Our systems

Rocket · October 06, 2007, 05:42:46 PM

Hi Guys,

I've had a recent addition to my system as I have bought Nuforce s9 speakers. The bass is fine now.

Transport: Pioneer pds 507 (g&d clock and digital output board mods)
Dac: Perpetual Technologies p3a/p1a modwright level 2
Preamp: N.E.W. P3 Tube preamp
Amplifier: Ps Audio hca - 2 (modified)/Son of Ampzilla
Speakers: Nuforce s9/Zalytron speaker Kit Raven 2/ Phl drivers
Turntable: Bluenote Piccol phonostage
Phonostage: Bluenote De medici

richidoo · October 06, 2007, 06:17:09 PM

Hey congrats Rocket!!!! Let's hear all about them!?!? Got some pics??

_Scotty_ · October 06, 2007, 08:14:44 PM

There have been some changes to my system since I first listed it over on AC.
The new additions are a Superphon Revelation III preamp and a custom ChipAmp/GainClone.
The Chip amp is sort of the opposite approach from most versions. It has a total of 40,000mfd of Jensen caps in the power supply and a 500watt toroidal transformer. This lets it do 60watts into 8ohms and 120watts into 4ohms. The rest of the system is the same.
Speakers are Reimer Speakers Teton GS, 96dB efficient See link http://www.sixmoons.com/audioreviews/roadtour10/roadtour10.html
Stan Warren modded JVC DVD player NS-512
Mapelnoll Ariadne TT Custom phonostage , AudioTechnica AT440 ML
Fisher FM-100-B tuner rebuilt and restored to current broadcast specs courtesy of the Fisher Doctor telling me what parts values to use.
Reality Cables, ICs,speaker cables,power cords
Maple butcher blocks under power amp,preamp and DVD player roller bearing isolation under the DVD player. ERS paper on preamp,power amp and DVD player.
I listen to Jazz,Classical,indie,Classic Rock,New Age,Trance Ambient and others.
One of my favorite CDs is The Thievery Corporation,CosmicGame

wet weasel · October 10, 2007, 06:01:45 PM

wet weasel's Wave Motion Engine

This is my primary system. It's currently undergoing rapid evolution. The process has stalled for two salient reasons: I'm pretty broke after a buying binge. Also, the Weasel's Wallow isn't ready for me to set it all up. We've had sort of a traumatic remodel here, and now it's full of Spouse's Schtuff, all the detritus that's too good to discard, not good enough to bring into the house, but just right to clutter the Wallow. It is to sigh and roll the eyes.

Without further ado:

source 1) Michell Orbe turntable
SME V tonearm
Lyra Helikon SL cartridge
Lehman Black Cube phono stage (provisional)

source 2) Rega Planet as transport (provisional)
dCS Purcell upsampler
dCS Elgar (non-1394) dac

preamp: Pass Labs X0.2

amp: Pass Labs X350.5

speakers: Audio Physic Virgo (provisional. Birdseye maple finish)
Rockport Syzygy 3-way floorstanders, still in crate
Wilson WATCH Dawg, half out of crate. Hhhheavyy!

cabling: van den Hul phono
Nordost Frey, Valhalla balanced
Brilliant Livestock Electroschlock silver-tfe single-ended (four single ends per pair)
Alpha-Core Goertz copper speaker cable
Electraglide, CPCC power cords
Brilliant Livestock Corrupts Absolutely power cables

other: Brilliant Livestock Mu Rack (in design stage)
B.L InCPot indium-and-graphite coupling hooves
B.L Schlocki Stones with unique passive-aggressive dissipation feature
Mattel Reference Line "Close'n'Play" backup vinyl system
Unmuffled Harley-Davidson active-bass module

System strengths: Won't blow away in a high wind. Looks kind a cool. Runs kind a hot, which is good
for the winter Wallow. Very good resolution and detail retrieval, and for my tastes it is
utterly true to the music. Most components are "lifetime goal" purchases, unless something
revolutionary comes down the pike.

