This system, with 60 comments, is already up under my old Audiogon moniker - Fplanner2000. I've had to duplicate it since they wouldn't let me attach it to my new moniker - fplanner2010.
I started this hobby about 8 years ago and have subsequently gone a bit nuts turning my living room into a pretty nice 2-channel and HT setup. When I first posted this system on 10-4-06, it didn't have very much of what is currently there now. (Actually, all that remains are the Gray conditioner, the sub and Sunfire amp!!)
I have done all the upgrades I had been contemplating 3 years ago (plus a number of others for various reasons), and the dogs have been surprisingly cooperative in not taking out any tubes. With the latest addition of the APL Super-DAC prototype, I am pretty much exactly where I had hoped to be when I started this 8 years ago. FINALLY!!
I'd like to thank all my friends and acquaintances here on Audiogon for your help and guidance along the way. I never would have gotten this far this quickly without your help, suggestions and shared wisdom. I am totally appreciative.
I don't anticipate any more changes anytime real soon, but in this hobby, you really NEVER KNOW!! I'm going to CES in 3 weeks, so we'll see what happens. I'm definitely interested in exploring computer integration and would love to have my 1000+ CDs on a big hard-drive, but we'll see....
Valve Amplification Company VAC Statement 450 Monoblocks
WOW. Not broken in yet
Valve Amplification Company Signature IIa Preamp
Added 7308's 2/12 replacing noisy 6dj8's - incredible soundstage and sonic extension. Unbelievable!!
Esoteric/APL 32-bit NWO-M Transport/DAC
SOTA digital. 20 2nd generation 32-bit AKM DACs/side, double tube Class-A output stage, 96/211 upsampler, etc.
Von Schweikert Audio VR-7SE w/Mk 2 upgrade
Total internal re-wire w/Delphi wire, new mid-range drivers and V-Cap bypass mods to mids, tweets and super-tweets.
Pro ELITE 70 inch LCD w/full Local Dimming
Product of a 2.5 yr project between Pioneer and Sharp engineers to build the BEST in the world w/o economic constraints. Came out several months ago in 60" and 70"; 2 yr 3 mo. factory wty. Expensive but amazing so far. Goes FAR beyond Sony XBR, my prior reference, in many noticeable areas.
Oppo BDP-95
Video processing to 3D plus all latest Audio Codecs
Integra DHC-80.2 HD Processor
All the latest codecs for movies.
Velodyne DD-15+ Subwoofer
A nice upgrade from the prior DD-15
Synergistic Research TESLA Reference Subwoofer cables(2)
Best I've ever had on my sub.
Synergistic Research Galileo Speaker Cells
Speaker tweeker - really opens up the speakers for an even more organic and visceral "you are there" presentation. A pleasant surprise.
Synergistic Research Element Series C-T-S ics
Copper-Tungsten-Silver 1m rca ICs between APL and preamp. Increased clarity, deeper and wider soundstage, better imaging and focus.
Synergistic Research Apex Tesla ICs & bi-wire Spkr cable
A revelation for my system
Synergistic Research Precision Reference XLR ICs
Perfect between Preamp and amps. Tried pure silver, but lost the body of the Prec Ref.
Synergistic Research 3 Hologram A and 2 Hologram D PCs
Improved dynamics and imaging. A's on both amps and preamp.
Synergistic Research D-3 Digital IC cable
Best digital cable from Transport to DAC I have found at any price.
Acrolink Mexcel Digital BNC
Great digital cable for the clock - made for Esoteric.
Legacy Audio Focus 20/20 rear speakers
Full range and great for movies
Legacy Audio Silver Screen Center speaker
Blends really well with the VSA fronts
Magnum Dynalab MD-108T Triode tuner
Best tuner I've found. Replaced a Sansui modded 9900, which I still have.
Finite Elemente Cerapucs under UX-1 & Preamp
Tightens up the presentation.
Digital Systems Ultrabit Platinum Disc Treatment
The best I've found to help my CDs sound their best and remove scratches.
What I discovered was that the way I have the connections set up, even though the sub supposedly wouldn't cross below 40hz, my main speakers can still go down to 18hz. This happens because I am feeding both the sub and the amps from my preamp outputs. Therefore, with judicious use of the sub's volume control, I am able to get exactly the bottom end I am after.
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 :-)
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.
