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
Read more...

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

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Owner
Samhar, Foster, Dpatterson - Thank you for the feedback. folks have been telling me to upgrade the M1000, but I wanted to wait until all my components have XLR. With the addition aesthetix, I can definitely start finding better IC's and will hold off tube rolling.

I checked Anti Cables and it seems like a very good solution. I was also thinking about the following XLR options: Analysis plus Silver Oval, Kimber XLR, Audioquest DBS, Nordost blue/Red/heimdall. These are more expensive than Anti cables. If you have suggestions, please let me know. To be honest, I want something neutral since my system sounds different with the calypso and Bel Canto DAC3, so want to avoid colored type cables. Thanks!

PS: Samhar, I've been reading alot of calypso threads, and you seem to provide alot of solid inputs. I was thinking about reaching out to you for advice but glad that you saw my thread!

dizzyizzid

Something I found with my Calypso is how sensitive to vibrations it is. I had leading edge hash that was driving me crazy especially on highs and thought all CD's sucked!! Just to see what would happen I put AQ Big Feet Sorbogel under the Calypso, WOW the leading edges of the highs and everything else for that matter were clean, high violin notes went from strident to beautiful!!!! Isolation under the Plinius would probably help also, I'm not sure you could hear this until you switch out the Monster Cable. After you do just for fun give it a try!

samhar

I would agree with samhar and Foster_9. Your nice components deserve better. I would also echo samhars recommendation of Anti-Cables...you can't do better for the money and if you don't like them in your system you can return them.

dpatterson

Yes, I agree about the M1000 IC's. I would move on from those. I have a pair laying somewhere in a box. Those are ok if you're just starting out in mid fi. But your setup is above that level. You're missing refinement, resolution and highs with those IC's. Very nice system by the way.

foster_9

I came over from your forum tube question and the first thing that struck me was the monster cable. I don't think you realize what your system really can do because the I/C cable is limiting the quality of the sound. Soooo......... my recommendation is, keep the stock tubes you have in the Calypso and upgrade the I/C's. The benefit of starting there is you won't spend money on tubes and when you change I/C's ( and you will change those out ) find you have $400 in tubes you don't like in the system. You said funds are low so try Anti-Cables or if your looking for a little brighter presentation find a cable with some silver in it. First changing the Monster( well named) I/C's out will be a BIG BIG jump in inner detail and a move towards the more analytical system you want.

samhar

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

Owner
Bruce, you are right about the JJ being the current VTL OEM tubes. I bought mine in 2002 new, but I believe the OEM tubes were different.

I thought that dark sounding is anonymous to warm ie: tubes sounding. is this not the case?

thanks for the ASL recommendation. I'll take a look.

dizzyizzid

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

Owner
System edited: new picture added. Also added Slim devices transporter. Not sure if I like it as much. The sound is not as good as my ikemi. This is true especially if I listen to HDCD (which I have only a few). The interface is also not as good as my itunes. I'm having a hard time finding music in my large catalog. Itunes has an intuitive way of displaying all of my music but I can't do this in the web interface. Still deciding whether to keep or return. Anyway, thanks for looking.

dizzyizzid

Owner
Bruce, I certainly appreciate the help. Never heard of the amp you mentioned. I'll do some research on it. Have you heard the amp?

I haven't had the chance to tube role yet. I did buy CV4003 and CV4024 mullards based on recommendation from Agons and upscale audio, but I didn't extensive A/B testing. what specific JJ tubes are you talking about? thanks again and happy holidays to you too.

dizzyizzid

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

Owner
Bruce - thanks for looking and the very insightful comments. Ive been thinking about the pre-amp and amp combo to be the culprit, but have been hesitant to try tube amps due to the ongoing cost of tube replacements.

From what I have been told, VTL is on the solid state side of tubes and overall I really like the combo, but alas polite is something that I still want to minimize.

thanks again.

dizzyizzid

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

It's a common practice done on loud speakers and subwoofers. Some speakers even come with foam plugs for the ports. My previous pair was B&W 804N and they suffered from the similar mid bass hump in my room. When I tried the plugs it helped quite a bit. However 804N's are front ported, and plugs sticking out the port is an aesthetic disaster. I've replaced them with my current JM Labs, and the bass response is much more controlled now. No need to plug the ports any more.

You can first try with loose clothes and stuff the port covering the entire diameter. If that works, then you might want to custom cut foams for a better fit and looks.

jylee

Owner
hmm, I have never heard this suggestion before. have you tried in your system as well? also, do you plug the whole port? thanks for the suggestion

dizzyizzid

Great system. Have you tried plugging the port on your micro to control the bass hump? In many cases the hump or boominess is caused by the port. Port output can be reduced by plugging it with foam or cloth.

jylee

Owner
System edited: 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. thanks for looking.

dizzyizzid

Owner
The Kid, thanks for the compliment. In regards to "musical vs. detailed", to be honest is just saying that the grass is greener on the other side. I never had a very detailed system, so sometimes wished I had one. Oh well, can't have everything I suppose.

dizzyizzid

Owner
Opticaltree,
thanks for the advise. My plasma is actually an industrial monitor. It does not have tuner, speakers, nor stands - just monitor. From what I read, it has one of the best picture compared to other plasma and it is very reasonably priced (given that it has no tuner and speakers.

Looks like you have a similar type of monitor.

dizzyizzid

Very nice job on your setup and great choice of speakers. I wouldn't necessarily call "more musical than detailed" a weakness though. I think that is a good thing. Thanks for sharing..

Cheers,

Chris

the_kid

Hey your system is pretty nice too! A way to get more plasma for your money is to buy a monitor only. In other words one without a tuner. They cost less and usually you will have a cable box or sat box or dvd player connected as a source and you won't need a tuner. None of the three plasmas I have in my home have tuners in them. I hope that helps you that is if you didn't already buy a monitor only.

opticaltee

Owner
System edited: Updated picture

dizzyizzid

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