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 makes sense...take your time. I can only say that having spent time with the big Focals a few times only...i can sense how great they are. However, the Dealer insists they are much better with the Transp Ref XL jumpers and Ultra 5s...given that i use both with my own X1/Grand Slamms...i am just passing along their feedback.
I think your approach is the right one...get to know them and let them settle in first. Enjoy them!!!
Wow...thats a lot of experimenting! Good for you...it will be well worth it i am sure. I have experimented myself with my trusty X1/Grand Slamms and made lots of 'mods' which have helped without altering its voice which took forever to get right within the system.
I changed the tweeter to Focal's latest Ti, added Ultra 5s, mass damped the upper modules, used Entreq shielding to shield every single internal cable within the speaker...and then added a Transp ref XL jumper cable to the existing copper jumping plate. That last one made such a big improvement that i ordered the Transp RefMM (XL was better than my 10-yr old RefXL...so i figured lets see what happens with RefMM (MM2). (BTW, there are guys who mass damp each of the speaker 'slats' on the Grande EM...they use Entreq Vibbs). ;)
Big news!!! Congrats!!! And Critical Mass is serious stuff too!! Now...i have been playing around with my local dealers pair of big Focals. Here is what they do: 1) Ultra 5s underneath 2) Transparent Ref XL jumper cables for all 5 connections within the Focal Grande EM.
In your case, the TA RefXL are not 'that much' in the context of your speakers...and they made a huge improvement such that the dealer has left them in permanently for auditions and a few guys who work there now have them at home as well. YMMV. But yes, it never ends. Congrats again on a sensational speaker!!!
Congrats again...those are amazing speaker, and I have heard them on 2 separate occasions...they are remarkable, and yes I understand are very adjustable so they suit your system, your room...and your ears. Enjoy!
Fplanner! You've already got a line forming outside your door! And yes, I agree with Mike...would be curious to know about any other SOTA speakers you thought of, or if this was an 'opportunistic' buy at a great price.
Big news!!! Congrats! I have heard those on 2 occasions...once with big Constellations I think, and just recently with Naim Statement amp. Fantastic speakers!!! Congrats!!!
Congrats! You closed...that is what counts. You wont look back over your shoulder about the pennies here or there on the sale...you will look FORWARD towards your 9s! Massive news! Congrats! Do post.
Good luck!!!!!!! Great that the manufacturer is so hands on...a good sign of really caring about their customers, their products and their reputation/long-term relationships. Look forward to hearing about the arrival of your new 9s once the 7s are sold!
Got it! Wow, that is quite a lot of isolation...great stuff. It would be interesting to play around with isolation between the modules of the X1 but obviously that is impossible based on how they built it. The fasten to each other both by the spikes underneath as well as screws that go into the sides... I bet done right there might be improvements given how well the Ultra 5s work in place of the Wilson spikes. Enjoy!
Wow! good news! better and less expensive! the best of both worlds. i'll let you know what the Stillpoints Ultra 5s do...i have read/been told that they do for spreakers what they did for your equipment. and in fact, they apparently were designed for speakers.
Nice one! congrats! your system just keeps on getting more and more incredible! I noticed you use stillpoints...i've asked to audition the stillpoints ultra 5s under my trusty old Wilson X1s...any thoughts on what i should expect to hear? i've read most of the reviews...your personal experience and advice is always welcome!
I will say, reflecting on your system...it has truly ascended the peaks of greatness. VR7 modded, VAC Statements, the APL NWO-M...nicer and nicer by leaps and bounds!
Wow...did not know that. On my DD18, it does not have balanced inputs. So when i took the Velodyne totally out of the system (for repair)...there was no additional bass that came back...only the lost bass that the sub was providing.
That is a good thing to know for the future! Good luck with your own sub situation! Let me know what you think of DD15 being back in!
Hi FPlanner...how is that possible? I am confident that does not happen with my DD18...because when i mute it, i hear the speakers playing full range. Unplugged and disconnected or not...the main speakers play full range.
In your case, if there is only one link between Pre and Sub (the preamp out to the signal-in on the sub)...how can the crossover travel backwards through the preamp out? And then cause the preamp signal to bifurcate before it goes thru the other Preamp out into the Amp? (Is the preamp separately and directly connected to the amp via another set of preamp outs?)
I hear you! I own a DD18, and this is one reason i do not wish to change to DD18+. I might daisy chain to the DD18 someday, but not give up the DD18.
That said, i am not so sure Velodyne's older software worked too well below 40hz...because if you dropped it to 15hz...it should essentially be off...i am not sure if that happened or not.
In any event, why not just run the sub in parallel rather than use the internal crossover to your main speakers? (FWIW, I have always run my Velodyne in parallel. one preout to amp and one preout to velodyne. so speakers are always running at full. Then i adjust velodyne to blend as best i can. YMMV.)
Congrats on the new amps! I have heard they absolutely incredible...truly a new generation of amplification. Look forward to reading more about your comments as you get to enjoy them!!!
