Description

My quest for the absolute sound started about 30+ years ago with the visit to a highend audio store in Richmond VA (side note - what happened to the highend audio dealer, they've all regressed into TV stores) and listening to a pair of Klipschorns -- WOW. I brought home a pair of Heresy (most I could afford then) and a Hafler DH200 amp and DH101 preamp and a 'something' cassette deck (remember cassettes?). This system lasted for many years, as I moved along life's journey, and was a pretty rockin system. But, I eventually sold off the gear or did it explode... At this point, I was working on my professional graduate degrees and music reproduction got placed on hold. Once schooling and residency was overwith I began to slowly return to my musical love. I picked up some Klipsch Quartets and Carver gear and a 'something' CD player. This lasted several more years, eventually adding a set of Klipsch Chorus II. The Carver gear got given away for replacement with a McCormack DNA1 amp, TLC1 pre. Later, I swapped in a Rotel CD Player. Eventually, I added another DNA1 for mono amplification. After, another couple of years, I swapped out the Rotel for the BAT VK-D5 SE player and the TLC1 for a Pass Labs Aleph P pre. A few years later, I had SMc upgrade both the DNA's to his max level. This system was definitely the best yet. I could not imagine it getting better... But, after a move, I noticed the horns being a bit too bright and brash in my new, smaller, room. So I ended up swapping out both sets of Klipsch for the pair of Quad 988s. Then, came the lust for tubes. So after auditioning a few different tube amps, I decided I had to have Atma-Sphere OTLs. So I swapped out the McCormack DNA1's for Atma-Sphere MA-1s. This brings us to the system as of March 2009 (when I started this posting)... Sooo, read on to see how deep the rabbit hole goes...
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Components Toggle details

    • Micro Seiki DD-40
    purchased July 2010 from member Kimhou for $450 (including MA-505 arm). Cleaned, serviced (no repairs needed - just maintenance), and completely aligned / set up by Master Technician Alex Lok @ The Analogue Store (Raleigh NC) Aug 2010
    • Micro Seiki MA-505
    purchased with TT (included in TT price) - see TT. Absolutely perfect condition - current value ~$550.00
    • Sumiko Blue Point Special EVO III
    purchased brand new from The Analogue Store August 2010. Installed and completely set up by Master Technician Alex Lok.
    • Purest Audio STB-9000
    chrome plated brass record stabilizing clamp
    • PS Audio PerfectWave PWT
    PerfectWave Digital Memory Transport. Bought brand-spankin-new 2/10/10 from dealer Brian Kelly for $2200.00
    • Audio Note Response Audio 3.1 TC Reference MBX
    This is a custom build Audio Note kit DAC 3.1 by Response Audio. Includes signature digital board, AD 1865 N-K chip, AN silver TRANS-268 digital transformer, AN TRANS-496 I/V transformers, TRANS-027/02-AN Ultra HiB output transformers, Balanced outputs, silver wire, Cerafines, V-Caps, and Black Gates. And if thats not enough -- it has a separate chassis dual-mono power supply with Cerafines, Mundorfs, and V-Caps. DAC 5 eat-your-heart-out!!! Completed and in system 1-23-10.
    • Audio Note Response Audio 3.1 TC Reference MBX
    custom power supply pic
    • McIntosh MR-67 tuner
    old school tube tuner in perfect shape (Audio Classics B1), refurbished and aligned by Audio Classics 2005. bought from Steve Fields for $850.00 on Feb 13, 2010 - I'm now the 3rd owner of this classic (original owner in Ca, Steve Fields for about 5 yrs, now me)
    • Atma-Sphere MP-3
    Built 2008 for Vinh Vu, shown at RMAF 2008. Bought Nov 2009 for $2650.00 (including shipping). Came with the Power Regulator upgrade. Dec 2009 Atma-Sphere upgraded to line-stage V-Caps & Caddock resistor package
    • Tannoy Canterbury GR
    bought new Sept 2014, manufactured in Scotland June 30, 2014. $27,000
    • Atma-Sphere MA-1 mkII
    manufactured Dec 1998
    upgraded with Caddock resistors and 24K Gold plated by Atma-Sphere for audio show
    Upgraded to 12SX7 driver tubes
    Bought Oct 2008 from Spencer Banks for $5,934.10 (including shipping)
    Ralph at Atma-Sphere upgraded both amps to the MKIII status with full Caddock & V-Caps package and upgraded the power filter caps to the MA2 ones -- total upgrades $4800.00 done Jan 2009
    • Grover Huffman SX balanced interconnects
    Balanced XLR interconnects throughout. Bought Sc cables Oct 2008, upgraded to Sx version Dec 2009.
    • Shunyata Black Mamba powercables
    2 of them - power cables for Quads
    • Grover Huffman SC digital cable
    balanced AES/EBU XLR digital cable bought Dec 2009
    • Grover Huffman SX speaker cables
    4ft Sc speaker cables Oct 2008, upgraded to Sx version Dec 2009
    • Virtual Dynamics David powercable
    power cable for preamp
    • Silent Source Hi-Current powercables
    power cables for amps
    • Grover Huffman SX powercables
    2 powercables - 1 on digital transport, 1 on DAC
    • Symposium Rollerblock Series 2
    got Tungsten BALLS ?
    • Kymera Magic Wand remote control
    Bought new Dec 2009. Very unique universal remote that looks and operates like a Harry Potter magic wand -- necessary? No. Fun? In spades ;)
    • Nakamichi 680ZX
    Purchased Aug 2010 from Ebay member spokentewa7467 for $450. Cleaned, Demagnetized, Recalibrated, and completely Aligned by Master Technician Willie Hermann @ Willie Herman Services (Orinda, CA) Aug 2010 - Willie said that this is the cleanest 680ZX he had seen since he opened them brand new from the factory!!!
    • Marantz CDR-510
    Professional Studio CD Recorder and Duplicator. Saved from a pawn-shop for $152.50. Currently valued ~$500-800. Think computers do just fine burning discs, listen to one burned professionally off of one of these and you'll never use the computer again...
    • The Cable Pro Noisetrapper Revelation II
    No filters, no surge suppressors, no circuit breakers, no fuse power strip bought from Dedicatedaudio Aug 2010 for $249.95 to power Tuner, Nak tape deck, and Marantz CD burner.
    • Hickok 539b
    The "Engineers" tube tester and standard setter. THis unit is ~1958 to 1962. I bought it off of ebay coming from a engineering school in NY Feb 2010 for $695.00, were it was in functioning condition. I had it refurbished and precision calibrated by Roger Kennedy for $869.13. The caps, resistors, bias pots, GM meter DC bias meter and more was replaced, several fuses were added and the SS-83 and SS-5Y3 rectifiers were replaced with precision solid state units and it was cleaned - finished oct 2010
    • PS Audio P10
    Perfect Wave P10 power rejuvenation / purification conditioner. Bought new July 2014 for $2500