System weaknesses: Oy, I'm broke! My back hurts. Look at the electric bill. Every time I see a worthy
upgrade for a provisional component appear on that spend-money site, I tense up. Are most
recordings really that indifferently engineered? Some of my vinyl sounds like Jiffy Pop but
doesn't smell as good. Ship is vulnerable for a full minute after firing.

System statement of purpose: To extract as much information as is possible within today's state of the
art. To do so without introducing additive artifacts or distortions. To maintain its composure
during the most densely orchestrated fortissimi, and still sound credible during solo and
pianissimo passages. To tell me if a given recording rocks, boogies, croons, sings, is in a coma
or screams existential anguish at an absentee God. To be so accomplished at the above that I
can leave the upgrade path and just listen to music. (Cue hoots of deranged laughter)

In re provisional components. CD transport: dCS Verdi? ML 31.5? Some exoticum from Cec or Emm??
Phono stage: Pass Xono probably. Any suggestions that might work well in above system?
AC treatments, e.g PS Audio or Shunyata?

Once the Weasel's Wallow is a little cleaner, I can get to work on making the Mu Rack and on v.2 Brilliant Livestock ics and speaker cables. I have some wunnerful wunnerful idears. Also, I will need to buy and emplace foam panels.els.ls.s
Any questions? (cheezy grin)
cheers ww

rollo · October 11, 2007, 07:20:40 AM

I've been at this for some 30 years now. Had some memorable systems Maggie 3As with Audio research DR250,CAT pre, Mirage 3si with Classe DR25 amp and Audible Illusions 3A Pre. Nice synergy with those combos. Miss the Maggies some times and the sheer power of the Mirages.
Now its SET time, so here goes:

TT - Linn LP12 with Lingo,Cirkus,trampolin,mods. Omega Mikro active powercord
Cart. - Micro Benz M-2
CDP - Lector 7tl. Omega Mikro active PC
Preamp - Loech & Weisner [tubed], custom with phono and dual mono tubed power supply. NOS WE 417a-phono, NOS Mullard 6GK5-input, NOS Amprex 6DJ8,NOS or Tungsol5687 or NOS Phillips 12BH7 for output. good to have choices here. Hard wired PC.
Amp - Consonance Cyber 211 Mono Blocks. NOS GE 211,NOS RCA 211,NOS Tungsol 5687[driver], NOS Mullard EC188 [6DJ8] [input]. ESP powercords
Speakers - Pipedreams 924 edition 24 Twtrs/9 Midbass per side.
Sub - Sunfire Mk2
Tuner - Sansui TU 9500 -roof antenna
cabling - CDP to pre - Harmonix Golden Ratio
Pre to Amp - Tara Decade
TT to Pre - Linn
Pre to Sub - Audio Research Copper Litz
Extra stuff - Audio Research DR 250 Amp
Audio Research Classic 60 Amp
Omega Speakers
Maggie 3As
EAD transport
Theta 5A DA
Fischer 101 intergrated
TVC- Dual mon modified by Mapleshade
1500+ LPs
500 CDs
Misc ICs,pc, etc.

Oops there it is. rollo

miklorsmith · October 11, 2007, 07:28:44 AM

I missed it until now - wet - that's one funny post!

It sounds like a fantastic setup too.

hartwerger · October 12, 2007, 07:07:12 PM

Speakers: Merlin VSM-M w/ upgraded Bam
Source: Lector 7T MKI w/ PS3
Preamp: Mapletree Audio Ultra 4A w/ PS2 (some mods in caps and resistors)
Amp: Music Reference RM-10
Vinyl: Rega P2 w/ RB300 tonearm
Interconnects: MAC Palladiums, APL Silver
Power Cables: Revelation Audio Precept II (for source), Black Sand Violet Z1 w/Wattgate AG (preamp), Cardas Golden Ref. (amp),
Isolation: Lots of Herbies Audio Lab stuff (Halo tube rings, Iso Cups, Tenderfeet--the older ones), SRA Tremor/Less (under amp and I love it), Neuance Platform shelf (under CDP)

