211 replies to this topic

[rab]

Hi all, it seems there is some interest in hearing some of the above gear and to that end I am going to host a small GTG on Sunday 16 January, from about 11am to about 2pm (basically when my wife and kids are out visiting my in laws!).

I live in a small converted space in Fitzroy North, so practically I probably need to limit numbers to about 6. However, please let me know if you are interested.

My current system is a Lenehan Audio PDX base level DAC with optical LDR volumen control and S/PDIF (Oppo DVD player) and USB inputs (iMac), a 70W Hugh Dean NAKSA power amplifier, and a brand new pair of Lenehan Audio ML-1+R speakers (not run in yet).

The most significant shortcoming is that I don't have stands for the ML-1s! (They are on a sideboard), so if anyone has a pair of stands they could bring, that would be of great interest!

[jaspert]

Hi Rab,

Im interested and could bring a pair of Dynaudio stands, alternative transport ( QLS player) on the day.

Jasper

[Whatmore]

I am currently dac shopping so would love to come along if there's a spot for me

[GHW]

Hi Whatmore, your inbox is full, trying to answer your query
cheers

[Paul Spencer]

Sometimes the outlaws ooops I mean inlaws come in handy! ... I'm interested.

[Whatmore]

Hi Whatmore, your inbox is full, trying to answer your query
cheers

Freed up some space.....

[monaro8]

Hi rab,

would be good if you have room for one more.

I have a couple of different valve amps...are you interested for me to bring one to connect to your Lenehan Audio ML-1+R speakers as a comparison.

300B or EL34/6L6GC?

Cheers...Vanch...

[CJCC67]

I'd be keen to hear both if you have space for me too.

[rab]

OK gentlemen, it seems we have a full house (actually 7 of you, including kunalraiker, who was the impetus for this...). I will PM each of you address details etc in due course.

Jaspert, very kind of you to bring your stands and transport: that would be excellent! Incidentally, the PDX s/pdif input is a BNC connector. I am using a cheap generic RCA->BNC digital cable from the Oppo, so if you have a better digital cable, please bring it!

monaro8, happy to listen to either of your valve amps... not sure how a 300B would go driving them, but it might be interesting! Your call (or bring both!?)...

I should also qualify this by saying that my setup is far from optimal. For starters, all of this gear arrived in my home just days before Christmas and with my small kids on holidays and other commitments, I haven't even really had a decent extended listen myself! Also as noted before the ML-1's are brand new and not run-in, which others say makes a big difference. My cables and interconnects are nothing flash, the room acoustics are not great, i have no equipment isolation, etc etc etc... the reason I want to stress this is that whatever we do on the day i am sure that the sound quality we achieve will not represent really what this gear is capable of... and what i have heard in Mike Lenehan's workshop. You will not be hearing a system where the owner has refined and tuned it over time to optimise the sound quality... it is more like someone has just returned from the shop, opened up the boxes, connected everything together, and fired it up for the first time!

... anyway, i'm looking forward to it! Please let me know if any of you cannot come for any reason.

[monaro8]

OK gentlemen, it seems we have a full house (actually 7 of you, including kunalraiker, who was the impetus for this...). I will PM each of you address details etc in due course.

Jaspert, very kind of you to bring your stands and transport: that would be excellent! Incidentally, the PDX s/pdif input is a BNC connector. I am using a cheap generic RCA->BNC digital cable from the Oppo, so if you have a better digital cable, please bring it!

monaro8, happy to listen to either of your valve amps... not sure how a 300B would go driving them, but it might be interesting! Your call (or bring both!?)...

I should also qualify this by saying that my setup is far from optimal. For starters, all of this gear arrived in my home just days before Christmas and with my small kids on holidays and other commitments, I haven't even really had a decent extended listen myself! Also as noted before the ML-1's are brand new and not run-in, which others say makes a big difference. My cables and interconnects are nothing flash, the room acoustics are not great, i have no equipment isolation, etc etc etc... the reason I want to stress this is that whatever we do on the day i am sure that the sound quality we achieve will not represent really what this gear is capable of... and what i have heard in Mike Lenehan's workshop. You will not be hearing a system where the owner has refined and tuned it over time to optimise the sound quality... it is more like someone has just returned from the shop, opened up the boxes, connected everything together, and fired it up for the first time!

