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

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

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

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

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

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

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

System edited: Replaced the VH Audio Pulsar with AZ Matrix Reference II. I am frankly shocked at the improvement in clarity, detail and bass response. I'm waiting on Tylers dedicated stands for the Taylo's; otherwise, I may done for a while.

cruz123 December 10, 2005 21:43

Thanks for the compliments. Quite flattering in consideration of the systems you guys are sporting.

Ozzy62, the stands I'm currently using are the stands that go with the Soliloquy 5.0's that I was using before the Tylers. They are great stands, but I will probably sell them along with the 5.0's and pick up a pair of the Tyler stands.

Thanks again.

cruz123 November 10, 2005 00:57

System edited: Replaced Soliloquy monitors with Tyler Taylor Reference Monitor with Millenium Tweeter upgrade. Very nice so far. Added photos.

cruz123 November 06, 2005 21:04

System edited: Replaced Jolida JD100 CDP with Cary 308T. Although the JD100 is a great player, the synergy between the 308T and the SLI-80 seems much improved. Very happy so far.

cruz123 June 15, 2005 01:12

System edited: Upgraded from my Jolida 302b to a Cary SLI-80. Also, now using the VH Audio Pulsar IC and added the new VH Audio Airsine PC. I hope to add pictures shortly.

cruz123 April 24, 2005 21:38

Rene - I am currently using Svetlana El34's , EH12AX7's, and Telefunken 12Au7's. I haven't spent too much time trying other tubes - but hope to experiment more later on. The biggest improvement came from swapping out the 12AX7's in the JD100 with some GE JAN5751's. As far as the tube dampers, the improvement seemed to be fairly small, but I the cumulative result of the various tweaks I am implemented are definitely an improvement over stock.

Ssglx - thanks for the input. I'll give the decoupling tweak on the 5.0's a try when I get a chance and report the results.

cruz123 October 11, 2004 01:31

System edited: Pictures added

cruz123 May 15, 2004 15:11

Thanks for the comments. My digital camera is giving me fits, but I'll try to post some photos soon.

cruz123 May 03, 2004 21:02