This system come from 30 years of HiFi and musical passion, searching for a music maker system, not for a sounds maker one. So I've joined all I love (and all I've listen to!)in music from UK, USA Japan and Italy to build a pure but affordable endorphine factory for classical, jazz and old rock music (old like me).
Italians equipment are not too estimeed in others countries, maybe for his poor distribution, but Italy is a country of music and our equipment borns from an old tradition.
I don't like the turnover of equipments but I'm searching for the way to squeeze the best of each of them. Now I'm working on power AC line ( cables, plugs and inlets) that appears to me a very amazing and critic point.
Enjoy music and don't forget that Stradivari and Guarneri del Ges were coming from the "Boot shape" land.
Italian CD player, the nearest one to analog sound I've listened to. Upgraded by a pair of Telefunken 801 S and G-Flex feet. I love his musicality.
Michell Engineering Orbe
Orbe SE with Pedersen armboard decoupling system. It's a mark I with Pabst AC motor, In the picture you can see the Uesugi step up
Graham Engineering Graham 2.2 gold
a classic. Just a bit difficult to assemble on the Orbe
Lyra Titan i
Wonderful. No others words
Conrad Johnson Evolution 20se
rare and precious. A seven in one case only. 6GK5 tube cryogenic: no rumors! black and silent. Phono Input MM only, so It needs a step up for MC cartridge. It's coupled by an Uesugi Bros 5 low
GRAAF GM-20
OTL with russian 6C33C 20 W of pure music. It seems a 200 W if coupled with right loudspeakers. For a very good result It needs to replace its Sovtek ECC 88 with others. I use a pair of Amperex
Proac Response 2.5
another piece of pure music. Its high impedence is perfect for OTL amp like the GRAAF
Synergistic Research Tricon Phono
a very good cable, precise, silent, full of music nuances and easy to handle. It works very well with my Helikon
Straight Wire Crescendo
the only cable I've heard that sounds right in every system I've tryed it. Neutral, neutral neutral. Maybe it isn't the best one but it's an affordable great cable. Huge colour, heavy and stiff. Don't try the 0,5 m, it's nearly impossible to handle. No suitable for light equipment
Straight Wire Crescendo biwire
the perfect partner of IC, more expansive however. I need a 15 feet long pair. Too thick too, and huge colour, it seems a snake on the floor. A black flex sleeving and the problem is solved
Synergisti Research Master coupler
power cord on Graaf
JPS Bulk cable+ Furutech plugs
power cord for Lector CD player
JPS Bulk AC cord
I use this heavy and stiff cable for AC distributor ( with Furutech inlet) and like a power cable for Preamp, with Furutech 25 rodhium plug and a Furutech 11 ag IEC plug
Solidsteel 5.3
Italian steel stand with MDF boards It works well, no matter. In the far future my stand upgrade will be a Finite Elemente, the best stand of the world, and the most expansive too
Solidsteel Model A
Amp stands were sit the GRAAF,the Lector Power supply and the Gyropower( Orbe power supply)
UESUGI Bros 5 low
Step up for MC cartridge ( low impedence) A fantastic step up of great quality, very impressive with the Lyra Titan i too. It's a true good alternative to very expansive step up like AN, Audio Tekne, etc
Great looking system. Just bought a used Lector 7 to match my Lector 7 pre. Do you still use the upgraded telefunken tubes or something else. Did the tube rolling made noticeable impact ?
Thanks a lot Vinyl9 I'ven't got many problems driving ProAc, bass is sometimes too loud and long, depending by the ECC88 driving the russians tubes. Now I've find the solution with a pair of Amperex NOS. I've tried Siemens Cca too, but they sounds so smooth and relaxed with a bass too looooong! I'll try the cryogenic 6C33C. Can you give me some advice about a good seller? Danny
Audiodany Nice system, Hey it's cool to see someone else who owns a GRAAF GM-20! A friend of mine uses his modded GM-20 with Avantgarde Duos, it's an awesome amp with a lot more punch then you would expect from 20 watts. I would agree with you on Italian audio gear. He also has the Viva Linea preamp best pre I've ever heard. Viva Audio Devices is another amazing Italian company.
I'm sure you love your ProAc 2.5 but@86db,1 watt,1 meter they may a bit underdriven, if only in the bass.[I've even heard a modded GRAAF power the Maggie 3.6!]
If you ever get a chance to listen to a more a efficient speaker check out the BG Radia Z-92 www.bgcorp.com I own a pair and they sounded very dynamic with a couple of 11 watt Quad tube amps. At $2,500 new, I've seen them go for very cheap used on the Gon. The planar drivers and speakers are made Carson City Nevada with a lifetime warranty. [An awesome speaker that seemingly know one has ever heard of] In general the more sensitive the speaker the better.
Try out a set of cryoed 6C33C's an amazing upgrade!
