Description

I have been in this hobby over 30 years and in that time have had the pleasure and good fortune to own many many high end components and gear.  My goal in the past 6 years was to progress to a smaller footprint than my big Genesis speakers with Vitus monos, and still have great sound.  I just didn't have the room in my new home for the big system AND all the boxes and crates!  LOL.  

 I tried a number of fantastic products over those 6 years......Manley, Zanden, the amazing D'Agostino, Coincident, Backert Labs, Vitus, APL, Jeff Rowland, Emm Labs.  I'm finally settled on my MSB/ EMM DV2 combo, with Absolare Stereo amp and Tannoy Speakers.........bit of a mix for cables, with Echole Omnia, TEO, Stage III Gorgon and Musica Bella Kuala2 power cables.  Pics to come.

Final setup:  EMM Labs MTRS Amp with all Hemingway Sigma cable.  I feel the system is done.
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Room Details

Dimensions: 20’ × 14’  Medium
Ceiling: 17’


Components Toggle details

    • Tannoy Canterbury GR
    The newest and greatest from Tannoy, the Gold Reference series. Still breaking in the system but loving it!

    Six years later, very very happy with these speakers.  They gave me exactly what I was looking for stepping down from my 4 tower Genesis speakers.  Still wanted great sound, emotion and soul and a much smaller footprint.  On top of that they can pound out some unbelievable bass, and drums, when I kick things up.  I've tried many different amps with these speakers, to get what I feel is right.  I finally feel like I've hit a home run with the EMM Labs MTRS and Tannoy combo....just unbelievable.  Had some issues with Absolare and the Distributor which ended up being a blessing, because the MTRS is next level, without doubt.
    • MSB UMT Plus
    Plays and Spins everything digital, including 3D BluRay.  Awesome.
    • MSB Technology Dual Signature Power Base
    I was using a desktop power supply for my MSB UMT Plus.  Switched to a new Dual signature power base from MSB.  Love the improved performance.
    • EMM Labs DV2i
    Latest and greatest from EMM.  Without a doubt my last DAC.  Very surprised EMM Labs was able to get this much “upgrade” on the DV2.  To me this was a 2 generation jump in performance.  Love that the streamer is built-in.  I was able to free up shelf space and sell a high end power cable, that was used to run my streamer.
    • EMM Labs MTRS Amplifier
    Latest and greatest from EMM Labs.  My last Amplifier.
    • Tripoint Troy Signature NG
    This is the third Troy I’ve owned, amazing gear.
    • PS Audio P15
    Added the PS Audio P15 power regenerator.  Upgrade from the P12.  Very very happy with the performance of PS Audio Regenerators.  I have everything plugged into it.
    • Hemingway Z-core Sigma Speaker Cable
    One of the best speaker cables in the world.
    • Hemingway Z-core Sigma Power Cable
    Spectacular cable.  This one convinced me to go full loom Sigma.
    • Hemingway Z-core Sigma Interconnect
    Best ic I’ve owned or heard.
    • Hemingway Audio zcore jumpers.
    • Stand: Home made
    I made my stand using a double layer of Maple, so it's 3.5" thick on the shelves.  Weight is easily 300lbs.  This made a serious improvement in the sound.  Really seemed to literally anchor the music in place.  Was a lot of work and it's not perfect by any means, but I'm very very happy with the results.
    Revised: built a new smaller stand.  Love the size and accessibility.
    • IsoAcoustics GAIA
    Put these footers on my Tannoy and the results are fabulous.  The speakers now sound like they weight 1000lbs.
    • Walker Valid points
    These were laying around doing nothing so put them under the digital gear.  Not sure if they made much difference as I've had lots going on in the system lately, but I do love the look and extra height they give the gear for airflow.
    • QSA Black/Red Receptacle
    Wow, love these!  Thought I would try the Red Receptacle first, loved it so much I immediately upgraded to the black/red!!
    • HRS S3 Platforms
    A couple of HRS Platforms for the EMM Labs gear.
    • HighEnd Novum PA MkII

Comments 135

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Shane;
Nice job, quality gear as it's obvious its not your first attempt, matching is so important. This process can take a long time and can be expensive. Has your bar changed as you have gotten older, and where is it now?
I detect that you might be Canadian, a previous comment makes a hint in that direction and some of your equipment is made in Canada i.e. EMM, Absolare and IsoAcoustics. If so, is the connection relevant?
I too own Tannoys, Churchills No.'s 48 , fully balanced OTL's Atma-Sphere's  amp's and pre's. dcS Debussy, SME Model10 , improved V  arm and a Koetsu rosewood platinum cartridge. The interconnects and speaker cables are Cardas with other cords of Furtech and Purist.
You are lucky in a sense to be where you are in 30 years; it's taken me 60. In my case the people, listening experiences have been fascinating, each a story unto themselves.
In my old age I seem to be gravitating to "low level listening". In a quest for a lower noise floor, micro-acoustics seem to be more and more important, so off I go in the direction of isolation, various types of conditioning etc. I'm actually amazed at the difference in cleaning up the lines and stopping cross contamination. The sound signature of my system doesn't change but the low level information has surely changed.
Enough said. If the above peaks your interest, I'd be happy to discuss.  R. J.

burnetrj