Junk Audio
Active Member
I recently did a thread about LC-1’s systems and for the most part got completely ignored. Geez, I need to learn to stay off this site…
Hawkeye83's systems
- Thread starter Hawkeye83
- Start date
Hawkeye83
Super Member
LC-1’s are pretty great! I will have to look for your thread. I definitely would have kept mine if they were original and especially if they were in original cabinets. I don’t know if you remember but mine had the voice coils replaced. Also I would’ve been more likely to keep them if they were matching… Both with the bumps or both without. I like the looks better with the bumps but I’m not sure which sound better.
Hearing your wall of sound at your place was pretty memorable that’s for sure.
Junk Audio
Active Member
Yes, I remember, you bought my 10 cube boxes with bug screen grills from my Bar None RCA LC-1
Last edited:
Hawkeye83
Super Member
Sorry man, didn't know it was copyrighted. I can take it down if you want, or link to your thread. Take 'er easy and enjoy the tunes.
Junk Audio
Active Member
No worries, just felt a little kicked there. But lesson learned. I’ll leave AK to the Pro’s
Hawkeye83
Super Member
Lots of changes in my systems, I really should keep up better with this thread, if just for my own "documentation."
You can see in my signature what I have right now:
Living room - KEF 107, Accuphase E-212 w/DAC-10
Office 1 - Tannoy Arden, Leben CS300XS, Bel Canto DAC3.5VB w/VBS-1 and Reflink
Office 2 - KEF LS50, PS Audio Sprout 2
Recently I tried out a Denafrips Pontus 2 in my Office 1 system. It was very good but ultimately I stuck with the Bel Canto. For whatever reason the Denafrips was just a bit harsher and more fatiguing, but also more realistic. It may not have even been broken in though, it probably only had like 20 hours on it?
Anyway, glad I stuck with the Bel Canto because I ended up buying a pair of active speakers that require a preamp OR a DAC with volume control, which the Bel Canto has and the Denafrips did not.
These speakers will be on the way soon, so I guess I need to add a "Living Room 2" to my signature now...
These are Janszen zA2.1A (active). I heard the newer "Valentina" version at AXPONA 2022. The newer one had 8" woofers and built in DAC and DSP. Also ring radiator "tweeters" on both sides and rear (my pair only have them on the one side). So the newer are quite a bit different, but the owner said these would give me a very good taste. And I saved like $10k+ vs the current ones, so I had to do it! Also going to try the Bacch processing software that they used in the Janszen room at AXPONA, hoping to recreate the magic I heard in that room.
Only thing now is do I keep it all or just one of the three bigger speakers/systems (KEF 107 vs. Tannoy Arden vs. Janszen)?
Luckily my recent record/gear sales more than paid for these new Janszens (I'm digital only now!).
Links:
Current Valentina A8-SE
https://janszenaudio.com/products/valentina-a8-active-biamplified
Bacch software
https://www.theoretica.us/bacch-sp-dio/index.html
My new speakers. May not look like much but they are electrostatic and sounded GREAT at AXPONA IMO. In fact, my favorite speakers of the whole show (regardless of cost) and one of the few I could afford. The 3D imaging, along with the Bacch software, was truly mind-blowing.
You can see in my signature what I have right now:
Living room - KEF 107, Accuphase E-212 w/DAC-10
Office 1 - Tannoy Arden, Leben CS300XS, Bel Canto DAC3.5VB w/VBS-1 and Reflink
Office 2 - KEF LS50, PS Audio Sprout 2
Recently I tried out a Denafrips Pontus 2 in my Office 1 system. It was very good but ultimately I stuck with the Bel Canto. For whatever reason the Denafrips was just a bit harsher and more fatiguing, but also more realistic. It may not have even been broken in though, it probably only had like 20 hours on it?
Anyway, glad I stuck with the Bel Canto because I ended up buying a pair of active speakers that require a preamp OR a DAC with volume control, which the Bel Canto has and the Denafrips did not.
These speakers will be on the way soon, so I guess I need to add a "Living Room 2" to my signature now...
These are Janszen zA2.1A (active). I heard the newer "Valentina" version at AXPONA 2022. The newer one had 8" woofers and built in DAC and DSP. Also ring radiator "tweeters" on both sides and rear (my pair only have them on the one side). So the newer are quite a bit different, but the owner said these would give me a very good taste. And I saved like $10k+ vs the current ones, so I had to do it! Also going to try the Bacch processing software that they used in the Janszen room at AXPONA, hoping to recreate the magic I heard in that room.
Only thing now is do I keep it all or just one of the three bigger speakers/systems (KEF 107 vs. Tannoy Arden vs. Janszen)?
Luckily my recent record/gear sales more than paid for these new Janszens (I'm digital only now!).
