After I decided to install a subwoofer and active crossover, I needed additional cabling. I considered more Nordost Valhalla because I've read from informed sources it's best to stay with a single manufacturer. But I've been a fan of Michael Borresen since 2011 when I first heard the Raidho line of speakers at RMAF. Borresen has a degree in physics, was a designer at Nordost and other Scandinavian audio companies, and was the designer of Raidho. Borresen and Lars Kristensen started Ansuz Acoustics a few years ago. Borresen designed Ansuz PC's and power conditioners/distributors using both physics principles and critical listening. Based on Borresen's experience with Nordost I believed the Ansuz cables would have a similar sound, and I was right.

lwhitefl August 24, 2019 12:10

I've owned a number of very good speakers in my life, but only one actually produced bass that got my attention. That was back in the 1980's with the Infinity Beta system that had separate bass and  separate mid-high frequency towers. That is until I recently installed a JL Audio F212v2 and CR1 Active Crossover in my system.

lwhitefl July 03, 2019 16:18

I've ordered a JL Audio CR-1 Analog crossover. It will reroute frequencies <90hz from my Raidho C3 to my JL Audio F212v2 sub. I expect it will take some time to get it right, but this change will improve the quality of the sound emensly. Read my update of the system description describing the equipment. I'll repost when the integration is complete. Exciting🙃

lwhitefl June 05, 2019 17:07

Last week I added a JL Audio Fathom F212v2 subwoofer to replace my Definitive Technology SC8000. The F212v2 is positioned near the left rear corner based on my Acoustic Frontiers (Nyal Mellor) room design. I used the D.A.R.O technology that uses a powerful on-board DSP to automatically optimize the subwoofer's in-room frequency response. During the next several days I tweaked the LP @ 60Hz with a 24 dB/octave slope and -3dB ELF trim. With these adjustments the sub integrates well with the stereo speakers. The F212v2 has strikinly improved the timbre and authority of bass over the SC8000. Standing bass, drum kits, and even a Fender Rhodes actually have definition in the lower registers. I'm going to listen to this configuration for a few months, but I'm still planning on adding a JL Audio CR1 crossover "dialed in" by Nyal. I'm convinced the bass in all but a very few main speakers is inconsequential compared to the mid and high frequencies. Let the main speakers handle those frequencies coupled with a great subwoofer for the low frequencies. In all but a very few cases this configuration will create better sound and considerably more enjoyment than spending a fortune trying to get good bass out of stereo speakers. I could have used D2's or possibly D1's rather than D3's to get the incredible resolution, articulation, and 3-dimensional imaging.

lwhitefl November 18, 2018 17:13

I agree the power cords make a significant difference. I'm using a V2 2M pc to my amp and a V1 to my Qbase 4. I'll have to look into the Nordost trade-up program since I would like to change all my pc's to V2. Thanks Ron.

lwhitefl December 05, 2016 14:21

It's been 2+ weeks since I upgraded to the Valhalla V2 speaker cables. This change produced obviously better articulation, and instrument specificity in terms of timbre and soundstage placement. I can't actually say this was a cost effective improvement given the cost of the Valhalla V2, but there's no question it has raised my listening enjoyment.

lwhitefl November 28, 2016 12:50

I just received Nordost Valhalla V2 4M speaker cables to replace my Nordost Valhalla 2M speaker cables. I'll start listening today and post my thoughts after the cables are fully broken in.

lwhitefl November 11, 2016 16:43

I had JRDG upgrade my 625 amplifier to the S2 level. I received the unit yesterday and listened for about 5 hours last night. The 625 was really good before, but the S2 version is even more analog sounding and organic - more presence and impact.

lwhitefl November 04, 2016 15:27

Installed Furutech bundle: GTX-D NCF(R) duplex receptacle, GTX Wallframe, and GTX Carbon Fiber Outlet Cover. This receptacle serves all ancillary equipment on the two SolidTech racks at the left rear wall.

lwhitefl March 17, 2016 17:57

Upgraded the Raidho C3 with the D3. The resolution and dynamics are at least twice that of the C3. Will update with pictures once Audiogon virtual systems app allows.

lwhitefl November 12, 2015 10:04

beta testing new virtual systems

lwhitefl October 21, 2015 10:25

I've created a separate virtual system page for the room acoustics, and posted current pictures showing the interior room acoustic panels. See "Len's Media Room Acoustics".

