My starting system into audiophile heaven after two years of searching and listening.
Setup in small living room for now (220sqf). It has components from Mark Levinson, Emmlabs, Sonus Faber, Nordost Valhalla, Finite Elemente, and Jena Labs
Wish list: turntable (Transrotor, Avid, Grand Prix), cd rack for 2000 cd's, room treatment/bigger room, and more great music!
Suggestions are most welcome!
OK. Let's go back to the beginning. My first audio posession was a Telefunken one box mono radio turntable system, where the turntable colapsed inside the box for storage, it did 33, 45, and 78 rpm. This was back in 1973. I was the happiest boy on the planet, none of my friends had such a music box and therefore we allways came back to my room to listen.
Between then and now there have been many hifi components from various mass producers, Sony, Nakamishi (the best tapedecks back then), Jamo, Philips, Schneider just to name a few. Nothing interesting until I graduated from University in 1991 and purchased the following system: top of the line Technics CD player and integrated Amplifier, Tannoy loudspakers, bi-wired! This system stayed with the for 8 years after which I sold it to my brother. I turned to multi-channel in 1999 and was amazed at the (surround-)sound and thought this was the best ever. Yamaha Z1, the first Pioneer DVD player with DTS out, a set of B&W CDM SE speakers, silver based wiring. I guess not audiophile by any stretch of the imagination but I was extremely happy for some years, mostly movies though.
In 2003 I wanted to enjoy music more and I bought a sony dvp-9000 dvd/cd/sacd player through eBay and bought some SACDs to try it out. I was stunned by the increase in transparency, soundstage, and structure of the music. Particularly one song that convinced me to go on the path of the search for ultimate sound: When I look into your eyes by Diana Krall. And indeed when I first listened to this song at a high-end dealer, I was sold. The system comprised of a set of B&W 802Ds, a Classe CAP2100 integrated amp, a Marantz SA-11 SACD player, and home-made wiring. The next time I brought in my wife with me, and we were both absolutely blown away by how emotioanlly involving music can be played on an audiophile system. Subsequently we tried out many combinations of equipment B&W, Nagra, Denon, Cary, Broksieper, T&A, Octave, JPS to name some. And first we thought tubes was it, but after listening to excellent solid state equipment, the tubes idea was put on ice (maybe later in a second system).
This is when a 2 year search started. Which has been an interesting journey, and one that has the above outcome as a first true step into the audiophile world. To be continued...
This Emmlabs player replaced my first audiophile CD/SACD player, the Accuphase DP-77. Here is the reason: its sounded miles better, even after only 12 hrs of breakin! Biggest improvement is in the soundstaging ability, also increased ambient detail, the recording event, is significantly better. And last but not least, it fits better with my Levinson gear and Pagode rack.
Nordost Valhalla 1.0m XLR
What's a great system without great cables. Exactly, very limited. The 1m XLR terminated interconnects take the source material to the no 32 pre-amp.
Mark Levinson No 32
Mark Levinson's reference solid state pre-amp, now already 6+ years old and still a work of art. When I compared this to great tube preamps, tubes went down on my wishlist!
Nordost Valhalla 1.5m XLR
Continuing from the no 32 pre-amp to the 33H connected by 1.5m XLR terminated Valhalla's. Needed a little length so the 33H can stand about 2 meters apart if necessary.
Mark Levinson No 33H
Mark Levinson 33's little half-brother. Heavy at 220lbs per channel. But what great technology underneath and it was updated mid 2005 but not renamed...wonder why, and price increased by 20%! When I heard this power amp, I knew it was "the one" for me.
Nordost Valhalla 1.5m
1.5m stereo pair, spades into the back of the 33H and banana into the Stradivari's. I auditioned Audioquest Everest, Kimber Select 3038 and Nordost Valhalla. I wanted speed, transparency, wide and deep soundstage, pinpoint positioning of musicians in classical and live recordings, inner detail, emotion, great tight bass. Valhalla won my heart.
