Decent system, tiny apartment

by dizzyizzid on Opinions Please

Description

My journey to audio nirvana in a small apartment. I appreciate comments. Thanks for looking

-D

updated 02/08/09

several new gears have arrived.

Slimdevices Transporter didn't make the cut is its out. Bel Canto DAC3 is in, so are Aesthetix Calypso, Kimber 8TC speaker cables, Nordost blue heaven XLR balanced, and Kimber Hero XLR.

My system sounds different but I'm liking the sound.

I'll be busy listening and comparing the next few months and deciding which to sell.

Updated 12/26/08

New picture; added slim devices transporter. So far not very satisfied. The web interface is not as intuitive as iTunes (hard to see all music catalog). The sound itself is not as good as my ikemi. Not sure if i want to keep or return yet.

Updated 11/10/08

Some changes have been made. For music, I added a subwoofer (ACI Force XL). I'm using a high pass filter between pre and amp. The biggest advantages are that the bloated sound in the upper bass and is gone and it sounds less polite. This comes with the expense of thinner and slighly more analytical sound. So far I like the change but can't really say for sure if it is an upgrade in sound or just horizontal change.

I also added 4.1 sound for video. The system is so so for home theater purposes but my main priority is music, so for now it will do.

updated 12/01/06

**deleted since system strength/weaknesses doesn't apply anymore
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Components Toggle details

    • Linn Ikemi
    smooth, very good frequency extension, but sound a bit lean or dry
    • Bel Canto Design DAC-3
    early impression sounds very good
    • Rega Planar 3
    The original version with stock arm
    • Grado Sonata
    This is the 5 mV version (MM). Very liquid midrange but frequency extension could be better.
    • Sony DVP-S9000es
    Mostly used for DVD and SACD.
    • Aesthetix Calypso
    Sound better than my VTL but haven't thoroughly compared yet.
    • VTL TL-2.5
    My first tube component. Slighly on the brighter side of tubes, but very musical and dynamic. Mates very well with my plinius
    • Plinius SA-100 mkIII
    My favorite component. Compliments the slightly lean presentation of ikemi and bright sound of VTL.
    • JM lab Micro Utopia Be
    Surprisingly good bass for the size. Really grain free and depth is just amazing. Imaging is OK (probably because of my room)
    • ACI Force XL
    Great sub for the price. specifically made for music (sealed enclosure, class AB, versatile filter adjustments)
    • Shunyata Hydra 8
    Latest addition. To be honest, not as good as I thought but havent made a decision yet
    • Pionner PDP-5070HD
    Upgraded from my panasonic plasma. much more user friendly (with HD tuner) and nicer looking as well
    • Atlantis Reference A/V
    great look and my system sounds better (especially my rega).
    • Sony PS3
    for games, Blu-ray, and streaming media
    • JM Labs Chorus 705
    Used as surround speakers
    • Nordost Blue Heaven XLR
    XLR
    • Kimber Hero XLR
    on loan to try
    • Monster Cable M1000
    0.5 meter - From Ikemi to VTL and Sony SCD9000ES to VTL
    • PS Audio Xstream Plus
    4 M - The sound is on the warm side
    • Linn interconnect from Ikemi
    1 m, used from VTL to Plinius
    • Kimber Kable 8TC
    speaker wire 8 feet
    • Audioquest Entry level model
    Can't tell the difference between this one and stock version.
    • PS audio Statement Power Cord
    Only bought this due to the deep discount. I don't think it is a good fit for my system.
    • PS audio Plus Power cord
    Hydra to Plinius
    • ASC half tube traps
    3 half traps - I think it made the biggest difference in the sound
    • Auralex Elite B22 Flat Panel
    first reflection absorption (total of 4)
    • Audiosource Amp
    Amp for surround speakers

Comments 47

Showing all comments by bruce30.

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Dark is dark whether it's solidstate or tubes. I think what others refer to as warmth is a slight thickness or glow through the vocal range...but that's kind of overstating it. You may try & write VTL and ask if the older (Mullards) input tubes can be substituted with the new OEM (J.J.'s.) While you're bugging 'em about that you may as well get their opinion (if they'll give it) on the whole "politeness issue." It never hurts to ask.
Cheers,
Bruce

bruce30

Hey Diz,

I have heard the ASL MG-Si (not the latest "dt" version with a $300 higher pricetag though) and it is quite powerful sounding with lots of the slam I was talking about. At the time I thought I needed the extra power that the ASL AQ1003 afforded for a few hundred more but it didn't quite have the magic that the MG-Si15 possessed. If I had it to do over again I'd have bought the smaller MG-Si15 with all Electro Harmonix tubes.

Btw, the JJ's tubes I was talking about are the 2 x 12AU7, 2 x 12AT7 that should (according to VTL) be used in your preamp...I'm not familiar with the Mullards A'gon & Upscale recommended - definitely double check 1st - manufacturers change things like driver tubes all the time! I thought the J.J.'s would be interesting because they aren't as warm & fuzzy as other tubes; the JJ's have a very dark sound to them that might mitigate a bit of that politeness you aren't in love with.

Here's a link to the ASL site:
http://www.divertech.com/antiquesl.html

bruce30

I can appreciate that the ongoing cost of tube replacement is a real factor but I suspect that once you find the right one you won't mind so much...that said, I would encourage you to play around with 'em. Maybe if you tried one of the less expensive tube amps with fewer output tubes?...ever heard the Antique Sound Labs MG-Si15 DT it's only got two KT88's ($100 every few years) and two 12AX7's ($20 every 3-5 years) you probably spend more than that on Twinkies.

Another thought is replacing the VTL's tubes with something darker in flavor like J.J.'s driver tubes. Just trying to help - Happy Holidays! -B

bruce30

Hey Diz, quality gear! It's no wonder you're complaining about the sound being "polite" & "laid back" when you're pairing a really sweet tube preamp with a very neutral controlling amp with stand-mounted monitors. A really neutral solidstate amp like the Plinius is going to impart the stronger qualities of the source signal it's fed with precision. Imho, you should try pairing the preamp & speakers with a tubed amp to counteract the preamp's lusciousness with some SLAM. That preamp was most likely designed to offset the warmth, sweetness & lack of civility of a tubed brute. That huge solidstate amp will have a tendency to keep those little bookshelf speakers right inline; with over-exertion kept to a bare minimum (i.e. analytically clean & pristine.)

bruce30

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