Comments 76

Owner
Bullot, of course its a matter of personal taste. However, having said that - it is typically recognized that high or treble center should be at ear level -- I believe this to be the basis of elevating speakers and I too, find this practice to be best, as I find that ear level highs/treble center pulls the sweet spot into better focus. Also, I find this to be a more natural sound, as I compare and judge my system to natural live music - as you know, most live venues place the players and orchestra/band on a elevated platform or stage - thus, listening acoustically the sound is centered above your seated position or even at amplified concerts the speakers are typically placed up high, often even hanging from the ceiling. Thus, my placement and many others. Of course, I have always started my placement ritual with the speakers on the floor but in 100% of my home experience I have eventually elevated my speakers to highs/treble center at ear level or sometimes just above (depending on the speaker). Again, my experience and taste...

Islandmandan, My Canterbury's are beginning to open up but they still have a ways to go... Unfortunately, I am spending a fair amount of time away from home now due to work and the results of our limping economy, thus, have been only able to enjoy the music on weekends and limited times. But, I have to say I do appreciate the sound more and more - its a real treat to come home to.

On a side note; if anyone is still interested, the buy I thought I had on the Quads did not follow through and thus, they are still for sale - I did remove them from the bases and box them up in factory condition. Its a real shame that high end gear is moving so extremely slow now... its a real buyers market

grateful

Very nice setup. I got my Canterbury GR about 4 months ago, and they are just coming into their own now, with hundreds of hours on them. At first I thought mine were also edgy, and it's only recently that the edginess has completely disappeared.

I am surprised that so many people put their Tannoy on stands.....talking with Tannoy they actually advise against this, but if it's working for so many people I am going to give it a try! What are the biggest differences in sound with the stands.....and do you now find them to be a must in your system? (Nice job on them!)

bullot

Your speaker stands turned out beautifully, as I knew they would. The Canterbury GR's ought to be breaking in fairly well by now, so they have to sound gorgeous.

