Kenny's System

by kennythekey on Ever Evolving
Listening Area
New Sub Grills
With Black Grills
With No Grills
DIY Subs - Rythmik plate amp installed.
TW Acustic Raven One
Ortofon Verismo
TW-Acustic 300 B SET
Amps - No covers front.
Amps - No covers rear.
McIntosh MR-71 Re-invented
Finished Rack

Description

I finally started piecing together gear that was built and known to work together. This came after discovering the sound that does it for me. To me, the first most important component.

Latest updates:

March 14, 2023 - Finally an important upgrade to my system, replacing my Shilabe cartridge with the Ortofon Verismo. It was a little work to set up with my Ortofon RS 309D arm, but getting the overhang right-on and the null points perfect was worth the time spent. Even after the initial drop of the Verismo, the sound is wonderful. I’m way happy, and only care about listening as I write this. More later about the sound as it breaks in.

November 27, 2022 - It's been a while. We moved twice since my last system update. A new home, so a different listening room even though my setup is somewhat identical. The room has a smaller footprint than previously, but it lends itself better to my Horning Aristoteles that are suited for medium sized rooms. The system is now playing loud at 10 o'clock with my 6-watt amps and benefiting from that. I've finally added two sets of speaker grills for my open baffle subs, so front and back. Why?…Because, it was fun!

August 10, 2019 - My daughter, Kelly, has purchased her first turntable, a Rega Planar 2. After reading about this table's sensitivity to vibration, especially in close proximity to speakers, I was surprised that there was zero effect from vibration when we turned up the volume with her speakers less than one foot from the table. The speakers are normally pulled out into the room, but not for this initial TT test. The bass was generous and I did some jumping up and down without issue. Is the cheap Ikea Lack Rack that we built handling all of this? If so, impressive.

May 2, 2018 - My daughter's audio rack is now completed. A really fun to build project on the cheap. What added the most cost, was using Herbie's Giant Threaded Stud Gliders for the bottom base. And, full length hard maple inserts for the legs.

March 23, 2018 - Work is progressing for daughter's first audio rack. Cost is a priority, as her first audio system is coming together. We decided on a DIY rack built from 4 IKEA Lack side tables ($8 each).

October 17, 2017 - Added NoRez material to quiet the sub cabinets from being heard. My system is sounding great in my open floor plan. Most of the DIY work was done by Jay (Captainhemo) who builds and sells custom flat packs for the sub cabinets up in British Columbia. You can find him on Audiocircle and you can see from my pics that he does marvelous work.

June 6, 2017 - Upgraded my Raven 1 table with latest bearing and Black Night feet. Background is blacker, sound is smoother, and bass is better. Added Townshend Isolation Bars to my subs. The subs work seamlessly with my Horning speakers, and have finally provided me with a full range sound that is also relaxed.

Kenny

Read more...

Room Details

Dimensions: 14’ × 18’  Medium
Ceiling: 12’

Components Toggle details

    • TW Acustic Raven One
    A wonderfully simple, but extremely well made design. Sounds fantastic. Tonearm: Ortofon RS-309D Cartridge: Ortofon Verismo, Miyajima Shilabe Tweaks: Motor Control: AC/MC Isolation: Silent Running Audio platform. Black Night feet. Platter Mat: TW-Acustic/Zanden Audio 5mm. Fuse: HiFi-Tuning Supreme. And, upgraded the bearing.
    • Ortofon RS-309D
    Great arm that works with the Raven. If I add another arm to the TT, this one will stay for mono.
    Update 2023 - This arm is still performing exceedingly well from what I hear!
    • Miyajima Shilabe
    My first truly high end cartridge, and the only I've tried with my Raven TT.

    2/15/2023 - This may be my first upgrade in quite some time. I have a new cartridge in mind and more on this later.
    • Ortofon Verismo
    MC Cartridge to replace my Shilabe. A true upgrade in you-are-there presentation, detail, and more nuanced.
    • Tron Seven - Phono
    Hand made Phono Amplifier that can be custom built. This one includes the caps from the Reference model and pseudo balanced outputs added for convenience. Tweaks: HiFi-Tuning fuse.
    • Boulder L-3ae
    A temporary solution while saving up for a new line stage. I recently had Boulder Amplifiers upgrade the caps, and now the sound is wonderful.

