Third Times The Charm

by ckorody on Ever Evolving
Rack full of Keces for review
Kestrel and corner trap
AS tricorner and RPG diffusor
Core Audio and RPG
Nerve center - note UPS
ASC treatment on entryway

Description

Last year (2008) I decided I would trim down my two channel system in order to be a able to redirect my funds to my HT rig.

I decided to sell my Cosecant Silver, my Graaf 505, my Merlin VSMs, and my Sonic Euphoria passive. It took awhile but I finally got it done.

I got my money out and cleared out a few tubes, cables and tweaks in the process. Of course a lot of things stayed.

The question was, how to get great performance for 20-25% of the cost.

I am very pleased to say that while the sound is totally different it is every bit as enjoyable - frankly aspects of it are better.

Who knew LOL
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Components Toggle details

    • VALAB USB DAC TDA1543 - modded
    The undisputed heavyweight champion of the world for the money. Just back from CryoParts where it was cryoed and Lee did a one-off
    • NuForce IA-7 Version 2
    The integrated amp from NuForce. 100w. Super fast and detailed. Sweet and smooth with no glare - a marked improvement over the V1 - I had the upgrade done.

    Sounds good low and can crank when you want to go. Useful remote too.
    • Meadowlark Audio Kestrel hotrod
    These are tremendous speakers for my room which is 16x12x10. Very easy to place, broad sweet spot, great imaging.

    With a lot of expert help I rebuilt the crossovers using Mundorf Silver in oil caps, Sonicap Gen 1s, Goertz AirFoil inductors, and both Mills and Duelund resistors. I installed the Cardas CCBP binding posts. The photo is none too pretty but this was my first DIY ever. Good thing that the Kestrels have a separate compartment for the x-over - it barely fits. I rewired with a combination of the Mundorf silver/gold 23ga and the Duelund 14ga solid copper. Cardas QE.

    So smooth now. Probably have more in the crossovers then in the speakers since I got them used here on the Gon.
    • Stage III Concepts Emperor silver
    My other favorite boutique cable maker. These use cryo'ed silver cable with a complex multibraid arrangement. Smooth and sweet.
    • Chimera Labs Advantage L-9
    Chimera Labs Advantage high resolution, high performance speaker cables are hand braided Litz cables using cryogenically treated Continuous Cast Copper wire for maximum Bandwidth, superior phase performance and optimum RF rejection. I replace the spades which were munched with the Furutech FP200B bananas. Much easier to deal with on the NuForce which has CE binding posts. Probably have to put some proper spades on to take full advantage of the Cardas binding posts on the Meadowlarks since they are not banana friendly.
    • Opticis Fiber optic USB cable
    Completely isolates the DAC from the computer which eliminate any chance of ground loops - and some digital hash. I consider this a reference cable - never leaves the system. Even better now with the addition of a Locus Polestar from the end of the fiber to the DAC.
    • Locus Polestar USB cable
    Was curious to see if this would make a difference in combination with my Opticis fiber optic USB. Logic said maybe not - ears resoundingly said yes, yes, yes. Definitely kicked it up a notch!
    • Ultrasonic Plexiglass stand
    Beautiful super rigid stand. Great modular design too.
    • Myrtle Slabs
    I like to put 2"+ slabs of myrtle under each unit. I had these custom made in Oregon.
    • Mapleshade TopHats
    The Valab and the NuForce are small pieces. I like to put a few top hats on each for damping and also to help keep them in place.
    • Herbies Audio Lab SuperSonic Stabilizers
    I like these too Also a big fan of his cable dampers
    • Audio Magic Mini Reference PLC
    Absolutely amazing PLC. Dramatically opened up the mids and cleared the highs. This was a real
    • VH Audio Airsine with Furu 50D (3)
    WOW! is about all there is to say. Surprisingly flexible and the Furu ends belong in a museum not in the back of a rack.
    • Oyaide WPC-Z plate and SWO-GX duplex
    leave nothing to chance
    • Core RPG & Acoustic Sciences
    A collection of traps and diffusors. I have found some used on the Gon over the past 18 months, and ordered others. Between all the furniture and books and these treatments the room sounds very natural with no boominess.

Comments 7

Showing all comments by timrhu.

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Funny you should say collect them all. I currently have 3 pairs of the Kestrels and have owned the Shearwater HRs and Kestrel 2s. I like the Kestrels the best.
I bought one pair of standard Kestrels with the intent of hot rodding them myself. I found the parts but haven't pulled the trigger yet. I did however convert them to biwire.
I'm really curious about your thoughts on the Kestrels vs the Merlins. Not a fair comparison when price is considered but still interesting.

timrhu

Very nice system. I especially like your choice of speakers. I bought a pair of the Kestrel HRs about five years ago and love the way they make music. I'd have trouble remembering all the speakers I've bought and sold over the last few years. Nothing has topped the Kestrels in a small room.

timrhu

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