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.
One quick follow-up; I obtained even better results switching back to Ultralinear, and changing to the 1-3 Ohm speaker posts- the best sound yet. Perhaps the Treasure tubes need a lower resistance in the system.
I think I found the solution; making a tweak, flipping the Vac receiver switch from Ultralinear to Triode, and everything instantly opened up- the magic is back again! Its funny how you make one change in your system, and eveyrthing else can change...it makes me very wary about making any more upgrades, especially when my system and music are very very good right now. How does anyone decide to buy a major new component, or especially a new pair of speakers? I really like my Kharma speakers, even though they are the smaller Mini-exquisites, but also found myself liking the Marten Coltranes at the Newport audio show. For 70-90K it is taking a real risk to upgrade.
A problem!!! I purchased one pair of the Psvanes and one pair of the Treasures (Grade A), and replaced all four of the 6SN7GT tubes on my VAC 300 amp, but right away I noticed dramatic changes; the mid-range remained very good, and the bass and bottom end improved markedly, but the high end seems very resticted or closed off. Listening to guitar or any treble seems somewhat muted. I switched back to my old tubes just to make sure there was no problem with the system, but everything came back again. I called Grant Fidelity, and the only recommendation they had was to give it 150 hours or more to break in. Has anyone else had this experience?? It is somewhat frustrating to have to wait a few weeks or longer to do any serious listening- hope I did not waste 600 dollars...
I ordered a set of tubes also based on your recommendation for my Vac 300 amp. The Treasures now come in a 'Mark II' version listed as the Pvane series, so I order one pair of these, and one pair of the Treasures as well. I hope it is money well spent; these tubes in Grade A are expensive! You keep talking me into buying things, but buying the Vac MkII preamp on your recommendation was a step up- the best pre-amp I have yet heard; better than my previous best, which was the Mbl 6010D. My tube system sounds great now; my next upgrade may be to add a second Vac amp to run a matched pair of 300's in mono format-might have to build a bigger room first for all this gear!
