My room was purpose build using the ratio described by Floyd Toole from the Canadian Research council.
Have 20 dedicated 15 amp circuits, 4x20 amp circuits and 2 220 volt 60 amp circuits. The wall construction is 12" thick ,made up of a double wall of 2x4 studs at 16 oc with the studs staggered ,insulation (rock wool), t&g 3/4 plywood glued and screwed, then the drywall is glued with a v notch trowel. This room is so quiet the music can flow with absolutely no distractions. This is a great way to enjoy the music at the end of long day of work.
Many many changes have taken place since posting my system here.
Decided to repaint the room a much lighter colour to lighten things up for reading in the room.
Using the darTZeel pre amp with two different amps. The first amp in this system is the Wyetech Topaz 211 and second one is the darTZeel amp.
Both bring forth tremendous musical enjoyment albeit different presentations.
Mike L turned my focus back to vinyl after being at his home many years ago. Had my Lp and gear packed up until Mike opened up my eyes/ears.
Now LP playback is 90% vinyl and 10% digital.
Steve Dobbins came by last weekend to deliver and set up the KODO the Beat.
Tonearm on the BEAT is the Reed P3 along with the Kuzma Airline. Room for one more.......
Second table is my Verdier which I bought after visiting Mike L's place.
Using a FR 64s and purchased an ET-2 which will be upgraded to a 2.5 in the next month pending Bruce's schedule.
Studer Tape deck plays a role too but is limited due to lack of tapes. Having spent funds on vinyl rigs and arm/cartridges leaves the deck out side of the music room.
Custom build direct drive turntable by Steve Dobbins. Has a separate power supply and speed controller. Can accommodate three tonearms.
JC Verdier La Platine
Great turntable
Technics SP-10 MKII
Direct drive from the late 70s. This one is in mint condition. Will start building different types of plinths for the turntables that I have recently purchased. They will be made out of combinations of slate, alloys and homebrew plywood using veneers and an 80 ton press.
Kuzma Airline
Airline
Fidelity Research FR 64S
With VTA adjuster
Fidelity Research FR 24 MK II
One Ikeda's early arms. Looking for an copy of the original manual of this arm.
Reed 3P
12
Eminent Technology ET-2
ET 2 will be shipped to Bruce Thigpen to get updated to a 2.5 version and get a full check over.
Dynavector XV-1S
Great sounding cartridge
Ortofon A90
Their latest top flight cartridge.
Lyra Kleos SL1
Low output moving coil Kleos. SL stands for single layer
Empire 4000 DIII GOLD
MM Cartridge from the golden era
Grace F9-E
Had this one on my first Rega 3
Denon 103 R
Denon MC
Denon 103
Second moving coil that I purchased after buying the Kuzma Airline.
Allnic H-3000V
Phono stage which allows the use of two MM and two MC
Loricraft PRC-3
Lp cleaner
Audio Research CD7.5
Reference CD player
Aural Symphonics Magic Gem v2t
Very good power best that I have heard in my system. Powering the Audio Research CD-7.
McIntosh MR-78
Great sounding FM
Wilson Audio Maxx II
Great sounding full range speaker
Wilson Audio Puppy 5.1
Wilson Watt Puppies
Wilson Audio Watch Center
Center
Wilson Audio Watch Dog
Wilson Watch Dog
Nordost Valhalla
Nordost Valhalla Have this as my interconnect through out the system excapt for the zeel connect between darTZeel preamp and darTZeel amp.
Nordost Valhalla Speaker cable
High resolution speaker cable
Stillpoints Dampers and Risers
Isolation device
Theta Digital Casablanca max
Casablanca III with Extreme Dacs
Sony VPL-VW100 Ruby
Great looking projector and stunning picture
Stewart Screen 110
Luxus Delux Gey Hawk
Slim Devices Transporter
Computer based server with with its own DA
Balanced Audio Technologies VK-6200
200 watt five channel Home Theater amp
Toshiba HD-XA2
High definition HD DVD player with great upscaling on SD DVD
Dartzeel 18 NHB-18S
Solid state preamp purchased and hoping for a Xmas delivery. Ordered with two phono stages.
darTZeel NHB-108 model one Version B
Solid state amp made in Switzerland.
AUDIENCE ar12
Top notch ac filtering 20 amp unit made for Wally of Wally Tractor fame.
Audience aR6-T
Used for the amps at the front of the room.
Wyetech TOPAZ 211 A
18 watt SET with the gold plated Audio Note Transformers.
Studer A810
Vintage 1/4 inch 1/2 track. You have to hear it to believe it. Makes great vinyl sound like MP3.
Studer A810
My second Studer. This will be used in another system.
Nordost Brahma
Power cord for the Aestehtix IO
HOMEBUILD Amp Stand
4 inch thick Jatoba ( Brazilian Cherry) wood
Sutherland TIMELINE
Strobe light to check turntable speed. Two speeds only 33 1/3 and 45 RPM. Very accurate and easy to use.
Allnic Speednic
Strobe for Turntable to check speed accuracy.