Sonus Faber Stradivari Homage
I have seen and listened to many, many, many speakers. But this pair just beats everything out there for looks, and on top it sounds absolutely georgeous. Best on female vocals, piano solo's and violin, viola any string instrument, brass etc. No need for a subwoofer as it goes down to 22Hz (not in my room now, but she goes still very low and very tight)
Finite Elemente Pagode Master Reference
The Pagode Master Reference from Finite Elemente is just loaded with the technology that befits a true audiophile equipment rack. I choose the black maple wood version to match the Mark Levinson gear, plus its quite neutral. Five shelves (model HD04/110) so I can go for a Turntable setup if I wanted too and some AC conditioner without taking it apart or having to get a bigger rack.
Cardas RCA covers (x 24)
Cardas RCA Caps fit over the unused female RCA connectors to eliminate RF and EMI noise absorption. Looks smart too.
Cardas XLR Male(pic)/Female caps (x 6)
Cardas XLR Caps cover the input with a solid shield of nickel and brass to prevent both EMI and RFI from entering the chassis. Looks smart.
Finite Elemente Cerabase Isolating Feet (x 4)
Here's what they say: Fast resonance transfer is provided by extreme hard high-tech ceramic balls. Combined with precision machined materials like stainless steel or aluminum the optimum balance between damping and deflection is achieved. The resulting vacuum effect draws off unwanted resonance directly where it evolves. The clear advantage: no resonance build-up, no overdamping, no loss of deflection. It really works well, improved sound stage, lower level detail, focus, longer tone decay. I'm wondering whether I should put cerapucs under all the components...
Jena Labs The One - 10 Feet (x 2)
Needs no introduction for those who are in the know, it beats the $3000 Gutwire X-Clefs squared PC by a huge margin, and I mean HUGE.
All, I recently heard the DartZeel combo and Emmlabs CDSA SE player in my system and I must say that I am embarrassed to say that my system was lifted by such a huge margin I thought not possible before. Well I guess that's part of the fun, although these aren't cheap toys. Well at least I think I know where I need to go from here, just trying to find a way to get there is the tricky part. I really have to come back at my earlier statement that vinyl may not be needed, after listening to the Grand Prix Audio Monaco turntable it was more than obvious that top vinyl is better than top digital, at least for now.
System edited: Posted new pictures with the Finite Elemente master reference five shelve rack in black and aluminium sides. This matches the Mark Levinson gear perfectly. In addition you will see the power cords I have on audition, the Gutwire xClefs. I must say that after almost a year, the breaking in and a couple of the upgrades have brought the music onto a significantly higher level. I'm even beginning to wonder whether tubes or vinyl can significantly better this (without adding crazy levels of money). Anyway, I've added about 7-800 CDs to my collection and it's been absolute FUN (re-)discovering what listening to music is really all about...artwork created by gifted people for our enjoyment. Getting too philosophical now, but hey, I guess another way of saying: "Glad to have made the step toward audiophile heaven!"
I ordered the pagode MR rack model HD04 with 43" height and 5 shelves in black, it will get here in 3 weeks the latest. Will update pics when installed. And ofcourse an update on what this rack does for me. Can't wait...! Did not order the Cerabase feet to go with it, will probably upgrade later.
Also for those who are interested I'm having my Valhalla cables set burned in by the Nordost Vidar burn-in system. This system takes a very complex signal and burns in the cables in 96 hours. Aparently not even playing all kinds of music for 2 years could burn in cables perfectly, I hope $300 is not a waste of money. I will do a report on this one.
I'm having a couple of loan cables...boy do I hear the difference compared to the Valhalla's (Audioquest Volcano speaker, and Kimber Select 1030's). But at least I'm not without music for the week. Dealer also gave me a Gutwire powercable to try, I think that made quite a difference, at least with the current set of cables, need to wait for next week. This is all great fun!!!
Here is a must have recording: 1958 Carnegie Hall NY, Van Cliburn playing Tchaikovski's piano concerto No 1 with the RCA Symphony Orchestra under Kiril Kondrashin. I know there are many, many versions of this piece of music, but this one is pretty amazing. Enjoy!
