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.
I'm not going to attach the Ultra 5's until I get the speakers tuned and properly positioned in my listening room. Hopefully that will happen within the next several weeks.
I had very good results using the 5's between modules of my prior speakers - not sure how well they will work on carpet, but you know I'll try them... :-)
After several hours of wrestling with the Focals by the Pilot delivery people and several unsuspecting friends, we managed to get them into the system and placed into reasonable positions. With all settings flat - WOW!!
They already sound remarkable with no tuning to the room whatsoever - I plan to have a Master Set done to them hopefully this coming week. Again, WOW.
It looks like 2 pair of these will also be exhibited at the upcoming RMAF in adjoining Mezzanine suites. Well worth the listen, from my experience.
I have to say that the brain damage of the transport from Europe, although pretty frustrating at times, is pretty easily forgotten when I hear what these speakers are doing, cold and un-tuned to my room. They are a bit large, but I'm already getting used to them. All I have to do is close my eyes. :-)
There is definitely a strong temptation to crank these, as they really seem to revel in more power. One of the things I like best about them is that lowering the volume does NOT lower the dynamics, but just the volume (so you don't LOSE ANYTHING), unlike the majority of the other speakers I've either owned or heard.
Admission: GUILTY of cranking Daft Punk's Random Access Memories and Hiroshima's LA so far. I couldn't help it. More than once...... :-)
All that's left is to install a pair of CCA Telefunkens into my new preamp at some point. For now, I am REALLY enjoying the music. More so than I ever dreamed I could or would.
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!
Easy guys - this is not a debate, nor a pissing contest. Its just my thread about my experiences with the different gear I have had in my system through the years. We are all friends here - let's please keep it that way.
I have related my early impressions of my new Statement Line Stage above. The more time I put on, the better it sounds as it gradually breaks into my system. VAC makes and always has made great gear, in my opinion, with their latest Line Stage being a big jump from the prior Sig2, to my ears so far.
communicating via these forums when posting can be taken the wrong way - this is just a discussion.
As you and other readers know I have been enjoying my own Vac electronics for many years and continue to.
In response to your remarks directed towards me above "ARE NOT TRUE" when you wrote;
"I am surprised Dev could not hear it when he listened to it"
You are the only one who originally posting as if you had done a direct comparisons so I was asking for some clarification out of interest.
When someone makes statements as you did, such can be challenged which I did because your comments just weren't adding up.
I proved my point and you have admitted that in actual fact you never did do a side by side comparison in your own system or a direct comparison period.
I don't know how anyone could listen to a unfamiliar set-up in a unfamiliar room and come out saying that a specific pce contributed to this and that, now if you mentioned that you swapped out the two pre's in question and posted your findings well that's more credible. - I can appreciate the enthusiasm but that's were it ends.
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.
So far, there is "more of everything". More top end air and mid-range presence. The bass is most surprising - tighter and faster, while at the same time seemingly deeper and fuller. I know this is greatly overused, but the music seems clearer, as though a veil has been removed. I've got about 20 hours on it and am using the same upgraded Seimens 7308's I used in the Sig.
I also found a pair of rare and pricey CCA Telefunkens to try after some more hours. They are supposed to be amazing - we'll see. I can't think of a better preamp to try them out in.. :-)
These are obviously only very early impressions. Kevin was right - even through the VSA FS1's given to me by AVS, there is still a pretty obvious difference.
ROFL. I completely understand. And yes, I no longer have to explain to visitors what they should be hearing. It's obvious the moment they the the listening chair. I can't wait to "finish" the system. Pls let me know how the big Focals change things.
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.
Fplanner2000, I hope you don't sell the VAC SigMKIIa before RMAF. If I make it to RMAF, I'm reserving a seat to compare SigMKIIa to Statement. Statement is a MUST audition when I upgrade from SigMKIIa.
I will be looking forward to your comments. Congrats again on the Statement and Focal.
I appreciate your comments and you both got it pretty right - definitely the right speakers at the right price. I had heard the Focals locally and my jaw dropped. Tremendous presence, articulation, power and finesse, regardless of the volume level. I was most impressed by their performance at low volume levels - nothing dropped out!! In addition, they are infinitely adjustable both physically as well as with crossover and bass adjustments. In addition to what I physically heard, 2 good friends also highly recommended them to me, including one with very similar equipment to mine. The imaging was also better than any other speakers I have ever heard. Again, this is to my ears.
I heard Rockports locally (the ALtairs) and they were OK to my ears, but not really special. The system I heard them in was lower powered, so I'm sure that had a bearing on the result. I didn't hear the Arrakis, but really had no desire to after talking with Andy. A nice guy, but we are on different pages...
I really prefer not to go thru the pros and cons of the big Wilsons, Martens, Magicos and several other SOTA speakers I heard and considered - all are very good speakers.
The combination of what I heard of the Focals plus the situation I found myself in made my decision pretty much of a no-brainer. An "opportunistic buy" to say the least. :-)
AVS should have returned my money for the 9's, but didn't. Instead somebody will get a great deal on them, factory sealed, with a 20 year factory warranty, gorgeous Lexus champagne finish and a ridiculously low price for a $100K+ pair of speakers. STILL AVAILABLE.
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.
I think Lloydlee21 is onto something. I certainly wouldn't mind shelling out a few bucks to hear your system, once it is put together and you put some hours on it to get everything to "gel" together.
You have made a huge bold move to scrap the VSA speakers you ordered, and I assume paid for, to go with the big Focals. I was wondering if you could describe in your own words exactly what the Focals offered that convinced you to make this bold change?
You mentioned before that you have heard these speakers in person, so I know you're not just making a huge "leap of faith" What was it about the Focals that made you not consider other uber-speakers such as Rockport? Was it just the great price you came upon?
Thanks Lloyd!! I will hopefully have the full system somewhat broken in by RMAF in October. I live about 15 minutes from the venue, so will be able to arrange listening sessions for those interested, within reason, of course.. :-)
