AMA listening rooms are probably just like yours—no exotic room treatments or snake oil in the house. Just well curated components from reputable manufacturers put together to enhance the enjoyment of music!
Pure Fidelity Harmony turntable in custom Hawaiian Koa finish. Very well designed, engineered, and built with quality components throughout--ruby ball and bronze bearing, Delrin platter, compact design with excellent packing--a class product all around.
Origin Live Illustrious MK5
Extraordinary arm in design and execution. Origin Live Illustrious MK5 incorporates upgrades to the arm tube (internal damping) and counterweight system. The sound is exceptionally transparent and fluid, with ease and detail off the charts. Plays really well with the PF Harmony!
EMT HSD-006
Entry level MC cartridge from this iconic manufacturer. Simply blows away the competition at twice the price.
Dr. Feickert Analogue Woodpecker
Fantastic example of fine German engineering. High torque motor, excellent vibration control, and tight manufacturing tolerances. The Linear Power Supply and inertia platter take this to an even higher performance level.
Audio Origami PU-7 Titanium
Gorgeous fit, finish and feel. 11” wand sizes perfectly on the Woodpecker
EMT JSD Pure Black
Truly world class MC cartridge. Tremendous flow and tonal beauty.
Herron Audio VTPH-2A
The Herron VTPH-2A has been my reference for over a decade. When I find something better I’ll carry it in my shop. Quiet, spacious, dynamic with tremendous inner detail.
Atma-Sphere MP-3 Mk. 3.3
Ralph Karston’s latest linestage is astonishingly good. It has all the features you need and none that you don't and sounds exceptional--super quiet, detailed, natural, with great timing and drive.
Atma-Sphere MA-1 MK3.3
Insanely musical tube monos. Just gets it so right!
Benchmark ABH-2 (Monoblocks)
One of the few solid state amplifiers that can drive the Sound Labs without distortion. Bulletproof design, effortlessly neutral, and yes musically engaging when pair with the right ancillary equipment.
Coda Continuum 8 Amp and CB Linestage
Premium solid state gear with a very refined yet powerful SQ. Excellent choice for the Sound Labs for those who would not prefer tubes.
Sound Lab G7-5C
The 5Cs represent uncompromising Sound Lab sonics in a smaller package for those with medium size rooms. Of course, the sound is all you would expect from the leader in electrostatic speaker technology.
WyWires, LLC Platinum Series
Speaker cables, ICs, and power cords round out cabling of the large demo room system. Musically engaging with maximum detail retrieval.
Esoteric K-03xs
For those who still listen to physical media and want to bring their favorites to demo AMA products.
Ayre Acoustics L-5xe
Power conditioner used with power supplies for front end components. Connected to wall with WyWires Platinum series power cord.
Symposium Acoustics Svelte Shelves
Used under all our turntables to reduce vibration.
WyWires Platinum Series Power Cord
We use these on the MA-1’s.
Fern & Roby Equipment Rack, Custom
Open tiered rack systems. Incredibly well made and easy to assemble. Custom sizes are an option, as with our four tier rack.
Music Collection Custom Racks
My collection of vinyl, CD and SACD titles
Ortofon ST-80 SE Moving Coil Step-up Transformer
Perfect partner for the SPU Royal G MK 2. The ST-80se feeds the MM input on the Herron.
Degritter Ultrasonic Record Cleaner
Got this and love it. I clean all my new and used LPs and experience less surface noise.
Audio Creative GrooveMaster 4
The latest high mass arm from our Dutch partners at Audio Creative. Excellent fit and finish and a super platform for the SPU-type cartridges we carry.
Ortofon SPU Royal GM mkII
Top of the line SPU. Traces modern and vintage records brilliantly with plenty of meat on the bone for those who like a slightly vintage sound.
After a lifetime in NJ I have moved to the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia to establish Afton Mountain Audio, a by appointment only high end audio salon featuring some of the finest sounding equipment available. Come hear your music the way it was meant to be heard and stay for a weekend of food, drink, and fun in one of the most beautiful places on earth!
