A whole year and no changes to my system, who'd have thought? Not me having spent the last decade constantly making changes.

That's not to say I've not been tempted and other equipment hasn't passed through.

The preamp session alluded to by Paul in his post on this thread was my real eye opener.

It's easy to carried away considering whats 'best' andimposing ones view of how music should be presented in the home. The pre shootout experience demonstrated how different everyones taste is. I guess even in the concert hall we all have our preference, some like to be close and immersed, others, me included, like to look into the performance from a distance.

The experience also demonstrated that expectation of equipment can be easily confounded by it's use in a new room and system.

I was keen to pit my Aesthetix against some of it's natural competitors as well as seeing how it might stand up to competition from a couple of pre's with stellar reputations.

I've heard the ARC Ref3 in more than one system that I've enjoyed and it or a REF5 have been top of my list of pre's within budget to try. That opportunity arose as a friend broke down his system, something I know he's loath to do and kindly added it to the mix for a day here. To it was also added a Puresound L300, Audio Note UK M5, Shindo Vosne Romanee and Robert Koda K-10. All the pre's are a step up in price from mine, some more than others!

Now the interesting bit... It would be true to say that all of these pres offered something or other that mine misses. In particular greater detail and weight, bass lines were punchier and more solid. I can understand the strong preference some had for this addition to the presentation. However it tended to change the perspective of the system. The soundstaging took a couple of steps forward running the L300, Ref3 and M5. That more immersive sound I mentioned. Too much for my liking, though I'd imagine others would have a strong preference for this vantage.

I also had the immpression that while this added weight was beneficial with some material there was also a slight tendency toward over emphasis. Now, having heard the Ref3 in a much better environment for listening than my room I'd tend to think the room and it's synergy with my system the main culprit. In another system these pre's could likely sound more neutral.

That said there were a couple of jokers. The Shindo sounded beautiful and didn't change the persepective, it was new with only a few hours on it and there was comment that bass was a little light using it. I'd guess the bass would fill out as it broke in and it'd be interesting to know what effect that'd have on the perspective. In any case I didn't have a problem with the bass and it delivered a musicality that only really superior tube amps seem to be able to achieve. Neutral? Who cares it was beautiful.

So to the Robert Koda. It somehow seemed to offer all the benefits of the other pre's without changing the perspective. The comment from others was that it sounded wonderfully neutral (in the best possible sense). It just seemed to let the music flow unhindered by comparison to the other pre's on the day. I enjoyed it most as it retained what I like about the sound of my system but gave me more of it. A wonderful piece of kit that I'm sure it would sound better and better with sympathetic equipment of a level beyond my system.

The upshot of the day was I decided to stick with what I have, I get great enjoyment from it. Should funds ever become available to begin to dabble in the Koda direction it'd be one I'd persue. For now though it's time to put on another cd.

defride January 16, 2014 08:50

Lapierre, I've been pretty settled with my system. For me, it just gets out of the way and lets the music flow unencumbered by the 'system'.

There's always an itch to scratch... Ps68 lent me some of his speaker cable Z:Axis a couple of weeks back and its nice. Add's a beautiful sense of tone and air that isn't night and day but I definately notice when they're not in there, particularly with the likes of piano.

The Calypso sounds great but has been a little noisey with various tubes since I've had it. I decided to explore other pre's and arranged for a few guys to stop by this weekend coming with their pre's. A dealer I know dropped off a Puresound L300 last night and the guys are due to bring an ARC Ref3, Shindo Vosne Romanee and Audio Note(UK) M5 amoungst others.

Thing is, in the meantime I picked up a pair of Sylvania 5751 cheaply which I figured would be great backups at the price. Gave them a spin to make sure they were working and wow, they cured the noise issues! Whats more they sound great.

Should be a good and interesting session in any case.

Yes, my EMM does have some transport issues. I've the original transport. On occiasion it can spin up with some noise before it seems to lock onto the signal and the noise disappears, if you skip to the next track the noise disappears. On the odd disc it won't lock and I need to repeatedly press load to release the disc.

It's annoying but rare and the thing sounds great. I've not yet been bothered enough to justify the high price of a new transport. Hoping they don't stop offering backup anytime soon.

I did buy a little Arcam rDAC KW so I can stream spotify to the hifi. It's good, engaging and easy to listen to, not in the same league as the EMM but plenty good enough to check out unfamiliar material

Look forward to hearing where you're headed in the new room. Are you going to dem a pair of Raidho's one of these days? :-)

defride July 11, 2013 10:05

Lapierre, good luck. Hope its a buyers market where you are as it is here!

