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.
Not Charles :0)..BUT I think I can answer your question in your last sentence. I believe you can get the same magic ( actually a LOT more, since the low powered SET wouldn't be an option at that point) from a medium powered conventional tube integrated. BTW, you may want to try an ARC vsi60. Medium powered ARC tube amps and SF G's work nicely, IME.
Charles, the power consumption that Steve Huff mentioned was precisely what got me thinking that SET may work with the Evolutions. Before I read his review I was certain that there was no way I could use SET but his review gave me hope. That being said, I am highly skeptical still and really want to listen to the Line Magnetic in my system in my home. Unfortunately the local dealer won't allow am in home demo so I need to find another option.
On a related topic, assuming SET does not work for me, can I still get the same magic from a conventional tube integrated that produces more power?
Charles...if you read the review in S'phile, you may have noted this statement: "The review proceeded as planned, although when Peugh visited my home to fine-tune the installation, he observedand I agreedthat the Guarneris' performance in my room might have been enhanced by another 25Wpc or so."
and then this: "owing to a shortcoming I noted in the Guarneri Evolution's performance in my system: It didn't allow recorded music to "breathe" as well as other, more efficient speakers with which I'm familiar. Without question, that's the sort of thing that might have been coaxed along with a bigger stick."
Those statements are along the lines if what I am referring to with my experience trying to drive my GH's. The music simply didn't breathe and without question the SQ was inferior to using an amp with more "stick". Since you do NOT own G's and I suspect have little experience with them, I find your suppositions to be interesting at best. Not a problem, so long as Tboooe has a chance to hear for himself whether the SET you suggest will work to HIS satisfaction. ( after all we all seem to listen for different things). BUT it could be a problem if Tboooe gets stuck with the SET and it fails to Iive up to expectation based on your supposition. Just IMHO.
Daveyf, One of the attributes of the Line Magnetic SET according to Steve Huff was the unexpected ease of driving the Evolution speakers at any volume level. In fact he said at low and moderate listening levels the amps were only using 1/10 to 1/2 watt( he even photographed the power meters as evidence). He actually pointed this out several times in his review, quite impressive, Steve wrote. There was never a time he felt the speakers were taxing the amplifier regardless of music genre or volume. Daveyf, he made that observation pretty clear I thought. Tboooe what was your take on this point in the review? Charles,
There is something else that occurs to me in this discussion. That is-- how wise it it to have an amp that is always pushing to its extremes to drive your speakers? I have always felt that it is better to have the amp loping along than to have it almost max'ed out all the time. Others probably won't agree with me here, but my listening sessions have always borne this out. Since Tboooe's room is very small, perhaps this is not so much of an issue, BUT in my room ( which isn't much larger) I can easily tell when an amp begins to loose its composure. Without an audition in one's own system, I believe that one is taking a BIG chance...thereby requiring return privileges as per my prior posts.
Tboooe, Stereophile does provide comprehensive measurements. But really all you need to know to help you with determining amp-speaker matching is 1)load impeadance and degree of fluctution.The flatter the better. 2) Phase angle pattern/fluctuations. 3) Sensitivity measure at a given ohm (usally 4 or 8 ohms). Other measurements re interesting but less important for amplifier matching. Charles,
Sorry, Daveyf, I didn't know you were having a friendly exchange with Charles. He has been very helpful and supportive to me in my quest for sonic fulfillment.
Thanks guys...it wasnt that I could not find the Stereophile review myself..it has more to do with interpreting the data. I must admit that at times when I read Stereophile reviews, all the measurements and data goes right over my head. Its nice the get the interpretation in layman's terms. :)
Tboooe, Those measurements are found in Art Dudley's SF Evolution review for Stereophile, you can easily Google it. Yes, home audition tops everything if it can be arranged. If not I'd travel to the dealer and hear it personally with a speaker as close to yours as possible( load impedance and sensitivity). I think Art would have enjoy the speakers "even more" with the Line Magnetic amplifiers. He used Shindo amps which are very good but I think the LM has more grunt and drive copacity. The LM has noticeably larger transformers and is a heftier amp. Charles,
Stereophile found the Sonus Faber Evolution sensitivity to be 85.5 db. JA said however that the speaker's load, 6 ohms(nomlnal) and the phase angle s were reasonably benign and not difficult overall For a SET amplifier the load characteristics are more the determining factor than sensitivity in regards to a successful match. Sensitivity rating would determine the ultimate loudness (sound pressure) to be achieved with the amplifiers power until clipping is reached. I believe that the Evolution's load character coupled with the LM amplifier's strong transformers/power supplies is why the reviewer was able to have the success he wrote about. For SET amplifiers it's best to avoid speakers with steep phase angle graphs and wide fluctuating (and low lmpeadance) impeadance loads (ohms). Charles,
"If the OP likes what he hears, then more power" That's always been the point, it didn't work out for you and so you moved on ( as you should have if you weren't satisfied). Your experience wasn't duplicated by Dongiovanni nor the recent reviewer (Steve Huff) as they are both very pleased. It seems you expect other's outcomes to match yours, some will and some won't. I don't find that as hard to acknowledge as you seem to. Tboooe can just try and hear what happens, no harm in that approach. Steve Huff found the SET combo superior to previous systems in nearly every way, but again that's him. He also reviewed the LM 518 seperately and has further praise and admiration for the amplifier. Charles, .
