System edited: Now then, the verdict fell in favour of the KR vt20 amp. It looks ugly as sin next to the elegant Lektor cdp, but the KR fits this system better than the Kharma Matrix 150 monos. Although less powerful, it appears more at ease than the monos. Remarkably comparable in respect of tone and timbre, it is a mite slower but the Druids make up for that so that the system is fine in that respect. Anyway, I must now find a friendly new home for the monos as they are really too good to remain "unemployed".

karelfd February 07, 2010 16:23

System edited: Remember back in 2003 when KR Audio introduced the "vacuum transistor", a glass vacuum bottle with a transistor in it? I am not aware if anyone else ever followed and the VT-20 amp that sported them is not in KR's catalogue anymore, nor is any successor. So when I saw this one (NOS) turn up in Holland, I had to know and follow the call for experiment. I just finished listening to the fourth cd with it (Arve Henriksen, "Cartography", eerily refined music with a wealth of instrumental detail and the incredibly expressive voice of David Sylvian) and am quite impressed. Is it the fascination of a new toy or am I just trying to justify my expenses, but this thing (it does look ugly, I wonder if I could at least remove that cage that looks like part of a motorcycle...) appears to do almost everything at least as good as the Kharma monos. Funny enough it is not unlike the Kharmas as far as timbre is concerned but with more substantial albeit clean bass, however, subjectively the KR appears not as fast. Perhaps rather wait to draw conclusions until after a few weeks.

karelfd December 08, 2009 14:57

System edited: Substituted edenSound's heavy brass Bearpaw footers for the Quadraspire acrylic supports under the slabs of slate that carry the Kharma monoblocks. How much of this is triggered by the visual aspect of the Bearpaws, I can't say, but it would appear to me Avishai Cohen's bass on "Gently Disturbed" (great cd that I'm hearing right now) digs deeper and has become even faster (cleaner?). I am always quite sceptical about tweak reviews myself, how much of a difference can it have been then? Well, in this case enough to feel very satisfied with my purchase. Moreover, is a stand i.e. the interface with the room you're in only a tweak? I am presently looking at a KR Audio vt20 amp to try with this system, may be coming back for some Papa Bearpaws if I keep that machine.

karelfd October 29, 2009 14:04

System edited: After much experimenting, time to publish a change substantial enough to change the name and description of this system formerly known as Druids on Tubes. The Unison S2K and Jadis JD3 have by no means been discarded though, just relocated to another playground.

karelfd April 26, 2009 20:13

System edited: Some tranquilization (but by no means sedation!) for those large glass surfaces of the KT88s in the form of Duende Criatura anti-resonance rings.

Furthermore, I've now listed some gear that I have been experimenting with, lately. It still says "on audition" as I don't know whether I'll keep it as part of this system or build something different, but keep it, I will! First there is the marvellous Ancient Audio Lektor V cdp, a fine machine that sings sweetly but can hit hard and fast when required. Grainless sound with a very convincing soundstage. Challenger of the AMR CD-77, then? No, other league, simple as that, but a musical machine that scores high. Special feature is the volume control (analog domain, as it should); together with its one rca input that makes it an excellent pre-amp for a small system and price-wise it suddenly looks a quite different story. Btw, I also heard the Lektor Prime, wow,... if only we wouldn't have a crisis going on.

Ha, and then there are the Virtual Dynamics cables. I admit having fallen for these big, unwieldy snakes. Powerful, authoritative, unshakable foundations on which are built big soundscapes. Helps the Unison amp, flatters the Druids.

Gradually, Aktyna ARIS anti-resonance feet are spreading through both my systems. This my personal HOT recommendation. Before you pay four- or fivefold for sophisticated platforms, give these guys a try!

karelfd March 07, 2009 16:31

System edited: Took away the powerbar

karelfd August 23, 2008 16:00

System edited: Someone showed a keen interest in the Audio Consequent cords. Well, this was meant to be an experimental system anyway, so when I saw Andrej offering LessLoss DFs on Audiogon, the next move was certain. Don't know whether it will prove to be a windfall profit, but since the LessLoss are longer, I can also skip the power bar and plug the cords directly into the wall (if that is better, the Audioplan power bar will find its way back into the main system)

karelfd August 21, 2008 21:48

Hi Bob, spot on with regard to music styles. Presence is indeed very good with the Druids. What I was particularly pleased with is that a solo guitar or cello player sits right in the center where you would expect him/her, AND, something I have heard other far more expensive speakers fail at miserably, has a true lifelike size: no image of aliens with 10 feet arms playing a likewise oversized instrument here. Tonality was a matter of delicate amp matching (and source, of course, hey from your threads I guess Jadis gear might please you). The Unison with E.A.T. tubes turned out just right and once you've got that right there is no crossover or a mix of different driver materials to mess things up. Key features are lifelike attack and decay, speed and dynamics though (sorry if I keep repeating myself). I really dug that from the first notes; with good recordings, one's own "cooking" little jazz joint.

karelfd August 06, 2008 21:19

Can't believe I called Bert Joris a sax player in my feverish enthusiasm. Trumpet, of course, trumpet that is!

karelfd July 14, 2008 00:25

System edited: Have I caught a dangerous variety of tweakitis I must ask myself. EUR 480 for a pair of new production tubes? Luckily I had some redundant cables I could sell to finance the "deal". After the pleasant surprise I'd experienced exchanging NOS tubes for the original 12AU7's, I had promised myself to continue with the KT 88 Sovteks. However, KT 88 appear to be something of faker's goldmine. So, instead of risking to acquire some expensive sino-Genalex or other, why not go for very expensive genuine E.A.T.'s? Indeed, why not! I started early this morning with a last spin of the inevitable Antonio Forcione, "Live!", Bert Joris Quartet, "Magone", Szackcsi Generation w. Jack DeJohnette & John Patitucci, "8 trios for 4 pianists" and LSO dir. Valery Gergiev, "Mahler - Symphony No. 6" using the Sovteks. Well, as I write these lines, Béla Szacksi Lakatos is playing the piano with rather more substance than this morning! This is not subtle to my ear. First of all, the amp appears to play louder (??), there is enhanced detail and substance, more headroom also. The Zu's never felt that good in my living room until now (kind of letting the horses run without a bridle - as they should). Bert Joris was quite amazing also. A very palpable, sensual saxophone, rather more jazz club atmosphere than before. Yes, I'm very pleased with this rig now.

karelfd July 12, 2008 13:48

System edited: Presently with no specific use after its replacement in the first system, the instrument wood base found its place under the S2K by way of an experiment. The very thin Lovan shelves have always left me a bit suspicious, so I added additional anti-spikes under the CD player from the start, to its advantage. Unlike those, however, the wood base does have an acoustic fingerprint, the question is, will it soften or even blur the signal. On first hearing not. There is a trace of additional warmth with acoustic jazz. Anyway, the Druids are fast and firm as always; with overly benign speakers that might be different.

karelfd June 11, 2008 23:10

Sorry Pierre, still moving the speakers and some of the light furniture around to get it the way I feel it should be (still a mite subdued sometimes). In general though, I can already confirm that they match well. On the one hand you have the overwhelming dynamics of the Druids, that need just a few watts to get going, on the other hand the very melodious Unison takes every trace of (possible) harshness that I read about in some threads. Definitely a winning team for jazz (hard bop to contemporary), rock (the various mostly quite complex styles I listen to) and classical (chamber and solo piano). Still searching to improve on voices and big classical orchestras. Btw I found the Libtec cable to be a real must, perhaps I should try Zu ICs as well at some stage.

karelfd May 15, 2008 16:21