A Rega system for watching films? ... really?

We were asked recently to provide a CD based system that could also be used for watching films. This isn't particularly as easy as it sounds as most Home Cinema set ups are pretty poor at playing music. We have found though, that when we talk it through with customers to find out what their expectations are, most are just disappointed with the lack of clarity from their TV and like the dynamics and bass energy that they have experienced at a cinema. It is interesting that though Home Cinema has always been sold on its surround sound ability, this aspect is not actually very high priority for the high percentage of buyers .... in fact we have seen a lot of systems where the owner has never connected the rear channels as they 'would be in the way'

Generally, we find that though Home Cinema systems are poor at music, straight forward stereo systems are very good at films.... and if that extra bit of scale is needed, adding a subwoofer can work really well.

The system we ended up on was this

Rega Apollo-R  CD
Rega Brio-R Amplifier
Rega RS5 Speakers
REL T5 Subwoofer
Atlas Elements Interconnects
Atlas Hyper 2 speaker cable

Modern TVs are actually quite difficult to connect to  .. this Samsung only had an optical out for audio, so we added a low price optical to line DAC converter (to be upgraded in the future). The Playstation/ Sky and Apple TV were all connected directly to the TV so that the audio would also come through the Rega via the DAC.

The result was quite startling. Although it doesn't look it in the picture, this is quite a large room .. the picture shows around 5%  of the floor area ... the system is tucked into a 'snug' area of the Kitchen/ Diner ... but even so, managed filled the space with clear, dynamic sound .... the solid structure of the building worked in our favour as the speakers needed to be closer in to the walls than is usually ideal ... CDs were very clear with a good tuneful bass and that typical Rega ability to make your foot tap.

On films, switching on the REL subwoofer gave astonishing scale and that true Cinema rumble that adds so much to the atmosphere .. but also as we were using a really capable, purist stereo amplifier, rather that a surround amplifier saddled with multiple channels and noisy video circuits, the music soundtracks sounded superb as well!

If you want a more straightforward approach to enjoying films on your TV then give us a call on 01270 580734

Stax SR007 Mk2 Headphones for sale - secondhand

Traded in recently by a customer upgrading to SR009

We have a very nice pair of SR007 Mk2 Omegas for sale - you can view the Ebay advert here

Only one year old and very carefully looked after by a good customer of ours.

If you are interested, give us a call on 01270 580734 for more information

REL subwoofers

We are now agents for REL

REL have always been the Subwoofer market leaders, they have a wonderful range of midrange and budget models ... but also the formidable Gibralter models which are certainly the best we have heard

REL Gibralter G2

Most speaker manufactures product Subwoofers which match (visually) the rest of their range .. but mostly these are quite poor 'token' models with bought in amplifier units. Adding a REL is like opening a door to a new world

It's not just the extra octaves of bass available which makes a REL so appealing,  a good Sub will actually improve the soundstage and clarity of a system, right up into the treble. This is due to way instuments produce sound .. even a flute will produce harmonics right across the audio band, so retaining this makes the instument sound more realistic.

To see the range, Click here

On the Jig today - Ferguson with Garrard SP25 mk2

After a run of Rega Planar 3 turntables in for updates and service it was good to have a change. This lovely Ferguson Turntable / Amplifier set up is now on the Jig. Fitted with a Garrard SP25 mk2 deck the Ferguson has inputs for an external tape deck and radio. It also has two 'two pin DIN' speaker out sockets ..... so this is a Record player/amp combo

Ferguson - (lid removed)

The reported fault was quite common on Automatic or in this case Semi Automatic turntables, the tonearm was sticking about 2/3 into the album. Now working again after a thorough clean and regrease of the auto return mechanism. Not bad for a 50 year old!

Rega win at the What Hifi Awards 2014

Rega have done exceptionally well again at the What Hifi Awards


The Fono MM has been awarded 'Best Phonostage' ....again!

Wonderfully musical and an amazing bargain, the Fono MM comes close to the performance of models at twice the price!

Rega Fono MM mk2
 

To see (or buy) the Rega Fono click here

Also in the Awards, the Rega RP3 turntable won 'Best Turntable £400-£800'

The RP3 and earlier Planar 3 has become an audio institution. A modern classic!

Rega RP3 with Rega ELYS2 cartridge
 

We were also very pleased to see that Regas new Amplifiers the Elex-R and the Elicit-R also coming top in the Amplifier catagories.

Please contact us if you are interested in any of the above products - 01270 580734

mail@cheshireaudio.co.uk

Atacama Evoque modular Hifi Rack

Atacama have come up with a bit of a winner with the Evoque. It is quite rare to get a decent looking table which sounds great and is also modular so that you can build it to suit your needs.

The main plus point with the Evoque is it's use of Bamboo ... it may seem like a bit of a gimmick. but Bamboo ticks a lot of boxes. Firstly it is very light and rigid, which keeps low frequency resonance to a minimum ... it is also quite random in it's density, which could be a bad thing if it made the mass unpredictable (as in real wood), but in Bamboo the random element is at a much more granular level, so overall mass stays constant and the structure of the material effectively damps mid to high frequencies.

Add to that a choice of shelf gaps and various finishes and the Evoque makes real sense, even with quite high end systems

To see more click here

Audion Sterling Plus amplifier for sale

We have an Audio Sterling Plus -  Valve amplifier for sale on Ebay

Here is the link :

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251650974963?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Any enquiries, ring us on 01270 580734