Hallo Gary, thanks for the nice words. The Benz is still available I think, it's comfortable but it needs a little time to get used to (as with most things in life...).
No, I replaced it with SL RG3 preamp and RG4 mono poweramps a few years ago, as you can see on the picture. All SL gear sounds powerfull yet refined and detailed. Ofcourse this depends on the other equipment in your system. I can fully recommend the Kraftwerk II !
The audiobug has left the building overhere, so no more obsessive visits to Gon. The VDH is 'vinyl in High Definition'; ZYX was very good but the Colibri takes it all to a higher level. You know the drill: more detail, more dynamics, better stageing...
The ZYX delivers a very balanced and detailed 3D sonical picture. But smooth and 'real'. I know these are the typical 'high end' terms, but can't describe it otherwise. Very special is the fact that the Atmos seems to suppress 'pops'. I had the Airy3 (and Fuji) before: the Atmos is way better, it's like the Airy on speed :-)
Thanks for the nice words... The RB is a piece of art indeed and matches very well with my system :-)
I understand what you're saying. Becoming acquainted with the sound may be interpreted as 'burning in'.
But in my case: my ears are very sensitive to treble and I experience less or no pain in my ears now (this is since I put the Harmonix under the rack). This is a 'proof' to me that these feet 'work'.
Good question... if you need better cables, I would first invest in those.
If your system is 'high performer', than the feet are worth their price. I experience a more fluid sound, but believe it or not, these feet (under the rack) have to 'burn in'. Don't know how this is possible, but I can hear it: sound is more fluid and smooth, realistic after about 100 hours of playing. Am I crazy?
Aaaaaaaaaaaaa... finally someone who knows what it's all about ! Please note it are not the genuine ROR plates, but three paintings by an American artist based on them.
System edited: RG4 mk4 monoblocs entered my system. Huge soundstage and 'heavy' sound. Very refined and detailed. A very nice step forward to... audio walhalla?
Thanks for visiting my 'page' and for taking a look at my system.
@ Pasul: I bought this brush directly from Transrotor when I had my Leonardo 'pimped' in 08.2007. You can try contacting them through e-mail and refer to me (renaat mattheus) so they know what it's all about (maybe send a picture of my Leonardo).
@ Karel: I bought the cryo'd Mullards from Brendan Biever at www dot tubeworld dot com.
Klinkt inderdaad (veel) beter dan de Metronome combo die ik had. Wordt bevestigd door elke hifi-freak-vriend die hier over de vloer komt en een oor werpt naar mijn set. Het grote verschil is de mate van 'analoogheid', volgens mij toe te schrijven aan het feit dat de AA TubeDac geen gebruik maakt van upsampling. Een vriend drukte het als volgt uit: 'het geluid is 2 à 3 stappen hoger gegaan', een andere vergeleek het geluid van de AA combo met dat 'van een zeer goede platenspeler'. Een beter compliment kan je niet bedenken. Overigens is de verhouding prijs/kwaliteit bij Metronome echt scheef getrokken (niemand betaalt in de verste verte de retail prijs).
For the non-Dutch speaking reader: one reader is surprised to read that Accustic Arts beats Metronome. All I can say is that the AA combo exceeds my previous Metronome combo in terms of 'analogness' of sound.
Never tried SL cdplayer, since I wanted a DAC with tubes. Heard the SL Reference CDplayer in an all SL system, which sounded very good. But I think SL is very good in making amps, Accustic Arts in making digital stuff. The combination is outstanding !
Yes, I already had a picture of the new Reference Drive from my dealer. Looks very nice ! But he tells me the Drive 1 mk2 Special Edition (with special cable, but I don't know what special cable this is and where it is located ?) comes very close.
I'm using a very cheap RCA digital cable from the German brand Ballad Audio, which performs extremely well. In the past I had several 'top' digital cables (Stealth Sextet, Kubala Emotion, Aural Symphonics Optimism, Stereovox, ... too many), but in the end the Ballad delivers 'music'.
You can see on the AA website they also have a cable line (power cords, interlink, digital cable). Will report my findings on the AA Digital XLR.
Accustic Arts combo is functioning. It really blows away my previous Metronome Technologie combo ! Even 'right out of the box' the AA gives a tremendous organic and 'analog' sound, without loosing detail or without loosing crispyness. Ofcourse the AA needs burning in, but right now all I can say is that it completely outperforms Metronome (which BTW after all is way overpriced). Compared to the AA combo, the Metronome sound is 'thin' and less involving, has less 'flesh around the bones'. I'm waiting for the AA digital XLR cable to arrive, which is especially made as ideal connection between the Drive 1 and TubeDac2. Will get back later on.
