What’s your Hi-Fi set up? spec and pictures please
Discussion
ian996 said:
The dual PSU is an interesting one. The standard configuration has two 2KVA transformers (one per channel) in the shared case. I know the dual PSU was a kind of bespoke option, and I imagine it is wired with each of the 2KVA transformers feeding one half of the bridged circuit, so two transformers per monoblock (I'm guessing here - I can't imagine it's just one transformer and a lot of air in each case but, with MF, you never know).
My PSU has been upgraded with a pair of higher quality 3KVA transformers which are absolutely , totally silent (the originals used to hum very slightly on my 245+ volt supply). The original spec does not double output into halved impedence - the twin PSUs might get closer to this, but I have a feeling it would be a theoretical rather than a practical gain in real-world usage!
Musical Fidelity originally pushed the message that it was an advantage to have both channels in one PSU case, as the "zero volts" would be the same for both channels - similar to linking all your casework to a single earth I guess.
I think the serviced Pre-amp might be a bigger benefit than the dual PSU....the 5703 valves are long-lasting, but its probably good to have them replaced as the originals would now be about 15 years old. They are available, but its not a trivial job to replace them, due to each pre-amp channel being contained in its own internal copper case.
Overall, I love the amps - as standard, I don't think they are quite as musical as the big Karan's (and slightly less warm and fluid than the Nu_Vista amps) , but they image like nothing else which may or may not be important to you. For the cost of a 2nd hand pair, I would think they represent sky-high value. Power amps are reputed to be very reliable, with the weak point being the op-amps in the driver stage. I've had mine updated with plug in sockets, so if one goes, its a quick fix. Only real issue I've had with the pre is that the source select can get a bit confused if you leave the pre-amp on all the time (It cycles through inputs when you switch on, but if it doesn't get switched on and off, I think the contacts get a bit dirty.
Only real downside is that they are B*****d heavy - they are a genuine pain to shift around.
Excellent information, thanks.My PSU has been upgraded with a pair of higher quality 3KVA transformers which are absolutely , totally silent (the originals used to hum very slightly on my 245+ volt supply). The original spec does not double output into halved impedence - the twin PSUs might get closer to this, but I have a feeling it would be a theoretical rather than a practical gain in real-world usage!
Musical Fidelity originally pushed the message that it was an advantage to have both channels in one PSU case, as the "zero volts" would be the same for both channels - similar to linking all your casework to a single earth I guess.
I think the serviced Pre-amp might be a bigger benefit than the dual PSU....the 5703 valves are long-lasting, but its probably good to have them replaced as the originals would now be about 15 years old. They are available, but its not a trivial job to replace them, due to each pre-amp channel being contained in its own internal copper case.
Overall, I love the amps - as standard, I don't think they are quite as musical as the big Karan's (and slightly less warm and fluid than the Nu_Vista amps) , but they image like nothing else which may or may not be important to you. For the cost of a 2nd hand pair, I would think they represent sky-high value. Power amps are reputed to be very reliable, with the weak point being the op-amps in the driver stage. I've had mine updated with plug in sockets, so if one goes, its a quick fix. Only real issue I've had with the pre is that the source select can get a bit confused if you leave the pre-amp on all the time (It cycles through inputs when you switch on, but if it doesn't get switched on and off, I think the contacts get a bit dirty.
Only real downside is that they are B*****d heavy - they are a genuine pain to shift around.
It’s looking like the serviced set with single PSU for the monoblocks is the one to go for.
I’ve just sold an EAD power amp which weighs 56Kg so I know how awkward this sort of weight can be - it’s not so much the outright weight, rather the concentrated dense box you’re scared to damage or mark.
That was a genuine 8 X 300 in 8Ohms almost doubling down at 4 and 2 Ohms all with a single 2KVA transformer so I’m guessing standard MF PSU will be sufficient driving benign 8Ohm speakers with 2KVA per channel.
Think I’ll make some enquiries about the servicing.
Thanks again.
ian996 said:
Only real downside is that they are B*****d heavy - they are a genuine pain to shift around.
All things being well I’ll be finding out tomorrow just how much of a pain it is.I blame you for piquing my interest in the kind of amps I thought I’d moved on from so, thanks for that!
Genuine thanks for the earlier detailed replies - the recent service to the KWP including replacement valves, relays and a check over the things you mentioned.
The amps were deemed in fine fettle so were left alone.
Who did your fettling on the PSU? Back home to Wembley or the well regarded ‘JS’?
Edited by legzr1 on Saturday 24th November 20:25
Fermit and Sarah said:
Has any one any experience of these (it's a Sennheiser DSP Pro) it's a headphone Pro-Logic processor.