HARMONIC RESOLUTION SYSTEM ANALOG DISC CLAMP
Record clamp/weight
Unknown Ebony LP weight
Ebony disc weight
Custom LP racks Apple plywood
Never enough room for LP storage, so I took over the front entrance with my wife's permission of course.
Modified IKEA shelving Walnut gables
Wanted a storage area with sliding doors to hide various tapes, LPs Blue rays and misc.
Modified IKEA shelving Walnut gables part II
Picture of sliding doors open
Canadian Tire Tool Chest
Hold all of tubes,cartridges, footers, set up tools.
TEL WIRE HC Power cord 8 feet
TEL WIRE HC Great synergy in my system. Beautifully finished and the Oyaide connectors are of the best quality. Extremely happy with them.
Acoustical-systems P2S
Direct measuring and marking system made by Dertonarm. Quality is very high and very easy to use.
Hi Dgad To use the AT 666 is time consuming but I make this part of the ritual of playing Lps. Before listening to Lps, I clean with the Loricraft, turn on vacuum pump to suck down the record on the AT 666 , clean stylus, turn on the air for the tonearm and then finally engage the stylus. This is my ritual before enjoying Lps but worth the effort. When I do not have the time then I listen to the Cds.
Thanks for your kind words. The reason I want to get into a tube amp is so that I can change the flavor of the sound by changing the amps. This will allow me listen to three different amps with the same source. I will be using the tube amps strictly for two channel and not for the theater set up.
The Pioneer Blue ray player was upgraded to the 2.1 software. This version has stopped the freezing problem.
Curious if you actually use the AT666 or do you find it a pain. I don't use my outer ring that much as I get lazy. It sounds a lot better but centering it etc just takes time. I read the instructions on it & it seems to be time consuming. I am sure it makes a huge difference. One of the big things I have noted between super tables & regular tables are the last few major details & this is one of them.
hmmmm....I assume you will be adding the tube amps to the front mains. Since all of this is integrated into your home theater, are you concerned about a loss of punch, dynamics and overall muscle in the home theater portion if you put a tube amp in the setup?
I've heard good things about the Sony Playstation 3 for use as a Blu Ray player for movies....you might want to ask around and check it out.
The recent update to the turntable with the Audio Technica AT 666 is simple stunning. Overall presentation has changed in ways that no platter has a right too. Music flows much better, the low frequencies are more refined and more articulate. The midrange has improved with it's presentation so that there are no spotlights on the music but a much fuller presentation across the sound stage. The tubes that were replaced in the audio stage of the Aestethix IO were the following: Telefunken pefect matched set of 12AX7 Ultra & micro low Microphonics cross star top's 8 in total. Amperex 6DJ8/6922 perfect mirror matched pair date code on both 70-51. RCA 6SN7-GTB Perfect mirror matched pair1962 . These tubes were supplied by Andy at VINTAGE TUBE SERVICES. These new tubes transform the IO from being great phono stage to a reference unit. I was happy with the IO's performance but Albert Porter put me onto Andy. His tubes are really in another league. Highly recommended to anyone looking for great tubes.
I am interested in hearing from guys that have or are using the Lamm ML2.1 The magazines all have good reviews on the Lamm and I want to add a good tube amp to my system. The other amp that has my interest is the Convergent Audio JL-1 or the JL-3. Any comments or opinions?
System update, vinyl and digital. I bought an NOS Audio technica AT 666 vacuum hold down platter from another Agon member. I can hardly wait to try this out. Over the years I have always liked the idea of the vacuum hold down so here is my chance. Anybody else using the Audio technica AT 666 ? Now for my Asthetix IO, I received a full replacement for the audio section of my phono preamp. Andy from Vintage Tube Services was able to get me some beautiful NOS tubes, I am sure that they will make a huge difference. Thanks Andy and also Albert Porter for turning me on to Andy. I have been checking out the Blue ray forums (thanks Mike Lavigne) and have decided to return my Pioneer Elite Blue ray to my dealer. The freeze issue continues with this player but only with SD-DVD. When my dealer has the new Elite Blue ray I will do a PQ shootout with the Sony Blue ray and also the Toshiba. Until then I will keep using my Pioneer Elite 59 AVI.
Mitch4t The Wilson Watch Dog. With the Casablanca in the home theater mode I use it with the balanced out from the Theta at 50 hertz. When using the ASR in two channel mode the following happens. The ASR has a left and right subwoofer output in single ended mode. This is a full range signal which gets sent to the subwoofer. The subwoofer has been set at 47 hertz. This meens that my Watt Puppy see the full range signal from the ASR and the Watch Dog only operates below 47 hertz. It took many nights to over several months to dial it in but I am very happy with the results for both movies and music.
Thank you for your kind words that you left on system posts. You have a great system going, if I can be of help e-mail me and I would gladly help you in any way that I can. You will love the your new phono stage. I had it on loan and just loved it. Take care and enjoy the music.
