VAC & FOCAL : 2-Channel w/Vinyl 2 com?

by fplanner2000 on
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Description

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)
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Room Details

Dimensions: 21’ × 19’  Large
Ceiling: 13’

Components Toggle details

    • 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.
    • Dedicated 20 amp lines
    One of my best investments

Comments 502

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Owner
Just put the PS Audio P-10s into my system - 1 for each side.
Noise floor dropped to dead silence. Synergistic Powercell removed(1st generation - currently for sale). PS Audio AC-12's feeding the P-10's. System got a bit too lush and recessed. Replaced the SYnergistic Hologram D pc feeding the NWO cd player with a Hi Diamond P-3. Change was amazing - dynamics returned, as well as imaging and PRAT - cold. All cables were not broken in, except for the Holgram D. P-10's were in their first hour.

Bottom line - COLD and unbroken in, system sounds more musical and accurate than it ever has, plus its now protected from electrical disturbances, etc. Having a steady, pure 120v going to all my gear is also a good thing.

fplanner2000

Owner
Currently, whenever my system doesn't sound "right", I know its because 1 or more of the Synergistic MPC's has come loose somehow and I have to check 20-30 of them to see where the break is. These are the technology that Synergistic relies upon. I am tired of this ridiculous exercise - while these tone controls might have been more positive than negative before my system got to its current level, now its the other way around. This became very evident when I was testing the PS Audio P-10 in my system this past weekend.

I will be upgrading my PC's to Hi Diamond in my home system to start, as well as selling my Powercell. My system is at a level now where tone controls just get in the way, both sonically and physically. I can't wait to hear what my system REALLY SOUNDS LIKE!!

fplanner2000

Owner
Hi Dev-
I got 1 yesterday and the other will be here Monday. I've been using Synergistic pcs on the amps, but am switching to Hi Diamond p-3's. They won and the best part is, the cables get about 30% better after 2-300 hours. What I like best is that they just get out of the way of the music, allowing my system to come through. My Synergistic gear was mostly purchased 3-4 years ago, when my system was nowhere near as evolved as it is now.

My goal now is to simplify things, get rid of the many wall-warts that are required of Synergistic cabling, and to just hear what my system is capable of.

fplanner2000

Hi Fplanner2000, you seem to be very happy so I suppose I'll also see. I just placed an order for 2 in Silver, as mentioned prior I also have the Burmester coming so I'll be able to do some direct comparisons. I still have a Torus RM20 which worked very nicely with other gear "amps" but found not so with the Vac's and currently just have my sources plugged into it.

How did the cable comparisons do, specially compared to the stock cords.

Do you use your stock cords on the Vac's? I have Stealth Audio Dream but need to at some point do a comparision.

dev

Owner
The P-10 from PS Audio ACTUALLY WORKED GREAT on 1 VAC 450amp in our testing today.

No dynamic limitations whatsoever - as a matter of fact the sound from the connected speaker sounded both more detailed and musical than the other amp/speaker!! All the other components remained plugged into my Synergistic Powercell.

We also discovered 123.7 amps were being fed to the rest of the system while we were listening. That is exactly why I like the P-10 - I want a steady 120 going to my components, not 115 or 125; plus the surge protection, etc..

I will be ordering a pair of these Monday. The search is over. Tomorrow we will try to ascertain how "feeding cable sensitive" the P-10 is. Today's test was using Masterbuilt Signature. Stay tuned.

fplanner2000

Owner
Hi Dev-

I'll have a better idea this weekend after I perform my "experiment". Apparently I've been lucky so far, but I know better than to count on luck. I'll let you know what happens. Also, PLEASE let me know what happens with that Burmester piece. Thanks.

I believe Ozzy also has 450's and posted me yesterday he was running Audience AR20-TOs with good results.

fplanner2000

Hi Fplanner, I await to see what the vertic is because I'm in the same situation. I originally had mine plugged into two seperate Torus RM20's which seemed to work great with others but not so with my Vac amps.

I have on it's way a Burmester 948 power conditioner and will try, Burmester says they can run two of their biggest amps and other gear into it with no problems what so ever so time will tell.

dev

I just realized today that there is no power conditioning or surge protection whatsoever in the SR Powercell that my entire system is plugged into. That was a bit unnerving considering the investment I have made into my system. As a result, I will be trying PS audio's p-10 on 1 of my home amplifiers this weekend. It is currently in my office system.