23 years ago I had a brief stint working at Nottingham Hi-Fi Centre (a great place for any Midlander Hi-Fi nuts BTW) and was given a listen to this. It blew my mind, that you could listen to cans, and hear things in front of you, behind you etc. Coupled with my trusty HD600's ideal for the job too.
One came up on the bay for £80, so I impulse bought it.
There's a bit I'm unsure of. I have an Arcam R-DAC (?) headphone amp. My Tag AV3200R doesn't have a headphone port. I've Googled with not much luck, trying to find out if this serves as a headphone amp for music (CD's) too. I saw a friend last night who has a Mourdant Short hi-fi, and she moaned that it doesn't have a headphone port. I figured I could pass it on to her if this will do the job as well.
Techmoan covered the dsp in this video. 23 years ago I had a brief stint working at Nottingham Hi-Fi Centre (a great place for any Midlander Hi-Fi nuts BTW) and was given a listen to this. It blew my mind, that you could listen to cans, and hear things in front of you, behind you etc. Coupled with my trusty HD600's ideal for the job too.
One came up on the bay for £80, so I impulse bought it.
There's a bit I'm unsure of. I have an Arcam R-DAC (?) headphone amp. My Tag AV3200R doesn't have a headphone port. I've Googled with not much luck, trying to find out if this serves as a headphone amp for music (CD's) too. I saw a friend last night who has a Mourdant Short hi-fi, and she moaned that it doesn't have a headphone port. I figured I could pass it on to her if this will do the job as well.
Edited by Fermit and Sarah on Monday 19th November 10:26
https://youtu.be/3Ll-o4JttQk
Hope you find it of interest.
Getting there, just waiting for longer umbilicals to arrive to get the PSU for the mono-blocks off the floor.
Then the search for a rack to handle the weight. Thinking of some granite slabs for now.
KWs have grabbed the 800Ds by the balls making the sub in the corner just about redundant.
Mine is definitely at the bottom of the budget range, although it does what I want for now. It is all located in my relatively small study, so even at very low volume, it fills the room easily.
Cambridge Audio SR10 Amp
Cambridge Audio CD10 CD Player
Cambridge Audio DacMagic Plus
Raspberry Pi with Runeaudio hosting my NAS music library via USB to the DacMagic
Q Acoustics 3020 Speakers
beyerdynamic DT 770 Headphones
I am considering a (budget) Sub as well, since I listen to a lot of dance music.
At some point I would like to replace the amp with something "better", but really, I have no idea what and I could easily see myself spending a huge amount. Some of the stuff on show in this thread is amazing.
Cambridge Audio SR10 Amp
Cambridge Audio CD10 CD Player
Cambridge Audio DacMagic Plus
Raspberry Pi with Runeaudio hosting my NAS music library via USB to the DacMagic
Q Acoustics 3020 Speakers
beyerdynamic DT 770 Headphones
I am considering a (budget) Sub as well, since I listen to a lot of dance music.
At some point I would like to replace the amp with something "better", but really, I have no idea what and I could easily see myself spending a huge amount. Some of the stuff on show in this thread is amazing.
legzr1 said:
The recent service to the KWP including replacement valves, relays and a check over the things you mentioned.
The amps were deemed in fine fettle so were left alone.
Who did your fettling on the PSU? Back home to Wembley or the well regarded ‘JS’?
Apologies for the delayed reply - JS has done all the work on my pre and power amps. He has upgraded pretty much everything that can be upgraded within mine, and has a pretty good idea of what gives the best return on investment. The amps were deemed in fine fettle so were left alone.
Who did your fettling on the PSU? Back home to Wembley or the well regarded ‘JS’?
I was wondering what speakers you were going to drive with the KW, 800D would fit the bill nicely!
Brads67 said:
Project Debut Carbon
Onkyo A9010
Acoustic energy AE1
Crappy pic I know but hey ho.
Sounds much better than it`s total price would suggest.
Well that's an ideal recipe for feedback, woolly sound and hum.Onkyo A9010
Acoustic energy AE1
Crappy pic I know but hey ho.
Sounds much better than it`s total price would suggest.
The amount of hum that must be induced into that turntable by standing it on top of the amp....
And then the coupling of the turntable to the speakers via the cabinet...
If you bought a proper rack for that, and a decent pair of speaker stands, you'd really find out what your system is capable of.
ian996 said:
Apologies for the delayed reply - JS has done all the work on my pre and power amps. He has upgraded pretty much everything that can be upgraded within mine, and has a pretty good idea of what gives the best return on investment.
I was wondering what speakers you were going to drive with the KW, 800D would fit the bill nicely!
No need to apologise - I’ve been busy listening anyway I was wondering what speakers you were going to drive with the KW, 800D would fit the bill nicely!
I thought JS was the ‘man’. I spoke to him years ago about the possibility of doing something with my 308 power amp and he’s currently making up the longer umbilicals so I’ve got more options for placement.
