All suggestions and comments are most welcome. In addition to the general comments below, I've added specific comments on set-up and tweaks for most of the components which you can read by clicking them individually in the list above.
The overall strategy is to take a great speaker and put the best possible components and set-up behind it, all subject to real world space and cost constraints.
1. The seating position is in my Manhattan apartment living room which has some unusual characteristics. The speakers, main amps and video system are at one end of the long wall of the living room, which is irregular in shape such that, with minor exceptions, no two walls are parallel to each other and there are no right angled corners except on the wall behind the speakers. The set-up is severely space constrained with the rest of the audio components in a closet in the foyer with a 7 meter interconnect that runs in the next room and comes through the wall behind the amps. The negative of this of course is the long interconnect; the positive is that the preamp and audio source components are isolated from the amps and speakers.
2. The sound is sensitive, revealing and very solid with no sense of strain or congestion. A very transparent midrange with good highs and fantastic detail that is absolutely non-fatiguing (no tolerance for that). Also serious bass and imaging. After years of trying, I think I've finally got the setup right on the Quatros. Upgrades to the SE versions of the ARC Ref 5, Ref Phono Two and 3D printed arm tube on the VPI have been a revelation. In addition to a vastly increased soundstage and greater resolution, analog bass and dynamics now equal those of digital, including my ARC Ref CD-8 and everything else I've heard, which is a first in my experience. I can honestly say I've not heard better vinyl reproduction anywhere else (better in some respects and just as good perhaps, but not better overall).
3. FM sound is easily the best I have ever heard; on WQXR (classical) imaging and performance nuances come through clearly and Q104.3 rocks for real. Believe it or not, at the end of a GEICO radio ad (the one that ended with the line "do only dogs hear dog whistles?") the soundstage expanded way beyond the speakers - as good or better than the Weavers at Carnegie Hall. CD sound is excellent but digital still is not my thing (analog keeps getting better too - see #2 above).
4. Sources are 60% vinyl, 30% tuner, 9% video and 1% CD. 5,000 LP's, including orginal pressings of most of the mono Blue Note catalog and more than half of the Impulse, Shaded Dog and Living Presence catalogs; 100 DVDs and Blu-ray (mostly music video), a few CDs, and cable TV.
5. Video is still just an add-on to the two channel audio system. Video sources are wired straight into the screen but the front channel sound from the processor runs back to the preamp through another 7 meter interconnect and then returns from there through the two channel system to the main amps. The five satellite speakers are connected directly to the ARC M150.5 amp with in-wall speaker wire. I have to turn off both the M150.5 and the processor whenever I play vinyl because leaving on either one even in standby mode noticeably degrades the sound.
It took me years to figure out how to set up the Quatros, even with a good start from my dealer. The key was seeing Richard Vandersteen set up his new Model Sevens in person - and then going back and reading the Quatro set-up instructions and following them to the letter. Two tips: the set-up description in the TAS review of the 7's is almost exactly the same for the Quatros (except you only need a laser pointer instead of the jig); and you must set the height of the speakers in relation to the listening position exactly as specified in the instructions (use the graph provided there). I originally put the Marigo Audio Bear Feet under the speakers in order to decouple the spikes from the floor, but it turns out that I also needed the extra 2 inches of height they provided in order to get the set-up right for my room. (I'd love to own the 7's but I've always preferred the Quatros to the Fives.)
VPI Reference Super Scoutmaster
The table sits on a Black Diamond Racing Shelf for the Source which in turn is on Nordost Pulsar Points which are screwed into the Target TT5F stand. The tonearm design is incredibly convenient for switching back and forth between different armwands to run both stereo and mono cartridges. I've recently upgraded the arm tube to the 3D printed version - incredible improvement in soundstage and overall resolution. There is an issue with speed stability during warm weather - I suspect that may cause the belts to stretch.
VPI 3D Tonearm
A revelation as an upgrade. Vastly improved bass, soundstage and dynamics.
Benz Micro LP S
.34 mv output.
Benz Micro LP S Mono
Still burning in, although it already sounds great. One thing that is already very apparent is that scratches, crackle and other record defects on mono records are much quieter with a mono cartridge.
Audio Research Reference Two SE Phono Stage
It only has 350 hours on it as of October 2014 out of the 600 hours it reportedly needs to break in. So far, combined with the Ref 5 SE, it already looks to be a huge improvement over the non SE versions. It has a Nordost Valhalla power cord and sits on a Black Diamond Source Shelf, which is on their cones, which in turn are on a laminated plywood shelf that is suspended on shelf clips.
Audio Research Reference 5 SE
Up to 500 hours as of October 2014 out of the 600 hours it supposedly needs in order to break in. As reported It certainly is a huge improvement over the Ref 5. It has a Nordost Valhalla power cord and sits on a Black Diamond Shelf for the Source resting on their cones which in turn are on a plywood shelf suspended on shelf clips.
