Designed by Adriaan Steyn
The design of this audio system reflects a commitment to digital purity and analogue elegance, crafted with focused consideration of both the technical and emotive elements of high-end audio reproduction.
This system was built with a singular purpose: to deliver music in its most honest, uncoloured form — revealing every nuance, every subtlety, exactly as the artist intended.
The focus has always been on preserving the integrity of the signal from source to speaker, combining state-of-the-art digital precision with the warmth and depth of finely tuned analogue stages.
Each component chosen, not for brand or prestige, but for its ability to serve the music with absolute transparency and emotional truth.
This is not just about high fidelity — it’s about an immersive connection, about experiencing recordings with a sense of space, realism, and intimacy that transcends the gear itself.
A digital library of 2TB uncompressed FLAC and DSD files are managed through a dedicated Roon Server:
DSD256x48 Input from Lumin U2 via USB
TV Connected via Optical 48Khz cable PCM 2 channel format, to T+A DAC200 for TV/Cinema audio
PCM Filter setting: FIR 1 (Pure FIR - Linear Phase, Long Tap Length)
DSD Filter: Standard FIR2 Filter (DSD)
DSD true 1-bit Bandwidth Wide
Designed as pure DSD decoder — minimal processing, full naturalness.
T+A DAC200 act as neutral DSD passthrough decoder —preserving ultra-refined digital output.
T+A DAC200 also connected via Fiber Optic link (Toslink) to LG G3 77” TV linked to AppleTV.
This allows for 48Khz PCM 2ch input via FO – signal up-sampled x16 times to 768Khz, before converted to Analogue output
Connected to McIntosh c12000 via ThunderBird XLR Balanced Cable Solid PSC+ Copper HiFi Audio Analog Interconnect cables - Analog Output 4V XLR (Pro-level)
Balanced input via XLR from T+A DAC200
Hybrid Drive™ technology offering both solid state and vacuum tube output
Separate audio & control sections
12 x analogue inputs including 2 configurable phono inputs (MM/MC)
Fully balanced circuitry
Input Stage Tubes (both channel L+R):
· 4 x Siemens E81CC ECC801S Matched Quad - Munich '68 - Same code - NOS+ (2 per channel)
· 2 x 12AX7 Telefunken / Leeds & Northrup, Tektronix, Red Tip, or SELECTED TUBE label, very rare medical equipment grade smooth plate, most red-tipped, diamond mark MATCHED PAIR (1 per channel)
Output to Power Amplifiers via XLR (tube stage) outputs via ThunderBird XLR Balanced Cable Solid PSC+ Copper HiFi Audio Analog Interconnect cables. Equipped with AudioQuest 72V patented Dielectric Bias System (DBS).
McIntosh C12000 is connected via dual XLR Balanced (Solid State output) to Burson Soloist GT4 Headphone Amplifier. The Burson headphone amplifier has been upgraded with the following components:
· Soloist GT4 with Burson Silent Power 02 and V7 Vivid Pro Opamps
· Burson Fusion Core – 24V/15A power supply
The Hifiman HE1000SE is the primary headphone connected via balanced 4pin XLR connection to the Burson Soloist GT4.
MC611 Quad Balanced Power Amplifier
600W / Channel into 2, 4, 8 ohm
Autoformer™, Power Guard®, Sentry Monitor™, Monogrammed Heatsinks™, Solid Cinch™ speaker binding posts
2.8dB Headroom = Peak Power ≈1,143W
Connected via Odin 2 Speaker cables to MC611 mono blocks
Speakers connected to MC611 2ohm taps to achieve:
· Tighter Damping and Driver Control
· Warmer, Smoother Tonal Balance
· Controlled Power Delivery
· Vintage McIntosh Tuning Philosophy
This is a deliberate voicing decision — favouring precision in low-end control, a greater euphonic midrange, and increased system synergy with the tube-driven McIntosh C12000 preamp. The intention is in pursuit of a deeply tailored, emotionally expressive sound — trusting my ears over the textbook.
