That's a nice transformation from the man in a robe........

Now if you can do a similar transformation from the Energizer Bunny to the Gallo Acoustics Nucleus (without the grille)...... [-;

tkrieger September 06, 2009 23:02

Hi Rotti,

Could you please let me know where you get your echole obsession cables ? Any dealer in HK ?

eric300 September 25, 2008 12:23

Arkprof, Thanks for your comment. I pick these spks for it's sonic performance first, then it's eccentric design 2nd. Also they are unlike anything i have ever seen before :)

---------------------------------------------------------

Vhiner, Shunyata Research products are very popular in these parts of the world. However, a good friend of mine suggest that the conditioners from Audio Magic is much more suitable for my setup. I tend to believe him as he has the same spks as i and our sonic taste is pretty similar. However, i willl still pick up the Shunyata and have a listen myself. Thanks for the recommendation.

-------------------------------------------------------

Mapman, Thanks for your comments. The beautiful thing about the pursuit of sonic nirvana is that everyone has their own path to such end. A glance at your system list shows that you have a really meticulous ensemble. I must admit i have not audition anything close to what you have there but i am sure it sounds heavenly. N'joy in good health!

--------------------------------------------------------

Mcmahon441, The Karas have been replaced by the Karissima. They have made pretty significant changes to the Bass ports and Bass drivers. Have you tried contacting Cabasse Acoustic Centre direct? Their export assistant manager is a really lovely person to speak with. I am sure she will be able to direct you to the nearest dealer. I got mine in Hong Kong. The last time i checked, they still have a Piano Gloss finish Kara left. But it's going for a huge premium due to it's exotic finish.

rotti March 28, 2008 21:23

How did you ever find a pair of Cabasse Karas? I've been trying to get the US distributor to respond to my requests to buy a pair for months and they won't even return my e-mails. Is there a dealer somewhere I could contact? Beautiful system though, I'm sure it sounds amazing.

mcmahon441 March 14, 2008 23:29

There is another virtual system on A'gon called "Two Steps From Heaven".

That system may be heavenly as well, but in looking at those Cabasse speakers, they might make me feel even a step or two closer!

Very nice!!!

mapman March 05, 2008 23:14

One of the coolest systems I've seen in a long while. Rotti, have you ever considered a Shunyata Research V-Ray conditioner? I think it would blow your mind.

vhiner February 04, 2008 00:13

The Cabasse speakers are stunning ... pure artistry, and so very beyond the standard box

arkprof January 26, 2008 05:20

Hey Arcoleo, now i see where you are going. Your setup is yet another level which mere mortal souls like me can only hope to achieve :) Since the transparent cables are out of reach to me for now , i will stick to nordost. In fact your transparent cables makes my nordost sounds cheap...hehe Anyway, thanks for sharing and enjoy your system in good health! Cheers!

rotti January 06, 2008 09:46

Hi Rotti. The system has been dismantled due to a move,,, but when it was together it consisted of the EMM Labs dac and transport, and Magnum Dynalab 108 tuner as front end pieces. Chord cpa 4000 pre amp recently traded for the Chord 5000. Amps are the Chord SPM 6000 momoblocks. Speakers were the B&W nautilus 800 signature. Speaker cables were Transparent reference MM, and interconnects Transparent Reference.

arcoleo January 03, 2008 23:01

Hi Saisunil! Totally agreed! This is by far the most analog and musical CDP i have heard. Brought it to a friend's place one day for a 'shoot out' with his analog gear. And i was pleasantly surprised that the Chord and stand up with his gear :)
Of course i must admit that NOTHING can compare to pure analog setups and there's no exception in this case. But it's very close when comparing vocals, jazz. The big diff came when we played ROUND UP by ERIC KUNZEL. Then i got really bowed over by his analog gear. Perhaps it's the CD recording that made the piece loosing some of it's energy and sound density. Or perhaps the Chord's is not the best match for the rest of his system i dunno.

