It's been a while since I've been on, much has happened. I have the Valhalla balanced IC between the pre and amps. The Cardas are single ended and have been on the SACD to pre so I wasn't able to make a direct comparison between the two. I'm looking for high resolution without making the treble sound etched. So far, so good. I've added the Valhalla power cords on the monos with good results. When I come across a 15 amp Valhalla cord for the pre, I'll snap it up.

stratman October 10, 2018 20:56

Can you please tell me about the comparison Cardas Golden Reference and NordOst Valhalla ICs in your system? I am contemplating to upgrade my current Baldur IC/SCs. Thanks!

polyglot February 09, 2012 20:22

Hello Cmpromo, I've been in the "hobby, disease?" for almost 35 years, starting with Maggie MG-II's and Phase Linear gear as my first high-end stuff. Graduated to Apogee Duetta's with Perreaux gear for awhile. Decided to upgrade the Perreaux with the Krell pre and a Krell FPB-600. The Dunlavy's came next along with the VPI table. Sounded pretty good. Came across the Rowland gear at a local dealer and decided to see how the mono's ranked alongside the Krell. The Rowland's had a much sweeter midrange and treble. The bass was on par with the Krell. The one noticible difference was that you could play the Rowland's as low or loud as you want with no difference in overall quality of sound. The Krell would get harse in the mid and treble at high volumes. As for the sound treatments, I have some acoustic foam to make some wall treatment with some wood frames to match the cherry speakers placed behind the equipment rack, seating position and above the CD racks. I may have to move them around some with the help of a sound pressure meter. The floor has a 1/2 inch rubber pad under a berber carpet. I don't seem to get any refelections off the floor. And the beat goes on!!!!!!!!!

stratman June 03, 2005 23:56

Sweet, Did your system start out like that or did it evolve. Im curious what the rowland amps did for you. Ive often wanted to hear them but right now im happy with my x-350. When you start treating the room the first thing I would do is get a large rug for the floor and a thick drape or something to absorb sound about a foot behind your listening chair. I tacked up a 4x6 rug to the wall right behind me and it looks pretty good.

cmpromo May 05, 2005 22:18

Sheriff, Thanks for the kind words. The SCIVa's are on the long wall. Never really opened up on the short wall. What tube amps are you running? Have you tried using solid state on the bottom and tubes on the top. Might be fun.

stratman March 10, 2005 22:13

Nice system! The biggest upgrade you can do with your Dunlavy's is treating your room. I run the Dunlavy V and it was a hugh upgrade with room treatment. Do you run your speakers along the short wall or the long wall? I can't tell from your picture. Last but not least, sometime you should try tube amps with your Dunlavy's I was a solid state man for many years, when I reluctantly tried the tubes just to see. The results were what I'd been striving for since I purchased the V's. Anyway, whatever you do I'm sure it will just get better and better with your speakers. They don't call them the giant, giant killer for nothing.

sheriff84501 March 08, 2005 02:36

You the man nice system I will I could have something like that some day

[email protected] March 05, 2005 20:24

Super nice system.

[email protected] March 05, 2005 17:33