Hi JOey, my beginning was also at about your age with the Technics/Tannoy set. Ofcourse back then I had no clue about true audiophile systems. 15 years on I finally get it (I think), so you're 15 years ahead of me! I'll make a mental note to visit you in 2021 and see what you've grown into music/system wise... Happy halloween, Henry
Your system always draws a smile on my face. I am very much in awe of it and I'm very glad to see you enjoying your Strads. As for me, I'm a 24yr old grad student who has spent a better part of his scholarship money on audio. At the moment, I have almost $20K worth of goods in my bedroom and I'm only in the beginning of my journey.... much like you are, but you are obviously on another plane.
You are a great audiophile, I hope one day I can listen to your system.
Hi David, I just measured my room the other day: 17ft long by 13ft deep and 9ft ceiling. I have my system set up against the long wall with speakers 30" from the back wall and 40" from the side walls slightly turned inward toward the center of my 10ft sofa. Speakers are about 10ft apart. The Strad's are slightly tilted backward, I still have to work the angle by adjusting the back spikes improving probably the focus from the midrange and tweeter. One of the reasons I got these speakers is that they were easily integrated in a small room, while still having plans one day to have a larger one. I think that room treatment, especially behind my sofa would further improve sound, but I haven't gone there yet.
I'm about to move into a similar-sized room (240 sq. ft.) and was curious as to what deminsions you're working with length, width and height wise. I could pick up some tips on speaker placement before next weekend's move.
Thanks Nissancrazy, well spotted...those are B&W 7 SE's part of a late 90s 5.1 system that I have lying around. I use them now once in a while to remind me of the investment I made. I'm well onto the path of music enjoyment listening about 2-3 hours a day, how could one not, with such great components. I must have purchased about 4-500 new cds since beginning of the year and there's still plenty excellent music out there to be discovered. It's like wine, no end in sight to discovery...that's maybe why I combine the two after a hard days work. Anyway, I could move the setup to a bigger room, family room or basement, but I'd have to really shuffle heavy things around incl my rig (900lbs!!!). And I have 3 kids and a wife to consider...they live here too! But one day I will have a proper dedicated room with the 220V 60A circuit, sonic treatment etc. until then I'll have to make do with what I have, which is still great :-) Take care, Henry.
I can't agree more with what has been said to this point, your starter system blows away what most have worked on for years, bravo. I think some time enjoying and getting away from the endless quest of upgrading will eliminate some of the desires you have. I see what appears to be a paid of 700 series B&W's against the wall sitting unused, my pont exactly, take a good look at what you have spend all your time listening....... and really enjoy what your system can do. Any chance you could move the equipment elsewhere? You may like what you hear......
Milpai, Axelfonze, John, Joey_v, Auaarons, thanks for all your responses above! Yes John, budget does run out at some point...also for me. Joey-v, I'm on a road that I think will never end, the journey is part of the fun.
Aaron, I have heard details from Pink Floyd's shine on you crazy diamond on an ARC/Wilson/MIT setup that I don't hear in my system, yet...also I heard more violin string fabric detail in the Four Seasons from a DP100/DC101 playback system vs a ML 390S or my DP77. I also listened to the Titanic theme song (Celine Dion) on a Audio Physic Caldera/Spectral where Celine's voice came from inbetween the speakers and the bass was more detailed and nuanced. Also I think that my room is reflecting more than listening rooms I've spend time in.
John, I acknowledge that I do lack significant time with other audiophiles, exchanging experiences, that does add up over the years. Yes, and I do recognize that products will be ever evolving, and therefore if I would choose a system now it may be different from the one I have today. I still wonder if the DartZeel NHB combo would be better than the ML reference set I have today (about the same cost), or indeed if Avalon Isis speaker are indeed better, or not. Isn't this normal for someone who is trying to explore all possibilities? I guess I'm learning and have relatively little/few reference points.
