1markr,
Interesting journey you're on!
I guess I'm missing a piece of the puzzle. Please backtrack to when you had Berning & Merlins. When the Aero dac didn't please, you added the Ultraverve, right? Sometime later moved to the Modwright. Did you use the Ultraverve or Modwright w/the Berning/Merlin combo, & if so how did the preamps compare with those components? Also, were any of your power cable experiments on the Berning? What did you try/conclude? Thanks,
Spencer

sbank January 20, 2006 15:31

System edited: Added a Modwright preamp and Modwright 9000ES.

1markr January 04, 2006 19:56

Dolfan, you are invited when Emeril will do all
the cooking and the dessert,,, BAM!!!!!

jayctoy September 15, 2005 16:15

That looks like one heck of an equipment list Mark. Anyone would be proud of that. I would lower the temp to simmer and start preparing the dessert.

dolfan September 12, 2005 19:28

It has improved quite a bit since last time you heard it Bon, thanks to some of your suggestions, and following in your footsteps. I have some tweaking to do, like putting on quality Vampire RCAs on my Modwright and re-wiring it with Jena Labs cryo'ed copper cable. I might be a cable or two away (pc or IC?) from my system goals, and if I can find a VK-500 amp cheap enough, I may give it a try. Not ready to eat yet, still cooking ;).....

1markr September 11, 2005 20:52

I am glad you can smell it, when can we eat it ?
I notice too many changes on your system? It
must be good now?.

jayctoy September 11, 2005 20:42

System edited: Well, it was time to add the cabling components of my system. I have been trying out various and many sets of different cables in the last 6 mos. or more, and so far, this compliment of ICs, speaker cables, and power cables has provided me with the extreme pleasure of a sonically fun ssytem! There's a little more work to be done, but the end is near...I can smell it!

1markr September 10, 2005 19:29

waiting to hear how you like the Andras coming in. Please do update us!

artg May 02, 2005 03:30

whoa. we share a LOT on common gear: Berning First Sound Aaudio Aero (well, I',m expecting mine soon), we both used to have the Ayre V-5x. {see my system page}

I realize its been time sinbce you sold off the FS, but as far as your memory goes, how would you compare the FS with the Dehavilland? also, what tubes did you have in the First sound? stock?

artg April 09, 2005 00:13

I am looking for a pair of the Joule Electra VZN-100 Marquis mkIV monoblocks or the Berning ZH270's. Since you have had a few months to evaluate, have your opinions changed at all?

nrchy March 13, 2005 01:00

System edited: I added a deHavilland UltraVerve line stage preamp. The Audio Aero's preamp section was just not cutting it for me in my system, so enter the deHavilland. This preamp has exceeded all my expectations, and is tremendously synergistic in my system. This eval unit will NOT be going back. Huge bang for the $$!

1markr December 31, 2004 06:13

Hey Brooks, check your email. In short, both the Berning and Joules are great amps. Both have their strengths. Are the Joules worth more than two times the Berning? IMHO, no, but others may disagree. The Joule displays a deeper soundstage, and the mids are better, not as "hard" sounding. The Berning has better bass and slam, plus it takes up so little space, gives off little heat, and nothing to bias, it ran itself. What irks me most is how much noisier (buzzing and humming, not due to ground loops) the VZNs are vs. the ultra quiet Berning. Jud has a fix that will supposedly make the amps 6 to 8 db quiter, so I will have that done it January.

I alternate between the Audience and Gain cord on the Joules. Haven't decided which is best yet.

Hopefully the deHavilland arrives this week, starting a 30 day audition. I always liked the 6SN7 tubes, and my lazy arse really wants a remote, thus I'll be giving the UltraVerve a shot. I think my system could use a preamp again. The Audio Aero DAC's built-in preamp doesn't seem to be cutting it with the Joules, it seems.

1markr November 29, 2004 17:48

Mark, I am glad to see that you found some VZN 100s. How would you compare them to the Berning? I also saw the new preamp. How do you like it compared to your old First Sound? Are you liking the Cardas? What PCs do you have on the Joules? Thanks, Brooks

brooksl November 29, 2004 07:51

System edited: Latest evolution: Replaced the very excellent, fully tweaked Berning ZH270 with a pair of Joule Electra VZN-100 Marquis mkIV monoblocks (non-Musicwoods, sob). Replaced Audience AU24 ICs and speaker cables with Cardas Golden Reference ICs and speaker cables. I will also be trying out the favorably reviewed 6SN7-based deHavilland UltraVerve preamp in my system. I don't feel that the preamp section of my Audio Aero DAC is taking my system where I want or expect it to go.

