Any audiophiles or vintage stereo collectors here?

[strettyend]

Cool thread. I’ve always been interested in AV and HiFi equipment but never really had a dedicated space to put it that was spouse-friendly.

We just moved down to Miami from NYC and with that comes a Den / media room that I’ve claimed as my own. I also slipped a pair of KEF LS60 powered speakers and a KEF KC62 subwoofer onto the moving tab unnoticed (as of now) that I’m eagerly awaiting. I considered going down the path of buying a bunch of different components but for my purposes and in the interest of hoping to keep things relatively clean and clutter free I think this is a good solution. Also just hoping it blows my socks off compared to the Sonos systems I’m used to for the $$$ outlay…

Will keep you all posted!

[Mifune]

awesome

[strettyend]

Some toys were waiting for me at home!

[joeychitwood]

I love KEF speakers. Interested to hear your impressions.

Just for fun, I added a BluMe HD receiver to my setup to stream content from my phone or iPad. Of course the resolution of the source makes a huge difference in the sound quality, but it’s kind of nice to listen to Yacht Rock Radio through the system.

[Craig74]

Just popped into this part of the forum, and found a post on my other hobby! Excellent. Despite being based in Northern Ireland, my system is fronted by American turntables, namely a VPI Scout 21 and a VPI HW19 with Origin Live Silver MK4 tonearm. Electronics are largely all Rega, love their amplification. Have to say, I see a correlation between watch enthusiasts and vinyl enthusiasts, I take pleasure in the mechanics and precision of both. That being said, I can bore a room empty on both subjects according to my wife.......

[joeychitwood]

Welcome to TRF, Craig. As you can see, there is a contingent of serious music lover here.

[strettyend]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

I love KEF speakers. Interested to hear your impressions.

Being as I am a novice on the HiFi scene it was actually more difficult to set up than I had imagined. Out of the box I was extremely underwhelmed by the sound coming from the speakers - to my ear they sounded worse than the Sonos 5 speakers I had in the living room. Imagine my dread after lightening my wallet by 9 grand...

After doing some research online and playing with the EQ settings in the KEF connect app (of which there are many that I don't fully comprehend) I was able to get the speakers to sound really good. I also did not realize how much of an impact placement of the speakers and the overall composition of things in the room impacted the sound, pretty wild. Oh and the speakers really come ALIVE at high volume with absolutely no sign of any vibration. They are completely inert and I've never been able to to touch a speaker cabinet while they are on and feel no vibration emanating from them.

I have them to the point that classical music sounds outstanding and anything with vocals is superb. My favorite song to listen to thus far has been Hotel California by the Eagles on TIDAL HiFi. The guitar strings sound so pure and I can really feel their texture as they reverberate through the air in the room - dunno if that makes any sense but its sensational.

Still struggle with more bass heavy music like electronic and house music as they still sound a little more muddy but I think I may need to move the KC62 sub around the room to get the right placement.

[Mifune]

Wow... 9 g's.

[joeychitwood]

Originally Posted by strettyend

Some toys were waiting for me at home!

Any photos after you unboxed them?

[strettyend]

All I’ve got on my phone for now

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by Mifune

Wow... 9 g's.

Well, if we put it price versus weight, and Rolex versus KEF.... 138 lbs of speakers versus....

I say get both

[J!m]

Been absent for a while. Restored a bunch of gear, designed and built some too.

Still don’t have the main system up yet, but I have a restored table running through my (Wyn Palmer circuit) phono preamp into a restored receiver. Speakers are $9 thrift store Polk audio.

When I restored this table I said I’d listen to CDs and just watch it spin if it didn’t work. The Micro-Seiki BL-91. It is absolutely magnificent.

[7sins]

Originally Posted by strettyend

All I’ve got on my phone for now

Any thoughts on the KEF wireless speakers? Do you feel like you are sacrificing sound quality being wireless? I've got wires everywhere on my setup, would love to consolidate in a future build. Do those connect to a pre-amp or receiver or?

[J!m]

I wouldn’t run wireless personally.

[BraveBold]

I’d stick to wired. At least for a main listening setup.

