System edited: Replaced S/E I/C's with Bal the improvements were impressive!!! Everyone told me the CD3 MKll ,Calypso and VS-115 sounded much better Bal they were correct !!!!!

samhar September 12, 2008 01:53

Sns I'm planning to after I do the in progress speaker, I/C purchases. It's encouraging you think the improvement will be huge!!!

samhar September 08, 2008 00:02

I bet a modded raysonic would compare favorably to the ARC cd3, but then you can always mod the ARC as well.

I hope to get the Mundorfs in the DAC sometime in the next couple of weeks. There really isn't much more to mod in my DAC after that, all the other important caps, resistors, diodes,opamps and RCA jacks have been done.

Get the Raysonic modded, you won't believe your ears!

sns September 07, 2008 22:59

System edited: Repositioned H/T rack from left side and behind speaker,moved subs out of corners, removed 5 channel amp( will use Onkyo's internal amps), still awaiting AQ Sky's bal I/C's and Vandy 5'S both should be added to system within 1-2 weeks!!!!

samhar September 07, 2008 18:53

I like the CD3 MKll it's more dynamic and more complete in every way and will be #1 in my system. That being said I love the ability to easily roll tubes and the design of the 168, so I'm thinking of getting it modded and keeping it, I enjoy playing around with it so much!!!! The CD3 MKll, Calypso and ARC VS 115 sounded very good together for only having 97 1/2 hrs on the amp. With my subs hooked up the characteristics of the amp were starting to show and I was liking it more every day, it is an "exciting" amp fast,detailed yet not cold with a powerful lower end. I've been told to keep the Calypso until I can buy an LS-26 or Ref 3 it's that good with the ARC gear. You can alter the sound by rolling the 12AX7A's and 6922's which is a feature I really like and my be the reason I keep the Calypso over the ARC pre's!!! Synergy wise it works well with the ARC gear Which ARC amp are you thinking of getting?
If you want a more specific answer let me know.

samhar August 27, 2008 21:58

I am getting close to pull trigger on the Arc and the Calypso. So I am dying to know your experiences on Arc vs Raysonic and Arc/Calypso synergitic relation.

kentchai August 27, 2008 16:06

Added ARC CD3 MKll & ARC VS-115

samhar August 18, 2008 04:06

Added ARC CD3 MKll & VS-115

samhar August 18, 2008 04:05

System edited: Will up-grade system next week and totally re-build system page!

samhar August 18, 2008 01:18

System edited: Moved speakers out to 6' from back wall, not ready to go back to 7'2" yet and put panel at first reflection point !

samhar July 28, 2008 18:32

System edited: Built maple and redwood tv mount eliminating table and allowing system to be moved back 10" and generally clean things up. Finely received my S/E M5-HP in exchange for my balanced set !!! Bought a Hickok 539B and some new tubes and I'm ready to roll !!!

samhar July 26, 2008 08:56

Just wanted everyone to know that I had my cat declawed and she is no longer a threat to my speaker grills or anything else; she sleeps in the listening room just about every night.

bobgates May 26, 2008 01:14

Newbee,
I think you are correct with null! I haven't used a test disk yet but will after I return from France, leave 5/27 return 6/17. I discovered the null when I was coming from the kitchen around the left side of the eating counter and noticed an incredible amount of bass more than I remembered at the casual listening position of 13'. Standing behind the chair the bass was stronger also, when I put my head at listening level most of the bass was absent. I just packed my system up because a grandson will be staying here and I don't want any accidents, all this will give me a fresh starting place when I reset up the system.

I originally was using a Pass X2.5 pre with a Pass X-150 and bought the 168 so the sound could be changed by rolling tubes. At first the X2.5 was used and all the interconnects were AQ Cheetah, wow did that sound bad!!! First I changed to Amperex U.S. White Label PQ and there was a significant improvement. I then tried all three Kimber KS series cables, liked the sound but they lacked the detail of the Cheetah not a trade off I was willing to make.Than the X2.5 was removed better but it may have been the removal of the Cheetah cable also. Still the sound wasn't what I wanted so I bought the Quicksilver V-4 and with stock Sovtecs the sound was headed in a direction I liked. In fact after I bought the Calypso and was awaiting its delivery I seriously questioned if I needed it the 168 and V-4 were sounding great. When the Calypso was connected the voices were again thin and airy. It came with Valvo 6922 red shield which are thin and airy, I put more Amperex U.S. White Label PQ in and vola the voices sounded full and natural!!! I think the sound stage is larger and the sound a little fuller and more dynamic with the Calypso plus there is better volume control with both! I put the Calypso at 75 out of 88 and let the 168 land up where ever, the more the Calypso the better the sound.
When I was trying different cables Kimber KS 1111,1121,1130, Cardas Golden Ref.and Cheetah I ran direct from the 168 to the Pass X-150 and the differences were very apparent. The AQ Sky had better detail than the Cheetah with the warmth of the Kimber 1130. The 168 was delivering the info to the cable but most of the cables weren't getting it to the amps.
Every time I think I need a $4000-5000 CDP the 168 comes through so for now it will be my single CDP.
Sam

