2 Steps from Heaven...

by srwooten on Opinions Please
From the Money Seat!
EDGE INARDS- WOW!!!
Pass PS,TT,XP-15
PWD,VSA,XP-20,EDGE
PPP,BRay,DVD,AVR
IMG_3802

Description

My 2-channel system is part of my multi-channel home theater set-up. The Adcom pre-amp has a HT bypass. I have been putting my kit together for approximately 7 years making many changes as my listening and finances improved. Thankfully my wife is VERY supportive and has made my obsession even more enjoyable. Audiogon has been a huge help also, as it is a great place to buy gear and learn from fellow enthusiast. My goal is realism. Let the smooth be smooth and the harsh be...harsh!
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Components Toggle details

    • Edge Electronics NL 10.1
    Detailed, smooth, dynamic. Very enjoyable. 100 lb beauty.
    • Pass Labs XP-20
    So much more enjoyable than my X-1, which was a great linestage.
    • Pass Labs XP-20 Power Supply
    Innards! Use this for my X-Ono too.
    • Pass Labs XP-15
    Musical, smooth, detailed. Splendid bass. A real joy to listen to.
    • Von Schweikert Audio VR-IV SR
    Great imaging, dynamics. Loads of resolution. I LOVE these speakers!
    • Von Schweikert Audio VR S/1
    Fast well defined bass keeps up with the Sr. 4's. I have a stereo pair to fill out the low bass in my large-ish room in an open floorplan.
    • Von Schweikert Audio LCR-15
    The center channel for the HT. Very clear, fast.
    • VPI Industries Scoutmaster
    A truly wonderful TT. I added the ringclamp which I feel is a very worthwhile upgrade, especialy on regular weight vinyl. I also added a TT Weight center weight- very worthwhile. Added TT Weights adjustable feet. Nicely designed/built.
    • Zyx Airy 3 Silver low output MC
    .24 mv version with silver wire and silver weight.
    • VPI Industries JMW 10.5i Stainless
    Nice upgrade. On the fly VTA adjusment, easier azimuth adjustment
    • VPI Anti-Skating Device
    A must have with the stiffer Nordost wire. A really good design too. The set-up instructions are a joke though.
    • Mint LP Protractor
    Very worth the effort and $110. I really got so much more out of my cartridge with this.
    • Gingko Audio Cloud 11
    Nice isolation for the Scoutmaster.
    • VPI 16.5
    Record cleaning machine- noisy,but effective...A must have IMO
    • PS Audio Power Plant Premier
    Decent. It really cleaned up the sound. I like the steady power to steady my TT motor. Tight plug sockets screwed up the finish on a couple high end plugs though.
    • Onkyo TX-NR905
    I LOVE this AVR. Does all the new codecs, great DAC, versatile, easy to use, sounds great.
    • Denon DVD-2500BTCI
    Plays blurays nicely. HDMI out transport only.
    • Denon DVD 5900
    Built like a tank. Plays DVD's beautifuly, also does CD, DVD-A, SACD pretty well.
    • PS Audio Perfect Wave DAC
    I am truly impressed with this DAC. Seems to do everything pretty much right.
    • Harmonic Technology Magic Reference Tweeter
    These go to the Vons' tweeter-mid cabinets. They really make cymbals shine and fill out the beginning and ending of notes. Truly revealing cables.
    • Harmonic Technology Magic Reference Woofer
    Wow! These power the Vons' bass cabinets. A BIG step up from the Pro 9+ they replaced. These cables have great bass definition and are smooth and very clean.
    • Harmonic Technology Magic One
    I use these throughout the system. Really clean and detailed, free of grain. Loads of bass. I really like Harmonic Tech's products. Most of these have been modded with new sleeving and reterminated by myself with custom lengths.
    • Homemade Power Cords Oyaide Tunami w/ Oyaide Plugs
    Also have condutive carbon shielding jacket. I am proud of these. Great sounding/looking.
    • Harmonic Technology Pro Ac 11 & Fantasy AC-10
    Good cords. Reterminated and covered with conductive carbon sleeving. Used for the VSA subs and DVD and Bluray players.
    • Furutech e-TP80
    Passive line conditioner. Used for TV,and DVR.
    • custom made Granite Mass Sandwich
    I sandwiched two 22lb granite slabs together with some Scotch Foam Mounting Squares and stuck 5 silicone feet on the bottom (1 in the center, 4 about 2 1/2" from the edges.
    • Furutech FT-D20A
    Gold duplex receptacle. Did not expect much but a strong grip on my heavy power cords. I heard a tremendous improvement in bass and clarity. When my wife came home and asked what I had done to the system with a cheerful tone I knew that I hadn't gone crazy.
    • Scotch Foam Mounting Squares
    Removable foam tape. I used this to secure the point disc to my ceramic tile for the 2 VSA subs. WOW! Best cheap tweak ever!
    • Former Equipment below Former Equipment Below
    Former Equipment Below
    • Pass Labs X-600
    Another photo...
    • Pass Labs X-600
    Never ending headroom- soooo clean and detailed, dynamics that stun!
    • Musical Fidelity TriVista SACD Player
    RIP- $6500 paper weight.
    • VPI Industries JMW Memorial 9 Signature
    I upgraded from the stock JMW Memorial 9. The Nordost wire is a bit stiffer and made the VPI anti-skating device a must with my set-up.
    • Dynavector 20XH
    Nice match for the Scout!
    • Pass Labs X-1
    Replaced with XP-20
    • Pass Labs X-ONO
    Replaced by XP-15. This one was modded by Wayne Colburn at Pass. It was really good.

