Listening to music wouldn't be the same without the few talented individuals that put their effort, skills, and creativity into carefully voicing and designing the beautiful pieces in my system. Perfect to capture the music from different places and people.
And of course the journey wouldn't be as enjoyable without all the people and friends that I met along the way. Many thanks to everyone!
Nice layout-I'm jealous! On the other hand,it looks like I've held off on the Super-8's long enough for the next step up-Devore 88's-to be on the market soon. In the meantime,check out these two on your system: Open Minds-Mads Vinding Trio Wonderful!-Deep Blue Organ Trio
System edited: Time to update the system - I have had the Haut Brion and Devore Super 8 around for quite a bit more than a year now. Beautiful combination.
System edited: Updated heavy rotation list: In heavy rotation: - Janos Starker "Bach Cello Concertos" - Kertesz " Dvorak New World Symphony" - Charles LLoyd and Zakir Hussein: "Sangam" - Kenny Drew "Undercurrent" - Anthony Braxton "Quantum" - Keith Jarrett "Paris/London Testament" - Mal Waldron & Max Roach "Explorations" - Steve Lacy & Mal Waldron "Let's Call this Esteem"
Goldeneraguy - that was before I found a good step-up for the Allaerts. I always liked the Allaerts with the XOno, but had tough time finding a good step-up for it to run into the Shindo pre. That was until I tried the Auditorium 23 step-up which matches both the Allaerts and Shindo perfectly. It's almost funny that the obvious choice worked the best (I tried about 7-8 different step-ups).
Also, the Allaerts is such a wonderful match to the Schroeder arm and DPS turntable, I would been sad to break up the combo. I am really glad I kept the Allaerts.
Hi Rene Great system.I have always been a big fan of Shindo electronics and also miss chatting the gentle and kind Terry Cain. I noticed in one of the on line sites that Rrestock was selling his Allaerts MC1B.If that is you what have you replaced it with ??
Well the Weiss is certainly getting closer than anything I heard so far - a huge step from the Benchmark or Wavelength. The Weiss is one of the most satifying pieces of equipment I owned and it really did change my listening to digital. High rez on the Weiss DAC2 is very good and the Mac Mini setup works perfectly.
If I would have no LPs, I would certainly be content with the Weiss, but now that I have been collecting vinyls since 1989...
The tube complement I liked the most in my Fi Super X was:
Shuguang 2A3 (preferred these to Sovtek, KR Audio 2A3 and RCA Blackplates) Bendix 6106 rectifier GE 6SF5 (stock driver tubes)
I tried Sylvania and RCA 45 as well as RCA Black Plate 2A3, Sovtek 2A3 and KR Audio 2A3s. I prefer the fast, tight, dynamic sound of the Shuguang to the above at least in when used in combination with the Bendix. The KR was more laid back, but a bit lifeless. The RCA is full, warm and rich sounding, wtih less resolution and not as much drive. The Sovtek a little to unrefined for my taste. I really like the sound of the 45s but I would probably prefer a more 45 optimized amp then.
I hope this helps. Enjoy the Fi 2A3 - very nice amp!
Hi, sorry for the post-Fi 2a3 question, what tube complement were you using in the Fi X 2a3's. I am currently using an earlier version X 2a3 integrated. Thank you.
Doc - I haven't listened to the Homage. As far as I know the Auditorium Homage SUT was designed for the SPU and low impedance cartridges, which would not be a good match for the high-impedance Allaerts. The A23 Denon version on the other hand is almost ideal electrically.
System edited: Added Auditorium 23 step-up and now using the step-up with the Monbrison MM input for my Allaerts (in place of the Pass XOno I had used before).
I just cant believe how well the A23 SUT works between the Allaerts and the Monbrison. I had tried several highly regarded step-ups over the last few months (Bent Mu TX103 Silver, Cinemag, Lundahl 9206, Koetsu MCR-1), none sounded as rich, textured, detailed, and controlled as the A23. Many of the other step-ups worked well with Jazz and Rock, but for Classical instrument separation was difficult, dynamics were compressed; with the A23 there none of the problems. Everything is well organized, controlled without loosing musical flow and drama.
The best part that it now combines all the strengths of the Pass XOno (which I used before for the Allaerts) and the musical flow, rich contrasts, and texture of what I expect only from the best tube phono stages. Top end extension is perfect and sweet without even having to resort to loading resistors. At least I can now confirm that the Allarts MC1 series works really well with Shindo preamp/A23 combination.
great to hear from you - the Fi with Abby's is still a great combination. There is something right about that combination and when playing the Fi combo I really did not miss anything. On the other hand, I was surprised to hear how much farther I can push the Abbys with the Shindo combination. I heard many other single drivers (Fostex, Lowther, PHY) over the last few years but still like the Abby best - Terry really did something incredible with these cabinets and the Abby's are not at all embarrassed by the $12k front-end.
One word of caution though if you consider the Shindo route - I did try the Shindo preamps (Aurieges, Monbrison) with the Fi Super X first trying to replace my trusted Fi Y. The Aurieges worked well and is already an improvement in many areas although I did slightly prefer the brighter and lively balance of the Fi Y in that combination. With the Monbrison/Fi Super X 2A3 combo the sound got even richer and warmer. The Fi 2A3 is really voiced a bit on the warmer side and is supposed to be balanced by the neutral and quick Fi Y preamp. As you go up the Shindo preamp ladder, textures and richness increases and the Shindo Montille worked just much better than the Fi 2A3.
I really did not feel like I was missing anything with the Fi/Abby combination, but I was not prepared for the level of improvement I got with the Monbrison and Montille and several friends that heard both combinations felt the same. If you like to try Shindo the Aurieges MM may be a good start with your Fi amps.
