quote:

How are your SL2's? Have you had them long? Have you found them to open up over time. I also have system 4, so interested in what you think.

Hi Mario

Yes the decoupling on the SL2 must be less effective in the situation that I have. In some ways though I like the effect on some aspects of the presentation. Less hard which in turn is not so tiring during long listening sessions (dependant on music of course). My room is also less than ideal and without certain treatments produces flutter echoes, which can make things overly bright and even harsh at times. Also a bass boom with other speakers that I've tried. Other times, things sound a little lost due to the room size (8m x 3.6m x 2.8m).

I have had my Naim system 4 since November 2004. As you know the "forum" (not mentioning any names) tries it's best to help you go that extra step forward (552 ), but for me this is where I have to stop (at least for the time being ). When the system sings it really communicates the music so well. As we all know though, off days appear, mains, humidity etc where things don't sound so good and a degree of variability more than I'd like (which I have to say could be due to me as well as the system). I'm still quite sure that my system could benefit alot from a expert setup and better mains.

Regarding the SL2 getting better over long periods of time, I'm sure that there is a learning curve to appreciate what the SL2 does and a certain amount of getting used to certain aspects of the sound, that other people don't appreciate so much. I have heard many strong words against them, but must say that they are very enjoyable when everything sings. As to giving you a precise timeline as to how they improve over the months, I can't really say, but they have certainly improved over time.

The main things that I've done on the speaker front are to get them first on coins and then on chips. The floor below the speakers is poor quality concrete and moving the speakers onto chips was quite a worthwhile improvement. Then came the granite slabs, not ideal, but did bring somethings that I liked (as mentioned above).

Regards
Mark

Hi Mark,

thanks for the detailed explanation about how your speakers sound. I too will unfortunately have to stay at system 4 for a while. At least until I forget how much all of these boxes cost. If I was able to, the 552 would be my next step.

Yes the SL2 does seem to get some harsh comment but if you like their sound, then many other speakers just wont fit the bill. I actually think that they have no sound of their own, there is no added warmth and their cool nature is probably needed if they are going to sort out all the things that can go on during a piece of music. Many speakers seem to always have bass present but the SL2's seem super cool until a bass note actually comes along. Then the thought "and people say they have no bass" comes to my head. In terms of transparency through the midrange and treble, I have not heard a moving coil speaker that is as good as them. All others seem to have some "muck" (if that is a word) in the way. I can only wonder what active operation with a maxed out source would do for them. I look forward to hearing what they sound like in about 3 months time. They sound great already so any improvement would be a plus.

regards,

Mario.

Here's mine...
Not the ideal setup, I know, but the wife...
(BTW thanks for showing some awesome systems guys!)

Hi Vegas, how do you find the wilson speakers work with your kit? I am a big fan of small standmount speakers (i have epos m12 speakers) and while not upgrading right now i am thinking about what to get in the future.

Hi Alan,
They are simply AWESOME! Prior to the Wilsons I owned a pair of B&W805s. They were quite good, but the Wilsons are on a whole new level. The sound is a LOT more open with sweeter highs and deeper, better controlled bass. Also due to the twin downfiring ports they are not very fussy when it comes to placement. (Although I think my setup could be better, if only I had the space...) I am convinced they will stay in my system for a VERY long time! Given the right system they are truly something special!
Best regards

quote:

Originally posted by Vegas:
Here's mine...
Not the ideal setup, I know, but the wife...
(BTW thanks for showing some awesome systems guys!)

Nice and relaxed system.

I have had many system changes since owning the epos speakers. I definetly think speakers are the hardest thing to get right and therefore would not change them until i was sure they were right. I will have to look into the wilson speakers.

quote:

Originally posted by Alan Paterson:
I have had many system changes since owning the epos speakers. I definetly think speakers are the hardest thing to get right and therefore would not change them until i was sure they were right. I will have to look into the wilson speakers.

What kind of speakers are exactly on the pic of vegas?

Alan,
Give them a try with your kit, if you can. I'm sure you will like them. Put it this way... I worked part time in a Hi-Fi shop for almost a year and a half and I would not trade my ARCs for B&W Signature 800s! Yes, the 800s have deeper bass, they are after all much bigger, but in mids and highs the ARCs have nothing to feel ashamed about, even in the presence of the 800s! The bass is also very good. I have on more than one occasion hooked up the ARCs NEXT to the 800s to the same system that used to drive the 800s and had customers physically check to see that it was actually the small ARCs that was playing. Once they realised that it was the arcs, the next thing that usually happened was that they started looking for the sub! (Guess what... NONE connected!) (Admittedly in that system they were powered by 1kw Plinius monoblocks!)
Good luck speaker hunting!

Hi Robbert,
They are Wilson Benesch ARCs.
Check them out here:
http://www.wilson-benesch.com/

quote:

Not the ideal setup, I know, but the wife...

She blends in well.

But seriously though - always nice to see something a bit different - and very neat.

John.

Thank you, John!

I am looking forward to a dedicated listening area though, so I can give the system a bit more room to breathe. (Fraim would be nice, to keep those components separated... and maybe a Hicap... or two... )

System upgrade 2006
Finally I'm going to be going from this:

CD3.5/FC, 32.5/HiCap, 135's, SBL's

to this:

CD3.5/HiCap, 52/Supercap, 135's, SBL's

It's taken a while to locate the right 52, but today I have the news that one might just be driving up my road next week - fingers crossed.
Can't wait.

Here are mine, 112x, 150x, cd5x, PMC GB1, Quadraspire Q4 (much to someone's distaste!)

pic1

quote:

Originally posted by Philw307:
Here are mine, 112x, 150x, cd5x, PMC GB1, Quadraspire Q4 (much to someone's distaste!)

pic1

"you are not logged in" is the massage

Goes to photobox philw307

So, is Kuma selling his Isobariks? I'm sure I recognise one of the pictures from this thread...?

look here

I don't think he would ever part from his "loved ones" - they would stay in Melrose, forever...

cheers
Stefan

Everyone who pop in my home is VERY impressed with the beautifull classy look of the black fraim, women love it! NO regret!
I don't really get what it brings to the party though! IMO the improvement is pretty far from a black box upgrade.
... It could be that I had too many upgrades all at once...like the 555PS and Fraim together!

Here a few pictures of the black Fraim although it looks much nicer in flesh.







The second Fraim, identical to the first one will be delivered sometimes this week, I'm hoping the Hi-line will come with it.
Thanks to Geoff P and John (JN) for helping me out, giving me the key things and a few tips to build it right.

yes, black is very cool...
so it seems also more "light and thin" than in cherry or maple....
good choice Edouard

bye

David