The 'X' factor in your system?
I've often found (although usually, like an idiot, I've ended up selling it) that there's one item within the system which really makes it tick - be it the turntable, amp or speakers. What's the one item, if you can really name one, that 'makes' your system?
For me, in mine, it's the little Royd Merlins - they're easy to drive, aren't exactly pretty, can be a bit bright and ragged at times, but whilst fairly kind to what's put in front of them they're ruthlessly revealing of equipment further back up the chain that isn't pulling its musical weight. If something's not quite right with the front end, or the amp's being lazy, these little beggars will let you know.
For me, in mine, it's the little Royd Merlins - they're easy to drive, aren't exactly pretty, can be a bit bright and ragged at times, but whilst fairly kind to what's put in front of them they're ruthlessly revealing of equipment further back up the chain that isn't pulling its musical weight. If something's not quite right with the front end, or the amp's being lazy, these little beggars will let you know.
Comments
I'm aiming for a cabinet solution that gives enough bass to just use the Lowther - as it's so damn hard to match it to anything else.
Lowthers have a reputation for sounding coloured and screechy. It's a bit chicken and egg. They can sound that way but they don't have to. Some of the best systems I've heard had Lowthers but also some of the worst.
Rob
Having owned a pair of ESL57's can fully endorse your comments. Incredibly natural sounding they really do everything. Sadly London living and lack of space mean't they had to go but one day .......
Mervyn
I'm sure Cheryl Cole/Tweedy would be with me on that.
I thought about saying NVA SSP, but couldn't bring myself to list a cable. I was worried about being the Louis Walsh of this thread...
These, I think. Royd RR3s, I built the whole system around their performance, and I doubt they'll ever be a bottleneck. I sometimes hanker for a little more earth moving ability, but to be honest they are so natural. That's not to say they can't or won't be replaced or upgraded, now that the rig as a whole has started to do them justice, but as with just about every facet of the system I'd simply trade up for more of exactly the same.
I play drums, so I like its immediacy and the uncomplicated sound of it. Very probably useless to play string quartets through, but rock, metal, tecno, acoustic singer songwriter, acoustic jazz and and orchestral it shone with.
It lives between a Naim CD5x and Tannoy D300s, so quite a brutal sound all in all.
Out of interest, if you were looking at buying a pre amp today, would you still go for Audio Note? Or would you go for something like the Pure Sound L10 or L300?
I use an Audio Note M1 line stage and it's definitely got the 'X' factor in my system and was a veritable used bargain at £400.
The Audio Note range gets rather expensive beyond the M2, and I'm wondering if you think the outlay is justified given the advent of Pure Sound launching their pre amps.
Cheers,
James
Papa (I think it's Phil in real life IIRC) doesn't post here often, so you might need to drop him a personal message to get his attention - he'll get an email alert that way.