Brightvalves- PM me if you still need the manual.

swampwalker March 09, 2015 19:03

System edited: After reading a comment from Jmcgrogan2, I realized that I had not updated by system profile in several years. I'm very happy with the way rig now this sounds; I don't hear any deficiencies. Doesn't mean I'd not consider ways to make it better ;-) I focus on timber, tonality, and emotional impact. This rig is in our living room, which has to accommodate furniture, TVs, etc, so soundstaging and imaging cannot be my primary focus. I don't think this is too romantic sounding, but if I had to err it would be in that direction rather than toward detail and speed. My only complaint right now is that with monoblocks, power supplies for the field coils, and plate amps, and headphone amp, I need 12 outlets (6 duplexes) to power the bloody thing. And that's not counting the server and router which are in another room. God bless my long-suffering wife!

swampwalker March 09, 2015 17:27

Hi Necrosuit- Sorry for not having checked my system page sooner. Maybe next year.

Hi Lateguestsnomore- The link directs me an ebay page is expired, but I assume that they suggested a VOM aka multimeter. I got one @ Radio Shack that looks like this http://rsk.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pRS1-7922775t98.jpg. After looking at the amp, however, I don't see obvious test probe points. I will look into it further and try to find out. If you want to check back, feel free to email be through the audiogon system or at msklein52atcomcastdotnet.

swampwalker May 15, 2013 18:42

Gentlemen- Pix coming soon but there has been a lot of gear moving in and out as you can see. I have a second sub coming this week and will post results. Its been a v busy year in my personal life; when I have some time I have been listening. I can report that I have gone from the Exemplar 3910 to an APL 3910 which I can report as an improvement. Brings back a little of the speed and clarity that I liked with the Atma M-60s but I can have the harmonic richness and emotional impact of the Joule at the same time. Once I get the second sub installed I will post some pix.

swampwalker November 26, 2007 03:40

System edited: Almost finished with my analog set up. Perhaps adding a VTA adjustment to the Teres and I expect that will be it. Also using the ZYX Active head amp or pre-pre which makes a very nice improvement.

swampwalker July 09, 2007 04:05

System edited: Recent changes- new TT, cabling, have pretty much settled on the Joule amp with the Jade Audio cables.

swampwalker April 03, 2007 22:13

Still evolving- cables have moved up to Cardas Golden Ref. Better but perhaps a bit too smoothed off or rounded. I am trying the new Jade Audio Vermeil cables and they seem to be very good. A bit more bite if you will. Hard to pull the trigger on selling the Joule but right now that's where I am headed. Have added a Teres 255 to replace the SOTA; big improvement there.

swampwalker December 26, 2006 21:37

System edited: Have now gotten balanced cables (Au-24) for the M-60s and they DO make a big difference. Liking these very much. Will mull this over and then sell the "looser" btwn these and the Joule.

swampwalker April 24, 2006 22:00

Spencer- Unfortunately, I sold the Berning w/o doing any rolling on the small tubes. I found a good deal on a VZN-80, loved it, and sold the Berning. I am very happy with the VAC-Joule-Merlin synergy. The microdynamics and detail are terrific and I find myself turning the volume down, which is unusual. Nothing sterile or hi-fi at all about this system. Room size is 14 x 23 x 8.5 and the 80 is plenty. If I every renovate my attic into a listening room, I will add another 80 and convert them to monos, because it is 32 x 18!!! Remember that the Joule chassis is quite large, maybe 24" x 14" x 10" high, plus the variac.

swampwalker March 12, 2006 21:33

System edited: Forgot to add the amp. Obviously a major element. Matches great with the Merlins- I preferred it to the Berning, but some who are quite knowledgable say that the use of Power conditioning and perhaps poor matching of NOS input and driver tubes could have made the Berning into more of what I wanted.

swampwalker March 12, 2006 06:03

System edited: I've now gone through two pre-amps and 2 amps. The VAC was a huge improvement in the line stage, waiting for the new armboard to return from SOTA to try out the phono stage.

swampwalker February 21, 2006 01:32

I've got the cryo'd output tubes and NOS AT and AU7s. Can't remember which. When I try it again, I'll open er up and post.

swampwalker March 17, 2005 05:17

Hi Artg- I am now leaning very heavily toward the Joule, although its unusually large chassis and high heat output are definately a disadvantage compared to the Berning. The Atmas put out even more heat and you have 2 chassis, but I liked both of them better than the Berning (like trying to decide between Chocolate chip, chocolate chunk and chocolate swirl). I did finally get the right tube combination for my Supratek (Brown base 5692s and a GZ32 rectifier) and the imaging and soundstaging really improved. I shoult put the Berning back in now and give it another whirl. NOte: the berning does NOT have the internal wire upgrade.

swampwalker March 16, 2005 23:03

Thanks, Keith- I am having fun and am now trying a pair of Atma-sphere M-60 2.3s. I will swap them in & out with the Berning and report back.

swampwalker October 22, 2004 21:33

I had a pair of the 2Ws for a while and liked them very much. They seemed to work especially well with a pair of single driver horns that quit at about 80 hz. The WAF of the Merlins w/o subs is way better than the 3Asigs w/2 subs, and my room seems visually much bigger as well. 'Course, if Bobby ever gets the Merlin sub on the market, I suppose I will give it a try.

swampwalker September 19, 2004 04:53

System edited: Went to an all tube system and large 3 ways w/stereo subs to 2 ways w/o a sub. Sound is very clear and recording brightness is audible. No complaints so far.

swampwalker September 18, 2004 22:41

System edited: Bi-amping w/0.5s is a distinct step up from a single 1.0; I'm also going to try a single Llano Trinity 300 w/NOS Telefunken 12AX7s.

swampwalker December 24, 2002 05:26