Origins, Placement, Background: Most of this system, with the exception of the Plinius 8200 mk1 integrated and the Sansui 717 tuner, was bought here on Audiogon. This system has survived many apartments and while the current placement isn't exactly the best, it will have to do for another two years or so. My wife and I will be making our first home purchase in around that timeframe. As such, any future purchases will be hard to justify unless purchased here on Audiogon. With respect to music, I listen to all types of blues, jazz, rock, classical and alternative. I also enjoy playing around with electric and acoustic guitar.
The Current Setup: I would classify the sound as better than mid-fi with room for alot of improvement. The strengths of this system are that the music plays against a silent background and I can hear great separation of instruments. One weakness is that piano does not sound natural to me. In addition, the high end frequency needs some work. I'd like the cymbals to sound more natural. I'd also like a bit more air to the system and to open up the soundstage from front to back and left to right. Lastly, depending upon the recording, CD's can sound a bit harsh and "digital"; something that wasn't so when a Rega Planet 2000 was in the system. I think that the current culprits regarding high frequency, air and soundstage may be the Soliloquy 6.2 speakers or the Plinius 8200 Mk1 integrated or a combination of both. I also realize that speaker placement isn't ideal. With respect to certain CD's, that's just the nature of the beast I suppose.
Remedies and Future Purchases: I'm contemplating taking this system in one of two directions. First, I'm thinking of replacing the Soliloquy speakers with Von Schweikert VR4JR's. I would then add a Plinius 8200 mk2 amplifier and bi-amp the speakers with a separate run of AZ Satori. The mk1 integrated going to mids/lows and the mk2 amp going to the highs. The second alternative would be to try a tube integrated with the Soliloquys. I'm contemplating the older Audio Research CA-50, older VTL IT-85 or Rogue Tempest. If I wasn't happy I would then swap the Soliloquys for the Von Schweikerts and see where I was at. Having said this, I think I'm leaning towards the first option, since maybe over time I could then swap out the integrated and insert a tube preamp, something I've always wanted to try. I have also always wanted to try the Resolution Audio Opus 21 CD player in place of my Cary. The Rega Planet 2000 is in the closet for now.
Your Comments: Your comments and insight are greatly appreciated. I highly value Audiogon and the wisdom its community imparts. Please feel free to provide any input with regard to the direction you think I should take this system or any comments at all for that matter. I take constructive criticism very well. Thank you for taking the time to review my system.
Vinyl9, thank for your recommendation. Unfortunately, I'm looking to stick with brands that have stood the test of time. I took a chance with the Soliloquy's that I'm not willing to do again... Having said that, I'll probably keep them for a second system. Any recommendations other than Dynaudio or Schweikert to go well with the Plinius?
HI Portugal11, Nice looking system. I wouldn't replace your speakers with Schweikert VR4JRS just my opinion but if you really need to up grade you should give BG Radia Z92 A try if you can listen to them some where that would help. I have a pair in my system and they are about the same shape and size as your Soliloquy's all though kind of plain looking. The sound however is mind blowing, they make their own planar drivers in Carson City Nevada and OEM for speakers like, Audiosmile, Genesis, Burmester B80, Martin Logan and Wisdom Audio. With out getting into the way they sound here is a review that says it all.
I'm not the seller, nor do I know him. I just have a pair, had them re-wired and added a supertweeter with the money I saved. I see no real reason to up grade and I have friends in the business with REALLY extreme systems. Tube friendly and great bass to mid bass, one of the few Planar hybrids that just work. It's amazing that know one ever talks about these speakers, one of the best kept secrets in all of audio, too bad their sort of a boring looking box. They kill the VR4JR at a fraction of the price. Something to think about. BG will continue to honer the the lifetime warranty on these since they still make the NEO-3 and NEO-10 drivers.
The 6.2s were designed to be tube friendly, so your tube idea sounds like a good one to me.
Each generation of DACs seems less "digital" than the last. The Neko DAC I've had home for a few weeks has no hint of the usual scare words associated with digital: harsh, grainy, bright, lean, threadbare, etc. The Neko has a 30-day money-back home trial (end of sales pitch; I'm just a happy customer.)
Curious what the folks on here would recommend me doing... Either replacing the Soliloquy's with Schweikert VR4JRs or replacing the Cary with a Resolution Audio Opus 21. Any thoughts? Or perhaps any other suggestions on upgrades???
Nice vintage...ish system. All your pieces can stand alone for its own merits. I'm always amazed at the nice systems that can be assembled w/ thoughtful choices.
Interesting that the Cary cdp sounds a bit harsh w/ the Plinius. I had the discontinued Cary cd308 and it exhibited that characteristic but I thought the 300/200 was better.
What is the difference between the 8200 mki and mkii? I've been interested in this amp off-and-on for some time now.
I am currently using the same tuner w/ its nice audiophile fm w/ the matching 717 amp. They sound nice, but the amp is a bit vintage sounding.
Finally, I've heard good reports on the Soliloquy speakers (from NC too like Cary) w/ the Dynaudio tweeters.
I like what your have chosen. Very encouraging w/ can be done w/ discontinued gear.
