For some unfathomable reason beyond me, I am unable to edit or upload pics in my existing(circa 2007)system. Hence, I am adding pics/brief description of the recent changes to my vinyl chain including some new pics of my enlarged and refurbished,dedicated basement listening room.Apart from the vinyl set up, the rest of the system is unchanged from 2006.
In the past 8 yrs I have upgraded/changed my TT four times, gone through 5 cartridges.I am almost embarrased by the naivety of my early enthusiasm for vinyl. This prompted the purchase/cartage of a VPI 16.5 from Chicago to New Delhi. The decapitation of my Transfiguration Orpheus L was a wake up call. The system and sound have evolved in a manner that is consistently pleasing.
Jan 2013
After 7 years the upgraditis flu strikes hard. New speakers, Rockport Aviors, a new pre bought on Agon but yet to arrive, the CJ GAT and drooling over the prospects of large SET monos driving the Aviors.
Baby steps in computer audio with a Macair and Mytek DSD. Initial results...this could be good and I am beginning to understand what all the hype is about despite my initial cynicism.
June 2013
All things vinyl. On that plea decided to do all the vinyl fun things I always wanted to. A restored Garrard 401, a 12" arm, a Ortofon SPU and a Miyajima BE mono cart. This required coordination between Hong Kong(Mint LP),Singapore(source of the 309D,SPU,Miyajima cart and a Ortofon 80 SE SUT),Switzerland(MM card for the Nagra phono stage) and two locations in Delhi for the woodwork and Garrard 401.
Jan 2014
The Final Frontier or Sunnyboy goes bananas or My All Out Assault on Being Done For Now.
The Rockport Aviors arrived in Jan 2013, followed by the CJ GAT in April and after a 11 month wait and several hiccups the Wavac HE 833 V2 mono blocs arrived in Dec 2013.
I guess I am at the pinnacle of a 40 year audio journey. I have achieved all that I could dream of
and much more besides. The best part of the journey are the friends and fellow audiophiles across the globe that I have got to know.
Sunnyboy, I use the brass disc primarily for protective purposes. Robert of Star Sound says there is a modest sonic benetfit. Regarding the Tripoint Troy, well it just makes the music more realistic, natural and enjoyable. I'm very happy with its addition to my system. I also have dedicated AC lines and it doesn;t matter. The Troy makes a considerable difference.My sound is better with my BPT balanced AC isolation transformer/conditioner than going directly into the wall outlets, Charles,
Sunnyboy, I use the Sistrum SP101s beneath my SET mono blocks and find them undeniably an asset. They increased resolution, transparency and exposed more nuances. The innate full tone, harmonic richness and natural color vibrancy were retained (actually improved).These Sistrum platforms pushed the sound closer to what I hear in the presence of live instruments. No doubt they'd bring out the best of your Wavac amplifiers. Charles,
SET club with an open membership ? That works for me, good idea. SET as with any other amplifier topology won't please everyone. However high quality SET amplifiers with a good speaker match are musically thrilling and very emotionally involving. I'm a "lifer" just like Pradeep. Charles,
Pradeep, I didn't know that your Wavac SET was that powerful. The amp has to match the chosen speaker load, so 150 watts for you and 8 watts for me (my speakers are an easy load and coast with my amplifier). But overall the principle point is the same regarding a SET's impact on the sound. Charles,
Pradeep, I can relate to your amplifier comparison wholeheartedly. I was very content with my 100 watt(60 watt in triode)mono nlock push pull amplifier ( KT 88 and 6550 tubes). In 2009 I decided to give SET a try and bought a highly regarded 300b amplifier. The rest as they say is history, this 8 watt mono block SET was simply superior in reproducing music, emotion, visceral communication and sheer realism. I put the bigger amp back in my system a few times but the result remains unchanged. The life, involvement and flesh and blood naturalness take an undeniable step (or two) backwards with the PP amp in play (and I preferred this amp to any other PP competitors I was familiar with). The funny thing is that the PP amplifier is actually very good but just pales in direct comparison to my DHT-SET. I came to realized that I'd been mislead about the limitations of SETs and had accepted the misguided stereotypes. I'm just happy I learned for myself, there's no going back after over 4 years of this level of joy. Charles,
Hi Pradeep, I use the Synergistic Research Quantum fuses and I'm very pleased with their contributions to my system. I am not sure how the "best" fuse could ever be determined given the multitude of variables and individual taste involved. We both achieved better sound with different brands of fuses and thus, good decisions on our part. Pradeep thanks for the kind comment about my system. Charles,
Pradeep, Congratulations with your gorgeous Wavac amplifiers. They combined with your Rockport speakers must be a treat to hear. I agree with your assessment of the SET amplifier's attributes and also the benefit of using high quality fuses. Better fuses clearly improved the sound of my DAC, amplifier and line stage. Charles,
My general observation,it seems many female listeners(particularly musicians) really detect the natural sound-realism attributes rather than hifi characteristics.I`d trust her judgement alot. Regards,