I'll edit my other virtual system to remove the acoustic descriptive bits and change the pictures to audio video equipment. I'm currently unable to use the Audiogon edit function for my virtual system pages.

lwhitefl September 13, 2015 12:59

The RPG modex type 1 (outside positions) and modex broadband (inside positions) have arrived. They've been temporarily placed on the front wall floor roughly at the horizontal positions they will occupy when hung on the wall 23" above the floor.

The RPG BAD ARC panels have arrived. They've been temporarily placed on the side wall floors at the first reflection points. They will be hung in the same vertical alignment as the Listen Audio birch diffusor panels.

The installer will hang all panels on the wall this coming week.

Acoustic Frontiers (Nyal) told me I'm only hearing about 70% of the improvement with the panels on the floor. I can clearly hear the room's reverberation time has been significantly lowered, voice and instrument articulation and soundstage definition has improved, the low end is tighter and more pronounced.

Unfortunately I can't post pictures on my virtual system page. The Audiogon staff is telling me they're working on a problem with that portion of the website.

I have posted the pictures here:

http://www.whatsbestforum.com/album.php?albumid=129

lwhitefl September 12, 2015 16:23

The RPG modex plates for the front wall and RPG BAD ARC panels for the side wall first reflection points have finally shipped. They're scheduled to arrive next week and will be installed the following week completing the foundation and internal acoustic design for the media room.

I'll post some new pictures after the installation. And I'll post my listening impressions a few days later.

lwhitefl September 04, 2015 12:43

System edited: The rear wall absorber box (48"Hx60"Wx12"D) was installed today. The inside is filled with (3) R38 fiberglass open faced batts, and the front panels consist of (3) RPG BAD templates wrapped in acoustic cloth.

lwhitefl July 31, 2015 15:58

System edited: Removed RPG BAD panel/frames from front wall. The RPG BAD templates are being installed as the front of the rear wall absorber box scheduled for install 7/31/15. The RPG Modex plates and BAD ARC panels are scheduled to be shipped the week of 8/3/15.

lwhitefl July 29, 2015 17:26

System edited: The Listen Audio diffusers were installed today on the left and right side walls. The exact positions were specified by Acoustic Frontiers. The RPG modex plates and BAD ARC panels should arrive and be installed sometime during the first half of August. The local company that installed the diffusers today is building the rear wall absorber box. One of the three RPG BAD templates currently used in the floor standing frames was disassembled today. The installer took that one RPG BAD template with them for sizing since all three templates will form the front of the absorber box.

lwhitefl July 10, 2015 15:53

System edited: Received the first of the interior wall acoustic panels. The the Listen Audio (listen-speakers.com) natural birch diffusers - beautiful craftsmanship. They are the last 4 panels on side walls - see plan picture just posted. I expect to receive the RPG modex and BAD ARC panels next month. A local company will install the panels and build the absorber box for the rear wall.

lwhitefl June 24, 2015 17:11

System edited: System description updated to reflect upcoming interior wall acoustic device installations.

lwhitefl May 21, 2015 12:04

System edited: Floor standing RPG BAD panels in new frames. Height increased to position panels above high/mid frequency drivers.

lwhitefl March 01, 2015 14:48

System edited: Added Definitive Technology surrounds to the rear side walls. Building floor standing frames for the RPG BAD panels at the first reflection points.

lwhitefl February 26, 2015 16:59

The big change between the C3.0 and C3.1 is the improved tweeter because it covers such a large frequency band. The C3.1 tweeter membrane is driven over a much larger area and the non-driven areas have been reduced by more than 90%.

I purchased and installed the C3.1 tweeters in my C3.0's and it was a significant improvement.

lwhitefl February 18, 2015 18:23

There's better articulation, more precise instrument positioning and air, the bass is stronger although perhaps could be slightly better defined.

