DJ, Please Don't Stop The MUSIC!

by joeyboynj on Ever Evolving

Description

I'm a business professional that hopes to spread the word about 2-channel high end audio. I have been actively interested in this hobby for 26 years!!! ;-)

This current system is a 6 year journey of listening to lots and lots of fine Audio Equipment.

I'm constantly looking for new and improved technology and when I find it, I will buy it and upgrade my system regardless of brand name. This is one of my many hobbies I enjoy and it never causes me stress like a good hobby should. Have fun and relax and listen to some soothing music that moves your soul. After all, this is my own personal audio system tailored to me and how I like to listen to music. ;-)

BIG UPGRADES WORTH MENTIONING:

10/15/08: I recently upgraded my speakers to from Focal 918's to Focal Electra 1027 BE speakers. WOW! Smart move. These are amazing speakers and I listened to many to come to this decision. Silky smooth, sexy, total envelopment of music and soundstage. Sounds great with all music types I tried so far...

10/28/08: The "Audio Room" is currently going through a new renovation project which will include a plush sofa listening chair, full room acoustic treatments and a new configuration.

12/16/08: New pictures of the complete room are here. I love my new little room with comfy sofa and warm colors. I sit in here and relax and read The Absolute Sound and HiFi+ magazines.

02/05/09: Installed a Synergistic Research Teslaplex outlet and a Tesla Rel Spec Reference Subwoofer cable. These are both very welcome additions. I'm still amazed at every improvement made when I add Synergistic products. Just like an upgrade should be! In my opinion, nobody does the wow factor as good as Synergistic.

02/18/09: Installed a Synergistic Research Powercell 10 SE power conditioner. This unit is unrestricting and does not change the music in anyway.

06/15/09: Removed the Symposium Svelte Shelves under my speakers and sold them. Repositioned the speakers and burned in the system for another month. Speakers sound good directly on the floor with no spikes or platforms and I saved some cash. System finally opened up and bass was extended and I had to adjust the subwoofer settings. Focals are finally broken in, they took months. Now getting seamless transition to the sub-woofer. Subwoofer interaction has improved greatly with this listening position as well. Current system performs beyond satisfactory and my expectations. Ordered today Synergistic Research Tesla Apex speaker cables.

6/30/09: Installed Synergistic Research Tesla Apex speaker cables. I prefer these over the Precision Reference SCs in my system.

02/03/10: Installed an ESOTERIC SA-50 CD player as my new reference. The sound is more detailed than my previous Krell SACD version 3. And the VSOP transport in the SA-50 is superior.

10/22/10: Replaced my speaker cables and interconnect with the new Synergistic Research Galileo universal speaker and interconnect cells. These cables provide my system with tons of realism and detail. These cables get the tone of the instruments correct to my ears and are more neutral then previous cables. I've been to many concerts and live acoustic shows and these cables nail it. Most impressive was the saxophone, which is one of my favorite instruments.

02/10/11: Installed all new Synergistic Research SE versions of all my power cables in my system, Teslaplex SE outlet, and Powercell 10 SE Mk.2

03/03/11: Installed a Audio Research DSi-200 Integrated amplifer replacing the Simaudio i-7 integrated.

03/31/11: Installed a Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD-SACD Player. I will get the ModWright upgraded unit if I like this one.

4/27/11: Installed a ModWright XA-5400ES with ModWright 9.0 'Truth' Power Supply and Umbilical.

9/12/12: I upgraded to the Powercell 10 SE Mk. III and was installed in my system. This is the BEST power conditioner my money can buy. A multi-award winner for a few years up to current year 2014.

12/25/12: Upgraded to ALL Element Power Cords. The new Element CTS Analogue and Digital power cords and Element Copper/Tungsten Power Cord on the Powercell 10SE Mk.III Power Conditioner. I even have a Element Copper and Element Tungsten. These NEW power cords are completely different than the Tesla line and are much more open and quieter with an increase detail cause black background. Complete system upgrade over the Tesla line Power Cables!!!

