This system has been going through an evolution since 2000.I wanted to reduce my investment in this hobby.And to a degree,I have accomplished what I set out to do (roughly $1500/per part).I have trimmed down the system.The Z-Systems RDP and Citypulse DAC now reside in another "bedroom" system using the Winsome Labs Mouse/Rebuilt Radio Shack-Lineaum PRO LX-10s.The analog front end has been going through changes,as I search for a replacement for the Allaerts which failed after about a year plus.My cartridge evaluations have made me quite aware of the synergy possible with the "correct cart/arm/phono amp combination.The EMT is very balanced,yet still breaking in.No complaints on the digital.While it probably won't beat an analog set-up,its' performance is comparable to most digital front ends.It allows hours of listening pleasure without fatigue.As for cables,I have used nothing but Omega Mikro since I was first exposed to it in 1996.Others have come and gone without touching the delicate balance of qualities exhibited by the InSound/Omega Mikro cables.The Planar Analog VII is that stunning-no perceivable "cable" signature.The arrival of the InSound/Omega Mikro Gallo monitors have opened my eyes to a new performance standard.They are easily conveying more information than any speaker that I have had in-house {CLS,Yankee FPR-72,VSA VR-6 or Wisdom and AP Virgo}.These speakers present a stable 9 ohm impedance with 90db effiency..Even bass freaks have complemented the sysyem.Amplification is provided by the PrimaLuna PL-2 with upgraded tube set:Shuguang triple-muca 12ax7,La Radio Technique french military triple-mica 12au7(labeled Cifte) and the stock chinese KT-88s.I have a quad of the Anniversary Shuguangs in house,but have not evaluated them yet.This combination has yielded a large soundstage with excellent imaging.The system is capable of great finesse concerning the attack,sustain and decay of the musical signal.The Cd tweeks:Mikrosmooth and Ionoclast have refined the digital recordings to a degree that ,it is no longer a "step-child".The 2" platforms have produced an added sense of body and harmonic timbre.The Walker E-SSt appears to be the perfect topping for this particular "cake".Adding spatial cues and air.It even seems to lower the noise floor and give the bass added "life"/immediacy.
IMHO:I find it difficult to completely recreate a musical event ocurring in a three-dimensional space with the same transient and harmonic truths.Certain aspects can be achieved,but it is a game of juggling.
Latest generation Gamut player-improved buid quality and sonics.
Allaerts MC-1 eco-MIA
Jan Allaerts baby cartridge-wanted to hear what these cartridges are all about.Bought from Hudson Audio Technologies-2003 model sold as new.No warranty,no one standing behind it.
EMT TSD-15
SFL stylus Output:.21mV
Origin Live Encounter MKIII
Rega based arm
Bluenote Bellavista
Belt drive non-suspended table with Polyvinyl platter
Aqvox 2CI MKII
solidstate phono with balanced/RCA in/outputs.
Omega Mikro Power Planar active 100W
(1) red PC for the Gamut(1) blue for Aqvox.>Active shielded ribbon PC
Omega Mikro/InSound Planar Analog VII LCX
copper ribbon silvered on one side with LCX treatment.I use these for both phono and CD to integrated.
Prima Luna Prologue II
tube integrated using KT-88s for 40W/ch.Shanguang triple-mica 12ax7s and cryo'd French military Cifte Radio 12au7s.
Omega Mikro Planar Power passive 900W
blue passive ribbon power cord for the PrimaLuna PL2.
Omega Mikro/InSound Planar V LCX
actively biased copper ribbon cable,silver plated on one side
Gallo/Omega Mikro/Mapleshade Gallo Reference Plus
3 ball,crossoverless design using 4 ohm Dynaudio 6.5
Walker Audio E-SST
extreme silver contact enhancer
Walker Audio Valid Points
2
Mapleshade Ionoclast/Mikrosmooth
de-static and CD polish
Walker Audio Talisman
Destatic and magnetic optimzer for LPs and CDs.