Comments 58

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Wow, that is some amazing equiptment. I can only imagine the wondrous sound you are getting...
Congrats on your years of building an aweinspiring system

zigonht

Owner
Hello Cford-

I had it custom made in Paradise Valley, AZ at "The Furniture Ranch" It
has 6 caster and 9 adjustable shelves and is made of pine. They charged me
$1000 which I thought was very reasonable. I don't know where you are
located but here is a link to their home page.

http://www.thefurnitureranch.com/

I hope this helps you out.

Good luck!
Steve

srwooten

Where did you get the cabinet?

cford

Owner
System edited: Forgot to list my phono stage. It's up there now though. An Acoustech Ph-1 P. Love it.

srwooten

Owner
Glenfihi-Thanks for your kind words!
The Pass Labs are so clean sounding and detailed, and the VSA SR IV's match up really well. Sing they do! 600 watts may seem like overkill for these speakers (92db sensitivity) but the high power means the amps rarely break out of class A, which adds to their smoothness and musicality. I can turn it WAY up and it never sounds "LOUD".
I try to listen at least a few hours daily. It never gets old or fatiguing.
I don’t think you can go wrong with a Scout. A very musical and involving TT. I am always surprised how much more natural vinyl sounds compared to digital- even SACD or DVD-A.

srwooten

Via one of your posts I came across your system. Near heaven is right. YOur VSA speakers must really sing with with such clean power from the Pass amps. Just this past few weeks I had a chance to listen your turntable, it made me want want to upgrade. Nice gear and great speakers.

glenfihi

Owner
Grrr6001,thanks for the interest.
I have not noticed any problems with the turntable being inside the cabinet (although it is cramped when I make adjustments to the tone arm, etc). It is on a Gingko Audio Cloud 11 isolation platform. The Cloud rests on the very bottom of the stand where it is the most stable. It works really well, although I am sure a dedicated TT stand would be better. Is there some type of isolation you think would best it? Your suggestions are welcome.

srwooten

srwooten, very nice system,
I have heard the pass labs x-600 a few times , awesome amps.
Any Problems with the turtable being inside the cabinet ?
Have you tried better isolation for the TT?

grr6001

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