Hawkeye83's systems
- Thread starter Hawkeye83
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Hawkeye83
Super Member
Thanks Dave! Yeah I'm really happy with all the speakers in my "stable" right now. I think my goal is to get down to one system to reduce the monetary outlay I've got going on, but it would/will be really hard to choose between the KEF's, Tannoy's, and RCA's, when that day comes. They are all special in their own way.
david1111
Barba non facit philosophum
That will definitely be a tough decision. And I don't know why its so especially difficult with speakers, but I always just want to think of reasons to hang on to them. Maybe it's cuz the sound difference is so immediately noticeable, compared to other components.
I have a pair of nice, cherry veneer Polks that I just got for cheap, that I was going to pass/sell on; but they make classical sound so good, that I'm trying to keep them now. Weird.
Dave
Hawkeye83
Super Member
I think you hit the nail on the head, Dave. The sound is so completely different! Many "flavors" of good between the 3 sets I currently have (and others I have had in the past). Whereas changing an amp or preamp is quite a bit more subtle, at least to my ears. Not saying no difference, just more subtle. Speakers make a HUGE difference! These RCA's are a bit like the Quad 57's I've had in the way that sometimes you think they sound like garbage and then the next minute/song you think they are the greatest thing you've ever heard, LOL! They are ALL midrange, but pretty amazing midrange at that! The KEF's and Tannoy's also have really good/great midrange, but definitely go higher and lower. Ugh, I'm going to have to keep them all! Haha.
On a side note, my cat pushed in a few of the bumps on the RCA's, not thrilled about that. Need to get them in some taller cabinets to keep them away from her. Trying to decide whether to try pushing any of the bumps back out.
Great looking setups. After becoming an RCA LC-1 "convert" a few years ago, I've got a few thoughts pertaining to the RCA drivers.
RCA LC-1 drivers have great midrange but are by no means ALL midrange, at least not stock versions. My LC-1Bs have great bass, the LC-1 originals, solid bass and the highs on all of my LC-1s (originals and Bs) are excellent as well. I have experienced CDs or records that don't sound good but have attributed it to poor source quality, thus far at least. The good news is that your initial impression is that the RCA's are holding their own. If the surrounds have not been re-broken in, you haven't yet heard nearly how good they can sound. That and the fact that if you listen at low levels, the LC-1s will really surprise you with how good they sound, even before they're broken in but more so after those old, hard, paper surrounds loosen up.
For a more fair comparison of the RCAs to the other speakers, the tweeter of the LC-1s should be around ear level in your listening position, which I'm sure you already know, and to get the bass you seem to be missing, you'll need larger volume cabinets. I've found that approximately 10 cu. ft. cabinets seem to sound the best but, to be honest, I fell in love with them in 6.6 cu. ft. cabinets before I upped the volume and realized that was just what they needed to make them sound better. They sounded even better after I had replicas made of the RCA LS-11 cabinets. But, the 10 cu.ft. boxes I'd been using were homemade (and I'm NOT a cabinetmaker, by any means) and are nowhere near as sturdy and "dead" as the LS-11 cabinets I had made to RCA specs by a local cabinet maker. I also think the port looks a bit small on those cabinets, which is probably helping to minimize the bass as well.
Enjoy!!
RCA LC-1 drivers have great midrange but are by no means ALL midrange, at least not stock versions. My LC-1Bs have great bass, the LC-1 originals, solid bass and the highs on all of my LC-1s (originals and Bs) are excellent as well. I have experienced CDs or records that don't sound good but have attributed it to poor source quality, thus far at least. The good news is that your initial impression is that the RCA's are holding their own. If the surrounds have not been re-broken in, you haven't yet heard nearly how good they can sound. That and the fact that if you listen at low levels, the LC-1s will really surprise you with how good they sound, even before they're broken in but more so after those old, hard, paper surrounds loosen up.
For a more fair comparison of the RCAs to the other speakers, the tweeter of the LC-1s should be around ear level in your listening position, which I'm sure you already know, and to get the bass you seem to be missing, you'll need larger volume cabinets. I've found that approximately 10 cu. ft. cabinets seem to sound the best but, to be honest, I fell in love with them in 6.6 cu. ft. cabinets before I upped the volume and realized that was just what they needed to make them sound better. They sounded even better after I had replicas made of the RCA LS-11 cabinets. But, the 10 cu.ft. boxes I'd been using were homemade (and I'm NOT a cabinetmaker, by any means) and are nowhere near as sturdy and "dead" as the LS-11 cabinets I had made to RCA specs by a local cabinet maker. I also think the port looks a bit small on those cabinets, which is probably helping to minimize the bass as well.