Links:
Current Valentina A8-SE
https://janszenaudio.com/products/valentina-a8-active-biamplified
Bacch software
https://www.theoretica.us/bacch-sp-dio/index.html
My new speakers. May not look like much but they are electrostatic and sounded GREAT at AXPONA IMO. In fact, my favorite speakers of the whole show (regardless of cost) and one of the few I could afford. The 3D imaging, along with the Bacch software, was truly mind-blowing.
idf.bts
Well-Known Member
I love the 107. I have 2 sets, and a set of 107/2 which are upstairs and I am too lazy to photo. We've seen a lot of years together.
I've restored several, if anyone needs advice, send me a message. It's not that hard, and contrary to what was thought, you can actually recap the head unit.
Not in the extremist $ GOAT conversation, but in the overall sense of value, heritage, impact, quality, etc, the 107 is in the GOAT conversation.
Attachments
idf.bts
Well-Known Member
Lovely tuner, what model?
Hawkeye83
Super Member
Agree 100% on the KEF 107's. I can't believe you can get a speaker so good for so little money. On the extreme end I've seen a pair at $500 but typically I think they are more around $1500, which is still a ridiculously good deal for such a well-made, great-sounding, truly FULL RANGE speaker.
On the Luxman tuner, I believe it was a T-400.
New Janszen speakers should be here Tuesday! Will be moving the Bel Canto gear upstairs and feeding them with that. The Leben/Tannoy system will have to make due being fed analog output from a PC and/or an Apple Airport Express, at least for now.
Now to decide on the Bacch software. They do have a 14 day trial on the Intro version that should give me a taste, so can't really lose I guess!
idf.bts
Well-Known Member
Nice tuner. I don't know why I am attracted to gear with diminishing purpose.
The 107, a pair at 500 is going to be trashed and if not, wow that's theft. 1500 is fair value, more for the slash 2 version. I paid more for mine but it was a long time ago.
Ridiculously good deal indeed. Find me full range of this quality for even $10k new. For anyone that accepts the maintenance, it's a treasure to own. Not to move. They're as heavy as hell's andirons.
Hawkeye83
Super Member
Janszen Z2.1A speakers showed up today. First impressions are pretty solid. Definitely have that electrostatic clarity and immediacy to them. Just details, details! But not overly bright or analytical. they still seem to retain a touch of warmth.
Did a frequency sweep and I was amazed to hear/feel something down at 20 Hz. Not sure how with only two 7" woofers.
Not as dynamic as my KEF 107's but then most speakers aren't. And not used to the "small sweet spot" thing...it's been awhile since I've had speakers like that. These are pretty directive. They still sound good when up walking around but it's a whole new ballgame when you sit down. So far, so good. We'll see what my wife thinks when she gets home! Then need to try out that Bacch software sometime in the near future to see if I can replicate that 3D effect I heard at AXPONA.
Did a frequency sweep and I was amazed to hear/feel something down at 20 Hz. Not sure how with only two 7" woofers.
Not as dynamic as my KEF 107's but then most speakers aren't. And not used to the "small sweet spot" thing...it's been awhile since I've had speakers like that. These are pretty directive. They still sound good when up walking around but it's a whole new ballgame when you sit down. So far, so good. We'll see what my wife thinks when she gets home! Then need to try out that Bacch software sometime in the near future to see if I can replicate that 3D effect I heard at AXPONA.
Hawkeye83
Super Member
A thought I had on the Janszens today while out for a walk. And I have kind of felt this way about all electrostatic speakers...
Maybe it's just because this "black hole" was in the news recently...
But comparing them to my KEF 107's, the Janszens are sort of like a black hole. They suck you IN to the performance..."you are there." You hear the room ambience of the recording. But the sound is also slightly more 2D than 3D, but just slightly. It's a bit flatter, the soundstage that is. Like it's on a sheet of paper. It's the Mona Lisa right there in front of you, in all its detailed glory, and it's beautiful, it's just a slightly flatter soundstage.
The 107's project the sound IN to the room more...more of a "they are here." The sound floats around the speakers and around the room, and it's dynamic and layered. But it's not as hyper-detailed.
Anyway, just had to put those thoughts down.
Was hearing some distortion this morning that freaked me out but then switched inputs and I don't think I hear it any longer so just want to be sure on that. I am running a Bel Canto DAC into the speakers. Sources are optical through the TV and an Apple Airport Express. The Airport Express was giving me the distortion on piano tracks. I was streaming my phone to the Airport express, then analog out to the analog inputs of the Bel Canto DAC. I switched to the TV source and don't think I've heard the same distortion, so maybe it's some sort of Bluetooth "noise" or a bad connection or maybe the Airport Express analog output is noisy, or the Bel Canto analog input is noisy.
It's possible the speakers are just so detailed that I just haven't noticed it on other systems, but anyone else ever have "noise" problems with an Airport Express analog output?
