So after being away from these forums for almost 5 years I have a little update. Ive moved to a slightly better location with a room which allows the speakers to breathe more. Also, I have acquired a Rega P3 turntable (same Grado Gold cartridge). I still own all the same equipment but have added a Music Hall DAC (CD->DAC->Pre-amp) which really improves the system.
I am still considering a tubed Pre-amp; around $2,300-2,800. I am considering Rogue Audio Perseus, HiFi Supply Tram Mk2 DHT OTL Preamplifier, Dared MC-7p. possibly splurge and look at the Manley Shrimp. I have not had the opportunity to audition any in home or at the local audio stores.
I would love your thoughts and recommendations.

I will post photos when I have a chance.

philoman2 July 14, 2011 17:12

Hello everyone,
I apologise about not being able to be on Audiogon lately- I have been on vacation for a long time. In response to comments, I have not yet compleated the record cleaning machine (It is coming along, but i'll say its of proto-type quality) I will get pictures in a few weeks (still on vacation) Designing the cleaner head was very interesting, I decided to use a fabric which i used to re-grill my old AR3A's, it is very similer to the fabric used on Thiel speakers. I havent found a way to stop static electricity from getting on the record. I hope when i put wet cleaner (Last) on the record it shouldnt have a problem. If it does then i might as well get an anti-static gun.

I would still suggest you try a tube preamp- I orginally has a Jolida 102b- My first tube equipment, as well as first try at high end audio. The sound was great even for a product so cheap ($500.00) It was fairly powerful, but not enough for the AR3a's or the Thiel's, so i had to give it away. Keep in mind it was an integrated amp- but it did have a tube'd preamp section. If you look at VTL, Conrad Johnson, or BAT- all have very nice gear. I cant recommend model names, but if you have a chance to hear them, then do it.

philoman2 July 16, 2006 15:02

Hey, Im having fun tweaking everything. I wanted to try vinyl, so might as well start with what i already have, a solid vintage Dual. I will upgrade when i believe it is necessary. Now I just need more time to appreciate my system-I'd like to hear differnces between cables.
cheers

philoman2 May 25, 2006 02:16

I would like to first spend some money on cables for my front end. I am thinking around $200, at most $325. Later on i will get on for my preamp, then i'll probably make a DIY cable for the amp (wattgate plugs, moderatly expensive cable from parts express : http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=100-790&raid=53&rak=100-790
Right now im just trying to improve my system on the cheap. considering my components I think it is right to at least enjoy it for what it is, and not change components each month. ...for now :-)

From your mini-review, yes i can tell you like them. I dont know of any dealers in my area, I much prefer to "try before you buy" - I havent yet convinced myself that a cable is worth 200 dollars, i need to hear it to believe it. (but yes, i have convinced myself that there is a difference in interconnects and speaker cables.

cheers

philoman2 May 23, 2006 01:41

I will try some different power cords, PS audio, shuntaya, nordost etc... I would like to hear the difference between them. I was looking at the general build of the Transparent audio cords, they didnt look that good of build quality. but i shouldnt judge a book by its cover.
I normally do not listen to my records with the dust cover on. I put in the dust cover after every listen.
thanks

philoman2 May 21, 2006 03:01

System edited: Added Turntable Information. -enjoy

philoman2 May 18, 2006 17:59

Well, I cant really relocate my room, but our family is moving in 2 years. I have already chosen a room, about 14x20x9. It is downtown on a very quiet street (No traffic- can you imagine that downtown?) It is a new construction, but i didnt have them put in a dedicated line (didnt know i would be so into audio back then) I he no problem installing a new wall socket (PS audio, etc) Wall treatments will be a problem though, this will be very hard to get my parents to allow me to do this. the reason is they LOVE pictures, they hang so many pictures on the wall it makes the wall look ugly. If i can get my hands on some good quality sound absorbers that are swede and look nice, then this could be a possibility. typical egg foam, or stuff used in recording booths wont pass the "parent test" (including bass traps and the like...)

philoman2 May 18, 2006 13:49

Well, my parents first cartridge was a Shure VN35HE- which i believe was a DJ cart. The stylus was non-existant when i minally looked at it. It was also out of alignment. I revamped everything when i got my new cartridge, tracking, anti-skateing, alignment, etc... I have two exact same Peter, Paul and Mary CD/LP's which I would like to try an AB comparison. From recordings which i have listened to, but do not own on CD;s but instead LP's- the difference is amazing. I am happy in every way.