I'm sure there's going to be some additional acoustic treatments coming, but the room more than meets my initial expectations.

lwhitefl February 16, 2015 16:16

System edited: Began listening to music and watched a couple of movies this weekend. The acoustics are better than expected to start, but will likely evolve over the coming year.

lwhitefl February 15, 2015 19:04

System edited: Preparing for move to new media room by the end of this week.

lwhitefl February 10, 2015 20:32

System edited: The media room is complete except for installing the front projector support equipment. By the end of next week I expect to be listening to music and watching film for the first time in my new media room:-)

lwhitefl February 08, 2015 22:06

System edited: The floating wood floors were installed today. Visually the room looks larger than before and the acoustics are improving.

lwhitefl February 05, 2015 18:12

System edited: The past two days the acoustic "clouds" with white led room lighting, projection screen, and front projector mount was moved from the FR ceiling to the new media room ceiling. The acoustic "clouds" dramatically reduced the intensity and duration of the slap echo in the room. I'm now optimistic when the wood floor, furnishings, wool area rugs, equipment, and remaining front wall acoustic floor panels are moved into the room; the audio will sound pretty good for starters. By the end of this week the addition wood floors, the door trim & baseboard, solid-core doors including the sealed media room door with threshold will be completed. I'm expecting to be able to move my equipment to the new media room in a couple of weeks. Can't wait!

lwhitefl February 03, 2015 19:01

System edited: With help from my dealer I was able to install the EMM Labs MDAT2 firmware update this past Saturday on my XDS1 v2. I was immediately struck by the increased articulation, openness, inner detail and separation, the increased attack and authority. The bass is most obviously better defined and solid. This upgrade is indeed not subtle! It's truly amazing what mathematics can do for music!

lwhitefl January 20, 2015 20:59

System edited: Soundboard XP ceiling (knockdown) and walls (orange peel) were completed this week. The trim carpentry will be next for the room including the sealed solid core door at the entrance. The finished wall dimensions (15'-3 3/8"W x 19'-6 1/2"L x 11'H) are very close to the acoustic design plan. Probably not surprisingly the room has a major slap echo at this point. But you can hear a deepening of voices when entering the room resulting from the "floating" wall system. Hopefully the echo will be considerably reduced or eliminated when the acoustic "clouds" are moved from the FR ceiling to the new media room ceiling, the "floating" wood floors are installed, furnishings are added along with the wool area rug from the FR, and the floor standing RPG BAD panels at the speaker first reflection points are in place. Hopefully I'll be listening to music in this room by early March. I'm sure over the next 6 - 12 months listening will reveal if and where additional acoustic treatments may be needed.

lwhitefl January 18, 2015 17:08

System edited: Soundboard XP damped drywall completed and acoustic sealant applied where walls meet ceiling, floor, and other walls. All drywall activity to be complete by end of next week. After painting completed all ceiling mounted components from the existing media room-FR (acoustic "clouds", front projector and screen) will be moved from the current media room to the new media room.

lwhitefl January 10, 2015 12:51

System edited: Soundboard XP has been applied to media room ceiling. Acoustic sealant was used to fill intentional 1/4" gap at all points between damped drywall and CBS walls. Normal drywall taping and mudding will be used for finish.

lwhitefl January 07, 2015 14:04

System edited: Media room insulation installed. Next week damped drywall will be installed on the ceiling, the quarter inch gap between all walls and drywall end will be acoustically sealed. Pictures will be taken for the county inspector to compile with the local fire stop code.

lwhitefl December 24, 2014 12:30

System edited: New media room 19-1/2'L x 15-1/2'W x 11'H finished dimensions.

lwhitefl December 14, 2014 14:40

I am excited about having a dedicated listening room built with acoustics designed into the plan vis-a-vie the room size, "floating" wall system, and dedicated power. But I'm not sure if I'm going to implement the full acoustic design envisioned. I'll start with the RPG BAD ceiling "clouds" moved from the FR, and the (3) RPG BAD panels positioned at the first reflection points on the front wall and right front side wall. That's the same acoustics I'm using now in the FR that sound very good. The only thing I may do extra initially in the new media room is have the contractor build a 6'h x 6'w x 12"d frame on the rear wall screwed into the hat channel and filled with fiberglass for absorption. The designer recommended the frame faced with the (3) RPG BAD panels, but I would replace the RPG BAD panels with (3) absorber panels I have in the FR upper decorator area.