... anyway, i'm looking forward to it! Please let me know if any of you cannot come for any reason.

rab,

I see the ML 1 Plus R speakers are 86dB sensitivity which is low for a valve amp....it will be interesting to see how they go with a valve amp.

I am sure some of the guys can bring good interconnects etc if they want.

In the meantime if you get a chance you could fire up your system and for a few hours each day to run it in a bit before we get there. Either way, I'm sure we'll have some fun on the day.

Cheers...Vanch...

[CJCC67]

What does the impedance graph of the speakers look like?

[cheekyboy]

Hi rab, I just picked up on your thread and would certainly like to toss my hat in to go as well if you have room. When will you finalise time etc on the 16th?

Cheers,

Keith

[houdinifangs]

Hi Rab, I would also like to come should someone else not be able to make it...

[rab]

Hi Guys, there have been some developments. The most significant of these is that I now expect to have a pair of base level ML-3s also! The story behind this is that the ML-1s were on loan from Mike Lenehan while I waited for my ML-3s, but now it seems I should have the ML-3s next week. I spoke to Mike by telephone today and in view of the interest in the ML-1s, he is going to send me a pair of his custom designed 'tune stands' for the ML-1s (so Jaspert, you no longer need to bring your stands!) and also a pair of his interconnects and speaker cables. Should be an interesting day!

The only thing that worries me is that I believe the acoustics of my room are rather poor and I am concerned this will not allow Mike's products to be heard at their best. Still, with the combined expertise at the GTG, maybe you guys can advise me on this!

Also, in view of the above and the somewhat limited opportunity, if nobody objects I can probably have a couple more folks in the mix, so Cheekyboy and Houdinifangs, consider yourselves in. Not sure how we will manage, but hopefully everyone will get something out of the visit! I propose we start with the ML-1s for an hour or so and then transition to the ML-3s for the last part.

[Paul Spencer]

Great news there rab!

[Paul Spencer]

I wouldn't be able to resist ... it would get fiddled with if it likes it or not!

[shogo33]

rab,

I see the ML 1 Plus R speakers are 86dB sensitivity which is low for a valve amp....it will be interesting to see how they go with a valve amp.

I am sure some of the guys can bring good interconnects etc if they want.

In the meantime if you get a chance you could fire up your system and for a few hours each day to run it in a bit before we get there. Either way, I'm sure we'll have some fun on the day.

Cheers...Vanch...

Vanch,

Kajak12 (Mario) said that he had good results from a lower powered amp with his ML1-R's, but really comes to life with some extra juice.

Also, @ Rab - not every one have ideal rooms or room acoustics, so this should 'simulate' a realistic room, lounge scenario.

I'm expecting a good write up of the day from someone, please....

[Moondog]

Hi Guys, there have been some developments. The most significant of these is that I now expect to have a pair of base level ML-3s also! The story behind this is that the ML-1s were on loan from Mike Lenehan while I waited for my ML-3s, but now it seems I should have the ML-3s next week. I spoke to Mike by telephone today and in view of the interest in the ML-1s, he is going to send me a pair of his custom designed 'tune stands' for the ML-1s (so Jaspert, you no longer need to bring your stands!) and also a pair of his interconnects and speaker cables. Should be an interesting day!

The only thing that worries me is that I believe the acoustics of my room are rather poor and I am concerned this will not allow Mike's products to be heard at their best. Still, with the combined expertise at the GTG, maybe you guys can advise me on this!

Also, in view of the above and the somewhat limited opportunity, if nobody objects I can probably have a couple more folks in the mix, so Cheekyboy and Houdinifangs, consider yourselves in. Not sure how we will manage, but hopefully everyone will get something out of the visit! I propose we start with the ML-1s for an hour or so and then transition to the ML-3s for the last part.

Hi Rab, The list looks a bit full, Possibly some other time for a catch up. A kT88 85w integrated an a digital IC that punches well above its price. Or if there is a no show

MD

[Moondog]

Great news there rab, sounds great.