'Right out of the box'the Petites offered much broader soundstage, more detail/resolution and (much) more realism (blacker background). After burning in the sound became smooth and now (have the Petite about a month) the difference with the MLT is huge (altough the MLT was a very good cable in my system). So I decided to keep the Petite !
System edited: Stealth Dream Petite arrived today. First impression right out of the box and compared to Hybrid MLT = WOW ! Will report after burning in.
I use VD Master LE speakercable, which replace Kubala Sosna Fascination. VD is very open, detailed but without loosing musicality. Needs long burning in time. Have 2 VD David power cords on trial. Will post my findings.
Thanks for the very nice comment ! Since all these babies cost a lot of money, I think they have to look well too. I'm a design guy... :-)
The turntable is a custom made Transrotor Leonardo with 40mm acryl base and 80mm platter. I went to the factory in Germany and they made just what I asked for :-)
The Turbo NT actually is an upgraded, newer and better version made by SL at request, but is in a black industrial housing (bigger than standard). I plugged it in yesterday and my first impression is a bigger soundstage and smoother highs, more 3-D. But this baby seems to have a long burning in time, so I will have to re-evaluate continuously.
System edited: Bought SME IV and will be replacing the 25mm basis of the Leonardo with 40mm one. There's a little chance I might buy a Transrotor Super Seven...
The tweeters are doing VERY VERY VERY well. They softened a bit. Sound is now extremely open, detailed and 3-D. This is a very huge upgrade, which brings my CE2.2 close to the CRM2.3. Bass bettered too.
My brother in law had the ceramic tweeters, which also made a big difference compared to the stanaderd soft domes. The titaniums however take you just a few steps futher to audio walhalla !!
System edited: DCCA Audio PowerWave3 on the RG7 amp. Adds 'weight', transparancy and smoothness to the sound. Yamamoto PB21 ebony footers under the Kharma.
I just got the Kharma's back yesterday evening with the new titanium tweeters, as are standard in the CRM range.
My first impression is that the sound is much more spatious, has more detail, a lot more depth and 3-D. Highs are detailed but not too edgy. Overall sound is a little more 'light' than before, so I will have to manipulate cables a bit. Ofcourse the tweeters have to burn in for about a 100 ore more hours.
I have to thank the guy from Kharma who was so kind to get and bring back my speakers, so the upgrade could be effected in the factory.
System edited: ZYX Airy 3S with Silver Base will replace ZYX Fuji. Cartridge is ordered together with Transrotor TR9.1 tonearm (to replace standard TR 2.6).
System edited: Replaced the stock Sovtek tubes in my Metronome DAC with Mullard cv4004 cryo (bought from www.tubeworld.com). Although they still have to burn in, sound really is wonderful in terms of 3-d imaging, soundstage and balance.
System edited: The RG3 and RG7 arrived yesterday. They look fantastic. Sound right out of the boxes is warm and detailed. Need to burn in for ... a year :-)
I will wait for the combo to arrive and will do some cable experiments. I resevred the SL Reference (green cable) to connect the rg3 and rg7, but I will give my Kubala a try (altough I'd have to buy one more).
The reason I (just) sold the Kraftwerk is because I could get a very fair price for it AND because I can get a VERY nice deal on a new rg3-rg7 combo. I never heard this combo though. The only thing that bothers me is the fact that the output power of the rg7 (2x140) is less than the Kraftwerk's (2x180). OTOH, both rg3 and rg7 are now brought to the mk4 level, which seems to put them to a higher sonical level (lets hope ..) than the Kraftwerk. Anyway I will have to wait, listen and do my own judgement. But as you said, I'm am already looking at the 'turbo netzteil' for the rg3. The 'problem' is, I don't have enough space in my rack to integrate this extra and expensive beauty..
I never had the chance to listen to the Avalon Opus nor the Falcons. For a short time I had Avalon Symbols, but this was in a completely different set up.
The Kharma's offer a very precise sound image with a big soundstage, very well tonally balanced.
I was advised to check on Ayre amplification, but I don't have the chance to test this brand at home.
What's your experience, what made you decide to switch to Ayre ?
Paul, don't really understand what you're saying. Kharma is a Dutch firm (Holland), not a Flemish one (Belgium). But there are a few Dutch guys on Gon who use Kharma, that's right.
Thanks Brent,
I have the 2.2 since yesterday. What a big difference with the 3.1. It is as if I moved from an ordinary tv screen to a big plasma but without loss of resolution. Bass is tight and there is much 3-D and 'authority' in the sound.
