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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2018 13:47:53 GMT
Hi all, Just nabbed this from Walpurgis. Been hankering to try something with Class A heritage for some time but after hearing the Krell KMS50 (part Class A) I just felt the time was now. Looks to be in great condition too.
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Post by macca on Jul 12, 2018 14:39:51 GMT
Get it fired up!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2018 14:48:52 GMT
Had a pair of them yonks ago when they first came out..... I kind of let my heart rule my head after a HiFi + rave review and them picking up product of the year award in the amp cat.
I found them pretty uninspiring to be honest.
Perhaps it was a synergy thing.
Look forward to your findings.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2018 15:16:31 GMT
It's not been posted yet Macca, only paid today and as Geoff ain't local, it won't be here till next week 😣
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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2018 15:22:50 GMT
Had a pair of them yonks ago when they first came out..... I kind of let my heart rule my head after a HiFi + rave review and them picking up product of the year award in the amp cat. I found them pretty uninspiring to be honest. Perhaps it was a synergy thing. Look forward to your findings. To be honest, I'm not entirely sure what I expect them to do, that my Firebottle Monoblocks don't do already. I haven't really tested how good the FB-Monos are. They've been in against a refurbished and improved Sansui amp AU-D9 (I think that's the model) and I prefered the Monos. Other than that, they've been untested. That's the trouble with buying from "Cottage Industry Builders" I am not really sure HOW GOOD is good untill they've been tested. Hence the purchase. If it doesn't work out, it'll be for sale shortly lol
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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2018 16:55:51 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2018 17:16:20 GMT
I've heard it! Clean and solid, is how I'd describe the sound.
S.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2018 18:11:13 GMT
I've heard it! Clean and solid, is how I'd describe the sound. S. That particular one? I like the description!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2018 20:14:09 GMT
Yup! I know Geoff. Used to live 10 min away from him!
S.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2018 20:46:57 GMT
Yup! I know Geoff. Used to live 10 min away from him! S. Oh sweet! I'm really looking forward to hearing it. I shall report on my findings, hopefully all good!!
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Post by antonio on Jul 13, 2018 5:20:32 GMT
I remember Roy Gregory (HiFi+) giving it a good review and assembling a real price system around it.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2018 8:52:30 GMT
I remember Roy Gregory (HiFi+) giving it a good review and assembling a real price system around it. In general, the reviews are very favourable. I'm looking forward to it.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2018 11:39:10 GMT
It's here!! Currently warming up
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2018 11:41:22 GMT
The suspense, the suspense...........🤗
Drum roll please.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2018 11:53:35 GMT
The suspense, the suspense...........🤗 Drum roll please. Lol, Well, first track under its belt, its encouraging. Clean and punchy!!! Shane was spot on. Plenty of grip and dynamics are good too. Obviously I will need to spend two hours with it before deciding to flog it (#boxswapper) 😂 Joking aside, I'm now on to LP No2 and it's seems to like being connected to the DCB1. Plenty of tone too. I paid £500 for a Sony 700ES and this pisses on that and this was £450. I know they are different in terms of functionality but I like it.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 15, 2018 20:49:04 GMT
My mate had a pair of the monoblocks. He didn’t keep them for long, but then he never keeps anything, He used a Croft preamp with his, amd while he had them, he was pretty happy.
I must say I really like the look. Never seen a preamp from them but a matching one would be very tasty.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2018 22:47:45 GMT
My mate had a pair of the monoblocks. He didn’t keep them for long, but then he never keeps anything, He used a Croft preamp with his, amd while he had them, he was pretty happy. I must say I really like the look. Never seen a preamp from them but a matching one would be very tasty. Well, I like it a lot. I'm getting a touch of harshness but that's coming from my pre. My fault, I put RG316U In it and I really dislike the cable. It's actually been in situ since it arrived which says a lot, especially in the home of a #boxswapper 😂 I've been thoroughly pleased with its performance, some what different to the FB-Monos, but equally as satisfying. I'll continue giving it a run and I'm hopefully going to get some proper wire in the pre tomorrow so I'll know more then.
