Experience the nostalgia of a retro HiFi tube system with horn-loaded tweeter, designed to bring out the finest details of your favorite recordings. This exquisite setup enhances the subtlety of upper harmonics, enveloping you in a rich, warm sound with rich, resonant bass.
The Ayon CD-35 establishes a new benchmark in SE-Triode vacuum-tube CD/SACD-Player performance by combining a fully balanced PCM-DSD DAC. The CD-35 is also prepared for computer playback and general DSD professional audio use.
Top loading player with very solid construction and build.
McIntosh C22
A cool 1960s retro design, the C22 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier has been updated to modern standards to deliver a performance on par with any other McIntosh preamplifier. Electromagnetic input switching provides reliable, noiseless and distortion-free operation. Low distortion levels of all types are less than 0.08%, allowing music to be presented with total transparency and accuracy.
HiFi Rose RS150B Streaming DAC
The HiFi Rose RS150B Streaming DAC is a flagship model that combines cutting-edge technology with elegant design, catering to the needs of discerning audiophiles. Its advanced ESS ES9038PRO DAC chipset delivers outstanding audio performance, capturing the nuances and depth of your favorite music. The device supports an extensive range of high-resolution audio formats, ensuring that every note is reproduced with stunning accuracy.
The RS150B’s versatile connectivity options make it compatible with numerous audio sources and systems, while its built-in streaming services provide direct access to millions of tracks. The intuitive touchscreen interface and mobile app offer effortless control and navigation, enhancing the user experience.
Triangle Duettos
The Duetto, is a compact 2-way bookshelf speaker.
A superb piece of engineering, the Duetto features the horn-loaded tweeter TZ2900 with a next-generation magnesium alloy dome. This transducer highlights the finest details of your recordings and enhances the subtlety of upper harmonics.
The 16 cm midrange/bass driver delivers rich bass details, thanks to its new paper cone, which reproduces vocal registers with remarkable neutrality and without any coloration. The Duetto offers exceptionally clear sound, bringing the music to the forefront.
McIntosh MC275 MkVI
Power Output per Channel75W @ 4, 8 or 16 Ohms
Number of Channels2
Total Harmonic Distortion0.5% maximum harmonic distortion at any power level from 250 milliwatts to rated power, 20Hz to 20,000Hz (≤ 0.25% harmonic distortion at 1kHz)
S/N below rated output105dB
Dynamic Headroom1.2dB
Damping Factor>22
Rated Power Band20Hz to 20kHz
Frequency Response+0, -0.5dB from 20Hz to 20,000Hz +0, -3.0dB from 10Hz to 100,000Hz
Way to go Lapierre! great job with the system pics. Very well done system. We have similar jazz music tastes...I love to break out that 80's Dave Grusin and David Benoit stuff myself, especially on LP.
I could have easily gone with the Be. In fact, I thought for sure I was going to buy them because of the Berrylium tweeter. However, at the last minute I auditioned the 300's and really liked the smoother ribbon/tweeter combo. Both speakers have great transparency and able to present layers with micro details. IMO the 300's bass has better extension and dynamic advantages with that oversized cabinet design. Plus the larger amps make the 300's sound even better. Checkout my list:
Conrad Johnson MV60 - sounded okay I could live with it SimAudio i5- Great match and plenty of dynamics Consonance Tube Monos - Awesome and huge sound (game changer) Pathos Logos - smooth buy no dynamics but easy to listen to MC275 - good match controlling the drivers with great sound
In addition, the 300's are bi-wireable and the veneers are excellent with a flawless finish. The Be's finish at that price did not fit the price.
In one of yours replies (which I can not fine right now) you have mentioned that you compared the dali helicon 300 and the focal micro utopia Be. Could you give me more details about the comparison?. Why did you choose the Dalis over the utopias?
