This was my system mostly from 2002-2015. All that remains is the Atma-sphere Mp-1 in my current setup. I left up the posting as it was an awesome system. I’m open to any questions regarding it. I’ll try soon to post the current system.
Hi there. I agree with your sonic philosophy. I know of a few guys who have paired Viva with Avantgarde along with Trenner & Friedl speakers. I own and love the Solista (mk1). We need to see some pics of your beautiful system....
Acresverde, No that wasn't me. Prcinka, the McIntosh is mostly just for collectable purposes, although there are a couple cuts that I enjoy the way it sounds. Also, for the novelty of a fifty year old amplifier powering the Trios. It's actually very nice sounding, and quiet too, obviously not at all in the same league as the other two though. Thanks for all the comments. For years I have appreciated everyone else's virtual systems. I thought it was about time I posted mine.
You have a very nice system and I`m sure the music reproduction sounds wonderful and fulfilling.I share your desire for sound to be as natural as can be managed while attempting to avoid a hifi character. Regards,
What a wonderful system. For me, "the one that got away" was a Trios based system that included the 18 watt Lamm monoblocks and the Lamm Reference preamp. All wired with Transparent XL Reference. That was a dream machine. Sounds like you still have one!
Love your setup. I would love to hear Viva with AG but, so far, have only been able to hear Viva paired with Kharma. I, personally run Duos with the MP-1 and M60s.
I have to ask you...there was a fellow who posted here several years back who had Trios and after sorting through a number of different amps, ended up with the Antiphons out of Korea. That be you by any chance? Those Antiphons really pressed my buttons and I'd be curious to know what would have prompted you to leave them, if that was indeed the case. Not that you're slumming it now, by any stretch of the imagination.
I'm glad to see someone who is not afraid to work with tweaks. I've gone through a lot of them through the years and some worked out and some didn't. When they did work out it often represented a system gain on the order of upgrading to a significantly more expensive component, with the difference being that the tweak was typically a decimal point cheaper. Looks like a nice system overall.
Warrenh, You misunderstood. That is my goal. I never claimed anything. As soon as an acoustic instrument is amplified and played through a speaker of any kind it will change the sound. But with our hobby we try to get our system to resemble the original sound of instruments the best we can. My comment on airy soundstage was to make a point that these are actually hi-fi effects and they don't really exist to the same extent in live music the way that our systems can demonstrate. Even though we all really enjoy this. I'm glad you can tell the difference between live acoustic instruments and recorded. I think even a person with substantial hearing loss would have no problem either.
Beautiful rig you got there, butI have never heard a system, no matter what the cost, where I couldn't tell in a jiff (seconds) live from recorded, nor a rig that can duplicate the sound of a piano where I'm wondering is it live or is it Memorex. It is the most difficult (impossible) instrument to get right. As to "deep soundstage" with a solo instrument? Do not understand. "Airey", that's another story, but I never think of a piano in an "airey" way.
You are one after my own heart!! I can only imagine you joy you experience!! I also use a pair of Wavelength Cardinals. (and silver 45) The Vivas and Avantgardes together must sound glorious!! Very well done!!