    2023 - I’m still using the L-3ae and have no plans of replacing it. It’s become invisible to the rest of my system. I don’t know what those guys at Boulder Amplifiers did, because I thought my system setup would benefit from a tube line stage. All I can say, it’s your ears that count.
    2024 - I’m in the hunt for a new line stage, but require an in my room comparison against the Boulder.
    • TW-Acustic 300 B SET
    Mono Block, 6 watts. Best component that I ever added. Now, I hear anything and everything that I change in my system. It brings my system together like it's sewn together from the same fabric. Designed and hand built by Thomas Woschnick.

    Added Western Electric Vintage Wire Cables by Shun Mook. Sometimes, the risks we take pay off. If you’re about aesthetics be aware that these 14 foot stiff cables are not meant to be neatly wound up and placed for looks. Please contact Shun Mook about the cabling and grounding options in order to find out the best way to set up these cables. I can’t remember anymore (LOL)!!!
    • McIntosh MR-71 Re-invented
    A long-term personal project started in 1989, as I first found the MR-71 chassis heaped on top of other non-working and discarded gear. I simply could not let it die, and the price was right. Restored by Audio Classics and then upgraded by Sam's Audio Labs. The tuner sounded very good after Audio Classic's work, but Sam's transformation to full triode, wow! Birdseye Maple cabinet was built by High Quality Reproduction Cabinets who specialize in old gear.
    2024 - After moving to a new home, I would discover not only the loss of my favorite stations, but the FM reception is poor right here. Looks like streaming will replace this old classic.
    • Horning Aristotle Zigma Ultimate
    This one has the DX65 drivers and finished in Apple Wood. The cabinetry is superb. These loudspeakers have given me "my"sound in spades. Their low end if driven properly is suberb. However, my house move took me to a setup with a large open space when the loudspeakers want a medium sized room with corners. This is the only reason, I added the DIY subs. And, I'm glad I did.

    2/15/2023 - That was then. I’ve moved twice. Damn, I’m happy. Got it altogether now in a better and much loved space. Yeah.
    • DIY - GR Research/Rythmik Sub Project Open Baffle
    The cabinets are designed and offered as a kit from Jay (captainhemo) on Audiocircle. Jay built the cabinets for me, and they are finished to match up with my speakers. The cabinets use GR Research servo drivers in combination with specifically integrated and external Rythmik servo plate amps. This is a patented design between GR Research and Rythmik. Even though this has been a long process to set up and tweak for me, the subs work seamlessly with my Horning speakers. Tweaks: Townshend Isolation Bars. The Bars completely cured previous oscillation problem from mechanical feedback to my turntable. I've also added 2 sets of speaker grills for the front and back. Jay can also provide the grills.

    2/15/2023 - My new room and home for my setup still includes both the Hornings and custom Subs. I have zero oscillation issues here. Tweaking the subs to the space has proven to be the best unexpected upgrade for me.
    • DIY Siamese Rack
    I built this to my specific requirements, so didn't really save me money as a DIY project. However, very rewarding and just what I wanted. Thanks to everyone on Audiogon who helped me out with this project.
    • Power: Various
    Panel: Intermatic all house surge protector with replaceable protection
    modules.
    Source: Two dedicated and isolated ground 20 amp circuits.
    Components: Brick Wall surge protector for TT Motor Controller and Boulder line stage.


Comments 148

Showing all comments by charles1dad.