After spending more time listening I think PC's are definitely a listen and see item. Some components seem more sensitive than others but even then I don't see the night and day differences that others sometimes comment on. A-B-A tends to be, notice a difference then back to sounds pretty good in any case, that's comparing a decent cord with an expensive one. Does that makes sense?

Hi Aaron, when I ran a Wadia 301 for a while placing a weight on top of the cdp made an astonishing difference. I used a granite placemat with rubber feet. Tried it with the EMM and didn't notice any difference. EMM Labs tack a damping material to the internal casework in any case, perhaps thats why?

defride February 03, 2013 10:40

Good to hear Panzerholz isn't perhaps as formidable as the reputation that proceeds it. Quite a few F1 motor racing teams are based near us and I'm told they can be a source of offcuts as they use it for bash guards under the cars.

Secret black boxes??? Do you mean the sofa? LOL, to be fair without the sofa's the room rings a bit!

defride January 23, 2013 16:47

Hi Aaron, thanks for the link.

Yes, Panzerholz looks an interesting product, not so easy to aquire and work with in DIY quantities where we are. I've heard Kaiser's a few times, I see you've posted your system, looks good, I'll post a few comments there.

I've tried Dynamat and like products, I had high hopes in particular that it would make a difference on the casing of an enclosed cdp transport. I didn't notice a great deal of difference in that or the other applications I used it. Thats not to say in other instances it wouldn't be entirely beneficial.

defride January 21, 2013 15:15

Hi Lapierre, good luck with your search, hope you're able to squeeze a great listening space in along with other more practical requirements.

Yes, I have spent a bit of time recently trying different power cords. I've rather fallen out with power conditioning, in the past I have had the opportunity to try high current filters that 'cleaned' the mains and blocked dc. Ultimately I came to the conclusion that a decent power cord direct from the mains was doing as good a job and in some cases better than the filters I had the opportunity to try. Thats not to say there arn't great products out there that may make a more positive difference, I'd love to hear Tripoint one day.

I've got an Acoustic Zen Absolute and some UK made cords to try at the moment. The Acoustic Zen does seem to make a difference but its unwieldy and expensive. I think I may settle on UK brand called Missing Link. They seem to me to offer up most of what the AZ does at a fraction of the cost.

Their site can be found here (though its not the prettiest!)

http://www.the-missing-link.net/

Hi Aaron, thats an interesting analysis by Vertex. They are certainly a company that has done the research so its hard to argue. I wonder about the context of the statement and definition of 'sound energy'? As I understand there are a few ways to damp resonance and in the context of a hifi component reduce a potential source of noise, adding mass and as you note draining energy amoungst them. Vertex work on the principal of a mechanical earth draining resonance within the audible frequency range don't they? As far as I was aware products with viscoelastic properties also damp resonance(?).

Your suggestion that trying different acoustic absorbing material is a good one, do you have any suggestions? The straps on the rack are not actually rubber, rather a form of Neoprene iirc. I did try blocks of the stuff at one point without success, the fact that the straps are under stress seems to make a difference (mass of the component weighing on them maybe?)

Personally I now use the rack as a structure to support Alto Extremo absorber products. I'll update the system picture when I get a chance.

As regards the TASS rack in general, it certainly works in some systems for whatever reason, I can only speculate as to why, I have no practical knowledge of the subject area other than my ears. That said I'm not alone in my experience using the rack. Alan Sircom at Hifi+, Hifi Choice, Hifi World and a couple of other publications have been pretty consistant in their praise.

Regards
Dan

defride January 10, 2013 08:24

Hi Aaron and Humbuster, thanks for you're kind comments.

Aaron, take a look at the highly regarded $30k SME turntables, if you've not already noticed look at the way they're suspended.

I watched the guy who builds these racks develop the product over a couple of years. I was very sceptical when he popped around with a first prototype. It made a difference so once he had an acceptable looking product I bought one (and sold quite a bit of expensive racking and support products).

I went on to hear it make a big difference with some components, a noticeable difference with some and none at all in other systems. My experience with support suggests there is no best support, different components are affected in different ways by their environment and little other than experience is going to tell you which is going to work well with a given component.

In essence the concept behind the straps are firstly to help isolate a component from the outside environment and at the same time damp the case work. From here it's horses for courses.

While all my components seem to benefit to a degree from the strap approach I have subsequently found that Alto Extremo absorbers perform better under my pre and cdp though they are expensive and I'm yet to commit to their purchase (though I think I will). Under my amps the AE's perform no better than the straps, I run the straps for the amps in a different arrangement to the one you see pictured. There is a wood block between the amps so they are supported by the straps not the granite platform.

The rack has had some very good press recently, UK title Hifi World has given it a 5 out of 5 review with the reviewer purchasing as he prefered it to his previous reference.

