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 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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
Ken, I am still using the stock Ei tubes, I just keep forgetting to order new ones! Honestly I think the stingray in triode is overkill with the 99's the volume knob is like an on/off switch, there is really very little control! I am thinking of going with a lower power amp. If I don't do that I have spoke with the service guy at Manley and he told me how to remove the detents from the volume to gain better control, but it will take several hours and I'd rather be listening then working on my amp :) I've said it before and I'll say it again, this amp in triode has NO right sounding as good as it does, I am amazed how good it is for how little it costs - I am not complaining.
What are your thoughts between UL and triode now that you've tried both?
Hey Ken, I never got your reply! I was really looking forward to hearing your reply since you seem to be one of the few who have experience with tube rolling on the stingray. If by any chance you still have it, please forward it to me again. I rid myself of virus that made my email life hell for a few months. I never realized I had it, I just wouldn't get some emails and some people wouldn't get what I sent, I have no clue how long it was like that, but its working now.
I was initially unimpressed with the stingray, but I was listening in the UL mode, as soon as I switched to triode it was amazing. Its a great combonation on these speakers, it has NO right sounding as good as it does for how little it costs.
Well some interesting things have happened... I have to update the equipment because most of the things listed I am no longer using. The only things that have remained are the DB99's which I still LOVE, the machina dynamica platforms and the jena powercords.
Bad luck or perhaps greed prevented me from getting a new car, someone gave me a killer stock type and that cost me more then the S2000... As much as it was an expensive lesson it was a lesson worth learning. I pulled my head out of my ass and realized I need to grow up and am now shopping for a new house.
I will update the system either today or tomorrow.
Gerry- I finally got off my lazy ass and got pictures up, it is quite different to say the least. I really enjoyed the JC1's they are great amps and are a real bargain in hifi, I have no regrets about owning them. It just seemed foolish to keep a huge power-house SS amp to drive a pair of 99db efficient speaker- I tried. It sounded good but was HUGE overkill- sort of like hunting ants with a tank. The Audio Aero is surprising me, its really good, it mates with these speakers very well. I had reservations at first but now I enjoy it, and even at 50 watts its overkill for these speakers! There seems to be a harmonic bloom that tubes have that I have yet to hear a SS amp recreate. I can, and have enjoy SS amps, however, tubes can be very enjoying in different ways. Seeing as the DB99's have a built in class AB SS amp powering the bass driver its sort the best of both worlds. Out of all the changes I really like the speakers the most, they are so flexible(to power) and do all genre's of music well. If your interested I can send you my latest find in isolation/absorbtion, the Machina Dynamica components are great, I have some extra promethean/nirvana base springs- there easy to use and the improvements are worth it.
Dennis- I may have something in the works for a slight change to the front end, but I won't know for sure for a few weeks. But rest assured the Emm labs gear isn't going anywhere soon.
Rudy- A little encouragment goes a long way with me :) How's your system doing these days???
Hey Brian! I was wondering when you were going to come give me a hard time :)
The changes are down right sublime. The db99's are not better in every area but they do some things that make me very happy. First of all real dynamics, incredible dynamic range, bass slam and most importantly the ablity to listen at low levels at full resolution. I do miss the air of the maggies, but its starting to come close(around 450 hours on the speakers) and there will be a ribbon tweeter available soon that should satisfy me. I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy amplifier flexibilty- I can use virtually ANY amp on these things. Which is why I let the JC1's go, while I did really like the JC1's there is no point in keeping them on a speaker like this, it was OVERKILL.
I guess maggies are an aquired taste and none of my audiophile friends "got it", so far those who have visited have been blown away with what this system does now. I can sum it up in a single word- fun. These make listening so much fun, from bach to bill evans to the who these speakers to everything for every genre- better then most other speakers I have heard.
I am going to be visiting a friend with the VR-11's in a few weeks I am very curious just how much better they are! I think I have officially reached the point of diminishing returns. Though I may be eating those words when I hear the VR-11's I just have a hard time imaging a 10% improvement.
