My objective is to duplicate the sound of a good jazz venue as best I can. I'll never match it but getting close is fine. I've had various audio components through the years and tubes particularly DHT tubes/ASSET have gotten me the closest. So this is where I will settle down and appreciate.
Balanced AC power is fantastic !! 1800va balanced isolation transformer/conditioner. All aspects of music reproduction are improved for every single component.
Tripoint Tripoint Troy.
A wonderful grounding box component. When added to my system it increased the sense of natural sound quality and emotional engagement. The Troy has a humanistic and “soulful “ quality to it.
Coincident Speaker Tech Total eclipse 2
This wonderful speaker is transparent,open and involving. It`s large yet completely disappears as the source of sound within the room. Very easy to drive,94db and 14 0hm impedance (Minimum 10 ohm). I replaced the stock Solens capacitor with the Duelund CAST in the crossover.
Coincident Statement linestage
Superb performance. In my opinion , a masterpiece by Israel Blume. As would be expected, a wonderful match with its sibling the Frankenstein MK II.
Coincident Speaker Tech Frankenstein mark 2
A terrific 300b SET amplifier that is the foundation of my system. The EML XLS 300b tubes are a superb match with this amplifier.
Acquiring these 300b SET mono blocks changed the course of my music listening experience. They elevated the emotional engagement, tactility and “breath of life “ realism.
Yamamoto YDA-01
Wonderful music lover's DAC that has a very natural/organic sound quality. Duelund CAST addition(output coupling capacitors) makes it sound even better. It has a very minimalist circuit/design that was implemented well.
Ocellia Silver Reference IC
Very natural and pure sounding with excellent tone and timbre preservation.
Ocellia Silver Reference Speaker Cable
Same qualities/ comments as the IC.
Star Sound Technologies Sistrum Apprentice component platforms..
These Star Sound platforms are mandatory in my system. Effectively managing resonance and vibration leads to a very noticeable sound improvement with every component and especially the speakers. Excellent product.
High Fidelity CT1 Ultimate Digital cable
A highly impressive digital cable that mates beautifully into my system. Contributes to the natural sound presentation.
Pro-Ject Audio Systems CD Box RS2T
This is a superb Redbook CD playback transport. It’s both high resolution and impressively natural.
. I’m using the excellent Fidelizer Nikola II LPS. Splendid pairing.
Lavricables Grand and Master series Power Cables.
Pure silver wire and unshielded power cables. These are used with all of my audio components. They are very open, transparent, high resolution with beautiful natural tone and timbre presentation.
Abbas Esoteric Audio 3.2SE
Built by renown Ukrainian Abbas Zulfugarov. NOS DAC utilizing the classic Phillips TDA 1541 multi bit chip. Two 6080 tubes in the analog stage. 5 various rectifier tubes in the power supplies.
3 separate toroidal transformers (And 2 chokes ) for the power supplies.A very serious and successful upper tier DAC implementation. Using with the Abbas SPDIF and power cable.
I understand Charles your preferences which are mine also. I've also learned that focus affects timing of the music. More focus adds realism and more emotion.
Hi Charles, did focus and pin point imaging improve with the Apprentice? Your comparison was vs the Starsound AP1.5 brass spikes? Thanks for the feedback.
4orreal, Tripoint is a tool to let you hear the outlet, that is the only reason for me bringing it up. Whatever outlet works for you within your synergy of components is ok with me. I'll keep my Maestro. Lets move on and happy listening.
Fernando and I where discussing the outlet threads the other day regarding different folks findings. We came up with the conclusion that some systems will benefit from the platings as it helps smooth out the nasties. By this smoother midrange and high frequencies, of course this comes at a price of the system becoming more editorial. Don't want the plating of an outlet adding bloat and sacrificing immediacy. I rather take care of the problem through grounding, correct mechanical isolation, room acoustics. System synergy at the end of the day will yield different results. I know what works for me under my conditions with my Tripoint technology.
4orreal, Don't believe in plating in outlets, I only trust my ears and not the threads. If you heard my Emperor you would understand my position. I have heard to many flavors through my years of experience. If you find something more refined and humanistic than Tripoint let me know, I'm open minded to hear anything. I haven't heard anything better, just my opinion and one lucky Emperor owner. Not trying to be disrespectful, but I've heard a lot of systems in the last 30 years. Happy listening.
To clarify my last statement not better than the Tripoint Thor Silver or Hybrid. Winner against anything else available in the industry. I do trust Fernando's ears. Someday I recommend you hear the Tripont Thor SE ground cable in your system. Happy Listening.
Charles, Fernando uses my Tripoint power cord as a benchmark to voice the Maestro to be as close as possible to the Tripoint Thor power cable. To this date the Thor Silver voicing has no peers. I 'm sure the Maestro outclasses most power cables in the industry. By the way Tripoint does make a Tripoint Thor hybrid silver / copper power cable that is my favorite. Maestro is a winner according to Fernando.
Roxy 54, Charles, Andrew you're correct I've waited to long to try the Apprentice. Does anyone know if the Apprentice can handle 300 pounds plus. Want to try my new Emperor Master a Reference Ground Station on it.
Hi Charles, Thanks for the report. The addition of the Apprentice platform further reduces mechanical induce distortions. I suppose that stand up bass has greater articulation with more lifelike density. Seems to me that the system has a greater sense of realism from your earlier descriptions. Congrats! Enjoy the Troy/Apprentice combo.
Charles, These days less is more. Less complex crossover designs, efficiency, less drivers, simple amp circuits equals more real body, texture, harmonic detail, coherency and more lifelike timing. I picked up a set of Cessaro Chopin Signature speakers and couldn't be happier with my choice, a great music maker which showcases the strengths of Tripoint. Thanks for your input.
Hi Charles, Hope you're still enjoying the Tripoint Troy. Wanted to find out if you had any experience with the First Watt amps, specially the SIT-1 monos? SIT-1 monos and Electra Fidelity 300B SE monos(silver windings edition) are in my radar.
Andrew, looking forward to visiting you in the future when the room is completed. The room noise removal, mechanical component grounding, AC noises are the most important factors in my experience. Keep me posted on future progress.
