This is the listening room. Two channel stereo is the goal and the surround system shares the space with video. The dimensions are 17 feet at the front, 9 feet tall, and 25 feet deep. Acoustical treatments are hand-made quilts and tapestries, additional area rug on carpet, and acoustical panelling towards the rear. Also, behind the listening area is my Baldwin 7 foot grand piano.
I think its fantastic. It is as good as my Antique Sound Labs headphone amp. The build was easy, even for me and I have ten thumbs when it comes to building things. There are many good hints on the website, including some of mine. I highly recommend it. I am considering some of the higher end ones now.
Thanks! The price was a real factor. When money allows I can step back up but I like the amps and they are staying for now. The VS speakers are hungry and need as much power as possible. I liked the Bel Cantos I had but needed some money. The real key to the system is the M2Tech Hiface>Eastern Electric DAC>Modwright pre-amp. And fed into a headphone rig it is amazing. I see that you found the Hiface as well. I also am still a big fan of the Speltz copper speaker cables. In my view, pure copper, and no insulation make a straight wire from amp to speaker. Anything else becomes a tone control to compensate for some mismatch between components or speakers. I'd rather put my money somewhere else. I like the sound diffusers. I have been looking for something like that that looks good and works.
Great system! I just got a pair of Hibachi monos from a fellow audiogon user and they are simply amazing! I have them paired with Vienna Acoustics and they are musical, strong, and very non-fatiguing. Can't beat the price of admission, either.
I have broken in the Hibachis but admit I haven't had much time lately to enjoy them. I keep meaning to load the speakers but then I change something in the room and move the speakers a little this way or that. I am planning a new remodeling for the room and once the speakers are set there I intend to load them. The 7.1 is a fine TT. I will have to replace my cartridge soon and would like to hear your thoughts on the Ortofon.
I talked to Paul at TAD and couldn't resist the price on those Hibachis so I grabbed a pair. Received them yesterday and out of the box they sound pretty good. I'll get some hours on them over the weekend and hear what happens. Also sold my MMF-5 and am picking up an MMF-7.1 with Ortofon 2M Bronze in a couple of weeks. Going with a good moving magnet because I like the MM phonostage in my Doge 8 preamp better than the MC section. I'll probably end up using the Hibachis in a second system with my Consonance Cyber 222 preamp.
Have you loaded your VS VR4jrs with shot? I have 50lbs. in each and it makes a huge difference.
I have to agree with your comments on the EE Minimax DAC. I have added that component to my system and was pretty surprised at the jump in performance. I'm also using the VS VR4jrs but powering them with tubes. Nice room and system.
System edited: I put a Sony SCD-CE595 back in as an alternate source. I also recently switched from the Bel Canto M300s to Tube Audio Design TAD-125 Hibachi II monoblock amps. It's a great switch and I highly recommend these amps. A tube like midrange with tight deep bass and articulate highs without the fatigue of the BCs.
Thanks to Buconero for the suggestion of the 595. I didn't care as much for the native sound of it, a bit thin and shallow, but as a transport, it does a great job. I need to update the photos. New wall hangings and some furniture rearranging. Thanks.
System edited: Added the cheap and very capable Sony SCD-CE595 SACD player as a transport for convenience and the two channel SACD function. For multi-channel SACD, the Oppo sends the HDMI signal to the Onkyo, but I prefer the 2 channel SACD for most of the classical discs. The Eastern Electric Tube DAC does a beautiful job with the Toslink output from the Sony. The BNC coaxial output from the M2Tech Hiface is noticably better but the convenience of the Sony is nice sometimes, especially for $70!
With the addition of the EE Tube DAC, the sound just gets better. I highly recommend this DAC for its detail and spatiality, but mostly because it sounds like live performers in the recorded venue. It is a steal at $700!
If you get a chance I highly recommend auditioning the Edge amps also. When I got mine I was afraid they were going to be a step down from the Pass monos I had. I sold the monos because of the heat the put out- I live in Phoenix and don't really need my room any hotter. I ended up actually preferring the Edge.
Srwooten, thanks for your post. I am running dual speaker wires from the amps to each module and the umbilical is not connected. I must say that the biggest improvement in listening was implementing the Sumiko method of arranging the speakers. Now the speaker plays the room and not the other way around. Like they say, "the room is more than half the sound".
I really appreciate your system as well. When funds are available I am going to investigate the Pass amps. I like the low heat-low consumption Bel Cantos, and the crisp bass response. I also know that when I push them they can sound a bit harsh, but only at very loud volumes, not at the volumes I usually listen.
What a gorgeous, well thought out set-up. I bet it is a joy to listen/watch! I read your thread about bi-amping the VSA's. I do not know the answer to that, but make certain the Jr's are bi-wired and not using the umbilical cable that came with the speakers- they are only included to "get you by" until you can bi-wire. My VSA Sr IV's are bi-wired using HT Magic with spectacular results. I use a single stereo Edge amp for power.
