sound damn good to me. When the new amplifier arrives I will probably experiment more with placement, although I do mainly sit off axis to the system, so I don't know how much difference it would make. There is a possibility I could place the hifi across the corner of the room which would be better from my listening position.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Dec 5, 2020 13:26:43 GMT
Well the speakers have arrived from the uk, and to say I am pleased with them would be an understatement. I had a pair of 70cm speaker stands made, and have the speakers approx 30cm from the wall (manual says start at 100cm) and they sound damn good to me. When the new amplifier arrives I will probably experiment more with placement, although I do mainly sit off axis to the system, so I don't know how much difference it would make. There is a possibility I could place the hifi across the corner of the room which would be better from my listening position. Ah, fantastic Glad they've hot the spot! |
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Post by macca on Dec 5, 2020 13:29:34 GMT
Pics needed.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Dec 5, 2020 13:37:00 GMT
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Post by antonio on Dec 6, 2020 0:14:15 GMT
Ok, when the amplifier is here I'll send Oli some photos and let him put them on the forum. The amp was shipped on the 29/11, and I've got a few bits coming from China as well, power cord, interconnect, usb cable, feet for the speaker stands, and 4 banana plugs.
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Post by antonio on Dec 10, 2020 2:01:28 GMT
My new amplifier arrived yesterday morning, it came very well packed with the tubes already fitted. My one concern was whether or not I would have to bias the power tubes, (no mention on the sales sites) apparently not, so it was an easy set-up. Well it sounds bloody good right from the get go. A much more room filling sound than my Topping, which is exactly what I was hoping for. This amp must be a real bargain for the £647 I paid including delivery. It appears on the outside to be well built, speaker and input terminal are of good quality, case/chassis is really well made and finished, plus it sounds fab. I will move the system a few feet, so it is placed across the corner of the room later today. I am still waiting on a shorter usb cable www.aliexpress.com/item/3294717 ... 4c4dfrSOnm to replace a 5 metre Maplin one and also a pair of these www.aliexpress.com/item/4001015 ... 4c4dfrSOnm just to try in place of a 40cm pair of NVA SC. I will mention that underneath the speakers, I've put some Quadraspire supports kindly given away free by OrangeFixie. |
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Post by firebottle on Dec 10, 2020 8:21:40 GMT
Excellent news.
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Post by antonio on Dec 30, 2020 16:25:46 GMT
Well a few bits arrived from China yesterday, shorter usb cable, longer interconnects and a power cable for the amp:
They were put into the system straight away, and will let you know my thoughts in a few days I've got to sort out a problem with my speaker stands, they are not heavy enough and I don't feel they are that stable either I'm going to increase the size of the base and this will add the weight that is required All this should have been done by the guy that made them!
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Dec 30, 2020 16:42:46 GMT
Well a few bits arrived from China yesterday, shorter usb cable, longer interconnects and a power cable for the amp: They were put into the system straight away, and will let you know my thoughts in a few days I've got to sort out a problem with my speaker stands, they are not heavy enough and I don't feel they are that stable either I'm going to increase the size of the base and this will add the weight that is required All this should have been done by the guy that made them! Sound like you ar putting together a nice little system there! |
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Post by antonio on Jan 8, 2021 0:04:32 GMT
Finally got my lazy arse into gear and attached a couple of pieces of wood to the base of the speaker stands, that has certainly improved stability, although still not perfect, maybe it is only having two poles between base and top plate (I will do a pic when everything's finished) Just need to stain the wood now Also yesterday, I refoamed my JBL Control 1's, and had a quick listen last night, obviously sound better: The valve amp makes them work more than the Topping, although I have to say to get them to sound anything like, the volume really has to be turned up, not the best speakers for lower level listening The new cables I put in a few days ago, have they improved thing' s? well I think they have, or I could also be suffering from the same mental illusion as Bigman (please see thread 'Explain This') Nearly forgot to ask, what are members thoughts about using a LPS unit with my mini pc, anyone tried it with their own pc? |
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Post by antonio on Jan 19, 2021 19:44:23 GMT
Did my first comparison of the the cable changes made today and since it was the easiest I swopped back in my old Maplins usb cable, this was only changed since it is 3m long and 1/2m was all that was needed: This is the cable that was purchased www.aliexpress.com/item/32947178602.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.629b4c4dzQs63S The main differences were the bass and sound stage, the Maplin cable felt bass light compared to the YYTCG, and also 2 dimensional: I hadn't noticed this before since my usual seating position isn't perfect, but for this comparison I moved the chair and made myself comfortable: The YYTCG cable added so much depth to the Alison Krauss - Forget About It album I was a little taken aback: Listening to Chris Johns - Roadhouses & Automobiles, on one of the tracks I felt I should move the speakers away from the wall a foot or two, yet moving to where I normally sit, further away and slightly off centre, the bass seemed just about right, this would not be a problem on most albums since the bass is very strong on this album I do have a question though, I have noticed that when I touch the case on my Topping D30 I can feel it vibrating, sometimes more than others, can anyone make a suggestion why? For now I have placed a weight (concrete block) on the top of the case |
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Post by macca on Jan 20, 2021 8:06:59 GMT
the power supply is external so that is a weird one, are you sure it is not vibration from the speakers?