Before the Merlins, I went through 3 sets of Magnepan speakers ending with the 3.6s. I really miss my Maggies at times. The Maggies had the most transparent you are there sound I've ever had from a speaker that I've owned. Though the Merlins don't sound quite as realistic as the Maggies, they do get me into a groove that I never quite got from the Maggies. Maybe its that Maggies lack dynamics; or maybe its because the Maggies can be too revealing of flaws in the recordings which I always found distracting (the Merlins are certainly more forgiving in this regard). Whatever the case, I find my current system engaging and intoxicating, which is the goal, ain't it. In fact, lately, I haven't much of an urge to change anything. But, being the good audiophile that I am, I am certain I will continue to tweak and try new things and before too long ruin my current setup to the point where I'll spend another decade trying to find a "musical" system. See ya at the end of the road, where ever that may be.

Rocket · October 13, 2007, 12:47:14 AM

Hi Richidoo,

I'm fairly impressed by the sound of the nuforce s9 speakers. I recently sold my War Audio speakers (a local speaker designer) which used raven 1 ribbon tweeter and 2 x 7k4211db mid/bass focals in an mtm configuration.

To be honest my war audio speakers were in a similiar league in sound quality, I think the nuforce's midrange is very good and I like the bass it produces. Pat sells the War Audio 'Dianne's for $8000au which were reviewed by 6moons and imo those speakers are definitely a lot better than my nuforce speakers. They should be as the accuton drivers cost a fortune and the raven 1 ribbon tweeter is also expensive.

I bought the nuforce speakers on demo for $3300us as opposed to $5500us. I like the look of them and they sound good on all types of music.

How do I upload some picture to show you?

Regards

Rod

Bigfish8 · October 13, 2007, 01:28:48 PM

Hello Fellas:

My system currently:

Amps: Odyssey Mono SEs
Preamp: Odyssey Candela
Source: Bolder Analog Modded S3 with Platinum Caps with Bolder Modded Elcpac VM 220
Assec. Stock Burson Buffer
Speakers: SP Technology Timepiece 2.1s with Seas Excel Woofers
ICs: Grover Graphites
SCs: Greg Straley Reality Cables

I have a pair of Mullard Tubes on order to evaluate in the Candela and am considering the potential purchase of a used pair of HT Pro 9 Biwire SCs.

Future want list: Equi=Tech 1.5Q Balanced Power Unit, potential Bolder Mods to the Burson Buffer and Bolder Ultimate Power Supply.

Ken

mgalusha · October 13, 2007, 08:26:22 PM

Current system setup,

Source:
Digital: modified Slim Devices Squeezebox 2 in custom case with dedicated power supply.
modified Denon 2900 universal player for SACD and DVD-A

Analog: DIY Teres turntable with solid cocobolo platter, loaded with ~12lbs of lead shot, modified arm robbed from music hall TT or modified Rega RB-300 arm. Scheu-Benz cartridge (based on Benz Glider). Hagerman Cornet phono stage with Jensen 1:10 step up transformers.

Preamp: custom DIY using Burson buffer modules and 100 step relay based stepped attenuator. 6dB of gain. System is actively bi-amped so the preamp is followed by a Marchand XM-44 crossover with an improved power supply and a few other tweaks.

Amps:
Bass is handled by a Rotel 1080. Not the first choice for a full range system but it works extremely well for the bass and delivers 400WPC into 4R to my woofers.

Midrange and treble is currently handled by Odyssey Extreme monos but sometimes I use a pair of R.E. Designs LNPA 150's. Either has way more than enough power for driving the mids/tweeters. I've got some ideas for the Odyssey power supplies so it's likely the LNPA's will be going back in for a while.

Speakers: Meadowlark Blue Heron II's modified for use with active crossovers. Passive 1st order XO is still used to roll in the tweeter at 4K and roll off the mid but they are otherwise directly wired to the amps. The improvement of going active is hard to overstate. Dynamics, coherency, clarity - all took a huge leap when going from passive to active.

