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.
Spirit, I believe you`re going to be very pleased with the Duelund capacitor upgrade.I look forward to your impression of the NAT GM 70 SET amplifier.It has the reputation of a stellar high power SET. Regards,
Charles, just ordered the Duelund VSF Black Cu cap network upgrade for my Zu Def4s. Very much looking fwd to the results when they're installed. Also will be auditioning some 70W/ch Nat SET mono amps in my system. Will be REALLY intrigued hearing these power the Zu 101dB eff spkrs.
Hi Brf, That was in my opinion a very accurate and concise description of what the Duelund CAST capacitor renders.The Total Eclipse is an open ,resolved and transparent speaker to begin with.The Duelund makes them more so and retains the excellent musicality.I`m glad you took the chance and tried them. Regards,
Hi Charles, the Duelund CAST caps were installed last week and have been burning in all week. The Duelund caps were affixed to the floor of the speakers just behind the large coils. My tech used a padded neoprene type substance that has an adhesive backing on both sides to secure the caps to the speaker floor (he said that it will help isolate the cabinet vibration from the caps). The whole process took less than 45 minutes.
The sound improvement is not subtle. I am not the best in describing the sound difference, but if I had to characterize the improvement it would be like a window that has been freshly washed. Everything appears to sound more detailed and clear, like a light veil has been lifted from the music. So far, very impressed. Thanks for the recommendations.
If you ever get the chance to buy / try AVVT C37's, man, please do, as I strongly believe you will be having another orgasmus, cos to me, even not having tried TA-300B's, I cant imagine better 300B tube, period.
Thanks Max, I do feel these two tubes are of the highest caliber and I can easily go from one to the other with no lose of enjoyment. I wish Alesa Vaic could have found a way to continue his phenomenal tube production, what a loss. Regards,
Thanks Charles1dad, all you wrote about AVVT 32B SL vs TA-300B are what I was expecting, wish I could get my hands on those Japanese beauties. I guess that precision and match in best material choise plus mega care during production are all those factors where the rest, mass productions, just cant complete, glad you took the chance with AVVT, now you have best of both worlds.
I`ve had the good fortune to listen to two top level 300 b tubes in my system,the AVVT 32 SL and the Takatsuki-TA(tak). Both are very sucessful achievements technically and in reproducing music. if I were grading them with a report card the AVVT receives an A.
The AVVT is stellar in transparency,openess,timimg/pace,dynamics and certainly resolution.It does so much at such a high level of competence,the inner detail and nuances are unveiled and spring to life. A genuine shame this tube is not currently produced.It has been a pleasure to listen to this tube the past 2 months.
Takatsuki earns an A+, all I`ve said about the fine AVVT is true of the Tak but with an added component,increased soul and humanity. The AVVT has these attributes and certainly conveys emotion and allows connection to the music(better than most tubes I`ve heard).The Takatsuki elevates to the next level above.It has the ability to present the pure beauty,heart and visceral aspects of music reproduction that is unmatched in my personal experience.
The Takatsuki just totally pulls you in and keeps you there.The superb tone,color saturation and vibrant sounds are fully presented.If you want/need flesh and blood, living breathing performers in real venue space, this is the tube for you. Natural,fluid and complete with an organic-realistic bloom that I always hear with live acoustic music(un -amplified).The AVVT is a single step behind and 2nd only to this Japanese marvel.I`m lucky to have both. Regards,
I can't argue against your fine CD collection!! FM does present music to me for further investigation, at times. AL uses a roof mount Channel Master with Rotator with his REL precedent. As always, reading of your system's refinements and general comments is a pleasure.
Isochronism, Jeff is right, I have a Fanfare tuner that I once listened to quite often in my previous home.I really do need a rooftop antenna but just never got around to getting it done. There are actually several very good stations in our area (southeastern Michigan). I'm very occupied with my large and ever growing jazz CD library. Regards,
Charles, a good friend has a beautiful tuner and a wonderful local PBS FM station that plays classical during days and jazz at night. In his other house he had it hooked up to a YAGI rooftop and listened almost everyday. He needs to call an electrician to run a cable to an antenna in his attic. I also need to do this. I hope he does.
