The Perpetual Technologies units took virtually all the edge off of the "digital" sound -- they are paired with the custom built Dan Wright power supply. The strengths of the system are in a wonderful recreation of the live feeling, especially with jazz, blues and most adult rock -- they sound very good at low volumes but it can sound like the musicians are there if the db's are kicked up a notch. The sound is superb off axis. The interconnects and speaker cables were chosen over time to provide the smoothest and most realistic bass and top end detail. They do quite well but I will explore alternatives to the cables and digital front end next year.
CD's like Brubeck's "Take Five" are simply phenomenal in bass, cymbols and everything in between. The system has a tall, wide soundstage and conveys delicate passages and dense passages equally well.
Again, the impact of the music is felt well outside the sweet spot and this is where we spend 90% of our listening time.
24 bit, 96khz, with Dan Wright modifications to the P-3a and a Dan Wright custom power supply. Allows for speaker & room correction.
Sierra (Borbely) K2
This is Erno Borbely's EB-100/180 fully differential FET design. Very low output impedence (under 50 ohms) with remote volume control.
Sierra Denali
Pair of power amps. Each: 2,200 ohm input impedence, 2,260 VA transformer, no global feedback, JFET input, MOSFET output, 600 W @ 8 ohms, 1,200 W @ 4 ohms, 72 wpc Class A into 8 ohms, 115 lbs.
Montana WAS
Each: 2 15
MIT Oracle V2 EX
10 ft. Also using 16
Stealth Varidig AES/EBU Digital 1.5 m
This made a huge difference
DH Labs Silver Pulse
1M between DAC and Preamp. Silver plated oxygen free copper, RCA.
Sound Quest Pro Series Zero Point Reference
6m PC-OCC XLR. Soundquest connectors (very good) with Phoenix Gold pro series cable. Excellent value since purchase price is much lower than retail.
Under, thanks for the info. I've actually updated to a custom built PBN unit that combines both a phono preamp and a line preamp driven by a single, very large power supply which includes the ability to operate the phono preamp on batteries. Same company that makes Sierra. I bought that unit used from Peter Noerbaek (who owns PBN) -- it was his personal unit. I'm not sure what the list price is but I'll have to ask him so I can post it. Again, thanks for the info. The K-2, as you state, is well worth the price!
The Sierra Audio K-2 preamp with remote is not $2,495 (unless you're talking used)...more like 4,995 (list)...but well worth the price...especially when paired with the Denali or Olympia amps.
Guenther has one of the finest systems I have heard to date in a magnificent room to boot. Close attention to chain detail has paid off for him . Thanks for a great listening session i will never forget .
Thanks Bob. It was great having you over. While everyone should enjoy their own system based on their own ears, it's nice to get some knowledgeable opinions through a more objective listening partner. By the way, others are welcome -- anytime anyone else is in Charlotte, drop me a note.
Guenther - thanks for all of your hospitality last week. It was great to meet you and talk audio (and shop too, but that's a topic for a different forum).
Well, I got to listen to this incredible system. A truly massive system in a truly huge, audiophile designed room. Most of the rest of us can only drool over the size and scale of the presentation with a system like this in a room of this size. You are truly one lucky man. Effortless power and dynamics.
That Dvorak 8th symphony is one powerful piece. I've never heard a system handle large scale orchestral so well. Plenty of finess and clarity on small jazz pieces and vocals too. I don't know that I've ever heard a reproduced piano sound like someone was actually playing a REAL one in the room before.
Now just wait until you have that Origin Live turntable up and running, and the Dynavector cartridge burned in. I may need to come back and hear the vinyl once you've got it tuned in :->
Dennis, I have yet to buy a digital camera. But I noticed that disposable ones are available so I may go that route.
I have just upgraded the electronics to the Sierra Olympia power amp (will be reviewed in Bound for Sound soon) and the Olympia preamp combo -- a custom unit previously owned by the owner of PBN. The preamp combo has a 80 lb power supply that feeds both a line amp and a phono preamp. The phono section can be run battery only. All I can say is "Wow!"
Also, I've auditioned both the Opus 21 and Talk Thunder 3.1 Balanced cd players and decided to stick with what I have. They are both very fine units, but not enough better than my current setup to justify the price.
Finally, I've ordered the Origin Live Sovereign turntable with the Origin Live Conqueror tonearm and a Dynavector XV-1s cartridge. That should be coming in a couple of weeks so I'll have to update my system.
Once I get all that, pictures will be forthcoming. I am amazed at the build quality of the Sierra electronics. I'll open up the covers and take a few photos. Thanks for the suggestion Dennis.
The multi-player will have to wait until next year. I've already stretched my wife's patience this year ;-)
Cpdunn, I'm just starting to look for the multi-formats. Chances are that I'll wait until next spring to see if more companies join the fray and if prices drop. In the meantime, I'll keep checking the reviews / threads here on the Gon.
Cpdunn, Ernie's cord is very nice. I was switching back and forth between it and an old BMI cord and thinking that the BMI (fairly inexpensive) sounded a bit better -- but it was close. I thought I switched back to the BMI. Lo and behold, when I checked the system configuration to repost my system, there was Ernie's cord. No complaints here -- nothing like a little break-in time.
The CAL is a nice unit. It's a bit warm. The DAC is not great so I'm glad the Perpetual Tech is there. I'm hoping to pick up another unit down the road as a back-up since CAL is no longer in business and I like the disc changer. But, my more urgent need is to find a high quality multi-format player.
Yes, those speakers are absolutely amazing. Effortless detail, phenomenal midrange, feel-it-in-your-bones bass (but without a perceptable hump). Scanspeak and Focal. They are big. My wife was talking to her visiting sister and other day and complained about the size but then said "but they sound really great". Yesss!!!
What do you think of Ernie's DIY PC? I have one, too, and like it because I don't "hear" it, if you know what I mean.
How do you like the CAL CDP? A friend of mine has one (single cd), but I have mixed feelings about it...haven't put my finger on the issue yet. Now, those speakers....holy hell!
System edited: Much was changed from my prior system. Gone are the Brystons (BP-25, 7B-ST's) and the Thiel CS-6's. The Audio Magic Reference cable was replaced by the Revelation Audio Labs Prophecy. A number of non-stock power cables were added. Stillpoints resonance dampers were the latest tweaks (Isolpads are used with other equipment). Dedicated lines were added into a new listening room. Acoustic treatments include RoomTunes floor standing PZC's for the corners and the RoomTunes tuner pack. Next upgrades: Add new front end to allow playing the new digital formats. Explore new interconnects. See if I can find a tube preamp with a 50 ohm or lower output impedence and has a phono preamp.
In terms of the title, this is my ninth system counting major upgrades as another system. I'm sure there's more to come ;-)
I've added the ExactPower 2000 (maintains voltage and a clean 60 cycles)and was very pleasantly surprised. I'm seriously considering the Sonic Frontiers Line Stage 3 SE or one of the AR tube preamps. Analog to come (the software costs would be high -- but, after researching all the comments on the forum, well worth it). Thanks. Keep suggestions coming please.
And analog? Goldmund studio+T3F+GRAHAM 2.0/T. Preamp arc sp 10II; Power amps ARC CL 150 Speaker system Infinity IRS V Cables MIT SPECTRAL 350 & 770 + Van den Hul Silver phono From Italy: diver
MIT cables will bring your Thiels alive! both speaker and interconnects. The bryston power amp will do, however you can do much better for a preamp. Try Classe or krell, it doesnt need to be one of their expensive ones or even pick up a used model.
