Quote Originally Posted by poppachubby
Great stuff kid! Looks awesome too. Can you distance the speakers any further apart? The reason I ask is that this has alot to do with your experience of depth and imaging. If indeed the Adcom is transparent enough to give you greater 3D, 6-8 feet will really allow some more space between the players.

I know what you mean regarding the improvement. You say your ear is not good, but you heard the difference right away. Clearly your ears are in sync with what you're hearing.

What I am wondering is how would you describe the sound? Warm, neutral or cool? I am also interested in your opinions on the phono stage, particularily vs. the Basic.

Oh I see, you're working out from a corner. Interesting. I get some pretty wacky effects with my comp system. The room modes push the stage way out beyond the speakers, it's almost eerie. Well enjoy my man. Will you be sitting on this one, or just having a taste?

Let's see. Sony ES, Kenwood Basic and now Adcom. Next will be Audio Note or Linn perhaps?
I would describe the sound from these pieces as neutral because it does not seem like it is trying change or shape the recorded material into any given direction by emphasizing or adding to highs or lows beyond their presence in the original recording. Given the nature of the bass in the Klipsch some may say that is a problem but IMO a little work with the bass control on the pre-amp solves the issue and brings enough bass to the table when it is needed. I would rather have the tighter bass that this combo gives over sloppier but deeper bass provided by other systems.

I have not given the phono stage a fair trial yet as I am having a variety of problems with my various TT's. I need to bite the bullet and get some new needles for my Duals and this set-up has convinced me to get that done ASAP.

Speaker set-up is somewhat limited by the corner restriction. I am on vacation this week so plan on trying to move some things around that may allow for more separation. The WAF is becoming less of an issue since the Klipsch have been established and the "wall of speakers" has been retired.

My plans are to as you put it "sit on" this for some time to come a promise I have made before but really think I will be able to keep. I still maintain 2 vintage mini set-ups through out the house which scratches my itch in that area. The ES gear has found a permanent home in the MBR in part because of its sound but also because I run everything off of a remote which gives it a distinct advantage over the Basic gear. I will continue to look and keep my eyes open but to find something better in the thrift/budget world I move in will be extremely difficult. The set-up as pictured except for the MSB DAC was purchased second hand for $535 which includes $120 to repair the pre-amp. I actually did pass on a pair of Linn speakers the other day in part because I have too many speakers siitting idle already and reviews of them indicated their sound would be similar to my KEF's but with a much larger footprint. Maybe the owner of them is breaking up a Linn system so you never know.....