Description

I guess I'm in my third year now working to put together a high end system. I am finally at a point of being extremely happy with the choices I've made and reference quality I've achieved. Changes over time have been numerous but with a lot of diligent reading of various user threads and talking with other audio friends, I believe the trek has been well worth it and definitely a fun one! I'm still tweaking a bit but think I'm at the end of the big changes for awhile. And it sure sounds good! Thanks for all the help! (updated comments 6/21/04)
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Components Toggle details

    • McIntosh MC-1201
    1200 wpc monoblocks $9000 ea
    • Dartzeel NHB-18NS Preamp
    Battery powered. Reference Audio Mods replaced existing internal battery system with external 12v batteries with cabinet casing
    • Esoteric P-03
    SACD/CD with DSD signal processing
    • Esoteric D-03
    SACD/CD with native DSD and PCM to DSD up-conversion
    • Esoteric G-0s master clock
    With Rubidium Oscillator
    • Halcro SSP-100 Processor
    With upgraded MPCM (LPCM) 7.1
    • Halcro Amplifiers MC-30
    Three channel for center and rear surround speakers
    • Escient Fireball E-120 Digital Music Mgr.
    Used in conjunction with a Sony 400 Disc CD changer plus an internal harddrive which allows 1800 hours of digital recorded music. I run this setup through the Goldmund DAC and get amazingly high end audio output!
    • Talon Audio Firebirds
    full range with diamond tweeters
    • Talon Audio Hawk Center
    w/Talon stand
    • Talon Audio Hawk Surrounds
    Amazing monitors that I'm using for rear surround channels
    • Talon Audio Thunderbird
    With external 1200 watt Crown amp
    • Harmonic Resolution Systems M-3 Isolation Base
    I'm using these under each amp. Nothing short of amazing!
    • Pioneer Elite Pro FHD-1
    50
    • Tara Labs Omega Gold Speaker Cable
    10 ft.
    • Tara Labs Zero Gold
    1.5m between amp and preamp (16k) 1m between DAC and preamp (14.5k)
    • Tara Labs Cobalt A/C cable
    Used on the DAC and the conditioner
    • 6sonsAudio Windigo
    Using one on the transport and one on a power condition. Really excellent.
    • Nordost Thor
    One on the audio and one on the video. Amps go straight to the wall.

Comments 103

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Wendy,
Very interested in what you think of your Stellavox PW-1's. I have been thinking of getting these for about a year, I am using a Bel Canto eVo 2 now (120 watts normal). I have heard that the PW-1's will output 200 watts average, but, on the site, they list it at 200 watts "clipping", can you tell me your views?
I am very much interested in how these amps sound, how do they compare to your Goldmund? I have ordered the SACD (Matt Haimovitz), thanks for the recomendation.

My system consists of:

Bel Canto eVo 2 digital amp
Green Mountain Audio "Continuum 3" Speakers
Audible Illusions Modulus 3A Pre-amp
Sony SCD-1 SACD/CD player

Thanks,

Richard Fine

rich121

Wendy,
I forgot to let you know where to purchase the Ulli Bogershausen SACD, it is at Elusive Disc. Also, another "different" SACD, which is at the top of my list (I purchased it about a year ago), is: Blues Company, "Then and Now". This SACD is very popular in Germany, a combination of Blues, Jazz and Rock, you would swear, the group was staight out of the Southern US from there sound. Very dynamic, strong vocals, and great electric guitar/band, but, must be ordered in Germany, easiest is through Amazon.com.de
Thanks for the recommendation of "Matt Haimovits" I ordered the SACD this afternoon, I also love recommendations, as, finally, there are more releases than I can keep up with (a good thing :) )
Please tell me what you think of the Bogershausen SACD, as, very few people in the US have even heard of him (again, he is famous in Europe, but, not here).

Richard

rich121

Wendy,
Very nice system. It is so wonderful when someone can enjoy their hobby as much as yourself. A very much unkown SACD disc out there, that I would like to recommend, is:
Ulli Bogershausen "Personal Favorites". This is solo acoustic guitar at it's finest, throughout the standards, and famous songs, you would swear there are 1 or 2 other guitars playing with him. His technique, finesse and speed are captivating and beautiful. This is finger picking at it's best. I have over 400 SACD's, and this still is my favorite.
Wendy, keep us up to date with your system, your writting is very interesting.

Thanks,

Rick

rich121