2/13/13: Installed Sophia Electric 6SN7 tubes. These tubes are amazing. The system sounds so much more clearer. One of best upgrades to my system. The original tubes that came with the ModWright really was holding this source back to its potential. I am VERY pleased with this upgrade!!!

3/4/2013: NEW PICTURES TAKEN - I have all Galilieo MPCs plugged into the bottom outlets of my PowerCell 10 SE Mk.III power conditioner. I never had any problems with messy wires. My system looks great. I'm not sure what others are doing but these wires clean up very easily and neatly in my system.

06/20/13: Installed (8) Herbie's Audio Lab brass footers with carpet gliders for easy speaker movement. Excellent additional vibration removal to the speakers with a clearer sound. Herbie's Audio Lab are the real deal and offer many audio system improvements and makes using the system easier. Great website and wonderful and truthful products.

02/02/14: Added a Synergistic Research Transporter to my system. Power Conditioner for all the active shield connectors for all Synergistic Research actively powered shields installed in most of their cables. This power conditioner replaces all the Galileo MPC adaptors I had and costs much cheaper. (5) Galileo MPC's plugged into the 5 bottom outlets in the Powercell 10 SE cost retail for (10) shields is $2000. The Transporter with (34) shields costs retail $1995. Plus its much neater and only takes up one shelf in your system rack. I'm selling all my Galileo MPC's and the $$$ more than paid for the Transporter that I got. Actually I got the Transporter for 50% off used from The Cable Company. I got it almost brand new. Well for used it looked brand new to me. Kudos to The Cable Company. I use an Element Copper Power Cable on it instead of the included Core PC. That was a big upgrade for the Transporter. The Transporter brings more of everything. Black background, transients, detail to the sound over the Galileo MPC's. I will have new pictures of my main system soon.

02/22/2014: I sold the Acoustic ART system bought a full HFT and FEQ system acoustic room correction system. Treat the room and you will be rewarded. Just my experience. Out with the old and in with the new SOTA room correction system!!! ;-)

02/26/14: Installing level 3 HFT's and a FEQ for the latest in room correction and treatment.

02/25/12: I have made A LOT of changes to the system. All the pictures have changed and I need to take a whole new set of pictures. The ones above are from my previous system. I removed all the GIK wall treatments and Cathedral Sound Room Dampening Panels. I added a S.R. Transporter and removed all the Galileo MPC's. I'm demo'ed an Element Tungsten on the Transporter. WOW! Huge increase in active shield performance. Sounds almost Enigma like now. I am placing an order this week with The Cable Company for buying this PC. I installed Synergistic Research Level 3 HFT's and a FEQ room correction system. I re-arranged all my components on the shelves.

02/27/14: Complete Pictures uploaded!!!

03/20/14: Installed 4 UEF Tuning Circuits into my system for the active shield. One silver on Element Copper/Tungsten PC on Powercell 10 SE Mk.3, one gray on Element CTS Analogue PC on my Audio Research DSI-200 integrated amp, one silver and one gray on my CTS digital PC on my PS 9.0 Power supply for CDP.

New for 2014! What S.R. is doing is mind boggling with these upgraded active shield bullets. Plus now they are standard on all S.R. equipment in all of 2014. This alone will make their products even more outstanding. I simply love what these do for my system. I'm speechless at this point. Inserting the UEF bullets and I cant even explain into words at this point. These are Cumulative Cumulative Cumulative! I want to upgrade all my old bullets now for sure.

06/26/14: Re-installed the (3) Gik wall panels into my system and removed the S.R. XOT's. I'm getting better sound now. I think I like it this configuration better.

PENDING UPGRADES:

- I'd like to totally change up my system someday and try a new integrated amp the Hegel 300 with Raidho X1 speakers and a Rel R-528SE Reference Subwoofer.

- Synergistic Research Tranquility Base

- More UEF Tuning Circuits. (Eventually have all UEF's in my system on all active shields)

- Synergistic Research RED Fuses installed in all my equipment.

- Synergistic Research Element Tungsten XLR Interconnect and Element Copper speaker cables. (I'm going to sell the Universal interconnect and speaker cells to fund the new cables and maybe in the future, if I can afford them, get them added back in with the Element cables someday.)