Just posted some photo updates featuring new Track Audio Isolation Footers supporting my Daedalus Apollo's. These are excellent--great build quality, adjustable for leveling, and raise the Apollo's to the proper height. Initial impressions are very positive!
Hey All: Just posting an update featuring my new analogue front end. Recently took delivery on a Pure Fidelity Harmony turntable with an Origin Live Conqueror MK4 tonearm. Cartridge remains the same from my prior setup (Charisma Audio Signature One). Only a few hours in but sounding excellent! The table and arm were a breeze to set up and both are extremely well designed/engineered products! I'll post comments once things are broken in and I have finished any tweaking of the set up.
The new room is 26 L X 15 W X 9 H (Going up to 16 feet at the peak of the vaulted ceiling). Not a huge room but the vaulted ceilings really increase the volume of the space and the lack of ceiling reflections created by the height and multiple angles transforms the sound. I've never had my system in a room like this and it is really eye opening!
Hey guys--updated my system profile following a move to a new, larger listening room and the addition of some new components--an outstanding Herron VTSP-360 ESP. Really getting some nice sound and appreciating the fine designers/manufacturers who have helped me greatly along the way. Happy listening!
I just recently discovered Revopods after doing some research to find replacement feet for those that came on my Sempersonus TE-2. While the stock feet work fine, I wanted something more attractive that would also offer potential performance gains. I just installed the Revopods this week and have only had a few moments to audition them (A-B comparison) in my system. So far so good. They are really well designed and made. I'll post more later and may try a set on my speakers and compare them with the Stillpoints Ultra SS currently in use.
Hey There--just updated my system with pics of the new room. Recent upgrades include the Sempersonus TE-2 turntable with TW Acustic Raven 12" tonearm and Charisma Audio Signature One cartridge. Breaking in now are a pair of WyWires Platinum series phono cables (DIN > RCA). While the new room is slightly narrower than the previous one it is a bit longer and since I am setting up on the short wall this time I have been able to move the Apollo's out away from the back wall a little further (maybe 26" compared to 18" in the old space). This is providing a deeper soundstage and more three dimensional sound. I was also able to move the rack to the sidewall instead of between the speakers so that may be helping a bit as well. While the room is small and very basic I'm getting some really good sound. Would love to hear your thoughts!
Hey guys--just updated my system with some recent changes. Added a K-03xs which I think will be my last disc spinner. LTA transferred my "shoebox" Ultralinear to the new Fern and Roby case and I upgraded the 12AU7 and 12AX7 input tubes to Amperex "Bugle Boys" as well as replaced the four 17JN6 power tubes. Also added an Ayre LX-5se power conditioner for my low level components--my new listening room does not have a dedicated line with multiple outlets so on a very knowledgeable friend's recommendation I decided to go with the Ayre. I also upgraded the cables between my amp and preamp with WyWires Platinum series. Looking forward to getting everything hooked up in my new space and seeing how it all sounds!
Hey Folks--Over the holidays I took delivery on a new pair of Daedalus Audio Apollo speakers. These are handcrafted from quartersawn white oak stained to match our furnishings with a lovely inlay pattern. I have been breaking them in over the past few weeks and will report on the sound once I have enough hours on them. At this stage the sound is very promising--retaining the natural, organic tonality of all Lou's designs with higher resolution and more precise staging than my previous pair of DA-1.1s. A full report to follow!
Thanks Dan--I've had several of the VPI unipivots and enjoyed them but the opportunity to try their 3D Gimbaled arm was too good to pass up. I really like the solid feel and the bearings are just perfect--taught yet effortless. Combined with the 3D arm tube it just makes great music. Really looking forward to the new Apollo's--hopefully not too much longer as I've been without music now for a while and I'm going crazy! Best to you and thanks for chiming in!