Currently I own a pair of 300s with original stands and I am extremely happy with them. I really enjoy their hugh sound stage, tight bass and clean clear highs. However, I was a bit surprised to read that you have chosen the dalis over the utopias. Even more so after checking out your system and realizing that your decision was probably not based on the price difference between the two speakers. At almost half the price I would have expected the Dalis to be no match for the Focals.
I cannot comment if the amp stand change the sound. Meaning I did not AB amp stands. Both MC275's were placed on the core stands shortly after purchased. So I did NOT use the floor or other amp stands. The amps are very heavy...so I was not about to move them once I got them setup correctly.
When I audition the amps in different show rooms I did not notice a sonic difference with different stands. I was more focused on the speakers auditioning.
Thank you for your reply. Before purchasing your stand what were your amps on? Did the tonality of the amps change like it was stated over at 6 moons? My amp is currently on a cheap home made MDF, all thread rack. I am sure anything will be better but i am worried about darkening my sound too much with the walnut.
Justin what sold me on core design is the presentation, strength, sound board and the premium hardwood.
As a woodworker I could have duplicated the design but the sound board is the key in addition to the spikes with coasters. In addition, the packaging is also higher in class.
Silent running Ohio-Class Audio isoBASE would be my second choice. In black of course to match the MC275.
I am looking for a cost effective amp stand for my MC-275 and am interested in your thoughts on the Core Audio Designs stands you have. Did you try any others before deciding on them? Any thoughts or opinions would be appreciated.
Bass is fine with a great amplifier. Since I have a short wall setup the Helicons have pretty good flexibility in room placement.
I have been looking at larger full range speakers but it is a significant jump. My long term plan in a couple of years is to move the system to larger dedicated room.
Check the back of the component there is a setting for High and Low.
I also keep getting conflicting opinions with the new German transport. So far it's been more positive but one EMM owner said they did not think it was noticeable improvement. I'm going to continue tweeking before I make an investment of new transport.
Read your comments about the upgrade company modification of the CDSAse. If you don't mind I am lost on one of your comments. You mention the Filter is set to high? I don't notice any filter position on my EMM? Also, re: the Transport Upgrade, there was obviously no way to directly A/B the change. There is conflicting opinions even within EMM if the sonic improvement is something truly noticeable. Honestly, I didn't notice much. But for some reason the Beta software was a nice upgrade. I have my EMM set on springs and stillpoints. That for me was a major upgrade. As you mention, you like to tweek. You can email me where to get the tweeks. A few friends have tried them and are fond of my recommendations.
Pierre, Here is the follow-up on your comments on the Quads 2905 you posted on my system page: I'm sure the 2905s sound good; I haven't heard them yet, but I love my 989s and from what I understand, they're not all that different. I wonder if they really wouldn't work in your room. My room is L-shaped, but the portion I use for listening is 11' wide (same as your width); length is 23' but I use only the front portion of that length. The point is that 11' of width should quite workable with the 2905s, if you can fit them along the shorter wall; those speakers can be placed practically against the side walls because there is nothing (phase cancellation) coming out of the sides. You would have them ca. 7' apart (from the center of the panels). I see that you're having your speakers currently on the long side; that's the way I heard the 989s originally at the dealership where I bought them. They worked fine like that, because those speakers are great when heard practically near-field, as long as you have them 4-5' from the wall. I'm not sure what the opening on the right side of your diagram is, but the speakers would end up almost in front of it (if it's a window, no big deal). Your room looks a little tricky to work with, but, alternatively, I don't know if you can reconsider your layout to have the speakers against the shorter wall, at either end (you could perhaps still get in your media room if the speakers are 4-5' from the wall--is there a door to that room? if they were on the other side, they would be on the outside of that opening you have there). Either way, I wouldn't give up on the idea, if you like them enough to give them a try. That's my experience with them, at any rate. Cheers, Joel
I did not post a final review of the Emm Labs CDSA SE Signature Upgrade from The Upgrade Co (TUC). I've been swamped at work and traveling.
Here's a short description of what I discovered...