Holding a gtg can be stressful, but try not to worry too much. If we have too many people to fit us all in the audio room and you have space elsewhere you could just setup another room with the food / nibbles / drinks. That way we can rotate people through the audio room. And don't worry too much about your room all you can do is make the best of it with what you have. Down the road you could look at investing in some room treatements to fix any problem area's (could take some measurements to identify these issues).

My advice would be not to fiddle with the system the night before the gtg. Been there, done that, and won't make that mistake again

Hi Drizzt, If pavers are to heavy to bring. Take a packet of blu tak with you. Much fun can be had with it during a GTG

[houdinifangs]

Hi Guys, there have been some developments. The most significant of these is that I now expect to have a pair of base level ML-3s also! The story behind this is that the ML-1s were on loan from Mike Lenehan while I waited for my ML-3s, but now it seems I should have the ML-3s next week. I spoke to Mike by telephone today and in view of the interest in the ML-1s, he is going to send me a pair of his custom designed 'tune stands' for the ML-1s (so Jaspert, you no longer need to bring your stands!) and also a pair of his interconnects and speaker cables. Should be an interesting day!

The only thing that worries me is that I believe the acoustics of my room are rather poor and I am concerned this will not allow Mike's products to be heard at their best. Still, with the combined expertise at the GTG, maybe you guys can advise me on this!

Also, in view of the above and the somewhat limited opportunity, if nobody objects I can probably have a couple more folks in the mix, so Cheekyboy and Houdinifangs, consider yourselves in. Not sure how we will manage, but hopefully everyone will get something out of the visit! I propose we start with the ML-1s for an hour or so and then transition to the ML-3s for the last part.

Outstanding will be there!

[monaro8]

OK fella's...everyone start "dieting" from now so we can all fit in the room!!

Any fat boys will be relegated to the smallest room in rab's house.

Also anyone with "bad breath, irritating skin conditions, dandruff, aids, herpes etc etc" will be left OUTSIDE!!"

Shogo, I was planning to bring my Melody S88 mono-blocks as well as my 300B.

OK, Keith can come too....cheekyboy!!

See you guys there....Vanch...

[rab]

OK fella's...everyone start "dieting" from now so we can all fit in the room!!

Any fat boys will be relegated to the smallest room in rab's house.

Ha! Wait until you see what my place is actually like! When we bought in in 2001, it was pretty much an empty shell, about 11m wide and 9m deep. It used to be a garage ("Ray's Engineering") for servicing cars, and it's down a laneway. We put in a cheap floating floor, patched the holes in the walls, and painted the walls and ceiling. Until we had kids, we loved living in the open space.

Then when we had our first baby, we built some internal walls to create two small bedrooms, but basically the rest is still open. Now that we have 2 boys (4 and 6) and all their endless cr*p, we are bursting out of the place and going nuts with the constant mess and lack of any storage space. Our options are either to sell and move (but we *love* the area!) or demolish and rebuild (e.g. 2 storeys and possibly a basement), but we don't have enough money. So far, indecision has kept us living in a sea of mess, but it does drive us nuts a lot of the time. So apologies in advance for the mess! I see the amazingly clean and organised dedicated rooms many of you have and I am envious! One of these days...

So you will all fit in the room, but there will be nowhere else to go! Well, perhaps into our small courtyard... and we have had parties in the laneway!

[rab]

Hi Rab, The list looks a bit full, Possibly some other time for a catch up. A kT88 85w integrated an a digital IC that punches well above its price. Or if there is a no show

MD

Moondog, Jaspert has had to cancel, so be part of the chaos!

Do any of you have a good transport you could bring? My Oppo is very basic and also is generating a low level high pitched whine through the PDX (which disappears as soon as i power off the Oppo).

[CJCC67]

Rab I know exactly what you mean.

[monaro8]

Hi Rab, The list looks a bit full, Possibly some other time for a catch up. A kT88 85w integrated an a digital IC that punches well above its price. Or if there is a no show

MD

Hi MD,

I was thinking of bringing my Melody S88 KT88 Mono blocks but if you bring your KT88 85w, then I can bring my Earle Weston (slightly improved) multi-valve amp instead with the 300B J.Sound Lab amp.

We can have a better selection then.

See you there...Vanch...

