Charlie1's System

[beck]

I still prefer the 32.5/160 setups (both). I simply forget anything but the music the easiest.

[ThomasOK]

OK, definitely the last one now (out of dropbox space anyway) - added to bottom :D

Oak plinth/Krystal/32.5/CB160: https://www.dropbox.com/s/wzjedz47kld05 ... 3.mp4?dl=0
Oak plinth/Krystal/12/BD160: https://www.dropbox.com/s/o4a53re50r9tf ... 0.mp4?dl=0
Oak plinth/Krystal/42.5/110/Krystal: https://www.dropbox.com/s/kwluks66yl3ig ... 2.mp4?dl=0
Both decks have black liner bearing, late Elos 2 and same Lingo 1

First track: U2
Second track: U0.9
Third track: U1.6 (rather surprisingly, maybe they benefit from the metal floor reflectors :-) )

[ThomasOK]

OK, definitely the last one now (out of dropbox space anyway) - added to bottom :D

Oak plinth/Krystal/32.5/CB160: https://www.dropbox.com/s/wzjedz47kld05 ... 3.mp4?dl=0

Ash plinth/Adikt/Nait: https://www.dropbox.com/s/dz2k0v5ytlpcz ... 7.mp4?dl=0
Ash plinth/Adikt/32.5/CB160: https://www.dropbox.com/s/nrhouh9v7jpw0 ... 9.mp4?dl=0

Both decks have black liner bearing, late Elos 2 and same Lingo 1

NAIT is kind of fun but definitely lacking in foundation, 32.5/160 better, 32.5/160 Krystal best.

[Charlie1]

Thanks beck.

I certainly get that feeling on the last clip.

NAIT is kind of fun but definitely lacking in foundation,

I think that's a really good way to put it. 42.5/110 felt a bit like that too and 12/BD160 just felt like it couldnt keep up.

I think I prefer the balance of the 32.5/160/Adikt deck to the 32.5/160/Krystal deck.

[Spannko]

42.5/110/Krystal: https://www.dropbox.com/s/kwluks66yl3ig ... 2.mp4?dl=0
Nait/Adikt: https://www.dropbox.com/s/dz2k0v5ytlpcz ... 7.mp4?dl=0

I think the Saras are quite coloured so the amps sound even more similar than usual. Still, you can here the 42.5/110 is leaner and it's always had the tightest bass of the three pre/powers. Nait leaner again and the best balance so far but is it powerful enough?

I find the Nait/Adikt portrays rhythms and tunes more harmoniously.

[Spannko]

OK, definitely the last one now (out of dropbox space anyway) - added to bottom :D

Oak plinth/Krystal/32.5/CB160: https://www.dropbox.com/s/wzjedz47kld05 ... 3.mp4?dl=0
Oak plinth/Krystal/12/BD160: https://www.dropbox.com/s/o4a53re50r9tf ... 0.mp4?dl=0
Oak plinth/Krystal/42.5/110/Krystal: https://www.dropbox.com/s/kwluks66yl3ig ... 2.mp4?dl=0
Ash plinth/Adikt/Nait: https://www.dropbox.com/s/dz2k0v5ytlpcz ... 7.mp4?dl=0
Ash plinth/Adikt/32.5/CB160: https://www.dropbox.com/s/nrhouh9v7jpw0 ... 9.mp4?dl=0

Both decks have black liner bearing, late Elos 2 and same Lingo 1

1st track: U2
4th track: U2.1

[Charlie1]

Thanks everyone for all your valuable feedback. It really helps me a lot.

Settled on Adikt deck with 32.5/160. Nait was better in some ways but too lightweight for me.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/67szmyg915wus ... 7.mp4?dl=0

Saras can rock!...
https://www.dropbox.com/s/x8bncnbamcgzs ... 0.mp4?dl=0


Krystal deck works well with the Kan System and adds more flesh to the bone.

I did try the Snaps again. Same story as before, it does nice things to the sound but the music gets boring (by comparison).

[beck]

I am ready to buy. Where do I sign and how much? :-)

[Charlie1]

LOL

[Tony Tune-age]

Thanks everyone for all your valuable feedback. It really helps me a lot.

Settled on Adikt deck with 32.5/160. Nait was better in some ways but too lightweight for me.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/67szmyg915wus ... 7.mp4?dl=0

Saras can rock!...
https://www.dropbox.com/s/x8bncnbamcgzs ... 0.mp4?dl=0

Sara's can rock...period! A musician friend of my was given a pair of Sara 9's with the newer stands, which were originally purchased new by his brother. But in any case, they sound great and have no blemishes, dents, scratches or marks. He was using two Linn power amplifiers, either Chakra or Klouts. Although he may have replaced the power amplifiers recently. He didn't know if he should have his Linn amplifiers recapped or replaced.

It was the Sara 9 speakers that I wanted initially, they sounded great to me and were easier to set up properly! And all of your systems sound good, but with different sonic personalities. So the Adikt deck with 32.5/160 is a good choice for sure!

Cheers!

[Charlie1]

Cheers Tony! Yeah, Saras are so much easier to deal with. Still, your Briks will have much more scale. I mainly notice the difference on things like piano where Briks make it sound much bigger and more lifelike.