1markr November 17, 2004 22:53

System edited: Sold my favorite preamp, the First Sound Presence Deluxe mkII, to stick with the built-in preamp of the Audio Aero DAC. It does quite a respectable job at switching between two analog inputs and volume control. I'm also trying out Z-Square's AU AU Gold Interconnects against my Audience AU24s.

1markr September 27, 2004 03:40

System edited: Added an Audio Note CDT-2 tranport to play with the Audio Aero DAC. Will the Brit coexist nicely with the French?? We'll see soo enough.

1markr September 20, 2004 18:40

System edited: Adding a new Audio Aero Prima 24/192 MKII DAC to the system. Not much money left for a great transport. Any recommnedations on the cheap? The AA will team up with an un-modded Denon 2200 in the meantime. Can this be it for now?

1markr August 05, 2004 21:56

Nick,

I have had the Berning in my system over a month now. I had a very hard time parting with the Hurricanes, but ultimately, I feel it was the right decision. BTW, I use the BAT Vk-D5 as the source, no vinyl.

The Hurricanes have a fuller sound with better bass and more power vs. the Berning, but the ZH270 bettered them in most other sonic aspects. The Hurricanes were a great match for VR-4s (I didn't have the Berning at the time I sold the VR-4s). IMO, the Berning is a much better match for the Merlins than the Hurricanes were. The Berning stood out as far as detail, speed, and clarity of sound, not to mention small size and low heat production.

One other observation, it seemed the Hurricane's soundstage collapsed (became flat) at higher listening levels with the Merlins, while the Berning stayed coherent at similiar listening levels.

I'm currently working on "warming" up the sound of the Berning (and system) now. Tubes are flying in and out!

1markr July 15, 2004 15:41

Perfectionist,

I do prefer the Merlins to the VR-4s, and not all for sonic reasons alone. Let me give you some meaningful (to me, in my system and room) comparisons:

Soundstage: taller and wider with the Merlins, deeper with the VR-4s (with rear tweeter slightly on). Both speakers image wonderfully.

Inner detail: much better on the Merlins. Clearer details with the Merlins, while the VR-4s are warmer, not as detailed.

Bass: no contest, the Vr-4s go DEEP and TIGHT! I have a REL Strata III to augment the bass of the Merlins, which is decent, but not great.

Speed / PRAT: Merlins are very quick, VR-4s were a little slower sounding.

Low level listening: Merlins are great. VR-4s sound best played loud.

Cosmetics / Finish: Merlins by a long shot. I never liked the wrap-around sock and cheaply finished endcaps of the VR-4s. The Merlins size and looks (Ruby Heart Red) are much more pleasing in my family room.

1markr July 15, 2004 15:28

System edited: Sold off the ASL Hurricane monoblocks. They will be sorely missed! However, the Berning is a wonderful amp, despite it's lightweight size and modest 70wpc power rating. As good a match for the Merlins as everybody claims!

1markr July 15, 2004 15:07

Have you received the Berning yet? How did that change the system sound? Btw, what source are you using?

nickatkins June 30, 2004 05:33

You prefer the Merlins over the VR-4's? And if so, can you elaborate.

perfectionist June 29, 2004 22:09

System edited: Added a Berning ZH270 amp to the system. Should be here by end of next week. Really looking forward to it based on all the rave reviews I have read about it.

1markr June 05, 2004 17:05

System edited: I've replaced my VR-4 III HSEs with a wonderful pair of Ruby Red Merlin VSM-Ms. I've also kept my ASL Hurricanes, but I'm thinking of goig OTL route. Keeping an eye out for a pair of Joule Electra VZN-100s or a Berning ZH270 in the very near future. I'm set with everything else!

1markr May 30, 2004 14:57

One good thing about being broke,keeps me home listening to music more,,,

raytheprinter April 29, 2004 20:45