My Living Room System 1 is a continual work in progress . . . latest upgrade was switching to the Phase Tech cartridge from a Zu DL103. The difference was so dramatic I could envision the new stylus making better contact with the grooves. Can't imagine how spending over $1K to upgrade from Blue Jeans and DH Labs cables could compete with this difference. I'm sure I've overspent time and money in some aspects of this system (who hasn't?), but isn't the true challenge identifying the weakest links?
BTW I have four other less ambitious systems to post about later . . .
(hand built and designed by yours truly) Custom multiply stands
I designed and built custom stands that swivel and move on lockable casters so they can be easily positioned for the very small but unreal sweet-spot these speakers are known for- if it's not easy to set them up for this, it's just not worth bothering with 57's. Lifting them up also helped tighten up the bass.
Rogue Audio Atlas Magnum
Installed KT120 tubes after switching to the custom speaker stands- their bass is more robust than that from KT88's, which work better when the 57's are closer to the floor.
Precision Fidelity CA-7a revised
Lenco L78
Heavily (and heavy!) modified by yours truly. I used Peter Reinders' PTP Solid design as a reference, with his PTP top plate as the motor mount, and his ruby bearing to house the spindle. Instead of Corian, I experimented with phenolic resin countertop material, which required a waterjet to make the cutouts (one suppled as a CAD file by Peter, others drawn by yours truly). Oval armboard cut-out can accommodate either 9/10" or 12" arms, unlike the PTP Solid. Internal wiring was completed by Brooks Berdan. Can't remember the supplier of the adjustable stainless steel feet, except that they came from the UK.
