Audiovoice II

by ipy on Ever Evolving
Apr 07
Herbie & 6922
CJ 350
FA FS788
DPA Enlightment DAC
Slim Device SB3

Description

A Herron Audio tubed VTSP-3 Pre Amp has replaced the Audio Synthesis Passive Pre (Passion) which has been in my setup for almost 8 years. The Passion beats many active pres I have tried which included Audio Research LS2, LS3b & the ever so esoteric CAT SL1, particularly in the critical mid frequencies. The VTSP-3 comes very close to the sweetness in the Passion's mids but has bettered it in the frequencies extremes.
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Components Toggle details

    • Herron Audio VTSP-3
    After a long search and many pre amp auditions, the Herron shines on price and performance. Sonically neutral with plenty of micro/macro dynamics.
    • Slim Device Bolder Modified SB3
    Bolder digital mod with a Silver Slipstream Bybee Purifier in digital signal.
    The introduction of the SB3 principle into HiFi is likely the beginning of the traditional CDP or at least it's transport section demise. The convenience of the SB3 where you are able to access your whole music library easily & a sound quality to boot is pure luxury in HiFi Land.
    • Seagate 300GB
    Storage for media files
    • SB 3 Bolder PS Ultimate MKII
    Linear power supply for the SB3. Wayne (Bolder Company) has done an amazing job in tweaking the PS feeding SB3. Instruments & voices sound more palpable & loads of unforced details.
    • Rotel 1070
    Currently decommissioned as a backup to the SB3
    Mod with Audiocom II Clock, BG caps in the power supply rails & fast recovery diode upgrade.
    • DPA Enlightment
    Replaced all caps with BGs. Audiopoints and Symposium Pod Points.
    • Conrad Johnson Premier 350
    Replaces my aging Ayre V-3. The CJ sounds effortless & neutral
    • Focus Audio FS788
    Scan-Speak Revelator 9900 tweeter & 7" Eton woofer with Nomex and Kevlar cone
    • Focus Audio FS788
    Piano Black finish. The build & finish quality is 1st rate & matches its ability to sound amazing in my set-up
    • PS Audio P1000
    Plenty of options to tune the ac feeding equipment.
    Settings; Sine, between 55 & 60Hz[lessthansign]br[greaterthansign}
    • Back Wall treatments Auralex DST-114
    1st reflection points for the back wall
    • Side Reflection treatments Auralex DST-112 & 114
    Effective in capturing the side 1st reflection points
    • HP IPAQ
    Squuezebox/Slimserver WIFI remote control using HP Pocket PC with interactive menus
    • HP Desktop
    The storage device for ripped music (Flac using EAC) from my CD collection. A screen shot showing the main control panel of the Slimserver software which is still a bit buggy & under development by their creators. Music selection can be done by clicking on the images on the left panel or the more conventional way of selecting from a list.
    • Symposium, Argent, Herbie & Shakti Various
    Just some of the tweaks used
    • Various BG, Oyaide & WBT
    Various power tweaks

Comments 16

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Very nice system, Ipy!
Congratulations on your Herron VTSP-3 upgrade. I couldn't be happier with the improvement myself. Have you tried any NOS tubes. My current favorites are the Siemens 6922's (60's vintage) A nice improvement in "dimensionality" over the EH's with a neutral presentation that compliments the pre-amp's inherent neutrality.

tympani

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