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.
That's my point you can never say never. I learned that a long time ago. I have the VAC Sig. 2A preamp and would like to know your opinion on the statement.
Fplanner2000 there is no end cable. If you had this attitude you would never have tried this cable in the first place. In two years from now there probably will be a cable more musical, natural than the one you have. I understand why you don't want to mention other brands so you don't upset this new wire company.
Dev, you are right the MBL passed the five year period by spades. I never heard them with tube electronics only solid state. It would be nice to see what they can do with tubes.
Knghifi, my room is 20 feet by 30 feet and angled ceiling 12-18 feet. I'll take pictures and put it up under Jwm soon. I have no idea on the ship date. Andy said sometime in spring so I figure June earliest. I have no idea on the amp as well. I also ordered AJ Conti's new tonearm for my Basis and I don't know when that is coming. I can't believe the cost on these things, his tonearm is going to be around 14,000.00. I'm glad I am keeping our economy running in the US. Absolare is made here in Nashua NH.
Knghifi, thanks I also like the TAD's as well and both your speaker and mine use a beryllium tweeter, although yours is part of your midrange driver. I would like to hear the Absolare preamp but no plans to buy it at this time.
Thanks Dev. I see those speakers as fads and time will tell. They came on the market fast and furious and we shall see if they last. In the old days it took at least five years for a good speaker to gain momentum in the market place.
Dev, yes 12AU7 no point in tube rolling. My favorite tubes for the preamp are the Amperex 8416 Orange Lettering and gold pins. These are a 12 volt tube not the common 6 volt 6922 tube. I find the preamp more dynamic and more relaxed sounding. I would like the new preamp some day. I have the VAC 300 monoblocks. I am using ESP Harp speakers, Modright modded Oppo 105, Basis Debut 5 table and vector arm with ZYX Universe 2 cartridge. When I went to CES this year I heard the best sound I ever heard and because of this I am changing my speakers that I have had for 15 years. I ordered the Rockport Altair speakers and also the Absolare Passion Monoblock amps. They are parallel single ended 845 amps. I still will not sell my VAC amps, but we will see how these compare. I have been to 20 CES shows and never found a speaker that I liked better than mine. I am not a fan of all the latest speaker fads which are Magico, Y G Acoustics, Raidho, MBL. Speakers I like are TAD, Venture Audio, Hansen Audio, Coincident. I am not a fan of any speaker using ceramic drivers.
Dev, the statement preamp should have a much bigger soundstage and dynamics should be more effortless do to the dual mono power supply. I don't need the internal phono section since I am using the Aesthetix Io Reference phono with dual power supplies.
Dev, the second set of tubes in the Sig. 2 is for the tape input output stage. The new preamp does not have tape so no longer needs the second set of tubes. The information was directly from the horses mouth.
Fplanner2000 I was in Kevin's room at CES and his new statement preamp looks awesome. I have the same preamp as you and also would like the new one. Kevin said the new preamp is in a totally different league. It does not have tape input or outputs though. Kevin is the only one who does not believe in KT120 tubes.
