Thread: Home theatre versus stereo system.

It is like a blast from the (distant) past to hear discussion about hifi good and bad. As I noted on another thread (about studio monitors), I have not had much dealing with hifi in almost 30 years. Up until that time I had the same obsessive involvement that I now have with woodworking handtools. What does that say about me!

I have not invested in a home theatre set up. The TV is a moderately wide affair and is connected, along with the DVD, to the hifi, a two speaker system. I have never felt that I was missing out and, when I compare the (cheap) surround sound systems of friends, I notice the difference in sound quality. I am not prepared to sacrifice sound quality.

My system was originally build around a turntable. I still listen to LPs, although CDs are more convenient and used when music is less a focus (such as when in the background). This is a Thorens TD150, the forerunner of the Linn Sondek (which I could not afford back then), and which I modified with better wiring, suspension, etc. It sports a Rega arm and a high-end Supex moving coil cartridge.

The Musical Fidelity Synthesis amplifier is an integrated affair of power amp, preamp and moving coil pre-preamp. It was considered very fine in its day. I wonder how well it ranks now?

Speakers? Gad I went through a lot! I auditioned them all in my livingroom - my poor suffering and understanding wife!! At one time I had Celestion Ditton 66s. Talk about large (they were about 5 foot high) and loud (or, more correctly, efficient - they could be driven to stadium heights with just a NAD 3020, which I once had). Eventually all were replaced by the speakers I still own, B&W DM7 MkII. These are large, have caged tweeters on the top (a revolutionary "linear" design at the time). A very "natural' sound, very detailed and spatious.

I went through several CD players over the years. The problem is/was that nothing could match the sound from the turntable. Today I just play CDs via the LG recordable DVD. It sounds surprisingly satisfactory. Either the machines have got better or my ears have got worse! This home theatre revolution has made for more difficulties. I would like a dedicated CD that has the quality level I still seek, but there is a limit to the number of machines I can place on the shelf (my wife is not all that accepting!). What does the gathering here experience/recommend?

For the rest there is a Quad (33?) tuner (I would love to find a 44/405 system just for its looks). I also spent time (back then) making my own cables (yes, really!). Twisting single core into multicore until it suited my system (and yes, even Lynndy could tell the difference, and approved!). 20 years ago I lived in Sydney and discovered that Space and Time cable (sold at a dedicated hifi shop then) was not as good as mine. Nor was any of the cables from Linn or other manufactures. I was dedicated - obsessed - then.

Where am I going with this? Well, the point was raised that home theatre is not as good as specialist hifi. I don't know much about these things. If I were to replace components (which I may be forced to do as the equipment is aging), I would want to know what I should try and hold onto and what I should seek to improve (and some idea of what this might cost).

Regards from Perth

Derek

Originally Posted by derekcohen

they could be driven to stadium heights with just a NAD 3020, which I once had

Ahhh... nice to see a fellow 3020 owner Bliss as a budget amp, and ill bet my super saw that even today almost 30 years on that it runs rings (musically) around 90% of the suround sound amp crap thats served up to us.

Hi all,

In the front room I've got a JVC:eek: :eek: :eek: system (5 spkr) which gives sound for the Teev and doesn't murder Johann Seb too badly. Handles doof! doof! well.
In a cupboard I've got Boston Acoustics gear, SW, rear monitors and a Sony US amp. In the Living room its an HK630 7 speaker surrround with Jensen speakers and two Boston Acoustics thrown in.

But I save the cheapie stuff for the Shed (see below)

Regards

Rob

Hi

I have a pair of old KEF 103.2s together with some Castle acoustics (a small Yorkshire manufacturer who make all of their components in-house as opposed to getting various bits from all over the place) surround sound speakers (compact system - 4 satelites, a centre and active sub) with a Marantz SR8500 7.1 receiver. I have been running the KEFs and Castles together and I thought they all sounded pretty good with both video and music.

