Its taken time, but now I can confidently say I have a system that plays music with emotion.......
I guess I took the harder route by trying to build my own speakers (must thank, Roman J. Bednarek for getting me get started on the crossover for the MTMs), but at the end of the day (a looooooong 2 years) it helped me learn the kind of sound I liked, that I preferred clarity/imaging over ultimate extension/detail. The synergy of the system is excellent, with a lovely balanced room filling sound.
Along the way, I also learnt the importance of cables, room acoustics (made my own panels), and clean power. Bottom line.... the system does what is important to me. It is very clear and open, has a nice balance, and it produces more than enough air, detail, weight, soundstage, etc..... but most of imp of all is it has eliminated all those niggling doubts about what if, and just lets me enjoy the music.
nice unit made even better with replacing the op-amps with OPA-627 modules, and replacing the stock feet with cones
Music Hall CD 25.2
Now used as a transport. Nice sounding on its own, but the DAC is much better
Starc Audio EL-34
33 W EL-34 based tube amp. Locally made (India). Great sounding, and better than the Unison Research Unico I compared it to. mates perfectly with the sealed MTM's
Audio Art/DIY IC-5
a combination of Audio Art cables and locally made silver plated cables. I think the Audio Art cables are fantastic value for money, but the locally made cables are even better and cost less
DIY DIY
again locally made cables that significantly bettered the Audio Art SC-5's I had earlier
DIY MTM
took 2 years to get the crossover right on these 6 1/2" MTM's. Uses locally made Peerless drivers
Creek Evo
a little underpowered, but still manage to drive the 15" subs.