Mapleshade maple platforms
maple shelf with Isoblocks.4
Mapleshade Heavyfeet V2/V3
2
Jena Labs Dual cryo AC ports
Drastic change moving to these.Wouldn't have believed the difference an AC port could make
I own a pair of Gallo Nucleus Reference II's in black...I believe they are wonderfully imaging speakers! I ran them with Spectron amps - great synergy :-) Congrats.
It's amazing what some clowns will say/believe. You have assembled a great and unusual system, and if it play music well, then that's ALL that matters! Enjoy!
PS-Pierre is a great guy with loads of FREE advise.
I would love to hear your impressions of the Shuguang Anniversary series power tubes. I currently have a matched quad in my VAC monoblocks, but with only 50 hours on them, I'm refraining from any serious impressions until they are well over 100 hours.
Hi I'm checking AgoN enjoying my GamuT CD3 something I hadn't done in awhile due to my getting a new vinyl rig, This is the first day of CDs only in months, I'd forgotten how enjoyable digital can be through the CD3!!! Compared to my old TT I preferred the CD3 and listened to it more. I'm surprised there aren't more CD3 owners!
I nust comment on a phone call I had with Acoustat6/Bob and after reading his theories and responses to those who will not "join the flock". Bob is under the impression (correctly or not),that the graphical representation of a system if eq'd "flat" is the "Holy Grail". After inquiring about his system and his approach to its' assembly,I had to throw my hands up and admit (no doubt frustratedly) that he is assembling the proverbial Brundle-fly.Bipolar Eminence subs driven by SAE amps for bass to 80hz,servo-driven Acoustat 6s for the mids to 5Khz and BG neo8s (line arrays) driven by a tube.All crossed over with the Marchand tube X-over.This would be quite a feat to reassemble a recording and make it sound as one piece.He must be a very special person.Even with my experience,this would be a task worthy of Atlas or Moses. I cannot take this person seriosly.If you can,God bless you!
It is possible that I chose my words improperly.An alcove off the main room with approximately 22' behind the listening position. Bob, Maybe you have heard the quote "you catch more flies with honey,than vinegar".You are obviously upset at my mentioning this particular spec.If I had a set of Wilsons or other speakers that had a published spec as to LF roll-off,you wouldn't take them to task. I would suggest that you contact Pierre/Mapleshade or Ron Bauman/InSound and ask them to furnish you the specs on their speakers.They built ten pairs,in conjunction with Anthony Gallo.They can no longer build these speakers as Gallo found it to expensive to produce the aluminum spheres. I would be gracious enough to let you take a listen or use measuring equipment of your own choosing,should you ever be in the Cleveland area.I will not furnish information to add fuel to this "fire".As i'm sure you would have a problem with some particular portion of the assessment or the calibration of a piece of the equation. I have gone to the trouble of posting my equipment and photos ,so that a member reading my comments may gain insight into my position or recommendation.I have been involved in audio for over 30+ years.I have been on both sides of the counter,as a purchaser and in sales.I have consulted on a few designs and am also trained in 16/24 track recording (digital and analog). If my comments in the forums have not been to your liking,please feel free to ignore them.I am usually not the "only" member posting.It is one thing to disclose ones' position and another to to fire at members from the darkness of the internet. Happy listening to all.
Hi Tpsonic, the speakers are located in a closet whether this closet is open to a room is the question, regardless of this you are listening in a "closet".
You say you are flat down to 25hz, how was this measured? What measuring program and mic did you use? Care to post a copy of this measurement?
Forgive me,I will post more current photos soon. The system is set-up for near-field monitoring.The Gallos prefer a reflective environment.My photos look as if this system is in a closet.It is actually located in a smaller side cubical off of a 28' X 22' room.In this configuration,the bass loads very nicely.The speakers are flat to 25hz and easily move a good amount of air.They are quite capable of conveying bass/weight and pressurizing this small area.I usually listen in the dark to eliminate the visual cues of speaker location.
