I am a recovering Audiophile just getting back into music after a few years off. This time around I want to focus on just enjoying the music instead of chasing every last ounce of decay, detail, air, etc of the music and spending more time analyzing the shortcomings of my system instead of just enjoying it. I also put myself on a strict budget to keep myself from going crazy like I did before (see my previous system) chasing the elusive dream of a perfect system.
I listen mainly to singer/songwriters, acoustic, and jazz so I wanted to put together a system that was above all else musical and able to capture the natural timbres of voices and instruments. Soundstage depth and focus is also important to me as this creates more of a sense of realism. With this system, I am able to literally listen for hours without any fatigue.
My room is rather small, 9x10x9 so setup is a bit challenging. I found that moving the speakers away from the front wall helped tremendously to increase soundstage depth and helped to bring everything into focus. There are large openings on the wall directly behind the listening position which is a great help in such a small room.
Future additions:
Sonus Faber Guarneri or Olympica I - I have really fallen in love with the SF house sound. This next speaker upgrade will be my last for a while.
Misc cables - I want to start experimenting with cables to see if I can get more minor improvements.
Thank you for reading! I look forward to any advice that will help me achieve my goal of creating a musical and emotional system (on a budget of course!).
UPDATE 05 April 2016
Added a REL T/5i sub. WOW! What a difference. I am kicking myself for waiting so long to add a sub into my system. Now I am thinking about adding a second one. Maybe that would be overkill in my little room??
UPDATE 30 March 2016
Added the Mutec MC-3+USB converter to replace my old Musical Fidelity V-link. The Mutec also acts as a signal reclocker too which has helped to smooth out the sound.
UPDATE 16 October 2014
Added GIK 244 panels along the midpoint of my sidewalls to deal with some bass issues and the first reflection points. Improved mid bass and clarity.
UPDATE 15 Aug 2014
Added RealTraps Mondo Corner bass traps. The overall improvement has been astonishing! I should have added these a long time ago!
UPDATE 12 Aug 2014
Added the Light Harmonic Light Speed split USB cable. This cable separates the data and power signals resulting in an incredibly lifelike and clear sound.
UPDATE 04 Aug 2014
Added Vicoustic Cinema Round panels at the 1st reflection points. One of the best upgrades I have ever done.
UPDATE 25 March 2014
Replaced my Acoustic Zen Silver Ref II interconnects with Tara Labs The 2 + HFX Ground Station. The sound is just as clear as the AZ but with more air and sense of organicness.
UPDATE 31 Jan 2014
Replaced by beloved Sonus Faber Cremona Auditor monitors with the Guarneri Evolutions.
UPDATE 15 Nov 2013
Added the Vicoustic Flexiwood 75 absorption panels for the front wall behind my speakers.
UPDATE 16 Oct 2013
Added the Synergistic Research Element Tungsten AC cable for my Luxman D-06 CDP/DAC.
UPDATE 27 Sept 2013
Added a Keces DC-116 19V, 6A linear power supply for the music server PC.
UPDATE 09 Sept 2013
Added a PC based music server to replace a Sonos ZP90. Also added a Synergistic Research USB Active SE cable, Musical Fidelity V-link USB Converter.
UPDATE 27 Aug 2013
Added modded Synergistic Research MPC by Michael Spallone
UPDATE 16 Aug 2013
Added Stillpoints Ultra Minis under my PS Audio P3.
UPDATE 26 July 2013
Added the Synergistic Research Element Tungsten AC cable for my PS Audio P3.
UPDATE 07 June 2013
Replaced by Musical Fidelity M6i with Accustic Arts Power 1 Mk2.
UPDATE 26 June 2013
Replaced my Musical Fidelity M1 DAC with a Luxman D-06 CDP with digital inputs.
To me, great monitors that give me what I look for; musicality with lifelike reproduction of vocals and instruments.
REL Acoustics T/5i
8" subwoofer. Amazingly in my small room this little sub is able to go down to 20hz without any boominess. I may just another one!
Accustic Arts Power 1 MK2
Very transparent integrated amp. It almost sounds as good as it looks
Luxman D-06
I use this mainly for its DAC but the CDP is great for times when I want to listen to a new CD without having to wait to rip it. The sound is relaxed and liquid, typical Luxman.
Tara Labs The 2 + HFX Ground Station
Typical Tara Labs sound..very clear and airy.
CAPS Zuma
Purpose built, silent pc based music server.
PS Audio Powerplant P-3
AC regeneration device. This has brought my system to a new level. I am sorry I waited so long to add this.
HD Plex 300W ATX Linear Power Supply
300W, 18A linear power supply for my music server. It definitely made the sound more clear, the highs linger longer, and the midbass more tight.
