These speakers use a double tweeter array to produce the midrange. The Be tweeter between the arrays is used as the actual tweeter. Then two big ass woofers are added. Extremely well reviewed and high value speakers!
Mr K Passive Preamplifier PPA01
This is an extremely high quality autoformer based passive preamp. There is absolutely no noise but with with excellent soundstaging and dynamics.
Aria Audio Aria Signature MK2
This is a beautiful hand-built amplifier that puts out100 watts of Class A power with very high current capability. A extremely seductive yet authoritative sound with the Moabs.
MHDT Orchid
The Orchid DACs are legendary. They use the TDA 1541A R2R chip for a a realistic and natural sound. This Orchid was Bill Dion's (grannyring) personal DAC which he highly modified by doing the following:
- Upgraded the output capacitors to a custom made set of 2.2uf copper foil in beeswax, flat stacked design caps from Jupiter Condenser. Chris of Jupiter does not offer these out as they cost too much to build and takes too much time to manufacture. They are a sonic cut above the fantastic round Jupiter copper foil caps. - 4 Miflex KPCU-02 0.1 micro farad copper foil caps in other key positions. - 10 carefully selected resistor types located though-out the DAC
Innuos PULSE
Network Streamer internal with a RECAP2 power supply by Dr. Sean Jacobs built-in. Uses the innuOS 2.0 and Sense software. It's the best sounding streamer, OS and control software I've ever used. Here is more info:
⦿ Medical-grade filtered IEC
⦿ Audio-grade toroidal transformer with an epoxy-filled center for dampening vibration, magnetic screening with coated SYN-SHIELD copper tape between windings and wrapped in black Mylar Tape
⦿ Over 40000 µF of high-end Mundorf Capacitors
⦿ Coilcraft Inductor
Inakustik Referenz LS-2404 Air Interconnects and Speaker Cables
Inakustik Referenz LS-2404 Air Interconnects and Speaker Cables. These are meticulously made open-weave copper cables. Each strand is separated to insure an air insulation between the strands. It makes for an open very natural sound with the best bass I've had in my listening room. Expensive but worth it.
Network Acoustics Muon System
This is a complete digital cable system (filter, LAN cable, USB cable). This at a higher level than the famed EVO system.
Cayin Audio Mini-CD MK2
This is an excellent little CD player. I mostly stream but I still have hundreds of CDs.
DIY Power cables
DIY power cables. They use multi-strand copper, an open weave, cotton cord in the center and ERS cloth at both ends. It's the formula Danny Richie uses for his power cables. They have an open, airy yet very solid sound. The key is to break them in for hundreds of hours.
Synergistic Research Powercell 12 UEF
This is a classic power conditioner. It's UEF/EM based and compliments every component plugged in to it!
Synergistic Research Galileo SX Grounding Block
The Galileo SX Grounding Block makes the system absolutely silent at idle and creates very black backgrounds for music. I made my own "high definition" grounding cables.
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!
Townshend Audio Seismic Isolation Podiums
These decouple and "float" your speakers on a spring-loaded metal base. It opens-up the sound and adds solidity to the bass but doesn't make the sound harsh like most metal speaker bases.
Akiko Audio Tuning Stick; Kemp QA Plug (2) and Zero One (2)
The Akiko Audio, Kemp and Zero One products treat the signal and power in my system keeping the electrons spinning around the electronic signals as uniform as possible or by adding more standard frequency Schumann Resonances. These products are excellent at making your system sound more "natural".
Synergistic Research Tranquility Bases and Tranquility Pod
I use original MIGs under the Tranquility Bases.
Puritan 156, ADD-Powr Sorcer and ElectraClear EAU-1
The Puritan is an excellent line conditioner. 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.
Puron AC Line Conditioner
I use this in the first outlet of my Synergistic Research power conditioner. It gives a more realistic presentation of vocals and reveals a little more texture and impact to 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 at 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.
