My system is a collection of modern and vintage equipment I've gathered over the last 15 plus years, many I will keep with me forever.
I really appreciate having many sources and experiencing the sound of different formats, each is special in their own way. I currently have 8 sources connected, 3 turntables, 3 reel to reel, a CD player, and a Lumin D2 streamer DAC.
In the last few years, I've gotten seriously into reel to reel tape decks and playing copy of master tapes. Vintage turntables is also an interest of mine and I’ve acquired a Garrard 301 and 401 to go along with the modern TW Acustic turntable.
My room is dedicated to audio and the occasional family movie night....It is 14' wide, 20' long, and 9' high designed with a gradual 45 degree angle drop from ceiling to side walls to minimize in room corners and 90 degree angles. It is treated with a combination of bass traps, panels, diffusers, curtain, and furnishings. Wall treatments are used strategically and very sparingly to keep the sonic in the room lively yet controlled. Overall I'm very satisfied with the room though it is often cluttered due to the amount of gears I keep around.
Thank you for visiting my page, your questions and comments are always welcomed.
Custom-made tape/phono preamp by Charles King. It has two inputs, one for tape and one for phono.
It's built around an original design by the late Tom Colangelo of Cello Audio (a Mark Levinson company). I have it wired to the playback head of my Studer A807 as an external tape preamp and also as a phono preamp for the TW Acustic turntable.
smooth 300 watt stereo amp that is musical and a joy to own
Magico V3 Speakers
What's special about the Magico V3 is that as detailed and revealing as they are, they do not sound sterile and lean in my system. They are extremely musical, and music sounds beautiful through these speakers. From highs to lows everything sounds superb, of course component matching is of great importance.
Audiovalve Challenger mono amps
I've been using Audiovalve products long before they appeared in the pages of Stereophile. I truly believe Helmut Becker designs some of the finest tube equipment in the world regardless of price. Audiovalve remains an excellent value in a time of inflated prices.
These Mono-block amps I will probably keep with me forever. They are better and quieter than many current production amps on the market. Approximately 150 watt pure class A, cathode/self-bias with almost no noise. It's been modified for use with KT-120. Mine is the older version with glass all around, I don't think it was ever sold in the USA. Hand made in Germany.
Audiovalve Eklipse preamp
I've been using Audiovalve products long before they appeared in the pages of Stereophile. I truly believe Helmut Becker designs some of the finest tube equipment in the world regardless of price. Audiovalve remains an excellent value in a time of inflated prices.
NOS RCA clear tops. Natural, open, and detailed sound with very tight bass. Hand made in Germany.
Ampex ATR-102 reel to reel
Studio Mastering deck with Flux Magnetic heads configured for me by Dan Labrie at ATR Services.
Studer A810 reel to reel
This A810 belongs to a private owner for most of its existence and is in excellent condition. I have the original box and packing which is rarer than the deck itself. Fully restored by a great tech, Marc Bischoff.
Upgraded audio op amps, and power supply caps, etc.
Studer A807 reel to reel
The playback head on this Studer A807 is wired out to a King/Cello tape head preamp built by Charles King.
The deck itself was serviced and recapped to be a reliable transport by a great technician, Soren Wittrup.
TW Acustic Raven One turntable
Solid table with excellent motor and power supply..great speed stability.
Tri-Planar MKVII U2 tonearm
Lyra Kleos SL cartridge
I have the SL (Single Layer) low output version of this excellent MC cartridge.
ZYX 4D X-SB2 Atmos cartridge
low output .24mV , copper coil, silver base option.
This is a very revealing and muscular sounding cart with lots of low end energy. Highs is clean without edginess...Clear and neutral through the midrange, and powerful, tight, dynamic bass.
Benz Micro Wood SM cartridge
Musical and well balanced, doesn't draw too much attention to itself. I can see it being a good daily workhorse.
Audio Technica AT33PTG/II cartridge
Low output moving coil, Microline stylus, boron cantilever, occpc copper coils. A very nice audio bargain that delivers.
Garrard 401 turntable
mounted on a birch ply plinth finished in piano gloss Macassar Ebony. Thomas Schick tonearm, and Lyra Kleos SL cartridge.
Thomas Schick 12" tonearm
A simple and solid arm that matches well with the Garrard Turntables.
Garrard 301 turntable
Late production oil bearing Garrard 301
with 12” SME M2-12R tonearm.
Plinth is layered birch ply finished in piano gloss Macassar Ebony.
SME Model M2-12R tonearm
12" modern tonearm built on a classic design
Nakamichi DR-10 cassette deck
the last good deck Nakamichi made
Lumin D2 Streamer with Sbooster
Streamer and DAC with Sbooster external linear power supply.
Effortless and smooth with no sign of harshness.
Sony SCD-XA9000ES SACD player
CD/SACD player.
Detailed and extended.
Element Signature Connoisseur interconnect
Element Signature Terminator cord
copper 16 conductor braid. Sweet, warm, and musical
Element Signature Matador
nice round, and smooth sound. Warm side of neutral. The Matador and Terminator cords are musical cables and a good match with the Magico's.
GIK Acoustics Impression Pro panels
Attractive absorber/reflector product.
Auralex MetroFusor diffusor
Two panels on each side wall at the first reflection point, these polystyrene grid diffusers made a huge improvement in my room.
ATS Acoustics bass traps and panels
Audio Power Industries Power Wedge 112 conditioner
AC conditioner
Furman PST8 power strip
power strip/surge protector
DIY Line Conditioner
4 outlet cryod, line conditioner/surge protector built using article from 10Audio
VPI Industries HW-16.5 RC
Vacuum Record Cleaner
Home Theater System
B&W and Paradigm speakers in a 7.1 set up, Rotel amp/pre combo with DTS HD-Master Audio. Optoma HD 3D projector, 110" motorized screen.
Jasmine Audio LP2.5DU phono
This phono preamp is an audio bargain! I’ve compared and prefer it to some much more expensive units. It has two switchable inputs for two turntables, a MM and MC switch, a convenient selector knob for MC load impedance adjustment, low noise very balanced sound that is not clinical nor overly ripe, and up to 70db of gain. Build quality is really exceptional. The chassis is sturdy with 1/4" thick metal top and bottom plates, front panel is glass like with a logo that lights up when powered on, not to mention a power supply built into a separate chassis and connected to the main chassis by an umbilical cable. A really attractive package overall.
I've replaced the main audio caps with Mundorf Supreme Evo silver gold oil. All other caps in the phono and power supply are replaced with Nichicon Muse Fine Gold.
Scar, I was just looking at your system again (it is amazing!), and I looked for a line conditioner, and noticed a DIY unit. Have you considered fluctuations of line voltage might be an issue?
It is the only thing in your system that grabbed my attention, as far as probable line voltage issues may be an issue. It's the only thing I see in your entire system that I might question in your current situation with your phono pre's going bad. Just my 2 cents.
What a beautiful system you have. Analog can have you in heaven and hell at the same time, even though you have mastered set up yourself.
I hope you are quickly able to find the culprit in your analog front end. You might care to have a look at my DIY Garrard 401 with Dynavector 501 arm. It makes me glad I went to the trouble.
