Sound Lab A3 PX electrostatic speakers, Ayon CD35 player, TRL Dude preamplifier, CAT JL1 Signature Monoblock Amplifiers, Wireworld solid core silver interconnects,speaker wires,power cables, 28 quadratic diffusers, dense lime stone stands under all componets, Sound of Eden brass footers under all components, Tripoint Troy ground unit and PS Audio P20 power conditioner.
Well I have gone all tubes. Can't seem to do without their sound. I bought the Convergent Audio Technology JL1 mono block amps. I guess you learn something every day. I am going to take some new pics of the room. I have done a lot of work to the room.
Dave, I can say if the amp you listened to was not broken in with at least 300 hours you have not heard what they can do. I have never been so happy with amps until now. And yes Henry is very cool.
Yes Shadorne ,Gordon Holt loved these speakers. I had Sound Labs about 20 years ago. Today Sound Lab speakers have made huge strides over the older designs. Newly designed frames and transformers have made them just about perfect. Thanks for the compliment. Advances in amp design and cables and DACs have really upped the game.
Hey Agear how are you? I am not sure what you mean? Lissnr and I both owned the GT200 mono blocks but I sold mine to get the new ones I have now. He has the Apogees and the GT200s and loves them very much. I was just wondering how it was sounding. My new amps and DAC are making me VERY happy.I changed to new amps that are class D. They are made by H2O Audio. I have the special edition versions. Also I have upgraded to Ayon Skyla 2 DAC. And ALL my wiring is WireWorld. Power Cables,Interconnects ,speaker cables.I need to get pictures of the new setup. It is quite different from before.
If the speaker brings you pleasure then that is all that matters. Sometimes I think so called Audiophiles forget to just enjoy the music. There is no perfect reproduction. My goal is to get lost in the music. I know I need more music and less HI-FI. Nice chatting.
Wire World. These speakers tell on the condition of the AC supply in the neighborhood. Wire Worlds power cables have amazing ability negate the dirt in the AC. Also the silver cables will only help to restore the lost tones in the music. These speakers inspire me to do the best cabling I can afford. I believe that the hybrid Logans have finally succeeded in blending the two drivers. Now I am experiencing best of both worlds. I played Aaron Copeland's Billy the Kid Suite on the Telarc lable performed by Eric Kunzel and the Cincinnati Orchestra. I have heard this dozens of times. The Summits X's have recreated this cd better than any speaker I have owned.
Yes I will be honest if I could not have them 4'6" from the back wall and 6'6" from the side walls I would not be able to make the transition between bass and the panels seamless.But since I am able, it sounds like one panel only. Let me correct that. It does not sound like anything but the music I am playing. I have them on tip toes on top of 276 pounds of Ohio lime stone. This helps ANY speaker be tighter and less boomy.Next step is new cabling.
Yes I can tell you they are very realistic and make you want to listen very often. One acid test they have passed over and over is when woman that are not audiophiles listen and get a giant grin. It is definitely worth matching them with quality equipment.
I live in Columbus and there used to be a store on OSU campus called Progressive Audio. They carried Martin Logan and I was able to listen to them on several occasions. You need to know that I have had Magnetic Planers (Magnepan 20.1 and 3.6 both) And also electrostats (Soudlab A1). The problem with Magnepan was beaming and lack of bass. No matter how transparent they were they could not do a large variety of music as well as I would like. The Sound Labs were vary convincing but "highs" were rolled off the the bass did not have the articulation that I wanted. Once again "micro dynamics" were lacking and "macro dynamics" were also a challenge with Sound Labs. Both speakers were fun but in the long run there was something missing. But to answer your question yes Kirk encouraged me when I told him I was considering the Summit X. I can say without any reservations the Summit X speakers are the best sounding I have ever had in my room. Also with Tube Research Labs amps and preamps powering these speakers, it is something you have to hear to believe.
I will have to do some research on Sanders. I can tell you this Agear, these speakers have a magical emotion to them. And they are easy on this old mans ears.
With solid state amplifiers I am afraid you are right. I had Krell 650 monos and when I got the Utopias it was as you say, mids on up were very thin, schrill and not very musical. Still I was not convinced it was the speakers problem. I bought the Tube Research Labs pre-amp called the Dude and realized that I had a headroom problem with the former pre-amp.The former pre-amp being BAT VK 150SE. This sounds crazy because Krells have a reputation for extraordinary bass. As soon as I added the TRL monos there was an incredible transformation. Then came along the nova Utopia BE. This is the most compelling sound I have ever been able to come up with. Many of my friends that are discriminating audiophiles say they have never heard the Nova Utopia BE sound so beautiful. I am probably not telling you anything you don't already know but system matching is everything. Contrary to what some may say Nova Utopias are very hard to drive properly. Also is took at least 6 months for the tweeter and mid driver to settle. My theory is extremely stiff tweeters take a long, long time to break in. My guess almost no one gets to hear Utopias sound like they eventually will when auditioning at stores. I almost sold the Utopias at first but when I finally got properly matched electronics, they are the best sound I have ever come across.