Tombo Audio Lotus Harmonic Enhancer
The bell on the top gives high resonance frequency while the tip on the top of the bell performs as a wave guide streaming high frequency up to the ceiling.
Swiss Digital Fuse Boxes
The Swiss Digital Fuse Box replaces the fuse in your component with a pure copper "sluggo". The "sluggo" comes in various types depending on what coating, if any, is applied to it. The bottom line it allows much more current to flow into the electronics which is especially important with high current power amps. Every part of the sonic presentation is enhanced. I now use one on my power amp, DAC and streamer.
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 my components which greatly helps the sonics.
Audio Magic Pulsed Electron Alignment
The PEAs are battery powered. Spintronics is 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.
Timbernation and Bright Star Audio Platforms
Solid maple platforms stained cherry for electronics and Bright Star platforms for the subs.
After much discussion and going back/forth about tube amps I placed an order for a Basie integrated in natural cherry by Erhard Audio. I upgraded it with Lundahl OPTs wound specifically for 4 ohm speakers, Rhodium speaker binding posts and Mundorf EVO oil caps. We discussed other caps but they wouldn't fit in the case that Holger uses for this integrated. Build time is about 4 weeks.
My only qualm is the Basie only puts out 40 watts/channel. I think that will be sufficient for the Moab's bottom-end. If it doesn't work-out I can always sell it. It's one of the highest value custom-made tube amps on the market. Fingers crossed.
I've sold a lot of equipment lately. I hooked my Fisher 800c up to the Moabs and really liked the sound! Over a month ago, I agreed to sell the Fisher to someone I've known for awhile but I think I may get back into tubes. Not flea-watt but something with balls. The Fisher puts out 35w/ch. I'm thinking the Moabs would really like 60-80 tube watts/ch. A big ass amp for big ass speakers! Possibly KT-120s......not sure yet.
I added another set of clarifiers, this time to the amp end, so now there is a set at the amp and the speakers. The Moabs took a jump sonically when I did that. I had tried it with the Impact Monitors as well and I felt it degraded the sound slightly. I'm guessing it has something to do with the impedance changes of using 2 pairs of 4 ohm speakers (when I had the Impact Monitors) v. this one large pair of Moab 4 ohm speakers. This Yamaha amp is really quite amazing. It takes whatever I throw at it without a hiccup and is sonically able to tell me every little change I make.
Even though the Moabs I purchased were used at an audio show and by a previous owner I decided to run them in for awhile. I'm glad I did. At the 72 hour point they really opened up! I'm going to let them go a few days more. Amazing these weren't broken-in. I'm kind of shocked!
Hi - I've been reading about your cabling method for years but I don't think we have ever talked! I was using your method on both my CD player and Phono but I ended up selling the extra sets of cables that are required - so it's on my to do list - to wire-up your method again. I may get some of grannyring's offerings. Bill has helped me with some other stuff in the past.
The black boxes on the Moabs cause a whole lot of angst among audiophiles. Believe me, I've learned the hard way! It's a Pulse Electron Alignment generator by Audio Magic. (Yes, I know, any time "magic" is in a company or product name it gets the "snake oil" comments started) I also have a medium size copper bowl on top of each speaker that I use as resonators. So, yes, I'm a little "different" haha
Sounding very nice. The Moabs throw a big soundstage behind, in-front and to the sides of the speakers. Center-fill is excellent. They seem to sound better decoupled v. coupled. Bass is excellent, of course. Need to do an extended listening session though.
Picked-up and got the MOABs hooked-up today. Similar to the pair of Impact Monitors with stereo subs I had. A little more coherent. Overall, very nice and excellent value!
In a matter of 24 hours, I bought a pair Tekton MOABs and sold both pairs of my Impact Monitors. It was a deal I knew I had to make a quick decision on - so I went for it.
