Air Tight explored, AT-solutely!

by soliver on Ever Evolving
New Pic 2
View from the Sweet Spot

Description

Overall a great sounding system, that has reached incredible heights from when I started in 1999.

Still have a few things I want to accomplish. I would love to get my interconnects and speaker cables switched over to Argento Audio(Achieved 2009, but in 2012 also discovered Echole Obsession Signature). Also want to try a move up to the next level of Wyetech Labs amps, the Sapphire's (Achieved 2012). Next need to improve my tonearm, something like a Triplanar, Phantom, Ikeda, or Schroeder(Achieved 2008). Plus a few other smaller tweaks like some Silent Running Audio stands for my amps(Achieved 2009 with even better Appogg stands).

Once I accomplish those things I think I will be able to say I am completely happy and content, honestly. (Realized this is a complete and total lie, 2012)

Now that I know I am seeking even higher performance levels, my new upgrade list includes:

1) DPS/Ayre upgraded turntable powersupply

2) Speakers are becoming an eventual upgrade, but I do love me some Offrandes

3) Better rack, probably custom designed piece, we'll see

4) Want some Transparent Septimus's diffusors or something like it to go between speakers on front wall

5) Dedicated panel and isolation transformer - Torus, Equitech, or something similar

6) Improve ethernet in-wall cable that is actually in the audio system pathway from NAS

(Need to add new pictures, still)


9/1/20 most upgrades made to system, plus a lot more
Read more...

Components Toggle details

    • Bauer Audio dps 3
    Elegant German turntable
    • Tri-Planar Mk VII-U SE
    upgraded to the latest SE version
    • ZYX Atmos
    low output version w/ silver base and copper wiring
    • Allnic Audio AUT-2000 Step-Up Transformer
    Secondary piece since adding Air Tight phono
    • PS Audio Directstream DAC
    new
    • Bryston BDP-2
    digital file transport
    • Sablon Audio Panetella Reserva USB
    1.2 M, split cable design from early 2017
    • Air Tight ATE-2001
    Incredible linestage and phonostage combined in one
    • Air Tight ATM-3011r monoblocks
    220 KT-120 amps
    • JM Reynaud Offrandes
    amazing full range monitor speakers that despite their average sensitivity levels match extremely well with my SET amps
    • Custom 52” wide Walnut Audio Rack 3 shelf with Lignolab D172 footers
    Stunning rack in both Sonics and looks
    • Polycrystal Cable Lifts
    look good and keeps tension off of SC's
    • Argent Room Lenses
    great product
    • Echobuster Doublebuster
    rear wall absorbtion and diffusion (the skinny beige thing on the back wall)
    • Transparent Acoustic Clouds
    Absorbtive Cloth Panels on Ceiling x 4, Awesome addition and beautiful looking
    • Argento Audio Flow
    powercord on VPI SDS powersupply
    • Argento Audio Level 2 Mk II
    powercord on BDP-2
    • Argento Audio Level 0.5
    powercord on DPS turntable
    • Appogg Systems Isolation Platforms
    Isolation under everything, very much outperformed my Silent Running Audio VR series 3.0. The Appogg platforms use an acrylic plinth supported by custom weight rated visco-elastic polymers which rest above a semi-solid damping compound sealed inside that converts virtually all vibrations into heat.
    • Keith Monks Sapphire Record Cleaner
    must have with vinyl
    • Echole Obsession Signature IC
    6M RCA run between pre and amps, great!
    • Echole Obsession Signature IC
    1M RCA between DAC and pre
    • Echole Obsession Signature PC 2M (4)
    on powerstrip, amps and pre
    • Echole Obsession Signature powerstrip
    Oyaide frame, but all Echole Signature wiring inside
    • Echole Obsession Signature SC
    • Oyaide R-1 Outlets w/ WPC-Z Covers
    Ones for amps, one for front end
    • Echole Omnia PC (2)
    Nice upgrade from the Signature level
    • Garrard 301
    Refurbished by friend with custom plinth
    • Ortofon SPU 90th Anniversary cartridge
    • SME 3012r tonearm
    • TimberNation Beveled Walnut Amp Stands
    9.5" X 22.5" x 3"

Comments 41

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Owner
System edited: Have swapped out nearly every powercord in favor of some lovely Argento Audio cables. Also changed speaker cables to Argento Serenity. Argento cabling is really exceptional, and I am surprised how so few in the states have tried it.

