This system has been upgraded in parts over a period of several years, starting in 2005, triggered really by a chance purchase of a pre-owned pair of ATC SCM20 passives. The upgrade bug took over from there :) ATC amp, bigger ATC speakers, upgraded sources, cables, tweaks, power supply etc.
The first major milestone was the completion of full solid state system with ATCs all the way. The second milestone added some tube gear to the system, that's where I am now :) This system will stay for a long while. Now to hunt down those old LPs and CDs and start to enjoy the performances :)
Running the Amarra Mini player with iTunes as a database. Connected to the AMR CD 77's DAC via Ridge Street Audio USB cable. As close as it gets to good digital playback.
Ridge Street Audio Alethias!! USB Digital Master
The Ridge Street engineer cautioned me, once you use this cable, you'll never go back to your old cables; he was right. Natural and smooth to the nth degree.
AMR CD 77
CD processor
Audience AU24e
For all sources : CD, TT and the Phono Pre.
Audio Note UK M-6
Upgraded from the M-3, the M-6 is the entry model for AN's level 4 preamps. Beautifully made, truly engaging sound too.
Harmonix HS101GP - XLR
From the preamp to the active speaker monitors.
ATC SCM-50asl
Active monitors
Audience AdeptResponse
Power conditioning for each of the ATC active monitors.
Shunyata Hydra 8 and cables
I use Shunyata for all power supply needs (well mostly)
Shunyata Dark Field Cable Elevator
Got a bunch of these to raise all the power chords that normally lie on the floor. Could not believe the air this added to the overall sound.
Harmonix RF 999
Spike base. These drain away vibrations to the floor leaving the rack and speakers to do their job. It;ve tried many before, this one truly made a difference. Blacker backgrounds all round.
System edited: Took the plunge and forked out for an upgrade to the preamp, and moved from the Aidio Note M-3 to the M-6. I was expecting more of the same engaging musical experiences, but that's just the tip of the iceberg. The move from AN's level 3 to level 4 preamps hit the spot for me. I am where I want to be in terms of playback enjoyment and magic!
System edited: Just upgraded the tonearm to VPi's latest, the JMW 12.7 which came with a custom armboard to fit the TNT 4. Easy install, instant upgrade in sound. Amazing. Also added some small tweaks like RCA "stoppers" to plug the unused RCA sockets on the preamp. Got a pair for the unused XLR connectors on the CD player too. Final tweak is a Furutech De-Stat, a portable anti static device. This really does work on just about everything with moving parts. Audible improvement just by cleaning CDs, LPs, the platter etc. Nice.
Vx700 I can only echo Lesliepillay's findings on the AMR CD-77. I have mine in the system since July 07. I had auditioned a dealer's demo - that could not have had the 500 hours they were recommending at that time - in my own system and was completely smitten from that day on. When I received my own new unit, it sounded wonderful from the box but indeed it keeps getting better (even now I sometimes feel), at a few points quite markedly so.
As to cables. You will not really need any aftermarket cord, the AMR PC-77 is brilliant (I use a VooDoo Vajra because of synergy considerations at the time, but I could have been just as happy with the AMR cord). As far as interconnects are concerned, in my system I found Crystal Cable to be an excellent match.
Hi Vx700, I heard about the AMR CD 77 from my regular audio shop guy, the agents for AMR (and other brands) in Singapore. Actually, he's really a vinyl person but he talked so much about this particular CD player, I just knew it would be worth it. I ordered one without audition. Honestly? No regrets.
The player sounded so good straight out of the box I was floored. You're right about burn in tho, coz it just keeps getting better and better, really. I use iTunes via the AMR's USB input for regualr listening and burn in purposes, clocking about 5 to 6 hours daily. It's been about 6 months now and I gotta say, I'm not going to change players anytime soon.
Funny thing about the studio, I've never taken any photos. I mean... it's the studio. Usual industry standard stuff, Belden and Canary cables, off the shelf power conditioner, ProTools, tube mic preamp, Neumann mic, Yamaha digital board etc. Never really tweaked it. Interesting... coz I have some spare cables and footers and power chords...