- Steve Blinn (3 shelf extra wide) Equipment Rack
Read more...

Components Toggle details

    • ModWright Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD-SACD Player
    Installed 4/27/11: ModWright XA-5400ES with ModWright 9.0 'Truth' Power Supply and Umbilical.

    This has to be the best CDP I ever heard. It's so detailed but not clinical and non fatiguing at all. IMO all my other players had all those problems. This CDP is very special. I'm going to keep this unit a long time and get off the ever changing upgrades for a CDP that sounds real and analogue.
    • Synergistic Research Element Copper Power Cord
    Using this Power cord on the Sony 5400. It works perfectly here. This PC position does not require an ultra expensive PC to help this unit to sound the best. Actually, I found out and also other A-gon members that the Sony unit does not benefit from an upgraded PC. So I use S.R.'s cheapest active PC here.
    • Sophia Electric 6SN7 Matched Pair Tubes
    These tubes are amazing. The system sounds so much more clear. I am VERY pleased with this upgrade!!! Its a definite must for this CDP.
    • Modwright PS 9.0 Power Supply
    A separate dedicated tube-rectified external power supply for the Vacuum tube analog stage. This is an amazing feature for the Modwright Sony upgraded unit. The power Supply is so quiet and picks up NO NOISE! So Amazing I'm using my $3,000 S.R. Element CTS Digital on this unit. This very special PC works best in this position. A true jaw dropper...
    • Synergistic Research Element CTS Digital Power Cord
    Power cord used on CDP power supply. NEW ELEMENT 2012 VERSION - Includes 3 active shield filters. Plus G07 Quantum Tunneled Wall Plug and IEC. This new version has a sharper image focus and enhanced resolution over the previous Tesla version. It is actually much much better and now a true Reference quality PC for digital sources. This cord makes my speakers disappear. The soundstage is like nothing I ever heard before from my system. Deep, wide and layered. Each voice and instruments bursts from its location. I can easily pick out every sound in a complex recording with many instruments and synths. All instruments sound real and natural, especially cymbals and such. This cable has a highest WOW factor of all the PC's I ever demo'ed.
    • NOS Mullard Rectifier Tube GZ34 Blackburn Factory
    I used this tube in the Modwright PS 9.0 Power Supply for the CDP. I also roll this tube with a JJ Audio Tube and a few other. They both are very different. In a good way. ;-) I'm going to buy a Gold Lion GZ34 Genalex Rectifier next. I heard its the best rectifier for the PS 9.0.
    • Genalex Tube Gold Lion U77/5AR4/GZ34 Rectifier
    Just got it today. Still evaluating. Thanks for the recommendation Audiogon Members!
    • Audio Research DSi200 Integrated Amplifier
    Installed March 2011: Simply the BEST integrated amplifier I have ever used. Very powerful with 200 WPC in 8 Ohms and double down to 400 in 4 Ohms. This unit lives up to the amazing sound of Audio Research.
    • Synergistic Research Element CTS Analogue Power Cord
    Power cord used on integrated amp. NEW Element VERSION 2012 - Includes 3 active shield filters. Plus G07 Quantum Tunneled Wall Plug and IEC. This new version has sharper image focus and enhanced resolution. Perfect compliment to the Element CTS Digital with its pinpoint imaging, a touch a warmth to the instruments, punchy bass and midbass. Everything justs sounds real. I can hear everything in the recording! Top to bottom realness.
    • Synergistic Research Galileo Universal Interconnect Cell
    Galileo Basik XLR interconnects between CDP and integrated amp. Universal cells optimized for source to integrated amp. I installed new speaker cables and interconnects into my system. It's the Synergistic Research NEW Galileo universal speaker cells and interconnect cells. I installed the cells using the included Galileo Basik speaker cables and interconnects. Initial gains in a blacker background and even more separations of instruments, better low level listening because of the gain in resolution. There is a lot more detail and realness to the sound, instruments sound like the real thing and the soundstage was made wider and deeper. These beat out the very expensive Tesla Apex alone. Surprisingly, they have the same frequency extremes. And listening at lower levels is a complete joy as the details are all there. This alone is worth the price. The result of adding these cells to my system are not subtle changes in sound quality. The interconnect cells are a must companion to the speaker cells this increases system performance times two. The interconnect cells are so accurate and the tone is spot on for all instruments. These are keepers. These are a must try for anyone with their current cables even if they don't have any cables. These can easily be your first and upgrade later and on to these if you like.
    • Focal Electra 1027 BE Speakers
    These sound as beutiful as they look. The BE tweeter is amazing. Clear as a bell. I aquired these in a special order slate gray finish. Simply stunning when you walk into the room.
    • Synergistic Research Galileo Universal Speaker Cell