Maybe it's just because this "black hole" was in the news recently...
But comparing them to my KEF 107's, the Janszens are sort of like a black hole. They suck you IN to the performance..."you are there." You hear the room ambience of the recording. But the sound is also slightly more 2D than 3D, but just slightly. It's a bit flatter, the soundstage that is. Like it's on a sheet of paper. It's the Mona Lisa right there in front of you, in all its detailed glory, and it's beautiful, it's just a slightly flatter soundstage.
The 107's project the sound IN to the room more...more of a "they are here." The sound floats around the speakers and around the room, and it's dynamic and layered. But it's not as hyper-detailed.
Anyway, just had to put those thoughts down.
Was hearing some distortion this morning that freaked me out but then switched inputs and I don't think I hear it any longer so just want to be sure on that. I am running a Bel Canto DAC into the speakers. Sources are optical through the TV and an Apple Airport Express. The Airport Express was giving me the distortion on piano tracks. I was streaming my phone to the Airport express, then analog out to the analog inputs of the Bel Canto DAC. I switched to the TV source and don't think I've heard the same distortion, so maybe it's some sort of Bluetooth "noise" or a bad connection or maybe the Airport Express analog output is noisy, or the Bel Canto analog input is noisy.
It's possible the speakers are just so detailed that I just haven't noticed it on other systems, but anyone else ever have "noise" problems with an Airport Express analog output?
idf.bts
Well-Known Member
So owning mags and 107s I kinda get what you are alluding to.
The KEFs react much less to your movements in a room, the maggies sound like shape shifters when you stand in different places. It's a weird sensation that you sorta adapt to but I can see how some might not like.
Hawkeye83
Super Member
Yep, I have owned Magnepans too. Also Quad 57's, Beveridge, and Apogee. The sound changes as you move about. Like with these Janszens, if someone walked into the room, they'd be like "wow, pretty decent sounding speakers." Then you sit in the sweet spot and it's like you're enveloped in the sound, it's completely different. Must be just the directivity, you get ALL of the highs and mids in the sweet spot, they aren't dispersed about the room like with domes.
The Beveridge were the best about sounding pretty good all around the room, for electrostats. For one, they were very tall (like Magnepans). They also used this acoustic lens/waveguide thing that directed the sound about the room, yet kept it focused, which was kind of the Beveridge claim to fame, I think.
Only thing with the Janszens in this room is I typically am not sitting in the sweet spot so hope that doesn't bug me.
I'm pretty committed to keeping everything I have at this point, until we move, so will just make the best of it.
Congrats on the new Janszens!
Sometime, you need to hear one of the larger Sound Lab models as the sound field does not nearly as much with their wide controlled directivity.
Hawkeye83
Super Member
Congrats on the new Janszens!
Sometime, you need to hear one of the larger Sound Lab models as the sound field does not nearly as much with their wide controlled directivity.
Thanks, I'd love to hear Sound Labs. Was considering buying some awhile back, I think maybe an A3 model? But my wife about killed me when I brought home Magnepan 2.7QR's so I don't think large panels will be in my future, unfortunately. Not unless we get a home with a large second living room that she lets me "play" in. They definitely won't be going in "her" living room LOL.
I shouldn't include Beveridge in the above description about the sound changing as you move around. They also have avery wide and well-dispersed sound field.
Definitely advantages to larger panels!
The Janszens are more of an intimate speaker, at least more than my KEF and Tannoy.
Set them up in the old equilateral triangle configuration, sit down in the sweet spot, and get transported into the recording.
Get up and move about the room..."eh, those sound pretty good, nothing special though." Similar to the Apogees I had.
Not sure yet if they will end up being long-term keepers but I shouldn't even be THINKING in those terms yet, I've had them for two days LOL!
I should also "thank" you for nudging me away from vinyl. I think you were one of the proponents on streaming from a hard drive or even USB drive. I have had a large digital collection for 20 years now, and i mostly stream that or Spotify. The vinyl wasn't getting used, so I ditched all the physical media, for better or for worse. Not saying that was solely on you by any means, just saying you were a "voice" that told me it would be "okay" if I decided to do so LOL. I basically turned the vinyl into the Janszens, some workout equipment, and some golf clubs. Probably not the best financial move, but it's stuff that will get used, a lot!
Understood. I've enjoyed the luxury of having a dedicated room for the U-1s which are considerably larger than the A3. While phone based speaker videos don't begin to convey what's heard in the listening room, I find they can provide some insight into tonal balance and directivity. I participated in Glenn's video thread with the following. Note than I am carrying the iPhone with me around the room during the video. Amazing how consistent it sounds - even when behind the panels!
https://audiokarma.org/forums/index...see-and-hear-it.782592/page-225#post-15403055
I won't be ditching my vinyl collection but most of my listening is digital. What I don't understand is those who don't take advantage of using a music server or subscription service vs. the same old "change-every-doggone-disk-every-time" schtick that you find with CDs. Rip 'em!