System edited: Recently added the Marantz UD 7007 Blu-ray player. Picture quality is spectacular. The sound as a universal player is quite good for the money.
He has not mentioned it lately. At one time he had. I wish he could hear what his amps sound like with the Nova Utopias. The 18 RPG diffusors also rid the room of invasive comb filtering, slap echo etc. Any way you look at it, the sound is a lot of fun. Your system looks cool as well.
I installed the Duelands after I had the amps for a while. Paul encouraged me to change them. Once I did it took 2 or 3 hundred hours for the caps to fully break in. I guess there is a lot of copper in those caps. The improvement was pretty obvious. Very open smooth and dynamic. A lot of people do not give the caps enough time to break in. They are worth the wait.
Pauls' solid core cables just made the Dude that more remarkable. The Dude and the GT200s are a stunning combination. I have been searching for years for this kind of sound and I finally have it and it will stay in my system. I have had the Krell ST100 amp, KSA250, KSA300S , FPB600, and Krell FPB monoblocks. The GT200 just smoked them. The GT200 are the most powerful, most musical,fast, dynamic amps I have ever had the pleasure to experience.
System edited: Well here we go again. I have found a better DAC than Accustic Arts DAC1 Mark4. Of course it is the Accustic Arts Tube DAC. Very true natural sound. It is still very dynamic with great layering on the sound stage. What is added is the human voices are dead on. Drums ,horns, harmonica,elctric guitar still have an attack you are used to hearing live or in person. But what is a really strong point is there is no fatigue while listening. I keep thinking this is the way I here music when I am there in person.Both DACs are great you can't go wrong with either!
System edited: KT150 Valves arrived yesterday I will give feedback on them as soon as they break in. Also the new GT200 amps by Tube Research Labs are finally breaking in.I am preparing a detailed review.Stay tuned.
Take a voltmeter to your wall outlet and set it to DC and see what your reading is. Inductive motors in compressors for AC and also freezers introduce DC into your power at your house. Motors in turntables and CD players don't like ANY DC. Also digital devices don't like DC either.I measured .697 volts DC at my outlet
Very quiet.I cannot hear them at all. These amps are special. I have to say. Because of the Duelind caps it will be a while before I can fully realize their potential.
Krell KRC HR pre-amp Krell KST 100 power amp KSA 150 power amp KSA 250 power amp KSA 300S power amp FPB 600 power amp FPB 650 Mono blocks
All these amps were powered by dedicated outlets with 30 amp breakers for each. 20 amp power cords by Purist Audio Design ($3000) each...... the Dominus series. The FPB 650 mono amps powered Magnepan 20.1 speakers, Sound Lab A1 speakers, and currently owned JM Labs Focal Utopia speakers. When I got the Tube Research Labs GT200 amps they made the Krell 650 monoblocks sound like they were broken. They smoked the Krells. I have had the Gt200 for over a year now and guess what they still smoke the monoblocks by Krell. The bass that Krell is known for was beaten easily by the GT200s The mids were a slap in the face to the Krells. The highs from the GT200s were pristine and extended, like no other tube amp I have heard. I have had many Krell amps and I do believe I know how to set them up and there was NO comparison. The dynamics of the TRL GT200 monos is astounding. I have personally endorsed Krells for years, sorry no comparison. TRL all the way baby!
System edited: Well it won't be long when the super amps will arrive. I posted a small section of the amp. Shown is the top with the meter and bias knob showing.
Hey Shade_of_Pale sorry I did not get back to you sooner. The 18 Primitive Root Diffuser panels in the room have many effects on the sound, thus better quality of sound from system. The most noticeable improvement for me is better textures or tones. Next is more ambiance without being forced or strained. And one of the things that is lowered is slap echo. By diffusing the first reflections I get more stable imaging and less feeling you are in a room. Highs are smoother but not rolled off. The sound is just plain musical. I hope this answers your question.Oh and also mine are 7" deep (more effective).
The new Dueland caps are too large for my old design.The new transformers are quiter and better power caps. Also teflon tube sockets ( better cooling and tighter grip. Also cosmetic looks are better.