Regards, and enjoy,
Dan

islandmandan

We have different gear, but our histories share similarities. I've been through Carver, Rotel, BAT, and once came close to getting a McCormack amp. I still use a McIntosh tuner and have some PS Audio power products. And, I recently added Symposium platforms under my speakers, and had an immediate improvement to bass and focus. And, oh yes, Woohoo on those Canterburys, they're beautiful.
I wanted to let you know, that I found a great cabinet source for my McIntosh tuner, so many wood options. Of course, you would need to be interested in doing something like that. If so, you can follow my System link to view and company info. I like where you've headed with your system.
Kenny

kennythekey

Owner
System edited: Tannoy stands finished and new of pics of whole shabam posted

grateful

Owner
Thanks Pdreher, really appreciate your kind words.

grateful

Great system. Reading your system summary, your system has really evolved into rare air! The component rack is one of a kind... just like the speaker stands you are finishing up... should look very cool when it's all done. Congratulations on an outstanding and unique system!

pdreher

Owner
working on stands for the Tannoys - I got another slab of 3 inch thick walnut and some walnut claw feet. I trimmed off the bark, leaving the natural edge, cut them to width, and installed the legs. Now finishing with multiple coats of WaterLux tung oil. Once dry I will top coat with Briwax. Will take a week or two for me to finish the coats... Already looking extremely nice and will fit in with my other walnut stands very nicely. I love the thick walnut stands - good and dense, heavy, and goes nicely with my log home. Elevation is 10 1/4th inches.

grateful

Owner
The Canterbury's are opening up wonderfully. Much more articulate now - extended bottom, less edgy top, more rounded and natural. Simply beautiful. I just received my Grover ZX+ biwire speaker cables - will install them later. And got a new thick and wide slab of walnut so I can make some speaker elevators for them - they will measure in at 9 1/2 inches tall, which via experimentation seams to be best for my seat. On a side note, I have had increasing problems with the PS Audio PWT transport not wanting to eject a CD - been getting worse and worse over the last year or so, recently becoming very frustrating. Thus, I decided to replace the DVD drive within it. After contacting PS Audio support and speaking about several techical aspects I decided to NOT go with a replacement Sampsung DVD drive, instead I got a Lite On DVD drive for it. The Lite On seams to work perfectly, offering a belt driven drawer control with cast metal parts, along with enhanced CD stabilization and enhanced CD reading capabilities, to include drive speed control. When I installed the new drive I also added Dynamat thick dampening material to the drive along with some cable shielding. The result is stellar - music is more articulate in the micro dynamics with blacker backgrounds and the drive ejects the CD without issue... I couldn't be more pleased.

grateful

Owner
The Canterbury's are breaking in... still edgy but I only got about 30 hours on them - unfortunately, I'm out of town too much lately. As recommended, I have raised them off the floor (currently about 6 inches) to improve listening level high focus. I have been working on a good listening height for my chair position - looks like I will end up in the 9 to 10 inch range and I have been working on obtaining some more walnut slabs to make some risers for them to match the rest of my system. Have some bi-wire on order from Grover too. None the less, I can say that I'm glad I went with the Canterbury's over the Westminster, as the Canterbury can easily over-power my room - I currently have the treble setting in the minus 3db mark on the speaker adjustment - as the high's can be overpowering. However, I do expect the edgyness to improve with break-in, as expected. Temptations on the menu tonight with some Blue Mountain Spooky pumpkin harvest ale for an appetizer :)...

grateful

Grateful, I'm happy for you. Congratulations!

Regards,
Dan

islandmandan

Owner
Woohoo!!!! The Canterbury's arrived this past weekend!!!!!! Canterbury GR! They are a bit edgy, of course, fresh out of the box but they sound incredible!!!! Not as nuetral as the Quad's are (exactly expected) but they are SO SO SO much more dynamic!!!! --exactly what I was hoping for! With all the traveling I'm doing now, it's going to take me a while to break them in but after break-in, I will write a review and comparison. However, my initial impressions are summed up by what I stated above - not as neutral but dynamics in SPADES!!!! To go into a bit more detail, I will say that the highs are crystal clear and very articulate - dare I say better than the Quad's by a significant difference and the bass to - the kids go to the Quad's though, as far as neutrality goes. The Canterbury's sound a wee bit dark in the mids, a wee bit "woody" - enhances acoustic guitar and winds but still a wee bit dark compared to the Quad's. But having said that, the darkness on instruments sound more "real" and "live" compared to the Quad's, just not as clean... But again, the Canterbury's are fresh out of the box and no way near broken-in. Good times!!!

grateful

Owner
Also, I should note that I am casually looking for a Atma-Sphere MP-1 to replace my Atma-Sphere Mp-3. I am happy with my MP-3 but would like to go to the next level... I'd prefer to get one with upgrades, like V-Caps, upgraded volume control, and resistor upgrades -- in other words maxed out... and would prefer the current version. But, would be willing to purchase a older one (with my intent to upgrade) for the right price. Would be willing to trade my MP-3 for partial payment but not a requirement (I could just sale outright, once I get the MP-1). If anyone is interested please meal me or post here. Thanks

grateful

Owner
So, I posted a question in "Tech Talk" area of forum and it goes like this;

Hello,
just picked up a P10 and installed it and all I can say is WOW... I thought I had good power, living out in the mountain country... but, damn!!! what a difference.

