Description

I have evolved this system for ten years now. Egads what an adventure! I live near Echo Audio in Portland and the team there has let me take home countless pieces for audition. It's especially nice to be near Echo because they sell used equipment too so they have virtually anything in stock at one time or another. That helped me find and afford some great pieces that would have been out of my budget otherwise.

After buying, selling, trading and listening to so many pieces over the years, I'm now very happy with the sound.

I most recently added the Coffman Labs G1-A tube preamp which removed the last bits of stridency I was seeking too eliminate, but not at the expense of detail, nor bass. I'm completely enamored with its sonics. It's a keeper and with it in place I've finally lost my case of upgrade-itis.

Now I'm having fun sitting back, relaxing and enjoying the music. I just need to rotate the sofa cushions once in a while so one seat does not get all the wear!
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Components Toggle details

    • Burmester Audio 911 Mk3
    Great, liquid solid state sound with plenty of punch
    • Sonus Faber Olympica III
    floorstanders with outrigger stands
    • Coffman Labs G1-A Phono/Linestage
    Tube linestage, phono stage and headphone amplifier
    • SME Model 10
    lucky to find one gently used
    • Light Harmonic DaVinci
    great sounding DAC
    • Audio Research CD-3 Mk2
    Great top-loader from AR --
    • Jena Labs Twin 15 Speaker Cable
    15-strand, 8 feet long
    • Jena Labs Valkyre Interconnect
    Preamp to amp connection
    • Jena Labs Symphony digital cable
    Misc digital cables
    • Running Springs Audio Haley
    power conditioning
    • Cardas / RSA Mongoose Power Cords
    power cords
    • Cardas Golden Power Cords
    I have found these to take the "edge" of some pieces of equipment, but also accentuate bass a bit
    • Cathedral Sound Room Dampening Panels
    placed in the corners of the room. help a lot with bass control and room reflections
    • ASC Tube Traps
    these things do incredible work with bass control, but look a bit like cat scratch posts. I'd like to find some thin material to make them look more attractive without impacting sonic benefits
    • Mapleshade Audio Samson v1 & v2 Racks
    rock solid racks and I like the spartan look
    • Mapleshade Platforms
    A little extra isolation for components that benefitted from it
    • SME 10
    The standard-level tonearm for the SME 10 turntable

Comments 8

Showing all comments by islandmandan.

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Hello Musicpdx,

Great system, you've done a fine job in getting together components suited to your taste and room.

I'm wondering if you, and Horseface, happen to know of members Michael and George, and Marty, from the Portland Audio Society.

I've been friends with them for around three years, I'm sure they're familiar with Echo Audio. We get together about once a year or so, they're great guys, always a pleasure to visit with them.

I'm on Whidbey Island, and it's quite a drive to Portland, so visits are sporadic at best.

Anyway, it's been a pleasure reading about your system, cheers,

Dan

islandmandan