Thanks Karelfd. I have collected the Cerapuc and another set of Ceraball Spider from the dealer earlier today. Preliminary thoughts were very positive. These things are certainly addictive - the more Ceraballs one adds to the system the better the sound becomes. Only now did I realize the importance of effective resonance control.

Cheers and enjoy the music.

ryder January 11, 2011 23:53

Hi Ryder, sorry I can't give you first hand information on Cerapuc/Cerabase in combination with the Spider. A friend of mine uses Cerabase with the Spider (on wooden floor), though, and is convinced it heaves the rack in a higher league. I have not tried the combination as I went another way for my main components (SRA and Echo-Subbases). Given the effectiveness of the Ceraballs - better definition through the frequency range, more precise imaging - I would recommend to give the combination a try. (Would you have the possibility to audition?)
You've already noticed what Ceraballs can do, imo these are a must with the Spider even for lightweight components. The only minor issue to tackle with the latter is that due to the very smooth surface of the Ceraball, light components tend to slip out of place easily, e.g. with the Stax headphones amp in my case, so heavy cable drag should be avoided.

karelfd January 11, 2011 09:26

Hi Karelfd,
I noticed you are using Ceraballs on your Spider rack. May I ask if you are using any Ceraballs/Cerapucs on your Spider replacing the stock spikes?

I just got a 5-tier FE Spider rack and a set of Ceraball last week. I tried the Ceraball Spider on the preamp and noticed a significant improvement in sound. Now I'm seriously looking into adding more Ceraballs to components and replacing the spikes to the Cerapucs. I am curious if the Cerapucs/Cerabase will be able to improve upon the Spider when used in conjunction with the Ceraballs.

Any thoughts would be most appreciated.

ryder January 10, 2011 15:30

System edited: Replaced the PS Premier power generator after I had a few functional problems. It seemed like a good time to test Hans Manfred Strassner's new passive DC filtering power bars (a bit of an understatement), conceptually derived from the cost-no-object Energia Definitiva (EUR 8k!) power distributor. Sonically at least I do not seem to have lost anything - the music is as "grainless" and clean as with the Premier (a major merit of the latter) as the components cannot interfere with one another. And doesn't the HMS seem to have more explosive dynamics? At least it just seems to play subjectively louder; or is that just more aggressive after all? I admit the final judgement is not out yet. Especially since I seem to have lost surge protection. Sure, I read about protection being included but to my surprise that is actually a feature of the power cord that comes with it (HMS Energia SL/V) and I'd like to continue using my VooDoo power cords (matter of fact, I'd also loose the surge protection if I were to upgrade to HMS's recommended and doubtlessly better Gran Finale SL Jubilee cords). Have I painted myself into a corner? I guess one can always pull the plug during a thunder storm but nevertheless ... Let's see what the music does in the coming few weeks.

karelfd December 19, 2010 14:26

System edited: For all fellow cable TV sufferers, this is one tweak I have to tell you about. I know there are a lot of cheap ground breakers (I tried quite a few), so why would anyone go for the HMS Silenzio TV/FM for a whopping EUR 135 (I only paid half price to be honest). Because this thingy made a difference in the TV signal comparable with that between plain dvd and bluray, that's why. Finally, even cable TV looks acceptable. (Btw, HMS makes these devices for different purposes: satellite TV, video, sub-woofers,...)

karelfd September 02, 2010 19:48

Stunning Contrivas. Congratulations for your amazing system.

noncondition July 17, 2010 08:52

Karel we should have met in Munich, maybe next year! :)

Happy Listening,

mike

argyro May 22, 2010 15:57

Thanks Ejlif!

I have further tuned the video section with edenSound heavy brass damping discs: the Bluray player now sports two, one is on the DacMagic and one on its SPU. That makes a mere US$ 72 to heave a good mid-class Bluray system a few important sports higher on the quality ladder since the visual aspect is bettered as well (more precision and "sereneness" for lack of a better word). Actually, with shipment to Europe it cost me US$ 106 but even then I don't know a comparably affordable and effective tweak (Seriously thinking of trying Dan's Superdisc on the amp...)

