Description

Everytime I think I have my system exactly where I want it, something else perks my interest. Although with enough experimentation, and now on my second house and third room, I've learned a lot about the importance of the room and system synergy. I'm finally really happy with my main components and will try out different tubes, cables, and other tweaks just to try out new things.

Room is 12x11.5x8 drywalled with concrete slab and laminate hardwood flooring. I have installed two dedicated lines with hospital grade outlets - one 20 amp for analog and one 15 amp for digital. I used to use PS Audio power conditioners, but found they limited dynamics and preferred the sound plugged directly into the wall - we have relatively good power where I live anyhow. Someday I might revisit power conditioners, maybe with a Shunyata...
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Components Toggle details

    • Aperion Audio Intimus S-12
    12" sub from Aperion Audio - direct internet order company. This is a fast, musical sub that IMO cannot be beat for even 3-5x the price. Integrates seamlessly in my system.
    • Wavac MD300B
    10 watt 300b amp from Wavac. Amazing speed, resolution, and presence. Running with EML 300Bs
    • Lenco L75 custom plinth
    70 lb Jean Nantais style plinth, rebuilt table, 2 armboard setup
    • Basis Audio Vector
    best tracking tonearm I have heard. Amazing sound, great match with the Condor
    • DIY custom isolation racks
    All glued lap jointed construction with MDF/Dynamat/granite platforms on elastomer supports, each shelf and platforms are isolated from the others
    • DIY DAC
    Cirrus based DAC/receiver chipset, 6N6P tube output stage, heavily upgraded DAC board with OsCon caps.
    • Logitech Squeezebox Duet
    Using digital output and computer as media server
    • Analysis Plus Solo Crystal Oval 8
    Great speaker cables - very dynamics and open, great transparency and imaging, huge soundstage, yet very coherent and musical. Best of all worlds for my tastes.
    • Synergistic Research Alpha Quad
    15' speaker cables running from my amp to the high level inputs on my sub
    • Nordost Shiva
    Great power cord for the money, fantastic imaging, works well on my amp.
    • van den Hul Orchid
    Great ICs, work perfect on my CDP. extended yet very natural and organic sounding
    • Atlas Navigator All Cu
    Fast, open, dynamic, transparent, huge soundstage. Great ICs, used on my phono stage
    • van den Hul Mainsserver
    Excellent digital source power cord. Blew away all the others I tried on my CDP.
    • Herbies PEEK Halo 9 Tube Dampers
    These little things really work to tighten up imaging.
    • Dedicated digital and analog power circuits
    dedicated 15 and 20 amp circuits separated for digital and analog.
    • Kora Electronics Flash
    Tube based integrated with 1950s Mullard EL84 output tubes and 1960s Telefunken smooth plate 12AX7s. Very transparent and high resolution with wonderful coherence
    • VH Audio DIY silver ICs
    One pair with Eichmann Bullets, second with WBTs. Great cable for the money, assuming you do not require shielding.
    • Cary Audio Design CD 303/300
    SS and tube output CDP
    • Kora Electronics Eclipse v1.3
    last revision French made preamp with large PS umbilical and MM/MC phono
    • van den Hul Mainsstream
    awesome power cable
    • Yamaha T-1000
    Inexpensive good sounding tuner
    • Pass Labs X-ONO
    Two chassis phono preamp. Synergizes well with my cartridge and the rest of my system.
    • VH Audio Flavor 2
    Surprised how much difference this made when used on my sub.
    • Lyra Titan i
    IMO perfect balance in cart, tons of resolution, yet never harsh and always coherent and flowing
    • VH Audio Flavor 4
    Great power cord on my phono stage
    • Klipsch La Scala II
    new version - definitely refined over originals...
    • Velodyne SMS-1
    Subwoofer digital control. Very useful, smooths out bass response in my room.
    • Loricraft PRC-4 Deluxe
    Top of the line record cleaner. Works wonders if you have a high res TT setup.

Comments 20

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Hey Mike, great looking system man. I know it sounds great and it really looks good. I love the stands, you know I love B&W, and I really like the shelving for your cd's and Lp's. Did you build that? So whats on the horizon with your system, anything?

beerdraft