The current media room state consists of the "floating" wall system comprised of 130 Kinetics Isomax clips screwed to 1-1/2" furring strips nailed to CBS blocks on all four walls, and 440 linear feet of hat channel. R-11 open faced fiberglass (3-1/2" thickness) will be added behind the hat channel, and damped drywall will be screwed to the front of the hat channel. The whole "floating" wall system will add 3-1/2" to each CBS wall, but the finished room dimensions will be very close to the optimum room size (19-1/2'L x 15-1/2'W x 11'H) recommended by Acoustic Frontiers.

The media room A/V electronics will be served by a dedicated 100A electrical sub-panel with (4) 20A circuits on the same phase. The #12 wiring for each circuit will have the neutral and hot wires wrapped together (2" centers) with the ground wire placed parallel all in pvc conduit. According to an AES paper, documented testing confirmed this method had the lowest ground voltage induction of anything tested.

The media room will also have a dedicated Carrier 1-1/2 ton A/C system. There are (4) large exhaust ducts (1) in each room corner, a large return duct on the rear ceiling, and large A/C ducts to the air handler/evaporator over the garage ceiling. The A/C sub-contractor assured me the system would be quiet.

lwhitefl December 13, 2014 16:53

Thanks Mike. I'll be posting the progress and changing my system pictures as the room nears completion. I didn't think I'd ever have a dedicated listening room, but a combination of circumstances including my wife wanting the family room back made this dream come true.

You have a clean looking listening room similar to my existing room. Despite its asymmetrical shape, open floor plan, and glass, I was able to get that room sounding very good using RPG BAD panels on the ceiling, the front wall areas, and absorbers in the upper decorator areas of the room. I tried not to make too many compromises to the room aesthetics in the process.

I've heard the Elrod PC's are excellent, and have read very positive comments and reviews about Legacy. I like the apparent synergy of your system as I believe it does pay off in better overall sound reproduction. Your audio system must give you great musical pleasure as mine does me.

The new media room wall system is an acoustical starting point. I'm planning on using the RPG BAD panels in the front wall areas similar to the existing room with lots of absorption on the rear wall initially. I'll probably add another RPG BAD panel on the left front side wall, and possibly corner bass traps on the front wall.

The Raidho's and ancillary equipment will likely be setup close to the existing room since the new media room is close to the same size. I'll do a lot of listening and perhaps have the room acoustically measured. I'm sure there will be much more work to do over the next months and/or years to get the room as close to acoustically perfect as possible.

lwhitefl December 08, 2014 14:24

The new house addition is finally weather sealed. The media room portion is beginning to take shape. This past week 1-1/2" furring strips were nailed to the (4) cbs block interior walls. Kinetics Isomax clips were screwed into the furring strips vertically on 24" centers.

Next week the hat channels will be slotted horizontally into the Isomax clip channels. After the electrical and A/C work also scheduled to begin next week is completed, damped drywall will be screwed to the hat channels taking precaution not to touch any portion of the furring strips or block walls. Acoustic caulk will be applied to 1/8" gaps where the drywall meets the floor and ceiling.

The isolated wall system will effectively provide an acoustic foundation for the room, as well providing a sound barrier.

lwhitefl December 06, 2014 15:31

The Qbase is still part of my my system configuration. My equipment is likely to change very little during the next few years. I will apply a EMM XDS1v2 firmware update when it has been fully tested.

Construction of a house addition that will include a dedicated media (listening) room is scheduled to commence shortly and be completed by the end of next February. The media room acoustic design is by Acoustic Frontiers, Fairfax, CA.

The existing listening room will revert to the original family room configuration. All audio-video equipment and the theater seating in that room will be relocated to the addition dedicated media room.

The listening room overall dimensions are 19.5'L X 15.5'W X 11'H. All walls are cbs (no windows) with furring strips, insulation, isolation clips, hat channel, and damped drywall. Damped drywall on ceiling screwed to joists.

The floor is engineered wood (glued or floated) on concrete pad. A wool area rug with jute padding between listening position and speakers.

The ceiling will utilize the (4) 6' X 6' framed RPG BAD panel "clouds" now located in the existing listening room. They'll be suspended about 1' from the ceiling with integrated led room and mood lighting.

The rear wall will use the existing (3) RPG BAD panels in front of a 6'W X 6'H X 2'D frame filled with fiberglass.

