Playground for practical listening exercises

[Charlie1]

Thanks gents.

I think it's between the Wakonda (better balance, more rhythmic) or the original Kairn (overly warm, more finesse / interest).

[lejonklou]

Wakonda vs Slimline PS Kairn vs Original toroidal PS Karin...
https://www.dropbox.com/s/fcrxqv0fr8hl1 ... 4.mp4?dl=0

I went back and forth several times and find the Slimline Kairn to be the least enjoyable. Then I find it difficult to choose between the in many ways better but too simplistic Wakonda and the tonally richer but also rather tired Kairn.

If pressed, I think I’d keep the Wakonda.

[lejonklou]

Here's just the two Kairns again (same order) playing Charlie's Classic Rock FM...
https://www.dropbox.com/s/5vgx64xb8kxuk ... 7.mp4?dl=0

I think the cymbals at the beginning have more sense of rhythm with the Toroidal (no 2).

I agree, but the Toroidal is also a little sloppy.

[Charlie1]

I agree, but the Toroidal is also a little sloppy.

Yep, agree - thanks for listening

Edit: Put back Wakonda and gonna stick with this and it's "broad brush strokes" musicality, but defo not saggy :) I suspect that old Linn pre-amps are not for me cos Darran cannot properly service them due to the surface mount components.

[Charlie1]

You know what all time classic mistake I've made don't you? - having mentioned it to other people on forums a hundred times :(

Sounding a little bit better now ;)

Obviously no one needs permission but feel free anyway to take the piss forever and a day!

[tokenbrit]

You know what all time classic mistake I've made don't you? - having mentioned it to other people on forums a hundred times :(

Sounding a little bit better now ;)

Obviously no one needs permission but feel free anyway to take the piss forever and a day!

I'm not in love [with the Kairns 🤔]
So don't forget it [oops, I did forget 🫣]
It's just a silly phase I'm going through 🤣

[Charlie1]

Very good!! :D

[Charlie1]

Slim Jim
https://www.dropbox.com/s/34s2yqy3obxwo ... 1.mp4?dl=0

Original flavour
https://www.dropbox.com/s/lbac1h8ioftof ... 5.mp4?dl=0

[tokenbrit]

Slim Jim
https://www.dropbox.com/s/34s2yqy3obxwo ... 1.mp4?dl=0

Original flavour
https://www.dropbox.com/s/lbac1h8ioftof ... 5.mp4?dl=0

Funny how they are much closer now - Jim must have been more fazed by the mistake... Still think the original shades it on fun factor tho'; Slim forgot to enjoy himself :?

[beck]

I tried a “Slim Jim” Kairn together with a 2250 Linn amp before my present setup and did not get on with it…..

[Charlie1]

Funny how they are much closer now - Jim must have been more fazed by the mistake... Still think the original shades it on fun factor tho'; Slim forgot to enjoy himself :?

Yes, much closer and both now sound a lot better than the Wakonda so that's progress :D

Think I'll side with Slim Jim cos I think it favours the sort of music I play late at night and cos it's really a bit too warm and congested sounding with the original. Slim provides a bit of vinegar.

[Tendaberry]

Slim Jim
https://www.dropbox.com/s/34s2yqy3obxwo ... 1.mp4?dl=0

Original flavour
https://www.dropbox.com/s/lbac1h8ioftof ... 5.mp4?dl=0

Slim Jim gets my head boppin'

[ThomasOK]

They both sound pretty good. SlimJim digs into the music more. Original is nice too but a bit soft, warm and congested - still fairly tuneful but I'm leaning to the SiMPSon.

[Charlie1]

Thanks gents!

[Offerdal]

Will start a serie of clips to help me get the last out of the system. What Do you think of these, happy for your comments
A vs B

A1
https://www.dropbox.com/s/0lhbbrtxn6qxfkq/A1.mov?dl=0

A2
https://www.dropbox.com/s/bl16xi719ni2ece/A2.mov?dl=0

B1
https://www.dropbox.com/s/xbql68sdzq1x9bc/B1.mov?dl=0

B2
https://www.dropbox.com/s/i5ch6b3g8d0dsby/B2.mov?dl=0

[Charlie1]

A1/A2 is my preference

Are they Kabers?

[Offerdal]

Thanks
Yes, active kabers

[tokenbrit]

Thanks
Yes, active kabers

Ah, that might explain my difficulty - I prefer passive, so maybe I'm not the right person to comment :?

For me, the timing seems a bit off in the A clips, which seems to simplify & subtract from the music - it's easy to listen but doesn't grab me. The B clips sound more together but a bit edgy, making more of the music, but over emphasizing elements, which I find distracting... For what it's worth, I found myself listening longer to the B clips, but not being captivated (sorry)

Maybe it's the complexities of an active setup, trying to get everything to gel. Both setups feel a little compromised, as if you're still a tweak or two away from getting either to sing. I don't know what changes you made to say whether you can continue tweaking B, or revert to A & try different tweaks.

[Spannko]

A clips win, without a doubt!

Have you replaced the Linn tweeters with Hiquphon’s? My old active Kabers with Klouts didn’t sound as good as yours!

[Offerdal]

Thanks
Its a early pair with the Hiquphon D20-LP-1 tweeter from production

[Spannko]

Thanks
Its a early pair with the Hiquphon D20-LP-1 tweeter from production

Sweet!

[lejonklou]

Will start a serie of clips to help me get the last out of the system. What Do you think of these, happy for your comments
A vs B

A1
https://www.dropbox.com/s/0lhbbrtxn6qxfkq/A1.mov?dl=0

A2
https://www.dropbox.com/s/bl16xi719ni2ece/A2.mov?dl=0

B1
https://www.dropbox.com/s/xbql68sdzq1x9bc/B1.mov?dl=0

B2
https://www.dropbox.com/s/i5ch6b3g8d0dsby/B2.mov?dl=0

I found this a difficult one.

There’s something fresh about B, but I also find it easier to connect with A on a more basic level. Can I have the best both, please?

[Tendaberry]

A1/A2 is my preference

Are they Kabers?

I prefer A as well, to me it's clear when the piano comes in early in the A-songs. There's something off about it in the b-version.

[Offerdal]

I am testing different tables under my LP12. I Will continue until the best one has been deside. Sometimes I Will let ”the Winner” meet a new one, and sometimes there Will be two new ones.
A: was mana referens table (2 levels)
B: was mana table (1 level)

System: klimax LP12 (but ekos 2 with Goldring Troika), Urika 1, KK/2, kaber tunebox, 3x klout, active kaber.

[Offerdal]

Here is a new one. Always happy for your comments

C1
https://www.dropbox.com/s/7nrdiut6tq5v67e/C1.mov?dl=0

C2
https://www.dropbox.com/s/pn5l09u3swqkctk/C2.mov?dl=0

D1
https://www.dropbox.com/s/bph1r2uhxmtn6d7/D1.mov?dl=0

D2
https://www.dropbox.com/s/jfjyahtub6krk6g/D2.mov?dl=0