Current: Two-piece preamp with balanced inputs and outputs; stellar phono section with both moving magnet and moving coil inputs, (the MC section uses Ortofon branded step-up transformers),  has a main out plus two speaker/amp outputs switchable from the front or remote, has both a listening loop and recording loop for insertion of equalizer or other signal processing equipment. Displays output in either dB or as a percentage, volume control in either 1 dB or 1/2 dB increments, mono, mute, balance controls, maintenance-free switches. All analog, purchased with thought I wouldn’t need to buy another preamp in my lifetime.

Current:  (2) MC-252s Transistorized amplification 2 x 250 Watts, bridgable, bi-ampable, balanced and unbalanced inputs, cinchable binding posts that accept banana plugs, dual power meters, with light switch, remote on with 1/8” tip/ring cable —what’s not to like? So I bought a second one. Will see how it compares to Rogue’s Stereo 100

One great speaker! Detail, Volume, Bass! But it does need some power to drive it. The manufacturer recommends 50-600 Watts; Lewis Lipnik, who reviewed it in Stereophile in 1987 recommended 1,000 Watts for orchestral pieces (he is a professional classical musician). Impedance is rated at 8 Ohms, and the manufacturer specifies that it doesn’t drop below 4 Ohms. Developed as a Studio Monitor, the Series 2 corrected the reportedly ‘muddy’ bass of the previous version which had gained acceptance in recording studios around the world. It was originally marketed with a ‘bass alignment filter (otherwise known as an atmospheric equalizer) to bring the crossover up to. 6th order Butterworth design, without it, it remained a 4th order Bessel design. Until I can get an analyzer on it, I’ve pressed an MQ-107 Environmental EQ from McIntosh into service (I can’t find the B&W unit online).

I upgraded to the ‘Dark’ edition earlier this year, which seemed to unleash the amps potential and removed my concerns I perceived initially. The upgrade included a couple of smaller tubes (not the KT120s) and capacitors in the signal path. They are currently powering the Warfedale E70s.  

The E70’s are configured with 15 inch woofers, 5.25 inch midrange and Mylar tweeters. They are mounted on 24 inch Sound Anchor stands and sound wonderful to my ears. They are all-original, I am the 3rd owner.

Ticked all my boxes, two-piece plinth sandwiching a vibration-damping layer, weighted, not spring-loaded anti-skate, three (not four) legs, even has a spirit-level built in. Instantly solved all the problems I was having with trying to integrate two Numark professional turntables (bad hum from worn out cartridge, unshielded transformer under platter).

The original version of the Aries which came with the ultra quiet power supply. Works great over the manufacturer’s supplied application on my iPhone. I can also use it as a Roon endpoint. It is NOT connected via an Ethernet cable as per the manufacturer’s recommendation. It is installed in the room with the music playback equipment; the other digital communications equipment, router, server, NAS, etc. are in a different room. Very pleased with unit’s performance and convenience.

Originally purchased at a steep discount during COVID as a ‘Garage-Sale’ unit configured with the older Analog cards and USB interface, but upgraded later to  ‘Less-is-More’ status with improved analog stage and USB interface. And then upgraded again to get the remote and ‘modular’ case (and the promise not to have to upgrade again), but I kind of miss the older, larger case. I find it has great sound stage and imaging which the upgrades have only enhanced and solidified.

Network Attached Storage Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks, or, NAS RAID array, I think it has a storage capacity of 4 Terabytes on the 8 Terabytes of included disk space. I haven’t used much of it yet. Hardwired to Link Sys high speed router. Can also be accessed via WiFi.

Music server with internal 4 gigabyte SSD hard drive from Small Green Computers. Hard wired to the Link Sys high speed router. Can also be accessed via WiFi. It serves in the same role as a computer might and the Roon app is installed on it; the Auralic Aries (original) renders the files and streams it controls.

Used for the internal network and for the added wireless connections

Current: Otherwise known as “the Toaster” because it is about the size of one. I purchased it for its AES/EBU output which has been fantastic to my ears. I have yearned for a SACD player, but not so much anymore; I’ve come to the conclusion that a High Res source, can, at best equal a well-recorded Redbook CD. Still might upgrade this component in the future, but right now the AES/EBU interface avoid ‘input congestion’ at the DAC. Not many DACs allow for 2 or 3 AES/EBU inputs, but I would welcome one that did, then I could use the AES/EBU output from my network bridge as well.

Former: Preamp with three personalities: (1) completely passive, (2) FET buffered, (3) Tube gain stage. I find the FET buffer delivers the cleanest sound, but the tubes are fun. It is offered with a remote, and I recommend its use because the user is likely to become frustrated using the manual controls (I know I was). The controls situation, it’s lack of visibility, etc. prompted the purchase of the McIntosh C100.