If the cost is not prohibitive front and side walls will utilize tuned bass modules, diffusors, and diffusor/absorbers housed in support columns.

Front wall - (4) equally spaced 2'W X 8"D X 10.5'H vertical support columns starting in the corners. The columns in addition to diffusers, consists of (14) 2'W X 2'W tuned membrane bass modules in specific column locations ranging from 29Hz to 109Hz.

Side walls - (3 each) vertical support columns (same size as front wall) from the listening position forward. The columns in addition to diffusers and diffuser/absorbers, consists of (8) tuned membrane bass modules in specific column locations ranging from 58Hz to 116Hz.

If the cost of the columns/tuned modules is excessive, I'll likely listen to the system for sometime before deciding individual acoustic treatments for the front and side walls.

I'll be posting pictures of the addition media room interior construction starting with the "floating wall" system.

lwhitefl September 15, 2014 14:59

System edited: I recently had Acoustic Frontiers perform an acoustic analysis of my current listening room. About 3 1/2 years ago I had used Rives Audio to design the acoustics for my listening room, but I had never had the results analyzed. The analysis showed the room met 16 of 21 acoustic design standards, and considering the asymmetrical room, no glaring issues. But the analysis did point out some potential improvements. The changes I've made so far is to reposition (3) floor standing RPG BAD panels to the front and right side wall speaker mirror points. And thick jude padding under the area rug between the listening position and speakers. Addressing the speaker mirror points eliminated a slight high frequency bump from the right side. But the biggest change was the left soundstage becomming considerably wider than before.

lwhitefl June 13, 2014 14:36

System edited: New Jeff Rowland Corus preamp and 625 amp.

lwhitefl November 30, 2013 13:27

Hi Gary, I live 40 miles due north of West Palm Beach. Destin is a long way from here, but if you ever plan to be in this area PM me via Audiogon. Your audio system looks very nice but the pictures appear sideways:-) Regards, Len

lwhitefl August 31, 2013 14:44

Thanks Kiwi, I'm using a Nordost Brahma pc on the XDS1 and pre amp, but I may eventually upgrade all the pc's to match the Valhalla amp pc, ic's, and speaker cable.

lwhitefl June 29, 2013 14:50

The Raidho C3's resolution and dynamic range is significantly better than the Eben X3. Although the Raidho X3 is also an excellent speaker that possesses probably 75% of the C3.0 without the 3.1 tweeter upgrade.

lwhitefl April 29, 2013 12:36

Sorry for the delay responding - I had to work with Audiogon to resolve a userid/pswd mismatch issue. I purchased the 3.1 tweeters directly from Raidho and installed them myself. I only upgraded the 3.1 tweeters as that is the most significant difference with the new speakers. The internal cables are still Nordost Valhalla which I use for all cabling.

The C3 tweeters are responsible for a considerable portion of the high midrange to treble. The change to the 3.1 tweeters is significantly improved resolution and impact in that part of the frequency range.

lwhitefl April 29, 2013 12:32

System edited: Added front projector, 16:9 projection screen, subwoofer for movies.

lwhitefl March 16, 2013 17:26

System edited: Choosing a new digital source was a difficult task given the number of really great players I've heard. After listening to all the top CD/SACD/DAC contenders at RMAF 2011 (EMM, Esoteric, dCS, Playback Designs) I narrowed my decision to the Esoteric K-01 or EMM Labs XDS1. I certainly heard the XDS1 more than the K-01 because of the shear number of manufacturers using that player to display their products at RMAF (although there were a lot of dCS Puccini players being used as well). I also was able to spend several hours listening to the Esoteric K-03 in a very good audio system in Golden Colorado, and the XDS1 in perhaps the best audio system I've ever heard at The Audio Federation in Boulder Colorado after the show. Both EMM and Esoteric are great digital players with different sound and features. The K-01 is built like a tank and features a drive mechanism indisputably tops in the industry. But it has far too many "filter" options, complicating setup and operation. The EMM is built with the philosophy that simpler is better - with top notch quality (a single gain stage from DAC to output with fully discrete Class-A circuitry, proprietary power supply), and while the K-01 sounds more dynamic, the XDS1 sounds more analog and musical.

