New photos of Randy's system ...

Randy Myers · Nov 11, 2019

Yes, the entire system is setup slightly to the right because of how the bookcase is on the back wall. My chair is directly between the speakers, where the bookcase ends, which made fine tuning a bit more challenging.

I have tried having the system on one of the side walls, but this put a speaker in the way of accessing the bookcase, or the other side puts a speaker semi in the path coming into the room from the stairway.

chops · Nov 13, 2019

Wow Randy, you finally found your way back to vinyl after all of that time saying you weren't going to. ;-)

Also notice that little Elac sub over in the corner. How do you like it? Does it compliment the KEF's well?

Randy Myers · Nov 13, 2019

The Elac works very well with my KEF's. It does not bring attention to itself but adds some nice bottom end fullness.

I really like the controls being from my cell phone. I also like that it uses the phones microphone and tests the room and can adjust for the rooms affects on the bottom end automatically.

As for vinyl, it is another source and gives some nice remembrances of when I first got into good sound systems back in the day.

Randy Myers · Dec 28, 2019

Some updated pics....

joeinid · Dec 28, 2019

Looks great, how does it sound?

Randy Myers · Dec 28, 2019

First evening listening with new McIntosh it is very impressive!

bluegrassphile · Dec 28, 2019

Beautiful!!! :congrats: :coolyeah:

bluegrassphile · Dec 28, 2019

Randy, you're not making it any easier for me, LOL! I pay for my new system next Thursday (my birthday). Then it's just a matter of waiting on the truck.

I already have my speakers...Harbeth Super HL 5+ 40th Anniversary Models. I'll be receiving a Pass Labs int 250 integrated amp and MSB Discrete DAC with optional second power supply and Roon Nucleus.

Pretty straight forward, simple set up. No TT, no headphone stage, no built in DAC. The int 250 is a relatively simple integrated amp virtually identical to the 250.8 power amp with a custom preamp made specifically for the int 250. Extremely well designed and well made integrated amp.

I started this journey last February (2019). It's been a loooonnnnnggggg wait.

I'm so happy for you Randy. It must be a great feeling to have such a wonderful set up. Enjoy!! Can't wait to get mine.

Tom

Randy Myers · Dec 28, 2019

Awesome Tom,

Enjoy your new system. It will be great for you!

Randy Myers · Jan 24, 2020

Some new photos, with vinyl rack, McIntosh, etc.

Randy Myers · Mar 14, 2020

Here are some new pictures now that the Hattor and new table are in place (and the T+A amp back in duty

).

audio.bill · Mar 14, 2020

Congrats Randy! Nice dust cover on your new Rega RP8, never saw one like that with the open corners. Curious where you sourced it, it looks really clean along the seams (often bubbles show in the glue). Enjoy the tunes in the best of health!

MPW · Mar 14, 2020

Looks great Randy! Next frontier is speakers. I have extensively compared old R, new R, and Reference. The move up to new R or Reference would be quite an improvement from your R700’s (which are great speakers). Save your pennies!

Randy Myers · Mar 14, 2020

audio.bill said:
Congrats Randy! Nice dust cover on your new Rega RP8, never saw one like that with the open corners. Curious where you sourced it, it looks really clean along the seams (often bubbles show in the glue). Enjoy the tunes in the best of health!

Thank you... really like the Rega, but prefer it without the outside plinth. That was only so they could include a dust cover, but I prefer to not have the cover on when playing records, and the skeletal plinth seems to be better on its own without the outside one

.

It is a Pro-Ject. Some people love it, some don't. I liked that it was more reasonably priced and most important it fit my new table... it seems to do the job just fine and looks rather cool when the table is not in use

.

https://www.amazon.com/Pro-Ject-Cov...350&sprefix=project+dust+cover,aps,240&sr=8-1

Randy Myers · Mar 14, 2020

MPW said:
Looks great Randy! Next frontier is speakers. I have extensively compared old R, new R, and Reference. The move up to new R or Reference would be quite an improvement from your R700’s (which are great speakers). Save your pennies!

Thanks Morgan... I would love Reference but affording them is another issue

. Now that I have the rest of the system to a place I like we will see on speakers. I do like my R700's but I also know the higher models are better.

MikeCh · Mar 14, 2020

Nice looking Randy, bet it's sounding really great!

Bill, I agree that is a nice turn table cover. It appears because of the joint structure that the acrylic does not overlap itself at the joint but meets at the edges only?

Regardless, and especially impressive if there's actually no or very little adhesive used, is the accuracy with which the flaps of the box have been folded under heat.

Randy Myers · Mar 14, 2020

MikeCh said:
Nice looking Randy, bet it's sounding really great!

Bill, I agree that is a nice turn table cover. It appears because of the joint structure that the acrylic does not overlap itself at the joint but meets at the edges only?

Regardless, and especially impressive if there's actually no or very little adhesive used, is the accuracy with which the flaps of the box have been folded under heat.

That is how it works. Some people really like it like that and some others complain. I think it works great for me.

Spock · Mar 14, 2020

I think a turntable is the most beautiful piece of an audio system. When i look to my system i feel like something is missing. And it is! Perhaps I will soon adopt an identical and economical solution.

Randy Myers · Mar 14, 2020

Spock said:
I think a turntable is the most beautiful piece of an audio system. When i look to my system i feel like something is missing. And it is! Perhaps I will soon adopt an identical and economical solution.

I was debating the Rega versus a VPI. Two very different designs. The Rega looks very cool with high tech designs, but the VPI solid construction and reputation was desirable. I ended up choosing the RP8 because the close out deal was simply too good to pass up.

So far the RP8 has impressed the heck out of me. The triple layer glass platter is very impressive. It uses Rega's high end step up belt, and also uses two of them! It includes their step up motor and separate power supply control box! Very nice tonearm that both adjusts well and seems to be dead on tracking. Space age materials that are very lite but extremely ridged. It feels really good and sounds great! I also just received a leather mat because I feel the mat sounds better then having the album directly on the glass, and I am not a fan of felt mats.