this is it. i'm done.

hi nooby, tbh, i don't remember sibilance on the 640 + 9.1 combo.  it is a good few years since i owned it, though.  i think i was using qed silver anniversary xt speaker cable but can't remember which interconnect.

you might get a more informed response posting this in the general hifi forum, as i believe several forum members are familiar with the combo.

Thanks for your reply Craig....I have posted in the general forum and more than once Chord products have been recommended so I may try and get some on fleabay.

I guess you would remember if you heard what I am hearing.

All the best...Mike

Very nice looking system man. Even the photography is impressive (I assume you took the pictures yourself?).ÿ

I always wondered if a high end DAC would make a significant contribution to the sound. Once again, very nice.

cheers zinger, would've preferred to keep all the amp in focus but it's pretty dark in my room and was struggling with the shutter speed.

007:

That is one awesome looking DAC!
Amp doesn't look too shabby either

Great photos also, be good to see one from the listening position, even though the close ups look excellent!

forgot about this.  was checking out the barrel distortion on a lumix gf1 and 14-45 the other day, and took this.

please excuse the skirting board.  we're having some work done.

Whilst the skirting is being done, I will be custodian of your kit?

CraigM, cracking system! I have never heard the QBD but if it sounds anyting near as it looks it must be fantastic.

Why didn't you put the amp below and the smaller boxes up? Wouldn't it have better balanced looks (you know, heavy big stuff below, lighter smaller stuff on top), or was it other cosiderations?

Really nice system i might even go as far as to say its a beautiful system. It was a very interesting tale about your search for hifi nirvana. A journey which i see myself taking very soon. Anyway very thought provoking. Many thanks

AlmaataKZ:

CraigM, cracking system! I have never heard the QBD but if it sounds anyting near as it looks it must be fantastic.

Why didn't you put the amp below and the smaller boxes up? Wouldn't it have better balanced looks (you know, heavy big stuff below, lighter smaller stuff on top), or was it other cosiderations?

it's just cos the stuff on the top shelf is prettier.  well, that and we have a cat who isn't always that particular, and if he pee'd on my hifi i'd have to kill him!  which would make me very unpopular.

malthus, thankyou very much for your comments.  this hifi malarky can get worryingly addictive, i now find myself wondering how i could raise the cash for some atc actives.  and a decent pre.  maybe i should change the thread title to, 'this is it... unless.'

Craig, it looks fantastic, but looking at this it occurs to me that you should really paint the white wall behind the TV.  I think some color there would make a big difference in the room.  Just an idea...

jaxwired:

Craig, it looks fantastic, but looking at this it occurs to me that you should really paint the white wall behind the TV.  I think some color there would make a big difference in the room.  Just an idea...

cheers jax, i agree!  the missus has given me the go ahead for some acoustic panels, i'm thinking of some large ones with artwork on.  just got to find some i like the look of, or get some plain/white ones and paint something on to them.  there will be a carpet before too much longer, but we will soon have a new puppy and baby(), and god knows what the carpet would end up looking like!

so that can wait a while...

if you fancy this one we can be carpet buddies

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/30097109

inexpensive, so exposure to kids not a problem! They have more similar (or not) to this one.

Craig M.:

 cheers jax, i agree!  the missus has given me the go ahead for some acoustic panels, i'm thinking of some large ones with artwork on.  just got to find some i like the look of, or get some plain/white ones and paint something on to them.  there will be a carpet before too much longer, but we will soon have a new puppy and baby(), and god knows what the carpet would end up looking like!

so that can wait a while...

Craig, congratulations!  I joined the parenthood game a little late.  I'm 45 and I have a 4 year old and a 2 year old.  They are a year and a half apart.  I'm absolutely loving it!  Best thing I ever did.  It will transform your life.  I went from having way too much free time to never having a minute to myself (until they are in bed asleep, like now), but raising these boys is the most deeply satisfying and truly meaningful thing I've ever done.  Don't be one of those fathers that won't change diapers.  I recommend you do everything.  Work your butt off.  You'll never regret it.

 Regarding the puppy, if it's not too late I'd hold off on that.  Our dog had to go live with Grandma because he just couldn't get along with the toddlers.  They were too rough on the poor thing.  Of course we had an older dog not a puppy.  But the other thing is, a baby is enough work without adding dog duties on top.

I guess your dream of ATC actives is gonna have to wait now right?  It's college fund time now. 

BTW, I'm having an audio addiction relapse myself.  I'm probably selling my Contours...

Again, congrats on the baby!

jaxwired:

Craig M.:

 cheers jax, i agree!  the missus has given me the go ahead for some acoustic panels, i'm thinking of some large ones with artwork on.  just got to find some i like the look of, or get some plain/white ones and paint something on to them.  there will be a carpet before too much longer, but we will soon have a new puppy and baby(), and god knows what the carpet would end up looking like!

so that can wait a while...

Craig, congratulations!  I joined the parenthood game a little late.  I'm 45 and I have a 4 year old and a 2 year old.  They are a year and a half apart.  I'm absolutely loving it!  Best thing I ever did.  It will transform your life.  I went from having way too much free time to never having a minute to myself (until they are in bed asleep, like now), but raising these boys is the most deeply satisfying and truly meaningful thing I've ever done.  Don't be one of those fathers that won't change diapers.  I recommend you do everything.  Work your butt off.  You'll never regret it.

 Regarding the puppy, if it's not too late I'd hold off on that.  Our dog had to go live with Grandma because he just couldn't get along with the toddlers.  They were too rough on the poor thing.  Of course we had an older dog not a puppy.  But the other thing is, a baby is enough work without adding dog duties on top.

I guess your dream of ATC actives is gonna have to wait now right?  It's college fund time now. 

BTW, I'm having an audio addiction relapse myself.  I'm probably selling my Contours...

Again, congrats on the baby!

This is awesome! Your pics are amazing!! QBD76 looks like my next DAC (only, if I can spare some money soon )

One quick question - I also run my set up through a Mac Mini. Can you please tell me the settings that you are using in iTunes / Midi Set Up / or else where to get the best out of the Mac Mini..

i do not remember who pointed out, but I changed the optical cable from the one that is lying around to a Philips one (not much money spent) but the difference is too much.. I am seriously considering getting a proper optical cable now.. did you have any such experience?