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.
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!