McIntosh C12000 Preamplifier – Dual-Chassis Statement Control Center
The McIntosh C12000 isn’t just a preamp—it’s a declaration of what’s possible when heritage and innovation meet. Built as a dual-chassis design, it separates audio circuitry from control and power functions to achieve the lowest possible noise floor. The audio chassis itself is a marvel of flexibility, housing both a fully balanced solid-state stage and a meticulously voiced vacuum tube stage. With the flick of a switch, you can choose which topology suits your music and mood—solid-state precision or tube-infused warmth—without swapping gear.
Connectivity is as grand as the design: 12 analog inputs, including two configurable MM/MC phono stages, balanced and unbalanced outputs, and seamless integration with McIntosh’s power amps through their Unity Coupled Circuit technology. Inside, matched Siemens and Telefunken tubes sit alongside McIntosh’s latest Hybrid Drive™ architecture, bringing both authority and finesse. Sonically, the C12000 is commanding yet refined: bass has impact and grip, mids bloom with a human touch, and treble extends with air and ease. Paired with the brand’s monoblocks, it becomes the beating heart of a system, equal parts control center and tone sculptor.
This preamp is not only a technical masterpiece but also an emotional one, giving listeners the luxury of tailoring their playback experience at the highest level. In a world of compromises, the C12000 stands apart—confidently unapologetic in size, scope, and sonic ambition.
Burson Soloist GT4 Max with Fusion Core PSU
Connected via Audioquest Thunderbird Balanced XLR Connections from the McIntosh C12000 (Solid State out).
In the Max configuration, the Burson Soloist GT4 evolves from a formidable Class-A headphone amplifier into a true reference control centre. At its heart are twin mirror-symmetrical amplifiers, each with its own supply, ensuring absolute channel separation and a black-as-ink background. With 10 watts of pure Class-A output on tap, it drives even the most demanding headphones with composure and authority, while maintaining an ease and musicality that smaller amps can’t match.
The Max version pushes this design further with Burson’s V7 Vivid Pro discrete opamps, Silent Power 02 regulation, and the Fusion Core GaN-based power supply. This PSU delivers a staggering 24V/15A with ultra-low noise, giving the amplifier limitless current reserves and a startling sense of headroom. The result is sound that is rich yet transparent, dynamically unflappable, and free from the haze of conventional power supplies. Add to this its dual MUSE72320 volume controls, hardware crossfeed, balanced and single-ended connectivity, and even subwoofer integration, and the Soloist GT4 Max stands out not just as a powerhouse headphone amp, but as a versatile hub for purist audiophiles who demand both finesse and muscle.
Lumin U2 Network Transport
The Lumin U2 is a digital purist’s dream: a no-compromise network transport designed to serve the finest DACs with immaculate signal integrity. Stripped of any internal DAC circuitry, it focuses solely on delivering bit-perfect streams via USB, I²S, AES/EBU, coaxial, or optical outputs. At its core lies a custom processor capable of handling native DSD512 and PCM up to 768kHz, with advanced upsampling and flexible resampling options to suit both system synergy and listener preference. Roon Ready, UPnP, and Spotify/Tidal/Qobuz integration ensure seamless access to local libraries and streaming services, all managed through Lumin’s elegant app interface.
Where the U2 really distinguishes itself is in its refinement of timing and noise control. The redesigned digital output stage employs femto clocking and a robust power supply architecture, giving connected DACs the cleanest possible input signal. In practice, this translates to sharper transients, deeper black backgrounds, and a sense of effortlessness in musical flow. With its solid aluminium chassis, understated aesthetics, and firmware that continues to evolve with audiophile feedback, the Lumin U2 sits confidently among the finest dedicated transports on the market. It isn’t trying to be a “jack of all trades”—it is a master of one: delivering pristine digital to a reference DAC.
