Basically, the only system I own worth mentioning. I have it fully set up in my new house and it looks like I will be standing pat for a bit, so I thought that I would take the time to post.
I had much of this gear at my old house in a 10 x 10 room and was very happy, but had to make some additions after moving into a new 15 x 14 room. The CLS IIz panels were not quite up to the challenge of the bigger space, so after 2 months of investigating other speaker options, I added the Kinergetics SW800 subwoofer system and the Blue Circle BC228 monoblocks.
I'm not sure if I could be any more satisfied, but of course you're all encouraged to take your best shot - no baby on board here... :)
Truthfully, I will have to be looking for a new turntable in the not too distant future, so I would love input in that regard.
I will add some pictures in the next couple of days, if that interests anyone.
Simple and effective. May or may not upgrade to SE , or send to GNSC.
Blue Circle AG9000
A stock DAC board modified well beyond the limits of good taste - unbelievable sound, though NOT cheap. Gets along extraordinarily well with the Wadia transport. Shown in picture with Kinergetics crossover.
SME 20/2A
Mid model SME turntable, packaged with IV.V arm. Simple and elegant - surprisingly straightforward to assemble.
Dynavector 17-D2 mkII
Modest, but effective. Nice tonal balance, not overly coloured.
Blue Circle BC27 pi Phono
New phono stage by Blue Circle replacing the BC23. The pi has a slim case design - looks like a very short and narrow shoebox. The pi model has an external power supply
Blue Circle Audio AG3000
Blue Circle's current production reference level. Four 6922 tubes are used. Fully balanced design with four Shallco volume controls.
Blue Circle Audio AG8000
Fully balanced hybrid design, tube input, SS output. Current Blue Circle reference production model. Comes in four chassis, monblocks with separate power supplies. These run the Kinergetics subwoofer towers. Only the left monoblock is shown.
Blue Circle Audio BC228
Sort of a one box modified version of the AG8000, but souped up a bit. Not a production model. Another 6922 based hybrid. These amps drive the CLS panels.
Martin Logan CLS IIZ
20th anniversary edition of the CLS IIZ, one of the last few pairs off of the line. I really love their ability to image, and their faithful reproduction of tonal quality.
Kinergetics SW-800 sub
Passive sub tower with five 10 inch drivers per side. Crossover is Kinergetics 800C. Subs are crossed over at 80 Hz, and I am using the -18db Butterworth circuit. No shortage of bass or punch...
Blue Circle Audio Black Box
Total custom job - kind of an 83.1 and an 85.1 together but with more stuff. Pictured with prototype version of BC68 power cord.
MIT MH 750
Oldie but goodie, possibly THE cable for the CLS IIz.
Blue Circle BC 92
Moderately priced but highly effective Speaker cable from Blue Circle. Used on the sub towers.
Blue Circle BC62
Again, moderately priced, but effective. These are on every component except the Turntable power supply (captive cord), and the speakers.
Blue Circle BC68
Power cord with in line balanced conditioner. Used on the CLS IIz speakers.
Blue Circle BC 95
Once again, no frills but very effective cabling from Blue Circle. I use this between all of the components in a balanced format, except between the phono stage and the preamp
I'd completely forgotten about those - I think they were a CS preamp, and a BC100 power amp. I was just kinda keeping them around for a demo, but they are long gone.
Glad to see the CLS mang a reappearance in your system. I agree with you about the speed, but I would also speculate that there is an unforced presentation and naturalness of timbre about the CLS that is equally important. I know - I'm preaching to the choir here :)
Your crossover point will really depend on the sub you run along with the CLSs. They certainly will not hurt from having some frequecies doubled; as a matter of fact I am running mine full range and cutting my subs in at 80 hz. This seems to be working quite well, though your results will obviously depend on your room, gear, sub and placement.
Nothing wrong with a SOTA Star, though the Cosmos looks very nice. SOTA and Triplanar were very much on my short list, along with a Basis 2500/Vector, and Avid Volvere Sequel, but in the end went with SME just "because". Oddly, it was the only table of the group I had not heard. So far I am not disappointed.
Greg - yes , I've hed the new turntable for about a month now. It took some time to get the stand properly tweaked (had to change the number of layers of MDF several times, and then discovered that the tennis balls were too stiff for this table, so they were replaced with goofy looking fake rubber basketballs and soccer balls (they are actually about the size of a baseball) from the dollar store. I am immensely impressed with the SME table and arm - simple, small, easy to assemble, and a wonderful sound. Hope you land your CLS speakers. I think your best bet for a sub would be a small (8 or 10 inch) front firing type. Obviously the faster the better, and two small ones might be better than one big one. Also couple of Vandersteen 2w subs might be just the thing - they don't fire forward, but they have three eight inch drivers, and when I had one it was fairly "tight" in terms of integration. Mind you, I didn't use it with the CLS so I am guessing a bit here.
Rives - Thank you for the kind comment. Of course you are welcome to come have a listen, though I think Toronto is a bit of a haul from where you are. I would love to have a listen to your gear as well, your system is very well conceived, and is probably a treat to hear.
System edited: The search for a new turntable is over - I have acquired an SME 20/2A. Though I will continue to tinker with peripheral stuff (cords, cables, vibration gadgets), I think I am pretty much done with the components.
Funny you should mention the venustas phono cable - I am "sort of" looking for a phono cable at the moment. Maybe I will have a chat with the dude.
Also, I'm still a little curious about your experience with the SW800. Admittedly, I had to fart around with them for a while in terms of placement, and there is a lot of absorption material around them (two bookcases full of large texbooks and records, foam panels and tubes). Also, they cleaned up a lot when I put them on Sound Anchor stands. Set up as they are though, they are very effective.
Looking at your system, I would say you have every reson to be pleased as well. I'd love to hear it sometime, though we probably live thousands of miles apart ...
In terms of ICs, I am using a mix of things, mostly Blue Circle, but some Transparent and Van Den Hul as well. I will eventually get to playing with those, but for the moment I am a little "spent" - literally and figuratively.
You'll be happy to know that the CLS IIzs are already on Sound Anchor stands, I guess I need to update the system. I 've heard lots of great things about the Purist cables, and will try them when opportunity permits.
As for the sub issue, I couldn't disagree with you more! The SW 800s are lightening fast, and leave both the ML subs in the dust in terms of clarity, and extension. I find myself wondering what you were driving them with...BUT, my ears my system, right. YMMV. I would have been greatly interested in hearing the CLS/Watt/Puppy combo - sounds very cool!
System edited: Loaded this last night, learned to use the digital camera this afternoon. Very happy with most of it, will be looking for a new turntable soon. Any and all comments welcome.
