All good here too, Ozy. Thanks. Enjoy the music!

lloydelee21 March 14, 2015 11:13

Hey Ozy,

Just a note to say hi, and thanks for your inspirational thread here. I just picked up a Burmester 948 Power Conditioner (2nd hand), and am really enjoying it. Much better (for me) than my Nordost Thor and Transparent Audio power conditioner which i used to use.

Hope you are continuing to enjoy your tremendous system.

lloydelee21 March 02, 2015 16:34

Hey BFlowers - congrats! I have heard the Vivaldi...I really like it. I had considered trading in the Zanden for a Scarlatti full stack and passed in the end, preferring my full Zanden stack which I've tweaked to the nth degree. But the Vivaldi represents for me a different generation/leap that really does combine organics with dynamics and detail. Enjoy!!!

lloydelee21 December 18, 2013 01:12

Hi Ozy,

Thanks. I have heard quieter...but that guy actually separated the flooring in his own living room. The section of flooring which holds his equipment is specially poured concrete and totally isolated from the rest of the living room floor. Plus, he uses Halcyonics platforms under everything. Now THAT was a quiet noise floor!

lloydelee21 June 08, 2013 09:34

Hi Ozy,

That is good to know (that you prefer HRS bases to Stillpoints Ultra 5s). I own both but use them in different ways. After some experimentation, I found I like 'isolation sandwiches' for each of my components...probably due to my floor in some ways (wood over suspended concrete slab) but also my components.

- Electronics - HRS M3 or 3 HRS nimbus/couplers underneath plus HRS damping plate/ARtesania damping plate or Ultra 5 on TOP...in some cases more than 1...even up to 4-5.

That is 4 'sandwiches' for each of the Zanden boxes, 1 for preamp, etc. Fortunately, everything still fits neatly within equipment rack.

- Amp - Auralex isolation platform underneath and ARtesania damper on top with 20kg (45 pounds) of dense weight on top of the damper

- Speakers - 8 Ultra 5s in place of spikes
- Subwoofer - Auralex isolation platform under and 3 Ultra 5s on top...with 28kg (60lbs) of weight on top of the Ultra 5s.

The tightness, solidity of sound is stunningly better, but the tonality has never changed and if anyting with the intensity of the note being stronger, so too has the intensity of the 'tonal sweetness' increased which is beautiful. My two cents.

Fortunately, I got nearly all of my HRS stuff 2nd hand...and since it is rare to find Ultra 5s second hand...I am kinda glad to hear about your conclusions preferring HRS! Nevertheless, for the Wilson X1s, Ultra 5s are the only tonally neutral solution I am aware of besides Magico QPods due to the weight. I've heard great things about Harmonix but understand they will alter the sound.

lloydelee21 June 08, 2013 02:56

Hi Ozy...cool stuff! two power conditioners! and both SOTA! Have you compared them? Just curious if you had to get one to drive the whole front end other than amps...which would it be?

lloydelee21 April 10, 2013 15:27

Thanks Podeschi...i've been fortunate to find everything second-hand...took a long time and a lot of discipline. In any event, will try to listen to Audience next time i get the chance...have heard excellent things about their PLCs.

lloydelee21 June 02, 2012 09:14

Hi Podeschi,

Interesting and good to know...I run my GAT thru Transparent Audio Ref Power conditioner...personally, i am not sure it is the best power conditioner for the money out there...but it is very good, and i know the dealer here extremely well and got a very good deal. I very much like Transp Audio cables and run mainly their XL series cables, and just got XL MM2 speaker cables that were calibrated to my current equipment.

AS for the rest of my system (Wilson X1/Grand Slamms, Gryphon Colosseum and Zanden digital)...it is very very lower noise floor, exceptional detail but voiced with what (i think) is an emphasis on purity of tonality rather than an emphasis on that last bit of detail. Thanks to Zanden, it is also quite 'nuanced' relative to some more forward digital presentations which are also more detailed (DCS Scarlatti). just my own personal preference.

As for power conditioners, if you get a chance, try Tripoint...absurdly expensive, but exceptionally good. I also quite like the Nordost Qx4 which i also have in my system.

lloydelee21 June 02, 2012 02:30

Podeschi

Wow...thanks for taking the time to write that one...a good read. I have been enjoying my GAT and have no desire to actively look...but it is always good to know what is worth listening to when i get the chance. I drive mine with a Gryphon Colosseum amp (which Ozy will know well)...I will keep my eye out for VAC when i am traveling and can pop into a high end store. Enjoy! Sounds like a winner!

lloydelee21 June 01, 2012 16:22

Hi Podeschi,

Would appreciate any impressions you have of GAT v VAC. Is 450S an integrated for a stereo amp only. If the latter, what Preamp will you be using? Thanks! Congrats!

lloydelee21 May 29, 2012 00:27

Thanks Ozy! Enjoy! I am going to look up the Accuphase now as well! Congrats!

lloydelee21 April 23, 2012 00:16

Congrats, Ozy!!! That is great! Look forward when you get a chance to some more insight into how the new digital compares to your old digital.

Enjoy!!!

lloydelee21 April 21, 2012 07:51

Hi Ozy,

Any update on your search for new SOTA digital? Thanks and hope you are continuing to enjoy your tremendous system!

lloydelee21 April 07, 2012 04:08

Great!!!

lloydelee21 March 04, 2012 14:43

Hi Oded,

When a guy with your system puts his digital on the market (and his digital is the ultimate Esoteric system)...you have to watch this space!!!!!!!!!! and see what replaces it! I have some of my own thoughts...look forward to finding out where you go from here! Pls keep us all posted!

lloydelee21 March 04, 2012 03:04

Wow!!! Great system! Enjoy! Have you compared the P-01 to other transports? That is the remaining link in my system i refuse to upgrade until i find the right solution. I use Zanden Digital (and yes, i know the transport is legendary...so is the s/hand price. i am waiting...) But in the meantime. if you have other units you've come across that are competitive with P-01, i'll check them out. thanks for any advice!!

lloydelee21 August 11, 2011 23:59