Must admit I'm a little curious how the originals sound that were designed by Martin Dalgliesh. Phil Hobbs did the Sara 9 crossover and looking online it appears not everyone was a fan at the time.

[Tony Tune-age]

Cheers Tony! Yeah, Saras are so much easier to deal with. Still, your Briks will have much more scale. I mainly notice the difference on things like piano where Briks make it sound much bigger and more lifelike.

Must admit I'm a little curious how the originals sound that were designed by Martin Dalgliesh. Phil Hobbs did the Sara 9 crossover and looking online it appears not everyone was a fan at the time.

That's correct, some liked the original Sara's better and some liked the Sara 9's better. And there are merits to both sides. The 9's might be a little trickier to run properly, and amplifier selection is very important for best sound. But sure, a pair of originals by Martin Dalgliesh would be very cool indeed!

[Charlie1]

Do you recall the sonic differences at all? I'm guessing the latter is more neutral but less engaging, if the Kan 1/Kan 2 is anything to go by.

[El Mero Mero]

The mids seem off on the SARAs. Like they are playing highs and lows but with mumbling in-between. Not as gelled as on the KANs.

[Tony Tune-age]

Do you recall the sonic differences at all? I'm guessing the latter is more neutral but less engaging, if the Kan 1/Kan 2 is anything to go by.

Actually, you do bring up some good questions. In fact, both the Kan's and Isobarik's are very similar examples of "version sonic differences." But it's not a straight line linier equation either. As you mentioned, things like crossovers and connectors have an influence (XLR & banana connectors, internal & external crossovers, number of crossovers, etc.).

So with the original Sara's the sound was very solid; great harmony, impressive bass for small speakers, musical and certainly enjoyable. The 9's were more detailed and almost as musical, but certainly not more musical. Also, the 9's sounded better with two amplifiers than it did with just one amplifier.

So the original Sara's are probably better sounding with one amplifier, than using one amplifier on the 9's. And many still liked the original Sara's more than using the 9's and two amplifiers. Of course people can always have different preferences too. Different stokes for different folks...

[Charlie1]

Thanks Tony!

[Charlie1]

The mids seem off on the SARAs. Like they are playing highs and lows but with mumbling in-between. Not as gelled as on the KANs.

I'd not noticed anything myself but not questioning what you're hearing. They certainly sound quite different to the Kan 1s I have.

[Charlie1]

Following Ron's advise, managed to move them by myself and without doing my back in.

The tweeters are now 148cm apart - about 8cm closer than Tony's.

Sounding better. Not as important as the Sara positioning so far but we'll see.

[tokenbrit]

Before & after clips on the way this weekend? ;)

For reference, how far apart were they before? (not finding on a quick look)

[Charlie1]

They were about a foot further apart.

I'm getting a pair of mm cards serviced so been using the Nait and didn't record a before clip to compare against so no clips for a change.

Once the 12/160 is back in action then ican share before and after :)

[Charlie1]

Several weeks ago a member asked for a clip of each system playing the same song. Sharing now that the main setup is sorted and I've also paid a bit more attention to detail with each setup (not my strength).

A couple of different tracks below. I've found that Samsung clips don't always work well when played back on a speaker, hence the different phones.

Bear in mind the Isobariks don't have a solid wall behind them. The wall behind the Kans is probably breeze block. And the Saras have a bass spike (room node?) to deal with so the rooms sound very different.

Best for headphones - recorded on Samsung phone
Study: https://www.dropbox.com/s/mbp5tkysgfqzv ... 8.mp4?dl=0
Office: https://www.dropbox.com/s/i8n90ng78zoqc ... 7.mp4?dl=0
Main: https://www.dropbox.com/s/h6f0gmn18wgy6 ... 5.mp4?dl=0

OK without headphones - recorded on iPhone
Study: https://www.dropbox.com/s/0gvjqrzea3kq2 ... 3.MOV?dl=0
Office: https://www.dropbox.com/s/0bb57955w0s0b ... 0.MOV?dl=0
Main: https://www.dropbox.com/s/8hh5t8j0y2h6z ... 5.MOV?dl=0

Study = Afro/Valhalla/Ittok LVIII/Adikt/42.5/110/K20/Kan 1
Office = Ash/Lingo 1/Ekos 2/Adikt/12/BD160/K20/Isobarik
Main = Oak/Lingo 2/Ekos 2/Troika/32.5/CB160/K20/Sara 9

All three decks built by Colin at WYSAH

There is no way I would have got here without your help so thank you very much.

[V.A.MKD]

Excellent Charlie1, all 3 are different in their own way, but anyway excellent ...

[beck]

I love the fact that you ended up with “vintage” gear Charlie1.

I love the musicality you get out of your systems.

In my head digital will never reach this kind of joyful reproduction whatever happens.

It has been an absolute joy to follow your journey for all these years.

Enjoy! :-)

[Tony Tune-age]

Good morning Charlie,

I've always thought your vintage systems sounded very musical. And you have provided some good ideas and options for other individuals that are building stereo systems as well...thanks for sharing!

Cheers

[Lego]

Thanks for that Charlie!

On track one without knowing what was at the front end etc I felt the Saras were boogying big-time compared to the others. On the 2nd track more emotion with the Briks. All 3 systems are sounding great.

In the study, I couldn't help noticing your shadow on the wall. I see you were wearing shoulder pads during the clips, nice touch.