Just posted a few updates to my system. New speakers on the way (Daedalus Apollo) and finally put up some pictures of the awesome LTA Ultralinear that will provide amplification. I am expecting delivery of the Apollo's sometime this fall and will post actual photos when they are positioned in my listening room. Can't wait!!
Just received my VTSP-3A back from Keith who updated the unit to R03 status. Keith Herron is such a joy to work with--I have such high regard for his integrity and client support. I will post a review on the updated unit once it breaks in and provide some illustrations of how great it is to own Herron Audio products.
Thanks, Ptss. The openings forced me to set up on the long wall of the room but it worked out in the end in terms of releasing any bass energy that might build in the corners thru the openings into the hallway. Overall, a pretty good room though I wish it was a little larger.....I have thought about treating the wall with some artistic absorption panels I've seen online but have not gotten around to it....thanks for inspiring me to look into this again.
System edited: System updated with new photos of speakers with latest woofer trim rings added. These add to the visual beauty of the speaker and subtly enhance the performance in the bass and lower midrange. Well worth the investment!
I had the same reaction to the news of the V2 upgrades because I was extremely happy with my DA-1.1APs. But a number of positive posts by people who did the V2 upgrades over on the AC and speaking with Lou convinced me to box up my speakers and send them out. I was nervous about potential damage and hoping it was going to be worth the system downtime and expense--for sure, it was.
Just a quick post to chime in on this thread now that my DA-1.1's have returned from Washington with the new V2 upgrades. The speakers arrived just before the holiday (great timing--thanks Santa, uh, I mean Lou) so I had plenty of time to let them settle in and do some extended listening. I'll try not to repeat what has already been said here and will try to put together a much more long winded "review" when I have more time but I would certainly agree that this is a "game changer" for Lou's entire lineup which pushes his speakers into an exalted status far, far beyond the price point. I have been fortunate to have had the AP upgrade completed several years ago and that was a big jump in performance--more speed, dynamics, agility and effortless sound without any loss of the tonality that makes Lou's speakers so very special. To my ear the V2 upgrades offer as big a gain as the AP crossover network but of a different type. This is all about refinement and purity, with an added touch of high frequency sparkle and heightened spatial cues--again, all brought forth without any downsides. With the V2 upgrades I find performance much more compelling as the subtle nuances of both voice and instruments are brought to life in my living room. This is really about both the unique qualities of the performers voice and singing style and the way in which instruments sound when played live, with the initial transients and subsequent decay faithfully preserved. For example, one track I played several times was Lyle Lovett's "Highway Kind" from his "Step Inside This House" covers of Texas songwriters. To listen to him sing and play this song is truly a thing of wonder. The guitar is so real, so live sounding that it knocks you over and then he starts to sing and his entire being simply appears before you in the room. At the end of the song he must lean forward or back because you can hear a creak as the guitar strap rubs on the body--spooky, and just like it would sound live. I'm also getting a bit more energy up top with the V2 upgrades--again, with no downside fatigue or lack of coherence. Just a bit more extension and sparkle that sounds more real and natural that before. I listened to a number of well recorded jazz LPs and was completely stunned by the shimmer and decay of the cymbals--again as you would experience them live. I am also shocked by the dimensionality of the sound with the V2 mods in place. The speakers completely disappear and the music emerges from a void in total 3D--eerie to the point where I found myself laughing out loud with my eyes closed--fun! I could go on but will stop for now and say that I could not be happier with the magic Lou has pulled off here. To be able to get this kind of performance jump without having to move up the line and abandon the beautiful custom cabinets that Lou built for me back in 2008 is phenomenal and a testament to Lou's dedication to his clients--many of whom, like myself, consider him family. This is a no brainer for all Daedalus owners and for those who are considering joining the family I cannot think of a reason on earth why you wouldn't want to pull the trigger, given the price to performance ratio and variety of models to choose from. Thanks again Lou--it has been a great ride and I am grateful for all your support and assistance along the way!
