This is the small collection that makes up my living room system. It is mostly comprised of pieces I obtained used so I consider it a budget over time system. I enjoy the sound I am able to get out of this setup. It is detailed and very lifelike.
I just added the Gibbons and wow, I know why I have been lusting for them since I heard them three years ago. Amazing with the VTL.
I listen to almost anything on this from Lyle Lovett, bluegrass, rock, classical, whatever I am in the mood for. Everything seems to blend well and sound pretty true to life with a very good soundstage.
If anyone has any suggestions it would be great! thanks.
Integrated Amplifier. I bought this recently to replace my Sonic Frontiers SFL-1 and an el84 amp combo. Did it partially to free up some space by only having one piece and also because I always wanted the 2.5 preamp. When I saw this, one component that melded the 2.5 and the ST-85, I was hooked. I am very happy with the sound and the simplicity is great!
Devore Gibbon 8
Amazing speakers from Brooklyn. Sounds like you are there. If stuff this good comes from Brooklyn I think I need to get on the "L" train a little more often...
Camelot Technology Morganna
Great CDP. I like the sable platter design. nice transparent sound, this CD player gets out of the way nicely.
Apple Mac Mini
Mac Mini running iTunes and high bit rate encoded AAC files. Not as good as CD but great for mixing it up and background music.
Silverstream USB DAC
Bought this on the recommendations of a headphone discussion board. I have it hooked up to a Mac Mini. I have encoded all my discs mainly for shuffle play (a lot of shuffle play) at parties and such and my iPod. Not for any serious listening bt it sounds great.
MIT MH-750 Shotgun spk
Very nice sound from this cable. Seems to pair well with the VTL and Devore.
Nordost Blue Heaven
very nice interconnects. Silver over copper. I would be interested in trying the speaker cables after hearing these. Not sure they sound better than the Transparent Music Links I had in there, just different. I like them a lot in this system. Connecting the CDP to the VTL.
Transparrent Music Link Plus
I like them a lot. I bought these around 10 years ago and they were my first "serious" audio enhancement to what I think was my fathers hand-me-down sansui. Like the Cobalts, these are a keeper.
DIY Power Cords --
mostly beefed up cords built with various techniques I found online.
ADS MS-3u
Great older sub. I have moved it to the living room. Not sure how the neighbors feel but it makes for a great movie night!
System edited: Added some new cables to try out the effects of silver on the sound. So far I am not noticing a huge difference but the mids and highs sound a bit more pronounced and froward. I like the cables and vocals seem to sound more true to life...
Anyone have any idea on speaker cables that are inexpensive? I have loved transparents but just can bring myself to drop $300 on a pair of wires as the sky continues to fall...
Not really something I need I just feel that the Audioquests sound a little dark after this speakers have settled in...
System edited: added the Camelot Morganna CDP. Nice sound, I do wish there was a way to override the internal volume switching. It is really great for playing the unit direct into an amp but with a preamp it is not needed.
Thanks John, the grills are great. I will be sure to take them off for "real listening." They don't make huge difference in my system though, just brush off the highs. either way, I like the magnet idea...
Hi John. I should not even talk to you, it can be dangerous! I am so excited to have these speakers now since they have haunted me for three years since I first heard them!
Thank you for such an AMAZING product. When I first set them up I was actual late for work because I could not turn them off! As for the cones, they are on the way. I just received the speakers and they forgot to ship the cones, but I should have them this week. Unfortunately I don't really have good room placement for them yet, they are in a bedroom system and don't have the room to breath that I think they need. Otherwise, they are freaking incredible. I will post my thoughts on the speakers with the cones one I get them.
hmmm as for cost... Now that I add it up, it does not feel so modest. I have spent around $2000 on the set-up. However, this was somewhat of a project and has been amassed over the last 8 years or so. I buy my gear used so there is not much of a downside hit when I change for something new.
