My system feels and sounds "done" to me, 14 yrs after I started. 2 channel and movies are better than I ever dreamed possible - the synergy is just remarkable. I have very fortunately been able to assemble a system that I will never grow tired of listening to. This is not in a dedicated listening room, but in my living room, complete with dogs, TV, open doorways, etc., etc. It really shouldn't sound any good, but it sounds GREAT!! Go figure... It has definitely been a learning experience and I've made my share of missteps along the way, as I expected to do.
My original goal was to be able to close my eyes and have the performers in the room with me. I have finally gotten there and actually beyond, to the point where the speakers disappear in the room. A pretty big deal considering the size of the speakers (BIG!) and the size of the room (19' x 20') I now just listen to the music and smile.
The latest additions - VAC Statement linestage, Focal Grande Utopia EM speakers and Critical Mass Systems Maxxum rackage made a huge impact to my system, both aurally and visually (as well as to what USED to be my savings.) :-). I finally have my DREAM system and couldn't be happier, as it sounds as good as it looks (some say even better). (edited 12/2014)
Valve Amplification Company STATEMENT 450 IQ Monoblocks
Great amps. IQ Continuous Automatic Bias System and Auto-Sentry System added on recent trip to VAC. Very good sound became off-the-charts sound. Literally best tube amps I've heard anywhere, at any price. With addition of the FOCALS, I can really appreciate the amps.
Valve Amplification Company STATEMENT Linestage
Added Seimens 7308s for break-in; will be installing CCA Telefunkens in several weeks. :-)
Esoteric P-02 Transport/D-02 DAC
SOTA digital. Phenomenal combination.
FOCAL Grande Utopia EM
WOW!
High Fidelity Ultimate Reference Rhodium and HelixPowrCds
Each run from wall to a P-10 power regenerator, which supply my system. They are "game-changers" for my system - the detail, imaging, separation and musicality are great. Helix goes to transport.
Critical Mass Systems Maxxum Rack and Amp Stands
Merlot 9-position filtered rack, with 2 Merlot filtered amp stands. Installed by Joe L. and my local dealer. All are movable for cable access, etc., a Maxxum first. System got even quieter, imaging improved and sound stage got both wider and deeper. They also make my living room look much better. :-)
High Fidelity Ultimate Reference Power Cable
Ridiculously excellent power transmission. Powers Esoteric P-02 transport from PS Audio P-10 power regenerator. Best I've ever heard.
Master Set Speaker system Tuning
Performed by Rod Thompson of Soundings (here in Denver). Took speakers to a much higher level than I thought possible in my room. Well worth the money for this system to perform to the level he got it to.
High Fidelity Ultimate Reference Speaker cables
SOTA for speakers
High Fidelity Ultimate IC's betw preamp and amps
Final piece of the puzzle. Entire system opened up tremendously.
High Fidelity CT-1Ultimate ICs from D-2 to preamp
New design with magnetic influence. Amazing low level detail with excellent musicality. Best cable yet between Esoteric D-02 DAC and Vac preamp.
Purist Audio Custom DC umbilical cords 4 Focals
Connects DC woofer external control modules to the Focal speakers. Custom made for this application (thanks to Albert Porter).
PS Audio P-10 Power Regenerator(2)
System protection as well as clean, steady power to all gear. Silver.
HighFidelity Ultimate Reference Helix Digital
Great digital cable clocking the p-02 and D-02 together using internal clock.
Hi Diamond P-4(4) and P-3(2) power cords
P-4s from wall to 2 P-10s, and from P10s to each amp. Also from P-10 to CD player and wall to sub. P-3 from P-10 to preamp and from Oppo to P-10. Extremely quiet, resolving and organic cables that get out of the way of the music. Macro and micro details in abundance, without any harshness or loss of musicality. Best PCs I've heard, at any price.
Pro ELITE 70 inch LCD w/full Local Dimming
Motorized wall mount allows TV to come forward and down for viewing. Retract to wall for critical listening.
Integra DHC-80.2 HD Processor
All the latest codecs for movies.
Legacy Audio Focus 20/20 rear speakers
Full range and great for movies
Oppo BDP-105
Video processing to 3D plus all latest Audio Codecs
Digital Systems Ultrabit Platinum Disc Treatment
The best I've found to help my CDs sound their best and remove scratches.
Thank you Harve! Exactly what I tried to explain in my comparison between it and the Signature 2a. It is effortless and seems to add more nuance and body to each note with everything else you described. The musicality is so real! That is why I am surprised Dev could not hear it when he listened to it and was demanding a side by side comparison. When you know the sound of the 2a and then put in the Statement, it is so obviously superior in every way, you don't need to put the Signature 2a back in the prove it! Wow, wait another 40 hours or so and then add the Focals and you won't be able to leave your listening room.
