These speakers are version 2 of Aerial Acoustics' pinnacle speaker design. The workmanship is outstanding. They have 2" thick cabinet walls with heavy cherry veneer. The wiring and components are all premium grade. They use a 4" ribbon tweeter and proprietary Scan-Speak drivers. A true 20HZ to 20,000HZ speaker that is very musical.
Eversolo DMP-A10 and AMP-F10
These are Eversolo's top-of-the-line power and digital preamp, DAC, streamer and DSP components. They are designed to work together and to keep all electronic noise to an absolute minimum. The A10 uses dual power supplies - one for analog and one for digital. Its volume control is a stepped-ladder R2R. And, has a built-in proprietary clocking system. The signal-to-noise ratio is over 130Db!
The F10 power amplifier uses dual differential power modules, dual power supplies and a proprietary DC filtering system. I run two of them as monoblocks for an incredible 950 w/ch and 70dB of current
With the Aerial 20T V2 speakers these components present a huge soundstage that is silky smooth and powerful.
ModWright Signature Truth SCD XA5400ES
ModWright Signature Truth SCD XA5400ES with external tube rectified power supply. I've added Sophia Electric blue 6SN7 tubes to the output stage. I still have a significant CD collection. Overall, great analog type sound.
Audioquest Dragon Interconnects, Power Cables and Speaker Cables
Expensive but worth it if you want the absolute best out of your system.
Synergistic Research Black Box
The Black Box is a Low Frequency Resonator Array that works in conjunction with the Subwoofers, Atmospheres and FEQ X4 to solve bass node issues.
Synergistic Research ART System
This is Synergistic Research's older acoustic system that's based on resonators. It works very well with their current UEF system and provides excellent results. Complete ART systems are getting hard to find.
The UEF Panels, UEF Dots, Black Box, Risers, ECT and GCT are all types of sound resonators. I use an Atmosphere XL-4 (green ATM), Atmosphere (red ATM), FEQ X4 (2) (red ATMs) and Mini-Atmosphere (green ATM) - when used with the Synergistic Research control software they generate various frequencies of Schumann Resonances around the room. Bottom line they work: create a huge/realistic listening experience!
Synergistic Research Tranquility Pod
The Tranquility Pod hasowered UEF and grounding technology. It works with the SR Atmospheres that I have distributed around the room. Very effective with digital sources.
Electric Bamboo, ADD-Powr Sorcer and ElectraClear EAU-1
The Electric Bamboo is an excellent but very rare line conditioner. All hand-built around a massive transformer wired and grounded in the classic star configuration. The ADD-Powr and ElectraClear devices actually add electromagnetics (EM) to the AC line using an active circuit and algorithm. Contrary to popular belief not all EM is bad for sound quality in stereo systems. The proof is in the listening.
Vera-Fi Audio MainStream, SnubWay and Puron AC Line Conditioners
I use these conditioners as additives to my power conditioner. They give a more realistic presentation/soundstage and reveal more texture and impact to the overall sound especially in the bass.
Stein H2 Harmonizer system
I have 4 Stein H2s in my system.I went with one in each of corner of the room with a Stein stone on each and a Stein diamond on the ceiling in the center of the room. They add layers and layers of depth with each vocalist/instrument being in their own separate but integrated spaces.
Akiko Audio Tuning Stick; Kemp QA Plug (2) and Zero One (2)
The Akiko Audio tuning stick is another grounding product that works with internal crystals. The Kemp and Zero One products keep the electrons spinning around the electronic signals as uniform as possible and add a more standard frequency Schumann Resonance as compared to the Synergistic Research products which variable frequencies. .
Audio Magic Pulsed Electron Alignment
The PEAs are battery powered and affect Spintronics have the ability to control or manipulate how electrons spin. Electrons spinning around electronic signals carry audio information. The goal of the PEA devices its to get the electrons spinning as uniformly as possible. It opens up the sound and makes subtle cues in the music even more real.
StillPoint footers with risers
I use original Stillpoints (with risers) under my amp, amp's power supply, streamer and DAC. These are still some of the best footers available in my opinion.
This company has now closed because the owner has passed away. These products work to achieve a uniform and consistent RF/EMI and electron treatment around components.