    Galileo Basik speaker cables connected from Integrated amplifier to speakers. Universal cells optimized for amplifier to speakers. I installed new speaker cables and interconnects into my system. It's the Synergistic Research NEW Galileo universal speaker cells and interconnect cells. I installed the cells using the included Galileo Basik speaker cables and interconnects. Initial gains in a blacker background and even more separations of instruments, better low level listening because of the gain in resolution. There is a lot more detail and realness to the sound, instruments sound like the real thing and the soundstage was made wider and deeper. They have the great frequency extremes. Listening at lower levels is a complete joy as the details are all there. This alone is worth the price. The result of adding these cells to my system are not subtle changes in sound quality. The interconnect cells are a must companion to the speaker cells this increases system performance times two. The interconnect cells are so accurate and the tone is spot on for all instruments. These are keepers. These are a must try for anyone with their current cables even if they don't have any other Synergistic products.
    • Rel Britannia B3 Subwoofer
    Very fast and tuneful - Integrates very well with the fast focals. Easily reaches way down low with power and grace. The kick drum sounds like a live event. Amazing... Deep Deep Bass, very accurate and absolutely no WUMP sound. This is a true Reference quality subwoofer.
    • Synergistic Research Element Tungsten Power Cord
    7 foot - Power cable used on subwoofer. NEW SE VERSION 2013 - Includes 3 active shield filters. Plus G07 Quantum Tunneled Wall Plug and IEC. This new version has sharper image focus and enhanced resolution. Fast detailed bass that keeps up with the Focals. This PC helps the subwoofer completly disappear. Pin-perfect precision and you are there experience. This PC is an all around winner and can be used on all types of equipment.
    • Synergistic Research Element C.T S. Rel Spec Cable
    New 2013 Element C.T.S. Rel Spec Subwoofer Cable with Neutrik Speakon connection - This was a LONG wait for this upgraded cable from the last model which was out for a long time. Now I have a True Reference quality interconnect for a reference quality subwoofer. It includes Elements Copper/Tungsten/Silver just like the power cables I have in my system. This is one of the most anticipated upgrade I've been waiting years for. Finally its here and its special in every way! This cable was especially designed for Rel Subwoofers. Amazing performance and the very best subwoofer cable I have ever tried. Jaw dropping bass definition! You have to hear it to believe it. Complements the Element line VERY well. The new Element line is 100% better than the Tesla line. S.R. really hit it out of the park.
    • HiFi -Tuning Small Slow Blow Fuse 3.15A
    Installed in the Subwoofer. A little more definition and weight. Nice compliment to my system.
    • Synergistic Research Powercell 10 SE Mk. III Power Cond.
    I recently traded in my Powercell 10SE MkII for a Mk.III because I liked the reviews it was getting. The new PowerCell 10SE Mk III differs from the MkII is that it has a new ground plane (Tranquility Base built in). I can confirm the new ground plane delivers a significant increase in air in a larger sound field, low frequencies are also tighter with more apparent punch and control and a much blacker noise floor. Plus better ambient retrieval. From near zero background noise, you hear subtle details and micro transients that make recordings sound more alive this is the greatest effect on my system. So if you’re looking for higher/more performance with your electricity give the new version a try. This has to be the very best power conditioner on the market and that I ever heard. If there was a better one I heard I would own that one and not this one. S.R. seems to make everything they do Amazing. I wish they had competition but everything else I ever heard does not ever match up in my system in my room. The Powercell comes with a complement power cord the Element Copper/Tungsten (Retail $1,800) as well as the Teslaplex SE Wall Outlet. (Retail $95) S.R. provides an entire power conditioning solution.
    • Synergistic Research Element Copper/Tungsten Power Cord
    Power cord used on the Powercell 10 SE Mk. III. NEW Element series 2012 VERSION - Includes 3 active shield filters. Plus G07 Quantum Tunneled Wall Plug and IEC. This new version has sharper image focus and enhanced resolution over the previous Precision AC Power Cord. It has a 32-amp powercon connector that clicks in place and does not come out. Pin-point imaging, very extended with plenty of air and neutral clarity is this cable strong points with that addictive 3D holographic Tesla sound. This cable really opens up and enhances the entire system. This cable comes standard with the Powercell 10 SE. A true bargain since its included with its price. This cable retails for $1,800 by itself and its a truly great PC that compliments the Element CTS Power Cables.
    • Synergistic Research Teslaplex SE Outlet