T+A DAC200 Digital-to-Analog Converter
The T+A DAC200 is a statement of German precision engineering, built to decode today’s most demanding digital formats with elegance and authority. At its heart lies a dual-engine architecture: a PCM section that handles signals up to 768kHz/32-bit with custom FIR filters, and a dedicated true-1-bit DSD stage capable of native DSD1024. By separating these decoding paths, the DAC200 avoids the compromises of one-size-fits-all conversion, allowing each format to be reproduced in its most authentic form. Add to this an ultra-low-jitter clocking system, galvanically isolated inputs, and an array of outputs including balanced XLRs, and you have a DAC that is as technically uncompromising as it is musically engaging.
In listening, the DAC200 marries analytical clarity with an organic sense of flow. Its PCM engine delivers crystalline detail, pinpoint imaging, and a soundstage of remarkable scale, while its DSD section offers an almost analog-like liquidity—silky, natural, and deeply immersive. Versatility is another hallmark: the DAC200 accepts inputs from USB, AES/EBU, I²S, coaxial, optical, and even HDMI (for SACD via compatible transports), making it a true digital hub for reference systems. With its substantial chassis, minimalist display, and understated industrial design, it looks every bit as serious as it sounds. In short, the T+A DAC200 is not just a converter; it’s a gateway to digital done right—resolute in precision, but never sterile, always reminding you why music matters.
Sonus faber Olympica Nova V – Flagship Italian Floor-stander
Imagine a speaker that blends sculptural elegance with reference-level performance—and you've entered the world of the Sonus faber Olympica Nova V. Crafted in Italy as the crown jewel of the Olympica Nova line, this three-way tower stands at nearly 1.2 m tall and weighs 44 kg, wrapping exquisite wood veneer, aluminum, and subtle leather in a graceful, lute-shaped cabinet.
Under the hood is serious engineering: a 28 mm silk soft‑dome tweeter with DAD (Damped Apex Dome) technology, a 150 mm mid-range with eddy-current-free voice coil, and three 180 mm woofers. This array is housed in a para-aperiodic “Stealth Ultraflex” ported enclosure that avoids parallel walls to minimize internal resonances, reduce cabinet coloration, and offer flexible room bass tuning.
Sonically, it's a marked leap from its predecessor. Reviewers consistently praise its enhanced bass heft and precision, refined dynamic control, accurate soundstage imaging, and deep, holographic layering—yet still retain the musicality Sonus faber is renowned for. Some even liken its tonal openness and transparency more closely to Magico or B&W's 800 series, but Italianate and warmer—a rare blend of precision and passion.In short, the Olympica Nova V isn't just a speaker—it’s an objet d'art. It delivers immersive, heart-stirring music reproduction with technical finesse, wrapped in craftsmanship that is as much visual poetry as it is acoustic engineering.
2 x McIntosh MC611 Monoblock Power Amplifiers – Authority With Elegance
The McIntosh MC611 is a 600-watt monoblock that embodies everything the brand has become synonymous with: immense power delivered with effortless musicality. Thanks to McIntosh’s proprietary Autoformer™ technology, the MC611 produces its full rated output into 2, 4, or 8 ohms, ensuring consistency no matter the loudspeaker load. Add in nearly 2.8 dB of headroom—translating to peaks of over 1,100 watts—and these amplifiers have the grip to command even the most demanding speakers without strain.
Technically, the MC611 blends classic McIntosh design DNA with modern refinements. It incorporates Power Guard® to prevent clipping, Sentry Monitor™ protection, and a massive power supply with “Monogrammed Heatsinks™” for thermal stability. On the outside, they wear the brand’s iconic glass front panel, polished stainless steel chassis, and oversized blue watt meters that pulse reassuringly with the music. Inside, fully balanced circuitry keeps the signal path pure and noise at bay.
Sonically, the MC611 is both muscular and graceful: bass is tight and controlled, mids carry warmth and body, and treble is extended without glare. Paired with a high-end preamp like the McIntosh C12000 and speakers of Olympica Nova V calibre, the MC611 brings scale, dynamic headroom, and an unshakable sense of control that turns listening into an event. These are not just amplifiers—they are monuments of American hi-fi engineering, designed to both anchor and elevate a reference system for decades.