Playground for practical listening exercises

[Charlie1]

I prefer before although not sure what impact using video will have on the recording.

Listening through headphones today and better laptop, I also prefer the new room now.

[Charlie1]

Received a CB 160 today. Not directly compared to the bold down 160 in the house yet.

The 250 has been on for weeks. The 160 has had about 3 hours warm up.

32.5/Snaps/250: https://www.dropbox.com/s/1ja4fw0gmyc56 ... D.MOV?dl=0
32.5/CB 160: https://www.dropbox.com/s/7d0ljrfpcte5n ... D.MOV?dl=0

Source is Planar 2.

[beck]

Received a CB 160 today. Not directly compared to the bold down 160 in the house yet.

The 250 has been on for weeks. The 160 has had about 3 hours warm up.

32.5/Snaps/250: https://www.dropbox.com/s/1ja4fw0gmyc56 ... D.MOV?dl=0
32.5/CB 160: https://www.dropbox.com/s/7d0ljrfpcte5n ... D.MOV?dl=0

Source is Planar 2.

Both are enjoyable with a slight advantage to the 250 I think.....though the 160 in some way is more relaxed in it’s presentation......

[beck]

Yesterday I made some adjustment to the speaker position.

Before:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/adb0j438wd7xx ... 2.mov?dl=0

After:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/n6rphisqj8a20 ... 0.mov?dl=0

And again compared to my old setup:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/s7uzqz8sy7be1 ... H.mov?dl=0

which one do you prefer?

Great to see your system. 👍

Now start with your after clip and continue your search making your clips exactly the same way.

[V.A.MKD]

Received a CB 160 today. Not directly compared to the bold down 160 in the house yet.

The 250 has been on for weeks. The 160 has had about 3 hours warm up.

32.5/Snaps/250: https://www.dropbox.com/s/1ja4fw0gmyc56 ... D.MOV?dl=0
32.5/CB 160: https://www.dropbox.com/s/7d0ljrfpcte5n ... D.MOV?dl=0

Source is Planar 2.

Hi Charlie1,
I'm for 32.5 / CB 160 definitely ...
Beside only 3 h of warm up it is better for me ... after several days ON, it will be even more better.
I'm happy that you develop your system in this excellent direction ...

[Defender]

Received a CB 160 today. Not directly compared to the bold down 160 in the house yet.

The 250 has been on for weeks. The 160 has had about 3 hours warm up.

32.5/Snaps/250: https://www.dropbox.com/s/1ja4fw0gmyc56 ... D.MOV?dl=0
32.5/CB 160: https://www.dropbox.com/s/7d0ljrfpcte5n ... D.MOV?dl=0

Source is Planar 2.

its close in my opinion I but also feel the 250 has a slight edge

[Charlie1]

Cheers for the feedback folks and glad you like it Vlado. The 160 is getting better all the time and my preference. The timing of the music just snaps into focus better, despite the absence of a snaps! The seller said it had never been used - not sure how true that is but it's certainly all original and in great condition. Hopefully, it will improve further still.

I can sell the 250 now which is double the price. I will miss the control and added refinement.

[Spannko]

Received a CB 160 today. Not directly compared to the bold down 160 in the house yet.

The 250 has been on for weeks. The 160 has had about 3 hours warm up.

32.5/Snaps/250: https://www.dropbox.com/s/1ja4fw0gmyc56 ... D.MOV?dl=0
32.5/CB 160: https://www.dropbox.com/s/7d0ljrfpcte5n ... D.MOV?dl=0

Source is Planar 2.

Both are enjoyable with a slight advantage to the 250 I think.....though the 160 in some way is more relaxed in it’s presentation......

I didn’t find it easy either. I got the feeling (bias?) that the turntable set the quality bar too far below the quality of both of the amplifiers, making them sound more similar than they would with a higher quality source. However, without an A-B of the turntables, it’s hard to be sure - it’s been a long time since I’ve heard a RP2 next to an LP12 😷

[markiteight]

Received a CB 160 today. Not directly compared to the bold down 160 in the house yet.

The 250 has been on for weeks. The 160 has had about 3 hours warm up.

32.5/Snaps/250: https://www.dropbox.com/s/1ja4fw0gmyc56 ... D.MOV?dl=0
32.5/CB 160: https://www.dropbox.com/s/7d0ljrfpcte5n ... D.MOV?dl=0

Source is Planar 2.

OK...that's it! I gotta get me some REM. I miss this album!

I feel more drawn into the music by the 250 but I am very familiar with this song so my TuneDem is highly unreliable.

[V.A.MKD]

Cheers for the feedback folks and glad you like it Vlado. The 160 is getting better all the time and my preference. The timing of the music just snaps into focus better, despite the absence of a snaps! The seller said it had never been used - not sure how true that is but it's certainly all original and in great condition. Hopefully, it will improve further still.

I can sell the 250 now which is double the price. I will miss the control and added refinement.

Yes Charlie1 some times all of us have to sacrifice something, in your case control of 250, but at the end of day you will have something that make you happy ...

Spannko was absolutely right, when he say it was not easy ...

Both Clips was very close ... I make my decision because of Vocal ... Vocals are so sensitive in reproduction and in second half of the Clip CB 160 there was relatively big difference ... 160 shows better quality in vocal reproduction, beside fact of 3 h warm up ... and as you say, sound is clearly improving ... so the difference will be bigger ...

P.S. Briks are singing heavenly goood ...

[Charlie1]

Thanks all. Interesting - hadn't thought about the Planar 2 making it harder.

