download the PDF version - Ultra High Fidelity Magazine

Free Advice
Actually, Michael, the people in your
discussion groups could all be right,
though that doesn’t mean you can attack
the problems in random order.
Start with the room. Acoustics matter
a lot, and with the speakers close to a
long wall, you’re getting the sort of
early reflections which confuse a stereo
image beyond all recognition. The
Mission speakers are quite decent, but
are not known for projecting a stereo
image that can thrive even under adverse
conditions. We can’t comment on your
electronics, which are unknown to us,
but the CD player has the usual problems
of entry-level source components.
Including an image that can be discerned
only thanks to a massive suspension of
disbelief.
We’ve glanced over the photos you
sent along, and we can see a basis for
perhaps more experimentation than
you’ve done so far.
The space in the centre of the room
(between the sofa and the system) is
quite large. Try bringing the speakers
out into the room a little — not so much
that people need to turn sideways to pass,
but perhaps enough to avoid very early
reflections. Try varying the distance
between them, and see whether toeing
them in (or not toeing them in, perhaps)
makes a difference.
We think your cables are adequate
for the moment, and we wouldn’t suggest
biamplifying until you have a better
source.
I plan to live and work in Canada for
at least a year in the near future. I’d love
to bring my stereo over for the stay. It’s a
mid-range system costing £4000. All the
components are British-manufactured,
and currently work with a mains supply
of 240v. One interesting piece of info I’ve
picked up is that in Britain your stereo sounds
better if you plug it into the left hand side
of a dual socket (it’s to do with the earthing
apparently).
What mains voltage/amplitude does
Canada use, what equipment would you
recommend to provide a decent mains supply
to plug my power supply into, and are there
any other mains-related tips you have for a
visitor to get the best out of a visit?
Alex Buller
MANCHESTER, UK
Canada uses 120 volt mains at 60 Hz,
Alex. It’s quite easy to find transformers
to adapt your gear, but the performance
hit may be more than you want to
accept.
We suggest calling the respective
manufacturers of your equipment. If
your move to Canada should turn out to
be long-term, it may be best to install the
120 volt power transformers that would
be used in the North American version
of your gear. In some cases, the 120 volt
tap is already on the transformer, and
adapting to your new country will be a
quick soldering job. You will of course
need new power cords, but if your equipment
has the usual detachable IEC cord,
you can buy the appropriate ones when
you get here. If you have a captive cord,
or an expensive one, you can simply
change the plug.
By the way, one of our former staff
members has just crossed the Atlantic
the other way, to southern France. He
took his YBA system with him. A local
YBA dealer just changed the transformer
tap for the higher voltage.
I’m having some difficulty choosing a CD
player. The two manufacturers I’ve narrowed
it down to, are Krell and Creek.The
CD player would be complemented by TACT
Amplifi cation and Totem Mani-2 speakers.
My biggest concern would be the survival
of the two companies and the reliability of
their products.
Ron Stanley
Krell is better known for large
amplifiers than for CD players, actu-
ULTRA HIGH FIDELITY Magazine 15