Description

Due to the synergy of all the components the Mastersound, Goldenote & Sachikos it strengths are many. There's air & space to die for. The presentation of width, depth and height of the soundstage is incredible, being virtually holographic.

I know that holographic refers to a visual presentation, but if you can imagine the difference between a very fine, realistic looking photograph, and that same exact photo being a 3D hologram.

I can hear the distance between the lead singer & those that are behind. It's so vivid I can close my eyes & mentally envision them standing 4ft or so, depending on the recording, behind the lead singer.

It's taken a lot of time to achieve the correct synergy between all the different audio components & wires but, doing so has made the presentation of music on this system very analogue sounding.

I can honestly say that it's the most realistic presentation of music I've ever heard in my place and it's better than 95% I've ever heard anywhere else.

I still get goose-bumps everytime I play it. It's soooo smooth and unfatiging, that playing a song literally turns into playing an entire CD, which turns into playing many CD's and the next thing you know it's 3am!

Yes I know there is better out there. There's probably much better out there but, I haven't heard it and I'm quite certainly I cannot afford it even if I did!
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Components Toggle details

    • Mastersound Reference 845
    This is an integrated ---{capable of being used as a power amp by selecting that option externally}--- Class A, paralleled SET amp, designed & manufactured in Vicenza, Italy by Luciano & Lorenzo Sanavio. Power: 2 x 40 watts Preamp: Two Mazda 6189 "silver-plate" tubes. Drivers: Two Bendix 6900 "gold-pin" tubes. Output: Four WE845 tubes voiced to sound like the Western Electric 284a tubes.
    • GoldeNote Stibbert ver 5
    Now being used strictly as a transport with the Audio-gd Reference 7.1 DAC just below... Features: DAC: 24 bit/192kHz using two Russian Voskhod 6H23 tubes. FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 8Hz - 25KHz @ -3dB (though CD top limit tech is 22.05Khz) THD (Total Harmonic Distortion): 0,08% Max. SIGNAL/NOISE RATIO: 80dB DYNAMIC RESPONSE: 125dB OUTPUT LEVEL: 2,5V OUTPUT IMPEDANCE: 800ohm ANALOG OUTPUT: STEREO RCA and XLR balanced outputs DIGITAL OUTPUT: 75 ohms RCA connector SPEED FLUCTUATION: 0,0001% Max. DIMENSIONS: 19in L x 10in H x 18in D WEIGHT: 29 LBs
    • Audio-gd Reference 7.1
    The DSP-1(V5) digital processor can supports NOS, 2X, 4X and 8X oversampling at customers choice. Fully discrete amp without any OPAs (the OPAs only for DC serve) ,without any couple caps, fully non- feedback. Applied 19 groups non-feedback Class A power supplys. Uses all audiophile grade components, including DALE resistors, WIMA & SOLEN caps , custom order NOVER (UK brand) caps, all audiophile grade input & output sockets and gold IEC socket. ACSS technology ---{similair to Krell's CAST}--- even if it's connected via XLR or RCA output, Reference-7.1 will always operate in ACSS technology, and benefit from ACSS technology. Therefore, whether you're using XLR or RCA output you'll have a definite improvement in sound quality. Ther are four Texas Instruments, R-2R ladder PCM1704U-K are deployed per channel ---{Eight in total}--- Even through RCA output, the eight PCM1704UK DA chips will perform fully. The PCM1704 decoder chip is a curious beast. NOS mode realizes the theoretical sampling frequency of 768khz. When enabled, oversampling is calculated off-chip, in this case by the DSP-1. Kingwa advises the 8x oversampling mode with -130db stopband attenuation to sound best with which the user is restricted to a glass ceiling of 96khz sampling frequencies. Do the math: 8 x 96khz = 768khz. The Reference-7.1 has a total of 21 PSU groups applied. It uses 19 groups of high-quality class A parallel connection PSU with dedicated DC supply double-stage PSU, which can offer very clear DC power for the DAC, producing a very black background and neutral sound characteristic. The double-stage PSU is very important for digital parts. Some designs may have very low jitter in theory, but if the power is supplied by a dirty or low-speed power supply, it will increase the jitter and pollute the data, and degrade the sound quality obviously The Reference-7.1 has four separate digital inputs, AES, BNC, RCA and Optical. Reference-7.1 applies a high performance clock to keep the timing more steady.
    • Sachiko/Dayton PS220-8/Fostex T900a Custom Built by Cardersound
    The Sachikos are double back loaded horns measuring 72"H x 13.25"W x 18"D This particular pair were custom built for me by Cardersound audio of New Jersey. At my request Rosewood veneer was applied. Since I've received them from Cardersound I've "modifed" them in the following ways: 1) I have replaced what has been refered to as Fostex best wide-range driver ever, the FE208ES-R with the amazing Risploi-modified Dayton PS220-8 drivers. These drivers are capable of playing Prog-rock by YES, Kansas, Magnum, Triumvirate etc. at 100db+ spls without the slightest hint of strain, distortion or shout. Then they can turn around and play chamber music or a small acoustic jazz ensemble with all the delicacy, clarity, harmonic purity & correct tonality one uses the single fullrange driver/Double-Back-Loaded horn combo for! IMHO these are "the" fullrange drivers to beat when using Sachiko horns. 2) I replaced the internal wires with some very nice copper wire from NASA. 3) I added a pair of front panels because the mounting pattern between Fostex's FE208ES-R and the Dayton PS220-8 were incompatable. In addition these front panels helped to dampen any cabinet colorations. 4) I added a pair of what I consider to be one of the best, super-tweeters at anywhere near a reasonable cost, the Fostex T900a super-tweeters! These are crossed in @ approximately 8-10KHz and extend the highend treble response to approx. 35Khz. The Sachikos throw a huge soundstage due to their two horn mouths loading the floor & ceiling while the driver loads the room directly in the middle of them. With the one horn mouth on the bottom the driver in the middle and one horn mouth on the top the Sachiko has the same effect as a d'appolito array would and being almost floor to ceiling in height, it launches a cylindrical waveform like a linesource does. Starting at the bottom the bass is deep enough at around the mid 40s ---{not subwoofer deep}---tight and fast. The midrange has a wonderful, almost palpable sense to it. While the highs are delicate, lightning fast & as airy and extended as I'll ever need. These speakers have the incredible dynamics & lightning fast transient response of a horn. As is typical of a speaker with great transient response, decay is wonderful as well. This is quite noticeable when a piano's note or the cymbol's crash is allowed to fade unhampered. It will decay seemingly forever into the vast blackness of silence. Inner detail & resolution is equal to that of any electrostatic I've ever heard in quality and when these speakers are combined with the Mastersound amp & Goldenote CD player there's a gestalt effect that has to be heard to be believed. I now realize just how wrong all the other speakers I've heard were.
    • Stealth Audio M-21 Super
    I have to admit that I didn't notice as much of change upgrading to better powercords as I did Interconnects or speakerwire. What I heard was subjectively, a more quiet silence when music isn't playing and the amp seemed a tad more powerful. This was one of the more subtle upgrades
    • Psvane 12AU7-TII, Bendix 6900, Psvane WE845
    As good as the Mastersound was when I purchased it. It went from Reference to World Class when I upgraded the stock tubes. Afterall EVERYTHING affects an audio system's final sonic presentation. I replaced the stock 12AU7's with Psvane 12AU7-TII tubes, the 5687's with Bendix 6900 tubes and the 845's with the amazing Psvane WE845 tubes. As everyone knows Western Electric never made an 845 tube. So Psvane took a pair of NOS WE 284a tubes and voiced regular 845's to sound like the 284a, hence the WE845. IMHO they sound as good as, "if" not better than NOS RCA 845s do!