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Post by dsjr on Jul 16, 2018 8:54:36 GMT
My mate had a pair of the monoblocks. He didn’t keep them for long, but then he never keeps anything, He used a Croft preamp with his, amd while he had them, he was pretty happy. I must say I really like the look. Never seen a preamp from them but a matching one would be very tasty. Well, I like it a lot. I'm getting a touch of harshness but that's coming from my pre. My fault, I put RG316U In it and I really dislike the cable. It's actually been in situ since it arrived which says a lot, especially in the home of a #boxswapper 😂 I've been thoroughly pleased with its performance, some what different to the FB-Monos, but equally as satisfying. I'll continue giving it a run and I'm hopefully going to get some proper wire in the pre tomorrow so I'll know more then. It's not the RG316U I promise you, but you'll never believe me in a million years.
Get something decent and bits of wire won't really make or break the sound any more...
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Post by macca on Jul 16, 2018 9:19:06 GMT
I agree with DSJR, harshness = distortion and that won't be caused by the type of wire. Must be something else.
What is the pre-amp anyway?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2018 14:20:57 GMT
No, sorry guys. The RG316 came out today and the UP-OCC Copper went in. Instant difference in tone and performance. The RG316 displayed a harshness and an edge to the treble, no removed, it's far more refined and no edge. I subscribe to the theory that EVERYTHING matters, including the wire used in your equipment.
You won't believe me in a million years either but the proof is available here.
Nelson Pass DCB1 with Hypnotise boards.
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Post by savvypaul on Jul 16, 2018 14:31:55 GMT
Everything that matters, matters.
Everything that doesn't matter, doesn't matter.
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Post by macca on Jul 16, 2018 15:00:56 GMT
I'm guessing you've removed and remade some soldered connections putting the new wire in, could the problem not have been a bad solder joint to begin with?
Anyway the important thing is that it's sorted.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2018 16:51:11 GMT
I'm guessing you've removed and remade some soldered connections putting the new wire in, could the problem not have been a bad solder joint to begin with? Anyway the important thing is that it's sorted. Absolutely, but my extensive experience of the RG316 v UP-OCC tells me that the characteristic of the cable is more likely to be to blame. I do accept though that a proper job has been done now which may have solved it 😂 All Moot now, sitting here lavished with the sound of the Beatles. My mind is being blown with every track. This Monarchy is really exceptional.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2018 17:23:16 GMT
Told you what it was like!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2018 18:11:33 GMT
Told you what it was like! You did Geoff, hats off to you. It's really very good indeed. It's pacey and dynamic. I'm really liking it. Trouble is, I'd like another for Monoblock setup.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 17, 2018 7:12:16 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2018 11:50:45 GMT
Looks great but I'm not liking the Alps Blue potentiometer or the fact it's so far from the board. Extender bars used on the other selector switches so seems an odd emission. Had a mate look at it and he suggests the circuit isn't anything to write home about either. Looks good but is suspect the DCB1 is superior. I'm still liking the Monarchy pre though lol If it was in UK, then maybe I'd have a look.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 17, 2018 15:09:04 GMT
If you are ever looking for a “left field” suggestion for a Preamp, see if you can find a Perreaux. Best I’ve ever had and not even expensive.,
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2018 21:02:28 GMT
If you are ever looking for a “left field” suggestion for a Preamp, see if you can find a Perreaux. Best I’ve ever had and not even expensive., I'll have a look mate but I'll be honest, this DCB1 is something special!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2018 19:46:15 GMT
And then, there were 3! Nicolaj Frederik Severin GrundtvigAbsolutely loving what these amps do. The two matching ones are SM-70PRO's. Both need a bit of attention. The one on the right has some distortion on one channel and the one on the left runs tooooo hot. Both have noisy Transformers so I'll be getting them looked at. The PRO's sound a little valve like, quite rich and pure of tone. No grain and definitely no harshness but it loses a little of the soundstage precision in comparison to its little brother, the SM-70. THAT loses a bit of tone though so it really is very very close. I'll be very interested to hear the pair when they are 100%. Before someone says the buzzing TFs are due to my mains, CC Poon (maker of these fine amps) has told me the Transformers are a weak point due to not really being suited to the UK market. Audible Buzzing in the speakers is a common complaint.
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