System edited: Moved from Squeezebox platform to Sonos for wireless access to my music library and music service. Though a bit pricey, Sonos works much better than Squeezebox.

cruz123 October 28, 2012 13:07

Thanks for your thoughts, Cruz123.

samac January 05, 2010 17:16

Samac - in my experience, the Merlins are a more detailed, refined speaker than the Tylers. They are, however, less forgiving than the Tylers and require pairing with good front end equipment, plus they are more critical to setup. However, when they are properly setup they are top shelf, IMO.

Jazzcrooner - The singe biggest updgrade in my system was probably the VAC monoblocs, though its hard to put a finger on any one piece. I think its more a synergy of all the pieces that makes my system so enjoyable for me. For me going to separates brought increased detail and clarity that I was unable to achieve through an integrated, though I certainly haven't tried them all.

cruz123 January 01, 2010 21:41

What was the biggest difference in going from integrated to separates? Also, what upgrade or change do you feel had the largest impact on your system? Thanks!

jazzcrooner12 December 05, 2009 19:10

Great system! Would you mind comparing the Tylers and the Merlins. Thanks for any impressions.

Cheers,

Scott

samac November 26, 2009 04:38

System edited: Completely on impulse, I picked up a used VAC Renaissance pre and it's excellent. It lacks the absolute quiet background and clarity of the Dodd, but has exceptional musicality and warmth. Plus it has built in phono and other full function features that the Dodd lacks. So, it appears that my battery power experiment is largely over for the moment (the lone survivor is the BPT squeezebox PS). Mitch - yes, I run the Squeezebox into the DAC of my Opus 21 CDP. Sorry for the tardy reply.

cruz123 June 07, 2009 14:59

.
Are you using an external DAC with your modded Squeezebox?
.

mitch4t May 23, 2009 10:29

System edited: Added a Gabriel Gold Raptute between the Dodd and VAC's. Also, added a Ridsge Strett Audio Exousias umbilical to the Opus 21. The hype for both cables is well deserved. I'm very happy with my system at this point. It's hard to imagine much improvement, though I may try experimenting a bit with speaker cables. I

cruz123 April 25, 2009 16:49

A few updates since my last entry. I've added the Scout turntable and musical surroundings battery powered phono pre. Excellent sound, though I'm still trying to determine if I'm a "vinyl guy" long term. I've also added a second Dynamo sub, with excellent results. The second sub really smoothed out the bass response. Finally, I've modded my Squeezebox and added a BPT custom battery power supply. I listen to the Squeezebox a LOT, so the updgrades are worthwhile.

cruz123 March 21, 2009 04:50

System edited: In my first significant system shake-up in a few years, I have gone away from an integrated and added VAC Auricle 70/70 Monobloc's and a Dodd battery powered preamp. Still tweaking, but initial impressions are very favorable.

cruz123 June 05, 2008 02:06

System edited: Updated the RA Opus 21 with Reference mods from GNSC. Substantially tighted up the bass and improved dynamics.

cruz123 April 20, 2008 16:37

Thanks, Acastano. Yes, I'm running the Squeezebox through the Opus. Sounds great. I am planning to send my Opus for mods later this year. Did you buy yours modded?

cruz123 February 03, 2008 22:53

Great system Cruz. Are you running the Squeezebox to the Opus 21 digital input? I'm doing that with my Sonos with great results (I have an Opus 21 with reference GNSC mods, fantastic sound!)

acastano February 02, 2008 13:03

System edited: Pics added.

cruz123 January 19, 2008 20:02

System edited: After more than a year of no significant changes, I have now added/replaced the following: RA Opus 21 CDP, Merlin TSM-MMe monitor speakers, Martin Logan Dynamo subwoofer and Squeezebox 3. I hope to send the Opus out for the GNSC upgrades in the near future.

cruz123 January 02, 2008 00:09

Jakubapi, sorry for the tardy reply. I don't check my system thread much these days. As to the Herbie's dampers, I've used them for so long that I honestly can't remember if I considered them to afford much of an improvement or not. The benefits are very subtle, at best. If you happen to have tubes that tend to be microphonic, they would probably help.

cruz123 April 29, 2007 15:26

Your tweaks on the Cary caught my eye and I wonder if you could describe the changes in sound after you used the Herbies tweaks
Looking forward to hearing from you
Jacob

jakubapi March 16, 2007 10:01

Thanks Cruz123!

I guess I'll stick with my 308T. Funny I also use Mullards and love the sound.

I hear ya about balancing room treatment and keeping things aesthetically pleasing. I'm in the same boat there.

Take care,
Rob

robm321 November 08, 2006 19:25

Also, Robm321. I found the Cary considerably better than the Jolida. I used the Jolida with my other current components for about 6 months and feel that I had a good understanding of its characteristics. The Cary was immediately better. There was a slight high frequency edginess that immediately disappeared when I installed the Cary.

cruz123 November 05, 2006 16:29

Guys, sorry for the tardy replies. I'v been busy and haven't been following too closely lately.

Tvad, I had the Soliloquy 5.0 monitors. The millenium tweeter employed in the Tylers is excellent and represents the biggest difference over the Soliloquy's. The Tylers are just much smoother in the upper frequencies. Also, the Tyler's have a 6.5" mid/bass driver, compared to the 5" in the Tyler, so the sound is fuller with the Tylers. I am very pleased with them and will not upgrade until I have room for floorstanders. I will say that I was slightly disppointed with the cabinets on the Tylers (whereas the Soliloquys were perfect). Specifically, there is a gap around the tweeter housing and the cabinet. The millenium tweeter is an upgrade and its possible the stock tweeter (Scanspeak) fits flush, but nonetheless I guess I expected better. In any event, I bought them at a great deal used on A'gon, so I can't complain given the sound quality. All things considered, I believe the Tylers represent an excellent value and I would not hesitate to buy from Tyler again.

Robm321, thanks for the compliments and comments. Your point is well taken, unfortunately I don't have much room to play with in this room. Also, I am trying to balance room aesthetics with functionality and thus the cabinet between the speakers. You can't tell from the photos, but the speaker drivers are in front of the cabinet slightly, which helps to some degree. Honestly, I previously had the same set up without the cabinet and I haven't noticed a significant difference.

Thanks for the comments.

cruz123 November 05, 2006 16:23

Question about source. Great system by the way. If you get a chance to removing that cabinet in between the speakers should help imensly with the acoustics.

I have the Cary 308T and have good memories of the Jolida JD-100 (thinking of possibly downgrading). You mention synergy but on it's own was the Jolida vs Cary front end very close?

Thanks,
Rob

robm321 November 01, 2006 23:20

Which Soliloquy speakers did you own, and what are the major sonic differences between the Soliloquys and the Tyler Taylo monitors?

tvad September 15, 2006 21:39

System edited: Added pics of updated room. New paint and furnishings. Bought an armoire to house my simple system. I like being able to close everything up when not in use. The chair can easily be moved to the "sweet spot" in the center of room for serious listening.

cruz123 April 23, 2006 23:45

System edited: Upgraded the AZ Matrix Reference II to the AZ Silver Reference II. So far I like what I hear. The Silver seems a little clearer and less "thick" than the Matrix, which is a plus in my all tube system.

cruz123 April 20, 2006 22:33

System edited: Added dedicated stands for Tyler monitors.

cruz123 December 18, 2005 21:35