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Hi Kenny,
Reading your post I can feel the genuine joy you're experiencing and that's beautiful. Reproducing natural sound in your home is the ultimate reward! This type of system will keep you happy and grateful for many years. The TW 300b seems to be a truly top tier amplifier and a fabulous match with the Hornings. Jeff's guidance was obviously on the mark.
Charles,

charles1dad

Dev,
I certainly can understand your dilemma, It's difficult to audition the amplifier candidates that interest you. On the What best forum you were given some very good recommendations, how do you possibly hear them all? No question that the TW and the Horning Sati amplifiers would likely be excellent choices. The Tron Telestar GT also but its extremely expensive, the other 2 seem much better value.
Charles,

charles1dad

Amen Kenny.

charles1dad

Good advice Kenny although I'm sure Dev knows this and trusts his ears. For Jeff to recommend the TW amplifier so enthusiastically is noteworthy, he has very good ears based on my hearing his rooms at various shows. There are just numerous very high quality SETs to choose among out there. Jeff used an Electra Fidelity 300b to drive the Cessaro horns at CES 2014 and it was quite exceptional.

Kenny I'm curious to read your impression of the Shun Mook AC cords.
Charles,

charles1dad

Dev,
My Frankenstein MK II (2009) has 16 and 8 ohm taps. I believe that the current amplifiers are just a single 6 ohm tap. They could possibly add a 4 ohm tap if requested. It's a very fine SET just as are the others you've listed as contenders. You have excellent choices.
Charles,

charles1dad

"It has heart" Kenny you are so right on! No tube or transistor output device is perfect, we all choose our acceptable compromises. The purity and natural sound of the 300b has pulled me in like nothing else up to this point. I wouldn't for a moment trade its innate organic beauty for more/different bass, no way. I really like the bass my 300b SET provides.
Charles

charles1dad

Dev,
Heat isn't an issue with 300b SET amplifiers. Depending on the 845 amp and the listening room space, heat can be a "potential" problem but in most circumstances they are fine. Most higher power push pull tube amplifiers will generate more heat (more output tubes). You have what seems an excellent choice of amplifiers. Horning Sati, Tron and the TW Raven, can't go wrong with that list.
Charles,

charles1dad

Dev,
Reading the description of the Horning Sati Statement amplifier it appears to be an all out assault effort. I supect this is a superb amplifier that isn't going to be inexpensive.No doubt a great match with its sibling speaker.

Kenny,
Dan is right. The EML XLS is an excellent sounding tube across the board. In addition it is a very durable/reliable tube.
Charles,

charles1dad

Kenny,
Congratulations, I'm sure those amplifiers sound wonderful. Certainly with the improvement in the output tubes and the power cords things will Improve substantially for you. You are developing a very fine system that will provide many years of listening joy. Your amplifier and speaker combination seems special.
Charles,

charles1dad

Dev,
Gon member Dmarkov has the Border Patrol with optional power supplies. It seems to me that given the efficiency and design concept of the Horning speaker, a high-quality 300b amplifier would be a very good match. No question the Horning amplifier should be an ideal choice.
Charles,

charles1dad

Loki I agree with your last sentence 100%, I believe that factor is the key. In terms of circuit I doubt there is very much difference between various SET amplifiers. I think what separates them into a hierarchy or tiers of performance is quality of parts, quality of transformers and power supply.
Charles,

charles1dad


Hi Loki,
Thanks for the interesting reply and comparison of the two amps. It is encouraging that you were getting such good results with that Dennis Had amplifier. It makes me wonder what upgrading to the TW amplifier will bring to the table. I suspect that amplifier will have better output Transformers as well as a more stout power supply. Your Horning speakers are obviously very efficient and easy to drive given that they work so well with this low powered amplifier.
Charles,

charles1dad

Lokiut,
Your TW 45/2A3 amplifier seems to be quite special! Do you feel you're losing any sonic qualities with the lower power TW compared to the more powerful Thoress 845? I imagine the Hornings sound very fine with either of these amplifiers. The TW amps are very interesting.
Charles,

charles1dad

Hello Kenny,
Congratulations on getting your new amplifier. I'm very interested to know how it pairs with your Horning Aristotle speakers. On paper it would seem to be a very fine match.
Charles,

charles1dad

Congratulations on acquiring the Horning speakers I'm sure they will keep you happy for many years. I think your decision toward those high efficiency speakers and high quality SET amplifiers will lead to a more natural sound with heighten realism, good move.
Charles,

charles1dad

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