It has been years since I last posted an update. The ASL845 mono blocks have been replaced with an Ayon Crossfire III. It has taken my system to the next level of enjoyment. Upgraded the Auralic to a newer model. I even put the Shanling back in. Life is good.

wardsweb June 24, 2024 14:11

2020 and I have dialed my system back. I moved the SACD to another system and gave all my reel to reel stuff and the Maplenoll away. Now there is more listening and less playing with gear.

wardsweb January 11, 2020 15:13

My how time flies. Last time it was a year, this time it's been two years since I posted on my system. A couple changes: Auralic Altair and EAR 834P. Still loving the hobby and working on my system in the Sun room.

wardsweb June 02, 2018 14:23

It has been over a year since I last updated this thread. So, I have uploaded some new pictures of the gear and system, as it sits today.

wardsweb September 01, 2016 03:04

Thanks Dan. Audio is a passion that I really enjoy on many levels. My next change will be the preamp. The Mac is over kill for the 845's. I have a Sonic Euphoria PLC that I'm going to roll in the system.

wardsweb April 28, 2015 02:30

System edited: Added the latest picture of my system. The Antique Sound Labs 845MKII mono blocks are the newest addition.

wardsweb April 27, 2015 01:53

Schubert - My floor is hardwood glued over a concrete slab, so it transfers a lot of energy. With the speakers so close I wanted to make sure none of the vibration made it to my turntable. It works like a champ and my table is dead quiet.

wardsweb February 26, 2013 13:32

System edited: Added my reel to reel collection picture. Revox C270,Teac X-2000M, Teac X-1000R, Teac X-10R, Teac A4010SL, and the Tascam BR-20 in back.

wardsweb February 24, 2013 18:45

Thanks Glenfihi, Sound is always first and foremost but esthetics are important too because our living room is built around this system.

A reel to reel with good source material, like The Tape Project, is really awesome. The magic of analog without any noise.

wardsweb February 21, 2013 12:45

System edited: Description changed to better describe the system now.

wardsweb February 17, 2013 08:47

System edited: Updated system picture. Now includes Music Fidelity M1DAC and a tube VU meter.

wardsweb February 17, 2013 05:41

System edited: Tascam BR-20 latest addition to the system

wardsweb October 27, 2012 22:50

System edited: Rolled the C-36 pre back in and added a PC based music server controled by an iPad.

wardsweb October 02, 2011 14:21

System edited: Conrad Johnson 16LS has added the warmth I was looking for.

wardsweb December 13, 2010 01:18

System edited: New picture featuring Steely Dan Aja on canvas.

wardsweb July 24, 2010 13:04

System edited: Time for an update. The McIntosh C36 and Tecel phono have now been replaced with an SST Ambrosia preamp. It is a very detailed and clean pre with no color added to the music.

wardsweb July 17, 2010 20:25

Here are some bigger close up pics of the speakers:

http://wardsweb.org/audio/Widgets/DIY3way.jpg

http://wardsweb.org/audio/Widgets/DIY3wayback.jpg

Thanks everyone - I am proud of these.

wardsweb May 01, 2010 13:02

Things are really settling in nicely. The speakers have really come into their own and the entire system synergy seems to have come together. What to buy next...

wardsweb April 28, 2010 03:12

"12-06-09: Tzh21y Is th SME tonearm unipivot?"