lwhitefl December 02, 2011 16:10

System edited: Added Ultrasonic acrylic shelves w/led lighting to Solid Tech ROS equipment rack and amp.

lwhitefl November 21, 2011 13:29

System edited: After speaking with Roy Gregory at the 2011 RMAF I've decided not to pursue the isolation transformer. RG and others I spoke with believe isolation transformers do more harm than good.

lwhitefl October 21, 2011 17:27

System edited: Updated pictures to better reflect room acoustics.

lwhitefl July 23, 2011 12:45

System edited: Updated system description to include decision to install balanced isolation transformer.

lwhitefl June 20, 2011 14:33

Thanks for the kind words Syd. I sent you an email regarding the checking out each other's systems.

lwhitefl June 20, 2011 12:27

System edited: Removed previous acoustic pieces (HDTV absorber panels, bass traps, front wall cornice) not necessary after completing Rives Audio room acoustics design; and completed wall painting touch-up.

lwhitefl April 19, 2011 10:39

System edited: Installed led lighting on top inside edge of listening room clouds. Although the pictures don't fully show the "laser" intensity of the led lighting inside the center cloud frames.

lwhitefl January 29, 2011 13:08

I had previously been using ASC and Echobuster absorber panels for side wall reflection points, Echobuster P4 Towers used as bass traps at the front wall corners; wood verticals to cover right side wall exterior insulated French doors, wood shutters over the front wall arched windows, and a 6' X 8' wool area rug for absorption on the wood floor between the speakers and listening chairs. I had also been placing Echobuster absorber panels in front of the HDTV during listening sessions - these panels have now been relocated to the left back kitchen wall.

The first phase of acoustic design construction involved the installation of the absorber panels in all the plant decorator areas 8’-12’ above the floors in the listening room and kitchen; this significantly quieted the entire area and greatly improved sound system articulation. Next diffuser panels were built for the breakfast nook area French door and etched window during listening sessions, and again I heard improvements in overall room quietness and audio articulation. The final construction was just completed with installation of the four diffuser clouds in the listening room and the absorber cloud over the rear hallway. This further improved the audio system articulation, but fundamentally and dramatically improved the presence and dynamics of the audio system. Frankly, I’ve only heard a few other audio systems with a similar sound in well designed dedicated listening rooms in south Florida.

I still have to install the led strip lighting around the inside top perimeter crown molding of the small center open box of each “cloud”, but the switched electrical outlets are already functional in the ceiling. I think I’m going to try blue led flex strips http://www.ecolightsolutions.com/led-products/flex-tape.html on one cloud to see what it looks like before making a final decision on the color or whether to put led’s around the outside perimeter of each cloud.

lwhitefl January 25, 2011 12:25

System edited: The acoustic absorber panels consisting of 703 Owens Corning fiberglass (2") wrapped with acoustic cloth have been built and placed on the back walls of all planter decorator areas in the listening room and kitchen. This has significantly quieted the entire area. The result I'm hearing more of the music content with increased articulation. The diffuser panels for the breakfast nook are being built as is the ceiling absorber cloud for the hallway between the kitchen and listening room. The final step will be to build the diffuser clouds for the listening room ceiling after Christmas. I'll continue to post pictures as the Rives Audio room acoustics plan is implemented.

lwhitefl December 03, 2010 14:54

System edited: Working with Rives Audio using level 2 acoustic design service, currently working to finalize concept plan. The drawing shows absorptive panels lining the walls of the plant setback areas in the kitchen and listening room, (4) 6X6 "cloud" panels hanging 9" from listening room ceiling, a 2'-6"X15'X18" drop-down ceiling from StarSilent over the hallway at the rear of the listening room, RPG VariScreen diffusers in front of the breakfast nook French door and arched glass window and Graber cellular shades pulled over breakfast nook butt-glass windows during listening sessions, a 6X8 wool area rug on the breakfast nook tile floor, and a 3X11 wool area rug in the hallway. I'm also using an Echobuster absorptive panel at the first reflection point on the right side wall, the same type panel at the listening chair position on the left side wall, an ASC picture panel at the first reflection point on the left side wall, Echobuster P4 towers (bass traps) in the front wall corners, Echobuster absorber panels in front of the HDTV during listening sessions, and a 6'X8' wool area rug between the speakers and listening position. Audio measurements will be taken before the ceiling "clouds" are installed for fine tuning the final acoustic treatment. This project is going to take me into next year full full implementation.