OK, so my question is; I am new to the power management/reconditioning/conditioning/whatever you call it. After hooking everything up and I key the wave screen and scroll to the usage screen, I see that I am using apron. 82% of the unit or just over 900 watts, close to 9 amps - all while playing music at my typical listening level - my question is then, am I maxing out the unit, and thus need another? or is 82% usage OK?

currently active (giving the 82% usage rating() is plugged into it a pair a Atma-Sphere MA-1 amps, a Atma-Sphere MP-3 preamp, a custom made Audio Note DAC, and a PS Audio PWT transport (playing Herbie Hancock Head Hunters - maybe that the problem...lol)

thanks

grateful

Owner
and the Quads are up for sale, hint, hint...

grateful

Owner
Also, I should note that the pics are old, as far as the room goes. once I install the Canterbury's I will take new pics and upload them.

grateful

Owner
buy the way. Herbie Hancock is 'show casen' the PS Audio Power Plant tonight ;)

grateful

Owner
Just picked up and installed a PS Audio Power Plant P10 and all I can say is WOW!!!! I thought I had good power, living out in the mountain country, but damn!!! what a difference this makes - OUCH!!!!!

It says my input is only 2.+ THD and out is 0.2 - If someone had asked me, I would have said that would not make a difference as far as AC goes but obviously my thinking was wrong...

good thing I bought the Canterbury's first, otherwise after installing this it may have taken a few more years.... No, the Canterbury's are not here yet. But, this Power Plant really makes a significant difference...

Back ground is immediately noticeably blacker (silent), dynamics (yes dynamics thought QUADs) are SIGNIFICANTLY improved (and without tripping the QUAD safety) - I mean BIG differences!!!!

Maybe its my power, maybe the QUADs love it, but at this point I can only recommend a Power Plant (and No, Paul did not pay me to say this lol - maybe I should contact him)

grateful

I posted on your Tannoy placement question! Interested to hear your thoughts when you get the new GR!! Build quality is way beyond my expectations, enjoy!

bullot

Beautiful, I can't wait to hear your observations after you run them in a bit.

I'm sure you're going to be happy.

Dan

islandmandan

Owner
well the Quads are up for sale, a paltry $3000 and I just ordered a pair of Canterbury GR -- can't wait till they arrive, will be 1 to 3 weeks but thats OK, I'm lucky to be waiting for them

grateful

Owner
thanks. the OTL's should be a fantastic mate for Tannoy's, actually better than the Quads. I decided to go ahead with the change to Tannoy's, I am looking for Canterbury's or Westminster's and just listed my Quads here. I have to say though, I almost wonder if its even worth listing them for as little as Quad's are selling fore these days -- certainly a ridiculous loss for how great they are

grateful

Hello Grateful, I'm glad to see you're still alive and kickin'. I posted on your Tannoy question, I see you have a very fine system that is no doubt very satisfying.

The use of OTL's with Tannoy is another subject I know nothing about, I assume you would be keeping the MA 1's, perhaps you have prior experience using dynamic drivers with them?

At any rate, best of luck in trying to cure your upgrade psychosis, in the meantime, good listening!

Regards,
Dan

islandmandan

Owner
been a long time since I posted. Just wanted to say I am still alive and kicking. Have been mostly satisfied with my on-going setup. Have a few things I would like to do with my current music room, power wise. But for the most part all is well. I have to say, I do currently have the upgrade psychosis again -- I just posted an opinion comment in regards to my Quads vs Tannoy Westimster's -- I have enough room for Westminster's again in my new listening venue but don't know if they would actually be a significant improvement in what I currently have. I do absolutely love the micro nuances that can be heard with my Quads but I do miss the impact I remember horns providing... I certainly enjoy what I hear maybe its just the audiophile psychosis kicking in... Unfortunately, due to practice changes I am not able to audition as much as I used to, maybe that is what I'm missing more -- it is certainly a delight to be able to sit down and listen at home versus the car or the current office, which is in comparison; like "nails on a chalkboard"...

grateful

Owner
Thank you

grateful

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