Description

Initially started as two channel, transformed to MCH system for some times, and now back to two channel only. I'm about 95% of where I want to be as far as the sound is concerned. The music from the system is articulate and dynamic with well fleshed out midrange and excellent harmonics and PRAT.

It has been a long journey. Here's the list of the gears that I had pleasure owning:

PASS Labs XA-30.5

First Watt F5

Rotel RMB1085

Levinson No 335

Pass Labs X3

Aragon 8002

EAD PM2000

Proceed HPA3

Theta Intrepid

Jeff Rowland Model 2

Citation 7.1

Krell KAV-300iL

Classe CAP-151

Parasound JC-2

Conrad Johnson 16LS series 2

McCormack MAP1

Sony TA-P9000ES

Proceed AVP2+6

Meridian G68XXV

Meridian G98DH

Linn Unidisk SC

Bel Canto PL-1A

NAD M55

Denon DVD3910

Marantz SA-15S1

CAL CL2500

CAL CL15

Accustic Arts DAC1 mk3

Musical Fidelity A3 24 DAC

MSB Link DAC iii

B&W Nautilus 804

Revel M20

Bohlender Graebener Radia X

Infinity Interlude IL60

Updates:

6-8-2009

Added Sony SCD-XA5400ES.

7-7-2009

Added Herbie's Iso-Cups.

7-22-2009

Added VTL TL-5.5 preamp.

9-8-2009

Replaced F5 with XA-30.5

9-26-2009

Added Beogram 8000 turntable and EAR 834P phono stage.

10-28-2009

Added Sound Smith SMMC 20CL cartridge.

6-7-2010

Replaced VTL TL-5.5 with Parasound JC-2.

9-15-2010

Added Ayre QB-9 USB DAC. Replaced the amps with ARC VSi60 integrated.

3-19-2011

Added Lightspeed Attenuator passive preamp.
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Components Toggle details

    • Ayre QB-9
    USB DAC
    • Sony SCD-XA5400ES
    two channel redbook and SACD
    • Bang & Olufsen Beogram 8000
    Fully automatic linear drive and linear tracking turntable with MMC 20CL cartridge.
    • JM Labs Electra 1037BE
    Mains
    • Audio Research VSi60
    tube integrated
    • Lightspeed Attenuator
    passive LDR based attenuator with no contact in signal path
    • EAR 834P
    phonostage
    • Sony PS1
    SCPH-1001
    • Sound Smith SMMC 20CL
    moving iron cartridge with ruby cantilever and nude contact line diamond stylus
    • Sony KE-50XBR950
    50" PDP
    • Nordost Valkyrja
    0.5m RCA
    • Nordost Frey
    1m RCA
    • Tara Labs RSC Reference Gen 2
    rca
    • Kubala-Sosna Fascination
    2m long speaker cables
    • Kimber Kable 8TC
    speaker cables
    • Oyaide Tunami GPX
    power cord
    • Michael Wolff Carbon Ribbon Source
    power cord
    • Michael Wolff Carbon Ribbon Gain
    power cord
    • Audio Horizons Transparency
    power cord
    • Oyaide R1
    power receptacles on 15A dedicated circuit

Comments 75

Showing all comments by mceljo.

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I stopped by the hifi store today and the Electra speakers were no where to be found. It was a bummer. I asked the owner about it and he simpy said that they don't generally do much with the Electra line but didn't say why they had a set or where they went.

He said that many customers that are interested in spending what the Electra series costs strongly consider spending a little more and going to the Utopia line. He indicated that the Electra was a very nice looking speaker and was best suited for someone that was looking for a particular level of "furnature."

In any case, I missed my chance to hear them.

mceljo

I picked up my IL-50s for about $450 including shipping from Harmon Kardon refurbished and then after using them for more than 6 years I sold them to my friend for $500 and included the RABOS kit that I had. Not a bad deal at all.

There was no comparison with my new Focal 836v and I can only imagine how great your speakers sound.

mceljo

I previously owned the Infinity IL-50s and have a friend that now owns my IL-50s as well as a pair of IL-60s. What are you thoughts on them for quality? I really like my Focal 836v speakers much better, but have not heard his IL-60s since my upgrade. I always like my 50's better than his 60's because I thought the 4-way design made them a bit too sharp on the high end and the 12 inch subwoofer was smoother making for an odd match. The 50's seemed to be a better match for my ears.

I have not heard the Electra's that you have, but my local store got a pair in recently so I hope to hear them soon. Simply beautiful speakers and I'm sure they sound great too.

mceljo