Last edited:
Hawkeye83
Super Member
Just keeping this updated, for my own purposes if nothing else...
Sold the Janszens already. Also the Bel Canto DAC I was running with them.
In some ways, they were the best speakers I ever heard! Just could not deal with the small sweet spot thing, not in this room anyway. My listening chair was not in the sweet spot. If I had a dedicated room, I'd consider them again.
Also sold the Tannoy Arden and Leben amp.
Down to just two systems, one large, one small!
Planning to keep it this way.
Actually just got an Amazon Alexa Studio bluetooth speaker and it's not half bad.
Basically just trying to simplify and downsize.
Got another $10k back out of those two systems so that is nice too.
I think I might be just a "one really good system" kinda guy going forward.
Variety is nice but it also kinda drives me nuts.
I start thinking about how the music would sound on this system vs. that system and it just kills the enjoyment.
Plus I get some "audio guilt" over owning "too much" - whatever that is.
I got the Amazon Studio speaker to run in the living room now. Doesn't sound bad, and it's small, cheap, and convenient.
With the rest of the funds, think I might buy an electric guitar, some decent headphones, and an electronic drum kit.
Maybe get more into playing music again!
Sold the Janszens already. Also the Bel Canto DAC I was running with them.
In some ways, they were the best speakers I ever heard! Just could not deal with the small sweet spot thing, not in this room anyway. My listening chair was not in the sweet spot. If I had a dedicated room, I'd consider them again.
Also sold the Tannoy Arden and Leben amp.
Down to just two systems, one large, one small!
Planning to keep it this way.
Actually just got an Amazon Alexa Studio bluetooth speaker and it's not half bad.
Basically just trying to simplify and downsize.
Got another $10k back out of those two systems so that is nice too.
I think I might be just a "one really good system" kinda guy going forward.
Variety is nice but it also kinda drives me nuts.
I start thinking about how the music would sound on this system vs. that system and it just kills the enjoyment.
Plus I get some "audio guilt" over owning "too much" - whatever that is.
I got the Amazon Studio speaker to run in the living room now. Doesn't sound bad, and it's small, cheap, and convenient.
With the rest of the funds, think I might buy an electric guitar, some decent headphones, and an electronic drum kit.
Maybe get more into playing music again!
Audio Fan
YT Channel - https://tinyurl.com/29zytwu9
LOL, have not read your ongoing "living thread" in a while. Wow, you run through gear at an amazing pace. By the time you figure out what is your "Shangri-la" system, you will have surely already sold it. 
I am still kicking myself for letting go of the Beveridge 5. Could be a bit of nostalgia being they were my first set of Beveridges, but they were also a great size, easy to move around, etc. and not that much of a compromise on sound compared to the much larger Model 3. Not your issue, I let them go, so don't fret about it, not a slight to you at all for moving them on, I thoroughly enjoy keeping up with your audio adventures.
I am still kicking myself for letting go of the Beveridge 5. Could be a bit of nostalgia being they were my first set of Beveridges, but they were also a great size, easy to move around, etc. and not that much of a compromise on sound compared to the much larger Model 3. Not your issue, I let them go, so don't fret about it, not a slight to you at all for moving them on, I thoroughly enjoy keeping up with your audio adventures.
Hawkeye83
Super Member
LOL, have not read your ongoing "living thread" in a while. Wow, you run through gear at an amazing pace. By the time you figure out what is your "Shangri-la" system, you will have surely already sold it.
I am still kicking myself for letting go of the Beveridge 5. Could be a bit of nostalgia being they were my first set of Beveridges, but they were also a great size, easy to move around, etc. and not that much of a compromise on sound compared to the much larger Model 3. Not your issue, I let them go, so don't fret about it, not a slight to you at all for moving them on, I thoroughly enjoy keeping up with your audio adventures.
You're not wrong, I do fly through the gear!
Been trying to make a not-so-graceful "exit" from the hobby for awhile. In the sense of being done collecting and buying and trying constantly.
I think I'll always have one big system and as long as I work from home, one desktop system.
I've just lost the desire to have 4 or more systems...it's just too much!
Sorry you are having some remorse on the Beveridge. They certainly have a lot of things going for them...great sound, rare, "cool factor!"
If you really wanted them back I bet we could track them down. I believe the guy I sold them to replaced the woofer with a 12", I think you helped him with some wiring questions?
Sold off my Tannoy Arden speakers this past week. Never thought I would, but once the vinyl was gone, just seemed liked I didn't need them quite as bad. Still great speakers!
Now I just have the Leben amp to sell off and I think I can "stand still" for awhile with the audio playback gear.
Will probably get some decent headphones though. also an electronic drum kit. Finally, an electric guitar. LOL.