Anyway here is his amazing analog setup whose sound still haunt me till now :)

Basis TT with Clearaudio Goldfinger Cart
ASR Basis Phono with Battery power supply
ASR Emitter Exculsive II with outboard power supply

rotti January 03, 2008 11:13

Hi Arcoleo, i have been a nordost fan for the longest time and it's time for me to venture out :) I am very interested in your setup but i dont see your virtual system over hear? Maybe you can tell me more? TKS in advance.

rotti January 03, 2008 10:53

Hello Tbooe, the rollerblocks were under the Chord CD Rack when i still had the Gryphon amp. To be honest, i can't hear any difference when it was set up like that. Perhaps the Chord's solid alum chassis is stable enough by itself already. However, i did get HUGE improvements over my previous ARCAM cd player. The immediate observation is that your speakers become more transparent. Soundstage widens up slightly and Hi freq resolution improved slightly. Also i notice that the rollerblocks works the best with equipment which are not too 'heavy'. Now the rollerblocks are just sitting on my shelf looking pretty. Perhaps i will use if for my DAB tuner to see if there's any improvements.

rotti January 03, 2008 10:48

Great setup - especially the digital front end.
You may want to consider isloating the Digital Front end from the integrated amp - putting them in a separate shelf or putting some sort of footer like: Waipuna sound MYRTlefeet - I use them and I like them.

Cheers and Happy New Year
Sunil.

saisunil January 02, 2008 19:45

Excellent set up and awesome to see another satisfyied Chord owner. The level of effortless resolve is uncanny with the Chord equipment. Have you auditioned any other cables. Nordost produces quality stuff however I found Transparent to be a bit more "full" with my Chord kit. Happy listening.

arcoleo December 24, 2007 19:26

Outstanding Rotti! I have been admiring the Chord components for some time. Out of curiosity, which component do you use with your Symposium Rollerblocks? What improvements did you notice?

tboooe December 24, 2007 16:48

Hi Rickmak, they say life imitates art. In this case speaker design imitates life. I actually enjoy looking at them looking at me :) Yes it's a real conversation piece as most of my audiophile friends disagree with the looks. But like all things unusual, it will surely grow on you.

rotti December 24, 2007 10:00

Great EYEBALLS ! Must be a conversation piece.

rickmak December 22, 2007 16:16

System edited: Finally found the densens a good 'home'. Just got myself the Chord CPM 3300 integrated. Now my BLU , DAC 64 and 3300 are an item. They look 'complete'. Sound wise, if i can use a colloquil term to describe it, it's simply " TOK KONG "!

rotti December 19, 2007 04:32

Well gregm, looking at what most audiogoners have here, mine is but entry level :)

Yes these speakers really speak the truth ( no p intended )! Any changes in the future will be electronics. Speakers' a keeper :)

Are you talking about SPM? By "single strand wire", do you mean bare copper wire direct from Pre to Power driving lows?

You must have experience with densens.

rotti September 08, 2007 12:51

This is my humble setup.

You are joking, right. Or is it poetic largesse...:)

You will of course keep those spkrs for many yrs

With the Densen amp on lows you may also try using single strand wire or the Nordost top of line fm a few yrs ago (i.e. not valhalla nor valkyrie or whatever they call it; the one that comes next)

gregm September 08, 2007 11:15

the echole obsession is just about burned in. The sound now is much more 'organic' for lack of a better word. Before this addition, with the nordost the sound is very analytical, everything is presented as far as the system allows. But now , the music seems to 'float' around the soundstage. Almost being physical. The notes from acoustic instruments now seems to come from an enclosure instead of from thin air. Vocals now have more presence. It's almost like sometimes when you can sense someone walking behind even when not a sound was made. The voice now takes on an additional layer of information that makes it even more beliavable. This is really some solid engineering considering it's just pure copper.

rotti September 08, 2007 09:40

System edited: A friend of mine introduced the isoclean S2 isotips to me and at first i was skeptical. Now i can't live without it. The changes to lower end is dramatic. Most importantly, bass is now tight , authoritative and controlled when played loud. I can perceive the bass going at least another octave lower. Bang for the buck!

rotti September 08, 2007 09:26

Hey Cmk, yes i need the wine to take me to the next level :)

Mine is a very simple setup. Seems amateurish compared to what you have there ;)

rotti September 08, 2007 09:15

So there's your new toys...drool. Must be enjoying many nights with some fine wine, mmm...

cmk August 30, 2007 14:41

System edited: Just acquired a new interconnect, echole obsession. Will write more about it after it's been run in.

rotti July 27, 2007 21:39