My System - With Updates!

Looking good WT  Do you have any further changes / upgrades on the horizon?

Re the centre, as a temporary improvement I would consider bringing it forward to the edge of the unit so you are not getting reflections off it. 

Thanks a lot! Regarding the center speaker off center topic, I am just doing some experiment and came out with the temporary solution below ;) 

We were doing some testing of  Classe CA 2100 vs CAP 2100 just in Power amp mode and how much improvement we could see with the Audiolab M-DAC.

I found some space on top of the CA 2100 where I could put the Center with out blocking any ventillation and I might just put some wooden spacers where the center speaker's support rests so that it won't melt due to the heat.

Well, mostly this is a subjective opinion, but I would say that the SSP 800 is the best pre amp I ever heard in my system. I actually heard the combination with Classe Monblocks and 802D as well as older 800D and as powerful they sounded I would not go that route (though except 804D, I would not consider any other speakers for my self as they are too big and bulky, IMO)

But for some one not looking for the big leap in price, the M-DAC sounds the best of the rest (the other DACs that I heard are MF M1DAC, Rega DAC, PS Audio DL3 at home and Benchmark DAC1 not in home system)

Before getting the SSP 800, we never thought anything could be improved beyond my older set up from electronics perpsective. Even such basic speakers are able to make me hear the newer improved clarity and details!

Currently I am fine with Marantz SR6006 as power amp as the set up is easy and I get 6 channel amplification. I just set the Marantz to 0 DB and turned off all the processing. IMO, beyong front L, R the amplification is not demanding especially with sub in places and my center and surrounds are crossed at 100Hz (though not needed - but I thought would make it easier for the Marantz and the speakers)

Kef Reference 203/2 are the ones that I might get into and regarding the speakers I would resist temptation if home demo option is not there. I have burnt my fingers too many times in the past with speakers (and not doing home demo). This time I will tread slow and carefully (I hope) before I even consider the upgrade from the current Tannoy.

For 2 channel, do I gather that you prefer the SSP 800 -> CA2100 than either the CAP2100, or MDac -> CA2100.

For 5 channel, are you using the SSP 800 into the Classe for L&R, and into the Marantz for the rest?

The 203/2s should be a great match with Classe, but I agree you need a home demo; or in my case, I bought them with the ability to return them if I didn't like them. I did extensive demoing at the dealer, so I had a fair idea what I was going to hear.

Also bear in mind , it's possible that the Refs (or whatever speaker) will give a different result to the Tannoys regarding the various options that you have.

Absolutely gorgeous system.  Looks like a magazine shoot.  Love it!

That is right Cno.

For Stereo

 Set up 1: SSP 800 + CA 2100 sounded the best

 Set up 2:  SSP 800 + CAP 2100 as power amp - Sounded almost same as above with a very very minor differences but noticeable

Set up 3:  M-DAC (only as DAC) + CAP 2100 as Integrated - Lost lot of details but sounded good enough

Set up 4:  M-DAC (DAC+pre) + CA 2100 as power - lost some amount of dynamics when compared to the set up 3

I can imagine the KEFs will sound different. I heard thr R700s and I liked what I heard

Thank you!

For multi channel - SSP 800 does all the processing, decoding and all. CA-2100 does the front L & R. Marantz Receiver acts as power amp and drives the C, SL, SR. It is a bit of a waste to use Marantz SR6006 just as power amp since I already have it (and got it for a very good price), and it gives me 7 channels of amplification!

Is there a way of using the Classe amps for bi-amping L&R, or are you selling the CAP-2100?

Well WT,i have to say your set-up looks great,and am sure sounds even better!!!

Can you not mount the center just under the tv?.....maybe this would add a tadge more balance to the look of the system,and maybe lift the soundstage(sorry for my inexperianced ignorance by the way)

yeah.. It is possible. The SSP 800 supports the bi-amp of Front R & L so I can theoretically do it. CA-2100 is really good enough to drive the speakers. And also it is really expensive to keep both CA and CAP 

I agree it would not be a sensible use of funds.....I was just wondering if you'd tried it while you still have the two there (provided the Tannoys are bi-ampable).

Yeah.. that is true. Since I have them, I could give a try. Been doing so much testing especially the source and power amp wise, I guess it is worth it.

There is a confession to make here as well. Tannoys are ofcourse bi-ampable. One of the ways I could tame the top frequency harshness is by keeping the manufacture provided links between the terminals. When I swapped them with my Speaker cable links (self made from small piece of the speaker wire) or when I biwired them the harshness is a tad more.

With the original links it is under control. So all the testing was done with normal amping mode. May be in a couple of days I will try again with bi-amping since I have them handy!

Having spoken so much about the harshness, to any one else who is reading this, the harshness is not at all in the same league as the metallic tweeter harshness of B&W CM series. It is much much lesser but I guess I have become more and more demanding from these amazing speakers!

It will be interesting to see how they respond to biamping.....though it's not ideal that they sound bright on the end of Classe, and need the "rubbish links" connected to tone them down. IMO. You need the detail without the harshness.

I wish I could get the new speakers before the CAP 2100 goes! but let us see.. It is not the brightness but it is the shoutiness at increased volumes.. For example in Hallelujah, around the second half when he picks up again with a higher pitch, if I audition at louder volumes then it becomes very evident. I wish the tweeter could be tuned some how not to do this as I am really impressed with the rest of everything about these speakers especially the low and mid range. They dig really low and clean! Did I mention enough about how great the the imaging and layering is ?? It is a pity that one small flaw makes me let them go

THAT is just simply gorgeous! If I hadn't moved to a new apartment (with a slightly smaller listeningroom) I probably would have gotten a complete Tannoy Revolution Signature speaker set-up. These models are brilliant! As are the Classés, I'm sure, though I've never listened to them only read about them. Some say their electronics sound just as delightful as they look, and I bet they are right! You could probably varify that statement? hehe

Sorry if I missed a possible post about the issue, but have you considered adding any room-treatment for acoustic benifits? (apart from a big rug) I've been looking at some myself as my walls are rather 'naked' and I might do with a bit of damping here and there.