One thing, I AM extremely happy with the system, it does sound simply fantastic. Now that it has run in for about 8 months, I still hear ever more ambient detail coming through from my CD collection. Most recently I was totally taken back by the clarity of the club background noises, talking, laughing etc on the famous 1961 Bill Evans at the Village Vanguard recordings.
I did have an email from a person that basically told me that my cables (Nordost Valhalla's) were a weak point, and I've listeded (in the above set) to Audioquest Everest and Kimber 3038's with matching interconnects and found the Valhalla's still the best sounding.
Anyway, I'm concentrating now on expanding my music collection, so if any of you have any recommendations on great recordings, pls be my guest.
I really doubt you are "limited" by your current set up in fact, I will guarantee it. Anything beyond what you have defines the law of diminishing returns and in your size room, it defines possibly more .
The SF Stradivarius are arguably one of the best speakers out there a statement product by a fine manufacture (and one of my favorites). If you cannot enjoy this set up...then, I hate to tell you this, but there is something seriously wrong with YOU. It is one thing to wish/want/envy a system upgrade when your budget constrains you, but clearly this is not the case with you. There are people that have been in the hobby for decades and will never ever experience the audio presentation in their home such as you have.
The only thing that I wish you could have experienced is the journey that most of us have gone through. Yes, you spent 2 years with clearly an unlimited budget. I, for one, started off with a $2K set up 15 years ago. Since that time I have lived with bad choices, wastes of money, incredible scores, giant killers and all of it leading to the place I am today. I have about a $45K (msrp) in my set up and it sounds pretty damn good. Better then most. (it is the system posted on this site, it has completely changed - I will update someday soon). It was this journey that has educated me and like all other aspects of my life, made me the audiophile/person I am today.
One of the hardest lessons learned and one I wished I learned years before I actually did is that to trust yourself and enjoy what sounds good to you...then run with it. Listen to yourself: You have $40K in speakers and you are wondering what you are missing by not spending $80K...Does that no sound odd to you?
Don't get me going on your 200SF listening room that houses this rig....
Henry, Very true on what you said. As humans, we always want better. There is no limit. I visit these forums and always want to have a better integrated. But when I go homw and put on some music, I forget all that and enjoy the music. Can you post some pics of your system? The combination you own is very tempting!!
For those of you who are interested I have auditioned systems/components both in Europe and the USA for two years before settling for this combination. My takeaway is that there is too little help out there for people like me, and as a result I have invested probably about 100+ hours at many dealers auditioning. That in itself drove many dealers mad because I would not commit to buy. I have listened to amongst others Nagra, Octave, B&W, Brocksieper, Denon, Primare, Classe, Wilson, McIntosh, AudioNote, Spectral, Meridian, Dynaudio, Chord, T&A, B&O, Marantz, and more. I have not listened to DCS, Lindemann, AudioNote, Esoteric, Emmlabs, Reimyo, Lamm, VAC, Boulder, Ayre, MIT, Avalon, Pass, and many other strong brands. What does that tell me? Maybe I missed out on some magical combination that would have sold me. Magic for me started with hearing Diana Krall on a Nagra tubes/B&W 802D/Marantz S11 combination. Since, well, I've listened a lot everywhere, maybe more than an average person would do. Why do I feel then, that I may have missed an ultimate combination that would sound substantially better than what I listed above? I hope not, for I invested quite a nice sum. And I must say that I enjoy every minute I spend listening. But when I hear Neil Patel talking about his speakers (Avalon) then I get this thought that maybe the Stradivaries aren't as good as his Sentinel's. But should that be at twice the price? So, at some point you have to stop looking and go with "a choice" limited by "a budget" and be happy. That's how I got to the above setup. For the moment I'm buying lot's of music to enjoy. Maybe I'll venture out to Analog and get a good turntable (suggestions welcome), but then again being a child of the digital age I might upgrade from the DP-77 to a Esoteric or EMMLabs double deck or I'll wait until ML comes with their super disc player later this year(suggestions welcome here too). Anyway, I'm in Europe till the end of the month, so pictures will have to wait a little longer. Bye for now, from Henry.
