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 :)

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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.

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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!

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Mcmahon441, The Karas have been replaced by the Karissima.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 16:23

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 03:46

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 05:13

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 04:53

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 04:48

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 04:00

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 18, 2007 22:32

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 06:51

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 03:40

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 03:26

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 03:15

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

rotti July 27, 2007 15:39

You are absolutely right Devilboy! Always looking for the shortest possible path to more new gear! But with limited resources, guess i'll just have to scratch my itch till it hurts for now....hehe

rotti July 19, 2007 09:22

Thanks Nuvistor, you guys are the one who got me hooked on cabasse in the first place :)

rotti July 19, 2007 09:18

Thanks for your kind words Shadorne. While shopping for any gear, WAF is at the top of my list too. These components sure look unique. Like anything unique, you either like it or hate it. But i love it to bits. Of course looks aside, these components i chosed really gel together. I know that because i can really 'feel' the musicians now. As oppose to previously just 'hearing' them. Cheers!

rotti June 16, 2007 15:06