Hi Rug Like you I am spinning mostly LP's and listen to digital less and less. So at this time im my life digital is not as important to me right now but I still enjoy.In my search for a better analog rig I order the new ASR Basis Excluvive phonostage, and a new arm for my Oracle Paris, the SME V, I have to a Dynavector, the 17 karat D2 MkII. Aboult my new audio room (not finished yet I need your help aboult the elctrical circuit, can you dsescreve a scam for me, to implement in this new room? Aboult your system one word: fabulous. Thanks and keep going on.
I want to go the next level with the video in my room. Want to know if anyone has any experience with the new video formats? BLUERAY vs HD DVD for picture and sound quality. Have read some but have not seen both at same time. Any comments?
Hi Dgad I am hooked on the Thor. I wrote about to Tympani. The vinyl thing, I am with you on that. Everything that I listen to is just so much better, involving. It just sucks you into the venue and space of where the musical event took place. The cartridge that I have been using is the Dynavector XV-1s. This with the Aesthetix IO is giving me great pleasure with many late night listening sessions. Very happy with this one. I am looking for a good second arm, still looking. Where are your pictures from your system. I miss them. You must be enjoying your MAXX II. I am looking at the new EVOLUTION MM3 right now. Happy Holidays to all.
Tympani Each one of my outlets in the room is a homerun in 10 gauge back to the panel. Both my sparky and the inspector said I was nuts, well maybe........but what do they know. I have the three 110v ML 33h and the ML 335amps on the same leg in the elecrical panel. The ML 33 amps are on 220v so they use both legs. The ground does not go back to the panel but goes to a dedicated ground rod and also a ground plate that is just outside of my room. The ground wire is not daisey chained but also home run to the rod/plate. I experimented with conditioner/isolators in my sytem. Products evaluated were the Monster,Nordost Shunyata and the PS audio. To my ears the Thor had the bigger hammer ( I couldn't resist) in my system. In my previous house the circuits shared the ground and had two outlets on the same 20 amp circuit. The old room had 6 20 amp circuits. In the old room I always had to put a cheater plug on one of the amps and also on the pre in order to eliminate the ground hum. This is no longer required with my present setup. I can say that in my sytem/room that the dedicated plugs are much quieter and more dynamic vs my old room. Take care
Curious about your final impressions on the Nordost Thor? The superiority & addictive nature of vinyl is dissappointing for me. Too much music on CD that I only listen to in my car these days. What cartridge are you using?
Thanks for your comments on my setup. You have created a spectacular system and listening environment. I am curious about all your dedicated AC lines. In spite of having 6 20 amp lines, I still find my amps and preamp sound most organic when they share the same circuit. The line has to be daisy-chained to 3 outlets to allow this. What's been your experience re: creating a holographic image and AC lines?
Will update new picture of the system. Spinning lots of LP's, almost endlessly. Hakancez thanks for the kind words. I agree that the JC Verdier is a great turntable, and that for the money it is very tought to beat. Lots of turntable designers are now implementing magnets. Never too late but JC has been doing this for over 20 years. My combo which now includes the Aesthetix IO gives me great pleasure. I have had lots of friends drop by only to be amazed with the collosal (better) sound that LP's give me vs Cds. Why did most of us switch ??? With he recent addition of the Aesthetix IO to the system my system has never sounded better. Thanks to your help Albert Porter my system is KILLER. I know it sounds corny but it really does sound good.
The Sony SCD-1 was in IHO better than the Linn and almost as good as the Ayre. In the CD mode the Ayre was better the Sony and the Linn was but not quite as good as the Sony. In Sacd mode I felt that the Sony can hold it's own against both players. With modifications and a great power cord the Sony will trump both players. There are a number of people that can hotrod the Sony eg Richard Kern is one of the better ones. With his upgrades the Sony is very hard to beat at any price and one of the things that I like is its battleship transport. The Sony transport is rock steady and was too expensive to implement in other players because at wholesale the transport was almost 2- 3 grand. I am spinning mostly LP's and listen to digital less and less. So at this time im my life digital is not as important to me right now but I still enjoy. Good Luck
Loricraft PRC-3 is the best addition that I have made for my analog playback system. The playback is so dead quiet that the lp's surface noise is just simply gone. The music comes forth with no more distractions. Even new records benefit from being cleaned. Highly recommended to anyone with a turntable and people looking to get the most out of Vinyl.
Yes I saw that Watch center listed last week. Unfortunately I won't be able to use the Wilson Stand unless I have a special one made due to where my screen is placed. The Watch on a stand can't be over 18" tall. I'm not going to change the height of the screen due to it being perfect when the chairs are reclined. Thanks for the advice on placement.
Statman You have quite the system yourself. Yes the Watch center blends really well with the Watt Puppies. The big thing is to make sure that you play with the tweeter alignment for your sitting positionrelative to listening distance and ear height, and of course the output level control. This is in the Watch manual and is really easy to adjust. The stand also plays a big part in the equation relative to height. Get your stand's height high enought so that when your Watch is sitting on the stand it will be just below the bottom of your sreeen. Just saw a good deal on Agon for a Watch center today. Good luck and enjoy. Mike