Sansui TU-919 Tuner
1980 vintage, modified by Antenna Performance Systems. Even with the ARC Ref 3, more than one audiophile friend mistook the sound of this tuner for that of my CD player. With the Ref 5, I hear better dynamics and more nuance and detail at half the volume I needed with the Ref 3. This is the first time I've ever heard an over-the-air FM tuner throw a soundstage that is wider than the speakers (in this case, much wider).
Audio Research Reference CD-8
Just upgraded from the (upgraded) CD-7. Still burning in but sounds promising. As usual, I've rolled the tubes.
Audio Research VM-220 monoblocks
After 1500 hours I replaced the stock 6N1P input/driver tubes with a milspec NOS version called 6N1P-EV. Doing so incrementally improved the dimensionality of the sound. I've also done quite a lot of tube rolling with the 6550's notwithstanding the disapproval of my good friends at ARC. Regardless, NOS tubes improved retrieval of detail, imaging and, above all, the density or continuousness of the sound. I also replaced the amp stands with Black Diamond Shelves for the Source which are sitting on their cones and pucks on the floor. Finally, after much experimentation with both the standard top plate and the optional tube cages, I think these amps sound best without either one.
Wireworld Gold Eclipse interconnects
Most are version 3+, some are version 5. 7 meter balanced from preamp to amps; .5 to 2 meters balanced for the rest except that the Ref Two phono input is RCA. I've lifted the interconnects that run on the floor with Cable Towers.
Nordost Valhalla speaker cable
1.5 meter; z plugs to spades
Nordost Valhalla Power Cords
Several in the system, but not on the Quatros.
Nordost Thor
Two in the system; one on the front end audio components and the other on the video system and the Quatros.
Oppo BDP 83 SE
Still burning in.
Outlaw 990 Video Processor
The reviews are true - a steal. That said, I also have to turn this off when I'm listening to two channel audio.
Fujitsu 55 inch Plasma
Obsolete, but still good enough for now; every time I think about getting a new screen the technology changes again
Audio Research M 150.5 5 Channel Amp
Updated to 8th Factory revision.
Sound Dynamics RTS-3 Surround Speakers
HP was right about these; sitting on the floor on Black Diamond cones. The in wall speaker wire is Kimber 8TC.
Various Hagerman, Black diamond, etc.
A lot of tube testing gear including a Hagerman Technologies curve tracer that enables 8 point matching of 6550 power tubes in pairs; all 16 of those NOS Tung Sols are matched together within 5% in terms of both transconductance and current. I'm also a huge fan of Black Diamond Racing; seven of their shelves, with 5 Shelves for the Source, including amp stands under each source component; plus their pucks and cones. I've also lifted all of the cables with Cable Towers on the interconnects and Dark Field Cable Elevators on the speaker wire and the Vandersteen crossovers. VPI HW-27 Typhoon record cleaning machine. VPI Magic Bricks and the Acoustic Sounds record brush. Disc Doctor record cleaning fluid and brushes.
Mitch4t and Sjwholesale - thanks for your responses about the tubes in my ARC VM-220's and I apologize for my late response. Those tubes are matched sets of NOS Tung Sols from the 1960-70s which I stockpiled long ago. I think they sound great, but I can't comment on how they would compare to the new KT-120's.
Hello, love your system, was wondering if you have tried the TUNG_SOL KT-120 in the mono's I also have a set and was wondering if the move up to the kt-120 was worth it I heard it helps the lower end, tighter bass. Thanks
. Arahl, c'mon......take those cages off and let me see them tubes!! I've lusted after a pair of the VM220's for a while now. They are beautiful amps. Lucky you. .
Thanks Daverz - they are Marigo Audio Reference Bear Feet and they are made of layers of carbon fiber material seperated by layers of brass pieces (6 pieces in each layer). I never saw them advertised or reviewed but they are the best footers I've ever tried with speakers that come with spikes like the Quatros.
Thanks Daverz - they are Marigo Audio Reference Bear Feet and they are made of layers of carbon fiber material seperated by layers of brass pieces (6 pieces in each layer). I never saw them advertised or reviewed but they are the best footers I've ever tried with speakers like that come with spikes like the Quatros.
Arahl, Looks like a great system. I also have the SSM ref with the Benz LP only mine is not the S class version. Also using the Vandersteen 5As although with a Krell amp. Been meaning to change amp to Audio Research or Ayre but to be honest I think Vandersteens sound great with anything. I know your system has to sound amazing. Please try set up with the Best Tractor from Mint LP solutions for the next step toward unbelievable sound.
