This has been a long evolutionary process. The goals are soundstaging and excitement over a wide range of musical genres with relatively nearfield listening.
System Edited: It's been a long time since I updated my virtual system, so it now reflects the system I've had mostly for the past few years (with the exception of the Pass amp, which I've had for just a couple months now).
Yes, they are the original Tempos. I got them used 8 years ago, and they have been great. I recently got a pair of Tyler D3m's that I've been trying. They are also very nice, and different than the Tempo's, but I am not convinced that they're better.
I find the Tempos to be remarkably neutral with extended and detailed highs. Some call them bright, but I find them natural. And certainly a steal on the used market today.
It's good to see someone else enjoys them, as well!
are those the original Tempos? I own a pair myself (that i've modified a bit). Voiced a little thin, but an outstanding speaker. Glad to see someone else is using the same thing. I'm a big fan.
Thanks, Al. I feel that my weak spot right now is the Audio Horizons DAC, and I've been looking at upgrading it. I got an Electrocompaniet DAC and it seems to be roughly on par with the Audio Horizons, just different. I think I will sell them both and look to upgrading the DAC entirely.
Also, I'm trying out some Tyler Acoustics monitors. We'll see how those sound.
System edited: This is my first major upgrade in quite some time. I now essentially have two complete systems in one, with both solid state and tube preamps and amps, so I can freely mix and match between them. I'm presently listening to the all-tube system (Audio Research LS5 Mk 3 + Audio Research VT-100 Mk 2) with the most recent introduction to the system, the Audio Horizons TD 3.0 tube DAC. Early impressions are very positive for the Audio Horizons DAC, as it provides a level of transparency and layering and bass response beyond my old California Audio Labs DAC but with a little less warmth and richness in the midrange. Overall, this DAC represents a noticeable step up.
System edited: I sold the Cary SLP-88 preamp, and replaced it with an Audio Mirror T-61. I actually prefer the T-61, which leans slightly to the rich/warm side (but not as much as the Cary), and is much quieter than the Cary. Not bad, especially considering it retails for a third of the Cary. The system now works great with male and female vocalists, as well as chamber music. It does not have the last word in bass, although I'm sometime pleasantly surprised in that department, too.
Must say I envy you,not in being single but in finishing up on your basement listening room. Perhaps I do envy your being single, being married it has taken me much longer and is yet too be completed. Great idea having the dedicated 20A circuit, better sound maybe, but will indeed guard against the pop you can get from the basement freezer or such coming on. Happy listening. Glen
System edited: I finally (after 2 months of occasional work) just about finished my listening room in the basement. I built a level platform that can accomodate a large television in the future, and incorporated rear speaker jacks to facilitate the transition to HT when it occurs. I wired several outlets connected to a dedicated 20A circuit, and added some wall sconces (different circuit). I'll probably end up putting a black velure curtain behind the racks for aesthetics.
System edited: Finally, updated pictures! (They have been outdated for years.) Also reflects the change in preamps (Musical Fidelity A3cr to Innersound preamp) this summer. This is a very neutral, yet sometimes uninvolving, system that makes excellent recordings sound superb, and makes bad recordings sound, well, really bad. At some point I'm considering trying a tube preamp.
I was just thinking the same thing......I usually pick it up in 2cc amps, 5 for hearts, and every now and again Pharmacy decides to give me 1cc'ers.... I'm still a fentanyl man at heart though....
much easier to buy audio stuff when single,im trying to buy everything before i get married again,been looking for a woman that loves music as much as i do,this is very hardto find,any female audiophiles in fla?
System edited: I recently purchased an Innersound ESL 300 amp and now that I've completely rearranged the furniture in the living room (couldn't be done if I were married) it sounds great! The Innersound replaces some very good Audio Valve monoblocks that I may, reluctantly, need to sell. My system has now achieved a level of transparency and detail that I never imagined. I'll post a new picture soon; the existing one has almost none of the current components in it. The next change will most likely be the preamp, but I'm still in the air as to which direction to head: Go for richness and fullness or detail and transparency? Suggestions?
sufentanil, As another fairly young person on a budget I relate to your quest. Look into Meadowlark speakers if possible, I heard the Kestrels recently with a pair of low powered tube amps and was very impressed. Very musical, beautiful finish for the relatively low price.
want less noise for analog,I had a Musical Fidelity phono preamp XLPSand upgraded to a Acoustech PH1P which made a huge difference in noise level,a good stand alone phono preamp might help your analog noise problem also good grounding,records sound so good when you can get the noise down,,
Hey there, I'm also 20-something. I'm kind of on the low side at 21, but just really enjoying this hobby. I am having similar trouble. I'm looking for that transient impact. Some real impact would be great. My speakers go low, and they are somewhat reinforced by the rear wall. I'm almost thinking REL is the only option for quality bass. Is this really the case? I would recommend it, but what do I know I'm only 21. j/k
Stop messing around with changing speakers. They'll only play what you feed it. Think about upgrading your front-end. Start looking/listening to (used, mind-you) some of the serious digital players that you can find on the used market. Your system will do things you never knew possible. Good luck!
System edited: Well, here's an update to the system. I let the two preamps duke it out and, to my ears, the Musical Fidelity A3cr won! The Audio Valve Eklipse is an excellent preamp, but for my listening personality it took a back seat to the Musical Fidelity. I think I'm stuck on solid state preamps for the near future, anyway. So I sold the Audio Valve preamp. (The Audio Valve amps, however, are another story; I'm taking them to the grave.) Next on the agenda is to probably add a good subwoofer. The Audio Physic Tempo's have a good bass response, but for the ultimate in high-energy classical music I believe a sub would be a good addition. As always, comments are welcome. Michael
System edited: DUAL PREAMPS! Yeah, baby! I now have an Audio Valve Eklipse tube preamp and a Musical Fidelity A3cr solid state preamp. I like them both for different reasons, so I'm going to hold onto both of them and use whichever one tickles my fancy at the time. I think a new picture would be in order soon, so I'll post that when I manage to borrow the digital camera again.
I highly suggest you take a look at the Bogdan cables that are advertised on audiogon. I got the speakercables and interconnects with copper bullet plugs. They blew away all my other cables which I've all sold in the past month. They are good and CHEAP.
System edited: I sold the Virtual Dynamics Audition speaker cables to make room for some silver speaker cables in the future. (Yes, I do prefer the sound of silver.) I also got a Music Hall MMF-5 which I will need to continue tweeking because it just doesn't sound right; there is WAYYYY too much noise when playing records (to the point where it's basically unlistenable). (See the thread entitled "Save a vinyl newbie, please" at http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1046028717&openfrom&1&4#1). The next step will be to replace the Virtual Dynamics interconnects with silver, too. (I'm thinking Homegrown.)
System edited: I've substituted the Acoustic Energy AE120 speakers for a pair of Audio Physic Tempo (the original, not Mk 2 or 3)speakers. I immediately noticed more air in the highs and a nice, tight bass. But they only sound good through the 4-ohm taps on my amps, even though the speakers are rated as 8-ohm nominal impedance. I still need to mess around with the speaker locations for optimal performance. (It looks like the room might as well be the next upgrade -- too bad I live in an apartment.)
sufentanil on Opinions Please