mike 60-- i aprreicate your kind words very much. you hit it spot on- the new focals are certainly speakers to be reckoned with- the sum of their strengthes exceeds and then some, their minor weaknesses, and leave everything i owned prior in th dust bin.
the vac gear is in a different class than all the previous solid state amp/pre combinations i had had in the past. they are so musical and tonaly correct it is scary! thank you again for your input.

ozy April 02, 2012 11:59

Agree with Mike60. I bought a lottery ticket last night and if i had won would have driven from the Bugatti dealership to VAC hq to buy the 450 monos.

podeschi April 01, 2012 01:09

I have not commented on anyone's system before now but felt compelled here. Your system is more or less what I would aspire to. I have heard a lot of high end speakers over the past 2 years and the new Focal range is an absolute stand out amongst them. Esoteric is definitely in the top few. Have not heard those model amps yet but like the brand very much. Outstanding system where each of your components are genuine performers (no urban myth, marketing hype type gear).

mike60 March 31, 2012 04:41

Great!!!

lloydelee21 March 04, 2012 22:43

thank you very much, lloyd. the search is on , and i'll definitely post my findings soon.and pictures too.

ozy March 04, 2012 22:18

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 11:04

Gary-- thank very much. you are too kind. the sound in my room is the most enjoyable to- date. the stella em spkrs match very well with the vac tubes and protray a very pallable & musical sound.

The diffusers are indeed fairly new from auralex--www.auralex.com--- made out of bamboo wood.affordable and effective.
keep in touch.
oded

ozy February 28, 2012 19:39

Hi Ozzy,

I have been following your progress, very well done. Excellent choice of equipment & treatments to the room.
I'm sure the sound is fantastic.

Are the new diffusers from GIK? & which ones?

Enjoy,

Gary

grr6001 February 28, 2012 18:49

thanks alot ,arnie,

have not deterimined yet which direction to settle on.
soon though ...
:-)

ozy February 28, 2012 13:24

Hi Ozy,

Beautiful room and system.

I see that you have listed your Esoteric Digital front end for sale. I am curious as to what you are replacing it with?

Thanks, Arnie

babybear February 23, 2012 14:57

lapierre--
initally i had switched from absorbtion to diffusion on point- of- first -reflection, only to settle for absorbtion. same for the front wall. everything was more focused with absorbtion in these two spots.
the secondary point of reflection is where the diffusion expanded the sound stage and made it more 3-d.
hence the abosrbtion/diffusion config.
mmmm.... only time will tell.... to be continued...:-)))

ozy January 11, 2012 13:06

Oz your first refection point has absorption panel then diffusor then absorption. Did you try different configurations before settling on the final pattern?

What's next on Ozy's HiFi roadmap?

lapierre January 11, 2012 03:48

Some great ones for sure, check out Carlos Montoya - Farruca

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cv2Fyjk0GGM&feature=related

Paco de lucia - flamenco Carlos Saura

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mf_bE5WMmd4&feature=related

Andres Segovia

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx9fPeaD_Ns&feature=related

to name a few

dev January 11, 2012 00:41

Thanks for the recommendations. They will be on my next Amazon order!

jazdoc January 10, 2012 16:10

jazdoc--

gladly--anything by paco dilucia, vincente amigo, & tomatito.

ozy January 10, 2012 13:24

Ozy -

Of course there are a lot of ways to audio heaven...glad you found the right path for you! ; - )

Could you recommend a few favorite flamenco recordings? I love the genre but don't own much of the music...

Best,

jazdoc January 10, 2012 00:22

jazdoc--

thanks alot!!... yes the room and this system have matured into a very musiclly -satisfying expereince.

i listen to smooth jazz, flamenco(quite an extensive collection of flamenco artist from all over), baroque classical( all the italian composers, in particular) and lately came across "the wailing jennys"- incrdible voices ,harmonies and music. their latest is a must!!!!
as for your "buy &hold" philosophy-- i tried it, but can't get rid of the "something different" bug :-)))))

ozy January 09, 2012 21:17

Amazing looking room and I'm sure it sounds better than it looks. Enjoy! What kind of music do you prefer? Any recent favorites?

Best,

jazdoc January 09, 2012 19:52

avtech007--

yes i did , and i prefer to have a dedicated preamp instead. using a dedicated preamp made the sound a lot more wholesome.

ozy January 09, 2012 13:10

Hi Ozy!
Did you compare the direct connection D-01s with power amps using internal D-01 volume control with your D-01/VAC/VAC?

avtech007 January 09, 2012 10:29

dev---
yes he did. good for him.
i agree, the vac sound is immensly special and enjoyable.

ozy December 13, 2011 13:07

Ozy,

did Cyrus already mention he has a pair on order to mate up with his Vac Sig pre and MBL's which he just recently got which replaced his Magico Q5's.

When I had gotten my Vac pre first I found it took some time to really open up, around 400+ hours so you are getting there.

I have approx 160 hours on the amps.

This Vac combo is just marvelous! My MBL's are just lovin them, my fav to date.

dev December 10, 2011 20:50

dev--
200+hours. they are getting better and better, and opening up! truly exceptional gear!

ozy December 10, 2011 12:59

Ozy, how many hours do you now have logged on your Vac gear.

Everything is good here and just enjoying!, getting lost within the music, endlessly smileing and catch my self on numerous occasions saying WOW!

dev December 10, 2011 00:17

please read the most recent "the absolute sound" review of the focal stella em, and their award of it as"speakers of the year 2011".
A very accurate and spot-on description of the stella em sound-
very balanced and tonally accurate thruout the frequencies, with musicallity that continues to evolve and mesmerize me again and again.

ozy December 09, 2011 15:35