It's been 18 years since I built my first system which consisted of:
- NAD Integrated amplifier
- Rotel 865BX CD player
- Vandersteen 1B speakers
That system gave me a glimpse of what good audio sounded like, but was never really satisfying for long listening periods. However due to many priorities, it was the system I used until this past summer when I started building the system you see here.
So far, I couldn't be happier with the new system. For the first time, I can hear a truly vivid 3D soundstage and each instrument has a life like air/bloom around it. This characteristic is especially pronounced when playing reference recordings such as those from Mapleshade Audio. Instruments sound eerily realistic, and the low level detail is beyond anything I've experienced before.
The sound is also very engaging when playing less well recorded pieces. Although the recording flaws are audible, the musicality that made you like a song when it was played it on a cheap car stereo comes through.
While building this system I did a lot of research in how to get the best sound from the components I had chosen. What still amazes me is how much of a difference that "tweeking" or more appropriately tending to the details makes. This made more of a sonic difference than any single component choice.
I started by using the CARA software to optimize loudspeaker placement for frequency response and minimize delayed reflections.
Next, I upgraded my cables to Cardas Neutral Reference (previously using the 18 year old MIT cables from my original system) and used contact cleaner/enhancer on all connections. Finally, I added Bybee Quantum Purifiers to each of the speakers.
I then worked on fine tuning the coupling and/or isolation of components. The Zoethecus rack is used with BDR cones to support the Preamp and Amplifier. My next addition was a Townshend Seismic Sink to try to isolate the CD player from low frequency vibrations.
The final step was to build A/C conditioners which were modeled after those that are detailed on the Magnan website. I constructed a Neutral to Ground conditioner as well as Hot to Neutral conditioners for both the CD & Preamp (with Bybee's on both lines).
Although I'm very happy with the system so far, I am always looking for suggestions and realize there are numerous ways to improve things.
I still can't believe how good this amp sound for a 10 year old A/B design
Gallo Acoustics Reference 3.1
Extremely impressive speaker for the price.
I built custom solid maple supports that are 4.5
Gallo Reference SA
Great addition to get the most from the Gallo 3.1 speakers.
Cardas Reference Neutral XLR
I never thought cables could make this much of a difference
Cardas Neutral Reference Speaker Cable
4.5 m
DIY A/C Conditioner
Based on the recommendations at the Magan site (http://www.magnan.com/powerconditioners.html) for both a Hot to Neutral and Neutral to Ground conditioners.
The Hot to Neutral conditioner is used on both the CD player and Preamp. Added to the Magnan design is Bybee's on both lines and integrated XLO Reference 2 Type 10A power cable with Wattgate connectors.
Zoethecus Z4
with Z slabs
Brick Wall PW2RAUD
I can't detect a sonic degredation, even with the amplifier connected.
Signal Ultra Cable
Basic cable used to drive secondary voice coil of woofer.
Trend Audio UD-10 USB Converter
Not the utmost in sound quality. Used with the external DAC of the Cambridge Audio 840C.
Server is a notebook PC with Foobar & lossless encoding.
Eventually would like to get a Benchmark USB DAC.
Townshend Seismic Sink 2D
Works well to isolate the CD player from low frequency vibration.
See Shannon Dickson's
Black Diamond Racing Cones
Work well when supporting the amplifier and pre-amp. However, they did not perform so well with the CD player.
