Hi rez achieved while maintaining decor...

by dcstep on Done For Now
In playing position

Description

I'm a serious musician and audio has been important to me since the 1960s. This system is my third major upgrade in the last 40 years.

You can see that it's important for me to integrate my system into our apartment living space, that I share with my wife of 39-years. It was important for the speakers to be physically attractive as furniture and, most importantly, be very musical.

The analog front end is incredibly revealing. When I'm seriously listening I pull the speakers out to the positions that you see, which was determined using Sumiko's Master Set technolog. Rod Thomson of Soundings set mine for me. Believe it or not, that table to the left is no problem for either imaging or frequency response. The narrow set is defined by that short wall and the opening into the hall and foyer. The image goes out past the speakers and centered vocalists are about 3/4 the way up the armoire in the center and depth goes back to the back wall. You'd be amazed at the bass from this system, particularly given the wonderfully open and textured midrange.

At other times the AKG headphones and incredible Woo Audio amplifier provide a great alternative for listening without moving the furniture around.

The Korg MR1000 is used for live recording and archiving vinyl using 1-bit DSD at 5.6 mHz.
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Components Toggle details

    • Vienna Acoustics Beethoven Baby Grand
    3-way, full range, floor standing speakers.
    • Jeff Rowland Continuum 500
    1,000 watts into 4 ohms, stereo, integrated amplifier, with phono stage
    • Playback Designs MPS-5
    CD/SACD player that upconverts redbook CDs to DSD. Claims no jitter.
    • Project RM10
    Hi mass, belt drive turntable with 10" carbon fiber arm.
    • Soundsmith The Voice Ebony
    .6 mV moving iron cartridge, with ruby cantilever and medium compliance tracking at 1.4g
    • Pioneer DV-58AV
    Univeral CD/DVD/SACD/mp3/etc. player, modded by Ric Schultz. Used as a DVD-A transport with digital into the MPS-5's DAC.
    • Korg MR1000
    1-bit DSD recorder with sampling rate up to 5.6 mHz with 40GB of onboard data storage.
    • Woo Audio WA6
    Single-ended, class A, tube headphone amplifier
    • AKG K-701
    Headphones with incredible midrange. Modified with 12', dual entry Cardas cable by Soloz Audio.
    • Sumiko Speaker set
    Perhaps the most important component, properly setting the speakers by a master technician using Sumiko's Master Set methodology.
    • Analasis Plus Solo Crystal Oval 8
    Great. See full review here: http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?rcabl&1200714157&openmine&zzDcstep&4&5#Dcstep
    • HRS M3 Isolation Bases
    17"X19" isolation bases under RM10 and MPS-5
    • Furman Elite-15PFi Power Conditioner
    This 13-plug added to the solidity of the bass and overall performance. This is a great value.

Comments 136

Showing all comments by brianmgrarcom.

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My MC46 has a headphone jack on it, but I haven't really used it other than just to try it for a moment, as headphones have never been a priority. I really doubt I would use headphones outside of straight from the iPod, not that I wouldn't enjoy a better setup, just being realistic in the way I live. So, if I ever do go up in class over my PX100's, whatever I'd choose would need to work with the iPod, hence my question(s). I also use them ('phones/iPod) at night if/when I have trouble sleeping, so smaller equals better, but I don't like buds...maybe it is just the stock apple buds turned me off to them.

It is a "bummer" that the Cardas upgrade is so much better on these 'phones, as once we ('philes) know this, it is a must to do so!

My PX100's, while not on par with your 701's, also took a long time to break-in, they were a bit too dark for me until the finally "came to".

brianmgrarcom

Interesting stuff Dave. One more question and I'll stop the pestering, can your iPod run the 701's by itself or does it lack the juice?

brianmgrarcom

Wow Dave, I am very envious of your home headphone rig!! What is your thoughts of this vs. playing through your system? Also, did you compare the AKG's to any others? I read so much good about the 701's.

Brian

brianmgrarcom

...btw Dave, I think it is great that the Playback unit can be used as a DAC.

brianmgrarcom

Thanks for sharing your findings Dave, they mirror mine, and others; I would have been puzzled if you found it differently.

Talking with one reviewer, before I received my iTransport, he told me that in his experience, he heard absolutely no difference in high dollar transports vs. cheap transports, as long as he used a DAC that reclocked the signal.

I also compared the coax cable supplied by Wadia to one from Pure Note and I couldn't tell any difference there either; I use the cord from Wadia.

I also enjoy listening to my iPod via headphones, I replaced the stock buds with Senn. PX100 headphones though.

brianmgrarcom

No idea, but it sure does take a lot longer.

brianmgrarcom

Most of my transfers have been just fine, but I have one track that will not fully transfer to iTunes, even with EC on; this track played fine the last time I played it on my Meridian G08. The G08 always did a great job reading CD's.

Other than that, everything I ripped sounded the same as the original to me.

brianmgrarcom

Something to think of Dave, a tip I got from others; rip all songs with error correction turned on, assuming you are using iTunes, as I don't know if others offer this option. This takes longer to rip, quite a bit actually, but I'd rather do it once, and do it right (or best).

brianmgrarcom

Hey Dave, you live in a beautiful area, I have visited CO two times. I liked Estes Park both times, but I hear it isn't the same since my last trip, which was over 10 years ago. I live in MI and it snowed a little this morning in fact.

I am not much or a traveler, but if make it out to CO again I'll be sure to let you know. (BTW, I have been a Bronco fan for over 20 years; it has been a strange year this year, while they are doing some winning, it isn't pretty!!)

I'll be very curious of your results with the 170; it has been all positive with me, but my digital isn't/wasn't to your level. I did some comparing to my G08 that I had, and I couldn't pick the two setups apart if I had to. I am very glad that I went this route, I prefer it to using a CDP.

Thanks for the kind words and I do enjoy this combination. Your speakers intrigue me, especially the price. :) I have my Wilson's listed, but I really like them and question following through; but I'd rather have some speakers that I have less money into at this time.

Brian

brianmgrarcom

This looks like a great setup Dave, one where I wish I lived near by as I think I'd really enjoy a listening session! Brian

brianmgrarcom

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