Have your say & ask the experts

JohnDuncan:

andyb190:

Err, he hasn't paid the price of a Mulberry handbag though has he ? So that's a couple of hundred quid you could've spent on yet more hi fi kit if only you'd followed Numpty's lead and left the Granite Worktop monthly out every time a new purchase appeared (out of the cupboard you'd hidden it in for a couple of weeks til you were sure she hadn't checked the accounts).

It appears you still have much to learn

No, grasshopper. This is the "two-pronged crane" manoeuvre (or something). The Mulberry bag covers the DACMAgic, the ten grand on the builders covers.......well, I haven't decided yet......

Big Chris:

I think I'll push for a new amp too!!

HDNumpty:

OK. So the site doesn't seem to be allowing me to post any more than 1 pic, don't know why. I had two completely separate systems - 1 Home Cinema, 1 Hi-Fi but needed to integrate them somehow as my new house (despite being larger) couldn't accomodate that due to layout. There was also some 'domestic' pressure (ahem) to cut down on the speaker count. So...after much searching I found this 5-shelf cabinet from World Furniture of Leicester, it was the only one that could support all my kit, cut the backs out for ventilation and cabled everything up.

Like Gerardasnails set-up, the 840a acts as a power amp via its fixed input option in HC mode (and for FM radio) as well as being a dedicated stereo amp for CD, MP3 and digital radio via the Humax PVR. The AV also carries inputs from the TV for watching broadcast films/concerts and an optical feed from the PVR for recorded films as well as the obligatory digital feed from the HD/DVD player. The whole thing works like a dream (you just have to remember to switch on the stereo amp in HC mode) and sounds great - the CM1s up front and little MS302s at the rear giving a much needed boost to HC. Its also nice to have an FM radio option (from the 540r which has its own boosted signal from the loft-mounted TV aerial), Classic FM sounding totally different to its DAB equivalent.

Planned upgrades include a Sony BDP-S350 (in the next month) to take advantage of LoveFilm's Bluray collection and possibly an Arcam CD93 from a mate as the 640c is now a bit outclassed by the stereo amp. Also fancy a Freesat recorder as and when they come out.

A special thanks to Gerardasnails for inspiration and keeping the wife happy - only have 4 visible speakers now against 7 in the old place!!! comments welcome (just wish I could post more pics, so help with that welcome also)

Oliver

Big Chris:

JohnDuncan:

andyb190:

Err, he hasn't paid the price of a Mulberry handbag though has he ? So that's a couple of hundred quid you could've spent on yet more hi fi kit if only you'd followed Numpty's lead and left the Granite Worktop monthly out every time a new purchase appeared (out of the cupboard you'd hidden it in for a couple of weeks til you were sure she hadn't checked the accounts).

It appears you still have much to learn

No, grasshopper. This is the "two-pronged crane" manoeuvre (or something). The Mulberry bag covers the DACMAgic, the ten grand on the builders covers.......well, I haven't decided yet......

Exactly!!

I first mentioned getting a CD192 and got a "There's nothing wrong with the current CD player" for my troubles.

Now a few months and a Corian worktop, Porsche Design knives, and Siemens Porsche Design kettle & toaster down the line, it's "Do you want to drive down to Brighton next week-end and we could pick one up".


LOL! :-)


Hell. I think I'll push for a new amp too!!

JohnDuncan:

Big Chris:

I think I'll push for a new amp too!!

Well with the A32 available for 679 quid at the mo, I think it would be foolish not to. "Look darling, I'm saving £621".

HDNumpty:

Cheers Gerard and thanks again for the 840a recommend - v.pleased with it. I'm just auditioning an Arcam CD92 on a very good offer from a mate - much improved CD sound and too much of a bargain to miss. Would've loved one of the Cambridge upsampling players but expensive (especially taking into account the aforementioned granite worktops) & won't fit in my rack without being hidden away, which defeats the object a bit.

So am I right in assuming you're using the BD player as your CD-spinner now? with a DACMagic? sounds like a good option...stick some photis up mate!!

take care

timwileman:

seems that credit crunch is not affecting anyone here....particularly JD...!!

JohnDuncan:

timwileman:

seems that credit crunch is not affecting anyone here....particularly JD...!!

Tuh. What have I bought recently?

Gerrardasnails:

JohnDuncan:

timwileman:

seems that credit crunch is not affecting anyone here....particularly JD...!!

Tuh. What have I bought recently?

How much did she cost?

JohnDuncan:

Gerrardasnails:

JohnDuncan:

timwileman:

seems that credit crunch is not affecting anyone here....particularly JD...!!

Tuh. What have I bought recently?

How much did she cost?

Wha'?