Joe's System

by jafreeman on Ever Evolving
Maggies on Mye Stands, isolated from floor--incredible!
Granite is heavy and looks nice, but does not isolate gear very well.
Maggie's sound a lot better completely isolated, and they do not move from inertia .
Omega E mats: signal enhancing by Perfect Path Technologies.
Seven factory feet, supported by my prototype isolation pads
My isolation pads, available at Joe's Hi-Fi Pads, FB
Far better than spiking to floor

Description

A Redbook CD-only system that needs no pre-amp and no extra cables. The entire system is served by a single, 240V outlet--not even a duplex. There is a massive, 240V isolation transformer plugged into that outlet that has six 120V outlets to serve amps, subs, power conditioner, etc. This is clean, balanced and relatively independent of  other circuits in the house. The system's soundscape is wider, quieter and more relaxed with this transformer. I highly recommend this as the foundation for any high-end system. The goal is that nothing should be ordinary, especially your power supply.
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Room Details

Dimensions: 17’ × 11’  Medium
Ceiling: 8’

Components Toggle details

    • Wadia 861SE
    861SE with GNSC Statement upgrades. This is a Redbook player, still sounds great to me.
    • Audio Research Reference 210
    Factory modified to 250 watts
    • Magnepan MG-3.6r
    Purchased new in 2003, still sound incredible
    • Transparent Reference
    Balanced line
    • Mye Stands White
    Under the Maggie 3.6R's. Well made, better sound focus, easier to move the speaker.
    • Furutech OCC wire
    DIY AC cables made of Ohno Continous Cast copper 9-gauge, braided, carbon/nylon sheathing, Furutech rhodium connectors, Total Contact on copper. Very nice sound.
    • REL Acoustics Strata mkIII
    One behind each Maggie 3.6R
    • Synergistic Research Black and Blue Fuses
    10 and 20 amp Blue fuses to replace stock in Maggies. These fuses deliver much more clarity and sound stage than all SR predecessors.
    • Furutech Jumpers
    Built jumpers using Total Contact to remove crossover boxes from speaker mounts. The improvements in detail are amazing--just like a front-end upgrade.
    • Richard Gray RM PRO
    This is a 240V/120V isolation transformer with six outlets and delivering 4000 watts of clean, constant power from one wall outlet on a dedicated 10 gauge line. Simple, powerful, and a very dynamic improvement. If you think you need more powerful amps, first get more power to your amps.
    • Richard Gray 1200 C
    A power conditioner for the front end that also delivers constant wattage on demand, it is used along with the isolation transformer. This thing is a component upgrade for my CDP, a very nice sound improvement.
    • Neutrik signal cables REL Strata III
    DIY 16-gauge OCC copper wire braided and sheathed with Techflex carbon/nylon for quiet, clean signal to REL subwoofers. These have lifted the entire presentation--a must-have for REL subs.
    • Custom Amp and CD Stands Solid Maple
    Made for me by a master cabinetmaker and friend out of maple, using mortise and tenon joints, topped with granite. 612.802.1940 more info.
    • Footers Isolation footers
    My own design, consisting of automotive-grade wool felt and American walnut.  Natural wool felt is superior in damping feedback vibration and in dissipating kinetic energy to heat.  String striking hammers on a piano sound board are not rubber, cork, fiberglass or metal.  They are felt.
    • Perfect Path Technologies Omega E Mats
    Eleven E mats throughout components for EMI reduction--outstanding improvements in detail and information retrieval.

Comments 7

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The system's soundscape is wider, quieter, more articulate and relaxed with this transformer. I highly recommend this as the foundation for any high-end system. The goal is that nothing should be ordinary, especially your power supply.

Touche. If more people realized that, there would be a lot less equipment rolling. Good for you.

agear

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