So, a couple hours after I posted my last comment, I get an ad from Audio Advisor about the AudioLab integrated and matching DAC/streamer. They want $1,650 for the pair which they claim is huge value. Looking at the specs the streamer uses the same DAC as my Yamaha but the integrated is only rated at 50/watts per channel! I don't know if the control app is any good but even if its stable thats still $900 more than the Yamaha plus you need to add decent power cords and a pair of interconnects!
Read another review this weekend of a "high end" AIO (all-in-one) having problems. This one retails for $8K and had hiss coming from the speakers but, of course, the reviewer said you couldn't hear it while playing music! My Yamaha has no hiss even with the volume fully open and no music playing. A review I read a couple of weeks ago talked about how much he liked a company's AIO he was reviewing but the control app/software was not stable! Yamaha's MusicCast app has never crashed or locked-up on me. I would strongly suggest before you pay big bucks for an AIO make sure there are NO operating problems! Don't assume expensive is better!
I've made some fairly significant changes to my system. I've added even more PPT products and a Synergistic Research Powercell 10SE MKIII. I've also repositioned the ElectraClear EAU-1s and Kemp QA plug so they are introduced earlier in the circuit. The sound is f-ing amazing.
Thanks @millercarbon! Yeah lots of different things going on in my system, no doubt. The equipment I’ve gone through over the years is crazy. I’ll be in touch.
I also used a little Total Contact on the SR Orange fuse and let that bake in the system for a few days. Really remarkable how tweaking the power and the signal can make such a significant improvement.
zipost - I checked out your systems. Wow! Those Odeons are spectacular! Also the Dynastation is super cool. Very nice. I had a pair of Altec Valencia 846a with field coil drivers running with Shindo gear for a few years so I definitely understand your liking nice Triodes!
Anyway, yes, I run stacked Tekton Impact Monitors. I did it because I heard a pair of Ulfs and thought I could sort of replicate those by adding another pair of Eric's tweeter arrays. I run the second pair off my amp's B channel so they are getting the exact same signal and power. The subs are Rythmk servos which are fast and integrate with the arrays very well. The Tektons sound very much like a horn speaker. You get the leading edge of the note and the natural decay. The dynamics are immediate and fast - like a horn. I see you are running 2a3 amps which are about 6 watts. The Tekton Ulfs are 99db into 4 ohms so you might be able to drive them. I think you would be impressed.
Tekton speakers, is that two pairs of speakers stacking together with the bass module. Let me know how it sounds? If you don’t mind sharing your experiences with the speakers. Much appreciated!
Based on others' experiences I didn't think the Orange fuse would need much or any break-in. That was wrong. I now have at least 48 hours on the fuse and its sounding much more "organic" and refined. Looking back, it was a little too vibrant right out of the box. I'm going to let it play for a few more days but its gone way past what I expected.
I've been listening to a lot of music during the COVID-19 "stay-at-home" order and, of course, thinking of ways to squeeze the last bit of performance out of my system without breaking the bank. I re-read some of the forum reviews of the Synergistic Research Orange fuse. I've been very please with the Blue fuses but thought I'd try the Orange fuse.
Wow! The reviews are right. The Orange is better in every way! Expanded soundstage, more natural presentation, more defined frequency extension, etc. Very impressive!
I've updated the pictures of my system. It now shows the tube phono stage and the PPT E-Mats on the back of my speakers. I've also added bowl resonators to the top of the speakers. Since I'm working from home right now I spent my "lunchbreak" listening to music and decided to take some pictures!
Since I've been working from home because of the Corona virus scare I've been running my system for over 12 hours per day using the Ayre burn-in CD for a good chunk of it. Sat down and had a nice long listening session last night. No doubt, the soundstage is deeper and wider. I'm thinking my second pair of Tekton Impact Monitors weren't fully broken-in!
I've been breaking-in some new PPT products and a new phono preamp. System is sounding really big and three dimensional. I've also gotten more feedback from Yamaha R-N803 users which has all been positive. I will say be careful you are not using a Yamaha AVR which is intended for movies - its a different animal.
