The ESP & VAC system has given way to a wonderful hot running BAT VK55 amplifier which is a better match to the speakers. I have supplemented the low frequencies with a pair of Gallo TR1D subs which flank the ESP speakers and are time aligned with a seamless blend. Each sub has its own deicated outlet and a Nordost Brahma cord.
Interconnects have changed to a combination of Audio Magic Illusion XLR to the amp and Morrow Audio MA from the cd players which results in a focused and stunning 3D presentation.
A Shunyata Triton was added for power and the Nordost Thor is piggybacked to it.
This system is exciting/engaging/relaxing all at the same time with any type of music you can throw at it.
with 12ax7 tube phonostage, single ended and balanced inputs/outputs, solid aluminum casework, black and gold finish
Balanced Audio VK55
55W Class A Triode amplifier with auto bias
Wyred 4 Sound ST 500
class D amp with upgraded WBT speaker terminals
Origin Live Resolution Mk1
Belt drive table with DC motor and speed control. It utilizes a steel subchassis with an acrylic platter. Michael Fremer called it one of the truly special products he has reviewed, regardless of price in over 18 years of reviewing analog.
Origin Live Encounter
Aluminum tube arm with Rega style mounting
Benz Micro Glider HO
new S version of the glider mounted on the humble HK table
Vacuum State JL TI MK 2
swiss made solid state phono stage with wall wart power supply
Valve Amplification Company 22.1
12ax7 Golden Dragon equipped tubed output stage DAC with HDCD
ESP Loudspeakers Bodhran se
Bodhran SE in custom cherry veneer. The speakers use two 7" woofers, two 5" midrange, and two 1" tweeters per side. One tweeter is side firing and the forward tweeter and mids are configured D'Apolito style. It is a sealed box alignment with aperiodic venting. The speakers are designed for a preset 45 degree angle into the room. The soundstage and natural imaging are state of the art. The sonics are natural and engaging without boom and sizzle. They can rock and sound mean and nasty if the program material calls for it. They sound fantastic with my favorite jazz recordings. RMAF 2007 award winner.
Gallo Acoustics TR1D
compact powered sub with sealed enclosure
B&W Nautilus 802
finish is light cherry
Sony CDP-X77es
used as a transport
Linn Karik
used as a transport
Linn Numerik
solid state DAC with separate clock input
Morrow Audio MA3
1 meter interconnect with eichman terminations utilised between cd players and preamp
Audio Magic Illusion
1 meter balanced from pre to amp
Music Metre Calibre
interconnect from preamp to amp and phono stage to preamp
Very nice setup and system. The ESPs always have given me goosebumps. I bet the BAT is a nice match. Time to add fresh pics including the amp perhaps? Cheers, Spencer
Beautiful system, and set up so it can give variations in components, which to my mind, is a good thing.
A friend used to have the ESP speakers, and in spite of having great sources and amplification, he could not get them to work right in his too-small room. I could certainly hear the potential, though.
I congratulate you on the clean look of your system, and the Mapleshade equipment racks are a thing of beauty.
System edited: System has been updated with a BAT VK55 amp which I prefer to the VAC PA100. Dual Gallo subwoofers are now flanking the ESP's. The Gallo TR1D's finally do what the other 5 or so previous subs could not. A Shunyata Triton provides the clean power. A Nordost Thor is piggybacked to the Trito with the preamp and tube DAC powered via the Thor. The Audio Magic and Morrow audio interconnects tie it all together with focused 3D soundstage you can walk into and through the other side. I've concentrated on the ESP setup for the last 18 mo but with summer heat coming I may need to swith to the N802 & W4S setup.
System edited: Added dedicated AC lines. I had dedicated outlets on the other side of the room but after changing the setup to the opposite wall, I never got around to adding new lines. I shouldn't have waited so long. This is a big upgrade. I also swapped out the Audio Magic cables for some older Music Metre cables and a new DH Labs Revelation. This was done to improve definition and speed in the bass region.
Another beautiful system. You are makin' me jealous. I do have an Audio Electronic Supply (Cary) tube power amp I'm not using and would like to get the matching preamp to get back into hi-end again.
System edited: Just replaced the Musical Surroundings Phonomena phono with the Vacuum State JL TI. This was a much greater sonic upgrade than I anticipated. The new phono is far more quiet. There is just a lot more there, there. The last time I experienced an upgrade of this magnatude was replacing the ARC LS15 with the VAC Renaissance.