Enjoy!!
I'm not sure the taller cabinets will keep the cats from "reaching out" to your speakers. I ended up using "pet screen" for grill cloth, it's very open, to the point that I can't really hear a difference with the grills off or on, and the cats can't hurt it or touch the speakers.
Hawkeye83
Super Member
Thanks so much for that feedback! Already enjoying
They will be moved to my office for awhile now. I am going to try both of these to power them in my office.
Quad VA-One integrated tube amp
http://quad-hifi.co.uk/product-detail.php?pid=41
FX Audio tube preamp and Allo Volt Class D amp
https://www.amazon.com/FX-Audio-TUBE-01-Preamplifier-Black/dp/B01HEQJGPC
https://www.allo.com/sparky/volt-plus-d-amp.html
Should be an interesting comparison! Yes, they are holding their own, for sure. In my opinion, they are not up against any slouches either, in the Tannoy or KEF's. To me so far, they may sound the most "realistic" but also the most veiled, if that makes sense. They don't sound THAT veiled, just in comparison to the other speakers. It's like the performers are a bit downfield and behind a sheet or blanket. Once you get used to that "presentation"...and it does take a minute...you are amazed at how they sound! That's my take on it anyway. Hard to explain. Just less high frequency energy and less "immediate"/forward than the KEF's and Tannoys. Yet also, more believable.
Definitely due for some experimenting. These RCA drivers deserve it, I can tell that!
I do also plan on building LS-11 replica cabinets. Can I ask how much yours cost to make? (You can PM me if you want). If you have any info on the "RCA specs" I'll take that as well. I did find some brochures with cabinet dimensions, but if you have anything beyond that, I'm all ears.
I am basically envisioning this, with or without grille cloth:
I did have plans but ended up taking an original LS-11 cabinet to the cabinetmaker for him to use as a model, mainly because the original I found was different from the plans I found online, not drastically but there were no feet on the plans but there are feet like those in the ones you have pictured on all the examples I've seen so far.
What I paid for the cabinets I have wasn't enough! I first showed the guy the plans and shortly thereafter brought the original cabinet to him and he gave me a quote that seemed much too low. Upon completion and delivery he told me he wouldn't be making any more and I told him that was too bad as I wanted another pair and have some friends who were interested in a pair each. He then rephrased his comment to, "okay, I won't be doing any more for the price I quoted you." I told him to charge me what he considered a fair price and I'd be fine paying it. He then said, no, he quoted me that price and he'll stand by that but if I want anymore, they're going to cost 2-1/2 to 3 times what I paid for the first pair, which was seven hundred and change. I told him that was about what I expected his initial estimate to be.
What I paid for the cabinets I have wasn't enough! I first showed the guy the plans and shortly thereafter brought the original cabinet to him and he gave me a quote that seemed much too low. Upon completion and delivery he told me he wouldn't be making any more and I told him that was too bad as I wanted another pair and have some friends who were interested in a pair each. He then rephrased his comment to, "okay, I won't be doing any more for the price I quoted you." I told him to charge me what he considered a fair price and I'd be fine paying it. He then said, no, he quoted me that price and he'll stand by that but if I want anymore, they're going to cost 2-1/2 to 3 times what I paid for the first pair, which was seven hundred and change. I told him that was about what I expected his initial estimate to be.
david1111
Barba non facit philosophum
@Hawkeye83
Yep, I feel your speaker lust, and I believe the only way around it, or thru it, is to just keep 'em all. If you find a better solution please let us all know. Maybe something like: eeny, meeny, miney, moe; or let your 'significant other' chose ... shudder ...
As far as speaker 'push ins' go, I have some Celestion DL8's and one of the tweeters got pushed in, and I was able to pull it back out with the vacuum cleaner. I forget which attachment I used, but you have to make sure there's not too much vac.
BTW, did you have the Townshends installed? I just wondered if you heard heard both the T33s and the Townshends, and if there's much difference.
Happy speaker collecting.
Dave
Yep, I feel your speaker lust, and I believe the only way around it, or thru it, is to just keep 'em all. If you find a better solution please let us all know. Maybe something like: eeny, meeny, miney, moe; or let your 'significant other' chose ... shudder ...
As far as speaker 'push ins' go, I have some Celestion DL8's and one of the tweeters got pushed in, and I was able to pull it back out with the vacuum cleaner. I forget which attachment I used, but you have to make sure there's not too much vac.
BTW, did you have the Townshends installed? I just wondered if you heard heard both the T33s and the Townshends, and if there's much difference.
Happy speaker collecting.
Dave
Hawkeye83
Super Member
Haha, it might resort to eeny-meeny...