For the pre burn-in process you need a good (300 plus hours). During the process I got impatient so every 80 hours or so I listened to two tracks of a preffered CD. Around 200 hours is when you really start to hear a difference. And another 100 plus hours reveals more of the music. I stopped short of 400 hours because I got tired of not enjoying the listening experience. My settings on the Emm are high filter on and selection of Invert button (which is subtle) but recommended.
The CDSA SE sound is very natural (vinyl like) in presenting music. The first thing you notice with the upgrade is improved resolution, instrument depth, and hearing more of the music. I really enjoy my music (mostly 70s and 80s Jazz) and working out of my house as Experience Architect (google that).
For my listening experience, I prefer spinning the YellowJackets Time Squared (Monk's Habit, Sea Folk) for drums, bass, and piano with a bit of Sax. For bass and drum heads (that would be me) Kazumi Watanabe Mobo I and II (American Short Hair, Mobo #2). And going back old school in the late 70s Bob James Earl Klugh One on One (Kara,The AfterGlow). All of these disc played extremely well on the CDSA SE. I'm still surprised of how well the player plays my older discs. Really it sounds that good.
The treble is more revealing and with the Helicon 300 ribbon tweeter combo you hear all the little nuances (percussion in the background) and stick and brush implementation on snare drums and cymbals. Bass and guitar strings sound crisper when emphasized during solos. You also easily hear more decay of cymbals and instrument notes hanging in the air. Remember, I have a small room setup and my speakers are 10" from the wall.
The mids I don't think had a huge improvement but just more clarity in my system. I now tend to zero in on bass guitar and piano notes a bit more. Tracy Thorn of EBTG (Worldwide) sounded more fleshed-out with smoother presence and more weight. Bass if the disc was recorded correctly can go fairly deep (even on my Helicon 300 monitors) and provide quite the punch especially on the kick drum.
The sound-stage is presented in front of the speakers and falls toward the back. Since I have a short-wall setup and small listening room I don't have a wide sound-stage nor great 3-D. It's something that I'm working on with a vendor to determine solutions. Perhaps a set of Acoustic System Resonators could do the trick.
There are times during the listening experience that I want more bass (REL B3) but it seems to be based on how the disc was recorded. There are also other times that I think a dedicated midrange woofer may improve my midrange. Maybe a fresh designed floor-standing speaker (Zu Presence, Marten Miles III, Helicon 400Mk2, Cremona M2) would be an great upgrade. So far the price would be very high for a significant change. Helicon 400Mk2 and Zu Presences IMO have the best performance to price ratio followd by Miles III and Cremona M2. Any of those four models I could live with as a significant improvement. However, the upgrade modification to the Emm CDSA SE has challenge the thought of purchasing new loudspeakers for the moment. Besides it's cheaper tweaking your system to get the last amount of detail from components.
Overall, I'm very pleased with the upgrade to the CDSA SE. I believe in synergy within system components and that my friend I have done right. The one sonic charcter from the upgrade that stands out based on the type of music I listen to is the treble. Slightly behind that is the overall resolution which is smoother with greater dynamics.
The next options for the CDSA SE is new power cord (based on testing and measuring results from TUC) and possibly adding the new german transport which is suppose add more slam according to one reviewer.
System Edited: Added two Isoclean Fuses on MC275 power amps. Nice tweak.
Sound: Extended top and bottom octaves on Helicon 300. That is a plus for two-ways since the driver works really hard to presenting mids and low frequency. More details and transparency for instruments. Instruments have more air and spacious in my smallish sound stage.
Listen: At lower listening levels (C500T set on 20) you still hear details and dynamics (Dave Weckl, Master Plan) that make you stay up late enjoying the music.
System Edited: Added four Mullard 12A7XA mini tubes to V2 and V5 slot on MC275 x 2 power amp.
Sound: More lively presentation...depending on the recording with greater focus and imaging. Instruments are more sharply defined notably (piano,drums,percussion,bass). There is a sense of notes hanging in the air during complex passages and quite passages. Low level Bass also increased but not on all recordings.
