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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2019 0:44:31 GMT
I love the R200. Lovely sounding arm to my ears.
S.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 22, 2019 0:44:53 GMT
Have you tried replacing the thin Hardboard base board on the Mantra for a thicker one? The plinth itself is only made from Half inch MDF but there is nothing you can do about that. I was just looking at the baseboard yesterday. I always prefer the LP12 with the baseboard in place but there’s no harm in improving the material. Would ply be better than MDF? |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2019 6:18:29 GMT
I love the R200. Lovely sounding arm to my ears. S. It's not very well made Shane. The anti-skate mech is cheapo plastic and as everybody knows (or should do) they all end up with rotted bias belts. There are better budget universal tonearms. My Jelco SA-5 and Linn LV-V are better made and sound just as good. |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 22, 2019 8:44:43 GMT
I love the R200. Lovely sounding arm to my ears. S. I’m left undecided on it. I heard them on Regas and thought they were Sh#t. Replacing one with an RB300 was. A jaw dropper. Changing the headshell and base Collett and sticking my one on a Xerxes made it sound good, although I didn’t compare it. Out of necessity with everything breaking down around me, I’ve stuck it on the Mantra. It’s ok, but the Mantra seemed to like the RB250 better. Before recent experience, I would’ve still advocated binning them. Not any more, although I am unsure of their ultimate capability. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2019 10:23:30 GMT
Have you tried replacing the thin Hardboard base board on the Mantra for a thicker one? The plinth itself is only made from Half inch MDF but there is nothing you can do about that. I was just looking at the baseboard yesterday. I always prefer the LP12 with the baseboard in place but there’s no harm in improving the material. Would ply be better than MDF? I prefer Chipboard over MDF anyday, Certainly far better for speaker cabinets. Downside is it takes a lot of work getting a perfect paint finish on it.. |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 22, 2019 10:52:53 GMT
I wonder about acrylic? It would have to be pretty thick though, or it would flex.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 22, 2019 10:57:43 GMT
I’m sat really appreciating my system. I’ve had some cracking systems over the years and this isn’t anywhere near the most expensive, nevertheless it’s easily the best system I’ve ever had. Vinyl is still a work in progress due to recent failures, but I will end up with another Xerxes and I have the Mantra for now. Besides, vinyl isn’t my main source as 90% of my music is on CD.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2019 11:14:34 GMT
I wonder about acrylic? It would have to be pretty thick though, or it would flex. I don't believe Acrylic has any improve sound qualities tbh. Its used because its obviously cheaper & easier to make things out of instead of using say wood or metal that has to be finished hence takes more time & money than using a material that is already finished & polished. |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 23, 2019 15:33:42 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2019 14:18:39 GMT
Did you already sell on the Nima, Westie? Those arms usually sell like hot cakes, even second hand ones go like buses!
S.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2019 19:26:48 GMT
Still collecting the speakers tomorrow then, Westie?
S.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 26, 2019 6:11:06 GMT
Yep, I’m off to get them about half past 4. Should be back home with them about 7. They will be going straight on as soon as I reassemble the stands.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 26, 2019 6:12:44 GMT
Did you already sell on the Nima, Westie? Those arms usually sell like hot cakes, even second hand ones go like buses! S. Not even got it yet. After the Xerxes failures, I’m ready to get it sold straight away, but I want to hold the thing i my hands first and see if I like the feel,of it. If I do, I might try it or keep it. |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 26, 2019 6:31:40 GMT
Picking these up vis Argos click and collect on Saturday. Hard to imagine they can be much better than their cheaper brothers, but we’ll see. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2019 9:39:54 GMT
Dont you just love that Argos click & collect for E Bay & stuff.. Not having to wait in for deliveries.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 26, 2019 21:55:29 GMT
It’s a real fave of mine. I hate people coming to the door too, so it’s. A double bonus.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 26, 2019 22:14:48 GMT
I got the Penaudios. A bit surprising in more ways than one.
First surprise was the weight of them. The stands in particular are ludicrously heavy.
Second surprise was their looks. They are just incredibly gorgeous in the flesh. More like jewellery than hifi. Another big surprise looks-wise was their size. Smaller than the pics make them look. Really, really tiny.
Third surprise was the sound, especially the soundstage. It’s huge, stark, and inexplicably gives better image height than any non-upward firing speaker I’ve tried. The bass is very good for the size but it’s never going to match a much bigger speaker. This is ultimately the limiting factor. The clarity is as “nude” as you will ever find. It’s very striking and they are the nearest thing to having nothing added to the signal from a speaker as I’ve come across.
Ultimately I’d need more bass in a main speaker. I don’t really want to go down the sub route as I think I’d need one hell of a sub to match these and not be embarrassed. The question is do I hang onto them for any length of time? I’ll need to do more listening and also a comparison with my Spicas. I’m tempted to keep them for their aesthetics alone tbh.
They have certainly ignited my desire to hear/try a larger PenAudio design. I can see why Haider rates the brand
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2019 22:20:45 GMT
Must be half asleep today. Which Pen Audio's are these?
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 26, 2019 22:35:57 GMT
Must be half asleep today. Which Pen Audio's are these? Rebel 2s. One of their cheapest models, although the latest versions are 1995 euros now. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2019 22:42:00 GMT
Never heard of that model. I do know that all Scandinavian Equipment usually carries a price Tag..
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 26, 2019 22:55:34 GMT
Never heard of that model. I do know that all Scandinavian Equipment usually carries a price Tag.. Probably part of it is their higher cost of living. They sound like a speaker twice their size........but the were only about half the size I expected from the pics! |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2019 23:02:37 GMT
Interesting looking cabs. Their side profile looks lengthy.
S.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2019 4:13:40 GMT
Never heard of that model. I do know that all Scandinavian Equipment usually carries a price Tag.. Probably part of it is their higher cost of living. They sound like a speaker twice their size........but the were only about half the size I expected from the pics! oh yeah u better believe it. running a company here is insane..almost impossible to make money..my boss has 50 men and barely makes anything each year. anything made here will have a hefty price tag.. |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 27, 2019 5:03:07 GMT
The workmanship looks so slick, I wondered if Rudi actually made the cabinets!
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 27, 2019 6:06:38 GMT
Interesting looking cabs. Their side profile looks lengthy. S. Yeah they are very deep at 12.5 inches but any pics you see of them really do make them look bigger tan they are. It really does make them disappear though. Lots more istening to be done today. |
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Post by macca on Apr 27, 2019 7:34:57 GMT
I can't find any measurements for them  |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 27, 2019 8:28:18 GMT
I can't find any measurements for them I can get my tape measure out?  |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 27, 2019 8:38:00 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2019 8:53:34 GMT
Using Google translate it tells you little about how they sound. Mainly a measurement review. Does suggest you need a sub. You don't need an expensive sub. Maybe the better ones will last longer? They only fill in the lowest bass octaves so ultimate quality isn't critical. I have a Wharfedale SW150 which can be now found discounted to £150. Can't see an REL at ten times the price being better. |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 27, 2019 8:55:49 GMT
I really only bought them to audition something from Penaudio. I didn’t expect them to see of the Spicas and they don’t. It’s largely (sorry) a matter of size. That said, for their size they are ridiculously good and they have given me an urge to try some bigger Penaudios when a bargain shows up. Cenya and Alba would be the ones that interest me but I’d need a really good deal. In the meantime I’m happy to enjoy the wonders my Spicas offer and perhaps keep the beautiful Penaudio stands in the hope that I see some Cenyas.
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