On another note, I was talking to my friends at Audio Consultants, I asked them what the most cost effective upgrade to my system was. (Ayre CDP is NOT cost effective) they said a power cable, such as a Transparent Audio cable for around 200 dollars. do you guys believe this is the best upgrade? I did dampen the vibration on my cd player with a mod similer to cutting the tennis balls in half and sticking them under the cd player. I am thinking I will worry about tweaks like thouse, vibration dampening, etc later.

philoman2 May 16, 2006 23:05

Um...my phono pre is on the Bryston Preamp- I hear it is very good quality. Hammond transformers from britian, good caps etc... I have yet to listen to my new copy of Donovan, but i have tried some newer records with sucess. I bought a "last" stylus cleaner and record cleaner. I will buy a record cleaning brush when i make my record cleaning machine (need direct drive turntabe for machine)
I have also concluded as you did, it is most likely the wear on the records.
thanks

philoman2 May 15, 2006 02:26

System edited: Updated Pictures to include the turntable. Enjoy :) Please post on any suggestions.

philoman2 May 12, 2006 22:34

Yes, I would also like some pictures. see what im in for. It give me a good weekend project. thanks for the help.

philoman2 May 09, 2006 13:40

I'll try to go to audio consultants this week and get an audioquest record brush and some liquid record cleaner. I talked to a guy who owns a vinyl shop and he said to use 85%+ Isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol) to clean the records- do you suggest this. I was seriously considering this becuase the guy actually works at the vinyl shop. could i just use a specially made brush for the stylus, or do you suggest liquid.
thanks

philoman2 May 08, 2006 20:14

Is it normal for the highs to be grainy with the Grado gold listening to Peter, Paul and Mary or Jefferson Airplane? I was looking on wikipedia and it says the RIAA says normal wear and tare of the record brings the high frequency response goes down after each play.
like 1 play 20Khz, 18Khz after 3 plays, 16Khz after 8 plays etc...
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinyl_record) see frequency response and noise.
Could this be a reason for grainyness? I also bought the records used.

Overall im happy

Thank you all for your responses.

philoman2 May 08, 2006 13:45

I was downtown yesterday, near Belmont and decided to go stereo shopping. I went to Saturday Audio Exchange, decided to by a Grado Gold cartridge- it was lower end only about 120 dollars. I had the guy there setup the tonearm, and have it blanaced properly. Bought some 33's, re-balanced my tonearm. I am very happy with the sound.
I should have waited to hear your guys input. It was sort of impulsive.
I'll try some tweaks, but i am elated right now.

Thank you everyone for getting my into vinyl.
-Now I just need a larger collection of LPs

Cheers

philoman2 May 08, 2006 01:39

I got some information on the Dual record player and the Sure cartridge. ok Dual 701, and Shure VN35HE. I dont know how old these are but im guessing around late 60's?? I decided to change where my components were so i could fit the record player. I was listening to some Jim Croce- what a differnt sound compared to what I first thought. I am guessing that the sound is better because i lifted it off the floor, and set the anti-skating properly, etc. Now there is very little noise. I am very happy with the improvements. I am thinking about just buying a new cartridge, instead of an entire new system. Any sugesstions on a cart. around 100-200 dollars?

philoman2 May 06, 2006 00:20

I think i have been brought over to the "vinyl" side. Your anaylsis seems to be steller when it comes to vinyl. I think i just have had bad experiences with vinyl. My parents have an old Dual (model unknown) with a Sure cartridge (Model Unknown) whenever i listened to 33's on it, they were fuzzy, didnt have much depth in the soundstage, and almost not listenable. The reasons why i believe i had this bad experince were: Improper setup of turntable, mistreatment of records (not putting them back into the sleeves, a poor quality phono preamp (onboard reciever), and finally not proper cleaning of components.
Perhaps i should first give it a listen at my local store (Audio Consultants- Evanston IL) (www.audioconsultants.com)
I know that they have great staff, i just really never asked about vinyl.
thank you all for your insight.

philoman2 May 02, 2006 13:25

I really dont have a large vinyl collection- probably 30 albums- mostly classical. Im thinking once i get a large collection (from estate sales, or used shops) then i will buy a record player (pro-ject, etc) i am excited for adding another level to my system. thanks for the insight

philoman2 April 28, 2006 19:43

thank you for the insight- I was talking to one of my fellow audio advisors (salesmen) he said the my front end (Arcam CDP) should be upgraded. heck my CD player is only a year old, but its become the weak link in the chain. He suggested the Ayre entry level CD player- anyone have any experience with them? Anything similer sounding? comments appreciated

