I recently replaced the tube amps I was using with this system with a nice British solid state integrated amp. The sound is still warm and detailed like I prefer--but I paid far less for it. I bought everything used or demo, and took the opportunity to listen to a lot of the more budget-priced cables being touted and sold on Audiogon. This system has evolved heavily over the years, but I am satisfied with this current budget version.
Slim floorstanders in yew. I drove all the way to Brooklyn (from VA) to pick these beauties up! Thank you Hans, they truly sound astounding in this system. I have placed them on Timbernation wood blocks.
Audio Research CA-50
Recently found a pristine used CA-50 here and replaced the Myryad with it. Ahh, back to Audio Research with ProAc, a match made in heaven.
Slim Devices Touch
Wireless streamer of lossless music files from my PC upstairs to the Benchmark DAC to the ARC amp. Sound is amazingly good!
Northstar USB DAC
Recently replaced my Benchmark DAC with this. Really makes the Squeezebox a high-end sounding music player.
NAD M5
SACD player
Myryad MT-100
British tuner
R E L Storm mkIII
powered, 10 in woofer
Ensemble Dynaflux
For Ayre CD player, Benchmark DAC, and Cary preamp to Quads.
Sonoran Plateau
Nice sounding RCA cable between tuner and preamp.
Cardas Golden Presence
Very flexible, light and airy sounding. I use the biwire version for my ProAc's.
Ensemble Megaflux PC
For Isolink Duo and for Cary preamp.
Venhaus Audio Digital power cord
Nice cord for Benchmark DAC.
Harmonic Technologies Pro AC-11
I use two, one on each Quad monoblock.
Black Diamond Racing Cones and Pucks
under the ARC VS-55.
BDI Furniture 5 glass shelves and maple sides
Trying to be unobtrusive in a living room.
Audtionut Cable elevators
To keep my speaker cables off the carpeting.
Mapleshade Audio Brass Triplepoints and Hats
Brass pucks that I put on various pieces of equipment. Makes it look very sci-fi.
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
