A few updated pictures of the new system, its night and I couldn't get good lighting to get a whole system shot, but its around the corner. Overall I am very pleased with this system its a huge downgrade from where I've been and its lower resolution allows me to forget about being an audiophile and enjoy music. While I have no complaints I have little doubt I will be playing with the big boys again in the not so distant future. I am planning on moving with in 2 years and at that time I will search for a better listening environment in my home and build a more SOTA system. At this time I just like the flexibility this system offers, it does everything good and has no real weakness, I feel all the components represent tremendous value, which is why they were chosen.
I knew they were the 99s, don't know how I goofed up that one.
I heard them a couple of years ago compared to the Sr.s, no contest. The 99s were all over 'em. Great speakers, ones that I would proudly own. I'm sure the Jrs. were a tough transition for you, good luck with finding another pair someday.
I had DB99 mkII's but close enough ;) Also my system is hybrid, tubed output stage on the source and a tubed input stage on the DK, so I did not fully convert to the dark side.
I was in the middle of a lot of things with work and wanted to free up as much money as possible, looking back I regret it. I enjoy this system an awful lot but the DB99's were with out a doubt the best speakers I have ever owned. Now I'm planning on moving half way across the country with in 18 months and don't want to accumulate anything more until I am settled in a new place. This system is going to hold me until then. At which point I will feverishly be trying to locate a clean set of used DB99's or I may decide to ante up and do a set of Evolution Acoustics MM2 or MM3
I am still alive and kicking! I lurk a bit here but these days, but seldom post. I only updated this because I had some none local friends who wanted to see my system. Hope all is well with you!
Thanks Tim; Ben was born Feb. 23rd. I try to expose him to music as much as I can, which has been more of a struggle than I thought, because Mom doesn't care to hear it! Nonetheless, as you say, it is fun and exciting!!
WOW Brian, congrats on Ben - children change EVERYTHING. When did he join your camp? I am sure your letting him enjoy lots of good music at an early age, it must be fun and exciting!
Things are going well Tim, thanks. We have a new additon to the family, my son Ben!
Lot's of changes for you but what matters is that it serves your needs and it sounds as it does. It also sounds like you have a lot going on these days, I hope it isn't all work! If you try the BAT, I will be very curious of your thoughts.
Hey Brian, long time no chat, how's everything with you?
The changes were made for odd reasons(at least by audiophile standards) but yielded great results. I was using the DK in the old configuration, but solely as an amp, not an integrated amp. I wanted greater flexibility, better integration of my computer into the system, the ability to add a HD/Blue Ray player in the future and I needed something short(my old speakers, the Innersound Eros mkII's were just under 70" tall and were eclipsing my screen/projector). By selling the Innersounds I could bring my screen size from 120" to 205", I also could get rid of an amp - the innersounds require a separate amp/crossover which made the system more complicated and harder to integrate multiple sources into the system. As it stands now I have 2 components(plus my computer), 2 speakers and a projector, which is super simple system, the way I like it. My new room is less the optimal, its large and odd shaped with 9' ceilings - its a great living environment but not a good listening environment. The Von Schweikerts perform great in this room, much better then the innersounds did in my room, everything is.... well, just better and more my taste. The DK is by no means the last word in anything, but its a great budget priced piece, if anything I may upgrade to the BAT integrated at some point, but am in no rush. I have very little time to critically listen these days and 95% of my music listening comes from my Macbook as back ground entertainment. This ends up being a system that is very affordable and fits my current living situation and has potential to sound fantastic in a better room.
I can't remember your exact system, but those I do know, you changed integrated amps and speakers. Please share your views on thee changes when you get a chance.
No stingray any more, its been replaced with a DK VS1 mkII... though I don't need an integrated I got a good deal on it and like the flexibility it will offer me in the future.
Today the system is as follows - Exemplar 3910 -> Innersound Bass amp/crossover -> DK VS1Mkii -> Innersound Eros Mkii(may be Mkiii's, I am not sure) Cabling is Anti-cable interconnects, speaker cables are Xindak FS1's and Tekline custom cables for the bass woofer, power cables are still the jena's. I also have a Sony LCD 1080P projector, VPL HS51 I believe is the model number... I have been so busy otherwise I have only had about 2 hours to critically listen since July, so I can't see having a lot of money in a system. I really like the Innersounds, just wish they didn't require to seperate amps and sets of speaker cables... but I guess its a small price to pay.
I have sold the 99's and need to update this... but I never tried a SET on the 99's, I wanted to but ended up moving and in the process acquired new speakers.
Have you tried using SET amps on the DB99s? I have a suped up Sun Audio 2A3 amp and the DB99s sound awesome on just 3 watts. Pre I use is an ARC LS16 mkI.
As to the VR5s. Have you heard them? My partner has a pair and I am stupified whenever I'm in his listening room. They are tough to beat at its price range.
Tireguy, I posted photos of the VR-5's, let me know what you think. BTW I have been using the Argent Room Lenses in my HT setup. I brought one in my soundroom (put it near the wall centered between the speakers) and it is staying in there. Do you know where I can get another set?
Howard- How have you been? Still got the kharma's?
Yes I am using the stingray as the preamp as well, I have not had the mahi-mahi in my system, I suspect that it would be a little better and really not much more money, and I may seriously consider that as an option when I move into my new place. In the mean time I really like having a super simple and small system.
Hey Tim, so are you using the preamp section of the Stingray as well? Have you heard the Mahi with maybe a Placette volume control? The Mahi setup will be a bit more money but I wonder if it'll sound any better. At the time I purchased my Snappers, I was told that the 250s wouldn't necessarily sound better, just more power so I wonder how the Stingray would sound vs the Mahi.
