New piece

[Gordon]

[/IMG]

After moving the rack to a side wall and away from the speakers, which made a big difference, I thought it was time for a new pre amp. I thought my original was the weak link in the system. Not that is was bad, I enjoyed it immensely. The new piece is a C1000 Controller and tube pre. It sits in the middle shelves.

The system is now fully balanced which I did not have in the original pre amp. I had thought at this point changes are not night and day, more a matter of degree. The last night and day moment I had was when I moved from box speakers to Martin Logan!

I was wrong. This new preamp is just amazing. The seperation and the illusion of 3D is breathtaking to me. The deep and mid bass is much more refined to the point I had to play with the 35 Hz knob for a bit to smooth it out. The highs don't exhibit the slight roll off I had before. I think I can hear the pedals on a piano being used which was not noticeable to me in the past.

I'm having a couple issues with it so I have not been able to really crank it to where I'd like to. It may have to go back for exchange. It seems I'm overdriving the tube pre somehow. I'm sure the seller will resolve it.

Now the only weak link is the long 23 foot speaker wires. Putting on the thinking cap for that one!

Gordon

 

[Bernard]

Now the only weak link is the long 23 foot speaker wires. Putting on the thinking cap for that one!

Gordon

Since your system is now fully balanced, why not consider long interconnects and short speaker cables? I'm doing it with a system that is not balanced, and it seems to work fine.

 

[C.A.P]

X2 on what Bernard said. Baleanced can handle long runs much better than speaker cables.

 

[MiTT]

Make that X3...

 

[Gordon]

You guys are killing me! I'm sure that is the way to go but I don't know if I can get the amps into that end of the room without upsetting the war department . I wonder if a nice bauble would do the trick!?

Seriously, I've read pros and cons going both ways with the majority going longer ICs. May have to try both ways to see how it shakes out.

Gordon

 

[twich54]

yep(just catching up after being gone for a week).....

x4 !!

Remember discussion a while back regarding capacitence issues and speaker cabling as it relates to our Logan's ??? Well given that I see NO compelling reason to run Long speaker cables when upstream componetry is fully balanced. Thus configure balance IC's and short ( low capacitence) speaker cabling.

 

[tonyc]

X5. I went to long interconnects about 13 years ago and never looked back! Another advantage is that long runs of interconnect are usually cheaper than long speaker cables. Just make sure the input impedence of the amp is 10X the output impedence of the pre. Nice pre by the way!

 

[tonepub]

X6 on the long interconnects and a nice Bauble always does the trick...

Besides, if you just got the big rack out from between the speakers,
you are still tidying up the place!

Nice system and good to hear you comment on how getting that
rack out from between the speakers helps. It's pretty amazing!

 

[Audioseduction]

X7 for me on the Long balanced interconnects.

 

[RichTeer]

Me 8!

 

[MiTT]

Yeah, seriously, I doubt you're really hearing everything that your new gear is capable of because you've got an extra 15 feet of attenuation essentially strapped on the end of it. I think you would really be suprised at how much better it would sound if you moved the amp's back near the speakers and stuck with a 6-8 ft. long high quality speaker cable.

Besides, who doesn'y love the look of a pair of sweet mono-blocks sitting near the foot of a great speaker?

 

[Waboman]

Incredible setup you have, Gordon! That C1000 is a thing of beauty.:drool:

 

[mosttoysrk]

Sorry to say I am on board with moving the amp between the speakers or very close to them. Balanced cables is the way to go, no contest!
My wife complained more about the garden hose sized speaker cables than the amp located close to the speakers.

 

[Gordon Gray]

Incredible setup you have, Gordon! That C1000 is a thing of beauty.:drool:

Totally agree. Gordon's system has come a long with in a relatively short period of time. I certainly trust his judgement and would think the synergy, between all the components, must truly be a thing of beauty. I would love to hear an all MAC sytem.

GG

 

[taylode]

Totally agree. Gordon's system has come a long with in a relatively short period of time. I certainly trust his judgement and would think the synergy, between all the components, must truly be a thing of beauty. I would love to hear an all MAC sytem.

GG

Well come to CA on the 21st and join the NorCal listening party. You'll get to meet some cool folks and listen to an "all Mc" system.

 

[Gordon]

Well it appears the results are in and long ICs are the clear winner!! But.... once we moved everything away from the center of the speakers we had some company Sunday. The layout of the room with the gear off to the side is making the living room unliveable and a poor space for anything but music.

Moving to the side was a tremendous improvement but after the company, we knew it was not going to work. So it seems the gear is going back in the center. I appreciate all the inputs and was hoping this would pan out. Maybe the next house with provide the needed room.

Thanks, Gordon

 

[Gordon]

Totally agree. Gordon's system has come a long with in a relatively short period of time. I certainly trust his judgement and would think the synergy, between all the components, must truly be a thing of beauty. I would love to hear an all MAC sytem.

GG

Gordon, when you come out this way to visit your family in Baltimore, give me a ring, the door is open!

G

 

[Pcar928fan]

Gordon,

I am in the same boat with my system. It is a big A/V system with a 70" Sony RPTV and while I love the set up and the TV and all it KILLS the sound stage! For a few days we didn't have any TV there at all and the imaging was SO MUCH BETTER! If I went with a 70" wall mounted plasma for a zillion dollars I would probably get most of the imaging back, but alas THAT is not going to happen any time soon.

Love all the Mac gear! Looks GREAT! Bet it sounds amazing too! I guess most all of us have had to compromise our systems in one way or another.

 

[Gordon]

I had mentioned in my first post I was having an issue with the new pre amp being overdriven. Spoke to the seller and he agreed with me that it was/is not functioning correctly. So.... he is sending me another pair that have been bench checked and meet all performance parameters. By Friday it should be here and I'll send the first pair back.

Right now, I have my original C2200 back in the system and must say it is a fine pre and if the C1000 wasn't part of my plan/goal, it could function very well.

Moving the rack back between the speakers was very disappointing to me. I completely enjoyed it on the side wall. One of life's compromises I guess. I have made a mental note to myself that our next house WILL take some of the things I've learned into account. Now if I can only hold out for the next 10 years till retirement!

Dave, back to thick blankets over the TV!!

Gordon

 

[twich54]

Dave, back to thick blankets over the TV!!

Look at it this way Gordon, winter is wanning so you should have plenty of blankets available !