The current ones are fixed at 2 NFB. The new ones will be selectable with the choice of 0, 2, and 3 NFB. It will be very interesting to see which settng will be the most desireable for me. The Dueland caps are starting (and I mean JUST starting) to get broken in. The really exciting thing is how poorly recorded music now seems to have more texture and less grain. I am now able to raise the volume and not get that listener fatigue.
Paul typically custom designs transformers extra ordinarily quiet and 3 times larger than needed.The headroom is something else. Once you hear music with this kind of power you realize how compressed the sound was before.You have to remember amps such as Krell and the likes STILL send the music through small traces on a circuit board. Have you ever seen traces on a circuit board burnt in half? Look at how amps are supplied power. Huge power cables and then passed through a small trace of lead wire to protect it. Same principle with the music signal, much is lost. Paul protects the amps with a circuit breaker. How much better than a thin piece of lead is that for current supply? Yes they are heavy and well built. My Dude and GT200 are better than anything I have ever encountered.
Agear,since I got the Dude and the TRL GT200's it has been a very rewarding time. My JM Labs Utopia speakers proved to be a hard load for the Krell FPB 650 mono blocks to drive. The GT200s smoked the Krells. They obliterated all the notions I had about tube amps.I truly am having the best of BOTH worlds.The audio fans need to give themselves a chance to hear these gems. Happy listening!
Jeffry and Vassilis, it was fun having you guys over last night. The new solid core power cable on the Dude has made an even larger improvement. I look forward to our next session.
Jeff it was a pleasure meeting you and I can tell that you are a great lover of music.I hope we stay in touch and trade knowledge of music. If you call Paul and tell him you listened to his recording he will give you several copies of classical at a price you can't resist.By the way I need your personal E-mail address so that I can get a hold of you.When I click on a persons Audiogon handle I can no longer get a hold of them (progress right?)
Thanks Kirk, I will update the system since I have bought a new Pioneer VT30 65" 3D plasma TV. I want to update the system pictures but the Audiogon sight won't let me. It keeps saying I have no system saved. I also have some new pictures of the new GT200's I am having built by Tube Research Labs. Those things look fantastic. If you would like I can send you some pictures. I know you had the 400's. Take care!
That is exciting Grannyring. The interconnect was such an improvement that I can hardly wait to hear what the power cables will add to the already wonderful sound! My brain just never gets over how real it all sounds. I guess when you get to that point don't change it!
I finally got the last pair of the solid core copper interconnects. They are a a balanced set with Bochino ends. This step got rid of the last stranded cable from the signal side! I am still being surprised (pleasantly), of how good it can get! I now dream of solid core copper power cables. The Tube Reaserch Labs amps and preamps have changed the way I enjoy music. My home is open to anyone that wants to hear what great amps Tube Reasearch Labs have provided. Paul Weitzel of TRL made the solid core cables and boy what a giant improvement in sonics! Thanks Paul!
Yes I have! The Synergistic Research MIGs seem to work flawlessly. What is nice is you can turn them over for a slighty diffferent character. Next I want to try different footers (heavier) under the Tripoint Troy. I have heard that the sound stage expands!
Thanks Glenfihi! I bet that Teac reel to reel sounds sweet. I am thinking of finding a reel to reel to add to the system. Also maybe a sacd player. Tube Research Labs amps are unusual in that they have the best of both worlds (solid state and tube).
The TRL web site pictures are VERY outdated. My facepalate is typical of his current design. The Dude has been improved and has your choice of silver,gold, black, blue, red, you name it. If you call Tube Research Labs Paul Weitzel will be glad to inform you of all options. My version is fully balanced and sounds incredible. I have had the BAT VK51SE and Krell KRC HR, and the Sonic Frontiers Line3SE. All of those sounded broken in comparison to the Dude.
The termites were starting to be a problem. The chairs help when we switch listening spots. Two songs of your choice in the sweet spot and then move to the right. The pics were taken by a friend Tim Ritter a professional photographer. His site is on the internet, it is ...... TimRitterphotography.com.
I have previously owned the Krell KSA 300S, Krell KSA 250,the Krell FPB 600 stereo amp, Krell FPB 650 mono blocks. These amps have powered the likes of Magnepan 20.1 speakers,Sound Lab M1 electrostats, and JM Labs Utopia speakers! All were fast, dynamic, revealing, very nice. Then I got the Tube Research Labs GT200 mono blocks. These have the KT120 tubes. The KT120's put out about 60 watts each. So the GT 200's are really GT 240's as far as power output in triode. They tromped my 650's. In every way. Not by a small margin but stomped them. My audiophile friends all say my current system is the best it has ever been. Even if that were not the case I can tell you I LOVE the TRL and will keep them a long long time.