Charles and I have had this discussion before. Since I own the SF GH's and Charles does not( in fact his speakers are quite efficient), I am wary about his comments. I have attempted to use ( I say attempted as this is the case) a couple of SET's. The SET's I have tried include the Lamm's and a pair of Cary 805's. Neither amp worked well with my speaker and in my small room. I TRULY wish that the Lamm's had worked, as I like their sound greatly on other more efficient systems that i have heard them on in the past, BUT wasn't to be. The GH's, and I believe the GE's, are a 86db efficient speaker...and that's probably a little optimistic on SF's behalf. My room is quite small and I do not listen at great volume; BUT it was very clear that there was little synergy with my GH's and the SET's. I did notice that the reviewer that Charles referred to who owns the GE's and the tube integrated was pleased to get a little center fill and some specific imaging. IMHO, that is a minimum that should be expected of ANY decent set-up with the SF G's. IF you are NOT GETTING THAT SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG. I have no problem with anyone trying SET's in their system, however, it would IMO be prudent to realize that the chance of success with this particular speaker is not likely. If the OP likes what he hears, then more power.
I looked it up to be sure I had the facts correct. It was Dongiovanni who had a Pass Aleph 3 amplifier driving Sonus Faber Guarneri Homage speakers. The Franks suited him remarkably well he reported back. I'd be the first to admit that this wouldn't be the case for everyone but it worked for him. He posted a follow up thread and was still pleased with his sound. Charles,
Hi Dan, Daveyf and I have had friendly disagreement before on this topic. A guy in Spain had some Sonus Faber speakers and wanted to try the Coincident Frankenetein amplifiers. Some respondents said no way and some said give them a try. He purchased the Franks and said they were wonderful with his speakers and much preferred them to his Pass amp he'd been using. SETs can surprise in certain (not all) situations. Charles,
Charles knows full well the limitations of SET amps, and that in all probability, most speakers don't match well with them.
He has found, though, that when a good match has been achieved, he finds low-powered SET's are a sound he much prefers.
I, and many others have found, after using many different combinations of speakers/amps, that low powered, SET/high sensitivity speakers are satisfying in a way like nothing else.
Hi Daveyf, Of course! Some speakers due to their load characteristics would be better served by something other than a SET amplifier, any component has its limits of application. In this case Tboooe has much interest in owning a SET amplifier, specifically the Line Magnetic 518. He has reservations of its compatability with his speakers. Well, someone has the very same pairing and says unequivocally the result is outstanding!
This outcome should giveTboooe a lot confidence and assurance to at least give the amplifier serious consideration. The very stout LM 845 is very much capable of driving these Evolutions in the opinion of the happy reviewer. I didn't recommend my 300b SET amplifier which is fantastic for my speaker but wouldn't be I believe for the Evolutions.
For example I wouldn't suggest a low power SET for a Thiel, Magnepan,Sound Lab, Magico etc. These few examples (there are more) unlike the SF Evolutions wouldn't mate well driven by the 845 SET IMO. Charles,
Schbert, Hello, well it really depends (how often is that the case? nearly always). Tboooe has expressed interest in a SET and this caught my attention, I honestly think he's going in the right direction. His interest in the LM 518 SET amplifier is a terrific choice, well thought of by those familiar with it. It's very solidly made and executed in design, quite attractively priced for true value and most important of all, it reproduces music in all its organic beauty (many amplifiers fail at this). At the very least it's worthwhile to hear it and make an informed decision. The Coincident Turbo 845 would an excellent choice based on brand reputation but is listed at 1500.00 more. The LM 518 seems an exceptional buy that apparently is pure magic with Tboooe's Evolution speakers. If this is the case he'd be very happy for many years and avoid the amplifier merry go round. Charles,
I agree with you all the way, Charles1dad. However , for some of us, the amount of money we can spend gets better sound with SS than we could get with SET .
Some poignant observations in Steve's review. 1) width and depth of the sound stage noticeably expanded. 2) Sound became more 3 dimensional and palpable. 3) Bass was controlled with pace and texture. 4) Very apparent overall sense of ease driving the speakers. 5) Much more emotion, connection and engagement with his music. 6) Superior sound even at lower late night listening levels.(very good sign, lots of amplifiers sound poor at low levels).
7) Much heightened sense of life, vibrancy and vocal-instrumental tonality.
I would attribute these improvements he noted to high quality transformers and power supply. That's why these LM amps are heavy and substantial physically. This is why they so easily control the Evolutions and as he said,drive them "eeffortlessly". Quality transformers are more important than a stated watt rating of power in many cases. His excellent results with this amp-speaker confirm to me the transformers and PS are of premium quality. Charles,