The latest version uses carbon or acrylic columns rather than blocks between the shelf supports though I believe versions such as mine are still available to order.

Re speaker position. An experienced ear can be very helpful. I think a good proportion of us get used to the sound of our system. It sometimes takes another pair of ears in the room to notice slight anomalies.

In my case a local dealer popped over as he'd wanted to hear Kharma and noticed that while the central imgaging was rock solid on a couple of live tracks audience noise was tending to localize slightly toward the right channel. Moving the left channel speaker 2-3cm forward balanced the soundstage with the crowd noise now coming from across the room better than before, however the impact was seen across the board. Subsequent adjustment of the speakers a little further apart and tilting slightly upward have also been beneficial.

I don't doubt there is more to be had from moving the speakers in my room however it isn't practical to make substantial changes within a communal living space. One of these days I will get a room analyzer and make some measurements. Until then I'll enjoy listening to a few more tunes.

Thalis, good luck in your search for the right system. It sounds like you're on to an interesing path. I think we'd all be interested to know what you settle on.

Happy listening all.

defride January 08, 2013 14:58

Himiguel, thanks for your input. Yes, I have no doubt that in an approriate setting the K-10 is a far superior unit to the Calypso. Perhaps I should have made that clear.

The Calypso is poor from a noise point of view, the Ayre, K-10 and a few other Pre's I have had in my current system reproduce very little noise from the tweeter. The Calypso produces noticeable white noise even from a distance though its not intrusive from the listening position. Balanced against this is the fact that it is very musical (to these ears) and I enjoy listening with it.

While I'd love to eradicate the noise the expense required to make a substantial difference is going to be, well, substantial I suspect.

I've enjoyed reading others experience of your products and admire your attention to detail.

Happy listening to you also.

defride January 07, 2013 11:52

Hi Thalis, following on from your query on Kiwi's thread, the Koda K-10 is not mine, a dealer I know lent it to me for a few days.

It was interesting to have it in my system. At the time I had an Ayre K5xemp. The K-10 was clearly a step up from that pre, similar in character but more of everything. Rather surprisingly, good though it was there was no great, wow!. We have speculated that there may have been some sort of electrical mismatch with the cables I was using at the time.

I prefer the more spatious presentation of the Calypso in my system. That said there have been significant changes to support and cables since I had the K-10 here, it would be interesting to try it again one day.

defride January 07, 2013 06:06

Sonrock, sure, you'd be very welcome. Will PM via the Wam

defride November 28, 2012 05:44

Hi Lapierre

The room is 13 1/2 x 19 x 8 ft and slightly off rectangular. There is are entrances middle left and in the back left corner. The front wall is largely glass with full length curtains. There isn't much difference with the curtains closed.

Its not a dedicated listening room and domestic harmony is a consideration.

While I'm sure room acoustic treatment would be beneficial its not practical to do it properly here. There arn't significant issues to deal with so I'll soldier on and if we do move make a dedicated room a priority.

Good luck with your search. We were also contemplating a move to NJ last year.

All the best

defride November 21, 2012 08:55

Had some speaker positioning advice from an experienced ear a few weeks back and have experimented since, a few mm/cm at a time. He was right, you don't know what you're missing until it hits you in the face.

Added a second Teo to the system a couple of weeks back along with a change to the supports.

My rack works on the basis that the equipment suspends the equipment both isolating and damping the casework.

I've tried quite a few cones in the past and haven't had a preference for any over the suspensed rack. That changed last week. I've added Alto Extremo supports from Germany. I've ended up leaving the amps as they are suspended, the pre is also suspended or should I say levitated now on Neoflex which use magnets and Lyd 2 which are a ballbearing affair under the cdp. Funnily enough the cdp didn't seem to like the Neoflex, the pre sounds more transparent using Lyd 2 and more so again with the Neoflex.

Very happy!

defride November 20, 2012 16:24

One thing I did forget to mention.

I finally decided to just buy a cheap s/h laptop with an XP os so I could download the latest firmware updates for the CDSA. It took a few goes to get the correct password for the files from EMM lol, got there in the end and it certainly had an effect, greater transpanrency, more refined, I guess it helped turn the corner with my system and get me to that satisfied point.

If anyone has an earlier CDSA and hasn't updated its easy and well worth doing.

defride October 03, 2012 09:44

Hi Lapierre, Room treatment would be the obvious next step. I'm fortunate that my room isn't to bad as significant room treatment isn't really an option for now.

A dealer I know is coming next week as he's not heard Kharma before and expressed an interest.. haha... Actually hes a nice guy and a music lover first. I may look at what options he'd suggest for easily moveable treatments for first reflection and bass traps. We'll see. In reality there won't be any significant progress in this area unless we move.