I’ll be honest, I’m not looking forward to moving it all around again. Granite slabs for the amps to sit on and PSU on top of those for now I think although I’m a bit wary of placing trannies of that size so close to the amps - defeats the whole 2-box approach.
The weight has an interesting and welcome side affect too - I have no boxes or crates so getting any of it down to him would be a nightmare - money saved!
Not to worry, I’ll just make sure I don’t walk into the PSU on the floor, in bare feet. Again. It hurts. Ask me how I know...
The remote control.
Stupid.
Thanks for your replies, much appreciated.
Unless a Boulder/Magico set comes up for around 1% of original cost I think I’m done now. Although there’s those rare as anything Adam actives that I deliberated over for far too long until they sold.
Never ends does it?
TonyRPH said:
Well that's an ideal recipe for feedback, woolly sound and hum.
The amount of hum that must be induced into that turntable by standing it on top of the amp....
And then the coupling of the turntable to the speakers via the cabinet...
If you bought a proper rack for that, and a decent pair of speaker stands, you'd really find out what your system is capable of.
Yes, not ideal, but the speakers are on isolators so not so much in the way of vibration through the cabinet.The amount of hum that must be induced into that turntable by standing it on top of the amp....
And then the coupling of the turntable to the speakers via the cabinet...
If you bought a proper rack for that, and a decent pair of speaker stands, you'd really find out what your system is capable of.
No feedback sound doesn`t seem wooly , but I`m aware it`s needing properly sorted.
Playing a first pressing of Curtis Mayfields Superfly, it still sounds f
king ace though 
Edited by Brads67 on Thursday 29th November 16:30
artdealer said:
Chrome bumper Nait 2 looks in lovely nick - very collectable now. I've got an immaculate 1988 Olive Nait 2 currently not used since upgrade.
Thanks Chap, they are great little boxes and a keeper in my analogue system...make sure you give yours a little love from time to time 
legzr1 said:
Getting there, just waiting for longer umbilicals to arrive to get the PSU for the mono-blocks off the floor.
Then the search for a rack to handle the weight. Thinking of some granite slabs for now.
KWs have grabbed the 800Ds by the balls making the sub in the corner just about redundant.
Itsallicanafford said:
...this is insane, i would pay good money to play my favourite tracks on this set-up...
Ha! Thanks.I thought exactly the same looking at some of the systems here.
I’d really like to hear a top-notch valve system - all analogue, selected by someone who knows what they’re doing playing through large mega- sensitive speakers with lightweight paper drivers. Instant micro dynamics and warmth - 5W/channel max. Would make a great comparison to what I’ve ended up with and, no doubts whatsoever, would better it in certain areas.
Where are you based? I’ve got no problem playing a few tunes with like-minded folk. The only danger is that time passes so quickly. The seller of the KWs was only meant to be here fo quickly drop them off but we ended up still playing stuff 4 hours later. It only ended after my daughter rang reminding me I was supposed to be picking her up...
The buyer of my old Kefs travelled from the IOM and almost missed his ferry back after sitting listening and chatting for half a day!!
I have an old AR turntable I bought new over 30 years ago. It hasn’t been used in 15 years but now I’ve got a decent SUT built into the pre I might give it a go. Not sure where I’ve stored my vinyl though....
legzr1 said:
Itsallicanafford said:
...this is insane, i would pay good money to play my favourite tracks on this set-up...
Ha! Thanks.I thought exactly the same looking at some of the systems here.
I’d really like to hear a top-notch valve system - all analogue, selected by someone who knows what they’re doing playing through large mega- sensitive speakers with lightweight paper drivers. Instant micro dynamics and warmth - 5W/channel max. Would make a great comparison to what I’ve ended up with and, no doubts whatsoever, would better it in certain areas.
Where are you based? I’ve got no problem playing a few tunes with like-minded folk. The only danger is that time passes so quickly. The seller of the KWs was only meant to be here fo quickly drop them off but we ended up still playing stuff 4 hours later. It only ended after my daughter rang reminding me I was supposed to be picking her up...
The buyer of my old Kefs travelled from the IOM and almost missed his ferry back after sitting listening and chatting for half a day!!
I have an old AR turntable I bought new over 30 years ago. It hasn’t been used in 15 years but now I’ve got a decent SUT built into the pre I might give it a go. Not sure where I’ve stored my vinyl though....
I’m going to have to make do with the 12wpc of the nait!
MIKE said:
Finally had the last of my BXI sound absorbtion acoustic panels arrive. Think I'm done with upgrades for a while.
Nice setup but the screen does look a little dwarfed by the rest of the kit. Possibly one more upgrade to squeeze in? Edited by toasty on Saturday 29th December 18:29
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