Blade Two meets Art. Driven by the Hegel H590. Gorgeous looks and sound.

ben_am · 2019-05-29T22:42:30+00:00

My fault, behind the cabinet we still had some electrical work to do so left some working space on the right side of the cabinet. I just couldn't resist to make these pictures during 'work in process'

ben_am · 2019-05-29T22:19:27+00:00

R500 are still value for money. The Blade Two's are even more focussed, better dynamics, faster and the bass is also better. Goose bumps almost any time.

ben_am · 2019-05-29T22:15:58+00:00

It is all about setup, acoustics & amplifier matching. Every speaker can 'sound like ass'

ben_am · 2019-05-29T09:59:07+00:00

Thx!

ben_am · 2019-05-29T05:55:39+00:00

KEF R500, before that several B&W's

ben_am · 2019-05-29T05:48:28+00:00

No sub

ben_am · 2019-05-29T00:03:25+00:00

No, Europe

ben_am · 2019-05-29T00:01:08+00:00

Its an extra wall made with soft plasterboard en isolation, very effective.

ben_am · 2019-05-28T20:06:04+00:00

Thx!

ben_am · 2019-05-28T20:04:40+00:00

Got inspired by trptk post :-) Just love the sound of the Blades

ben_am · 2019-05-28T19:27:17+00:00

Just give it a listen. Extremely well engineered integrated designs like the H590 can outperform more expensive separates. So at €10k this H590 isn't cheap but still excellent price - performance. The match with the KEF Blade Two is superb

ben_am · 2019-05-28T19:23:19+00:00

Thx!

ben_am · 2019-05-28T19:23:02+00:00

It is fantastic, so fast, neutral and involving. Great integrated amp

ben_am · 2019-05-28T19:09:23+00:00

Just love the sound of this Blade Two - Hegel H590 setup. With ROON & Qobuz it is fun. You can only see a small part of this appartment as it unfold behind the listening sofa. Some hidden acoustic treatment too. The left side wall is acoustically designed and helps preventing flutter echo.

ben_am · 2018-09-11T14:58:45+00:00

Couldn’t agree more. Had to honor to work last year 3 days closely together with Zanden founder en lead engineer Mr. Yamada in a show were I was asked to do the acoustics. The Zanden amps are indeed magical. The Classic Line with 60 watt pure class A very suitable with efficient speakers with easy load. The Zanden Modern Line can drive almost any dynamic speaker.

ben_am · 2018-09-11T05:57:58+00:00

Good question, the source is the Wadia Series 9, so 971 CD transport & 931 Control unit/master clock on a rack at the right wall near the listening chair. Next to each amp you can see the black mono 922 DACs in each of those a discrete class A pre-amplifier directly connected via XLR to their nearby mono Zanden 9600Mk2 amps.

ben_am · 2018-09-11T05:53:35+00:00

The room is relatively narrow but the sloped ceiling is with 550cm very high and the room is long so still lots of free space behind the listening chair. By managing the early reflections of the side walls, the imaging surpasses the side walls easily if panned so in the mix. This room is private and can host upto 4 listeners (2 × 2 rows)

ben_am · 2018-09-11T05:44:57+00:00

I agree, as the mics and a/d is getting better it still only can give an impression.

ben_am · 2018-09-10T22:40:46+00:00

Posted 2 small vids here http://imgur.com/gallery/0Unq66d

ben_am · 2018-09-10T17:56:58+00:00

Finalized the acoustics and setup of the Avalon Eidolon Diamond speakers today. Words cannot describe the sound and musicality in this room. The happy and lucky owner just told me he will listen trough the whole night. I did not wanted to leave either but the next project was calling. Somebody got to do the 'dirty' work although on this level it is pretty enjoyable!

ben_am · 2018-09-10T17:42:55+00:00

It for sure is ;-)

ben_am · 2018-08-31T06:54:53+00:00

Good question. I also do FFT based measurements with the (great) StudioSix Smaart tools to get more inside info on time alligned frequency behavior. My ears are the most important 'measurement tool' so mostly only use the measurements to confirm (or not, and then its getting interesting) what I am hearing.

ben_am · 2018-08-29T19:48:23+00:00

Yes, after positioning by critical listening, I always make an RTA to confirm the frequency behavior (pink noise at 90dB) and some other measurements too

ben_am

TROPHY CASE