GlesgaKiss

As the title suggests, I've heard a pair of Roland DS8s in action and couldn't believe the sound that came out of them - so crisp, even when loud enough for a valve amp to play along at a decent volume.

My friend that has a set bought them from a guy we used to be in a band with. I see you can still get them ex-demo on the net (they've been discontinued), but I'm wondering what the new alternatives are like? For the kind of quality you get from the DS8s, are you going to have to pay £300+ a unit anyway? My friend has his hooked up to his laptop by USB, and I'll be looking to do that as well.

All advice welcome, I know some guys on here are really into their sounds.

fatscoobfella1

iTrader: (1)

Best monitors i have ever heard...

http://www.manger-audio.co.uk/PDFs/msmc1_english.pdf

dunx

iTrader: (3)

Only 10x as much to buy

fatscoobfella1

iTrader: (1)

10x better....

legb4rsk

A Bugatti Veyron is probably 10x better than my car but I can't afford one of those either.8-)

GlesgaKiss

Look good! But, as above, they're a little beyond my needs.

corradoboy

Not heard them myself, but these seem to get good reviews for use with iPod/PC type sources.....

http://audioengineusa.com/Store/Audioengine-5

ScoobyDoo555

I could recommend loads, but it is SO subjective.

Personally, the Rolands are a little coloured for my liking. But you may think they're brilliant. And that is fine as you have to listen to them all the time.

I could get into a big debate about this, but my opinion doesn't actually matter (nor does anybody else's! )

If you like em, get em

Dan

GlesgaKiss

Interesting. I suppose they could be a cheaper compromise.

That's a good point. To be honest, I probably will end up getting them. Now I've got the idea in my head it's pretty much inevitable.

I don't have a producers ear, they just sounded great to me straight away.

dunx

iTrader: (3)

First impressions aren't always the best, lasting impression is what counts, I took three hours to pick a pair of headphones once...

LOL

dunx

P.S. Currently enjoying my KEF XQ20's via a pair of Cyrus 8 Power amplifiers...

corradoboy

Hence my 24yo speakers still in daily use


Mmmm, sounds like a good combo. I always like Cyrus amps, have a Cyrus II/PSX in storage.

fatscoobfella1

iTrader: (1)

The old Cyrus were a good amp in there day...


Hifi has moved on since,but like has been said its all subjective to the listeners ear..

Next week i am going to blind test a power conditioner that has no internal wiring to the source outputs,instead the company uses electrically conductive gel. Weird,expensive and awesome by what i have read..

Will be interesting..

Sorry for going OT Glesga....

dunx

iTrader: (3)

Drive mine from an AV 8 Surround processor/amp that has new fangled digital inputs

So feed it FLAc from my media PC, and Blu-Ray...

dunx

P.S. Sorry OT again...

Leslie

And it is gutbustingly ugly to boot!

Les

GlesgaKiss

Think I'm going to have to get out to a shop somewhere to try some of these if possible.

Does anyone here have any experience of KRK RP8G2 monitors? They seem to consistently get good reviews in a lot of the comparisons I've read. Look like good value for money and like they will fit the bill for the kind of music I'll be playing through them - heavy rock and dance/trance etc.

DYK

paulg1979

iTrader: (1)

You want some of these or any of the Adam range

http://www.adam-audio.com/en/pro-aud...7x/description

stormyuklondon1

i pretty much enjoy most types of music and I wouldn't use anything other than active studio monitors at home now. They seem to present the music just the way i like it. cut down on the hifi rack box count too
have a listen to Adams or genelecs. you might pay a bit more but I think you'd be less inclined to change sooner. best to have a good long dem of whatever your thinkng about.
enjoy!

corradoboy

On its last outing, my ancient Cyrus was pitted against a new £2k Musical Fidelity amp, and a hand made £3k valve amp (can't remember make). The MF had gaping holes in the sub-bass highlighted with Tracy Chapman's 'Mountains O'Things'. It came strikingly close to winning the group test, with the mellow ambience of the valve amp stealing all our hearts on the night, and I did wonder if another half hour warming up (tested cold) might have got it closer still. All 4 people there were audiophiles of many years. Suffice to say, hi-fi may have come on since then, but not by much, and at the price I'd need to pay to see an appreciable improvement I cannot justify the expense. The MF shocked us that such a well respected brand could have such inadequacy. The same CDP, speakers and cabling were used throughout.

BOT

fatscoobfella1

iTrader: (1)

Fair enough...

But you have to remember that the Cyrus range were never brilliant.Good for there money i will give you that,but as a true replicator of sound they were only average at best...


Musical fidelity...........have you heard anything by them thats any good ? Hifi for tards..

Valve amp.......Could be anything of course,so good,some bad,some brilliant!!!

stormyuklondon1

I wouldnt say mf is all bad. Theyve made some cracking amps over the years and have always been good at making dacs imo. Theyve had a dud or two, but then so have nearly every other hifi manufacturer i can think of.

fatscoobfella1

iTrader: (1)

Again its subjective to the listeners ear i guess....Thats what hi end audio is....lol.....

I have never heard anything by MF that was any good...but then again i havent heard everything that they have made...

I have a early 70's Sugden amp that still sounds sweet and true,the musicality of it is hard to beat.Also have a Naim pre/power set up that is clinical,accurate and precise in its delivery,lacks the warmth of the old Sug though.
My ASR emitter is awesome in every respect though,i have not heard it beaten as yet..

GlesgaKiss

Hi all,

Can't believe it's getting on for a year since I posted this! It's only now that I've got back round to getting a set.

Have decided to go for the KRK Rokit 8s.

When it comes to a USB audio interface, does quality make a big difference? I'm guessing it does. The 'decent' ones seem to all be £200 upwards.

Any advice?

IWatkins

Old one, but pair of Kef Coda 70s are excellent once run in (need a good 50 hours or so) well for my taste anyway.

Digital source to Arcam RDAC to amp to Kefs. Lovely sound. I'm mainly dance/trance/metal.

Cheers

Ian