soliver

Owner
System edited: Upgraded to new tonearm

soliver

I would like to thank soliver for having me over for a listen! He and his wife were great hosts and solivers intimate knowledge of his system and gear was amazing. The components were chosen very carefully and the extra work paid off by being among the top 3 systems Ive every had the pleasure to listen to. The Reynauds are flat out the best monitor I have heard and though I thought of not posting that until I had secured a set at a killer price it would be a disservice to soliver nad the audiogon community not to express how emotional and involving they are. This speaker has tons of strenghts but is carefully done to not let any aspect outdo the other. The bass is shockingly impactful, tuneful and goes as low as the music played. The woofer/tweeter handoff is as seemless as I have heard and exerything is presented in a coherent and layered stage. Top notch and well done soliver!!!

stivervii

Owner
Sure, send me an email, actually I am open both today or tommorrow, well at least after this morning. I am going to go listen to the 3 box Esoteric digital system vs. the 4 box DCS system here in an hour or so.

soliver

Wow I have been shopping great monitors for months now and cannot believe an Austinite has a pair of Offrandes. What a great looking system. Might I email you and possibly invite myself over for a listen at your convenience?

stivervii

Owner
System edited: traded in the Shunyata Guardian 2 for a Hydra 6. I gave the Guardian about a month of break-in and when I finally decided it was ready for some comparisons, I discovered it didn't change a thing. So I returned and upgraded to the Hydra 6 with which I had had good luck before when I borrowed either 6's or 8's from friends. Now the improved phrasing, better delineated bass, and overall greater naturalness are back, what I had come to expect from the Hydra's in my system. I love this combo (Equi-tech and Hydra) of all the power conditioners I have been able to try here or other places.

soliver

Owner
System edited: Just purchased a couple fo new things. I upgraded to the ZYX Atmos cartridge and added a Shunyata Guardian 2 for my amps with an Anaconda Alpha powering it.

soliver

Owner
System edited: Pictures finally added. Also I recently received my preamp back from Italy where it was upgraded to MK 2 status and had the outboard power supply added.

soliver

Owner
System edited: Finally found my favorite powercord for my preamp on the 'Gon. Need to add updated pictures of my system now.

soliver

Owner
System edited: Decided on a cartridge for my new table, getting the ZYX Airy 3 and to make things even better hopefully I also am getting the matching ZYX headamp. God I hope this sounds killer!

soliver

Owner
System edited: System edited - sold off the Pro-ject a while back and recently jumped on a table I had been lusting after for awhile, the dps 2. The table will be arriving in a few days, I am in the market for long term cartridge for it. In the short term I will be using a friend's vdh MM-1. I am thinking along the lines of an Audio-Technica AT-33 PTG, but am open to suggestions. My big problem is that I belw what little budget I had on the table and arm, and thus can't go crazy on the cartridge and the step-up device that a low output moving coil will need for my system.

soliver

I noticed the DVD player lurking on top of the Theta, I have one exactly like it, Polaroid brand, cheap, about $30, but the audio output is quite noisy. You note a "Cyberhome 300". Is that the unit? I'm using mine temporarily as a backup, video is ok but something must not be grounded properly, not worth fixing though. Also, how do you like the Pro-Ject Perspective TT, I have one too and am quite happy with it - Blue Point special stylus with the Tube Box phono amp, good response on the whole gamut of music types. Someday I'll get into the big leagues . . .

ritmoman

Owner
Thanks for the comments.

Yes, the Wyetech's seem to do exceptionally well driving my 2001 vintage of the Offrandes. I have had a variety of amps, either borrowed or owned, over the years in my system and the the Wyetech's easily have the best bass control and extesion of them all. Stuff like Bryston 3B-ST, Air Tight ATM-2, Art Audio Concerto MK2, Granite Audio 864, Rogue Audio Stereo 90 Magnum.

soliver

Your system seems like it would really sing. I'm a Reynaud lover myself. I just ordered a new pair of the Twin Signatures. I'm keeping my eye out for what the new Offrande is going to be like. Do you find the Wytech's 13W is enough for the Offrandes?
Drew

drew8mc

Owner
System edited: Pictures finally added, wish I was better with a camera.

soliver

Owner
System edited: turntable added back into the system, hopefully it satisfies me

soliver

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