System edited: I've now upgraded all my pc's to Harmonic Technology Fantasy AC-10's on amps, pre, cdp, and in that order with a good amount of time in between each upgrade. What can I say? I was a huge pc skeptic for a very long time. My own experience in this area has taught me that pc's may be just as important as ic's. Although I can not say this unequivocally, as I just haven't cycled through all that many (different) ic's or pc's. But I can definetly say that they have had a cumulative effect on my systems performance as they were introduced one by one on each component. They have taken my system to what I considered a really good system, to a truly great system. One of the gain stage (12ax7) GE Longplate (ca. 1963) tubes in my Calypso is starting to get a little noisy. This is another area I have been somewhat skeptical on. I HAVE heard differences in various 12ax7 and 6922 tubes, but have often wondered if the more expensive tubes are worth the outlay. Especially since it seems the Calypso may burn through tubes (gain stage) more frequently than some other tubed pre's due to it's circuit design. So, I've ordered some more pricey (nothing too crazy) tubes for both the gain stage and the output (6922) stage (I have not rolled tubes in the output stage, still running stock E-H). I'm hoping to once again be enlightened with these changes. I will post my findings in a few weeks...

perfectionist March 15, 2006 14:15

Drubin, thanks for the compliment.
The rugs are by Shaw rugs. Shawfloors.com

perfectionist January 22, 2006 16:09

I'll echo the other comments about how beautiful your room is. The carpet designs you have hanging would be perfect in our house. Mind if I ask who makes them?

drubin January 22, 2006 15:25

Bigsam2, that is bamboo from floor to ceiling. I then selected a color for the fabric on the cornerbusters that would blend in with the bamboo.

perfectionist November 29, 2005 10:57

Looks great. What are the colored things filling the corners from floor to ceiling? It makes the corner busters much less noticable and looks very decorative; a big blow for the WAF.

bigsam2 November 29, 2005 10:23

Raytheprinter, I first tried HT Fantasy speaker cables on the recommendation of a local dealer, Audionut.com, who also does business here. This was my first high-end cable purchase (although I'm sure some won't consider them high-end) if you will and I couldn't believe I was spending this much $$$ on cables (at that time). I really didn't know anything about cables at this time and was skeptical as I thought maybe it was a bunch of snake oil. But on my first phone conversation with Bob (Audionut owner), he was very forthright and honest, and didn't try to oversell me. He felt this was a proper and reasonably priced cable for me at that time. Since that first HT buy my system has changed and grown immensely. The only other cables I have tried were Transparent Musiclink Super w/MM technology. While I had no problem with the XLR ic's from pre to amps, the SE from cdp to pre were horrendous. I decided to sell the XLR's, put some $$$ back in my pocket and start trying HT ProSilway's, first from pre to amps and then from cdp to pre. I was so happy with the results that I started introducing their pc's into my system and again, have been very happy. Are there better cables out there, I'm sure there are, but I'm not willing to get on the cable merry-go-round.

perfectionist November 25, 2005 11:35

It sounds like all your work has payed off!!Must be great to be "Done for now"I really need to get out and hear a pair of JC-1s!Im thinking about trying Harmonic Tech. ,what is it about them that sold you on them?Thanks,Ray

raytheprinter November 24, 2005 00:06

Your room is oh-so-nice !!
Power may be a nice tweek.

I put in dedecated power and could not beleave the difference. I don't know why it changes it so much but it does. I put in 3 dedicated 10 gage wire to the panel and used the PS audio power ports.

mark02131 November 23, 2005 18:59

System edited: Moving this system to the "done for now" catagory as it is so damn good I don't want to change a thing. About the only thing I'd be interested in trying is a Naim XPS2 to go with my CDX2, but it's not in the budget at this time. Beside's obvious things like components, cables, dedicated circuits and tweeks, there are a couple of other factors I feel are important... I am fortunate to have very solid power where I live. I don't believe my house has dropped power in over a year, I feel this is very important to a stable and consistantly good sounding system as my cdp is always on and the pre is in standby which keeps the p.s. warm. But there is one other thing I have found to consistant sound, and I can't explain it...Don't touch or move anything! I find that if I pull a major component out of my rack such as the pre, or pull my rack out and move cables around, it can take weeks for my system to "settle" back down again and sound consistant. Again, I have no clue as to why, I just know it to be true.

