22 replies to this topic

[TheThingy]

Hi everyone,

I've recently arrived in Sydney (January) from the UK. Am enjoying reading the forum, and have just ordered a NAD M51 from CAV partly as a result of the 'buzz' here. Also enjoying the Class D thread. Interesting to learn about the Australian speaker and amp brands, many of which I'd never heard of before, and I'm looking forward to visiting the Sydney hifi show in October.

All my equipment (Ayre monos, Classe pre/pro, Audiolab CDQ, Rotel 5-channel, ML Summit & Stage, Velodyne DD15 etc etc) arrived last week by container. Am finding it challenging to squeeze it into my Paddo rabbit hutch, so a downsizing exercise will probably commence soon, unfortunately....

I'm particularly interested in getting a decent streaming solution sorted - I use Sonos at the moment, with a DAC. It works flawlessly but I realise I could probably do a lot better sound quality wise!

Regards,

Paul

[DoggieHowser]

Welcome to the forum.

Am also headed down to Sydney in June for a new job and am in the process of assembling a second system for what I expect will be a smaller apartment

For streaming, I used a Squeezebox Duet in the past but I find a Mac with Amarra to sound just much better and closer to CD playback. I have friends who use JPlay on the PC with similar results. I am looking forward to when I can afford to get a Playback DAC so I can stream DSD audio as well

Hope this helps.

Regards
BK

[wolster]

Hi Paul
Welcome to SNA - and to Australia.
I hope the local natives treat you well.

[LogicprObe]

Hi Paul.
There'll be a big party on JohnA's room at the audio show.
See you there!

[Juicester]

Enjoy your stay mate. Hopefully you enjoy the NAD, but it's best not to get caught up in hype or buzz....... that can be an expensive and sometimes regretful path! Buy what you like the sound of - plain and simple .

[warren2503]

Hi Paul and welcome to Sydney
Lovely spot paddo you will enjoy centennial park on warm autumn weekends

Warren


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I am here: http://tapatalk.com/map.php?vpaktn

[Viognier]

Hi Paul. Welcome to SNA and welcome to Sydney. Don't you hate having to get rid of good gear because of lack of space. Enjoy your time here.

[djb]

greetings
u downsize we buy
u sell b4 u go home we buy
ALL might be better off if u never left home!
but that would be boring

[tunesgrant]

Hi Paul welcome to Sydney. Certainly some tiny places in that part of Sydney, of course its modelled on the UK you realise actually in many ways true

[TheThingy]

Thanks for the welcome! Yes it is a shame about the downsizing, but also an opportunity too to simplify and streamline a system that had too many pieces. Perhaps!

[datafone]

Welcome to SNA, Paul.

Have fun

[DoggieHowser]

I think it's worth keeping the Ayre monoblocks though. The Martin Logans might not fit small rooms but I imagine the Ayre would still drive a lot of smaller bookshelves. I will be using a Kiwi made Plinius SA-Reference to drive the Australian made Lenehan ML2 Reference.

If you are selling the Ayre, I'd look into the Adam Tensor actives. They have a 3 way bookshelf that might be a better fit for smaller rooms. I've heard the same drivers on a larger floorstander and they sound magnificent.

[A J]

I think it's worth keeping the Ayre monoblocks though. The Martin Logans might not fit small rooms but I imagine the Ayre would still drive a lot of smaller bookshelves. I will be using a Kiwi made Plinius SA-Reference to drive the Australian made Lenehan ML2 Reference.

If you are selling the Ayre, I'd look into the Adam Tensor actives. They have a 3 way bookshelf that might be a better fit for smaller rooms. I've heard the same drivers on a larger floorstander and they sound magnificent.

Welcome to Seedney - I would keep that Velodyne just to keep the neighbours in check - Going a little OT here but Doggie - I would love your impression - that is a combo I could kill for

[DoggieHowser]

Welcome to Seedney - I would keep that Velodyne just to keep the neighbours in check - Going a little OT here but Doggie - I would love your impression - that is a combo I could kill for

That setup will be in Sydney so once I get settled in, the invite's open. Will be running an Ayon CD5S as a preamp and CDP and adding an MPS5 for SACD playback and DSD DAC.

[bhobba]

Welcome to Seedney - I would keep that Velodyne just to keep the neighbours in check - Going a little OT here but Doggie - I would love your impression - that is a combo I could kill for

Yea that Doggie is one fine dude with gear to die for. Looks like he has been struck by the Playback Designs sound like I have - evidently my MPD3 is being burnt in right now and should be in my hot little hands soon.

Oh and of course to Paul - welcome to both SNA, Sydney, and Australia. I am in Redland Bay myself but if you can make it up to the Brisbane Gold Coast area let me know and I can arrange for you to hear some interesting gear.

Thanks
Bill

Edited by bhobba, 19 April 2012 - 10:09 AM.

[Viognier]

Is Saji offering to come around and clean our windows for free whilst we sit around and drink vino and listen to some tunes?

[TheThingy]

Screw the window cleaning, who cares - the Playback is of interest though. I nearly bought one a few years back, is it still current and up to dare, dac wise? I would love to take a listen to that at some point.

[TheThingy]

Bill thanks for the Brisbane invite. I've never been there but when I do I'd love to pay a visit!

Paul

[sjay]

welcome to sydney and SNA!

[bhobba]

Screw the window cleaning, who cares - the Playback is of interest though. I nearly bought one a few years back, is it still current and up to dare, dac wise? I would love to take a listen to that at some point.

Put it this way, I am sort of known as one of the DAC guys around here because I get quite few DAC's to check out and have heard quite a few more. I have heard none to beat the Playback to my ears - my PDX is as good but a bit different (although opinions differ - by which I mean some rate one above the other or visa versa - I rate them about the same) - but nothing beats it. I also believe an Off-Ramp makes a big difference to just about any DAC - I have one and it never ceases to amaze.

If you can make it up Brissy/Gold Coast way drop me a line and I am sure some interesting gear can be found for you to hear.

Thanks
Bill

Edited by bhobba, 22 April 2012 - 12:34 PM.

[TheThingy]

Hi Bill - how much does an Off Ramp cost, in Australia? Also - have you heard one of these? http://www.resolutio...om/cantata.html

Regards

Paul

[sjay]

Hi Bill - how much does an Off Ramp cost, in Australia? Also - have you heard one of these? http://www.resolutio...om/cantata.html

Regards

Paul

ask vmhf, he has one in his setup

[bhobba]

Hi Bill - how much does an Off Ramp cost, in Australia? Also - have you heard one of these? http://www.resolutio...om/cantata.html

With all the options like I got about $2K - expensive - yes - but a few quantum leaps above anything else I have tried and I have tried quite a few - the Stello, the JK, Audiopilleo2, Wavelength, Berkeley - they all fell. The closest is the Wavelength which is just a smidgen ahead of the Berkeley.

Haven't heard one of those.

Thanks
Bill