Hi Charles, Off current topic, I am slightly surprised that you do not have a tuner. I use mine often, even if only two main stations are tuned to. I would imagine that you have access to good programming. I am in NYC area. Magnum Dynalab 106T MD Signal Sleuth MD ST2 antenna
Onemug, Thanks fo the update.I wasn`t aware the EML rectifier is a mesh plate tube.
Brf, I waited a very long time for the Duelund crossover capacitors. Their coupling capacitors for my DAC I got within a week from the Parts Conextion(they were in stock).I`m interested in your impression of them when you have the time. Regards,
Charles, they just came in last week!!!! I am having a local tech/friend come to my house to install them next weekend. I can't believe how long it took to get them in.
My vintage system has been occupying my time lately. Some very rare pieces have become available and it's such a thrill to get my hands (and ears) on them that the big system has been neglected somewhat but I did start getting back into it a few days ago.
I'm still in the breakin period. For awhile I thought the EML rectifier was a little too analytical but it is mellowing out as I'm getting back into it.
During that analytical period I was thinking maybe the combo of the 300b mesh and 5u4g mesh was a little too much for me. When I subbed the EML solid plate in, there was the "yeah that's the ticket" factor. Likewise when I ran the EML 300b mesh with my NOS RCA 5u4g's "that was the ticket".
This is with maybe 100 hours on the them. Not much info on these mesh rectifiers so I don't know if they will continue to improve but I'm back to using them and will let you know.
Spirit, It would seem the Hovland tube preamp should be fine unless there's some odd impedance mismatch. As far as the power amplifiers are concerned, is it possible to arrange a home audition? For perspective GSM18439 (Gary) drives the same speakers with his 8-9 watt 300b in a large and open space quite happily. Phil has certainly been very satisfied with his Audion Black Shadows for a long time. So it appears 60-70 atts isn't required, on the other hand they won't hurt anything either. Does the extra cost of these amplifiers represent a meaningful value or improvement compared to the 30 watt 211 tubed NAT or the Audion? An audition would settle this easily. Regards,
Charles, that sounds about right. I'm aiming for the Straingauge on the Salvation tt/Terminator arm being the end point for my analogue journey. This SET avenue needs to be an end point of sorts too. From what I can glean from the dealer, the NAT GM70s will have a little more drive than the Black Shadows, but it's likely to be a face off between these two. At present I can't afford to go to the NAT Symmetrical preamp, and am hoping my current Hovland HP200 tube preamp will be a good match for the NAT or Audion. What do you think? And then there is the Duelund VSF Black cap upgrade to the Def4s. Phew! I need to lie down now.
Hi Spirit, I think you'll be just fine if you rely on your ears (which you seem to do).Listening to the NAT SET amplifier caused you to realize certain characteristics of your current amps . It's hard to match the purity and natural sound of SET with non-SET type amplifiers You're merely reacting to what you heard and that's good. All you need is an opportunity to hear the Audion and NAT amps within your system and simply trust your ears . I'll assume that is how you chose the Zu DEF IV and your other components. You certainly have the speakers that allow the advantages of SET to be exploited to maximum effect. You're in a very good position to put the final touch into your well developed system, just listen. Either of the two amps under consideration will provide more than enough power for your DEF IV.Germanboxers is getting really excellent results with the 8 watt Frankenstein MK II, so you should have no power issues with your higher power contenders. Regards,
Charles, you've been kind enough to contribute to my thoughts on the Zu Def4s thread. I really wish I hadn't heard those NAT SETs!!! I'm now so aware of grain, and limiting of transparency, my SS Hovland Radia power amp is imposing on my music. My q is - what are the long term ramifications of finding the right SET amp for the long term listening experience? This will be a real paradigm change, and if I go down this path, am a little anxious actually. My choice is likely to come down to NAT SE2SE GM70's v Audion Black Shadows.
