Nifty Sound Lab G7-3C speakers in black Majestic trim with cool red grills. Here until CAF at special demo pricing!
Benchmark LA4 and a pair of ABH-2 running bridged mono. Don’t let the naysayers scare you off these amps—dead quiet and revealing but also eminently musical with excellent timing and tonal accuracy!
Pure Fidelity Harmony + Origin Live Illustrious + Charisma Signature One. (Truly high end performance in a rig that is as pretty to see as it is to hear).
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 satin black 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. Recent release of the Conductor speed control unit is a major upgrade over the Maestro, which was not on the same level of fit and finish as the table itself.
Origin Live Conqueror MK4
Extraordinary arm in design and execution. Ordered with 2M run of Silver Hybrid IC from the cartridge tags to the RCAs. Pure Fidelity Harmony comes with specified mount for OL arms making set up a breeze. The Conqueror MK4 has a great feel, with form following function without the fiddly downsides often present in other "super arms". The sound is exceptionally transparent and fluid, with ease and detail off the charts. Plays really well with the PF Harmony!
Charisma Audio Signature One
New, top of the line MC cartridge from Canadian designer, manufacturer Bernard Li.
Herron Audio VTPH-2A
The Herron VTPH-2A has been the most satisfying upgrade to my entirely revamped analogue playback system. Quiet, spacious, dynamic with tremendous inner detail. I doubt I'll need or own another phonostage. Stock feet replaced with Stillpoint Ultra Mini's to enhance isolation.
Herron Audio VTSP-360 Reference
Keith Herron'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. Improvement over the VTSP-3A (R03) is across the board but particularly in the areas of dynamic agility and soundstaging, Stock feet replaced with Stillpoint Ultra Mini's to enhance isolation. This is the latest "Reference" version of the VTSP-360 circa 2021.
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.
Sound Lab G7-3C
The 3Cs represent uncompromising Sound Lab sonics in a smaller package for those with smaller rooms or other domestic space considerations. These will be on display at attractive demo pricing for a short time only. The red grills offset by the black frames must be seen to be appreciated. Of course, the sound is all you would expect from the leader in electrostatic speaker technology.
Empirical Design ED-422
Superior to many cables I've tried at less cost. I ran these against Audience Au-24, Soundstring, Fusion Audio Romance, Dynamic Design and JPS Labs SC-3 and found them to be the best value. The JPS and Fusion Audio sounded slightly more detailed, spacious and natural but are harder to work with and considerably more money. Using between my Esoteric K-03xs and Herron VTPH-2A and linestage.
Empirical Design ED-416
Excellent performance but stiff like their speaker cable. I would not recommend these in tight spaces where multiple turns are required. Using to connect my Ayre L-5xe power conditioner to the wall outlet.
Empirical Design ED-316
The ED-316 has fewer conductors than the ED-416 and is thus thinner and more flexible. Great product for low power sources, easily besting my original version Audience Powerchord. Using with my Esoteric K-03xs, Herron VTSP-360 (ESP), and Herron VTPH-2A.
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
Recently upgraded to the new K-03xs after many happy years with my trusty X-03se. Still waiting to connect up and see how it sounds!
Ayre Acoustics L-5xe
Power conditioner used with my front end components. Connected to wall with WyWires Platinum series power cord.
Symposium Acoustics Svelte Shelves
Used under all our source components to reduce vibration.
WyWires Platinum Series Power Cord
Currently used to power the Pure Fidelity motor controller. Overkill!
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.
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 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.
It's always nice to hear when a fellow A'gon member has a nice uptick in sound quality, especially when it's in a new room. Many folks lament about their room-associated problems, it's refreshing to hear when the opposite happens.
I owned a Scout signature for several years, and enjoyed it. I did, though, tire of the JMW "wobble". I see your new table has the Levinson arm, so it makes for a more stable platform.
I went a very different direction, by restoring a Garrard 401, DIY plinth, and Dynavector 501 arm. It would seem we are both happy, so congrats on your unique VPI table and arm, it is great that Harry and Matt worked with you like they did. The rest of your system is very special, and must reflect that in how it sounds.
You've come a long way since you first posted a Virtual System (I think we both started here about the same time). Getting your new speakers must have you on pins and needles, like a kid waiting for Christmas. I know that's how I would be.
