The focus of the system is transparency and microdynamic detail - which I believe are the keys to recreating a realistic musical performance. No system I have ever heard does this better than one based around vinyl, SET amps and appropriately efficient speakers - at least to my ears!
Some recent changes to the system - going all in on flea-powered SET amps and super efficient speakers, paired with an active linestage. Enjoying it immensely so far! Circumstances necessitated some of the changes, and like usual with this stuff one change encourages another…and another…and another…
Hi Hfisher3380, Thanks for your reply, I'm not surprised that it sounds as good as you say. Israel is a tube guy as I am as well but for digital sources transistor or tubes can both sound terrific with good implementation. Knowing Israel I'll assume he avoids using Op amps and NFB and that the analog stage is simple and discrete and the power supply is very potent. Charles,
All solid state and the DAC sounds GREAT! He loaned me an early prototype version to try out in my system - I honestly wasn't expecting TOO much - but it surprisingly sounded better than my (now former) Wavelength Cosecant HS. More dynamic and fuller sound with better imaging. He gave me a great deal on the prototype so I purchased it. He will be coming out with the final version in a few months - which will include native DSD playback and a headphone amp (neither of which my current prototype have). I will be trading this one in for that version as soon as it's available...
Hi, I had no idea Israel was building his own DAC! He's been very productive the past 12 months. What are your early impressions of its sound ? Is it tube or solid state? With his track record it must sound splendid, congratulations. Your music reproduction has to be sensational and oh so natural. Charles,
System edited: A few changes - upgraded to the latest MkII Dragon mono blocs - much quieter and improvements across the board that are far from subtle! Also added the not-yet-on-the-market Statement DAC - sound great!
System edited: A few changes - now biamping the PRE speakers with Dragons on the bottom and Franks on the top - absolutely exquisite. Also added an Audio Desk record cleaner - despite a bit of concern about its long-term reliability I just couldn't resist its awesome convenience. Just found I was basically never cleaning records with the Loricraft.
On paper they shouldn't be an easier load - 94 vs. 95dB and 8 vs. 10 ohms, very similar, if anything the TVV SHOULD be the easier load.
Honestly I think it has to do with the cabinets - the bass modules on the PRE are so sturdy, I would think the woofers are just more optimized. Also the whole speaker has a wider stance and lower center of gravity - more stability decreases micromovements of the cabinet - i.e. same effect a very high quality stand would have on electronics - however since speakers have moving parts perhaps even more of an impact.
Thanks for your comparative reply. The PRE sounds like it`s a superb speaker. I imagine you`ll be happy with them for many years.You seem very satisfied with the bass performance driven by the 8 watt Frankenstein amplifiers, could the PRE be an even easier load than the TVV? Regards,
Charles1dad - as good as the TVV were, they cannot hold a candle to the PRE. I have only had them for a few days and spend around 5-7 hours with them. I am still optimizing everything as we speak - but it is easy to tell that they are a different class.
First of all, the tweeter/midrange drivers are sensational - as Israel states, they really do sound as if they are a single driver. The treble is so natural, palpable and immediate that it is downright startling. This is the area in which I felt the TVV came up a bit short. While they sounded great, there was something a bit "off" with the treble in certain songs, probably reflecting the ribbon tweeter and perhaps some resonance. The sound would be a bit sharp and hard in certain passages of songs - calling attention to itself. With the PRE the treble/midrange just sounds - like music, so natural.
The thing that really has surprised me about the speakers is the bass response. I would think that this is largely due to the enclosure and overall implementation since the woofer complement itself is identical.
In short, compared to the TVV, the PRE sound like "nothing" - which is the highest praise that can be given to an audio component. Fed with high quality recordings, the whole system just sounds like music being played before my very eyes and ears - not like a stereo reproducing the music. Cliche...but true!
Hfisher, Congratulations! what do the Pure Extreme speakers provide above and beyond the Total victory V? How well do the Frankensteins drive this different speaker? thanks,
Isochronism you know me well. Hfisher3380,this is a beautiful system and I know the sound is very involving and gorgeous. I used the Black Treasure 300b for almost 3 years and it`s a'very' good tube. I will tell you That the Takatsuki-TA 300b tube is substantially better in every way, Your system will reveal the superior upgrade instantly, this japanese tube brings out the ultimate brilliance in the Frankenstein MK II.The downside is the very high cost,but the level of your system would make the most of this change. Best Regards,
The Cosecant is wonderful. As I've said in some related threads the Mac / Cosecant system is the first digital system I've had which can actually compete with top notch vinyl.
The only other DAC I've had in this system is the Brick V3 and the Cosecant leaves it in the dust. At twice the price the Cosecant is by far the better deal. The current system sounds better to my ears than my previous high end disc spinner - the Ayre C5xeMP.
I have hundreds of SACDs but don't even have my Sony XA5400 plugged in at the moment.
Thanks for your comments - indeed it sounds wonderful to me. A few Coincident fans lurking about in these parts I see. I'm lucky enough to live around 15 minutes from Israel Blume so never have to worry about shipping etc. Started slow many years ago with a used pair of Super Eclipse speakers (which sounded wonderful BTW) but now have pretty much the whole shebang. I have heard many, many systems over the years and his stuff is just killer, especially considering the prices.
I can tell you his reference system - with bi-amplified doubled-up PRE speakers is unbelievable!!
