Natural Sound

PeterA

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Dec 6, 2011
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Thanks for sharing these details, Peter. What did they do exactly for your top shelf then? Dowels or something?

David and I designed an isolation solution to separate the top shelf from the rest. His Nothing Rack is a more sophisticated alternative full of interesting technology. This is my DIY approach.
 

tima

Industry Expert
Mar 3, 2014
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My new rack (48"W x 20"D x 29"H) plus two amp stand platforms were delivered a couple of days ago. They are made of Sipo wood stained a dark mahogany. The top shelf is 3" thick, the two lower shelves are 2". I am in the process of grinding and polishing the 1" stainless plates to a pretty high standard. Note the reflection of the Vitavox in the amp stand. There are nine plates total. The rack weighs about 200 lbs. It will support seven steel plates weighing 600 lbs plus 400 lbs of gear. The 225 year old floor is reinforced with a steel column in the basement directly below each of the front legs. The rack is extremely strong and solid. Leveling on my uneven floor boards will be achieved with matching wood square/flat shims of varying thicknesses.

This rack and stands will fit in with the decor of the room. The rack is larger than my existing rack which I built for the Pass gear, but 2.5" shorter. I wanted a horizontal look, so it is low and wide. This needs more clearance for the Lamm tubes, so it has three shelves instead of four. I will set everything up next week when David visits.

It will be nice to regain some floor space and get the gear up off the floor and the temporary platforms on to a proper rack.


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So, micro Seiki and lp2 on top, LL1.1 control units on 2 with power supplies on the bottom shelf?
 
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PeterA

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So, micro Seiki and lp2 on top, LL1.1 control units on 2 with power supplies on the bottom shelf?

Yes, with the LP2 on the left of the MS motor unit. David and I set it all up on the new rack this evening after listening to the old rack as a base line; not an easy task. Full report and photos to follow.
 

tima

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David and I set it all up on the new rack this evening after listening to the old rack as a base line; not an easy task.

Wow - there's an effort. It is rare to see a review of two racks.

Between you and me, I'd look for a few more slabs of Sipo to make a single-wide for the LP1. :)
 
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assessor43

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Nov 1, 2018
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So what is the difference in sound comparing the Klipschorn and the Vitavox? They seem similar in design. Are they about the same size? Have you listened to the Klipschorn? Just curious as the Klipschorns are more accessible.
 
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PeterA

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So what is the difference in sound comparing the Klipschorn and the Vitavox? They seem similar in design. Are they about the same size? Have you listened to the Klipschorn? Just curious as the Klipschorns are more accessible.

I have not heard the Klipschorn. I understand the important thing is to find the speakers in original untouched condition. One does not want a pair that have been modified or “improved“. They will not sound the same. I also think the Vitavox is more efficient at 105 dB. @ddk will certainly know more.
 
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microstrip

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May 30, 2010
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(...) I understand the important thing is to find the speakers in original untouched condition. One does not want a pair that have been modified or “improved“. They will not sound the same. (...)

Peter,

Although I understand the desire to own vintage equipment in untouched condition, they will not probably sound like when they are manufactured. When looking for speakers for the ML3 I considered a pair of vintage JBL DD55000. Although they looked cosmetically nice, the original good looking wires were internally corroded, as well as the capacitors. After 60 years, it is expected that outgassing from that period plastic insulators will have changed the surface of the metal wires and foils.

I did not buy those DD55000 mostly because they have been too modified, but if living in the US would probably feel tempted by this pair https://www.ebay.com/itm/292386814915 , that is advertised as untouched.
 

PeterA

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Here are some photos of the new rack and two amp stands. David and I spend a couple of hours completely dismantling the old rack and gear and setting everything back up. The rack is leveled with shims made from the same Sipo wood. It is extremely solid and stable. We repositioned the two steel columns in the basement to be directly under the two front legs of the rack. The total weight of the rack fully loaded is about 1200 lbs.