As for the Townshends, I ran them simultaneously along with the T33's. The Townshends sit on top of the speakers (held on by velcro). I've found the Townshends help the KEF's more than the Tannoys or even the RCA's. Just adds a bit more realism in the timbre, a little more speed, somehow a little more "pace" (some call it PRAT) to the sound. It's subtle, but I can tell a definite difference when running the Townshends. Right now I"m running them in my main system though. I think I will end up using them the most with the RCA's, because they do seem to need the most help with adding "sparkle" to the highs. Plus the KEF's are now in the upstairs living room...aka my wife's living room...so who cares how that system sounds haha. Actually I do listen up there while at work mostly, so it often gets the most play time of any of my 3 systems! I try to "keep it fair" and rotate though. Can't let any of my little speaker babies get lonely. Man us audiophiles are weird aren't we.
david1111
Barba non facit philosophum
I find the Kefs are pretty good for general area listening, while yer working and such, cuz they seem to have a large sweet spot. I usually have to adjust the balance a little tho.
And yes, we audiophile types are definitely a tad weird. I don't think any AK'er is going to argue with you on that.
I've been waiting for a fellow poster to clearly contradict something I've posted so I can reply with: "I came here for an argument ... this is just contradiction!."
And hopefully they're an MP fan.
Cheers.
Dave
Hawkeye83
Super Member
Thanks! I am a fan of them too...both looks and sound
I have made a lot of changes since the original posts. Shuffled some things around. Some new things, some things are now gone. Will have to update on the current state. Only thing is, it has been changing rapidly lately LOL.
I think the post I just made above - the main system - will stay the same for at least a few months.
Empire 208 & PS Audio DAC -> Leben integrated amp -> RCA speakers. Nice, simple system.
Right now in the office I have an Accuphase E-212 with the Tannoy Arden speakers. Also a Rega RP1 table and computer for sources.
Upstairs living room I have Bel Canto DAC -> FX Audio/Allo Volt preamp/amp -> KEF 107 speakers. The chip amp drives the KEF's quite well, I'm impressed! Not lacking at all for bass!
I think I"m going to need to sell the McCormack amp, but we'll see. I really like the sound of it, but I need cash after getting the new cabinets for the RCA speakers (among other things! New phone, vacation coming, etc).
sqlsavior
Lunatic Member
carpe-diem
tubes and tubes
@Hawkeye83 How's the Leben CS300XS? I am thinking about it. How's the sound comparing to vintage tubeamp?
Hawkeye83
Super Member
Hey sorry for delayed reply, I’m on vacation!
I’ve only owned a handful of vintage tube amps.
A small Packard Bell 6bq5 amp - lush, romantic sound, not large power
A Heathkit SA-2 - again, very2 lush, vintage sound
Quicksilver Silver Mono 90 wpc KT-88 amp - very full and fleshy sound; not as “romantic” as the older two; much more powerful! Very organic and natural sound
And then a modern Quad VA-One amp - good sound, very good feature set!
And of course the Leben amp - very fast, modern, natural sound. Sounds the most “hi-fi” but not in a bad way at all! Very fast and detailed amp. Maintains the natural tube sound, but with sort of a solid state speed to it.
I think it all depends what type of sound you want. I liked every single one of these amps listed above.
The Leben I plan to be my keeper, unless I get in a financial pinch. It’s new, reliable, and looks and sounds great, at least in my opinion!
So far Ive tried it with both Tannoy and RCA speakers. Have not tried it with the KEF 107’s yet (will work but probably not the best match...I use solid state for the KEF’s).
Hope that helps. One nice thing about the Leben...they pretty much always go for $2200-2500. Buy it and try it, you won’t lose much or any if you sell it. And people are always looking for them, not hard to sell!
carpe-diem
tubes and tubes
Thanks @Hawkeye83 for the reviews. I think I've a sense of what Leben sounds like. I have a Fisher tubes and Mc30 tubes. I guess Leben will need an efficiency speaker right? Are there any other issues like reliability or need services or anything since you owned?
Hawkeye83
Super Member
I have had no reliability issues and personally have never read a single reliability issue online either (though I haven’t looked hard). The amp is beautifully made...it just feels super high end. I have heard it referred to as “a jewel of an amp” and I would agree so far. This model puts out 15 wpc. I think efficient speakers would be best for big dynamics, but I hear it could drive speakers with only moderate efficiency and be fine. I plan to try it with my KEF 107’s some time. Those are 90 dB efficient. My other speakers are 93 and 95 dB.
I so far am very pleased with the amp! Depending on how many systems I end up with and which speakers, for a tube setup, it could definitely be my “keeper” amp.