Playground for practical listening exercises

[Charlie1]

I like the “fatter” laid back sound from my first “Blue” clip. I find it more fulfilling in some ways.

I think it's a sound that suits the laid back style of that song, that's all. However, it's harder to follow the instruments and likely to be less satisfying across all your listening.

I think musicians and producers could use that 'laid back' presentation for artistic purposes, but for us, on the other side of the fence, we're better off sticking to what's easier to understand and having faith that this will pay dividends across all our listening. I think if you start picking certain options to suit certain music styles, or artists, or formats, then it's not going to work out so well in the long term.

[beck]

I like the “fatter” laid back sound from my first “Blue” clip. I find it more fulfilling in some ways.

I think it's a sound that suits the laid back style of that song, that's all. However, it's harder to follow the instruments and likely to be less satisfying across all your listening.

I think musicians and producers could use that 'laid back' presentation for artistic purposes, but for us, on the other side of the fence, we have to just stick to what's easier to understand and have faith that this will pay dividends across all our listening. I think if you start picking certain options to suit certain music styles, or artists, or formats, then it's not going to work out very well in the long term.

On the above we can only agree!

The thing is that my backing in this chase is not based on my clips above. It is based on listening to as many as possible of my records that I have had time to listen to.

Not going into detail yet I am still open and trying to understand what is going on with my system......

[lejonklou]

Some comparisons:

T2.2 = https://www.dropbox.com/s/ljqxxyx5ldr5q ... 7.MOV?dl=0
T2.5 = https://www.dropbox.com/s/q8fom9kc0z6ku ... 6.MOV?dl=0

T2.2 = https://www.dropbox.com/s/vp1lb8rhlwqde ... 1.MOV?dl=0
T2.5 = https://www.dropbox.com/s/u48w8ir021ucm ... 3.MOV?dl=0

T2.2 = https://www.dropbox.com/s/5s90aibtt7t04 ... 6.MOV?dl=0
T2.5 = https://www.dropbox.com/s/xd411zvwcu7ti ... 4.MOV?dl=0

Daft Punk (does have enough bass in the room, but doesn't come through on the clip for some reason) = https://www.dropbox.com/s/8kcaqa6q7wos7 ... 5.MOV?dl=0

Warning: don't be swayed by T2.2's romantic fairy dust sprinkle :)

Great clips!

I can easily dive into the music and really feel the difference between Tundra 2.2 and 2.5 on them.

Recorded on a telephone, replayed on a telephone - it's difficult to understand how it's possible...

[Ozzzy189]

I take it you are using headphones into the phone to listen?

[lejonklou]

I take it you are using headphones into the phone to listen?

Always. I can't stand the tiny speaker in the phone, it's unbearable.

[Ozzzy189]

I take it you are using headphones into the phone to listen?

Always. I can't stand the tiny speaker in the phone, it's unbearable.

... And pretty impossible to tell. Which ones do you use? The iPhone ones?

[lejonklou]

I take it you are using headphones into the phone to listen?

Always. I can't stand the tiny speaker in the phone, it's unbearable.

... And pretty impossible to tell. Which ones do you use? The iPhone ones?

Mostly Bose Quietcomfort 35. When the difference between clips isn't obvious, I change to original Apple earpods. They are a little easier to hear a difference with.

[Ozzzy189]

Those bose, dey look da shit man!
Lol.
In all seriousness if I used headphones a lot, I'd love something like those. I always look at senheiser, grado or akg though. Nice

[lejonklou]

They sound better than you'd expect!

But the main benefit and the reason for my purchase is the noise cancellation. When flying, it's the most common model of noise cancelling headphones from what I can tell. Lots of people wear them.

Sorry for going off-topic!

[Spannko]

I find the iPad Pro to be excellent for listening to the clips. It has 4 speakers, which really helps to fill out the bottom end. Those 10 x 5mm drivers can really move some air ! :-)

I occasionally use the Apple buds too. For only £20, I find them to be OK. Not excellent, but good enough and overall better than most headphones I've heard (which I consider to be generally awful!). If the bass was a bit more tuneful, they'd be quite good.

[beck]

I think these last relevant posts should be moved to the “Guide to the playground” tread! :-)

[Spannko]

Yes, good idea! I really should learn to control myself! :-)

[Charlie1]

Refurbished Nait 1 (Class A) vs Naim-serviced Nait 5i below. The Nait 1 only arrived today, so it might not have been used much since the work on it a month or so ago. I'm having to use a tiny Din-to-RCA adaptor cos I have Urika. It's not the 'supposedly' superior red LED earlier version. The 5i has had a fair amount of use since its check up early this year.

Both Naits were powered on for a couple of hours first. Tried to approximate the same volume as best as I could. I will only keep one of them.

