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Shop/showroom or advice in Dublin?

Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2014 8:34 pm
by gigatoaster
Hello!

I hope I didn't post in the wrong section or in the wrong forum.

I'm French and I am moving to Dublin. I am looking for a new HiFi system. I went to some auditorium in France and it seems there are more choices than in Ireland.

So far I found only this one: http://www.exclusiveaudio.ie/

Could you tell me if it is a good one and if you know any others in Dublin City?

Today I listened to these:

Magnat EDELSTEIN
Focal Aria 926
Focal 7xx (forgot the reference)
B&W CM8
Dynaudio xxx (forgot the reference)

A Rotel RA-12 was used. I also tried a NAIM, a TEAC AX-501 with a DAC UD-501.

I liked the most the B&W CM8 but I'll go tomorrow to do further listening. I also listened to PMC Twenty 23 (not sure) and it was magic but out of my league in term of budget.

As a source, I used a usb stick with some FLAC on a Pioneer N-50 (which I didn't like, it crashed several times and it took time to "boot").

In the end, I would like to use a Mac mini as a source, do you think it is a good choice?

Cya.

Re: Shop/showroom or advice in Dublin?

Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2014 9:32 pm
by Ivor
The Listening Suite is on Wicklow St, Cloney Audio have a small shop in Tower Records but a bigger shop in Blackrock just outside the city but very accessible. Do have a look through our classified ads you might find something interesting.
Sorry, this is a short reply on my phone, but I will add to it later! Welcome btw. If you need and advice on other stuff in Ireland don't hesitate to ask!

Re: Shop/showroom or advice in Dublin?

Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2014 9:34 pm
by Adrian
Welcome to de forum, there are two others to add to your list,

http://Www.cloneyaudio.com and http://www.hifihut.com

There is also the classifieds section on here where some good items are for sale as well.

Yes Ireland is a smaller market than France, so sometimes one has to be patient.

Also check out the section "interesting links" on here as well, it lists various places of interest.

If you are into computer audio streaming then check out our wonderful CA section!!!

Re: Shop/showroom or advice in Dublin?

Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2014 11:24 pm
by gigatoaster
Hi

Thanks for your warm welcome. I'll have a look at the classifields. I've found these shop you mentioned few days ago actually.

I also sent a mail to B&W to have the location of a distributor.

Tomorrow I'll go to 2 showrooms in Paris. Hopefully I will get a better picture of my need & on the signature. It's complicated but I'm patient.

I'm very interested by computer audio. I'm waiting for a new mac Mini. If nothing is coming in October, I will be considering buying or assembling a computer (nuc format).

Again thank you and if someone has the CM8, I would be delighted to meet him if it is something you usually do in Ireland.

Re: Shop/showroom or advice in Dublin?

Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2014 10:58 am
by Claus
Welcome gigatoaster. Be aware that the cm8 are notorious hard to drive. They will need a good amplifier to show off their best qualities. Cloney Audio are b&w dealers and offer great service and often have something of interest in their second hand /ex-demo section. With a bit of patience, good stuff come up on our forum. And in deed many of us would be open to demoing our gear to help you make desicions.... I have a fanless NUC running various windows systems, and was planning on getting a Mac mini. If you want to hear my NUC any time just let me know. Best of luck, and remember to trust your ears!

Re: Shop/showroom or advice in Dublin?

Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2014 8:09 pm
by gigatoaster
Hi Claus

Thank you for your message! I'll definitely contact you for a little demo once I'm set up in Dublin(I'm looking for a place to live in Blanchardstown, hard to find something under 1000€/m!), thanks for the invitation!

Today went well at the showroom. I have a short list:

1. Magnat Quantum 757 + Rotel RA-12
2. KEF Q700V + Teac UD501 + Teac AX501

It seems there are no distributors of Teac in Ireland. This amplifier was really impressive, more details than the Rotel. The Magnat were above the CM8: wider, more sound volume & deepness in the room, sharper & more details.

I found the same thing with the KEF in comparaison to the CM8.

Unfortunately I'm unable to make a comparaison between KEF vs MAGNAT.

But I'm not in a hurry and will take my time before making my decision.

Re: Shop/showroom or advice in Dublin?

Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 10:49 pm
by gigatoaster
Hello!

I found the AX-501 & UD-501 avalaible in Ireland here : http://www.thomann.de/ie/teac_ud_501_b.htm

Do you know this shop? We have it in France too and they have good reputation with turntables and cartridge.

Anyone ordered from them recently? How was the experience?

Also have heard about these 2 products? Are they famous in Ireland or in the UK? They are pretty famous here, though if you any UK or forum users reviews please share.

Re: Shop/showroom or advice in Dublin?

Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 10:53 pm
by Ivor
gigatoaster wrote:Hello!

I found the AX-501 & UD-501 avalaible in Ireland here : http://www.thomann.de/ie/teac_ud_501_b.htm

Do you know this shop? We have it in France too and they have good reputation with turntables and cartridge.

Anyone ordered from them recently? How was the experience?

Also have heard about these 2 products? Are they famous in Ireland or in the UK? They are pretty famous here, though if you any UK or forum users reviews please share.

Thomann is a German website rather than an actual shop so the store you have in France is the same one we have in Ireland. TEAC would be well known here alright but not in recent years.

Re: Shop/showroom or advice in Dublin?

Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2014 12:48 pm
by Seán
gigatoaster wrote:Hello!

I found the AX-501 & UD-501 avalaible in Ireland here : http://www.thomann.de/ie/teac_ud_501_b.htm

Do you know this shop? We have it in France too and they have good reputation with turntables and cartridge.

Anyone ordered from them recently? How was the experience?

Also have heard about these 2 products? Are they famous in Ireland or in the UK? They are pretty famous here, though if you any UK or forum users reviews please share.
Hello and welcome. I have bought headphones online from thoman.de and I have found them very good to deal with.

Re: Shop/showroom or advice in Dublin?

Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2014 11:33 am
by gigatoaster
Hello

I'll go somewhere during the month or in September to hifihut to try some Tannoy, KEF R or Q. If you had to choose between these one, which one would you pick?