I recently replaced the KEFs with Castle Howard speakers. These have forward and upward firing bass drivers and they sound amazing. Many flashy modern speakers (IMHO) sound a little harsh and I can only listen to them for a short time before they start to irritate. Not these. They seem to handle anything including my favorite trumpet and organ test music - without any harshness. They go down to about 35 Hz so I don't really need the sub!

If anyone is considering new speakers I'd thoroughly recommend giving Castle speakers a listen. Only snag is, they are a bit hard to find.

By the way, the wood veneering on them is first rate - no plastic laminates here! They go to the trouble of matching speakers so they are perfect mirror images of grain pattern.

Oh, in my enthusiasm, I've got off the topic here a bit. The Castle compact system I mentioned above is pretty good for both music and video but is a bit limited in oomph! Not really designed for all night parties as they are rated at 75 w but the 6 speakers in the package do work well together.

Hi Richard

25 odd years ago Castle speakers had a very fine reputation. A good find.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Originally Posted by derekcohen

Hi Richard

25 odd years ago Castle speakers had a very fine reputation. A good find.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Hi Derek
Yes, must say I'm feeling rather pleased with my choice (for a change). Castle Acoustics seem to be relatively unknown, apparenly, even in the UK, but on the odd occasion that they are reviewed they do very well and they have kept up with the trends in carbon fibre cones etc. They just don't seem to do much marketing.

The Howards I bought recently are from the last batch of this model as Castle are bringing out a new series next year. There are a number of outlets in Australia but thay are hard to get in NZ.

Here is a link to a local review of the compact system.
http://www.audioenz.co.nz/2004/castle_compact.shtml

The grain looks nice in the picture but even better in reality!

They also do bigger home-theatre systems like this one.

http://www.castle.uk.com/media/revie...V2_HE_5_01.pdf

http://www.castle.uk.com/media/revie...EHC_ISSUE7.pdf

Just a little off topic but I recall the Quad electrostatics, back in the mid 60's, a nice speaker in the UK but didn't really like the local climate, and humidity would kill them.
Think I still have an old Quad amp around the place somewhere, one amp was for mono, buy two and you had stereo.
The amps were never elegant but offered a quality performance in their day.

Originally Posted by RichardL

Hi Derek
Yes, must say I'm feeling rather pleased with my choice (for a change). Castle Acoustics seem to be relatively unknown, apparenly, even in the UK, but on the odd occasion that they are reviewed they do very well and they have kept up with the trends in carbon fibre cones etc. They just don't seem to do much marketing.

The Howards I bought recently are from the last batch of this model as Castle are bringing out a new series next year. There are a number of outlets in Australia but thay are hard to get in NZ.

Here is a link to a local review of the compact system.
http://www.audioenz.co.nz/2004/castle_compact.shtml

The grain looks nice in the picture but even better in reality!

They also do bigger home-theatre systems like this one.

http://www.castle.uk.com/media/revie...V2_HE_5_01.pdf

http://www.castle.uk.com/media/revie...EHC_ISSUE7.pdf

Just found out that Castle has gone bung, so maybe there won't be a new series next year unless someone buys the company. Sad as they are nice speakers.

Originally Posted by derekcohen

It is like a blast from the (distant) past to hear discussion about hifi good and bad.
Regards from Perth

Derek

You said it brother! Brought a smile to the dial for sure! I came back from the UK in '91 with about $18K of gear, after being introduced to the high-end by a mate. LP12 Sonndek, Audiolab 8000A, Arcam Alpha 5, Nakamichi triple head, Linn Nexus. Filled the room when I set it up in the woolshed and cranked her up for the wedding - hoooey. The thermal jigger only cut out twice!

That was then. A wife, 2 reno's, 2 kids and an international move later, and things have changed. The Sonndeck has been in it's box since about '93:eek: . Same with the 300-odd as new LP's. The drawer drive fizzed on the Arcam 2 yrs ago. My dad made a new piece for it - in Oct '05. Must put that back together. The Nakamichi, worth thousands then, holds up a stack of kid's recycled drawing paper in the back of the entertainment cupboard:eek: :eek: .

