Got fed up with tweeks and expensive improvements and have built a vinyl replay system that should last years without needing any fundamental changes. I expect to move house in 2 or 3 years time which might prompt some changes - but done for now.
I think my system is very competent without being outrageously expensive. Good at reproducing mostly large scale orchestral stuff which I enjoy.
Had the motor redressed by SME which solved pitch stability problem after I bought it from a private seller.
Graham Engineering 2.2
The bearing upgrade from 2.0 made a tremendous difference. Better all round - bass, mid and highs.
ZYX UNIverse
Copper wire/Silver base
Graham Engineering Nightingale
Needs re-tipped, hence the ZYX.
Audion Quattro 2 box
Using Amperex white label 6922 PQs throughout.
Canary Audio CA-339
Using KR300BXL, much better than the TJ Princess 300B's I had. This amp responds well to good 6SN7s. I'm using TungSol roundplates at the moment which are superb.
Quad ESL-989
Very happy with these components. Bought from a private seller when they were 3 years old.
Revel Performa B-15
B15a Sub - The ESLs can't reach the bottom half octave. The crossover is set very low.
Purist Venustas
Phono Interconnect and from Pre to power. Proteous to the sub.
Stealth Ultimate Ribbon
4ft pair - big enough for my setup.
Loricroft PRC3 Record Cleaning MC
Essential equipment.
Target 4 shelf
Had this for 20 years.
ASR 100
the ASR100 power supply is a great piece of kit. It got rid of sibilance that I had been attributing to other issues such as my cartridge or the recordings themselves. It is a great bargain and is top of the list when it comes to the ratio of price to sound improvement.
I found the Quads start to tail off below 40Hz and dissappear altogether at 30Hz. I modelled the Revel response to cut in between these frequencies. The sub therefore remains silent for a lot of recordings but is essential in others for revealing the lowest registers. Have you achieved better results doing something more sophisticated?
No, not at all. Both highly compatible. The Canary's are rated at 50W, 8 ohms. My usual listening volume is around 50% to 70% which is plenty loud enough. I've never turned volume full up. My set up is a bit cramped (especially considering the 989s) so I've resisted taking pictures. Room sizes in London are pretty ungenerous.
Yes I have a Revel 15a sub. The 989s are great but they do not reach the last half octave which is particularly noticable on some records. MFSL planets come to mind - really dissapointing without the sub.