But since these 2.2 did not play for the last months, they will require a re-burning-in period.
System edited: System update. After trying several (more expensive) ls-cables, I returned to my 'first love', this is Nirvana SL. Next upgrade will be new ceramic tweeters in my beloved Kharma's...
Frank, Beste wishes ! I have the Kraftwerk 2. ASR Em is a huge 'animal'... Don't think I will have much changes in my system this year. Have to buy a new car... want to replace my SAAB 9-5 2002 by the newest model... Also upgrading, but in different way :-)
I have the TMD on my Leonardo ! I never heard it without it though. I listen to lounge, nujazz, electronic and classical music.
My amp is not the RG10 but the Kraftwerk2, this is the top integrated from Symphonic Line, with two separate power supplies and separate pre and amp. Power rating is 2x180w at 8ohm. They surely can manage the Kharma's to my ears. But I sure want to listen to the ASR, only this is a giant thing, not easy to manage.
Here's my latest change: I bought a Fanfare FT-1A as I like to listen to the local jazz and classical stations. Will report later on this tuner.
I decided to get the Siltech Forbes Lake (rca) to put between the Prima and the Kraftwerk. Never heard it (this IS a major sin, I know), but as I'm very much pleased with the sq88mkI I guess the Lake will please me too.
Yes, I know the feeling... I'll be able to evaluate the Forbes Lake G6 in my system and to compare it with the sq88mkI. As for the speakercables: I've decided to stay with Nirvana SL untill I can get a second hand or demo Nirvana SX...
The Indra seems a monster, but pricey. Ever heard this one?
Have done some comparisons between speakercables: -Nirvana SL versus Purist Audio Opis: Opis is more spatious, open, more 'spectacular', but Nirvana beats it in terms of musicality (in my ears ofcourse); -Nirvana SL versus Siltech LS110mkI: Siltech more straight sound, but Nirvana being smoother, fuller sound without loss of detail.
So it seems Nirvana Sl is the 'winner' in my system when it comes to speakercable. Guess the Kharma's need this soft touch.
As to interlinks I sold my Nirvana SXltd to replace it with Siltech SQ110mkII or maybe Forbes Lake after I had a Siltech sq88mkI on loan which outperformed the SX in terms opf freshness and controle of the bass.
All Nirvana (ic and speaker) made sound not crispy enough, all Siltech made it too 'thin'.
So I will combine the more crispy Siltech ic with the smoother Nirvana SL speakercable. This seems to be a good match in my system...
Cables arrived ! Testing them and comparing with Nirvana SL. But I've been a fool and goofed up my amp when switching cables... This must be the price one has to pay for wanting too much...
Anyway, thanks Albert for sending me this 'rather good' cables :-)
I would like to try this cable. Do I understand you well when thinking that it is possible to evaluate the Opis in my system only paying the shipping costs?
Maybe you could contact me directly via my e-mail?
I decided to get the Venustas speakercable altough I bought the Nirvana SL speakercable too. This is the only way I can discover which one pleases me the most. Don't think it will be a problem to sell one of the two...
My problem is I have very sensitive ears and I get pain in my ears very quickly (they are over-sensitive I'm afraid), so I keep looking for the right system make-up...
No, the Kharma's aren't too big for my small listeningroom (which is completely open on one side BTW, so only one Kharma is too close to a sidewall). Ofcourse, they would fit better in a bigger space, but that's not possible due to WAF-issues.
I was afraid of overemphasis on the lower end of sound, but given the right speakercable this doesn't seem to be a problem. As I said, I'm experimenting with speakercable and I hope to find the 'right' cable soon... :-) I looked for Jena Labs, but the ones offered on Gon are rather expensive. I was thinking of Purist Audio (Venustas) which als has the cryogenetic treatment. Could this be any good?
This week I hope to have Nirvana SL speakercable to evaluate.
Thanks for your nice reaction. I'm very pleased with my system; I'm only looking for the right speakercable. Hope that the Nirvana SL will do a fine job (don't have it yet, have to wait untill next week).
Flanders is the biggest part of Belgium. Is it good with the Flemish people? We must not complain, but things can always get better :-)
I recently got the Kharma's and I am looking for another speakercable. I used MIT Magnum M3 between SL and my previous speakers b&w 805 sig's, but this MIT overemphasized the lower end of sound. I have a Nordost Red Dawn on trial at this moment, which is a better match. So I'm trying to sell my MIT and looking for Nordost SPM or something as good as the top Nordost line, but cheaper :-) Any suggestions ???