perfectionist November 23, 2005 16:27

System edited: Moved on from an ARC LS25 MK1 to an Aesthetix Calypso. It took some time to break-in and open up, but man, was it worth the wait! Currently using GE longplate 12ax7 tubes. This system is now like a living breathing organism and is completely blowing my mind. This was a MAJOR upgrade!

perfectionist August 29, 2005 12:17

Thanks for the carpet mounting tips. That all makes sense.

tvad July 18, 2005 12:43

I mount a carpet strip(s), to the wall with drywall anchors where the top of the rug will hang.
I have seven rugs mounted on my walls in various rooms of my house, the larger the rug, the more difficult to hang. The two 8'x11' rugs in my listening area took two people and some muscle to hang. Position the top of the rug with the tack strip and pound it onto the strip with either your hands or a rubber mallet. Once the rug is securely mounted to the tack strip, smooth, stretch and pull rug flat to wall and tack with small nails in various places.
I use paneling nails as they have a tiny little head and are "ribbed" (yes, like a condom)
so they grip the drywall better.

perfectionist July 18, 2005 11:55

How are the area rugs hung or mounted on the walls?

tvad July 17, 2005 19:53

Tvad, thanks for the compliment.
The rugs are both aesthetically and acoustically pleasing. I actually have some additional echbusters on order and am also waiting on a Neuance platform for my cdp. I will update my system pics after I install these upgrades. I think Albert Von Schweikert is a genus and agree that with every upgrade the VR4's continue to amaze. Don't think I'll be upgrading speaks anytime soon.
Albert told me they also use area rugs on the walls in one of their listening rooms.

perfectionist July 17, 2005 16:28

It's been a while since I looked at your system. First comment...beautiful set-up. Great artistic solution for acoustic wall treatments. Of course, with a username like Perfectionist this is to be expected. Second, I had forgotten you use the VR4 GenIII HSE loudspeakers. I use the same, and each time I upgrade my system, the Von Schweikerts reveal the improvements wonderfully.

tvad July 17, 2005 12:12

System edited: Please see my blurb on Mapleshades SilClear.

perfectionist July 17, 2005 11:57

System edited: Added H-T Pro AC-10 pc's to my JC-1's, wow! I was very skeptical whether or not pc's make a difference, well, I am a skeptic no more. Also replaced the stock Sovtek tubes in the LS25 with Electroharmonix 6922's. I wasn't a big believer in tube rolling, but this also made a huge improvement. Between the pc's and the tubes, the bass is more taut, tight, and tuneful than ever before. Soundstaging, imaging, focus, speed, articulation and PRaT!

perfectionist June 07, 2005 17:59

System edited: Moved up from a Naim CD5X to a Naim CDX2. While the cd5x was an excellent player, the cdx2 is on a 'nother level, as it should be given the price difference. I never knew how much information I was missing prior to the cdx2.

perfectionist March 29, 2005 17:30

Hi Grogers717,

Yes, I am using the supplied bass module spikes. They are not fancy and obviously inexpensive.
About the only thing I like about them is they can be locked in place and because they are just threaded shafts with a point they can be recessed far enough into the bass module so that the speaker is not too high off the floor. It seems to me that most traditional aftermarket spikes with a "cone" limiting the amount you can thread into the bass mod may raise the speaker too high.
And with the wood trim "skirt" that runs around the bottom, this may not look proper.

But I can't help wonder, would a fancy/expensive aftermarket spike really improve on anything?

I did try a couple of vibrapods between modules on one speaker, didn't have enough to do both.
I didn't even listen to it. The vibrapods are too tall, blowing the transition between modules.
Hence, it doesn't look "right". This is again due to the wood trim between mods.
IMO, raising the M/T module higher than the wood trim transition between mods would look 1/2 ass'd.

But again, I can't help but wonder, is there something out there that can be improved apon over the inexpensive rubber pads between mods that won't raise the M/T mod too high?
I believe they used to use Audio Points between mods, but had a "falling out" with the manufacturer.
I'd like to think that if any of this were necessary that Albert would incorporate it into the VR-4.