My own hifi setup is interesting. I am currently running a Mark Levinson 5802 through Revel Performa F228be. Bluesound Node 2 for streaming/digital library integration. It is setup in my home office and love it - the sound stage is very well articulated and the dynamics are phenomenal. Originally was going to setup another listening room with a Mark Levinson No.534 but reconsidering as a) I have three high quality listening areas already b) the other room is our piano/cello room and I have doubts I can work around the piano adequately and c) I would need to add yet another pair of full size speakers…Thinking of selling or trading the No.534 (unopened, in box, warranty remaining, “A stock”). Retail is $25k on the amp. Looking at Audiogon to sell it but wondering if anyone here has sold an amp at that price point and also if anyone has done trades with stuff like this here (non watches) for watches? I acquired it below retail so would be happy moving it at a value closer to $15k if it meant getting a cool watch I’d actually use.

Is there a for trade section on the forum? Has anyone made a trade like this?

My home office listening setup:

[BraveBold]

One of the Revel F228be without the grill:

[BraveBold]

And bringing it back to watches a bit:

[BraveBold]

Maybe this works:

[twitch54]

Originally Posted by BraveBold

Maybe this works:

nice speakers, weird positioning ?

[BraveBold]

Originally Posted by twitch54

nice speakers, weird positioning ?

Re: speakers, thanks.

Re: positioning…How so? The stage is perfect, sound is great (opposite wall covered in books) though of course for actual dedicated listening ideal sitting further back.

I have have a home theater room running another system that is more traditional layout.

Must admit it is the reason I have the ML No 534 … was going to use in another space and would then pair with Salon2s…

But this setup works very well.

[twitch54]

Originally Posted by BraveBold

How so?

positioning 'anything' between L - R speakers is a no-no. Whether you realize it or not you have hurt the stereo imaging by placing the desk where it is.

[BraveBold]

Originally Posted by twitch54

positioning 'anything' between L - R speakers is a no-no. Whether you realize it or not you have hurt the stereo imaging by placing the desk where it is.

Not quite a no-no. Not “ideal” sure but more important for me to listen to music while working or reading in that room than aiming for perfection.

The stage is still fantastic - instrument positioning, vocals, drums etc.

My main theater room (and recording space) has a more complete treatment (bass traps, considering reflections, etc)…

[twitch54]

Originally Posted by BraveBold

Not quite a no-no. Not “ideal” sure but more important for me to listen to music while working or reading in that room than aiming for perfection.

The stage is still fantastic - instrument positioning, vocals, drums etc.

My main theater room (and recording space) has a more complete treatment (bass traps, considering reflections, etc)…

Understood, compromise is often part of the equation !

my main rig in my 'man-cave'.......

[BraveBold]

Originally Posted by twitch54

Understood, compromise is often part of the equation !

my main rig in my 'man-cave'.......

Beautiful. Studio2s? Funny because I almost bought Salon2s this week when I was toying with opening the box on my ML534…

The room the ML534 setup would go in unfortunately has a grand piano, cello and some other “stuff” that is tough to reposition.

So in the box it stays…

[twitch54]

Originally Posted by BraveBold

Beautiful. Studio2s? Funny because I almost bought Salon2s this week when I was toying with opening the box on my ML534…

The room the ML534 setup would go in unfortunately has a grand piano, cello and some other “stuff” that is tough to reposition.

So in the box it stays…

yes , Studio 2's, driven by a pair of PASS X260.8's, my upstream gear .......

[BraveBold]

Nice build!

[twitch54]

Originally Posted by BraveBold

Nice build!

thank you 'BB' !

[BraveBold]

Originally Posted by twitch54

thank you 'BB' !

Do you have corner traps / treatment in that room? I used GIK Acoustic for my recording studio and home theater setup. Very happy with them.

[BraveBold]

My main reference headphones. Mostly for recording/mixing.

[twitch54]

Originally Posted by BraveBold

Do you have corner traps / treatment in that room? I used GIK Acoustic for my recording studio and home theater setup. Very happy with them.

Yes, the room measures 14'6" x 24'6" x 8', GIK bass trapping, floor to ceiling in the front corners and my own DIY in the rears