No, you may read about it on the SME factory page:

http://www.sme.ltd.uk/content/Series-300-1332.shtml

wardsweb December 08, 2009 01:23

System edited: Added the Shanling CD-T1500 and a few new pics.

wardsweb December 04, 2009 23:57

Yes they are done in Sapele Pommele with 10 coats of Deft gloss lacquer. I could not have wished for a better outcome.

wardsweb December 04, 2009 19:56

System edited: DIY horns are complete and 2 channel rig up and running.

wardsweb December 03, 2009 17:27

System edited: Just a quick update for some new pictures.

wardsweb September 23, 2009 14:20

The Shanling CDP is superb. I actually prefer it over the SACD version.

wardsweb May 09, 2009 03:56

System edited: Just updating some pictures since our move.

wardsweb April 11, 2009 13:18

System edited: We just moved to a new house, so I'll add new pics as the systems get reassembled.

wardsweb April 02, 2008 21:38

Keyarae the turntable cover is a custom I designed in CAD and had JMK Displays make for me. You will find a picture of my table on their website.

http://www.jmkdisplays.com/cases.html

wardsweb October 18, 2007 22:12

System edited: Now a the McIntosh C36 rolled in. More control and a smooth top end.

wardsweb October 10, 2007 18:57

System edited: Added the den system pic.

wardsweb May 31, 2007 17:11

Jsujo the shelving is from IKEA. It is from their EXPEDIT line. It normally would stand up, but I laid it down to better fit the room.

wardsweb May 31, 2007 17:05

System edited: Ever evolving, now with Custom Isolation Products amp stands. I used some more cold cathode blue neon to light the stands to match the turntable.

wardsweb May 14, 2007 19:23

System edited: Here is the latest pic of this ever evolving system. I still need to veneer the speakers but the system is almost finished. Also, I have some amp stands coming from Tate Blanchard of Custom Isolation Products.

wardsweb February 26, 2007 19:19

FYI: the diy horns are made from CNC Baltic birch and MDF. The four layers of kerf MDF for the sides are filled with glass beads used in bead blasting (finer than sand). The interior wall are sprayed with a non-hardening sound dampening material and fiberglass lined. I still need to apply the sapele pommele veneer and mount the crossovers. They each hold an Altec 416-8c woofer, Altec 802-8G driver on a Altec 511B horn, JBL 077 tweeter and custom crossover. These weight in around 250 pounds each.

wardsweb September 05, 2006 03:20

System edited: Yet once again my system changes and I think for the better. The DIY horns still need to be veneered but are breaking in nicely. The Odyssey Tempest preamp has brought the amps to life and helped fill in some bottom end that was lacking witht he previous pre.

wardsweb September 05, 2006 03:11

System edited: Like the category says, ever evolving. Trying out some Klipsch Cornwalls. They look small next to the Altec A7's, but do sound nice. I like horns.

wardsweb February 24, 2006 05:13

System edited: I was playing around and added some cold cathode blue neon back lighting.

wardsweb February 22, 2006 13:05

System edited: Just received my custom dust cover for the Clearaudio table. I'm very happy with JMK Displays acrylic work. It fits perfect.

wardsweb February 20, 2006 21:12

Thanks for the confirmation. I did buy the Silver 7t amps for the CLS's in the den. They are being delivered this saturday. Also, I will pick up a set of Klipsch Cornwall on Monday to use while I pull the drivers out of the A7's, that are going into some custom modern cabinets (200 pounds of baltic birch and rosewood - each). I'll update the pic when they are in place. Then the Klipsch will be used in a third system going in the back room.

wardsweb February 16, 2006 15:22

David I have never heard your speakers, so hard for me to say. I can tell you before the Alted A7's I was using the SP-80 amps to drive my Martin Logan CLS electrostats. The sound was just as crisp as with the Carver A-760x I had used. Granted the A-760x at 1100wpc at 2 ohoms had more impact.

Speaking of Carver, I'm picking up a set of Silver 7t's this week from a friend who has the 7t's and 9t's. The Silver 7t's will push my CLS's.

wardsweb February 11, 2006 20:28

I have run the SP-80 direct from the T100 in the past. The gain controls on the cd and amps are a bit overkill. The Audio Mirror is mainly for the phono section. The A7's are 104dB efficient so I never move the amps off their startup default of -40dB. I will see what happens when I roll in the Klipsch Cornwalls that will be doing duty while I move the Altec drivers to some new custom cabinets.

wardsweb February 10, 2006 20:25