Room: Right now my room sucks beyond belief. In our old home I had a 24x15 room with a 16.5 ft ceiling. It was very nice. When we purchased the new home I put the system in the dining room, which while smaller was actually pretty good once some room treatments were in place. However once the youngest son moved out my wife suggested I take his bedroom as a dedicated listening room. This seemed a good idea but once I realized how much room the closet took up I was effectively in a 10x12 space. I have a boatload of room treatments but there are bass modes I cannot tame. Fortunately I'm having a dedicated room built in the basement that will be 21x15 with a 9ft ceiling along with dedicated power and I'm sure that will be a huge improvement.

ICs: diy using Neotech OCC silver with a floating shield connected to ground via a large inductor (low pass filter)
SCs: mids/tweeters are Analysis Plus Oval 9, woofers are diy using 4 - 12ga conductors.
PCs: mostly Venhaus Flavor 4 with a couple of BOLDER Nitro's on the XO and preamp.

Main power is a modified (of course) BPT 2.5 Ultra. It has a pair of large Bybee purifiers on the output feeding three of the outlets. The other two outlets are fed direct and are not balanced power. One set of these has a pair of large inductors of the sort Jon Risch uses in his DIY power box. All outlets have a combination of Auricap and Sonicap filters. Internal wiring was replaced with 10GA silver plated copper.

Christof · October 14, 2007, 03:04:47 PM

My system is a bit of a mess due to my never ending renovation project but I'll give this a go. My listening room has grown 3x in size (23d x 45 w x 12h) and I anticipate some major changes in days to follow but for now here she is:

Source: iMac G5 w/ 1tb ext HD
Dac: Fireston Audio Fubar2 w/ Supplier PS
Pre: Electrocompaniet ECI3
Amp(bi): Odyssey Khartago - stereo amps in vertical biamp config
Speakers: SP Tech Timepiece 2.1
Wires: Zu Warmouth IC's & Zu Wax cables
The extras: Isolated 20A ground circuits for all components, TS Moooi agglomerate cork speaker stands, TS Norsorex & Cocobolo isolation platforms.

The future holds....

I commissioned Rick Craig to design a custom 3-way (mtmww) for me using the AirCirc 6600 tweeter, 5" Seas Nextel mids and Seas 10" Aluminum drivers. Design is done, parts are in my hands and I'm just finishing up the prototype TS cabinets. Some refinements to the "computer-as-source" are in line and Klaus at Odyssey will be building me a pair of Mono SE's. I also have a nifty Pro-ject Perspective TT and phono stage sitting unused which I will probably try to integrate into my system.

rollo · October 15, 2007, 06:18:48 AM

Quote from: hartwerger on October 12, 2007, 07:07:12 PM
Speakers: Merlin VSM-M w/ upgraded Bam
Source: Lector 7T MKI w/ PS3
Preamp: Mapletree Audio Ultra 4A w/ PS2 (some mods in caps and resistors)
Amp: Music Reference RM-10
Vinyl: Rega P2 w/ RB300 tonearm
Interconnects: MAC Palladiums, APL Silver
Power Cables: Revelation Audio Precept II (for source), Black Sand Violet Z1 w/Wattgate AG (preamp), Cardas Golden Ref. (amp),
Isolation: Lots of Herbies Audio Lab stuff (Halo tube rings, Iso Cups, Tenderfeet--the older ones), SRA Tremor/Less (under amp and I love it), Neuance Platform shelf (under CDP)

Before the Merlins, I went through 3 sets of Magnepan speakers ending with the 3.6s. I really miss my Maggies at times. The Maggies had the most transparent you are there sound I've ever had from a speaker that I've owned. Though the Merlins don't sound quite as realistic as the Maggies, they do get me into a groove that I never quite got from the Maggies. Maybe its that Maggies lack dynamics; or maybe its because the Maggies can be too revealing of flaws in the recordings which I always found distracting (the Merlins are certainly more forgiving in this regard). Whatever the case, I find my current system engaging and intoxicating, which is the goal, ain't it. In fact, lately, I haven't much of an urge to change anything. But, being the good audiophile that I am, I am certain I will continue to tweak and try new things and before too long ruin my current setup to the point where I'll spend another decade trying to find a "musical" system. See ya at the end of the road, where ever that may be.

