i think @stringreen was kidding...
Bragging rights.....
I recently conducted an experiment and ended up moving from a very good sounding system consisting of separate components that I carefully assembled over time to a "future fi" system. Only part of the phono rig, old speakers, their setup within the rooms, and speaker wires remain.
A Cambridge Evo 150 all-in-one replaced 9 different components including interconnect wires. I held onto all the old stuff until I reached the point where I was convinced they were no longer needed and recently have started to sell some of it to others.
The new streamlined system sounds really good! I’m not missing all that older stuff nor the work that went into assembling a good sounding system myself. ALso the flexibility to listen to music in many ways utilizing many different sources as desired is incredible!
So I think I lose some bragging rights.... it was easy to buy that one unit, hook it up, and deliver the good sound I always crave. Anybody could do it!
Also I think I no longer would lay any claim to being an "audiophile" anymore having made things so relatively simple. I will call myself an "audio enthusiast" now, however I still will always want to keep an eye on what else is out there...especially the latest and greatest innovative applications of technology that might still move things forward. "Future Fi" is the term I have read that seems to describe these kinds of transformative products these days.
Thoughts?
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- 57 posts total
@asvjerry yes the Ohm Walsh speakers are quite unique and really not practically replaceable. The 5s are fairly massive but also quite adjustable to any room with the on board controls and built in castors for easy movement which makes them even more unique and valuable. |
@flasd the difference between today and yesteryear is the technological advancements that make things now possible that never were before. You can bank on that! |
@hi @bondmanp
yes you are right about the move from 500 w/ch to now 120w/ch as per product specs. originally I was targeting the more powerful nad m33 to come closer. However the Cambridge was a better fit for me feature-wise. So given a good return policy I decided to see what the Cambridge could do first for $2k+ less. You don’t know until you try. No doubt the Cambridge cannot go as loud as the prior 500w/ch monoblocks could. But they do go no problem up to ~ 90db from my main listening position about 10 feet back from my large Ohms. I’ve pretty much decided that I can live with that. Plenty of volume with less risk of hearing damage over time from very high spls. Plus the Cambridge does other things very well that delivers more of the music at lower spl. So turns out I can live with a good 120 w/ch of Hypex amplification. Regarding the kefs, The metas are a step beyond the original ls50s in every way plus I use a sub. So there is the nth degree of detail and yes still a slightly livelier sound than the Ohms, but with the F5s, how much less laid back they are depends on where the two higher frequency adjustments are set on the F5s. The Cambridge presentation overall is inherently more forward I would say than the older Bel Canto Class D amps they replaced. The sound is less laid back and more lively and detailed at all frequencies. I’d attribute that to the much newer Class D amps. The sound stage is not quite as wide wall to wall as before. That happens whenever there is more high-frequency (directional) sound energy produced. I actually had my F5s set with a 3db high frequency boost prior. Now I moved that back with the new amps. It’s really a matter of personal preference. Within its lower SPL limits, the Cambridge does bass as well and probably better than before. Still all there at the right levels and more articulate as before. It’s really only fair to compare ls50s to larger Ohms when used with a sub and even then only in a smaller room. Both Ohms and Kefs currently sound magnificent but not the same. The kef metas and sub are wonderful for peering into the nth degree of detail in a recording. The Ohms are perhaps a tad behind in that regard but are still the ones that I choose to listen to for extended periods when I just want to kick back and enjoy the music. I am very fortunate to have many different ways to listen to and appreciate music. Good times! |
@mapman No Doubt … If only the mfg’s would work out the kinks 1st rather than rushing to market 1st, that would be great ! |
- 57 posts total