Arafiq System - as of Jan 2024

by arafiq on
Speakers
Racks and Platform
Power Amplifier
Tube preamplifier
Turntable
DAC and Power Supply
DAC and Power Supply
CD Transport
Network Switch
Music Server/Roon Core
Corner Tube Traps
Sidewall -- acoustic paels
Sidewall -- acoustic panels
Backwall -- acoustic panels

Description

I went through a complete revamp of my system in 2023 over a 10 month period. Very happy with how the new system turned out. After going through a number of tube and SS integrated amplifiers, I found the combination of tube preamp (Octave HP 500 SE) and SS solid state amp (Vitus SS-101 Signature) to be the best (thus far).

Update -- March 2024: Replaced Denon cart with Hana ML; another leap in performance.

Update -- April 2024: Replaced the Meitner MA3 DAC with Merging Technologies +NADAC and +Power. What a huge difference! Best DAC I've ever owned. 
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Room Details

Dimensions: 20’ × 15’  Medium
Ceiling: 12’

Components Toggle details

    • Vitus Audio SS-101 Signature
    Class A Power Amp -- after cycling through a number of amps in the past, the Vitus just clicked all the boxes for me. This 176 lbs. beast was a revelation. Packs a punch but wears a velvet glove.
    • Ayon Audio Ayon CD-T MK II
    CD Transport -- I prefer the tube output over transistor
    • QSA QSA Red Power Jitter Power Conditioner
    Subtle but positive improvement
    • Cables Various Various
    Speaker Cables - SwissCables Reference; Interconnects - Audioquest Firebird RCAs, Audioquest Diamond AES/EBU; Power Cords -- SwissCables Reference; Ethernet -- Ansuz;
    • QSA Red AC Receptacle
    • GigaWatt Powerprime
    Power conditioner -- one of the few PCs that didn't kill the dynamics
    • Live Vibe Live Vibe Racks and Audio Points
    The Live Vibe racks and Audio Points (footers) were a revelation. By far one of my best investments in audio. The level of improvement after adding Live Vibe equipment was substantial and immediately noticeable.
    • Micro Seiki BL-101
    Micro Seiki BL-101 with MA-505 tonearm. Upgraded cart to Hana ML
    • Ansuz Acoustics PowerSwitch X-TC
    Network switch
    • Harbeth M40.2
    The speakers are sitting on TonTrager stands
    • Octave Audio HP 500SE
    Beautiful sounding tube preamplifier with separate power supply.
    • GIK Acoustics Tubo Tube Traps Pro
    • GIK Acoustics Acoustic Panels
    Various acoustic panels on all walls
    • Small Green Computer sonicTransporter i5
    Music server including SSD and Roon Core. With separate LPS
    • Merging Technologies +NADAC with +Power
    The +NADAC with separate +Power power supply is by far the best and most analog sounding DAC I've ever owned. The DSD playback is phenomenal, as it should be since many studios like TRPTK uses Merging equipment to record DSD music.

Comments 13

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Owner
Thanks for your kind words. @audio_bidder 

I actually came this close to purchasing a used pair of ARC 160Ms last year. I am really enjoying the Vitus amp, especially in combination with my Octave tube preamp. But an ARC big iron tube amp is always on the wish list. Maybe some day.

Pulling the speakers further into the room allowed me to experience better soundstage depth and layering, albeit, at the expense of a slight reduction in bass response. But I'm happy with that tradeoff.

By the way, I ended up replacing my Meitner MA3 dac with Merging Technologies _NADAC + Power combo. It has exceeded my expectations and then some more.

arafiq

Owner
@mclinnguy Thank you for your nice compliment. The Meitner MA3 dac is a steaming dac. The sonicTransporter is only acting as a Roon core and music server.

arafiq

Owner
Thanks, @milpai .. I really love this amp. It can drive pretty much anything but it doesn't get there by brute force alone.

arafiq

Owner
Thanks, @lalitk ... you know my doors are always open for you :)

arafiq

Owner
@jond Thank you my friend. And yes, the M40s are rather imposing speakers. My wife hates how they look but man do they sound fabulous. Maybe not everyone's cup of tea but I love the sheer scale and a sense of 'you're there' that these speakers bring to the table.

arafiq

Owner
@dtorc -- Thanks for the compliment. Not sure if you missed it but I had already specified all the components in the system.

arafiq

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