I don't see any significant system changes coming either, who knows? I met the UKs Aesthetix engineer a few months back. He said he'd be able to source and fit the signiture upgrade to the Calypso. Not sure I want to go that route though I may enquire as to whether he thinks he can do anything about the tube noise.

No rush. More important things to spend hifi time and money on right now - like more new music and listening! A further 10 cds this week, I'm so glad I've still got a great cdp with prices for cds as they are!

Will continue to watch developments in your system with interest.

Regards

defride October 03, 2012 09:36

Hi Samhar, thanks for the comments.

Great looking system yourself. A friend has WP7s, I keep encouraging him to try valves!

Yes, there are jumpers one can move internaly. That done along with 5751s and the noise is acceptable plus theres greater range on the volume control.

defride October 02, 2012 14:40

Wow, has it really been 10 months since I last updated here.

Listening to music I guess, no bad thing!

Not much to report. The system is as was with the exception of settling on NOS Sylvania 5751 and Mullard CV2492 then finding a better solution to supporting the MP150s on the rack.

The system does everything I want from it now and I rarely lapse into bouts of critical 'component' listening.

The Calypso is noisier than ideal even in low gain with low gain 5751s, not a deal breaker as its not above the anmbient noisefloor but can't help thinking there'd be a transparency gain if it were erradicated.

defride October 02, 2012 09:08

Quick update.

Really enjoying the Calypso, it deserves its reputation, the one area I felt a little lacking in my system was in the bass, a lack of weight. I had read that changing the 6922s made little difference so wasn't expecting a great deal from the late 60s Blackburn factory NOS Mullards that came this week. Nothing could be further from the truth! They've filled out the bass beautifully without sacrifice elsewhere, very surprising and pleasing result. If you've a Calypso my experience would suggest it is worth rolling the 6922s.

Due to try Paul Speltz new Reference speaker cable next, anything added will be a bonus.

defride December 21, 2011 10:37

Hi Lapierre, C500 fuses? Are you talking about internal or external?

defride December 18, 2011 15:12

System edited: Updated pics, the intruder is was quiet something

defride December 13, 2011 04:37

Hi Lapierre, thanks for the feedback on tubes, will keep an aye out for Mullard ECC83 though I've heard good things about TJ Full Music's aswell.

I've been on a bit of a journey to get the Aesthetix working in my system. In fact it came with modest tubes, Sovtek 6922 and JJ Tesla 12ax7 (seems the dealer was unaware the previous owner had swapped out the quality tubes... ces't la vie). Couldn't get it working right initially, it sounded ordinary and in some cases wrong. The worst of it turned out to be a dumb connection issue. Finally started to hear what it can do a couple of days ago and have been impressed. Finally! I left the original tubes to start and have just swapped the JJ's out for Cryo'd Jan Phillips 5751's. They may be low on gain but they sound better than the JJ's, its a subtle difference but I'm relaxing into delicious sound in a way thats only been hinted at in the past few weeks. The Aesthetix seems a more cerebral Pre than the Ayre that preceeded it which I'd characterise as more muscular/upfront but not quite so refined. The system sounds silky with the introduction of the Aesthetix in its current form, bass floats with well defined notes and images are rock solid locked in their position. In essence the system presents music in as natural and musical a way as I've heard at home and I'm pretty happy with that!

I've ordered some Mullard ECC88s, hopefully they'll make it from one side of the pond to the other unscathed!

defride December 12, 2011 16:23

Try changing tubes once you get baseline.

Its come with Telefunkens, one of the better options as I understand it. It'll be interesting to try some other tubes at some stage. Any advice welcome

defride October 31, 2011 07:23

System edited: Quick change of Pre's. An Aesthetix became available at a good price so I've dived in, very different presentation to the Ayre. You'd have thought the roles were reversed, the Ayre the tubes the Aesthetix the solid state. Just a first first impression in any case

defride October 25, 2011 10:39

Lovely system, simple and effective. The rack caught my eye, glad you like it! Simon has worked hard on getting this idea working.

Yes, its been a long road for Simon, still persevering! He's even managed to get them into Harrod's! I should think you'd recognize it! Have to say that while he was developing the ideas I didn't really think I'd ever have one but proof in the pudding and all that, it really delivered... and here it is.

defride October 14, 2011 13:28

System edited: Thanks, nice cdp you've got there also. Hadn't taken notice of this area of Audiogon previously. Glad I stumbled across it, lots of 'wow' systems. Updated with the other bits that go to make the whole

defride October 06, 2011 07:19