Man I would love to hear this setup. You have a lot of voodoo going on there and I bet it’s sublime. I don’t know how I can have so many favorites here but yours is one of them! That SR stuff is awesome as are your speakers. I’d get moabs spec’d exactly like you did yours. Super sweet set-up!
I now use 3 different Atmospheres in my system. The original Atmosphere, FEQ x4 and the Mini x4 so that I have complete coverage of the room. It's a lot like what SR is doing with their Infinity setups. I use Red ATMs. The sound is HUGE. I've updated the system pics.
I installed beryllium Sartori TW29B-B tweeters in the Moabs. As far as I can tell its the same tweeter that Tekton uses for it's upgrades. It was pretty much a direct fit. It adds micro detail and open-ups the soundstage but it's not harsh. In fact, I think it's smoother than the tweeter it replaced. Well worth the expense and effort.
I finally finished making my own "high definition" grounding cables for my Synergistic Research Grounding block. Very nice improvement across the board in micro-detail. The biggest improvement (this was a surprise) is when I grounded the chassis of the Powercell 12 UEF!
The last piece of the overhaul (for awhile at least) is the Synergistic Research Powercell 12 UEF. It's obviously UEF based and uses EM in its conditioning. The sound is immediate and clear yet delicate and settle. It's a study in contrasts at this level of stereo performance. Amazing, sit and listen for hours type of sound.
I've also gradually moved to a full-loom of Synergistic Research Foundation power cables, interconnects and speaker cables. I was using very high value Western Electric cables before but, as should be expected, the Synergistic Research are a clear step up - especially in the quality of the bass.
Massive overhaul of my system. I changed pretty much everything except for the Moabs. The biggest change was to my amp. I had an excellent Melody AN845 integrated that gave glorious sound but I wanted to at least try the new Purifi amp modules. I ended up with the Apollon which has dual power supplies and the Sparkos Pro input buffer. WOW - everything that people have said about these amps is true! Absolute control of the bass, the mids are clear/very realistic, the highs are never hot, they just sound natural and the soundstage is huge. I hated to see it go but I sold the Melody.
The next big change was to my preamp, DAC, streamer. Previously, I had a LUMIN D2 which was excellent. I wanted to try dual powered subs with the Moabs so I needed something like the NAD C 658 that gives you total control over your subs and includes an excellent streamer and DAC.
The subs I added are Earthquake SuperNova MKIVs. I only use them at 30Hz and below which they are excellent for. Really fills-out the bottom end with the Moabs plus they are easy to find on the used market and are reasonably priced.
Finally, based on my reading and understanding about EM in our stereo systems, I went ahead and purchased an ADD-Powr Wizard which actually adds EM to the AC. Bottom-line it works very well by making the music sound more natural. Something you have to hear to completely appreciate.
Like I've discussed many times before the key to getting good sound is to manipulate the power feeding our system and the audio signal itself. Science shows electronic signals (which obviously include audio and power) are affected by electromagnetic fields (EM). If we manipulate EM (by either adding or subtracting it) in our systems we can getter better sound. Ever since alternating current was adopted as the choice for power distribution we have manipulated EM in transformers, phono cartridges and, of course, speakers via their magnets or powered field coils. For the last 10 years or more companies have been manipulating specific types of EM to make stereo systems sound better. Here is a list of companies I know do this: Nordost, Furutech, High Fidelity, Synergistic Research, Kemp Electronics, Shunyata Research, Virtual Dynamics, Akiko Audio, Audio Magic, Audioquest, Acoustic Revive, ADD-Powr, Bybee and Perfect Path Technologies. They are many different techniques to manipulate EM such as using normal magnets, magnets painted with graphene, crystals, schumann resonance generators (which are nothing more than low-frequency EM fields) and active circuits. Old-school electrical engineers, who claim to be audiophiles, don't seem to understand this, or admit it's possible, even when it's explained to them. Oh well, it's their loss for being closed-minded, stubborn and arrogant.
