JJs Conundrum

by jjhf5678 on Ever Evolving
Room
Rack
Table
Phono Stage
Another angle
Old pic of room with Thiels

Description

I've been into serious hi-fi now for about 17 years (since age 17 when I bought a Dynaco ST70 and drove some Vandersteen 3's in my 10X11 bedroom at my parents house!). I've been into MUSIC since since I was 6. Started playing piano about that time for 5-6 years then moved on to guitar at 13. Recently set up a little home recording studio with drums, keyboard, bass, etc....fun when time permits.

I would rather sacrifice a little here and there in the so called "hi-fi" qualities, and be able to just LISTEN to music with the limited time we all have as we get older (unless you're retired....one day!). Perfect this, or perfect that will NEVER happen. Just get season tickets to your local Symphony, go see an unamplifed jazz band, or an amplified concert at a decent venue, etc... and you WILL understand what I'm talking about. I'm not even close to reproducing the real thing.

Enjoy the MUSIC. That's what it's really all about, right?!

My collection continues to grow at about 4000 albums (30% Classical, 30% Real Jazz, 40% Rock) so far and many more to come, I'm sure! Some of my favs are Van Morrison, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Wilco, Nancy Wilson, Cannonball Adderly, Sibelius, etc...

The new room is 13'4" W X 20'2"L X 8'H with a closet in the right corner to allow for placement of turntable/pre/integrated...
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Components Toggle details

    • Audio-Technica AT-33ev cartridge
    Great sound for the $$$
    • Garrard 301
    If you've never heard one of these, you are really missing out on MUSIC. Custom made plinth by Neil Hollow is beautiful! Also added ATA Audio bearing..nice upgrad.
    • Neil Hollow Plinth for Garrard 301
    Excellent!
    • Tri Planar MK-VI
    Incredible arm!
    • Boston Audio Mat-1
    Great combo with the Garrard.
    • Transition Audio Design (Tom Tutay) Phono stage
    All tube gain using (4) 12ax7s (Tele smooth plates), (2) 12sn7s (Tung Sols), and (2) 12j5s. Also has outboard tube rectified (6X5) power supply. Great sound!!
    • BAT VK-300SE
    Nice synergy...
    • Chario Sonnet
    Nice italian sound.
    • Paradigm DSP-3400
    BIG woofer with nice sound for the money. Used speaker level input.
    • Audience Au24e
    Amazing.
    • Audience Au24e SE
    Very nice.
    • Audience Powerchord (e version)
    Very Nice PCs
    • Arcici Suspense Rack
    Awesome equipment stand.
    • ASC 13
    Have these on top of the 16's right now and it really tightens up the stage. Nice tweaks...
    • ASC 16
    I use two of these behind the speakers to great effect. Well worth the (very expensive) money spent.
    • ASC Sound Planks
    Use these on the ceiling and the walls. Great for the $!
    • Acoustic Innovation 2' X 4' Panels
    Use these at the first reflection point. Good product...
    • Dedicated 20 amp circuit with Cryo outlets
    SO SO SO SO SO SO worth the money. Did I say "so" worth it there?
    • Audience AR6TS Conditioner
    Awesome!

Comments 27

Showing all comments by albertporter.

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One supplier is as good as another as long as you get what you want. I've had very good luck with both Andy and Upscale Audio. I've read posts criticizing both guys for one thing or another which is normal for high visibility people dealing with NOS tubes and hot rod audio gear.

If your tubes are quiet, have good transconductance and sound good, you're well off regardless of supplier. In fact, I've bought at least 50 tubes off EBAY over the past couple of years and got good product. In some cases when I ordered from Germany and Hong Kong I got better than what I expected.

albertporter

Yeah, I've talked to Ronnie about your Tutay phono stage...he hates the Aesthetix (I imagine it would help if he actually heard it in his system!!!! He hates anything he DOESN'T own!) and he's excited to hear your opinion on the Tutay.

It would be nice if the Tutay matched up, save me thousands of dollars and open shelf space for more LP's :^). Personally, if I had to bet, my money would be on the Aesthetix. It is extremely well developed and evolved.

I got my NOS Telefunken input tubes from Andy at Vintage. He's not fast, but the quality is unbelievable. My set was installed two years ago and has about a zillion hours on them and they are so DEAD quiet that new visitors never fail to mention my phono is as quiet as CD.

Check with Andy, bet it would make yours sing too.

albertporter

Ahhhh, black glass Tung-Sol 6SN7's. I know that tube well, have a few in my tube collection.

My recent find was four NOS (1949) RCA 12SX7 with graphite screened interior. I plan on rotating these into my Dali Megaline- Tom Tutay (tube) crossover.

I actually have Tom building me a phono stage as well. It uses the 12SX7 too. I can't imagine it matching up to my Aesthetix Io, but Tom did such a bang up job on the crossover I'm going to give it a try. It will probably another month or two coming, he's backed up right now.

Glad all is good for you, system is looking great and no doubt sounding great too.

albertporter

Thanks for sharing new photo's of your room. How are the NOS tubes working in your Aesthetix?

Glad to hear the Art Audio cables are working for you. Is this from Joe Fratus? (What an EXCELLENT guy!)

albertporter

My kind of guy, a music lover. If I were more familiar with your speakers I could hear your system in my head :^).

The rest is all stuff I've heard dozens of times, I'll bet you have great sound.

albertporter

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