The result of my 10 year journey primarily focused on making my smallish square room sound bigger and more acoustically flat. I found that the gear is making less of an improvement at this point, whereas the room treatments are now really the differentiator. Love this hobby and I’ve been having a blast!
@toro3 Thank you for stopping by and checking out my room! Thankfully it’s a dedicated listening space so I can go a little crazy with the treatments and not have to worry about the practicality or aesthetics. My journey has been primarily focused on making my smallish square room sound bigger and acoustically flatter. Moving the components to the side of the room definitely helped open up the middle of the soundstage and vocals imaging. The singer is right *there*. The addition of Q7D’s helped even further primarily with the soundstage depth and tightening things up. I checked out your room, wish I had your space, and your room looks fantastic. And I’d like to hire your decorator!
@islandmandan Thank you for checking out my system! Yes, I love the Herron and it is the best phono stage I’ve heard in my system (so far) ;-). All tubed stages in my 10 year journey that started with a Bellari vp130, then Hagerman Cornet3, then the Decware Zen Triode, then the Herron. I wondered what a balanced output tube stage would sound like so I auditioned a Aesthetix Rhea. Also tried out solid state with the PS Audio Stellar. Neither were better in my system vs the Herron. I prefer running my MC cart through an SUT to the Herron’s MM input (vs the MC input trying multiple different loading options). It brought more micro dynamics, touch wider soundstage and slightly less surface noise in my system, although a tad less slam. Depends on your preferences.
In the past couple of years, I have been lucky enough to acquire a Herron VTPH-3A line stage, and just recently, a Herron VTPH phono stage, both of these pieces of equipment has had the most striking improvement in listening pleasure I've ever known in 50 years+ of audio listening.
Oh my goodness, I'm going to bet this room sounds spectacular. The room treatments, and especially the Q7D diffusors look great. Component either on the side or low to the ground - I'm sure that soundstage is to die for. Have to favorite. Textbook in room treatments and placement.