Tara Labs The One
Very neutral speaker cable with a clear, clear, fast sound.
Acoustic Zen Silver Bytes Digital Cable
Another very good cable from Acoustic Zen. Detailed and clear.
Light Harmonic Light Speed SPlit USB
Split USB cable that separates the power and data. The sound is incredibly lifelike and clear.
Musical Fidelity V-Link USB Converter
Very good entry level USB converter.
Synergistic Research Element Tungsten AC Cable
Added for my PS Audio P3 AC Regenerator and CDP/DAC. I noticed a substantial improvement in clarity and reduction in noise.
Virtual Dynamics PC The Nite II
I have tried all kinds of PCs but only Virtual Dynamics gave me more dynamics and body. I use this for my amp.
Oyaide Cryo'd Outlet R1
Palladium plated outlet. Adds another level of clarity and resolution to the system. I use this for my DAC and transport.
Oyaide Cryo'd Outlet SWO-GX
24K gold plated outlet. It gives some additional bass and body to the music. I use this for my amp.
Vicoustic Room treatments
Absorption panel for the front wall behind my speakers and 1st reflections points. They look really nice and as well as also working good to tame reflections.
RealTraps Mondo Corner Bass Traps X 2
These made a huge difference to the soundstage and bass in my system. Room treatments are key to making any system sound better. I ended up covering these in acoustic fabric to make them look a little better. Hopefully I succeeded.
GIK Acoustics 244 (Extended Range) Panels
Added the 244 panels at the mid point of my side walls to deal with bass issues and first reflections.
HiFi Tuning Supreme Fuse
I have found these fuses can sometimes make a nice little difference. In my Accustic Arts Power 1 int amp I heard more clarity and dynamics but in my PS Audio P3 AC regenerator I heard no difference. I have paid a lot more to get less (and sometimes worse) improvement.
Stillpoints Ultra Mini Footers
Used beneath my PS Audio P3 the Minis added more clarity, focus, and sharpness to notes.
Michael Spallone Synergistic Research MPC Mod
GREAT upgrade to diodes and caps which resulted in blacker background, better distinction between instruments, and highs which seem to linger just a bit longer. Very recommened
Minimserver Server
Digital media server software
Mutec MC 3+USB
USB converter + reclocker. I think the reclocker really helped to smooth out the sound.
Tommy, glad you agree that the Real Traps are the REAL DEAL, LOL. In my room they exhibit similar traits as in your room...greater decay of notes and a more defined and deeper soundstage. I would say to any a'phile, you really should try some room acoustic treatments, and preferably the Real Traps...IMHO they are that great.
System edited: For the 3rd phase of my room treatment plan I added RealTraps Mondo Corner Bass Traps. I cannot believe the difference these made to my system. The sense of realism and weight to the music amazes me. The biggest changes are in the decay of notes and the soundstage. Music now lingers in the air and highs seem to "shimmer". The soundstage now extends wider than my speakers and seems to envelope my entire (small) room. My speakers have literally disappeared. Bass has also gotten tighter, more energetic and fuller sounding. I was considering adding a sub but may hold off for a while. I now know why people say room treatments are a must for any system to sound their best! For phase 4, I am going to try absorption panels on my ceiling. I'm excited!
System edited: I replaced by Synergistic Research Active USB SE cable with the Light Harmonic Split USB. This cable separates the data and power signals. To my ears the Light Speed just sounds more natural. It has a the ability to reveal so much more nuance and small details that make the music sound even more intimate and lifelike to me. Given my preference for acoustic music and small venues, the Light Speed really suits my tastes. By comparison the Synergistic Research cable seems to accentuate the lower freqs more resulting in a darker sound. The Light Speed is a great cable, very lifelike and natural sounding with the ability to retrieve a lot of detail while also sounding very organic. Highly recommended.
Tommy, agreed that the T zero probably wouldn't make any sense. I wasn't actually suggesting that it did. OTOH, the T5 is a superb sub, ultra fast and able to get down clean to about 32hz. In my room, it's a very good match to the GH's. I am able to make the blend invisible and I think that is a testimony to the speed and clarity of this sub.
Daveyf, thank you. I just looked at the T Zero and T5. Looks like the T5 may be a good fit with it 8" woofer versus the 10" of the 218. The T Zero's -6bd point of 38 hz is pretty similar to that of my Evolutions (43 hz)so I am not sure what benefit I would get with that. I will look into the T5 more. Not sure what the differences between the T and S series are.
Tommy, I will be glad to give you any help I can in integrating the REL. I think all REL's are superb sub's and the R218 should make a great addition to your system. My only question/concern, is whether the R218 will be too much sub for your small room, BUT I suspect it can be made to work well.
