[Irinikus]

This thread is for the audiophiles amongst us who want to discuss their audio/hifi projects.

I will kickstart this thread with a video discussing the restoration and upgrade of a pair of Beolab Penta 3's

[Irinikus]

This post just shows the evolution of my main hifi (Not pictured are the pair of Krell FPB 250M's that I had before the Classe CAM-600's)

It originally consisted of the Meridian 808 Signature reference CD Player, feeding the Jeff Rowland Coherence II pre amplifier, which then drove two Krell FPB 250M's and the Wilson Benesch Torus amplifier which in turn drove two Wilson Benesch infrasonic generators and a pair of Sonus Faber Amati Homages.

The first upgrade that I did was to swap the Krell FPB 250M's for a pair Classe CAM-600's, which can each deliver 1200W RMS into a 4ohm load, which the Sonus Faber Amati's were!

Next I Replaced the Sonus Faber Amati's with a pair B&W 802 D2's (The Amati's were awesome speakers, but the 802's definitely have better imaging.)

Because the 802's are bi-wireable I decided to get a separate amplifier to drive the mids and trebles, so I bought an Ayon Spirit III valve amp fitted with four TUNG-SOL KT 150's to perform this duty. It's a pure Class-A valve amp, which I have running in triode mode. Because it's running in triode mode, it delivers 45W of Classic-A power per channel and sounds absolutely awesome. (Running a valve amp in triode mode halves its output.)

All of the cabling in the system is Van Den Hul. The main speaker cables are: "The Nova", and all of the interconnects are: "The Orchid"

[Trippynet]

That is a beautiful valve amp I must admit! Always had a soft spot for valves.

[Irinikus]

That is a beautiful valve amp I must admit! Always had a soft spot for valves.

They're absolutely fantastic for mids and trebles!

[Irinikus]

As far as my Beolab Penta project goes, these are the replacement drivers that I'm currently considering.

The smallest full-range driver that ScanSpeak produces is this: (It's total diameter is 1.3cm less than that of the current mid-range units fitted)
So I will have to get "holders" made up for them, to enable them to fit properly into the Penta's baffle. The cone diameter is therefore substantially less, but they are ScanSpeak units with a five-star rating and they're pretty cheap! (this is good, as I'm going to need eight of them!)







As far as the tweeter replacement goes, I'm considering this, it's a very good ring-radiator tweeter from ScanSpeak. (I will have to remove the face plates from these units in order to properly fit them into the Penta's baffles, as the Penta's already have waveguides moulded into their baffles.)

[Irinikus]

I created these models in 3D Studio Max a number of years ago to model a possible implementation of my GIGO wave-guide concept: (I accurately modeled a complete set of ScanSpeak Revelator drive units and WBT binding posts for this model)

[Irinikus]

This is what's inside a Meridian 808 Signature Reference CD Player (This unit cost $12,995, back in 2008)

I took these pics a few years ago, when I had to carry out a power-supply replacement on the unit, the new power supply cost me a whopping $1000!







Here's a review on the unit by "the Absolute Sound" conducted back in 2008: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/article...-player-1/

[Irinikus]

I'm down in Cape Town for a few days, so I'm giving my hi-fi a listening to, as I don't really get to listen to it that often. (Less is more, so they say, as I appreciate it more nowadays as a result.)







Is anyone else here an audiophile or into hi-fi? (I would really like to see you post here!)

[commodorejohn]

I've never gotten into really elaborate hi-fi setups, but I really do need to get a (working) turntable again...I miss listening to my record collection. Also need to get an amplifier/speaker setup that's less janky...I gave away my old Bose 501s when I moved cross-country, and I've been kicking myself ever since :/

[Irinikus]

I've never gotten into really elaborate hi-fi setups, but I really do need to get a (working) turntable again...I miss listening to my record collection. Also need to get an amplifier/speaker setup that's less janky...I gave away my old Bose 501s when I moved cross-country, and I've been kicking myself ever since :/

If done correctly, vinyl can sound fantastic, arguably better than the best digital audio can achieve, but vinyl is a complex hobby all on its own. (So many factors involved, as a turntable has to be both mechanically and electrically perfect!)

I'll definitely be dabbling in vinyl in the future, when I can afford to.

I would'nt advise getting rid of any equipment if you can help it, as it always seems to end with regret!