Kentb's 2 channel system.

by kentb on Ever Evolving

Description

The sound is very musical. The real strength of my system is it's balance. There isn't any one part of the sound that nags at me to the point where I'm not enjoying the music. I know the sound could improve with various upgrades, but right now I'm happy until that day comes. In the next 2-3 years my wife, father, and I are going to have a custom house built which is going to include a properly designed two channel listening room. When that time comes I am going to do a major upgrade to my system. Speakers will be between Focal-JM Lab Nova Utopia Be and B&W 801D. Pre amp will be YBA Signature 6 chassis. Power amps will be between YBA Passion 1000 mono or YBA Signature 4 chassis mono. CD player will be YBA Passion 1000 dual power supply. Cables will be YBA Diamond throughout with speaker cables being run in shotgun configuration. Each component will have the appropriate Foundation Research power cord/filter. Analogue will be upgraded at a later date.
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Components Toggle details

    • Y B A CD1 Alpha Blue Laser
    Two chassis top loading cd player with external analogue power supply.
    • Basis 1400
    Very precise no nonsense table. Suspensionless, belt driven, acrylic, with external motor pod.
    • Linn LP-12 Sondek (Valhalla Supply)
    Hanging three point suspension table.
    • Basis RB-300
    Pivoted type.
    • Linn Basik Plus
    Pivoted type
    • Benz Micro MC Silver
    Moving coil with 2.0mv output.
    • Benz Micro MC Silver
    Moving coil 2.0mv output.
    • Sim Audio Celeste P-4001
    Solid state class A line stage.
    • Benz Micro Lukaschek PP-1
    Solid state phono stage with external power supply.
    • Sonic Frontiers SFM-75
    Tube monoblocks with 75 watts per channel.
    • JM Lab Electra 920.1
    3-way bass reflex column type. 1x10
    • YBA Diamond
    Copper cable with locking RCA cinch plugs. 1.23M length
    • Cardas Quadlink
    Copper cable with RCA terminations. 1M
    • Axon x2x
    Silver cable with locking RCA cinch plugs. 15'
    • Audiotruth Dragon +
    Silver bi-wired with gold plated spades at amplifier end and silver plated spades at speaker end. 3ft
    • YBA Diamond
    Copper l.23M
    • YBA Diamond
    Copper 1.23M
    • Audioquest AC-12
    Copper 6ft.
    • Chang Lightspeed CLS 3200
    6 outlet power filter. Only source(s) and pre amplifiers attached.
    • Atlantis ?
    Four Corian shelves, four legged, sand filled, with adjustable shelf spikes.

Comments 5

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Kentb, I was leaning at some point of time to B&W 800D's driven by a Classe Delta chain, it looked stunning. However, a integrated Spectral amp paired with the first Wilson Sophia blew that B&W/Classe combo away...That was for me a rude awakening, as the Spectral/Wilson pair was significantly cheaper too. I finished choosing something way beyond both, but this was my 2cts worth my B&W 800D's experience. I think they could sound better with tube gear though. Point is you have to listen for yourself, go to the shows, dealers, other audiophiles. Since you have some years, I guess you have the time. If I had to do it again, Mike Lavigne's current system looks quite appealing, but a couiple of year ago, most of his gear was not even in existence (ie DartZeel), even the Evolution Accoustics speaker are new with very long lead times ...so its a tough choice, but a great road to travel!

Good luck, and keep sharing your experiences along the way!
Henry

mtkhl567

Owner
Hello Mtkhl567,
Yes I love the sound of YBA especially when used in a complete system. I feel they are one of the few companies out there that make truly musical components regardless of model or price. At this point the only YBA in my system is my cd player and interconnect cables. I am planning a major upgrade in the next 2-3 years. I started this hobby when I was 17 with a limited budget and have evolved my system over the course of 16 years. Some of my choices were a matter of compromise due to budget. Some of the gear I've owned or auditioned in my system were Sim Audio, Spectral, Acurus, Martin Logan, Totem, Acoustat, YBA, Copland, Foundation Research, ect. Music I use to evaluate a system is everything from classical to Hendrix. I beleive a proper setup should be able to play all types of music with convincing results. The system I am using now is the best I've ever had because it plays everthing well with no nagging habits.

kentb

Hi Kent, nice system configuration. I guess you were woowed by the whole YBA line? Must be some great synergistic benefits. What else did you try, and what kind of music did you use to evaluate your chosen system.

Regards
Henry

mtkhl567

Owner
Hello Heyitsmedusty, My cartridges work just fine in my system. The MC Silver has no problem mating to a Basik Plus arm. However, when it comes time to upgrade I will go with a benz micro that has low output. This would actually be a better match in my system as my phono stage has high gain. I can't say enough good things though about the Benz Micro MC Silver (especially for the money). The Benz Micro MC Gold is the same cartridge as the Silver except it's output is much lower. If your not sure what cartridge would work in your system I would recommend consulting a knowledgeable dealer as it's important to have everything match properly. Let me know how you make out. Good luck!

kentb

I use a Linn Basik Plus tonearm, and I was looking to try out my first MC cartridge. How are your MC's working out in your system?

-Dusty

heyitsmedusty

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