If you have some suggestions, I'd love to hear them...

perfectionist February 05, 2005 11:03

Regarding the setup of the VR4's, are you using the supplied spikes on the bass modules? Have you tried anything between the M/T modules like Vibrapods?

grogers717 February 04, 2005 19:55

Daltonlanny, thanks for the kind words.

My JC-1's now have over 1600 hours on them, and I swear that everytime I fire this system up it gets better. I am still running the stock PC's on the amps and I'm not sure if I buy into the whole PC mystique. At the risk of sounding redundant, it is imperative to run these amps in balanced mode.
If not, your not utilizing their full potential.

If anyone would like to comment on PC's, please feel free...

The VR-4's also continue to get better with time like a fine wine (although, I'm a beer drinker).
Now that the dust has settled (for the time being) with component changes,
I decided to revisit speaker placement.
I spread them further apart by about 6", brought them into the room 6" and angled them downward
(using a laser level) firing at the sweet spot (I angled them down because my couch sits fairly low).
So the speaks are 11'6" apart (center to center) and I sit 13'6" from them (would prefer an equalateral triangle, but it can't be done in my room).
Man, what a difference a few inches makes (that's what she said last night)!!!

These speakers have such wide dispertion that they can be spread up to 15' apart, per VSA.
I need a bigger house!@#$%&!

perfectionist January 31, 2005 12:45

Perfectionist,
Exceptional System!
I also own the JC-1 monoblock amps, and I am extremely impressed with them!
I agree that these amps must be FULLY broken-in to sound their best. Yes, yours will improve alittle more in the next few months. I currently have 1,500 hours on mine and they sound simply awesome! They really open up at about 1,300 to 1,400 hours. I think the reason alot of people sell these amps is because they don't break them in properly or give them enough time. I was sort of disappointed with them until they reached about 900 to 1000 hours. I would not trade them for any other amp now!
The detail, transparency, focus, speed, and bass power, extension, and slam is simply state-of-the-art in IMHO, and this is with Paradigm Reference Studio 100 version 2 loudspeakers and a Parasound P/LD-2000 preamp!
I am seriously considering buying either the Von Schweikert
VR-4 Gen III HSE's or the VMPS RM-30's in the near future.
Again, you have a very impressive system! Happy listening!
Lanny

daltonlanny January 30, 2005 13:32

System edited: Added an ARC LS25 MK1 preamp and Transparent Super MM balanced IC's between the LS25 and JC-1's... WOW! The LS25 with SE IC's is good, but running balanced out to the amps takes it to a whole 'nother level. JC-1 owners: If your not running these amps in balanced mode, your missing out!

perfectionist January 10, 2005 13:54

Raytheprinter, with 1000 hours on the JC1's, it's sounding real nice, very, very smooth but with brute force bass slam. And as the amps continue to break-in, I'm confident it will only get better. I listen mostly to rock first, then blues and also some jazz/rock/fusion stuff. I only have about 100 cd's in my collection at any given time, and probably only listen to a quarter of them. So many recordings are such crap that I find them unlistenable. And I hate buying a cd, finding I only like one or two songs, or the recording sucks, then trading it in and losing money. I wish I had more exposure to a wider range of music within any given catagory, but I don't.

Drhst20, the JC1/VR4 combo is proving to be an amazing pairing, IMHO. The JC1's are not fully broken-in as of yet, so I'll digress on a full blown dissertation at this time. I used my trusty Aragon 8008bb for awhile. A great amp in it's own rite, but not in the same league as the JC1's, as it should be given the price differential. I also used a pair of Manley Neo-Classic 250 tube amps. The Manley's are amazing tube amps and paired very well with the VR4's. If my musical tastes leaned more towards jazz then rock, I would have kept them and been very content. But, I just crave that "kick you in the nuts" feeling that a good rock recording provides. So I parted ways with my beloved Manley's.

I did my homework before purchasing the JC1's, as I'm not into the hassle of buying/selling gear and losing money in the process. I try to buy as many American made products as possible, but sometimes you just gotta do whats right by the pocketbook.

perfectionist December 18, 2004 11:11

Nice System!! How do you like the pairing of the JC-1's with your VR4's? Have you tried any other amps with your 4's?

drhst20 December 11, 2004 07:46