Avantgarde Duo's, Conrad Johnson, Zesto, AudioPax all tube system, very musical, can rock the house if I want. Recently upgraded both analogue and digital front ends. Mostly done for now.
Dual plinth design with servo controlled speed control, statement clamp and outer limit ring
Minus -k 100
Turntable isolation platform. Designed for electron microscope isolation base.
Clearaudio Universal 9
Very easy to set up arm with VTA adjustability.
Benz Micro LP-S mr
Ebony body, micro ridge stylus, purchased 2013
Ortofon MC-Anna
Ortofon's newest top of line MC cartridge - on my Graham Phantom Supreme arm
Conrad Johnson GAT
CJ's newest top of line PreAmp that replaced the ART. Upgraded from my 16LS 2 during a period of too much $ burning hole in my pocket.
Oppo BD-95
Use this to play blue ray audio, which my esoteric does not play
Zesto Andros
A really high value phono stage - trashes the Tom Evans Groove I replaced. Very quiet, dynamic, run the Ortofon Anna thru SUT into the MM section and the Benz LPS thru the MC section.
AudioPax 88s
30 w mono block using KT88s. Very high bandwidth, very significant improvement in frequency extension and detail moving from a Cary Audio v12
AvantGarde Duo 2.2
Bought Kevin Deal's demo speakers after hearing them one time and sold my high power solid state amps and Wilson Watt/Puppies. Been enjoying them for 10 years and only thing I have not upgraded since then
Synergistic Research CTS Silver ICs,Designer Ref Speaker
Mix of cables acquired over the years.
Definitive Technology reference
14" 1800 w, use two, very sparingly for extra octave of bass to the AV Duo's . Generally turn off for all music except pop and electronica as the AV subs integrate better.
ASC tube trap
4 16 x 48 in each room corner. Wife was not pleased when these came home, but sound improvement was noticeable.
Zoethecus 4 and 5 shelf
2 matching cherry wood 4 and 5 shelf stands. Excellent isolation properties and bargain if you find one used,
Sorry all, been a while since I was on this thread, and for some reason, have not seen the notifications of others posting. Needfreestuff- "Outstanding just love your choices. Could you please let us know what differences you hear between the LPS and the Mc Anna? "
LPS is a very refined well balanced cartridge with good extension in highs and lows. Anna is more dynamic and more extended with a lot of wow factor, but still very good midrange. I was hoping to use the lps for most of my listening since it is much less expensive than the Anna, but I find the Anna too good to go back to the LPS. It's definitely law of diminishing returns, but it's the extra 10% of the Anna that can make a listening session special.
Nice dynamic system you have going there. I used to own the Duo 3.2 several years ago and know the Audiopax amp. is one of the best matches for coherence with them assuming the gain with the preamp. is OK. Best of luck and nice going making it all work.