Nait 1:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/acuppa6c1s9px ... 9.MOV?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/hzdion2gb56ur ... 0.MOV?dl=0

Nait 5:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/dgdsd6bv6nqqr ... 6.MOV?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/jf5zpbeg6y947 ... 7.MOV?dl=0

For reference, here's the KK1D and Tundra 2.5:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/7ex8d6ptbz3mw ... 9.MOV?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/knb0vse98ptlr ... 0.MOV?dl=0

[beck]

I am a Nait 1 fan..........

[Lego]

Nait 5 sounds broken ,Nait 1 probably Naims best amp :0) Reference is very good ,but front end is star of the show

[Charlie1]

I think that pesky Nait 1 has the most boogie and rhythm out of all three. I did pick that track on purpose to try and expose that side of music. Even just the drum intro is enough for me to decide.

However, I find the KK/Tundra more tuneful and has more vocal nuances / expressiveness. I much prefer "Fields of Gold' on this setup.

Agree with you Lego about the 5i. It's been good with uptempo rock, but falls on its backside in this company.

[Spannko]

I think you’ve doubled the value of Nait 1’s overnight, Charlie1! :-)

I remember thinking that the Creek CAS4140 S2 was even better than the Nait! I’ve got a couple of 4040’s and a 4140 if you want to try one, but none of them have been serviced so I don’t know how good they are.

[anthony]

I think you’ve doubled the value of Nait 1’s overnight, Charlie1! :-)

I remember thinking that the Creek CAS4140 S2 was even better than the Nait! I’ve got a couple of 4040’s and a 4140 if you want to try one, but none of them have been serviced so I don’t know how good they are.

I worked at Studio 99 in the 80s we used to sell several rega, creek and heybrook hb1 systems every Saturday.
It was also one of the biggest Linn Naim dealers, my Lp12 Naim 32 135 Isobarik system was a result of my time there.
The creek 4040 and matching tuner were excellent

[ThomasOK]

I may be a bit controversial here but I preferred the before clip on the Joni Mitchell track. The after track sounded to me like the string instrument was a bit our of tune and I liked the lilt of her voice better on before.

[beck]

I may be a bit controversial here but I preferred the before clip on the Joni Mitchell track. The after track sounded to me like the string instrument was a bit our of tune and I liked the lilt of her voice better on before.

If it is my clips you are talking about I agree! :-)

[Charlie1]

Mmm, maybe I do as well now.

[ThomasOK]

Refurbished Nait 1 (Class A) vs Naim-serviced Nait 5i below. The Nait 1 only arrived today, so it might not have been used much since the work on it a month or so ago. I'm having to use a tiny Din-to-RCA adaptor cos I have Urika. It's not the 'supposedly' superior red LED earlier version. The 5i has had a fair amount of use since its check up early this year.

Both Naits were powered on for a couple of hours first. Tried to approximate the same volume as best as I could. I will only keep one of them.

Nait 1:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/acuppa6c1s9px ... 9.MOV?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/hzdion2gb56ur ... 0.MOV?dl=0

Nait 5:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/dgdsd6bv6nqqr ... 6.MOV?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/jf5zpbeg6y947 ... 7.MOV?dl=0

For reference, here's the KK1D and Tundra 2.5:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/7ex8d6ptbz3mw ... 9.MOV?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/knb0vse98ptlr ... 0.MOV?dl=0

Well, there's no question the NAIT 5i falls on its face, the NAIT 1 is easily more musical, but I find the KK/Tundra 2.5 to boogie better than either of the others-it was the setup that made me want to dance to Superstition. Indeed on the second clip I didn't even feel like going past the into on the NAIT 5i, with the NAIT 1 it was good but it made me want to listen to the original Sting version, on the KK/T2.5 I no longer cared to hear the original version - I just wanted to listen. With all these clips I keep wondering what they would be like with a Sagatun in the mix?

[ThomasOK]

I, too, am a fan of the early Creek units. My sister is still running a system with Creek 4040/3040 and a pair of original Wharfedale Diamonds I sold her back in 1985, which she originally ran with a Rega Planar 3. She stopped doing vinyl and gifted the turntable to another sister. A third sister got the Heybrook HB1s with a Rotel receiver and a Rega 2 which she has passed down to her daughter. (Can't necessarily even get your own family to follow the hierarchy.)

A also just took a 4140S2 in for repair/refurb. I told the owner I felt it was definitely worth the cost vs. getting a new unit.

[beck]

Now to the second part of my investigation. Two clips with a digital recording with the same two setups of my Ekos:

Before: https://www.dropbox.com/s/wx81mcqe4m5x3 ... 5.mov?dl=0

After: https://www.dropbox.com/s/d3y1wlzyc3o9y ... 7.mov?dl=0

I hear it as if the digital recording likes my after setup better. With analog I prefer the before setup (Blue record clips earlier).

Listen and comment.

[Charlie1]

I enjoy the first clip more cos it flows more easily for me.

First clip sounds softer and more analogue. Second clip sounds clearer and more defined.