Analog, organic and musical, with dynamic impact and tonal accuracy has dictated the evolution of this system. Competent sources and cabling along with the new Volti Alura are the current realization of my sonic preferences.
Added the Aurender ACS10 which has taken digital to a level where I no longer feel I’m sacrificing audio performance for convenience. Digital will never sound “analog” until certain filters are developed to simulate the peculiarities of vinyl. Until, if, and/or when that happens, analog rules. However, digital can sound very satisfying. The Aurender made it so.
I have soft spot for Tannoy as I owned the D700 with the ST-200 Supertweeter.
They were casualties of flood waters many years ago... I'm also mightily impressed with your Esoteric stack of components. Cool.
The Stillpoints, generally provide a better focus and soundstage throughout the frequency band. Specifically, the Ultra SS under the speakers really helped tighten the bass and mid-bass, and in turn, revealed more leading edge impact.
Volume level really isn't a factor.
As for the K-03: I use it for SACD. I heard wonderful sounding digital at AXPONA a couple years ago, and noted Lampizator DACs were the source. As good as the Esoteric is, the Lampi has an organic sound I really enjoy.
BTW:
Question.
I noticed you list the Kiseki Purple Heart. Is it N.S. ? And if so, would you mind saying how long it took to break-in? What did you notice sonically?
Lowered the noise floor which is resulting in an enhanced clarity and 3D soundstage.
With the Air Tight PC-1 out for re-tipping, The Kiseki Purple Heart N.S. is breaking-in with about 25 hrs on it. It doesn't reach the AT at the frequency extremes, but it's mid-range presence is pretty magical. Also, its a very quiet cartridge. I don't consider it to be inferior to the AT, only different. Are cartridges the most influential component of an analog set-up? I think so...
What a warm, inviting, and lovely room. I think I'd cue up some some early classical music first, then I'd have to listen to The Kick Inside by Kate Bush, and soon crank up my favourite electronic duo, Royksopp! Congratulations of an amazing space!
I expect we may have similar audio preferences, even though we're using a significantly different speaker. I heard the Harbeths at AXPONA last year and they were one of the best rooms of the show. You know, I've been toying with the prospect of the Synergistic Research Power Cell. What does it do for your system? I'm a believer in their various products.
Digital is finally as sonically enjoyable as analog. I've added the LampizatOr Atlantic DAC and have been running it for about five days. It's settled in nicely. All the dynamics are present, but without the typical digital glare, harshness and brittleness. Recordings from vintage to modern audiophile are 3 dimensionally holographic. It's true what the blogs and reviews have said about LampizatOrs ability to convince analog people like me, that digital can be as musically satisfying...
Hearing several very musical systems at AXPONA with the LampizatOr DACs, I took the plunge and I'm glad I did. The only tube rolling available in the Atlantic is the rectifier tube - so I expect I'll experiment some time with that.
I took a look at your system and speakers. The Uccello is a beautiful speaker and clearly shares an intellectual heritage with the Volti. The horns are gorgeous. I'd love to hear those some day.... maybe they'll come across the pond to AXPONA some year???
I had the opportunity to hear the Volti Vittora and Alura in similarly sized rooms at AXPONA in 2013. At the time, and continuing today, I knew little about horn speakers, and even less about low powered amplification. I cannot profess to be well-versed on the technologies. I can say that the natural sound-field combined with a smooth, organic realism won me over. Add to that an overall ease of presentation and I became convinced. I have not heard an equivalently priced loudspeaker attain the level of musicality I enjoy with the Alura.
However, to answer your question regarding the decision to choose the Alura.
You are most certainly correct in your "guess"!
At the time, Greg Roberts had yet to introduce the ELF (low frequency) cabinet for the Vittora. In comparing the two speakers, the upper mid range/tweeter horn section, being essentially the same speaker, the difference then, for me, was the impact of low frequencies via the bass bin of the Alura. I felt it provided the low frequency foundation and impact with a seamless blending to the horn section. The bonus beyond that was twofold - yes the soundstage height is higher, and the ultimate cost, lower. :) And of course the craftsmanship is stellar on both.
The connection of Gary Dews and Border Patrol is serendipitous. Since the Volti horns are very sensitive to the quality of amplification, Gary's amp, in my case, the push/pull P21 EXD, reveals all the capabilities of the Alura. I've driven the Alura with other amps, both SS and tubes, but the BorderPatrol is really a natural partner to the Alura and a necessity for me.
Hope this answers your questions, phusis (god of nature?).
In my "retirement", I'm able to enjoy music nightly without having to stress about any audiophile nervosa. I've tweaked my room a bit with various treatments, and those additions have only solidified and enhanced my enjoyment. Room-Equipment-Personal aesthetic.