I see 2005 as a very slow year for my audio purchases(gosh that sounds awfuly familiar!)
I've been listening for a few more days now and its starting to sound really good and the speakers are not fully broke in and are not positioned properly but closer and in just a few short days they've become MUCH better. I have a SS amp coming today on loan to break in the speakers(I can't see wasteing tube life on break in) so it should be good by next weekend. I also have to move my nimbus/transport and then it will allow me to put the right channel speaker where it belongs. As long as this evening isn't too wild I will have pictured tomorrow.
I must admit I do like the dynamics! But its still going to hurt seeing my beloved maggies go :(
System edited: I don't know what to say but, big changes took place literally over night. It all happened at once and seemed to be the "next step". This is clearly a different type of sound, I've had it for a few days now and it a nice change. In many ways its better, in other's I prefered the maggies, but the new equipment needs to break in and get proper set-up. I think it has a lot of potential to be VERY enjoyable, time will tell if it is on the level of the maggies. And Brian, what can I say I am weak ;)
I couldn't agree more with Fcroweder's comments. I am using promethean's(from machina dynamica) and Jena Tek power cords, both made a large improvement in different areas. The biggest shocker was what the Promethean's did for the system, it brought a sense of life to the system that I have never heard with any other product(be it component or a tweek).
Hey Carl- Sorry I forgot to reply about the amps in our email! I got caught up with other things ;) I have thought about upgrading the amps(through empirical), but don't think I'll be doing it. I don't want to risk the waranty, or compromise resale value. I would be more inclined to get a latest spec. classe omega or another pair of JC-1's and bi-amp. A fellow modified magnepan user has used the jc-1's and greatly preffered the classe omega and has recently upgraded to the omega omicron mono's which he feels is yet another level better. My reply was "ignorance is bliss", I am so happy with the jc-1's right now I can't see changing just for the sake of change. His system is VERY similar to mine, though he is using 20.1's and he has a better room- so who knows what would happen using the classe here???? Other then that or perhaps a good deal on a huge boulder I don't think I am tempted to change. Chances are I would end up biamping before changing- no active crossover just twice the power :)
Hello, I have also used a BAT Vk-60, VK-120 and Vk-500w/bat pak. I have listened to various classe, sim, adcom, pass and plinius amps on magnepans. The JC-1's are as good as anything I have heard on magnepans. I have friends who tell me the classe omega series amps are better, but they cost twice as much so one would hope they are better. If your going to get 3.6's get the most powerful amps you can find, the speakers perform much better with a lot of high current wattage. I know a lot of people talk about the Bel Canto but not many have experience mating them with magnepans. The good thing about the parasounds is that most dealers will offer an in home audition so you can see if it is your cup of tea. I like the amps a lot, but that doesn't mean they are right for you, you really should try to arrange an audition to see what you think. It is worth mentioning that the JC-1's were designed by CTC builders and are built by parasound for parasound, CTC builders has a fantastic reputation(for a good reason) and they do not sound like the rest of halo gear does.
As always Bon, thank you for your comments :o) More importantly I have updated my system(and renamed it), I added the Machina Dynamica isolation platforms and am stunned by the level of improvements. If you are ever in the market for platforms like the promethean, nimbus or Nirvana audition them in a hurry! I am arranging an audition on the sistrum stands, however I am very doubtful that they are going to offer the level of improvements the Geoff's platforms do. A friend turned me on to them and I was very doubtful, but I am a believer now and a happier audiophile because of it.