    New SE version. Wall outlet with Quantum Tunneling. I dont know what the folks at Synergistic did to this outlet but it is amazing and compliments my entire Tesla cable system very well. I was in awe from the first listen. The soundstage became even more transparent. Sounds just float in space in front of you on all different levels. All this from a simple outlet change. What an impressive upgrade! Plus it comes Free in the box with the Powercell 10 SE. Its made to complement the power conditioner just like the Element Copper/Tungsten that come Free with the Powercell 10 SE as well as the Teslaplex SE Wall Outlet. S.R. provides an entire power conditioning solution.
    • Acme Audio Wallplate and LaunchPad
    "non magnetic" Stainless Steel Wallplate and LaunchPad Duplex Outlet wall Isolator. It isolates your wall receptacle from mechanical vibrations, and dampens resonances. As an added bonus, it insulates your outlet too!
    • Synergistic Research Transporter
    Power Conditioner for all the active shield connectors for all Synergistic Research actively powered shields. This power conditioner replaces all the Galileo MPC adaptors I had and costs much cheaper. (5) Galileo MPC's plugged into the 5 bottom outlets in the Powercell 10 SE cost retail for (10) shields is $2000. The Transporter with (34) shields costs retail $1995. Plus its much neater and only takes up one shelf in your system rack. I fortunately had an extra shelf in my system and selling all my Galileo MPC's more than paid for the Transporter that I got 40% off and uses a Element Copper Power Cable. The Transporter brings more black background and more transients and more detail to the sound over the Galileo MPC's. I will have pictures and more detailed review soon.
    • Synergistic Research Element Tungsten Power Cable
    Connects the Transporter to the Powercell 10 SE Mk.3. This PC projects its qualities and traits right into the active shields of the entire system. Much better than the non active shielded Core PC that was included with the Transporter.
    • Salamander Designs (Cherry) Archetype 5.0 Equipment Rack
    My rack equiped with floor spikes. Does the job well, cherry wood shelves can be adjusted to any height. Nice feature.
    • Herbie's Audio Labs Cone/Spike Decoupling Base Gliders
    Four used under the rack spikes on thick carpet over hard wood floors. Immediately noticed increased resolution top to bottom. I can now easily move the rack a few inches if needed because of the gliders. This alone makes them very effective for my needs.
    • Herbie's Audio Labs UltraSonic Rx Tube Damping Instrum.
    I have 3 of these. One on each tube in my system. One on each Sophia Electric tube and one on the Mullard tube. Great Product, does as advertised. See more info on their website. Retail price is about $20 each. These were recommended by ModWright to put on the Tubes.
    • Synergistic Research MIG Footers
    I have 2 sets of these footers. One set under my CDP and under the Powercell 10 SE Mk.III. They have a huge impact on the soundstage and resolution of my system. Immediately noticed a deep and wider soundstage, bigger 3D images, increased dynamics, smoother and more liquid midrange, focus and transparency improved. Cleaned up parts I didn’t know that could be improved. I'm totally amazed by these footers. For $150 a set it's a steal for possibly the best footers on the market. They beat out Herbie's Isocup with Lampblack balls that were in my system. WOW! I took these out in a move of the system and forgot to put them back in and I noticed something was missing. When I realized I forgot to re-install these and they were re-installed. Everything came back as above.
    • Waipuna Audio MyrtleWood Cable Risers and Footers
    Simply beautiful!!! I got (15) wood lifts all in different shapes and sizes. These keep the cables off the floor and also makes my system perform to its MAX! I also use a set of footers under my FEQ with great affect.
    • Synergistic Research HFT (Level 3) and FEQ module
    I sold my entire Acoustic ART system for the new HFT's and FEQ. I ordered them from The Cable Company. I installed (15) HFT's at $300 per (5) in a box. Then added the $950 FEQ that compliments and increases the HFT's performance by 2. These are truly SOTA room correction system. The best I ever heard. These won many awards and voted the more significant product for 2013 for the advancement of audio performance. Read the many positive reviews of the HFT's here on Audiogon. I have not heard anything negative about these ever. They have a 30 day money back guarantee. These are a no brainer for EVERYONE to try in their system. Even a $300 Five pack will affect your soundstage.
    • Synergistic Research UEF Tuning Circuits Bullets
    WOW WOW WOW! New for 2014. What S.R. is doing is mind boggling with these upgraded active shield bullets. Plus now they are standard on all S.R. equipment in all of 2014. This alone will make their products even more outstanding. I simply love what these do for my system. I installed 4 UEF Tuning Circuits into my system for the active shield. One silver on Element Copper/Tungsten PC on Powercell 10 SE Mk.3, one gray on Element CTS Analogue PC on my Audio Research DSI-200 integrated amp, one silver and one gray on my CTS digital PC on my PS 9.0 Power supply for CDP. I'm speechless at this point. Inserting the UEF bullets and I cant even explain into words at this point. These are Cumulative Cumulative Cumulative! I want to upgrade all my old bullets now for sure.