A very interesting setup, papermill - and with it a listening room that looks comfortably "lived in." I like the mixture of vintage and more modern components here presented. And a small world, it would seem; Gary Dews of Border Patrol knows Simon Mears, who build my speakers - Simon Mears Audio Uccello, the Belle Klipsch-inspired equivalent in a sense to Mr. Roberts' Vittora's (which are derived from the La Scala's). "Equivalent" in the sense that while both the Uccello's and Vittora's stem from their different makers (if we disregard their common heritage and inspiration: Klipsch) with each their independent approaches and choices, they're from-ground-up modified rebuilds of two closely related speaker models.
What made you go for the Alura's instead of the Vittoria's? I'm guessing sound stage height and bass extension of the former may have had some importance in your decision. How do you find the Alura's different to the majority of other speakers, and how do they differ to the Vittora's in the frequency region of the bass driver? Sorry for the many questions - I'm simply interested to know of your thoughts on this.
Hope you continue to enjoy the music in your "retired" state :)
Update: a couple of photos with the new Timbernation rack. Gone is the Lovan glass rack - In with solid maple. Moved away just a bit from a sense of hardness to a measure of warmth, not sacrificing any resolution however ...
Glad to hear you got rid of the glare at high frequencies, those must be very special cables. Currently using the zyx universe !! for a cartridge, love the PURITY of sound and space it provides. Table is very quiet. You know the trouble with audio is were always running a race without a finish line. All the Best
I've enjoyed and appreciated the Snake River IC and speaker cables since I bought the Volti. However, I had been getting a bit of glare or "tiz" at the high frequency extremes, almost exclusively with digital sources. I looked to solve the issue with all sorts of digital manipulations - always improving, but not quite the ultimate solution. A good audio friend and reviewer suggested I try different speaker cables. I've been totally impressed with a variety of the SR products. They all have contributed to more air, layered sound staging, separation of acoustic space and definition of low frequencies - a more natural
sound. The Atmosphere Level 4 added to all of that PLUS the glare is gone. The high frequency and bite is all there but with a smoothness that makes digital much more listenable and pleasurable. Analog is that much more live sounding. Tonal balance, remains characteristic of the speakers, But each instrument, voice, grouped performers are in their in their own acoustic. Very enjoyable.
I agree - synergy and personal taste are the key.
That seems to be quite a change in direction with your turntable! How and why? Still using the Etna? Is the Technics quiet? I have a NOS Kenwood KD-5100 direct drive table in a second system and I do get a bit of "rumble", although I realize this is not a high-end turntable....
First how did the new cabling work out? Just sold my turntable and went with a modded sp10mkII built by Peter at PBN audio. The Etna strong suit is its balance and full bodied natural sound . At its level its all about personal taste and synergy. Let me know about your cabling I would thinks its really hard to improve on what you already have. Best of Luck
Latest addition is Synergistic Atmosphere Level 4 interconnect and speaker cables. Seems that cabling is becoming more and more influential in revealing the capabilities of the electronics.
Your system looks and must sound fantastic. A very well thought-out rig.
That PBN turntable is gorgeous. What do you like most about your Lyra Etna cartridge? Well done.
Such a comfortable room to enjoy your music in, your a lucky man. Never heard your speakers but i'm betting they sound great. Enjoy the Music and thanks for posting.
System edited: Several changes and upgrades which I've been meaning to do. Thanks to Al for showing me how... Vinyl - Origin Live Motor Upgrade. Silent. Unwavering. Solidified image. And reliable. Much thanks to Jay at Audio Revelations. Digital - Clarity Cable Organic Natural USB. Moved digital much closer to analog... thanks Melissa - Regen by Uptone eliminated a good measure of digital hash. Amp - Upgraded BorderPatrol P21 to the EXD upgrade - just more of everything good about BP. Thanks Gary. 300B tubes - Emission Labs, approaches the magic of the Sophia without the cost and is very reliable. Tweaks - A smattering of Synergistic Research products. The Back Box (Chris of VH Audio) eliminated bass nodes and boom which has always been an issue in the room regardless of speaker. Various HFTs, a FEQ have resulted in the Volti presenting enhanced soundstage depth and three dimensionality.
Guys, Thanks for the compliments. Our older home's living room (located in the upper Midwest) does provide a nice setting for listening and like many of us, I'm continually tweaking to accommodate it's sonic peculiarities. If ever you get the opportunity or are interested, Volti displays at the major audio shows. With good reason, Volti and BorderPatrol hook up at most of the shows combining the effortless efficiency of the horns with the accuracy, yet liquidity of the 300B. Thanks again, and happy listening!
Papermill...beautiful looking system, room and home. This all must sound great...love the Esoteric player and phono stage and the wall of vinyl! Volti speakers are not among those I've heard but if they sound anywhere near as good as they look, you must enjoy yourself very much! Where are you located?