It is a regenerator as well as surge protector, etc. I've heard both that it limits dynamics and that it improves dynamics. I'm not an engineer, but when I see it can hold 70 amps in storage ready for instant usage, that seems better than just 15-20 amps out of the wall. I could be wrong - this weekend should tell.

If the p-10 works, I will get 2 with 1 for each amp. The amps draw 450w each, with peaks to 900w. Each p-10 will do 1250w w/peaks to 1500w, so there is enough room to plug in all my components and TV within the 20 outlets. Undecided whether to keep the Powercell - if the p-10s work as I think they will, the Powercell will belong to somebody else in the near future. If not, Plan B.

fplanner2010

Thanks Darrin. I prefer the friendliness and intelligence of the Von Schweikerts as opposed to having to deal with the Magico braintrust. BY FAR.

fplanner2010

Nice system fplanner. If i didnt buy magicos i was going to look into VSA. Loyal following by vac owners which says a lot.

podeschi

Owner
Thank you - I appreciate it. I tend to be my own worst critic at times, so its great when I can share the pleasure that my system brings me with others in the same room and without having to say a word. That's the really fun part :-)

fplanner2000

Not surprised Fplanner! your system even on paper has taken quantuum leaps over that period of time. Congrats! And enjoy!!

lloydelee21

Owner
Kevin Hayes et al came by last nite to hear my system. He was pretty surprised at how much better my system now sounds than the last time he heard it, which was about 2 years ago. Apparently they were pretty impressed, making a number of very complementary comments, which was very nice of them. It was a nice validation of the time and effort I've put in to get my system to this level.

fplanner2000

I tried to post some info on the CT-1 cables performing better than the SR CTS in my system at less than 1/2 the price on the SR thread, but somehow it hasn't been posted. Too bad - guess they're just afraid of a little competition. I have no connection with High Fidelity cables - it just works much better between my CD player and preamp than the overpriced SR cables I demoed. No exaggeration, just fact.

fplanner2010

Rick sent me his phono cable prototype version of the CT-1. Faster, much more detail, better bass, even lower noise floor. Pretty impressive and no active cables or ridiculous prices! My eyes have been opened yet again. :-) Thanks Rick!

fplanner2010

Thanks Lloydelee21!

dev

Congrats Dev!

lloydelee21

Dev-
Glad you got a chance to do this upgrade. I was also pretty impressed, as it pretty substantially improved everything!

fplanner2010

Hi Fplanner2010,

I got my tubes and placed them in. Letting my system warm up I could instantly here a difference that sounded very promising. I have around 20 hours on them and really just can't believe what I'm hearing over all, very happy indeed and for sure well worth it.
As you said "small investment for a substantial return"
FOR SURE Thanks! :)

dev

Oh...won't make it to RMAF...but thanks for the offer! :)

lloydelee21

Congrats!!!

lloydelee21

High Fidelity CT-1 from Rick S. replaces SR CTS interconnect between APL NWO-M and VAC preamp. No contest - not even close, and SR retails for over 2x more $$. CTS going back to Cable Co Tuesday. If they had offered me a better deal, I wouldn't have looked elsewhere. Fortunately for me, I did, and found a much better cable for my system and application.
Thanks Rick!!

fplanner2010

Rocky Mtn Audiofest is coming up in October and I live about 15 minutes from the venue. That will be your best chance :-)

fplanner2010

Nice! Would love to hear some day!

lloydelee21

At about 400 hours now, the speakers are finally showing what the rest of the system can do. Not doing any more overnite break-in as the midrange drivers are finally blending seamlessly with the rest of the presentation.

I can now run the system without a sub and not miss the bass - its there from the speakers, especially at higher volumes. The Statements really control the bass very well and add a 3-dimensionality that wasn't quite there with my old 300.1s. There is more detail as well as more musicality than even a week ago - its got to be the combination of the Black Treasures as well as the speakers and amps finally through the majority of their break-in. It sounds pretty good for a living room... :-)

fplanner2010

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