lwhitefl September 24, 2010 14:07

System edited: Since the listening room is at least as equally important as the audio equipment, I'm currently working with Rives Audio to improve listening room acoustics via their level 2 acoustic design service. To date the listening room area has been defined to the Rives CAD system, and Rives has recommended the best speaker/seating position based on my prioritization of room asthetics. Rives is now working on the conceptual plan that will define the extent of acoutic treatments to the listening room, breakfast nook, and kitchen areas. This phase will be followed by implementing the fundamental acoustic treatments. Though no walls will be moved, acoustic treatments to ceiling areas, glass windows/doors, and decorator setback areas are likely candidates. When this work has been completed, professional acoustical measurements of the listening room will be used to do the final tuning.

lwhitefl September 06, 2010 11:25

System edited: Updated system description to reflect acoustic room changes.

lwhitefl June 01, 2010 15:55

Thanks for the post Sam. We are indeed fortunate to be able to enjoy music reproduced at a very high level in our homes. I first heard the Raidho Ayra C3.0 speakers at the 2008 RMAF and thought they were in a small group of speakers representing best of show. I never thought I'd be able to own them, but an Audiogon seller presented me the opportunity and I grabbed them!

I've made a significant number of audio system changes since that 2008 RMAF and the C3.0's are certainly the most significant. But perhaps the most valuable changes I've made are attributable a 2008 RMAF siminar I attended that aptly demonstrated power conditioning, synergistic cabling, and resonance control are crucial to hearing the true capabilities of any audio components.

lwhitefl May 31, 2010 14:34

System edited: Updated to reflect addition of etched glass window and french door at right rear of listening room, and a pocket door in kitchen. These changes better close the listening room from the remainder of the house.

lwhitefl May 23, 2010 14:36

System edited: I began this transformation with my audio system shortly after returning home from the 2008 RMAF. I went to that show with the objective of upgrading my B&W N802 speakers, and I heard some wonderful speakers (Acoustic Zen, Coltrane, Hanson, Kharma, Marten, Raidho, Tidal) that I had never heard before. Although I had previously tried a few modest power conditioning, cabling, and vibration control products, I had always been a little skeptical they could have any significant effect on sonic quality. But I returned home with a set of Nordost Ti Pulsar Points and a new purpose because of what I learned (and heard) in various demonstration rooms and a seminar espousing the virtues of using good power conditioning, synergistic cabling, and resonance control. I visited the Nordost room early the first morning where Lars Kristensen demonstrated the effect of Nordost Odin cabling, Quantum QX4, and Ti Pulsar Points with Raidho Ayra C3.0 speakers. I heard a remarkable improvement when Ti Pulsar Points were inserted under the preamp and CD player. It was hard to believe such a small piece of titanium could improve resolution, articulation and dynamics so significantly. Then we heard a Quantum QX4 that widened and deepened the sound stage also improving dynamics, when the QX4 was switched off the sound stage collapsed towards the center. During the “System Setup & Tuning” seminar on the second day, Roy Gregory told us “you’ll never truly hear your audio system unless you address the system foundation”. RG demonstrated how power conditioning, system cabling, and resonance control could significantly improve the sound of the same modest speakers, preamp, amp, and CD player. The demonstration played the same music selections beginning without power conditioning, inconsistent cabling, and no resonance control to a full out assault which included a Stillpoints rack, Vertex cabling, and a Quantum QX4. The resulting improvement in coherence, resolution, and dynamics was anything but subtle! Returning home I placed the set of Ti pulsar points under the CD player with no other audio component changes and immediately heard improvements with articulation, resolution, presence, instrumental air, and dynamics. I purchased two additional sets of Ti pulsar points for my preamp and amp and heard more sonic improvements of the same nature. My next purchase was the Quantum QX4 power enhancer which did indeed widen and deepen the soundstage. I was very pleased with the improvement in my B&W N802 based system and that was the extent of the changes I made to my audio system in 2008. At the beginning of 2009 I had an opportunity to purchase a pair of Raidho Eben X3.0 speakers. Even though I had not heard them, the Eben’s had a similar size and the same drivers as the Raidho Ayra C3.0’s that so impressed me at RMAF. I replaced my B&W N802’s with the Eben’s towards the end of January 2009 and had a new reference speaker system in place. The Eben’s produced a degree of articulation, resolution, timbre, and dynamics (particularly at the low end) I had never experienced with the N802’s in my listening room. I listened for about two weeks before deciding to make additional system foundation changes. I had been using a mixture of modest system cabling (DH Labs, Straightwire, Krell CAST) and decided to use cabling from the same manufacturer. I first changed the all the power cables on my preamp, amp, CD player, and QX4 to Nordost Brahma and again heard system dynamics and articulation improve. Next I changed the speaker cables to Nordost Frey and sonic improvements became still more pronounced. Next I changed the IC’s on my CD player to Nordost Valhalla and heard a significant improvement in resolution and articulation – I should have changed that first! Finally I changed the regular Krell CAST to MMF CAST and heard another incremental improvement. This year I incredulously had an opportunity to purchase a pair of Raidho Ayra C3.0 speakers, the very speakers I had heard and admired so much at the 2008 RMAF. I also decided to use a Lindemann preamp and amp with the Ayra’s because they work really well with Raidho speakers. The transformation is now complete – at least for the foreseeable future. My audio system has now moved to a new plateau of music reproduction. The solid system foundation allows me to easily hear even subtle differences in equipment and recordings. My audio system now reproduces music with a higher level of presence, timbre, coherence, resolution, articulation, authority, and great imaging I’ve previously not heard. The speakers literally disappear allowing me to focus on listening to the various instruments collaborating to create great music. I’m sure there are other audio systems setups in great listening rooms with even greater sonic realism, and I’m certain improvements can still be made to my audio system, particularly the cabling and digital front end. But I’m amazed by this experience and immensely enjoying reproduced music more than ever. I’ve been intently listening to music from my audio systems since I was a teenager, and since retiring on average five days a week, 3 - 4 hours a day. I receive immense pleasure from well reproduced music! So much so that I’ve found many “live” (amplified) musical events lacking the quality of the music I’m able to hear at home. I'm certainly enjoying my audio system!