The two steel plates on the bottom shelf are not yet polished. One can clearly see the difference in the reflective surface. David did recommend different amounts of dampening between the plates and the wood shelving. The plates under the turntable are treated differently than are the five plates under the phono and pre amps. The amp stands are also slightly different and they do not rest directly on the wood floor. David made suggestions based on what he heard from the old rack.

I am very pleased with how this DIY solution turned out. It looks nicer in the room and I think sounds slightly better than the old rack. It also functions better because it provides more spacing for ventilation of the tube gear.

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PeterA

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Here are some more photos of the room as it is now configured. We removed the last acoustic treatment which was a towel over the glass in one of the cabinets and we put back the fireplace screen. Neither affected the overall sound. I will also be adding a low mahogany butler's table in front of the sofa. The room is becoming a living room again, though with a rather imposing stereo system. Fortunately, David does not think it needs audiophile acoustic treatments.

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Andrew S.

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Mar 20, 2021
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Seconded. Gorgeous system. Infinity nicer room to be in, if I may respectfully say so, now than when you had the big Magico's taking up the whole room. Those corner horns were made to measure!

Deliciously eccentric. Can't imagine what your wife thinks...actually I can - that room is yours to do with what you wish....

I'm very much enjoying this thread, and your journey. Thank you.
 
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Ron Resnick

Site Co-Owner, Administrator
Jan 24, 2015
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Congratulations, Peter! The whole set-up looks fantastic!

Now that the system has been tweaked by David you can just sit back and enjoy the music!
 

tima

Industry Expert
Mar 3, 2014
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@PeterA, quite a dramatic transition from where you were a year ago. And you've documented it well both in words and with excellent photography. I suspect several (many?) of us stand in awe of what you accomplished - I do. Obviously you took great care in assembling each piece with an eye to the whole and good taste is reflected in the ambience of the room. Many details well thought through. You had a plan and made it happen.

Have you tried other listening positions besides the sofa?

And of course, kudos to David.
 

rando

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Sep 22, 2019
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Have you tried other listening positions besides the sofa?

Artistic recreation of Peter the last few weeks following a hard sail.

 

spiritofmusic

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Really nice, Peter. We can disagree about terminology, but not this winning overall aesthetic.
 
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ddk

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May 18, 2013
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@PeterA, quite a dramatic transition from where you were a year ago. And you've documented it well both in words and with excellent photography. I suspect several (many?) of us stand in awe of what you accomplished - I do. Obviously you took great care in assembling each piece with an eye to the whole and good taste is reflected in the ambience of the room. Many details well thought through. You had a plan and made it happen.

Have you tried other listening positions besides the sofa?

And of course, kudos to David.
Hi Tim,
It was a very constructive and fun couple of days at Peter’s. I had a chance to meet Ian and Al for a fun evening and David who’s another member here, earlier that day. Of course meeting Peter’s beautiful family was very special, it’s always a privilege to be invited into a friend’s home and share uninterrupted quality time together. Huge thanks to Peter and family!

Regarding the seating position, we optimized the sofa’s location and fine tuned the room reflections with the blinds as part of the set up. While the sofa is prime position you can still anywhere in the room and still enjoy 90% of the sound even if you went right up to the fireplace or sat on the side by a speaker. Peter’s is a relatively small room with a huge sound right now. The rack is really gorgeous and works very well supporting his Micro Seiki and Lamm electronics. For anyone interested in how a big system can sound in a tight space doing double duty as a family living room, Peter’s space is the acid test.

Thank you Peter for the lovely stay!

david
 
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Rhapsody

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Rhapsody.Audio
Here are some more photos of the room as it is now configured. We removed the last acoustic treatment which was a towel over the glass in one of the cabinets and we put back the fireplace screen. Neither affected the overall sound. I will also be adding a low mahogany butler's table in front of the sofa. The room is becoming a living room again, though with a rather imposing stereo system. Fortunately, David does not think it needs audiophile acoustic treatments.

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Hi Peter, Happy Sunday!

Your room and system are GLORIOUS!!! Magazine worthy for sure and I'm sure it sounds as good as it looks. Just wonderful!!! Enjoy it all in good health for years to come.

LOVE the new rack as well. Beautiful!
 

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