[monaro8]

OK fella's, how about first names as an introduction:

rab.......(I suppose it's Rab?)
Whatmore.......TREV
cheekyboy.......KEITH
moondog.........?
Drizzt..............?
CJCC67...........?
Paul Spencer.....is it "PAUL"
houdinifangs.....MATT
Monaro8......VANCH

Please fill in your names above.

*Withdrawal...Jaspert (Jasper)

Thanks...Vanch...

Edited by monaro8, 12 January 2011 - 02:34 PM.

[cheekyboy]

OK fella's, how about first names as an introduction:

rab.......(I suppose it's Rab?)
Whatmore.......TREV
cheekyboy.......KEITH
moondog.........Lyle
Drizzt..............Aaron
CJCC67...........Craig
Paul Spencer.....is it "PAUL"
houdinifangs.....?
Monaro8......VANCH

Please fill in your names above.

*Withdrawal...Jaspert (Jasper)

Thanks...Vanch...

Best I can do, but I don't houdinifangs name.............are you kidding about Paul?
Edit: Perhaps houdinifangs is Harry, or maybe Vlad?

Edited by cheekyboy, 06 January 2011 - 06:45 AM.

[monaro8]

Yes kidding about Paul...He He!!

[rab]

OK fella's, how about first names as an introduction:

rab.......(I suppose it's Rab?)

Gee monaro8... err, Vanch, doesn't that spoil the mystery?

As of yesterday my ML-3 were in Sydney on their way down.. according to TNT they should arrive Wednesday or Thursday. Yikes!

- Richard

[monaro8]

rab (Richard),

sorry mate...suppose it does spoil the mystery.

I just visualised a bunch of guys gathering at your place and then everyone looking at each other trying to figure out who was who.

EG:

"Hi, my name is Keith"
"Oh! Keith who????"
"I'm 'cheekyboy' "
"Aha! I see, how ya goin' mate"
"And who are you mate??....I'm Gerry."
"Gerry? Don't know you pal...what's your bloody SNA name pal??"

Something like that I guess.

Look forward to meeting all this Sunday....Vanch

PS: I can't put a 'smiley face icon' on as it's gone since the upgrade.

[Whatmore]

rab (Richard),


PS: I can't put a 'smiley face icon' on as it's gone since the upgrade.

yeah bit of a pain about the smileyface icon

[cheekyboy]

Vanch, how many GTGs have you been to? I've been to a few and never really had much trouble with names..............the smilies are still here and actually quiet a few new ones as well.

Cheers,

Keith

Edited by cheekyboy, 11 January 2011 - 07:26 AM.

[monaro8]

yeah bit of a pain about the smileyface icon

Hey! How do you do that Trev??

Please tell...

V

[monaro8]

Vanch, how many GTGs have you been to?

I'm a Virgin Keith...

[cheekyboy]

Hey! How do you do that Trev??

Please tell...

V

If you opt to quick reply, you have to hit the 'Go Advanced' bar to get the icons mate!

[monaro8]

COOL.

Thanks...Vanch...

[LuckyDog]

Hi Rab

Should any of the attendees listed become unable to attend, I'd like to join in if the opportunity was to arise.

[rab]

I just visualised a bunch of guys gathering at your place and then everyone looking at each other trying to figure out who was who.

Yes, having just discovered the SACD vs CD thread, i can imagine some SNA members getting on just fine using their real names, then discovering their online names and a fistfight breaking out!

[Paul Spencer]

lol ... actually I think there's nothing like getting together to keep things out of flame territory. It's when we only have contact from behind our monitors that people feel a little too liberated. I find things are different when enthusiasts get together. Especially when guests at someone's house.

[rab]

Hi Rab

Should any of the attendees listed become unable to attend, I'd like to join in if the opportunity was to arise.

Hi LD, i was tempted to say come along, but I now realise there are already 12 of us! Considering we will all be in the same (albeit large) room, i feel it's now at the point where adding more people will likely just degrade the experience for all concerned. But if anyone does cancel, I will certainly let you know.

[Paul Spencer]

Do you have a spot where some can chat away? At most GTGs I've been to, most of the guys most of the time are talking! And with a group of 12, if there is a side area for chatting, then you could have 5 listening and 7 yakking ... then 8 then 9 then the lot.