After reading a lot of comments about placement, I decided to put the Tranquility Pod over the very back of the Lumin D2 so that it covers the back-panel connections. I also added some ECTs inside the D2. After a few days, the sound became very, very natural yet even more dynamic. I also added a pure copper grounding cable to the Tranquility Pod which goes directly into the Grounding Block. That did it - the level of realism is startling!
I found some good deals on a used Synergistic Research ground box and Tranquility Pod. I built my own "high-def" cables for the grounding box. I must say it works very well. Absolute blackness between the notes and the detail is better without sounding harsh. The Tranquility Pod I'm not so sure about. It really hasn't made much a difference in the sound I'm getting. Granted, I have Tranquility Bases under all my equipment and multiple layers of Perfect Path pads. I'm going to keep messing with it though and let it sit longer in a specific location before moving it.
Snuck in a short listening session today. Hard to believe a fuse could make such a big difference in sound. Also guessing the Lumin wasn’t fully broken in when I got it. Whatever the case may be its the best sound I’ve had in my system so far!
Music is just exploding out of this setup! The Lumin D2 with the Synergistic Research Fuse/ECTs, Supra LAN cables and Perfect Path E-mats/E-Cards is getting to the point of REAL! This combo has over 100 hours on it - going to let them play another 48 hours and revaluate.
I've switched the BlueSound NODE 2i out for a Lumin D2. I'll be adding a Synergistic Research Orange fuse to it. Already, the sound is bigger, more layered and open. Things have calmed down on the crazy rectifier switching - I've settled on a NOS RCA. Very extended and smooth.
I bought a set of fairly expensive "used" rectifier tubes that supposedly had about 100 hours on them. There is absolutely no way these tubes have that amount of hours. They sounded weak & thin for about the first 30 hours - then they just bloomed. I guess people buy stuff, expect to be blown away immediately and when they aren't they sell it. Thats a "good" thing for those of us who buy used gear but then again its sort of sad. The same thing happens with sports cars, high-end watches and other luxury goods. So, whatever, but I'm still amazed people don't take more time with stuff even if they have money to blow. Just shows we are an instant gratification society.
I'm now trying different rectifiers from the 5U4 family. The Melody AN845 lets you hear every little change. I've also added a SOtM iSO-CAT6 isolator & Supra Cat 8+ ethernet cable to my BlueSound Node2i which has taken it up a step or two in sound quality.
I've got about 125 hours on the Melody AN845. I'm gobsmacked by this amp. It's only 22 watts but it has complete control over the Moabs drivers. When the music calls for slam its there instantly but when its soft and delicate the music just floats. I'm sure it's mostly because of the massive transformers. Looking back on all the excellent amps I've had (Shindo, Quicksilver, Cary, Bel Canto, Deja Vu, TRL, Odyssey to name a few) they never had this HUGE of transformers like the Melody has. The SET 845 tubes are also a factor but I'm betting the overall sound would be similar with most single ended triodes if these transformers were used in the design.
Well it’s happened again. This used amp I just bought wasn’t fully broken-in! At about 75 hours it transformed into a jaw dropper. Easily the best amp I’ve owned and possibly have ever heard. The interaction between the musicians and the music being made sounds real. The transformers are huge and these 845 tubes are way over built. They both need plenty of time to fully settle-in. I plan to put at least another 48 hours on them before saying they are done cooking.
Thanks David. I use this as my stereo diary, blog or whatever. Basically so I can go back and look on specific dates what equipment I had and my thinking at the time. I know people read it because the number of views continues to go up and I do get the occasional comment here or a private message about a piece of equipment I've owned. Glad Audiogon provides the space for us to do this.
I finally finished this "rebuild" of my system. It was a lot of work and took a lot of patience but it was REALLY worth it. The sound is huge and sweet. Very clear and authoritative but never harsh. Just got done with a 2 hour listening session. Big tubes and big speakers go hand and hand!
Why the f did I go back to tubes??? Got the Melody AN 845 and one of the tubes is bad and I don't have a replacement tube on hand. Another week of waiting. Arrggghhh.......
I'm picking-up a Melody AN 845 this weekend. It's a very high quality 90lb integrated thats based on the 845 tube. 22 watts of Class A SET power. The seller is including a pair of Elrog 845s. I'm expecting big sweet sound with my Moabs.....