Now perhaps some Cicable digital cable for both Bluray and TV, we'll see.

karelfd May 22, 2010 15:52

Very impressive

ejlif May 21, 2010 06:06

Wow, Audiogon added "system edited" to my previous entry, actually I only edited a picture, but perhaps that's a good omen?

karelfd May 09, 2010 22:33

System edited: Munich in May 2010: Hurrah! I had the opportunity to hear my personal dream system, so I've added that to my system pictures, btw the Transparent Acoustic room treatment and Argento Flow Master Reference cable loom are integral parts of it. Only dream gear missing on the picture: an AudioNec SDV3-S server AND an AMR CD 77.1, yes not a trace of doubt, the AMR remains part of it! Now, perhaps if I really, really wished very hard...

karelfd May 09, 2010 21:48

Great setup, very nice.

yildiray35 March 15, 2010 20:02

nice system

vernneal February 09, 2010 19:55

Thanks for the kudos guys!

Ron, a comparison with Maggies (not just the 3.6/R) is a bit tricky since I have never had planar speakers in my own system, so we're talking about comparing different concepts performing in very different environments. Anyway, as an introductory observation, judging from what I heard it may very well be the case that owners of a system with planars may prioritize particular sonic qualities (e.g. the proverbial holographic stage, extreme clarity) to such extent that it becomes hard for any other kind of speaker to compete. Then again, if you explore other concepts, I guess you may find speakers with ceramic drivers to be one of the best fit alternatives exactly because of their ability for clarity and speed. Provided of course (and I take it that will be a big proviso to you!) they are devoid of the dreaded ceramic harshness! Imo nowadays' champion in that respect is Tidal (I know there are other opinions that I respect but could not reconstruct in listening sessions myself). As for the Contriva, you will find those qualities coupled with homogeneity throughout the frequency ladder, correct timbre, the ability to build a lifelike stage, an authoritative bass foundation (without fatness) and the ability to render a dynamic spectrum from ppppp to ffff. I know I'm ticking all the boxes, but that is what it is: a window without a pane on the Art of music. Contriva Diacera, as you might expect, explores "air" and clarity even further.

Now, that does not really answer your question about comparable speakers, I'm afraid. I could name a number of non-ceramic speakers that have appealed to me but that is not quite to the point. Looking back, the special "feature" that made the decision in favour of the Tidals sort of inevitable both for my dear late wife and myself is its ability to go one step - but such an important one - beyond mere sonic qualities and convey a sensation of understanding the musician's emotions. Very big words, I agree, but a rare treat indeed.

karelfd February 06, 2010 14:59

NICELY done

vernneal February 03, 2010 04:24

Dear Karelfd, Thank you posting your beautiful system.
A audio buddy just came back from CES and raved about the Tidal Contriva dicera SE. I currently am running Maggie 3.6R with two JL113 subs through a Marchand crossover. The front end is well taken care of with two hand built tube amps ( the same ones Doug Sax uses in his playback lab in So. Calif) on the top end and the Brystonn 14BSST-C in the middle. I was seriously thinking about rying the Tidal"s Contriva. Wanted to ask is there any comparison as to sound between your beautiful Contrivas and the planner sound of the Maggie's with subs? What other speakers in your system come close to the Tidal's? Thanks Ron

rnwong February 02, 2010 14:53

System edited: Much as I like the Aktyna isolation feet that will surely find another destiny in the system(s), I wanted additional stability for the amps whilst retaining minimum ambient interaction. I had been looking at SRA Ohio platforms but the available space in the rack was nowhere near enough as those need to be spiked. The custom made Subbase platforms follow another formula but deliver utter steadfastness without seeming to impede on speed or dynamics; final conclusion on that to follow. (Being a riesling aficionado, the slate makes me feel confident of course, hmmm, almost looks like the blue slate from Reinhard Löwenstein's divine Uhlen vineyard!)