lwhitefl March 11, 2010 20:45

Thanks Samhar - the arched windows aren't as much of a detriment to the sound as one might think, probably because the bottom of the window is 42" off the floor. But I agree, it's a difficult room because of the open floor plan with glass windows and doors everywhere. The room acoustic pieces I have in the room help considerably. Perhaps one day I'll get that dedicated listening room.

The X3.0's are internally wired with Nordost and the Raidho speakers I heard at RMAF sounded awesome with all Nordost cabling. Nordost cable is pricey, but the company has consistently been a R&D leader in cabling. And like you I've been able to buy from fellow Audiogon members which has made my system possible.

If you can find a dealer in your area that carries the Nordost product line, I urge you to consider giving Quantum QX4 a listen. It significantly increases the width and depth of the soundstage. HiFi+ gave it their 2008 Discovery award.

I've also been amazed at how much the Ti Pulsar Points increased articulation and tightened the sound in my audio system. The X3.0's use Cold Ray resonance control devices to effectively decouple the speakers from the floor as well.

I heard the Sophia's in an audio friends dedicated listening room last year and they sounded really good. It looks like you've put together a really good system in a short space of time and that you too are really enjoying music. I encourage you to pay close attention to your "system foundation" (including a dedicated electric line). I agree with HiFi+ - it will pay big dividends.

lwhitefl February 25, 2009 16:06

System edited: Major changes to my audio system since I attended RMAF last October 2008. At RMAF I attended a HiFi+ setup and tuning seminar emphasizing the importance of the "system foundation" to optimize audio performance in any system. This includes power supply conditioning, resonance control, and consistency in cables (all from same manufacturer). I heard Raidho speakers in the Nordost room at RMAF and thought they were one of the best speakers at the show. I now have a pair of Eben X3.0's I purchased on Audiogon. The system is still not broken in because I have just now completed all the system updates. But the coherence, articulation, timbre, imaging, and dynamic range of my newly updated system is a significant improvement. I'm enjoying music more than ever (SACD, RBCD) - now if I could only swing a dedicated listening room!

lwhitefl February 24, 2009 16:16