The equipment speaks for itself. It's musical and very enjoyable and that's what matters to me. I do prefer it with a tube preamp and have used a Supratek Syrah to great benefit. That preamp is now off for repair but I've recently purchased a Wright WPL 10 V here at Audiogon and eagerly await its arrival. If and when the Syrah returns fixed I'll put it back in. Using it is like putting a turbo charger on this system. It kicks it up several notches.
The room, Purple Haze, was remodeled by Steve Dobbins (Vetterone) as a surprise gift to me while my wife and I were out of town for a few days. This room was so ugly that I was ashamed to be in it alone with the lights out. The worlds ugliest paneling adorned the walls and the smoke stained ceiling was fitted with a cheesy ceiling fan and an offset flourescent light. Not only did Steve wallpaper, paint and install new light fixtures, he cleaned my carpet and furniture too. He's a very special and caring guy. Oh yeah, he named the room and the name is going to stay.
I don't want to be too long winded here about the system since it's not exotic at all. Other than saying again how much the Linn gear responds to a reasonable tube preamp I'd also like to mention how much my system has benefitted from interconnects and cones. The Ridge Street line of cabling is incredible! As my system is now configured and being all solid state the conventional wisdom is that silver would be a harsh material to use. Not so. It's a smooth as silk and lets the details come through better than anything I've ever auditioned. The Audio Points cones are used at the speakers and the amps. In each case the overall sound tightened up and imaging much improved. The bass detail improvements were much more than I expected.
This is a fun and relaxed room that I spend a lot of time in. Although some acoustic treatments are forthcoming it is very musical as is.
I would like to once again express my deepest gratitude to all of the folks that have been so generous in helping me take this system and room to completion. Many of you know what I'm talking about and the contributors know who they are. Thank you all
Purchased in 1984 with the Vahalla. Upgraded to the Cirkus bearing and replaced the Valhalla once due to failure. Regardless of the criticisms heaped on this table it is a solid performer and the best "bang for the buck" piece I've ever bought. I have no compelling reason to replace it.
Linn Wakonda phono
I love the features this preamp provides but much prefer my system with a tube preamp. I recently purchased a Wright WPL 10 V but it is yet to arrive.
Linn LK-100
Aktiv internal stero crossover for treble.
Linn LK-100
Aktiv internal stereo crossover for mid/bass.
Linn Keilidh
Bi-amped Aktiv.
Ridge Street Audio Design MSE Gen.II
Used for preamp to mid/bass Aktiv amp.
Ridge Street Audio Design Poiema!!
Used from preamp to Aktiv treble amp.
Ridge Street Audio Design Poiema!!
Eight foot pair to tweeters.
Ridge Street Audio Designs Poiema!!
Eight foot pair to mid/bass.
Lugnut made LP-12 Friendly
Made by yours truly to accomodate my LP-12 and a couple of electronics.
Lugnut made Amp stands
Layered 3/4" MDF lead filled.
Porter Ports Wall outlets
Cryo'd. Three of them
Audio Points Various
I use Still Points on my speakers and both amplifiers.
Sumiko Bluepoint Special
I have liked this cartridge a lot. I'm either going to install a Shelter 901 or a Sumiko Blackbird in the near future.
I know someone's right on the groove when you ask - what did you like about it? and get the reply "I don't know, I didn't realise how right it sounded till I took it out" Generally followed by "I had to put it back in." I've had these very comments on the Shunyata Hydra, Syrah and any of the ZYXs I've owned.
From someone who has tried lots & lots of power cords, try a Harmonix Studio Master cord on the Supratek - you won't believe how RIGHT it sounds.It initially sounds too controlled till you get used to the clarity & space and you won't believe the bass & everything else about it I borrowed one for a few months and it's sorely missed now it's gone - an Elecrtaglide or Shunyata will have to go to fund one of these, it takes the Syrah to another level - or maybe just lets it give it's best. Cheers Simon
never owned any Linn gear apart from their Sondek (s). I do some work for a guy who's a Linn dealer & very customer focused but mainly multi-room & HT which is why I get the turntables to fettle. Any sondek spares you need give me a shout - my spare room is full of Linns & spares - a definite plus doing work for them. I avoided Linns like the plague for 30 years given the stories put about that it's a Black art to set them up - I've owned lots & lots of tables and with a bit of care & experience, I find the Linns dead easy to set up. They want to try the Oracle with Syrinx PU 3 I'm trying to sort out now - having a break before I trash it ! I still prefer some aspects of my Xerxes but it is far from standard having been remade in solid wood and specially machined to accept the Kuzma arm but the Cirkus mod was a revelation on the Linn only beaten by the Cetech carbon fibre sub-chassis which addresses any negatives I ever found with the Linns rather bloated bass and vague soundstaging. I delight in using the Roksan arm on the Linn and now just laugh when people tell me I really should be using a Linn arm, like I've never tried them!
I to have a bit of a noise problem with all the phonos tubes for the Supratek - sometimes tempted to stick my Quicksilver back in thru one of the line inputs but the whole point of the Syrah was to shed boxes so I'll persevere.
Hi Pat, love your room and admire a man who'll stick a Syrah into a Linn system !I live in Scotland and you would be tried for Heresey here. I've had dealings with Steve and he's a nice guy - wish he lived closer, I've just spent months remodelling my lounge to lose the hifi to the dining room. Anyway - I do sub-contract work setting up Linns, was never a fan but I had to try one after 30 years and lo & behold my Linn now holds a special place in my heart. I have lots of Linns and have to say my own with the Airy 11 thru my Syrah, compares favourably to my heavily modded Xerxes and who knows how my latest ( a broken Oracle Delphi Mk 11) will fare.
On the valve front my thoughts, remembering I've only had the Syrah a month : I've tried various rectifiers : Sovtek fine, supplied nos Mullard terrible(Steve told me it must be 'goosed'), new nos Mullard/Mazda - an improvement over the Sovtek but not commensurate with the money paid. The BIG valves - fancy red base Tungsols - left well alone. The 6SN7s - supplied fancy Sylvanias - really nice but one is noisy CBS Hystrons I bought ($$$$)- warmer/fuller - but one is noisy Supplied Sylvania 6GK5s - nice but one noisy Back up set of same($$$$$) - nice but one noisy Supplied Raytheon 5842s - a bit speaker bound Replacement WE 5842s($$$$) - much better but - one of the pair is noisy
Cutting to the chase, the Syrah was a revelation to me and can sound better with nos tubes. Given the money I have spent in the last month I'm tempted to go with Mick and just fill it full of new & modern tubes. The reduction in sound is minimal compared to the reduction in my wallet all these noisy nos tubes are making ! Listening to a bit better sound full of hisses/chugging & crackling is a pain - not enough to return to ss, but a pain.
Much power to your elbow - I bought a Yamaha FG 180 nearly 36 years ago and have always regretted selling it in spite of having cupboards full of guitars. Take care, Best Si