The Audiolab, well, errmmmmm, that and the Linns are used mainly for......my kids x-box:eek: :eek: :eek:. Star Wars never sounded so good.

I must've lucked in with the Kenwood home theater. CD's sound pretty good, on 'stereo' mode, and I have the 'Knebworth 90' DVD which is awsome cranked up and set on 'Arena'. Just like being there, which I was! Great show, that!

I will be setting up 'my' listening area in the 'east wing' (guest quarters) as the kids are able to understand 'consequences' of fooling with gear that they shouldn't. Can't wait to hear 'Floyd' on vinyl again, and the Proclaimers, and Jackcson Browne, and and ...

Hey - thanks for a Hi Fi forum!

New to the forum by chance but couldn't help putting in my 'two penneth', a Yorkshire term I think from a Yorkshireman....anyway to the point. I think you will find that the very best boys of the Wharfedale speaker company decided to set up making high quality cabinets filled with high quality components in a small factory in Skipton in the Yorkshire Dales...the result, Castle speakers, was a beautiful sound and a wonderful piece of furniture that gets better the more you use them. I searched high and low for my pair of Stirlings but the payoff is worth the endeavour. Paired with an Arcam Diva CD and Rotel power and control amps and given space to breathe the sound is sweet, clear but full of depth choose whether it's Jaimie Cullum, Billy Joel, Floyd or Faithless.
I am building at the mo so not yet set up the theatre but did a bit of experimenting with DVD into the stereo system......brilliant......so will use this as the basis to the AV in preference to any of the all singing all dancing variety ( and I've listened to a good few including the likes of Bose, B&O, and the Jap stuff) and will not sacrifice the sound of music to the ears. Yes you can spend a fortune on all manner of amps, speakers etc but for the money you will really be hard pushed to get a better sound and of course a more pleasing to the eye cabinet. I do believe that Castle have been swallowed up as was stated, but you can still get them from Soundavice in Perth and if you are willing to get them shipped then Moorgate acoustics in Sheffield UK will ship them ( they are also very cheap in comparison 'cos they are selling the end of the stock and excellent to deal with ). There are still a few other stockists in the UK who have them on offer but you have to do a bit of digging. You will not be disappointed!!!

Originally Posted by stupal

New to the forum by chance but couldn't help putting in my 'two penneth', a Yorkshire term I think from a Yorkshireman....anyway to the point. I think you will find that the very best boys of the Wharfedale speaker company decided to set up making high quality cabinets filled with high quality components in a small factory in Skipton in the Yorkshire Dales...the result, Castle speakers, was a beautiful sound and a wonderful piece of furniture that gets better the more you use them. I searched high and low for my pair of Stirlings but the payoff is worth the endeavour. Paired with an Arcam Diva CD and Rotel power and control amps and given space to breathe the sound is sweet, clear but full of depth choose whether it's Jaimie Cullum, Billy Joel, Floyd or Faithless.
I am building at the mo so not yet set up the theatre but did a bit of experimenting with DVD into the stereo system......brilliant......so will use this as the basis to the AV in preference to any of the all singing all dancing variety ( and I've listened to a good few including the likes of Bose, B&O, and the Jap stuff) and will not sacrifice the sound of music to the ears. Yes you can spend a fortune on all manner of amps, speakers etc but for the money you will really be hard pushed to get a better sound and of course a more pleasing to the eye cabinet. I do believe that Castle have been swallowed up as was stated, but you can still get them from Soundavice in Perth and if you are willing to get them shipped then Moorgate acoustics in Sheffield UK will ship them ( they are also very cheap in comparison 'cos they are selling the end of the stock and excellent to deal with ). There are still a few other stockists in the UK who have them on offer but you have to do a bit of digging. You will not be disappointed!!!

I got mine from Lintone Audio in gateshead. Got them airfreighted out to NZ and still cheaper than local prices!

The news I have seen on the net is all bad for Castle though . Here is a link...
http://forums.naim-audio.com/eve/for...7?r=8622977607

Sounds like the factory has been running down for a while. Still, the Howard S3 s I bought are very nice and I guess special as they are the last of the line.