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Post by antonio on Jan 20, 2021 16:18:54 GMT
No it's definitely from inside the Topping and I also notice a vibration from the amplifier volume control and facia but I didn't know if that was to do with the valves: The Topping is sited next to the amp but its nothing to do with any transmission between the two: Could it be something to do with the electrical supply?
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Post by macca on Jan 20, 2021 17:54:29 GMT
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Post by antonio on Jan 21, 2021 12:58:11 GMT
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Post by antonio on Feb 11, 2021 13:44:49 GMT
Just a quick update, I purchased on of these in Phnom Penh www.clef-audio.com/show_products_detail.php?id=21&lang=th made in Thailand by Clef Audio. It has helped with sound quality, I was worried about powering the amp using this but everything's fine. It has not helped in anyway with the earthing problem which someone said it could maybe help. I also tried a stock power cable against the Chinese one I purchased and could not tell any difference although the new one was very cheap. Also tried a comparison with the inter connects I purchased and the NVA SC's I had, again could not detect any differences, neither of these results surprised me. Still waiting to get some extra supports fitted to the speaker stands, a friend has the tools at his place, but has been busy of late, hopefully get them sorted in a day or two. |
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Post by antonio on Mar 13, 2021 1:13:18 GMT
I've been listening through headphones, AKG 702's, the last few mornings using the in-built socket on the amp and they sound fantastic. I thought my NVA headphone amp was very good for the money, but this thing knocks it into a cocked hat, detail, flow and punch, it's got it all. The more I listen to this amp the more I'm liking it, a true bargain at less than £500. Still waiting to get those speaker stands finished, not that they sound bad, I'd just prefer a bit more solidity to them and they are perhaps slightly too high at 77cm. Actually purchased a Coherent mains cable the other day on another forum for use with the amplifier, came with Schuko plug, and I received a message from the guy who purchased the other three asking if I didn't like it or wanted to sell at any time would I let him know. Bearing in mind I would not be able to use it for quite some time I let him have it, thought it would keep his system more of the same, and I've got plenty of time to look for another bargain. It would certainly have been nice to know if MisterC knows his mains cables or is full of hot air.  |
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
The HiFi Bear/Audioaddicts/Bigbottle Owner
Posts: 16,398
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Post by Bigman80 on Mar 30, 2021 16:08:40 GMT
On Dave's behalf: I am changing rooms and although I still haven't finished the speaker stands I thought I'd better get a photo of the system as is, since I have previously talked about having the speakers set across the corner of the room.  |
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Post by antonio on Jun 20, 2021 4:39:50 GMT
Well what a nightmare three weeks I've had, music stopped playing through my mini pc after another Windows 10 download, this happens after 2 out of 3 of their downloads, mostly to do with sound driver, well I've always managed to sort it, but not this time. I've been on the internet and and You Tube trying to follow advice given and their methods, finally contacted Microsoft helpline and over the next week 2 more times until finally I had deleted everything and loaded a complete new Windows 10 installation on the pc. Then it was time to download Foobar2000 and star playing music again, well not as easy a it seems when you start adding Components from their list as recommended by someone on YouTube, his suggestions seemed sensible and there was only 6 to sort out which I eventually managed to get inputted, adjusted the Preference setting and away we go. Not a chance, been trying to sort Foobar2000 out for days, deleting the original download and starting again, thinking I've got more experience with it now, but could not get working. Well having seen Musicbee recommended thought I'd give that a go, the only problem was finding the files on my external hard drive, why aren't file names easier to see, on mine I've tried Elements (D:), no, then added music to that, again no, tried various options but with no success. Then I have tried to do it a different way and search for music files and eventually came up with something like D:/, what I've been into files and nothing like this show up at the top of the screen?  Well I managed to download my library onto Music bee and I actually have music playing now, an assortment from recently downloaded music All I have to do now is get my head round this app and start enjoying. Two questions, firstly does anyone know where my Musicbee library is stored? is it on the pc or are they still going to my external hard drive to play music from. Secondly, and I know this can be done, does anyone know of a way to completely stop Windows down loads/updates onto my pc, please feel free to pm me with those details. Nearly forgot, I read that losing your sound drivers is a very common complaint and happens to many using Windows, why the hell then have Microsoft not got this sorted, it's a disgrace, after all the user has paid them directly or indirectly for use of. I might as well add, I'm listening now and although I have the same memory span as a goldfish, it does seem to sound better than with Foobar, just more easy to listen to. |
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Post by macca on Jun 20, 2021 7:43:48 GMT
I think in Security Settings there is an option to stop automatic updates, just untick the checkbox - accessed via Control Panel.
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Post by antonio on Jun 20, 2021 11:38:02 GMT
I can only ever find a box were you can suspend updates, but this cannot be done indefinitely
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So I have purchased from a pfm member, who is sending them by courier to me in Phnom Penh a pair of these. markaudio-sota.us/cesti-mb/
Well I managed to download my library onto Music bee and I actually have music playing now, an assortment from recently downloaded music