What a great system! I know how it sounds, fantastic, I have 3A Sigs & 2Wq's similar but not as "fast"!! I'm in the process of breaking in a new ARC VS 115(22 hrs) the sound is painful, I want to push a magic button and be at 400hrs!! Thanks for the tube rolling info I've searched for this and not had much success your experience is encouraging as every time I've rolled tubes in components I found a sound I liked better than stock!!
It is essential to re-bias power tubes each time you change them; in fact I found I had to rebias the Winged C 6550's every 500 hours or so. ARC VM-220's (and also VS 110/55) are designed to make it easy for users to bias the tubes themselves. There is a pair of bias test-jacks for each tube on the rear panel which enable you to check/adjust bias whenever you want.
I upgraded my Audio Research VM-220 replacing the stock tubes (6550C) with the Tung-Sol 6550. I can to say identical opinions as Arahl was. I will to try replacing the 6N1P with the 6N1P-EB. Thanks for the tip. I had purchased my tubes at www.thetubestore.com . Very large assortment and fast shipping.
very well, clear, simple, it seem well balanced. I've listen other vandersteend speakers and I was surprise for clearity, transparency and dynamic. I have in expectancy intention to change my cables with cardas or other type.I have seen the nordosts walhalla and Cardas GR. Can you tell me as they play in comparison with other cables?
On the VM-220's the new power tubes are reissue Tung Sol 6550's and they are a revelation. ARC ships them with Winged C's, which I ran for 1500 hours. The reissue Tung Sol's showed as well or better in every respect - not just in terms of bass, highs etc., but even more so in terms of the quality of the sound - especially imaging, dimensionality, coherence and clarity. In a number of pieces, I was able to hear an instrument or a voice which was inaudible with the Winged C's. The Tung Sols also have a continuousness (as opposed to grain) which I have not heard anywhere in a very long time - the term for that sound is 'liquid'. One other note about pair matching - I matched all of these tubes within 3% for gm and 6% for current, which is much closer than normal factory matching for power tubes. I found that the Winged C's had to be rematched after 700 hours or so to stay within that tolerance - I'll report on the Tung Sols.
I also changed the input/driver tubes from regular 6N1P's to 6N1P-EB's. That is a Russain millspec version of the 6NIP and these have 1985 date codes. The improvements from the 6N1P-EB's were similar in character (imaging and dimensionality) to the improvements I got from replacing the the stock 6H30's in the front end gear with 6H30-DR's but not as dramatic in degree. All of these tube types are currently available from dealers or in auctions.
System edited: Thanks again. I have not heard the Ref 110's. I did audition the VM 220's against the Ref 210's at 2 different dealers, in one case with the Quatros. The overriding factor for me was that the Quatros are a very easy load for amps to drive, in part because they have built in subwoofer amps. The 210's did show more control at the frequency extremes - especially on digital - but I found the 220's to be a bit cleaner in the midrange - at least on the Vandersteens. I also was concerned because I could hear the fans on the 210's in quiet passages.
Well it looks like my dad is going to buy the Quatro "woody", John R. from Audio Connection came out to my dads tonight to check out his room and get pics of his speakers to sell for him, we had a great day there on Sunday, John was nice enough to open his closed shop to us for a private demo with nobody to get in the way, he is truely an asset to the high end community.
I own the ARC trio: CD7+REF3+VM220 monoblocks. It´s sounding really, really well for me, but I´m considering the REF110 stereo amp. Do you can to tell something more about your experience, comparing these amplification alternatives? I use to hear only CDs and R2R recordings.The home theater is 100% independent.
Thank you all for your comments. In terms of comparing the Ref Phono with the PH-7, I can only give a preliminary answer. When I auditioned the PH-7 against the Ref Phono - in each case with current production Russian tubes - I thought it was a very close call, but I jumped at the chance to get a Ph-7 because it is 2 inches lower and it also runs cooler, both of which are significant advantages in that tight closet. I only ran the Ref Phono myself with the Ref One and have only run the PH-7 with the Ref Three. Also, as I described above, the coherence of the sound on vinyl isn't always as good as it was before - so far. While several aspects of the new system are better than before - bass response, in particular - the only one of these improvements I can attribute to the PH-7 (in part) is that the PH-7/Ref Three combination is a bit quieter. I'll report again when I have an update.
This is a great system as I mentioned when I spoke with you via private email, my dad and I are gonna demo the Quatro next week at Audio Connection, gonna check out the new "Quatro Woody" I just hope they dont disapoint compared to the 5A wich was an awesome experience but as you say they might even do some things better.
System edited: Pictures of records now included - thanks for your comments and sorry for the delay. Closing the curtains for daytime video is better although not essential. I probably will get satellite radio at some point, but regular reception is pretty good for now - I suspect the building itself in some way acts as an antenna.