Hello Perfectionist(interesting moniker), in any case before I update my system again- yes I do have a few changes happening VERY soon- I can comment on the Parasound JC1's which are staying in my system at this time. I am really really impressed at the value these offer, they are powerful and explosively dynamic while maintaining transparency and detail. The emm labs is so revealing if there was a problem down stream it would be VERY obvious, it is a none issue with the JC1's. If anything they are a touch on the sweet side which I enjoy, it adds a little of tube like magic when it comes to texture(though I would never define it as tube like sound) in the midrange. As one would expect it is in control of bass and maintains linear response with articulation and detail. This amp is not perfect I suspect I am losing a little bit in inner detail and it does not have the magic of tubes. I don't think there is much competetion for this amp though, and at its price its a steal. I can't think of an amp that's less then 10K that can offer it a real run for the money, and even at that price range its more of a lateral move than a quantum leap in performance.
From my experiences these amps are particular about power cords, not to the point that would make or break a system but has the ability to tune the sound to your liking. I strongly suggest auditioning these amps if your looking for a high power solid state amp under $15k.
Daniel- Do you also know Brian? He's one of Frank's buddies, he's a pretty cool guy.
Tvad- There really is no secret, to me its common sense. A lot of 80+ hour work weeks and 10 years with no vacations and less then 5 sick days helps too. I feel old at 23:^) I did it the old fashioned way with a lot of hard work and patience. I wouldn't trade the experience for anything!
Hey Daniel- There are quite a few "younger" audiophiles here, though by no means the majority. It seems there is a lot of enthusiasm with most of the younger crowd, and a lot of the younger folks post fairly frequently and more importantly, like myself, read a lot of what's going on here to help us better make choices. As we all know mistakes can be very costly(at any age) and while I am doing well I don't have money to waste! And I am getting up there, recently celebrated the big 23- hell I am closer to 25 then I am to 20 now that is scary!
Your system is impressive for being one of the "kids" here as well!
And Brian if your reading this, I gave in and bought the new Emm labs transport- though I have not updated my system yet it is on its way. So while I made a great effort I still did not make it :( I am dissapointed with myself- so weak.
Hey Bob, how's it going? The Emm labs gear has been here for a couple of months now and sounds fantastic! The waiting and suffering was well worth all of the trouble. Thanks for the suggestion though :o)
Still have the coincidence speakers? I am sure you still have purist cables ;^)
Just a few tweaks, I have a few more to do then I will update the tweaks. Components are staying for a while and I mean it! I am nearly to the half way point this year too, I am pleased with having not purchased a damn thing this year :o)
I changed EVERYTHING. I am experimenting with various components but at as it stands I am using Solen caps for everything(I am planning on ordering some REL RT's for bypass caps on the mids and highs shortly). I am using goertz copper inductors on the highs and mids and some higher gauge then stock steel core inductors for the bass requirements- I don't recall which model I am using I think they are sledgehammers or somethink like that, I got them from madisound.com I have tried various coils including Solen Hepti-link coils and some steelcore coils, the goertz clearly are much better then anything else I have tried. I have not tried that many caps because the values that are required are quite unusual and it would be VERY expensive to use many other brands(when you need a 200uf, 100uf and 50uf cap in addition to many others its starts getting pricey). In addition to the REL caps I want to try the Mundorf's, the maggie comunity seem to like them an awful lot. I am also going to be experimenting with different wire(higher gauge) on the bass and possibly a biwire configuration to get more/better bass and clean up the mids/highs and further reduce distortion- in theory it works but we'll find out! Not only did this mods bring the performance of my system to a whole new level I never thought I would reach, its also a lot of fun!!
Menace, Dennis the- The crossovers are made using the original schematic. Wired point to point using various components and trying different layouts and configurations. But yes for the most part it is the original design with upgraded components- those who have tried altering the design don't recommend wasteing time trying.
Gallant_diva- I would never have expected a Parasound amp to impress me in the least- this amp is really much better then any parasound amp you have heard in the past. I have a friend who sold his Classe Omega for the JC-1's, more then a few people have sold there wolcott's for these. There are some dealers that will offer an in home audition if you are serious, Brian from Essential Audio might as might Duke from Audio Kinesis- try to get a hold of either of them and see if they can help you out. If you've been impressed with Parasound in the past be prepared to be blown away!