Hello Lesliepillay, Nice setup interesting to boot. How did you come across the AMR CD 77? Looks impressive and I read a review on it @ 6moons, what is your opinion of it?
How long have you owned it?
The makers say it needs 800 hrs to come in! If you ran and average of (3) hrs a day that is 266.666 days!
What kind of music do you record in your studio? Post some photos of that system too- do you use Shunyata PC's and cables in your studio?
What changes did I see? Well visually it's impressive in an "over-the-top" sort of way. More importantly, the audible improvement was quite dramatic, a little like what I experienced when using a P/C on my CD player. All round more revealing, quiet. It does make a difference. The isolation footers did nothing for the iMac. I've since moved them to the preamp.
Re the stands, don't think the stand has a brand name at all. Some of the local audiophile shops seem to carry it tho and it did look good, so I bought several. I know they are made in Southern China.
The build quality is good, it is very heavy - each shelf weighs something like 15kgs (estimate from memory), I know this coz I had to assemble it, so total weight for the 4 shelf unit is around 70kgs? Plus it does look good :)
To be honest, I don't think this manufacturer has put alot of vibration control or damping science into the design, unlike HRS or Solid Tech racks which can cost $thousands. However it is built like a tank and I've been happy with it the past 4 years, I'm also sure Chinese speaking vibration waves will stay away ;)
System edited: Just traded up the Audio Note CD player for the AMR CD 77. This amazing player also has a USB port for external digital devices to make use of the onboard DAC. iTunes never ever sounded so good!
System edited: Just added an Audio Note tube line stage as my main front end. For those who think tubes muddy music, you've got to listen to a high quality tube preamp. Layers are all there. Warmer? Not really but richer timbre from musical instruments all round. I'd describe the move from SS to tubes in this way: even the same orchestra will sound slightly different with each concert they perform, but there are special days when everything comes together, the audience, the hall, the acoustics, the recording engineer, when this happens you smile, it's magical. This tube preamp has put a smile on my face each piece I play, every concert is perpetually experiencing such a day.
Have recently upgraded the cartridge from the Ortofon Samba to the Jubilee. Both moving coil carts but the Jubilee is something a little special. Manufactured by Ortofon to commemorate their 75th Anniversary, they've put something special into this cart - and it's obvious from first listen. Now only 3 days on the arm, this is scheduled to get even better :)
Hi Gelmhirst, my reason for the ATC preamp is because of the good comments I've read about how well it mates with the active 50s. I'm not sure if this will be my last preamp though, but for me this was the best starting point before I try out other front ends (EAR 864, Audio Note Line 3 etc). I guess you could say I'm using the ATC pre as a reference point, a good "matched" base to start from i.e. pre-amp, amp and speakers all from the same manufacturer and same design philosophy. I'll probably let the system run for about 4 to 6 months, then begin to look at some tube pre's.
I have not heard of "The Bass Gang" and I must get their CD's (I used to live in Parma near where all these guys are from). I would totally agree with you that the bass response on those speakers is extremely realistic. Accurate timbre is where they excel. I am not so sure it is amp damping - probably mostly related to driver and cabinet design: short coil in long gap, large well cooled driver motor in a critically damped acoustic suspension - you are hearing most bass notes with less than 1% harmonic distortion - a rare thing in a speaker these days )
Please share with us your other favorite recordings. I find so many gems from tips that I get from A'goners.
Nice move to the powered SCM50. Question though about the pre amp, you have selected to use the ATC pre, why was that? I was unaware ATC manufactures matching pre amps for their powered speakers.
System edited: My recent change to active tower speakers has been a good move. The control the ATC amps have over the drivers is simply astounding. The ultimate test CD by a group called "The Bass Gang" now sounds "real". You should check out this group of 4 double bass players playing together. Your amp will really need vice like control and damping of the speakers for this to sound remotely realistic. While the music is pleasant enough, this disc for me is a true acid test of a system's ability to resolve details in a lifelike manner. So far the results are excellent.