philoman2 April 23, 2006 05:08

When i was shopping around for "my sound"- I really didnt explore every little nook and cranny of HiFi audio. It turns out that each component were to replace onld ones, I just didnt go out an purchase the equpment in one full swoop.
For example:
My origional system (debating puting it in Agon) had a Jolida 102b Integrated, Acoustic Research AR-3a, and a walkman. First order of buisness was to buy a proper CD player (current Arcam). AR 3a, had issues with the Mid and Hi frequency pots, and inconsistant sound. I decided to purchace the Thiels so this wouldnt happen. I knew i needed to provide a temporary amp for the Thiels because of their low impedence, less than 3 ohms in areas. So i purchased a cheap HK 430 Twin Powered (1976?) to drive the Thiels as a transition between a new amp and an old one. Next came the Bryston combo.
It will take time to find the sound which suits you, I really didnt follow this rule, but there thank God there was a sinergy between the components.
When I revamp my system- (if i do)- i would research more and spend more time listening to components, and even home auditioning some to find the best sinergy.

philoman2 April 21, 2006 21:46

In response to Jlind325is's comment-
I havent heard the PS Audio PCA-2, but i hear others are very happy with it. recently (less than a month) I was out at Glenn Poor Audio Chicago, I auditioned the Wilson sophia and watt/puppys with all BAT equipment. I wasnt really impressed with their sound compared to the Sophia/Halcro pre/BAT Power/CD not sure?
The sound of the BAT's seemed to be just "There", it wasnt "emotionally crippeling." So i believe that it could have been the BAT preamp (Tube),but this statement would seem countrary to most reviews of Tube equipment.
I am not sure what the Bryston BP 26 sounds like, but from what i have heard, it has improved upon the BP 25 (My Pre) makeing it more musical and less "electronic" sounding.
the preamp make a huge difference on what the sound is like (I proved this to my dad, so i was able to get the BP 25 instead of the BP 6) Between thouse two preamps are night and day.
try auditioning some more equipment (Balanced Audio Technology is very well recieved, it could just be my ears making a wrong assumption ??)

philoman2 April 18, 2006 22:23

I got pre-amp used, its also a discontinued model- but i felt that it opened up the sound on the Thiels. When auditioning the Thiels, I thought once or twice about them being a little bright. But when i paired them with my CD Player which adds a little coloration (Review somewhere??) The thiels sounded richer. I havent really auditioned the thiels with a "good" audiophile CD Player. (SOMETIMES- less expensive components add coloration)- this is my own personal opinion. If i were looking for a more expensive CD player such as one from arcams FMJ Line, or a Cary, etc... then they may make the thiels sound more "Neutral" - less coloration.

From my experences right now I believe that the Bryston/Bryston combo makes the music sound "Nuetral" - some people prefer "just the facts" , others might prefer the emotion of a more colored source.
If anyone thinks of the Bryston combo, it requires long auditioning to see if you prefer this direction to neutrality. (Personally I am very happy with my system) When I change my CD Player, I hope my impression will stay the same.

philoman2 April 18, 2006 22:10

The cones on the Thiels are metal diaphragm drivers. You would normally expect the tweeter/midrange driver to sound "tinny" and with hi-frequencies pronounced more so than a silk dome, etc. But Thiel has somehow designed it so it sounds wonderful. With the bryston amp and pre-amp, the music is very neutral. The music isnt colored with emotion, as with some speakers, but instead is very frank and to the point. (some people might prefer "emotional" speakers)
I can say i dont have an extensive music collection as of yet, only about 30 really good mastered CD's. But music genres include; classical/baroque- Handel, Bach, Telemann, Mozart, Beethoven. Classic Rock- Stones, Beatles, british invasion bands (hollies, etc)
Tube preamp- I havent really listened to a tubed preamp with the bryston, so i cannot suggest one which fits well. But I have listened to the VTL -TL 2.5. I really enjoyed listening to it.
If i could afford the Halcro DM8- I would get that. I listened to the Halcro, with a BAT Amp (Solid State) (model unknown), and Wilson Sophia's and DCS CD Player (model unknown)- This was a mind boggeling experience- with a similer price tag.

philoman2 April 18, 2006 14:09

Well MY room is quite small, probably around 14x14x9?? I was considering bookshelfs, such as the Sonus Faber's but I then factored in that our family is moving to a larger house, with more space for the speakers to "breathe"
-I have tried to change the speakers placement, but im not quite able to move it away from the radiators. Also my listening position is where i have taken the photos, so maybe 7 feet from the speakers. I am not able to move my listening position because I have a built-in desk opposite the speakers, which makes it complicated to sit in the optimal position

philoman2 April 16, 2006 19:18

System edited: I changed some of my photos, which i believe shows it off better than my previous pics. I also moved around some of my furniture, in order to widen the distance between the speakers for better imaging. The result is a enormous sound stage. I have not changed any components in my system.

philoman2 April 15, 2006 02:41