Just added new cables of solid core copper from Tube Research Labs. Once again I am amazed. Bravo Paul!!!These cables are speaker cables and wow what a delight.
I could always hear slap echo and when I installed the treatment, I owned Magnepan speakers, and they recomended absorbers behind them. I choose diffusors instead. This allowed greater sound levels and give the illusion that you are not in a room.
Here is a recent few I have bought and find they have an outstanding sound quality and performance.
Jack Johnson -In between dreams Sade - The ultimate collection (really good!) The Cars - Move like this (it is like they never stopped) Doobie Brothers - World Gone Crazy (I likey) Paul Simon - So Beautiful or So What (High Rez)
I can't seem to find music fast enough now that the system is kickin it!
Thanks Grannyring. These amps do spoil you. When I listen to other systems at the shows I find myself wondering why these high end manufacturers don't get it. I guess if they built something like Tube Research they couldn't come up with a new model every so many years. Once you designed the best whats next?
Thanks Andrew! These things bring tears to my eyes. I'm not kidding! What a blast! This is how it is supposed to be. Like a kid in a candy store. The longer I have them the more I want to listen to them. When was the last time you made an upgrade that eventually did not get old?
The stands are 5 inches thick and are 27" by 27". The stone supplier calculated them to weigh 250 pounds each. They are made of Ohio limestone and do a good job of decoupling the speakers from the floor. Also they suck the cabinet resonance or mechanicaly ground the cabinets to the stone. The speakers are on tip toes designed by JM Labs. Dialing in the sweet spot was more difficult than I had hoped. Originally the speakers had a wooden plate on the bottom so I would just slide them around on the stone experimenting with the toe. When I got them close to being dialed I then put on the spikes. The bass drivers are so fast you cannot see them move!
I have read about the Utopia in Stereophile. For years now I have heard that it is as close to a panel in regards to speed as a dynamic speaker can get. Also that the bass is very tunefull..articulate. I listen to a lot of classical and piano in particular. I wanted more dynamics. I found that on some music the Sound Labs needed to be louder than I liked to sound real, or close, you know what I mean. Now I can listen at much lower volumes and still get great detail. These things layer so deep it is uncanny.The imaging of musicians is most solid. A friend got a good deal on these and loved them but could not hold on to them so I took the leep. As far as favorite music I would like to know ones that move you.... you know discs that you cant get enough of because the performance is so touching. Some of my favorite discs are not always the best engineered.
System edited: Recently changed speakers. Were sound labs, now JM Lab Utopia!I did not think I could go from a panel back to a dynamic speaker. I was wrong!
Kevinzoe, just wanted to say that I saw your room and I bet it sounds great.I would like to take sound measurements of my room someday and see how it pans out. Have you ever measured yours? If you don't mind, would you say what your top 5 cds are? Take care.
The trees when removed takes away a little focus. Technically it should not make an improvement but it does!I find it hard to believe the wavy stands by Shakti (i believe they are Holograms or something)make a difference but some people swear by them. I have not heard them nor will I because of the price. The bass tube traps are not visible by the photos but are in the corners behind the trees. At times I have removed the trees and put in another room. I don't like it without them.My Audiophile friends agree. I use a heavy decoratvie carpet on the back well since it is right behind my head. No diffusors on the back wall,...too close. And no I am not offended by thinking or questions froms friends. Thanks for the interest!!
Hey thanks Kevinzoe!The picture of the chair is decieving as I don't listen in that chair. There is one in each corner and they are hardly used.The couch sits in the sweet spot and the diffusors that are near the chairs are about 12 feet from the right and left ear while sitting in the center of the couch.This works pretty well. And yes I spent many hours listening and deciding if the sound was better or worse. The Accustic Arts Dac 1 MK4 is very nice. I have heard a lot of dacs and I have got to say the sound is just what I like, high resolution with a lot of meat and air all at the same time. I have the Synergistic Research Migs under for the feet and Purist Audio Design power cable and interconnects and the Tripoint Troy (new technology) grounding the dac and all other components. The sound treatments bring the system to a level that is just not possible otherwise. Even the trees are ther for random diffusion. Thanks for the suggestion, always looking for new and better ideas. Do you have any pictures of your room? Regards Doug or oops,Booboo's Den
The multiple diffusors diffuse the sound in 180 degrees. I have found that by not having hard walls directly sending the sound waves back at you ,that there is a time delay that fools the ears to believe there are no walls or boundries of a listening room. That allows the recording enviroment to be more believably reproduced. This also keeps the rear energy of the electrostats from having cancelation issues. Some may debate my theory but the sound speaks for itself. Also the diffusors don't change the pitch of sound. This helps with linear response.
