My system has indeed evolved over the past several years. I tend to keep components and cables that I like, rather than sell them when I get an itch to make a change.
Now I run two systems side-by-side, and just swap components or cables when I want a fresh experience.
I do get a a terrific level of musical and sonic enjoyment from the system.
My room also has great acoustics. Moderately damped, but retains quite good imaging and liveliness. No room treatments other than the furniture.
I have a soft spot for Soliloquy speakers, Monarchy electronics, and Nordost and Mapleshade cabling.
Very nice. Good bass and treble extension. Very good tonal color. Outfitted with Sophia Electric tubes. Substantial difference in solidity of sound.
Monarchy Audio SM-70 Pro (pair)
Zero global feedback. Class A. Only 24 watts/ch in stereo mode, but a very nice sounding amp. Currently running each amp in stereo mode, but biamping into the Soliloquy 5.3 speakers.
Audio Refinement Complete CD Player Alpha Version
smooth sounding player, helped immensely by better power cords.
Audience Au24
two 1-meter pairs
Nordost Heimdall
A great sounding interconnect. I have two pair. Good bass, accurate and warm midrange with good tone, very sweet and resolved high end.
Mapleshade Golden Helix
Most satisfying speaker cable that I've tried. It sounds like hell right after uncoiling, but mellows after that to give fantastic detail, brightly lit colors, fast and full bass, and a smooth midrange. Great clarity also.
Soundstring PC digital
A good $40 cable purchased from Venus HiFi. Quite acceptable on my CD Player. Held up well in my tests of several other cords.
Audience Maestro Interconnect
This is a good sounding cable. Its balance is slightly warmer than the Au24. Currently used on my tuner.
Dedicated Line Furutech 15a Gold Outlet
I had a dedicated line installed, 12 gauge Romex, with a Furutech 15a Gold Plated outlet. A nice change. Not stunning, but over time I've noticed my system sounds consistently clean, where before I would get some "grime" on higher notes and voices.
Marantz DV 6001
Universal Player. Quite excellent for the price. Very refined sounding, bright with good tonal color.
Bang & Olufsen Beogram TX
Aquired in January 2010. It works and sounds pretty good for a 25 year old table! MMC-2 cartridge.
Hagerman Bugle
Inexpensive battery powered phono pre-amp. Sounds pretty good for what it is.
Morrow Audio MA-2
Two pairs. Wonderful sounding interconnect. It honestly gets me closer to the music. Extremely high resolution midrange coupled with a slightly laid back delivery. I really like it.
Apple TV Series 1
160 gb version. Works great as an inexpensive music server. Outputs to a second input to my computer monitor.
Musical Fidelity V-dac
A great sounding DAC and a good value. Warm and expressive.
Mapleshade Golden Helix Plus
Bought a 2nd pair of these great cables for the new amp which only works with banana connectors.
Tortuga LDR3x Passive
A light dependent resistor design. Remote control. Fantastic sounding preamp which I will switch in and out with my tube unit. Very good bass heft and balance which I did not find with other passives that I tried.
Furutech e-TP80 Conditioner
One of the few units that did not color the sound. Using it mainly for a power strip and surge protection.
Musical Fidelity V-90
Just getting to know it, but appears to be better in every way than my V-dac, which I like alot.
Kef 101
Reference Series from the mid 1980's. Still sounds wonderful!
Monarchy Audio SM-70
Mark II version. Purchased this model after I discovered that CC Poon was shutting down the brand. These amps are among the most transparent I have heard.
This thread prompted me to remove the Shearwater Hot Rods and pop the 5.0s back in my system. I can officially say these are my favorite speakers, and I have tried A LOT of speakers. In fact I just sold a pair of Dynaudio Contour 1.3SEs. The Dynaudio speakers are an "audiophile" type speaker. They reveal everything in the recording. So why did I sell them? Because they reveal everything, but not in a good way. They were tiresome to listen to for more than an hour. The 5.0s I can listen to for hours, and I keep turning them up.
Ssglx, hope you don't mind me stepping in on your system thread but I have also owned both the Sat5s as well as the 5.0s. I agree the Sat5s aren't in the same league as the 5.0s; not even close. What I notice with my 5.0s in the system is I keep turning the volume up as the night goes on. Not that they don't sound good at low volume, they do, it's just that they are so much fun to listen to and they never irritate my ears.
If you come across a pair of 5.0's at a good price, you should snap them up, if nothing else you will then have spare drivers for both.
The 5.0s are a ridiculous bargain at the used price now. If you find a pair in good sonic condition, buy them.
Very nice system(s) indeed. Just noticed your comment on my system and page and I have a few questions as after reading your entire system thread. First, did you try the vibropods on the Soliloquy speaker stands or only on your current stands. I have an extra pair of stands that I could try them on and also just happen to have purchased some vibrapods for my amps but haven't used them yet. Next question, besides bass, what is the difference between the 5.0 and the 5.3? From my experience with Soliloquy and with all I've read my thoughts are to try the 6.2 if I ever get a chance. There was a seller with a beautiful pair at a good price a whole back. He was only willing to sell local so they sat a long time. I'd have bought them if he was shipping. Although they are some seriously heavy speakers. Last question. How do you like the Monarchy amps? I owned an Audio Refinement Complete integrated amp. But it was a long time ago. It was one of those pieces you kick yourself for selling. Your system has inspired me to put the 5.0s back in for a bit. My Kestrels have been making music all summer. Time for a change. Thanks.