It's funny, ESP speakers is on my radar for musical speakers down the road, and I'm circling Wyred, but I have yet to make a commitment. I woke up an old pair of Audio Physic speakers with a digital receiver a while ago and I have become very interested in seeing what their potential is. Little did I know the speakers were 4 ohm nominal and my old tube amps could never be up to the job. Anyway it lead me to single driver speakers, but that's another story...
I like both speakers for different reasons. I had the ESP's set up when I received the W4S amp and only tried it for a couple of days. Out of the box, the sound was very listenable but not as good as the VAC. I was eager to try the amp with the N802's so I swapped speakers. I am very satisfied with the W4s powering the N802's. The ESP speakers were designed to be used with a tube amp although I will do a comparo somewhere down the road.
Fully enclosing my right wall has changed the bass modes in the room. The result being a loss of 5 cycles in low end extension (now 25hz vs prev. 20hz) but with more impact and definition.
Swapping speakers is a PIA, so I tend to listen to a given set for many months on up to year before swapping over. I am anxious to hear the ESP's with the room change.
Did your substitute the ESPs for your old B&Ws with the Wyred? You worked hard to get your room right, I am curious to know how this step came about. How about the ESPs and the Wyred?
System edited: I purchased a W4S ST 500 amp to try with the N802's and this combination is a fantastic match. This amp is the best I've used at revealing the differences in recorded soundstage. The presentation will be what's in the recording, ie some amps have a mid hall perspective or an up-front perspective. The ST500 can't be characterized in this way. It is very extended at the frequency extremes and packs a wallop when called for without leaving an exaggerated bass imprint on every thing that passes through it. The other big change for me was completing the wall between the listening area and kitchen/dining area. The right hand wall was 8' high capped by a plant shelf. The ceiling is 11.5' so I had a 3.5'X 12' opening down most of the length of the right wall. This presented a small/medium room to be seen acoustically as a large room. Since completing the wall, I have much better bass definition which I knew was missing and also improved the overall clarity which I didn't feel was lacking.
System edited: I have hooked up the Phonomena phono preamp which I can set with a bit more gain 44db vs 40db from the built-in stage. I've been using this in conjunction with the Cary 120S amp I'm trying out. The input sensitivity seems a bit lower on the Cary so a bit more phono gain is a necessity. I like the Cary in triode but dislike the dry presentaion in ultralinear.
System edited: I've added the Origin Live Resolution Mk1 with Encounter arm to the system. I transferred the Benz Glider from the old HK T-40 table. I'm using the phono section of the Renaissance preamp. I'm having fun with this rig.
System edited: I aquired a vintage HK T40 table from a friend, cleaned it up, installed a new belt and stylus for the AT911E cartridge. It performed better than expected so I decided to see how it would handle something more exotic so I replaced the Audio Technica with a Benz Glider S high output. Even though I have MC phono amps, I decided not explore the quality of the HK's wiring with a real low level signal. The Benz is still breaking in but the tonal palette has expanded. I'm enjoying the vinyl experience more and more.
System edited: I've been working on room treatments to accomodate the ESP speakers which exhibited a weak bass region and with a nasty peak @ 200hz. I've added 2 more (4) total ASC 9" tube traps, 4 GIK 244 bass traps, 1 GIK monster trap, 3 GIK 242 panels, 4 Acoustical Solutions diffuser panels, replaced verical blinds with shutters and new carpeting. I have now reinstalled the ESP's and they sound far more behaved. I don't need to use the sub except on limited material. I don't hear the 200hz bump sticking out anymore. There is a lot of energy projected into the room and the bass is tuneful. Female vocals are reproduced with that "you are there" quality.
Though i'd drop you a line and tell you that your room set up is unique and very cool. I also love your gear I bet it sounds great. I am also interested in a rel sub. How would you compare yours to others in rels line up? Beerad
System edited: I've had my new ESP speakers for about three weeks now and have finally locked in the position for them in my room. I've been using the VAC PA100 for setup duties and speaker break-in. The Nordost Thor and Brahma cords don't seem to be a good match with the ESP speakers so they got booted and replaced with stock cords and an API Power Wedge 116. The N802's sounded very good in my room and even though the ESP's sounded great at RMAF it is still a leap of faith to have the speakers custom built and find if they work well in your own room. The ESP speakers are an improvement in bass defintion, power response into the room and treble dispersion. The system has changed from a laid back "read a magazine while listening" type system to one that has you "transported to the event" where that event is first and foremost. On good "live" recordings, I can feel that hush, electric type of feeling that exists especially at the begining and end of a recording. This system has definitely evolved and progressed.