As to the technical aspects of the upgrade, Lou is a little tight-lipped about these things. I do know that there are modifications to the crossovers which are designed to eliminate phase anomalies as well as changes to the internal wiring feeding the tweeter which are designed to let that driver communicate more effectively.
Bottom line: These are very appreciable upgrades to the sound of an already fabulous speaker. Highly recommended!
Just sent my DA-1.1AP's back to Lou for the "Version 2" upgrades. Really looking forward to the improvements based on what others have reported. I'll post something once I get them back and broken in--sometime after the holidays.
Sure! I had the LS36.5 when you were last here and have since owned the LS100 (6SN7 design). The Herron is in another league sonically--I think you will enjoy hearing it.
System edited: Just added Keith Herron's latest linestage--the VTSP-3A R02. The new unit is said to surpass the prior VTSP-3A in clarity, bass, dynamics and soundstage. Straight out of the box it is a glorious sounding unit--I'll report back in detail once I have a few more weeks of serious listening under my belt.
System edited: I recently had my Modwright KWA150 upgraded to a "Signature Edition". I really wasn't expecting such a significant improvement in the sound (though many users have reported this result). Wow! The KWA150SE is a revelation--much more relaxed, dynamic and effortless with a very spacious presentation that adds several layers to the soundstage. Though not inexpensive, I would certainly recommend this upgrade to owners of standard KWA150's who are looking to elevate system performance in a meaningful way. This may be the best $2K I ever spent on my system!
It sure does! The angle of the photo and the lens of the cheap point and shoot I used really makes it appear higher than it really is. I'm 6'3" and when standing in front of the table it is about chin level so I guess maybe for some folks it would be too high--all the better to deter little people from mucking around with it.
Hey, thank you! Dan was great to work with and very helpful with post-sale support. The Modwright electronics mate very well with Lou's Daedalus speakers, which are very satisfying. I appreciate your comments.
Well, I've got about two weeks on the SD135 and am please to say that this is one fine amplifier. While the LS26 represented a significant improvement over the linestage of my old SP16 the SD135 is in an entirely different league when compared to the 150.2 it replaced. The SD135 is much, much more refined in its presentation of the music. It manages to provide far greater insight into the music (detail, separation of instrumental lines, texture and body, inflection of voice and instruments, ETC) and yet does so in a much more organic way. By comparison the 150.2 was less dimensional and added a glare or hardness to the sound. You can really hear it when a vocalist pushes hard--the SD135 remains pure and true. The SD135 is also very dynamic and throws a much wider and deeper soundstage. It really brings together the best of tube and solid state designs in a ruggedly built package that can be placed in any location. I couldn't be happier with the SD135--it mates superbly with the LS26 and offers truly reference quality sound without an absurd price tag or the hassles of high power tube designs. That this amp has never been reviewed is astonishing--I wonder how long it will take the audiophile community to discover this hidden gem.
System edited: Recently added an ARC LS26 and SD135 to my system, which replaced an SP16 and 150.2. The LS26 was a huge upgrade, adding dynamics, soundstage depth and width and tremendous clarity and ease. The SD135 is now breaking in, having been installed just hours ago. Casual listening suggests this amp may be something special. I'll add comments on the SD135 after it has broken in and I've had a chance to do some critical listening.
I ran the ED cables against the Au24, Wireworld Polaris 5 and Ridge Street Pioma so nothing outrageously expensive but well regarded cables all. The ED cables were markedly better and for less money than all of them. Not sure how things will pan out in your system and against much more expensive cables but let me know.
That is exactly what I got in my system when I went from Au24 all around to Empirical Design. Even more detail (slightly) but, more importantly, more texture, body and "thereness". Very highly recommended and a great company to deal with. Karl is a great guy who really knows his stuff.
Thanks so much. I've replaced the MDF platform from the Target wall shelf with a Symposium Svelte Shelf. They make a model that drops right in to the oversized Target. Really mates well with the VPI in this configuration. Thanks for looking!
