System edited: Went back to the Audio Research CA-50 with this system--returning to a piece I had owned about 10 years ago. Found it used in pristine shape here on Audiogon and just love the sound with my ProAcs. I have got to stop experimenting! This system sounds just great. The Squeezebox Touch is a great wireless music streamer and can handle 24/96 hi-res files if you have any. So far I only have a couple.

sc53 December 05, 2011 16:25

System edited: Major change to economize--replaced tube amps and preamp with Myryad British integrated amp, replaced Magnum Dynalab tuner with Myryad tuner, and replaced Ayre and Linn CD players with NAD M5 SACD/CD player. System still sounds great for a lot less money.

sc53 March 24, 2010 23:30

Great system! How would you say the d15's compare to the 1SC? Is the midrange and overall coherence as good? Better? More lower frequency info? Any feedback would be appreciated! Tim

1741 September 29, 2008 12:05

Hi Islandmusic, I am a big fan of Swiss-made Ensemble cables, which I use in both my systems. I don't have a biwire set for the ProAcs so I am using Cardas Golden Presence as speaker cables. Power cords are a combination of Ensemble, Cardas, Sonoran, and Audience. The Ensemble power conditioner, the Isolink Duo, was the single best addition I have made to this system. I have 3 Isolink "mono's" in my big system downstairs. I found them all used here on Audiogon. They WORK.

sc53 April 07, 2008 12:49

Beautiful system! Curious to know what interconnects & speaker cables you're using now on your ARC VS55 & Proac 1SC's?
Have an older ARC system LS-7 pre. & VT-60 amp. Getting ready to purchase the Proac 1sc & cables.

islandmusic March 31, 2008 21:26

Hi Efner and Haimoc, the VS55 and the 1SC's were a match made in heaven, I now have the D15's with this amp and sound is very similar, just fuller with more bass. Since I use a REL Storm III even the 1SC's had sufficient bass for me and the music I play; the D15's are just a tad richer sounding. The Cary preamp is a very nice match both visually and sonically with both the ARC and the Quad amps. I like the small footprint and lush yet clear sound. Lots of detail but nothing shrill, just as I like it. I can't really decide between the amps so I'm keeping both for now. Thanks for your comments!

sc53 March 16, 2008 14:12

Vey nice tube system. How does Cary tube preamp match with Audio Research tube amp?

haimoc March 14, 2008 20:51

Hi,
If you want to try some great sounding mono blocks,try a pair of Manley Snappers. I have a pair that drive my 1sc's. They sound great and are very
cheap to re-tube and easy to bias. And their customer service is second to none.

Plus they look cool.

How do you like the VS55 with the 1sc's?

efner February 01, 2008 23:33

System edited: Pretty much satisfied with what I consider a more compact system to integrate into the living room. I guess if I had to worry about WAF this "compact" system would have to live elsewhere. But it's great for listening while I'm in the kitchen or poking around with the dogs and don't want to descend into the basement to fire up the BIG system!

sc53 January 09, 2008 23:49

System edited: The living room system has undergone various iterations, while my main reference system has remained very stable over the past 10 yrs. ProAc's and tubes in this system are so perfect that I often spend several hours after dinner just listening to Squeezebox or CD player while reading. For some reason it seems more trouble to go downstairs and fire up the big system, so I wait till I have lots of time on weekends. I have found that ARC amps are an incredible match with my favored speakers (ProAc and Genesis 500). The detail and warmth are mind boggling. Upstairs I also use the Quad II monoblocks with the ProAc D15's instead of the ARC VS-55 I also run up there. i can't really decide which is best; both of these amps are so excellent with the D15's I have to keep both. The service you get with Audio Research has to be experienced to be believed. They sent me a free 6550 tube for the VS 55 when I broke off a plastic part of one of the ones that came with it. And then the Quad distributor repaired my Quad II for no charge (though I had bought this pair of monoblocks used and had no warranty) when one of my Tung Sol Kt-66's went bad and took out the output transformer. Quad repaired the amp and shipped it back to me for free. Unbelievable!

sc53 June 08, 2007 01:37

System edited: Completely changed this system over the spring. It's now back to tubes, which I seem to prefer, and different model of ProAc's.

sc53 April 23, 2007 18:31

System edited: Many changes since first created. Now using Ayre synergy (CD player and integrated amp) and vertical rather than horizontal rack (to be less obtrusive in the living room--possibly unsuccessful). I have no wife, and thus WAF is NOT a factor with me! Still I think the room still looks like a living room, and with the Squeezebox streaming gigabytes of lossless file or the Mac changer playing 7 CDs, you can have quite a nice party in here.

sc53 February 01, 2007 23:59

How does that Rel Sub sound with your speakers Thinking about getting one.

htsteve June 17, 2004 03:19

System edited: January 2004: somehow I have ended up with three CD players in this second system. One is a changer and only used for parties, and one is an SACD player, but the redbook playback on the Music Hall Maverick is exceptional, even without upsampling. Maybe I can sell the Ayre. But that player is just a masterpiece! So for now I just alternate and compare and enjoy the music.

sc53 January 08, 2004 03:54

Hi,

I used to have CAL front ends as well with my CA50. What tubes you got in the CA50 now? I am using factory tubes and am thinking about changing and chopping off the powercord, so I can plug in aftermarket ones.

viggen December 18, 2002 22:33

System edited: Added the Sigma II DAC and Ensemble Digiflux digital interconnect. Haven't really listened yet to see if it improved the Icon.

sc53 December 18, 2002 20:14

Thanks so much for the comments and suggestions about cabling. I will look for a Quattro Fil or Siltech for my EMC-1. The AZ is a new cable for me and I'm still getting my impressions of it. I will be trying the Analysis Plus OVal 9 speaker cables as soon as they arrive too. So I've got a lot of auditioning still to do--of course, that's half the fun! Thanks again for all the input. Sarah

sc53 October 07, 2001 14:08

On speaker cables, I love the AZ Satori. It is great for the $$$.

tok20000 October 05, 2001 20:31

This is a great balanced system. I could probably be quite content with this setup. The only thing I would change out is the innerconnect between the CDP and the amp. that EMC-1 is an awesome CD player. The CA-50 is an awesome integrated amp (my favorite tume integrated amp). They deserve the best innerconnect you can find. I would audition either Nordost Quattra Fil or Siltech innerconnect. Right now I have Nordost Quattra Fil throughout my system, and it is the best IC I have ever listened to. I think it beats the AZ cable hands down for inner detail and neutrality. AZ is a little more dimensional than the Nordost. Make this change, and this system will be amazing. A system after my own heart. See my system listed here in the virtual systems (tok20000). Sincerely, Keith

tok20000 October 05, 2001 20:29

Cables which match well with ProAc's include Cardas Cross and Discovery. VERY nice system BTW!!

jrinkerptdnet October 04, 2001 16:37

Sarah, this is a "little system" ???? : ) My experience with the AP's and Goertz is that you will probably love one and hate the other. I'll be curious as to which way it goes. I don't think that either will be anywhere near as warm as the Transparent cables. Don't know about the Ensemble. Good luck and keep us posted. Sean >

sean October 04, 2001 07:33

I use Harmonic Technology Pro9s with a Linn Ikemi CD, Plinius 8150 integrated and B&W 803s. I couldn't be happier with them. An 8' bi-wired pair should cost around $475-500 (retail $888). Joel

joeldoss October 04, 2001 03:19