karelfd November 30, 2009 16:06

System edited: Question 1: Tired of those lightweight boxes happily humming along their own little tune? Question 2: Searching for high-grade American craftsmanship at an affordable price? You've come to the right place, and the place is called edenSound. Just installed Dan Sherbrook's heavy brass damping discs to teach the Bluray player how to behave. I have also applied discs to the Dacmagic and the Diva Control (2nd system), if only to keep them from wandering aimlessly about the rack because of the attached cables. The effect on the Bluray player was immediate (all for $18, mind you!). I will now experiment a bit in conjunction with the Sicomin Secrets. Seriously, this is one of a handful simple, effective, understandable, affordable, superbly made tweaks that anyone should consider (OK, not for the likes of the mighty AMR). Also bought some "Bearpaw" bronze footers to experiment with in the 2nd system. Much obliged, Dan!

karelfd October 17, 2009 14:41

Rumours say that the flow are "out of this world"! :)

argyro September 10, 2009 19:23

Hello Mazher, thanks for the tip on Silencable and your assessment of their overall sonic "character", always welcome information.

As pleased as I am with my present cable loom, in retrospect of the Munich show I have to say I'm completely with you in respect of Argento, my dream system would likely sport an all Argento Flow cable loom.

karelfd September 03, 2009 17:27

A dream system that was wired completely with Argento Serenity Master Reference. Try the Argentos there is nothing like them...

silencable - symphony
this is a cable to try;
i am an argento 'founder user' [from the vdm ref days].
the silencable are just 'fresher' [give them a listen] !!
regards,
schwinnaudio . com
mazher
mumbai - india

schwinnindia September 03, 2009 05:42

System edited: Added the Cambridge Dacmagic to the Bluray player. Without being able to comment on its rank in DAC world, for my purpose it's a fantastic upgrade and one I would recommend for most Bluray/dvd's up to, say, $ 2k in a 2ch set-up. It takes seconds (after the ages it takes for the disc it takes, yawn...) to realize how muffled and indifferent the native sound of even a reputably good player really is. Detail is marvellously enhanced yet not a trace etched, and the understandability of speech is incomparable to what it used to be. Yet..., I've seen a power unit upgrade that I may want to try... (Plus ça change, plus ça reste la même chose ;^)

karelfd August 01, 2009 12:03

Hi, my first question would have to be where are you living? I am in Germany and bought mine from Daluso in the Netherlands (no German distributor yet at that time). The other question is whether you're searching for the original CD-77 (which I own) or the newer - sadly also more expensive - CD-77.1. I have seen the original CD-77 offered at a discount because of the release of the new model. I have not yet heard the CD 77.1, but reportedly it is audibly better and I may eventually have my own CD-77 upgraded.

If that doesn't work for you, here is the (international) distributors list, perhaps you can take it from there
http://www.amr-audio.co.uk/html/sales_international.html

Inform me if I can be of further assistance

Good luck
Karel

karelfd July 23, 2009 09:01

Hi Karelfd
wher did you get the AMR CD-77, I have been looking for one and just cannot locate for what ever reason- can you point me in a direction? thanks

vx700 July 22, 2009 23:43

System edited: The Sony DVP-S9000ES dvd board gave up, so I decided to go for bluray. Contrary to what I had originally planned I chose the somewhat older Loewe BluTech Vision. Not the state-of-the-art machine in terms of new features - but how long is a machine state-of-the-art in this product category, anyway? On the other hand impeccable, Loewe style premium assembly quality, and I'm only using it in a 2.0 system anyway. System synergy with the Loewe TV guarantees smooth function without hickups and with one remote only, hurray. A mite too noisy, but apart from that the actual sound from the analog outputs is really good (I will consider a separate dac perhaps) and with normal dvd the picture is quite excellent.

karelfd June 27, 2009 13:25