Description

My Main System (haha, my only system).  Some recent big upgrades have brought it to a whole new level!  A Backert Labs Rhumba 1.3 replaced a Schiit Freya (OG), a Coda No. 8 replaced a First Watt F7, and Analysis Plus Interconnects replaced some quality but generic (Ghent Audio) cables.  Enjoying it very much, but like a good audiofool - always looking towards the next upgrade :)
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Room Details

Dimensions: 20’ × 15’  Medium
Ceiling: 7’


Components Toggle details

    • Backert Labs Rhumba 1.3
    December 2022 - present
    Upgraded from a Schiit Freya (OG)
    • Coda Continuum No. 8
    November 2022 - present
    Upgraded from a First Watt F7
    • MHDT Laboratory Orchid
    September 2019 - present
    Upgraded from a Schiit Yggdrasil (OG, Gen5 USB)
    • Tekton Design Double Impact
    October 2017 - present
    Upgraded from Spendor s8e
    • Innuos Pulse
    February 2024 - present
    Replaced a Sonore Ultrarendu
    • Analysis Plus Inc. Interconnects
    Solo Crystal Oval RCA and XLR
    • UpTone Audio Ether Regen
    • Western Electric AIW Vintage 10 ga Speaker Wire
    I think this speaker wire contributes to the open sound I’m getting.  Credit to @grannyring for the recommendation.
    • Music Server: Small Green Computer SonicTransporter I5 (Gen 3)
    Powered by HDPlex LPS
    • Audience Studio 2 USB
    Pulse to Orchid

Comments 16

You are very welcome @timski . I am glad that my comments helped you out.

I got my Mazdas from Jesse Brent. I suggest that you discuss with him first on the sound you are suggesting. It is very well possible that you might like some other tube than the Mazdas. Based on the recommendations here, I was gravitating towards Amprex Bugle boys. But those would have been just too sweet for my taste. Of course I can only guess. Just for peace of mind, I did purchase the 2 years warranty on the tubes.

milpai

Owner

jmalen123, yes, definitely, I have thought a lot about adding subwoofers over the years.  But whenever I get some money to put into my system, I alway seem to determine that I’ll get more bang for my buck elsewhere.  Fortunately, upgrading to the Rhumba/Coda has improved the bass greatly.  I still hope to audition subwoofers at some point.  As to what music I enjoy most on the Tektons… I’d say female vocal jazz such as Holly Cole, Nicki Parrot, Eva Cassidy and Melody Gardot to name a few.  But the Tektons seem to do well with all jazz and most rock (not the heavy stuff which I don’t really listen to anyway).

timski

Owner

milpai, your posts have helped greatly in my decision to audition and purchase the Rhumba, so thanks so much for that and for all of your contributions to the discussions in general!  I will start saving now for the NOS Mazda Grey plates to try, they sound pretty awesome.  No worries on the double post, looks like the Audiogon gremlins at work ;)

timski

Owner

mjcmt, appreciate the compliment.  I like the simplicity of your system, but it’s natural to want to improve it.  It seems to enjoy this hobby the most you’ve got to appreciate what you have at the moment, enjoy the thrill of the hunt for the next upgrade and realize it is a journey without the perfect destination.

timski

Beautiful system. And it looks like you really think things through. Have you considered subwoofers? In my experience, subwoofers can have more affect on the midrange than the lower frequencies and help make the watts available really shine through. As always, I wonder what music you enjoy the most on those Tektons? Thanks for posting.

jmalen123

Sorry for the double post. I posted once and Audiogon reported "error". Did not mean to spam your system.

milpai

@timski ,
Congratulations on the upgrades. System is looking good. And you are spot on, about the Rhumba. Now all you need are NOS Mazda Grey plates in the Rhumba. I was skeptical about NOS before trying these out in my Rhumba. But "transformative" and "mesmerize" are the 2 words that pop in my mind when I added these. Enjoy your music.

milpai

@timski ,
You have a very nice system. And you are SO right about the Backert. Now, if you get a chance, get some NOS Mazda Grey plates in that Rhumba. "You will be mesmerized", is all I can say. I too LOVE this preamp.
Congratulations on all the upgrades. Enjoy your music.

milpai

Really good stuff for sure. Must sound nice. Inspires me to do better than I have.

mjcmt

Owner
jond, thank you for the kind words, I am pleased with and enjoying my system.  Yours is no slouch, very nice!!

timski

Congratulations on a nice system I've heard a Backert pre just once at a show and the system sounded good I'm sure it pairs well with your Coda.

jond

Thanks for the commentary on the Rhumba upgrade. Contemplating a move and have been thinking about Holo Serene or the financial stretch of the Coda 07x. I will put Beckert on the list.

zlone

Owner

@zlone - No contest, the Rhumba is just in a whole other league.  Everything is better… detail, dynamics, bass, noise floor.  The music just seems to flow more easily and sounds more natural and realistic.  I’ve had the original Freya in my system for over 5 years, it was my first preamp and I think it’s a great value.  But compared to the Rhumba, the Freya is more tubey sounding and definitely noisier (although I think that was addressed somewhat with the Freya +).  With the Rhumba, it’s not like “these tubes sound nice,” it’s more like “this music sounds nice” - you don’t think about whether you’re listening to tubes or not like I did with the Freya.  While the Rhumba is a lot more expensive, to me it has been worth every penny.  I did a lot of homework before buying the Rhumba, but I did not audition any other preamps, so I can’t really compare it to anything else.  I will move on from the Coda at some point, maybe to a pure Class A amp, but the Rhumba will be with me for a long, long time.

timski

Tim, I have a Coda #8 paired with a Freya +, how would you characterize your experience upgrading to the Beckert preamp?

zlone

Owner
@zufan - Yes, just barely enough juice for the 98db efficient Tektons :)  The Coda has 12 watts Class A and 250 Class AB (actually 500 watts since the Tektons are 4 ohms).  Those first 12 watts of Class A are very sweet sounding and I'm not sure if I ever leave pure Class A.  The Coda replaced a First Watt F7 (30 watts Class A into 4 Ohms).  The F7 was great, but the Coda is better... more detailed, more natural, more/tighter bass, and better micro and macro dynamics.

timski

Does the Coda have enough mustard for the Tekton? ;)

zufan

Showing all 16 posts