Gallant_diva- The parasound amps are fantastic, for the money they are unbelievable. I don't think they are fully broke in and I am still using RCA's so they should get a little better yet. If your looking for a high power amp at any price you owe it to yourself to audition these- don't let the price or the parasound name fool you, they are the real deal.
Jimmyrod- The amps have about 4 weeks on them now, my dealer was kind enough to start the break in for me as soon as he got them- he knew I wanted them it was just a matter of time. For the first few days I thought I may have made a mistake, it was thin and unmusical- compared to how it sounds now. Every day when I come home it seems to get better and better, the soundstage keeps growing, freq. response keeps going lower, they are starting to get really fast and dynamic as well. I am still awaiting the Jena labs power cord(s) which made the bat lightning quick, so I am hoping for similar results here. This amp clearly has more power, the volume doesn't need to go up near as high as before to reach LOUD levels, it also seems the volume controls are more sensitive, which makes sense. The speakers are incapable of background noise now, its either all or nothing :)
Unclejeff- I find myself leaning towards listening to the Meitnerized philips most of the time through a placette passive pre(still awaiting the DAC)- SACD is so much smoother, extended and has dynamics galore- imaging is more accurate, soundstage is wider. Though the capitole is much more refined and musical- technically I think the philips is better, but for music enjoyment I think the capitole is better. I am not so sure swapping out components is as fun as some would like to believe, it starts getting expensive and then you question your sanity or lack there of.
I assure everyone I am nearly done! power cords, solar power, new interconnects and a few tweaks to the crossovers and component platforms(absorbation/isolation stuff) for the DAC and transport then I am moving this system to the done for now catagory. I mean it this time..........really!
System edited: Well we are now at MKIII I had not planned on this change. The new amps sound fantastic- I am very surprised and pleased they are as good as they are. I've been letting the system play all day trying to get the amps broken in- from what I am told they sound bright for the first 2 months, I am already pleased with there performance so I am looking forward to hearing them sound even better. I've ordered new jena labs power cords for the amps as well and will make further updates when they arrive- I am not done with the crossover's yet, but when I feel I am done I will post pictures. When the crossover mods are finished this will move to the Done for know catagory, but in the mean time opinions please?
System edited: I got another audio aero capitol mk II to hold me over until the emm labs gear arrives. When I get some ambition I will take pictures of the new crossovers and other work that has been performed to the speakers- these upgrades transformed the performance of these speakers much more then I was expecting. The other changes I am considering are; moving up the jena labs line with interconnects to the valkyre's and of course trying some power cords when the new front end shows up. I also planned on trying a few more things with crossover's cryo treating coils, trying silver coils and different combonations of caps.- all of this is fairly simple just takes time. But in the mean time I am VERY pleased with the sound and its time to start tweaking!
Ok gotcha ;) I missed the "ac cables" in your original post, I just saw "cables"- oops!
Right now I have some Jena Labs power cords, which are very good, however I would like to push the envelope a little bit more. I plan on trying the new Elrod Statements, Shunyata Anaconda vX, and Silent Source. I see no point in spending a lot of time listening to power cords till the new digital shows up, it will probably change everything. From reports I have heard the Nueance shelves are second to none, so I think that's a safe investment. I would be open to any other power cord suggestions, in particular from DAC6e users. If I am not blown away by any of the other power cords I will happily stick with my jena labs that I have right now.
Mitchb- The jena labs symphony is the interconnect its a 1 meter pair of XLR cables between the source(in this case the DCC2) and my amp. The speaker cables are the Jena Labs Valkyre which of course go from amp to the passive crossovers on the speakers.
Thanks for the comments guys :o) WHEN the meitner actually shows I will update all of the pictures, and sometime soon I will get pictures of the modified speakers.
And Frank, I am no longer using those bose subs, after I got them back from when you borrowed them, they haven't worked?? Maybe those kharma's needed to steal some real bass performance from a real power house sub:) lol or you just worked your magic as the ultimate beta-tester :^)