Harve, with all the interest in hearing the Statement you better get it installed and breaking in for everyone's visit in October. I think Kevin is being humble when he says you should hear a difference with your current speakers. I have no doubt you will but like most of Kevin's stuff, it sounds 80% there when first installed, but then goes through its typical dark period when it sounds terrible; only to bloom again and sound unbelievable. Please report back with initial comments once installed and warmed up after a couple days minimum.
Knghifi, you obviously have not heard the Statement pre amp; if you had, you would understand how I can make the claims I made. You don't need to have the Signature 2a right next to it, especially if you've had the Signature 2a in your system for a long time. One listening session will reveal every comment I used to describe the Statement true. Hearing is believing and I am hopeful you will add to this thread your opinion of the Statement after you hear it. If you somehow try to make trivial comparisons, I will know it is because you can't bear the need to admit the truth of the superiority of the Statement over the Signature 2a. I still love my Signature 2a and don't have a desire to upgrade. But if I could afford to do so, I would buy the Statement, it is that good!
I can't wait for your comments on the Statement Line stage. I am curious if my description posted awhile ago on your thread and pooh poohed by another member as meaningless is similar to yours. It is so much more of everything than the Signature 2A; as if more vibrant and robust in every regard. I am envious. BTW, you are correct on the EA MM 7's; the designer did work on all the VSA speakers, but out did himself on the MM 7; it's another level. I hope you get to hear it someday. It is superb and in my estimation, the best I have ever heard. Dan D'Agostino visited our AZ Audio Club meeting to demo his new integrated amp (only $45k) and mentioned Dave Wilson is planning a new WAMM type speaker system also with two columns per channel; similar to the Evolution Acoustics MM 7's.
Can't wait to hear your impressions of Kevin Hayes' Statement Pre-amp! I think you will agree it is the Signature 11a on steroids. I wish I could buy one. Love the Focal Grand Utopia's but think the Evolution Acoustic Model 7 are the best speaker in the world! Unfortunately few people have heard it. Mike Lavigne would gladly let you hear his. I have heard the EA Model 7 on several occasions in AZ at a friend's house and in my mind, nothing even comes close. Are you locked into the Focal's?
I listened to the Statement at CES the first year the Statement debuted and also at Rocky Mountain. I don't have to listened to it side by side to the Signature 2a to know it far surpasses the Signature; I have described it just as I heard it in a previous post using a piece of art to capture the essence of what I heard. I started with the REF 5 because that's what I had before the Signature and it gets too much credit for good sound but is flat and dry compared to a Signature 2a. The VAC stuff offers so much more musicality, body, weight, etc. The Statement is off the charts; it is more of everything the Signature 2a offers. The reason I can't buy one is my finances don't allow me! If you have never heard a Statement Pre amp you'll be quite satisfied with the Signature 2a. When you hear the Statement, you will immediately hear the difference and want it; it is that good. Kevin has outdone himself with this piece of work; truly superb. He needs more credit for this masterpiece, but being the humble guy he is, it will take a grassroots effort such as this to get people to listen and buy this work of art. There is too much reviewer influence being swayed by money; it's the nature of the business. I was glad to see Positive Feedback put Kevin's room with Grand Utopia's as number one at CES.
Dev, don't mean to hijack Harve's thread but I have compared the Signature 2a to the Statement and made a mistake in my thread that may have suggested I own it. I do not. It blows away the Signature 2a, but if you never hear it you won't be wanting for anything new; the Signture 2a is superb. However, once you hear the Statement, it is as I described; effortless and more of everything the Signature does and it makes it tough to go back to the Signature 2a.
Hi Dev; I own the VAC Signature IIa pre amp and couldn't be happier. It replaced an ARC Ref 5 that lacked the musicality and body on the notes compared to the Signature. How can I describe the difference between the two? Let me start with the ARC REF 5 then move to the VACs; The REF 5 created a perfect outline; everything perfectly positioned but lacking color sort of like one of those coloring books with a picture that needs to be colored in; all forms visible but in a two dimensional; flat looking presentation. Enter the VAC Signature IIa that adds all the detail and fills in the color of the soundstage and each individual instrument: completing the the sound and making it a colorful, pleasing work of art. Finally, add the Statement and you have the same colorful soundstage with even richer, deeper colors and gradients of color within and an even deeper and wider 3 dimensional presentation all done with an ease and beauty I have never heard before on ANY pre amp! That is my best comparison of the differences. If you never heard the Statement you'd be in heaven. When you hear the Statement it is just more of the best of the Signature IIa! Too bad I'll never have the funds to own one; too many kids to feed and educate!
That's exciting news! Congratulations! When I heard the Statement at CES it was the best pre amp I had ever heard! So glad Kevin had the Grand Utopia's at CES to truly show off the superb sound of his Statement design. The Tannoy he mated with prior to that was just okay to me; the speaker held his sound back.
