Description

Harbeth is my main but I often switch to Maggie when I miss real-life-like sound stage and air of Maggie for Symphony and Chorus.

I recently replaced Cary V12 with Aleph 0 mono blocks. V12 had sweet sweet midrange but Aleph sounds also very musical with much kicks. Aleph mono blocks drive both speakers beautifully.

I am working on improving Phono sounds. I will probably add some isolation system (Ginko Cloud 10?) sometime soon.

I have not been upgrading digital gears for years as my serious listening has been all Vinyl.

Happy Listening!!

Latest changes:

Added Music Reference RM200

Added Ayre DAC QB9 running with jRiver.

jRiver looks and runs beautiful with Dell SX2210T touch screen monitor.
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Components Toggle details

    • Harbeth Compact 7es3
    One of newer Harbeth. I think this is one of the best value speakers out there.
    • Cary Audio Design SLP-05
    I love it!
    • Pass Labs Aleph O Mono Block
    Nelson Pass's first amp under Pass Lab label. Mono block - 75W each
    • VPI Industries VPI Scout Master
    Scout Master with SDS + Peripheral Ring
    • VPI Industries JMW-9 Signature
    Comes with Nordost wiring
    • Dynavector Karat 17D3
    Low output (0.3mv) cartridge
    • Sutherland PH.D - Phono Pre
    You need 16 'D' batteries. No power cord needed.
    • Sony SCD-XA5400ES
    New flag ship from Sony. Best value. Class A+.
    • Magnepan MG-1.6qr
    Maggie! Maggie! Bravo! Works really beautiful with Aleph 0.
    • Cardas Golden Reference
    0.5m Tonearm - Phone Pre
    • Nordost Red Dawn
    0.5m CD Player - Pre Amp
    • Nordost Red Dawn
    1m Phone Pre - Pre Amp
    • Acoustic Zen Silver Reference II
    1m Pre Amp - Power Amp
    • Audioquest Mont Blanc
    6' Used for Harbeth
    • Kimber 8TC
    8' Used for Maggie
    • Skylan Speaker Stands For Harbeth Compact 7es3
    Custom design for Harbeth. Very recommended stands for any Harbeth speakers.
    • VPI Industries SDS Synchronous Drive System
    Great upgrade for my ScoutMaster
    • Gingko Cloud 10 for VPI ScoutMaster
    My Scoutmaster works like suspension table with this Could 10.
    • IsoClean IsoClean Fuse for SLP-05
    Can you believe that this Fuse is directional?
    • Revelation Audio Lab umbilical power cable for SLP-05
    It works. Even more clarity and bass to my SLP-05.
    • Music Reference RM-200
    Mk-II
    • Ayre QB-9
    USB DAC - Amazing

Comments 21

Showing all comments by chazzbo.

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Bravo!Not only are the components highly reviewed but they are perennial models that have lasted because they work.Plus for those of us who live in "real world: finances it's a system that shows balance and value for the dollar.Interesting that you changed from Cary to Aleph but we all know good good tube versus SS has it's pluses and minuses yet with the Cary tube pre the euphonics and warmth are there with more solid bass.I have a friend with a Cary SLi80 and your 17D3 cart (he likes it but thinks the cantilever is delicate and wishes he had a bit more than .23Mv) hooked to his VPI 19 and the thing I wonder is if the Camelot isn't the element that would give you more for buck than any upgrade in this well balanced system.

My buddy deals with low output since he has PS GCPH which in addition to knob settings for gain it has master volume/gain but if it's not an issue it's not an issue.I have two pre's one Krell hooked up to KRC2 pre but will probably sell that.Then I have a Kora tube Pre that has fantastic MM/MC but it's non adjustable.GCPH is cool since it allows adjustments of gain and load,phase,mono etc.Yet I am not sure it can touch other phono's for a bit more (Whest,EAR 834) or a Jolida for half it's price.Might try a modded one from Cullen.What I'd like is sound quality of EAR 324 but at price of GCPH!!!Think that 324 would sound awesome with your amp and pre.Anyway great system.Might check with Mike or Harry at VPI and see if Cloud is worth it or just go for HRX Mini Feet which Harry designed with Vihn VU of Gingko and uses same ball.Am surprised those speakers cut in room that size(Friend has 3.6's).I have a love hate thing with Maggie just like Quad,ML,Apogee's so understand the two speakers both of which are great final transducers to a sensible yet really nice rig.
Cheers
Chazz

chazzbo