The caprice continues

by karelfd on Ever Evolving
Present configuration
New kid on the block
Stand like a Rock
The (s)latest Change

Description

System with a history that saw the likes of Chario Cygnus, Burmester 975 Leo, Lua Con Fuoco Mk3, Zu Druid IV, Unison Research Unico and S2K, Ayre AX-7 and CX-7, Ancient Audio Lektor V, KR Audio vt20, and a plethora of cables come and go. Experimenting with the Kharma class D mono's and the KR transistor-valve amps illustrated the Druid's great versatility that had already made a strong statement with Unison's S2K sporting 2 KT88 in single ended configuration (wish I'd kept that beautiful amp). Upgrading from the Lektor V to Lektor Prime CDP heaved the system in a higher league altogether, so cabling followed. The KR-VT20 with Purist Venustas cabling had a beautiful sweetness, the Kharma MP150 with Argento Serenity cabling on the other hand makes a more forceful statement, surely that is also made possible thanks to LessLoss's extremely versatile DFPC cords. Oh, and then came Capriccio Continuo ...
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Components Toggle details

    • Capriccio Continuo Admonitor Premier
    An occasion as rare as it is delightful: here comes a new speaker to enter the Olympus that only extremely few brands share (and yes, among those, Tidal is still the primus). A serious amount of money (price quoted is with proprietary stands), yet incredible value for what it does. I heard this monitor in an acoustically well prepared showroom as large as my own listening room and I knew instantly there was no way back. Sincere thanks to Dmitry Valdin of Transparent Acoustic for offering this musical marvel. In fact, there exists a bass module that comes in place of the stands in a further building stage, can't wait to hear it like that (soon!) Ser.Nr. SR07120519TRA and TRB http://www.capricciocontinuo.com/about_cc.htm http://www.transparent-acoustic.de/products/capricciocontinuo/index.html
    • Ancient Audio Lektor Air
    Upgraded from the fine Lektor V to the Lektor Prime (more information in this thread: http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?ddgtl&1290358933&&&/Ancient-audio-Lector-Prime-cd-player) and then once more to the Lektor Air; each time a clearly better machine (must I go for the Lektor Grand one day, then?)
    http://www.ancient.com.pl/e_lektor_air.htm
    Btw check AA's Studio Oslo monitor, what a great little speaker.
    • Soviet NOS 6H30Pi-DR
    NOS supertube for the Ancient Audio Lektor (price p.p.) http://www.machmat.com/sales/6.htm
    • Kharma Matrix MP 150
    Bruno Putzeys's brilliant switching amps reactivated in balanced mode when the Lektor Prime took over from the Lektor V. Note: picture still shows rca connectors, I had this modified to xlr which is unquestionably preferable with these amps. http://www.kharma.com/amplifiers/kharma_amplifiers_matrix_mp150.php
    • Audio Technica ATH-W1000 Sovereign
    Looks and sounds as if it had been custom made for the Yamamoto headphones amp (Meanwhile, I was told it actually has). Arguably the best wearing comfort of any 'phones I've had on my head. Very quiet, detailed with an astonishing dynamic range and the ability to create a real soundscape but that is to a large extent certainly thanks to the Yamamoto doing its
    • Yamamoto Sound Craft HA-02 headphones amp
    I discovered Yamamoto on my quest for an arm lift. A leap of faith here since my brother had to buy it in Belgium without possibility to audition. The amp sports 2 WE 408A tubes and provides headphones with unprecedented realism in terms of dynamics and soundscape (a fetish of mine that makes me very critical of any headphones). The amp is beautifully made, just the feel of the cherry and ebony wood is a joy for itself.
    ser.nr. 07120084

    http://www2.117.ne.jp/~y-s/HA-02-new-e.html
    • Duende Criatura Golden Dragon TR 1-A
    tube rings http://www.tuberings.com/
    • Argento Serenity XLR
    2m balanced ic's used with the Kharma monos.
    • Argento Serenity
    1.5 m speaker cables used with the Kharma monos.
    • Purist Audio Design Aqueous Anniversary
    Discontinued but still great http://www.puristaudiodesign.com/products/interconnects.php
    • LessLoss DFPC Signature power cord
    between wall and the Black Noise power bar
    http://www.lessloss.com/dfpc-signature-p-199.html
    • LessLoss Dynamic Filtering Power Cable
    used with the Kharma monos or the KR amp http://www.lessloss.com/dynamic-filtering-power-cable-original-p-180.html
    • Synergistic Research Tesla T2 power cord
    used with the Lektor Prime http://www.synergisticresearch.com/tesla-series/tesla-series-power-cords/t2/
    • Kemp Elektroniks SNS plug
    Noise suppression plug http://www.kempelektroniks.nl/Shunt-Conditioners/SNS-Plug-Module.aspx
    • Systems & Magic Black Noise Six power bar
    A lesser known Italian company that makes wonderful products, superbly built for friendly prices
    http://www.systemsandmagic.com/index_file/eight_en.htm
    • Stone Audio Art custom made stand
    Don't know the company's speakers or amps yet, but this stand from a proprietary mix of materials is great (just love the slate).
    http://www.stoneaudioart.com/
    • Tidal speakers' feet
    A great tuning idea for the Ancient Audio player that Dmitry Valdin of Transparent Acoustic came up with. Beats the original spikes hands down.
    • Audioplan Anti-Spikes
    remarkably effective anti-resonance feet with Sicomin Secrets
    http://www.audioplan.info/sicomin/siantispikes_gf.htm
    • Soundcare SuperSpikes
    used with slabs of slate as stands for the Kharma monos
    http://www.soundcare.no/index_sp.htm
    • Quadraspire QX25
    another little tweak
    • Acoustic Plan cd puck
    And another one of Dmitry's efficient tweaks. Brilliant.

Comments 17

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A very interesting system, Karel. I set out to achieve something similar in a second system, and I wound up with hand-built split-chassis 300B SET monoblocks driving Living Voice IBX-R2 speakers. I would guess that your system excels in the reproduction of the same style of music I targeted in putting together my second system: namely, jazz, vocals and classical chamber music.

I wonder how the sound of our two systems would compare. In my case, the tonal balance is quite neutral for an SET system. The frequency extension, speed and PRaT are far beyond what you would ordinarily expect. In addition, the system excels in the stereotypical areas of presence, image saturation and palpability with a slight but not exaggerated midrange warmth.

The Zu speakers have always interested me. I can't help but wonder how the sound of your system might compare with my benchmark in the realm of low-powered tube amplification and high-efficiency speakers...

cincy_bob

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