Thanks Daveyf! This is all in preparation for when I add a sub, most likely a REL 218. If you don't mind I am going to hit you up for advice since you also integrated a sub with your SFs. I'm excited.
Tommy, I think you will be VERY pleased with the Real Traps. They made a HUGE difference in my room. Agree with Seikosha, the Bass traps made the biggest difference. Do report back once they are installed.
Seikosha, your room is very nice! I wish I had a slightly larger room. I think because the wall behind me opens up to the family room and kitchen the overall sound is not too bad given that the dimension of the room itself is almost a perfect square. I am looking forward to receiving the bass traps.
Like you, I'm in a small room as well. Room treatments played a considerable part in cleaning up my sound. For me, it was the bass traps that provided the biggest improvement but of course, the regular panels at the reflection points helped too. I think you will be in for a treat when you get some traps installed in there. Keep us posted.
After listening all last night I am absolutely stunned at the improvement treating the 1st reflection points in my small room. The sound is so smooth and the soundstage...wow! The soundstage absolutely fills the entire width of my small room. Needless to say I am very very happy! I wonder what the bass traps will do?
I just added my next phase of room treatments, the Vicoustic Cinema Round panels to deal with my 1st reflection points. All I can say is Wow! I cannot believe the impact these panels have! Clarity greatly increased as well as the level of detail and nuance I can hear. The improvements are on par with a major component upgrade! But it gets better. Soundstage widened, bass got tighter and fuller, notes linger longer. Now I know what people mean when they say the speakers seem to disappear. Music actually sounds more organic, dare I say analog like. The most interesting thing is that music seems to also sound a bit slower in tempo.
Later this week I will get some RealTraps Mondo Corner Bass Traps. More to follow.
You have reached a plateau when it comes to sound IMO. Your system is awesome! I would add a TT and start spinning vinyl, this will add excitement and a whole new plateau to climb, and a little work on your part to bring it too the level of your digital. I hope you make the leap.
I recently got the Light Harmonic Lightspeed USB cable from the Cable Co. To my ears the LS just sounds more natural. It has the ability to reveal so much more nuance and small details that make the music sound even more intimate and lifelike to me. Given my preference for acoustic music and small venues, the LS really suits my tastes.The only question is whether I should get the split or standard design. At the moment I am going through a USB to SPDIF converter so I need to supply power but looking ahead when I get my next Dac, I want to take advantage of the split design. Anyway, the LS is a great cable, very lifelike and natural sounding with the ability to retrieve a lot of detail while also sounding very organic. In comparison the SR cable seems to accentuate the lower freqs more resulting in a darker, less airy sound. I will be purchasing the LS as soon the funds become available.
The space could use some visual softening with some art works and plants (real or fake). The audiophile part looks straight forward and effective for the space. Enjoy!
Highend64, sorry for missing this post! I love my Evolutions but I am a big fan of the Sonus Faber sound. To me the Evolutions do what SF has always done well...capture the soul and emotion of music. What this speaker does better than previous SF monitors is also sound dynamic and quick. It still does not have the resolution or dynamics of some other speakers but for my musical tastes, I would rather have a speaker that draws me into the emotion and nuance of the music rather than the details.
Tbooe, Congrats on your system! I see that you like the PS Audio P3. I also like their regenerators, for me they are better than the other brands I have tested in my system. I plan to try the Tara Labs interconnects in my system at some point.
Tboooe, I saw your question on the other thread regarding Tara Labs The One interconnect. I thought I'd reply here instead, as there are no shills here ....yet. Yes, many have claimed for years that the outboard ground station is better than the onboard ground station, which is why Tara Labs is now "re-introducing" the outboard ground station, with a new name of course. This is not the first time that an audio company has realized they have made a mistake and re-introduced the new, upgraded older version again. Cary did it with the V-12 amp, screwed it up with the V-12i and came out with the V-12r fairly soon afterward which basically changed the circuit back to the V-12. Audio Research has done this many times over the years as well. Not to single out Cary, ARC or Tara Labs, most companies that have been in this business for a while have done this at least once.
Obviously, you cannot constantly "upgrade" the sound. Companies need to change the sound and call it better to stimulate sales. Sometimes though, others figure out that newer isn't always better. Funny how many are still drawn to tubes and vinyl, but that's for another thread.
I own a 2 meter run of Tara Labs The One with the outboard grounding station, and I wouldn't trade it even up for one with the onboard grounding station. While someone may spew some BS as to why the new HFX outboard grounding station is all of that and a bag of chips, it's basically just another marketing ploy to correct a mistake. So yes, you would be better off to look for an older, used pair of The One's with the outboard grounding station. You'll get the better model at a better price.