Comments 22

I ve read with great interest your write up of WE845 tubes on the Audiogone. Would like to know how s your experience so far with those after almost two years? Are they still alive and if so , how many hours they have on them? I have been wanting to buy the very same integrated amp that you own, the 845 Evolution, but worry about the tubes lifespan, as Rachel from the Grant Fidelity told me that 845 usually last about 1000 or so , which in my case would mean that I have replace them every 6 to 8 month as I i have music system often in the background … Whats your experience has been?  But the way you have fantastic system I have to say… The Golden Note brand is so under appreciated in the USA sadly…. Their amps are great too…

Thanks so much and regards,

kot

Very generous of you to offer. I will look you up next time I visit my family in Florida.

Great looking system, ENJOY!

tom6897

Owner
Guys I'd like to extend a chance for folks to hear my system. If you're going to be visiting Orlando, FL. send me an email at: [email protected] and we'll arrange a listening session, ok?

tcscata

Nice system.

thesaint519

Very interesting system! I bet it sounds just sublime! Curious if you have any room treatments? It made a world of difference for me.

tboooe

Owner
System edited: I added a photo and information about my Audio-gd Reference 7.1 DAC. Now the GoldeNote CDP is used strictly as a transport. Considering how good my system sounded before implementing this change. I have to admit to be taken-back by just how much of an improvement this made!

tcscata

Owner
Hi Island!

Thanks for the kind words. It's an amazing system to hear, believe me. Those fronts are actually all black. The "silver" is just a reflection of the camera's lights.

If you're ever planning on visiting Orlando, Fl. contact me at [email protected] and we'll arrange a listening session for you, ok?

tcscata

Owner
Charles thanks for your kind words. I have actually changed the Fostex FE208ES-R drivers for Rispoli-modified Dayton PS220-8 drivers! These are so exceptionally fine ---{in the Sachikos. I haven't heard them elsewhere}--- that less than 1 min. into the first song, I knew I'd never install the FE208ES-R drivers ever again! Check my system for more details about these drivers. Or feel free to contact me at" [email protected]

tcscata

All I can say is, wow! Your system is one I would love to hear.

What material are the silver "baffles" made from? A very unique speaker system, enjoy!