Comments 195

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Hi neighbor Joey,

First time I caught your system. Very, very nice rig. One of these days I should take pics of my rig and post um, but my man-cave is a little messy because I practically live in it.

I saw in an earlier post that you were at one time thinking about picking up an ARC Ref CD-8. Is that still on your radar screen, or perhaps the new Ref CD-9?? I own the CD-8 and I think it melds in very nicely with the rest of my ARC gear.

I've had an eye on the Focal Be 1027/28 speakers for
a while, or perhaps the Revel Studio 2s. Reason is the beryllium tweeters, which I think make a very big difference. My current fronts are Paradigm Sig. 8 v3s, which also have Be tweets. The published FR is very similar to the Focals. Just not sure how much change I'll get for the bucks. I also use a Paradigm Sig. Servo subwoofer. The house really rocks.

I looked up the Focal Diablos. Are they bookshelf speakers? The Be 1027s are towers. If the Diablos are indeed bookshelf speakers, what is your thought process here?? Btw, I am a fan of Focals, but the larger Utopia towers are bent. LOL ;-'). Not sure if I could adjust to bent speakers.

I'd have to go backwards to recheck, but does your rig include a vinyl set-up? I'm listening to The Nighthawks right now. It was a great R&B group from the 70s. Really rocks. If you're not into vinyl yet, I suggest you dip a toe in. I don't recall if your ARC integrated has a phono input.

If it does, trying vinyl wouldn't be a big investment.
If not, you could probably pick up a pre-owned ARC PH-7 (tube phono pre) or PH-6 (SS phono pre) for less than $3K. If the prices are about the same, I'd opt for the PH-7. As far as a TT is concerned, you could pick up a not too expensive pre-owned VPI and a nice pre-owned Dynavector, Lyra, Benz or Soundsmith VPI Zephyr carty.

Good luck on your next upgrade. I'll keep an eye on your regular updates.

Oh ... I referred to you as a "neighbor' because I live across the river in Philly.

Best,

Bruce

bifwynne

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