This system has turned into a real, swingin' music machine with the addition of the (deservedly) acclaimed GamuT CD-1. It doesn't sound like a typical audiophile CD player; it just sounds like music. All the gorgeous instrumental textures are there, and the music is cogent and rhythmic.
I'm sure there are players with a higher MFD (Mouse Fart Dimensionality) factor, but that's not really what I'm after.
The De Capos, despite all of their friends in the SET camp, sound vibrant and dynamic with a good, powerful amp.
Is powering 92-db monitors with 150 watts in a 19'x14' room overkill?
Maybe; but when the organ and the chorus come in together at the end of the Mahler 2 (a la Bernstein/NYP), Too Much is Just Enough.
Sometime when I have More Money, this amp is history. I am thinking Big, Delicate Tubes. For now, I'm buying CD's and unloading LP's.
Interconnects and speaker cables are in the upgrade cross-hairs.
The latest iteration of Olë Christiansen's baby, the CD-1 is based on the Crystal CS 4390 DA converter, oversampling at 128 times 44,100 Hz (5,644,800 Hz). The analog stage is op-amp based (mercy!), and there isn't much else that's particularly remarkable. It's just well done.
I'm not much of an engineer, but this player sounds like music.
Acurus DIA-150
Lean, fast and transparent. Grabs the De Capos and makes them shout when necessary; finesses them the rest of the time. Currently sitting on ceramic footers (aka demitasse cups). Damped on top with an 11kg bag of lead shot.
Reference 3A MM De Capo
The most transparent, dynamic and musical speaker I have found. Astonishing resolution, gracious presentation. Lovely textural bass into the low 40's in my room. Sitting on granite plinths.
My Room Acoustics
My room has a parquet wood floor and plaster walls; naturally bright and reverberant. I have a 9'x12' persian rug in the listening area, and a 4'x7' persian rug hanging on the rear wall, covering 2
Van den Hul The Second
Replaced the D-102 Mk III between my cdp and amp with The Seconds. Instrumental timbre is much more accurate, as are low level details and decay. The wooden (as opposed to metallic) part of the string quartet sound is now better balanced, and I can hear the back wall of the venue in the Ravel Quartet with ABQ on EMI.
Van den Hul D-102 MkIII
Remarkably dependable, and a great value. A strong argument against eschewing expensive cables entirely (almost...)
Van den Hul D-352 Hybrid
Double run with WBT silver spades.
Van den Hul MainsStream
Great value in a power cable; improves dynamics and authority on the DIA-150 and the Prima.
Lovan Reference Speaker Stand 22
6-column fillable stands for De Capo. Now filled with fine silica sand, so they don't hum along in the bass.
I've added 12
Lovan Classic II racks
Three steel legs, mdf shelves. Very solid. Designed for solidity and good coupling rather than isolation. Recently I coupled the mdf shelves to the steel frame with blu-tack, and used more to damp the one- and two-thirds points at the inside of each of the triangular frames.
. .
Two devices with sinewave generators, in series. Clean power.
DIY Lead Shot and vibrapods
Under the CD player, I have vibrapods on the shelf supporting a granite plinth, which supports two 11 kg bags of lead shot, which support the cdp directly. Isolates AND damps (did WONDERS for my old Prima). Bags of lead shot damping the top of the cdp and amp.
System edited: GamuT CD-1 was serviced and updated to 'S' status, which apparently includes a new transport and digital control board. The sound? We'll see...
That's a nice system you have put together. I agree that you do not necessarily have to put a low powered amp with efficient speakers. Your sysem seems like it would work well together to get the most from it based upon your expressed preferences. If you like classical, you might some day also try a powerful tube amp and see if you get any benefits that suit your tastes even better (not to say you should, but experimenting can be a rewarding [and yes, frustrating] experience. Have fun!