samhar May 26, 2008 00:14

Hi Samhar

Re your drapes - they look kinda thin to me to do a lot of good, but your better positioned to know about their effect. If you want to do a check on their effectiveness - listen to them open and closed with your speakers pointed straight ahead as you have them. Now do the same thing but with a severe toe in with the axis of the speakers crossing well in front of your head, creating about the same angle as now exists between you ears and the speaker axis. This should take the first point reflections pretty much out of the equasion and the little left could easily be solved by light drapes. Try it, you might actually like it that way and not change it back. Or not. :-) BTW, re the bass node (or null?), you are probably correct. I assume you have measured it with a test disc/SPL meter? Some times it is a product of room dimensions and will not change much no matter where the speakers/chair is located. (I own one of those nulls in the 40-50hz range.) Some times it is simply the result of the location of the chair and speakers.

Regarding the CDP's. The simple version is - 1)the Raysonic is very detailed, dynamic, and responsive to tube selection. I like it a lot and it is certainly a bargain. But I think it is a unit you have to work with a bit to get the tone you are looking for. In the 'wrong' system it might not be for everybody.

Compared to the Raysonic, the Wadia 302 has (surprise!) a more subdued high end which I find preferable when playing recordings with a lot (too much?) high end energy. This Wadia model is NOT bright, but it still, so far at least, benefits from the use of a pre-amp. I've tried it with every tube amp I have in house and so far I've been close to a good match direct to amp, but ultimately the mid-range was a tad too crisp for me. I'm sure there is a good match out there but I've lost interest in finding it. :-)

The BAT, using OEM tubes no less, is more organic than either. It is warmer than either, has a bit fuller bass, and is more relaxed. It is the original version and I have never entertained the thought of replacing it. I prefer it over the Raysonic by just a small margin because of its warmth.

BTW, are you running your Raysonic thru your pre-amp or are you ging direct? What have you tried? Any preferences?

newbee May 25, 2008 18:11

Newbee how does the 128 stack up to the Wadia and BAT?

samhar May 25, 2008 16:09

Thanks Bob! I'm glade your happy with the Raysonic. Have you found the tubes in the unused section affect the sound? The speakers are 7'1" out, the couch limits it to max 8'.
Newbee, thought about titleing the room"praying for a pole dance" but only a cat owner would really " know " this feeling!! Will the drapes deal with the first reflection, they are always pulled when I listen. The left side is a real challenge a window and wall meet at the reflection point! The position of the chair in the pictures is 13' from the speakers! I slide my chair onto the rug with my ears 8'6" from the speakers when I'm listening, it is a big difference. The rack on the left side must be affecting something also, there's a sub back there I forgot to list!!! The bass is minimal in the pictured chair position, is that a bass node? You hit the nail on the head as I was feeling it was time to work on the room.

samhar May 24, 2008 23:43

Great place to move forward from. Love the cat scratching post - good way to keep them from shredding your speakers. I did the same thing and every time the cats come in they go to the post - thats the way they announce their arrival and to get my attention.

Speaking of room/set up issues. You've got some built in ceiling 'treatments' and your floors with the rug is good, but you really should pay some attention to the first reflection points to the sides of both speakers. Those windows could really screw up sound and imaging.

Another thought. Looks like your speaker to listening chair vs speaker to speaker seperation might not be ideal. When you are experimenting the first thing I would do is try moving your chair a tad closer. I know, you've got two chairs. If that is an issue you could, after moving the chairs closer, toe in the speakers until the speakers axis cross in front of the main chair and the left speaker axis points directly at the side chair. That set up not only reduces first reflection point problems, it will absolutely improve the sense of imaging for the person sitting in the second chair. Personally, so long as your speakers positions are producing a balanced bass response, I would think they are already far enuf into the room.

FWIW.

newbee May 24, 2008 19:55

Great looking system! I have the Raysonic CD168 also; what a nice machine. You may want to bring the speakers further out into the room for better soundstage depth.

bobgates May 24, 2008 13:40