Softly as in a morning sunrise. This system really excels at voice, solo piano, and small ensemble music (as long as it's not a death metal trio). More and more I'm convineced that well-regulated AC is the bedrock of a good system. There are many good companies for that; I chose Furman based on their reputation with professional musicians. The ATC driver in the DIY sub can hit a low E string on a bass with complete authority.
Next up, better streaming system, and upgraded phono cartridge.
Acrylic Series. Fitted with TP-300 arm (Rega OEM). Lyptus wood base with Finite Elemente Ceraball supports. Good resistance to vibration.
Rega RB-300
OEM arm for Thorens TD-2030. (aka TP-300)
Clearaudio Aurum Beta S
Moving Magnet. No longer manufactured. $800 when last available new.
Whest Phonostage PS.30R
Remarkably good product for the cost.No plans to upgrade further at this point. I think Whest is one of the more underappreciated phono stage makers out there.
Marantz SA-14v2
Version 2 edition. SACD/CD Player from Marantz. Unmodified. Balanced Output.
Apple TV
Wireless streaming source for WAV music files stored on SOHO computer
Wyred4Sound Remedy Reclocker
Anti-jitter device. Does a really good job with the Apple TV, but that ATV still remains the weak link in the entire system.
Belkin Synapse Platinum Professional
Digital 75 ohm cable RCA-RCA. I was never a big believer in cable tech until I happened upon this one. Replaced some cheap Monster. Difference like night and day. No Longer Manufactured.
PS Audio DigitalLink III
Cullen Level III mods
deHavilland Electric Amp Mercury III Remote
Designed to complement the Aires GM-70 Monoblocs. Very nice synergy from this combination now. All triode circuits.
deHavilland Electric Amp Aires GM-70 Monoblocs
50 wpc SET monoblocs employing GM-70 power triode from Russia.
Velodyne Amplifier SC-1250
1200-watt class D subwoofer amplifier with phase control and variable crossover point. Slope fixed at 24 dB/Octave. A little challenging to integrate with main SET amps, but corners at a relatively low 70 Hz, which helped a lot. Very quiet amplifier.
DIY Sub The Lucky
Cabinet approximately 100 liters in interior volume. Made by local craftsman with highly rigid walls of 3/4 birch ply over 3/4 MDF, and is criss-crossed with threaded rods which may be tightened to tune cabinet resonance and/or increase rigidity. Driver is ATC SB75-314
20 Ampere capacity voltage stabilizer, filter, and surge protector.
Furman Reference RI-1220
20 Amp balanced AC power transformer for digital components
PS Audio XStream
Analog cabling by PS Audio. No longer manufactured. Good quality wires at sane prices.
Finite Elemente Ceraball
First Generation isolation device. Works well with source components.
Mapleshade Silclear
Electrically conductive paste. If you like NOS tubes, it pays to check the pins for corrosion. If any exists (or even if it doesn't) a light application of this stuff does a remarkable job of increasing clarity.
Boston Audio Record Mat 1
Graphite record mat. Benefits from being placed over felt or leather. No longer manufactured.
Sorbothane Various shapes & thicknesses
Have it DIY cut from larger sheets under several components. It remains the go-to elastomer for audio in my estimation.
Thanks very much for your input. I actually was considering a Moerch arm with a Soundsmith moving iron cart. I'll certainly reconsider in light of your suggestions. I'm really torn as to whether the next expenditure should be for a better streaming DAC system or arm/cartridge. Thanks very much for your insights. Good listening Mark
System edited: A few changes since last time. The whest phonostage was probably the best $ spent. And, the Silclear proved that $$$$$ isn't an absolute requirement for improved sonics.
Hello and best regards - Sorry I'm just now responding to your post but with the Holidays I really haven't been to this site in quite a while. I thought I had it set to email me whenever someone dropped by but oh well..... To answer your first question, I was drawn to the Bolero speaker for 3 primary reasons - (1)I've always had great experience with speakers which use drivers from Dynaudio, (2)I'm getting along in years and they're voiced a little weaker in the midrange which helps the balance for these old ears, and (3) without question they're the finest example of woodworking art I've ever seen. As far as the speaker placement is concerned The doggone SET's are so big that if I switch their places with the boleros the speakers end up way too far apart for any real coherence. The good news is that with the subwoofer addition (which integrates pretty well which I attribute to that Velodyne amp - they know what they're doing) I've been able to close the rear ports on the Boleros and that's helped a great deal.