Congrats,
Dan

islandmandan

Hello,
I'm really impressed with your system and it appears to be exceptionally thought out. You must derive much enjoyment and beautiful music reproduction, congratulations.
Charles,

charles1dad

Owner
Another System edit is on the way. I just purchased a pair of $900+/pr Fostex T900a tweeters to replace those wonderful Pioneer HW-7 tweeters, for only $600 and they're only 2 months old.

I fiqure if they are as good as everyone says my speakers will improve sonically and actually be all Fostex drivers at the same time. If I don't prefer the T900a tweeters to vintage HW-7 tweeters I'm now using ---{the seller assures me they T900a will blow the HW-7s away}--- I'll sell them. Afterall @ $600/pr they should sell very quick I think...

tcscata

Owner
System edited: Over these last 3-5 weeks I've removed the large, dipole, Heils and replaced them with the very rare 16 ohm, Pioneer HW-7 horn tweeters. Despite the fact that I went from using dipole to monopole tweeters, the soundstage has not only become a bit wider, it's also become quite considerably deeper! In addition to that, the level of transparency and inner detail I now hear is absolutely amazing. I'm hearing information for the very first time on recording as old as a 22 year old recording from 1989, "New Pants" by Flim & The BB's I cannot believe switching out the large, Heils AMTs ---{which I previously considered to be possibly the best tweeter ever}--- for these vintage Pioneer HW-7 tweeters opened up the midrange's clarity and inner resolution this much.

tcscata

Owner
I've now removed the Fostex FE206ES-R fullrange and replaced it with Fostex's very limited edition (250 pairs worldwide) FE208ES-R widerange drivers. From the bass up to the drivers top end of approx 10KHz everything became much, much clearer and more natural sounding. I've had to add a pair of large Heil dipoles to extend the highs to past 25KHz but, now I'm in audio nirvana.

tcscata

Owner
I've recently upgraded my CD player from the original solidstate Bluenote Stibbert to their newest tubed Goldenote Stibbert ---{Bluenote had to change their name from Bluenote to Goldenote due to "problems" with Blue Note records}--- and what a sonic improvement this has made! Although the sonics improved entirely from upper treble to lowest bass, the most notable improvements were in how the harmonic structure & timbre was so much more accurately replicated. The Stibbert's outstanding in this regard.

Female vocals are now startlingly realistic. When Holly Cole sings "Get Out of Town" from her Don't Smoke in Bed CD, I can almost sense her presence in the room with me. The soundstage has deeper, wider & taller although not drastically so and the bass is significantly deeper & tighter with a lot more slam. It's difficult to believe this is an upgrade of an existing model and not a completely different design meant to be Goldenote's new top-of-the-line design.

I did some extensive tube rolling & ffter rolling through various NOS 6DJ8/7308/6922 tubes by Amperex, Mullard, Seimens, Matsushita, Sylvania etc. I discoverd a real unknown gem from Russia, the Voskhod 6H23 ---{you must be very careful and ONLY use one of the "Rocket" logos from 1970-1985, after 1985 the sonics are not the same}--- and it not only rivals but, exceeds any NOS tube I've found sonically.

tcscata

Owner
System edited: Stealth Audio's new top-of-the-line Sakra ICs added to the syetem.

tcscata

Owner
Clivet, I do indeed still have the Mastersound. I believe it to be a final purchase as far as amps are concerened. Like you, I've heard a lot of different amplifers and I haven't heard one I prefer over the Mastersound as of yet! I could only imagine that the amp that significantly betters the Mastersound's sonics would cost much more than I could ever afford anyway!

tcscata

Hope you still have the Mastersound. I just listened to some 845 mono blocks (similar to yours)over at a reviewer friend of mine. Awesome sound. We compared them to some serious amps. You made a good choice. I would add them to my short Amp list. One of the other amps I want to check out is the Ayon Crossfire. It would be nice to compare the two. Happy listening.

clivet

Owner
System edited: I've just added the 72" tall Cardersound Madisons to my system. The combination of the Mastersound Reference 845, BlueNote Stibbert and CarderSound Madisons has to be heard to be believed! After 40+ years of trying to find the right combination of components to fulfill my requirements of sounding the closest to the sound of live, unamplified instruments and singers that I could find, I've finally found it!

tcscata

Owner
Hi Homefuture, thanks for the compliments! Please ask what you'd like to know about the Mastersound Reference 845 and I'll be happy to answer.

As far as upgrades are concerned I've recently purchased a very rare pair of RCA LC9A's These are so rare I have 1 of only 100-300 pairs ever made. The LC9A was RCA's answer to Altec's VOTT. I've added a picture to my system, for all to see!

Thetubeguy1954

tcscata

Owner
Forgive me for not responding sooner! I didn't realize questions wouldn't be forwarded to my email address. Mastersound products can be purchased via Acoustic Dreams at: http://www.acousticdreams.net/Amps.htm

Hope this helps...

tcscata

Hi Thetubeguy,
Wonderful system! Any updates? I am very intereseted in the Mastersound REF 845. It will be grate if you can share some information about it.
Thanks.

homefuture

Thetubeguy, Can you provide a source/dealer for Mastersound products in the US? I would be extremely grateful.

lind

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