Description

This system is very revealing with incredible bass in my small 11X17 listenig room. There has been quite an evolution of components. The Oracle turntable has been a constant. I periodically change cartridges between a Van den Hul The Condor XCM, a Jan Allaerts MC 1 Boron, an Ortofon A90 and a London reference. Phono preamps have come and gone from a BAT VK-P10 SE/SP, a Pass Lab XONO, a Sutherland PhD, and an Aesthetix Rhea (great features but very noisy/tube rush). I love my present Esoteric E-03, it's refined, clean, very easy to use and quiet. A keeper. Digital sources have gone from various Wadia combos to an Audio Aero Prestige (superb organic sound). I greatly enjoy my present Esoteric K-03 for the same reason as my phono. Only drawback is the transport is a little noisy (whirring sound). Changed the K-03 for the K-03X much quieter transport and DSD capable. Because many of my digital source had volume controls/preamp, I went without a former preamp for a long time but owned at some point a BAT VK-51SE and a Jeff Rowland Concerto. Since I already own 2 Esoteric components, it was logical to go with the C-03, great synergy between the units. Upgraded to the C-03X for true fully balanced operation. Power amp evolution also was a great progression from a McCormack DNA-2 LAE to BAT VK-75SE. The actual amps I use, the mighty McIntosh MC601 monos have iron fist control in a velvet glove smoothness. Plus how about those big blue meters! I lust for the MC2301 tube monos or the BAT VK-150SE. Finally was able to get the VK-150SE mono blocks. Speakers also changed from pairs of Totem Mani-2, to Tannoy Arundel (completely restored and upgraded), to Quad ESL 989, to my present SF Amati Futura. Probably the most gorgeous speakers ever made with a sound to match.  I am also very happy of the Van Den Hul cables all around, great synergy and sound at reasonable prices.

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Room Details

Dimensions: 17’ × 11’  Medium
Ceiling: 7’


Components Toggle details

    • Oracle Audio Technologies Delphi mkV
    With turbo power supply and hinged cover
    • SME Series IV
    Matches well with the Oracle
    • van den Hul The Condor XCM HO
    MC phono cartridge. 0,35 mV output, tracks at 1,4 g, optimum load 50-200 Ohm
    • Van Den Hul D 501 Silver Hybrid
    1.2m for phono
    • Symposium Acoustics Ultra platform Stealth Edition
    Placed under the turntable.
    • Esoteric K-03X
    SACD player and digital player with USB input good for PCM up to 32/384 and DSD
    • Van den Hul The Mountain XLR
    XLR from SACD player to preamplifier
    • Esoteric E-03
    2 input phono section
    • Van den Hul The Mountain RCA
    From phono section to preamp
    • Esoteric C-03X
    Solid State. Very versatile. Fully balanced operation
    • Van Den Hul D 102 Mk III XLR
    15 feet run to the amp, balanced cable
    • PS Audio Premier Power Plant
    All font end components are plugged into this fine conditionner
    • Balanced Audio Technology VK-150SE
    Monoblocks 150 WPC
    Upgraded with Reference V-Caps, cotton covered pure silver wire and faster/better diodes.
    • Van den Hul The Revelation Shotgun
    One of the best from Van den Hul, classic cable.
    2 shotgun pairs per side for true biwire
    • Van den Hul The Mainstream
    On all electronic components
    • Sonus Faber Amati Futura
    Violin red
    • Atlantis Reference equipment stand
    Variable height between levels, each shelf is decoupled with spikes
    • Target VF-1 Pro amplifier stand
    Sturdy amp stand under the McIntosh monoblocks

Comments 24

Showing all comments by yossie04.

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Hi Goldork,
Thanks for your information.i order the vdh phono cable, and hope I'll satisfay (i'm sure I do).

btw what is your IC between the phono to pre (or it the same Cable). and what is your recommendation about IC with the Pass to the pre.

Thanks in advance

Yossi

yossie04

Hi Goldorak,
great system, i'm sure you have a lot of great listening time.
btw I'm also interesting in the VDH D 501 silver hybrid phoni ic for my tonarm to the phonostage, i'm asking if you compare or test any other phonocable, and according to your experience how do you discribe the characters of those phono cable?
i'm also interesting in the Pass Labs XONO, what is your impression from this phono preamplifier (i heard a great recommendation).

thanks in advance
Yossi

yossie04