Nice to see another Lector Owner here. Have you tried Telkefunken 12AT7's in the CDP. About those Maggies, I agree. They require some serious tube or solid state amps. I used an Audio research DR250 with 250W triode bliss or a Classe DR25. I noticed you use a Revelation Audio PC with the Lector. What else have you tried? I use an Omega Mikro active with wonderfull results. Your taste in components is very similar to mine. The RM10 is a classic killer amp especially with Proac speakers or Hyperion. The Merlins fit right in with this group. Good luck and happy listening

rollo

richidoo · October 16, 2007, 12:37:46 PM

Sounds good Rocket. Congrats. They are close resemblance to SP Tech, I think someone mentioned to me recently that they are made by them, or maybe inspired by SP?

Every speaker at RMAF with Accuton ceramic drivers sounded very clear and potent. I believe you about the WAR Dianne's. Must be awesome. The world need more good proven DIY designs using Accuton Ceramic drivers...

I have tried to post pics on gallery but I get confused how to do it. Carl, how bout a tutorial on how to set up a gallery and use it? I think the verbage of the gallery command links in stock form are not clear, at least to me. If you can show me sometime I will make up a tutorial. It would be great to streamline that and start using it. I always host photos on one of my websites but the gallery would be easier to use and more useful. End detour.... sorry.

mca · October 17, 2007, 06:25:14 PM

Nice to see this topic keeping updated. Some nice systems around here for sure

I have had several changes since my first post as well. Due to a money crunch, much of my original system had to be sold off. I got lucky and was able to purchase a pair of RAW HT8's directly from Al. These include lacewood veneer and sonicaps and platinum bypass caps in the crossovers. These were his demo units so I was able to purchase them for a very good price. They have turned out to be a truly great speaker and one that I am happy I ended up with.

Not long after that, I came upon a used Music Reference RM200. I had always been interested in one after reading the great Stereophile review. The review was spot on and it sounds very good for the price paid.

The trusty Bolder SB3 is still in use and sounding good. I am considering sending it in for the latest round of updates though.

Am I done? Not likely

I just broke in a pair of Nuforce Ref9 V2 amps for a friend and have become quite attached to them. A pair of those or the SE's will hopefully find their way into my sometime in the future. I am also still looking at adding a preamp or a Burson or EE buffer to add some needed gain. After that, who knows, I'm still interested in hearing an open baffle or single driver speaker

rollo · October 18, 2007, 08:12:19 AM

Quote from: mca on October 17, 2007, 06:25:14 PM
Nice to see this topic keeping updated. Some nice systems around here for sure

I have had several changes since my first post as well. Due to a money crunch, much of my original system had to be sold off. I got lucky and was able to purchase a pair of RAW HT8's directly from Al. These include lacewood veneer and sonicaps and platinum bypass caps in the crossovers. These were his demo units so I was able to purchase them for a very good price. They have turned out to be a truly great speaker and one that I am happy I ended up with.

Not long after that, I came upon a used Music Reference RM200. I had always been interested in one after reading the great Stereophile review. The review was spot on and it sounds very good for the price paid.

The trusty Bolder SB3 is still in use and sounding good. I am considering sending it in for the latest round of updates though.

Am I done? Not likely I just broke in a pair of Nuforce Ref9 V2 amps for a friend and have become quite attached to them. A pair of those or the SE's will hopefully find their way into my sometime in the future. I am also still looking at adding a preamp or a Burson or EE buffer to add some needed gain. After that, who knows, I'm still interested in hearing an open baffle or single driver speaker

That RM 200 is a classic. Sounds great with Audible Illusions 3A. Forget the Buffer. Keep it simple.

rollo

Our systems

wet weasel

miklorsmith

hartwerger

Bigfish8

mgalusha

Christof