Makin' Paul's Mama Proud

by hhdinc on Ever Evolving
The Layout
The Rack
Solist

Description

This is my main system. It's set up in my office and makes going to work pretty easy. The room is very live which is a problem. I'm working on dampening. It's 300 square feet with 9.5' ceilings, bamboo floors and lots of glass.

The system is built around two pieces by Paul Gryzbek; a TAD-150 Signature preamp and TAD-60 amplifier. The combination of these two pieces is absolutely astounding. The speakers are ScanSpeak Solists from a kit purchased from Madisound. I built my own cabinets and stands and have been extremely pleased with the results. The rack is Mahogany with granite slabs for shelves. The shelves, like the speakers, rest on 3 copper half-spheres. Isolation is very good and they cost me all of ten bucks - for 100 of them. If you're wondering, they're upholstery tacks.

I'll get some photos of the shelf and speaker stand suspension soon.
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Components Toggle details

    • Tube Audio Design TAD-150 Signature
    Signature version of Paul Gryzbek's limited production tube preamp with phono stage.
    • Tube Audio Design TAD-60
    Paul Gryzbek's über versatile tube amp. Mine is the earlier model. I'm running Tung Sol KT-66s. I also polished the knobs to make them silver/chrome instead of the gold that they came as.
    • VPI Industries Scoutmaster Signature
    Scoutmaster Signature with Nordost wiring. Bought second-hand in perfect shape. Cartridge is a Stanton 881 Mk II with a D81S stylus for 33s, and a D827 for 78s. The Stanton may not be the best match for this table/arm combo, but the convenience of swapping stylus' for 78 or 33 play makes the compromise bearable. I hope to be able to pick up a 600 rpm motor that I can use as a dedicated 78 motor, and keep the 300 rpm motor for 33/45 play.
    • Scan Speak Solist
    MTM kit parts from Madisound with premium crossovers. I built the cabinets and matching stands. They're veneered with mahogany to match the rack. The stands incorporate two sets of 3 copper half-spheres. Three on the base where the stand meets the floor and three on the platform where the speaker sits. They are in offset patterns.

    I'll try to get some photos to better explain.
    • Apogee Duet
    Pro-recording DA/AD converter with XLR balanced inputs to stellar internal preamps. I use this for archiving 78s and for pumping AAC files from my mac. Nice knob.

Comments 5

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Owner
The stock TAD-60 comes with Electro-Harmonix 6CA7s for output. It will run KT-88's or KT-66's. I went with the KT-66s on Paul's recommendation.

I did get the premium crossovers on the Solists.

On the rack the wood triangles are just morticed into the legs. I'll try to get some more detailed shots of the joinery and post them.

hhdinc

Owner
The basic design for the cabinets in on the Madisound website. I made a few minor modifications and designed the matching stands.

hhdinc

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