Hi Augwest,
Nice looking collection of gear.
Have you tried running your Prima DAC directly into your amps and bypassing your Lightspeed attenuator? Is there really a need for two volumes - the DAC and the LSA?

I used to have the Capitole and Jody at Globe Audio Marketing did his upgrade on it and it sounded better direct to my SET amp than with the highly regarded First Sound preamp. I since sold it due to flaky build quality and now use the LSA and agree with you on its sonic qualities.

By the way, what became of Jody? I liked him and wish him the best after Globe closed.

kevinzoe July 01, 2012 00:56

Thanks for the reply. I'd say you are in a great room, especially being able to listen as background music. The system can always be on and enjoyed by all.

samac December 22, 2009 03:19

Room size is about 14 x 16 with a ceiling that peaks around 12' in the middle. Back opens up into dining room with an opening about 9"6" wide (essentially no back wall). I believe that the peaked ceiling, lack of back reflection and slab floor combine to make for very good acoustics, with the added benefit of providing stereo background dinner music in the dining room. The only acoustic tweak I use is a set of four of Echo Busters "Corner Busters" which are positioned on the floor (given that the ceiling slopes up from each of the four top corners). I also hung a tapestry on one of the side walls and put a sofa on the other.

The Merlins might have some trouble in a much bigger room but they sound large indeed in this room with the BEL amps.

augwest December 21, 2009 19:16

Just came across your system and have to say that is one of the sweetest set ups I have seen. I can only imagine how good it must sound. Congrats!

One quick question, please. How big is your room? Thanks.

Cheers,

Scott

samac November 16, 2009 00:29

Very nice system, nice name as well.
The Bel 1001 Mk V am sure are awesome.
Had a chance to listen to the MK II's years ago and was impressed.
Take care,

rugyboogie November 15, 2009 16:30

System edited: Latest kick is replacing all of the cables in my system with Grover Huffman models. This is the best bang for the buck in a long time. Grover's NEW speaker cables replaced a pair I was able to sell for more than twice the price on the USED market!

augwest July 18, 2009 06:52

Since last year I now have a pair of BEL 1001 MkV monoblocks (purchased second hand on AudiogoN) and upgraded to a Joule Electra LA-150 MkII tube preamp which was highly recommended by the designer of my speakers. The system sounds amazing and further upgrades seem superfluous.

I have ordered a couple of pairs of Grover Huffman's IC cables to compare with the BEL The Wire P1's I've had for more than three years now but it's a little hard for me to imagine the system sounding much more convincing than it already does - after three years of frenzied experimentation and tweaking I'm pretty much done.

augwest April 27, 2009 20:00

NIce gear. Great choice of name for the system. Back in Black would have worked to! The black amps and black Merlins look straight off that famous album!

shadorne December 05, 2008 05:01

Sorry, I don't remember the brand of the wooden cabinet - it's nothing special. I screwed Adona brass cone feet into the six legs. The Symposium Ultra Platforms (and Rollerblocks for transport) on the other hand are very good things to put equipment on. Update: I have upgraded transport to Underwood HiFi T-Mod of Music Hall CD25.2, preamp to Joule Electra LA-150 MkII, and amplification to the only thing that sounded better than a BEL 1001 MkV - *two* 1001 MkV's! I was fortunate enough to find a matched pair of monoblocks on AudiogoN. This is the system of my dreams and is likely to remain stable for the foreseeable future.

augwest December 05, 2008 01:19

Hi, what brand is your component rack?

billmac July 31, 2008 02:46

Based on conversations wiht Bobby at Merlin and reviews of the Audio Aero Capitole and Prima DAC I decided to try the Prima SE DAC with my trusty old HHb. I was already using the Pioneer Stable Platter transport in the HHb CDR-800 Pro Burner with the Cary 306/200. If this works out I may sell the Cary even though I have dozens of HDCD's. I'm still thinking of a second BEL but at $4k I suppose I owe it to myself to check into competitive tube amps on the used market. It would take quite a challenger to unseat the BEL, though.

augwest March 26, 2008 20:52