Rematch:
32.5/Snaps/250: https://www.dropbox.com/s/1ja4fw0gmyc56 ... D.MOV?dl=0
32.5/160: https://www.dropbox.com/s/wokmv7f3u97uv ... D.MOV?dl=0

And some MM:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/hq3fibx1ogiri ... D.MOV?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/olcl4dqonogge ... D.MOV?dl=0

[Charlie1]

OK...that's it! I gotta get me some REM. I miss this album!

It's one of their best I think, particularly side B. Obviously you can easily get a US pressing which is probably even better.

[Charlie1]

Both Clips was very close ... I make my decision because of Vocal ... Vocals are so sensitive in reproduction and in second half of the Clip CB 160 there was relatively big difference ... 160 shows better quality in vocal reproduction, beside fact of 3 h warm up ... and as you say, sound is clearly improving ... so the difference will be bigger ...

P.S. Briks are singing heavenly goood ...

Yes, I know what you mean about the vocals. I much prefer it now although it was close for me too, especially at the beginning with Snaps still in place. But since late last night it's no contest :)

Thanks - I love Briks as well now. I think the 160 suits them better too - in terms of balance.

[beck]

I have only heard Briks live once in a hifi store in an open room but I knew from the moment I listened to them that I liked them a lot. The fullness of the sound and a singing quality that “sucks” you into the music. Lovely. :-)

At around half the price the 160 is a bargain.

[Charlie1]

I think maybe the 160 has dipped off in the second recording. So many variables, including the old iphone which is now being used by my daughter to communicate with friends - I sometimes forget to disable the wifi for example. I think unless I record at the same time then too many things can change. I'm happy with the 32.5/160 though - music is accessible straight away - I sense some barrier with the snaps/250, by comparison of course as I still like it.

Couldn't resist trying the Valhalla LP12 again. The bolt down 12/160 were often too ragged with Briks and Valhalla LP12. This is better but we'll see.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ykdcjydbslr0r ... D.MOV?dl=0

[Charlie1]

I have only heard Briks live once in a hifi store in an open room but I knew from the moment I listened to them that I liked them a lot. The fullness of the sound and a singing quality that “sucks” you into the music. Lovely. :-)

:)

[Tendaberry]

OK...that's it! I gotta get me some REM. I miss this album!

It's one of their best I think, particularly side B. Obviously you can easily get a US pressing which is probably even better.

I can confirm that it's worth getting the US pressing, I've had both (UK&EU and US).

[V.A.MKD]

Thanks all. Interesting - hadn't thought about the Planar 2 making it harder.

Rematch:
32.5/Snaps/250: https://www.dropbox.com/s/1ja4fw0gmyc56 ... D.MOV?dl=0
32.5/160: https://www.dropbox.com/s/wokmv7f3u97uv ... D.MOV?dl=0

And some MM:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/hq3fibx1ogiri ... D.MOV?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/olcl4dqonogge ... D.MOV?dl=0

As you say, no contest, clear winner 32.5/160.
And nice music ...

[Defender]

now I am also in the 160 camp ;) its either because proper heat up or I missed the LP12 too much as a source to be able to judge right

[Defender]

I will come up with a comparison of phono stages:
Linto against „something else“ tomo to let the „something else“ heat up properly

... couldnt resist to already give some recordings today:

Linto 1
https://www.dropbox.com/s/3y95hdgvzfsxg ... 3.mov?dl=0
Linto 2
https://www.dropbox.com/s/c5tfh7iqdilkf ... 0.mov?dl=0

„the other“ 1
https://www.dropbox.com/s/b6pi5f4wbq1fz ... 6.mov?dl=0
„the other“ 2
https://www.dropbox.com/s/xwoty9jx1t7nh ... 2.mov?dl=0

please also let me know which one is louder in your opinion to make me able to adjust the Sagatun to make it a better comparison (the other has a hight output than the Linto)

[Charlie1]

The prefer your 'other' already. Seems easier to follow as well as clearer.

[Defender]

yes in the beginning I was not sure if its just in Hifi terms and a trap lets see how it sounds with 24h powered on

[V.A.MKD]

I will come up with a comparison of phono stages:
Linto against „something else“ tomo to let the „something else“ heat up properly

... couldnt resist to already give some recordings today:

Linto 1
https://www.dropbox.com/s/3y95hdgvzfsxg ... 3.mov?dl=0
Linto 2
https://www.dropbox.com/s/c5tfh7iqdilkf ... 0.mov?dl=0

„the other“ 1
https://www.dropbox.com/s/b6pi5f4wbq1fz ... 6.mov?dl=0
„the other“ 2
https://www.dropbox.com/s/xwoty9jx1t7nh ... 2.mov?dl=0

please also let me know which one is louder in your opinion to make me able to adjust the Sagatun to make it a better comparison (the other has a hight output than the Linto)

I'm for the others ;-), I mean for 1 & 2 ...

"The Other" is better overall and have better synergy with the rest of the system ...

[V.A.MKD]

Sorry Defender, I don't report volume issue ...

[lejonklou]

I will come up with a comparison of phono stages:
Linto against „something else“ tomo to let the „something else“ heat up properly

... couldnt resist to already give some recordings today:

Linto 1
https://www.dropbox.com/s/3y95hdgvzfsxg ... 3.mov?dl=0
Linto 2
https://www.dropbox.com/s/c5tfh7iqdilkf ... 0.mov?dl=0

„the other“ 1
https://www.dropbox.com/s/b6pi5f4wbq1fz ... 6.mov?dl=0
„the other“ 2
https://www.dropbox.com/s/xwoty9jx1t7nh ... 2.mov?dl=0

please also let me know which one is louder in your opinion to make me able to adjust the Sagatun to make it a better comparison (the other has a hight output than the Linto)

I think Linto makes more sense of the music.