Building out *my* ultimate system.
[Update January 2022]
Now using iPad Pro M1 with Amazon HD Music as main source
Installed custom stands into my fireplace of the new house finally
Also 10-2 20 Amp dedicated circuits for the AMPS going to AudioQuest plugs that I had to relocate to avoid longer power cords.
NOS Tele EL34s still the obvious best, but are over $2k per reload on the AirTight ATM3s. Tried a couple other tube choices over the years, but if you have the money, NOS Teles totally worth it.
Added Wavelength Crimson 24/96 Async DAC in 2015... nice, but not a huge upgrade over the original 24/48 Cosecant. A little more detail on 96k music, but I find the cosecant has a little more natural air.
Everything continues to perform in stellar fashion...
I did add some thermo fans in the custom fireplace stands... they keep heat at bay, but further destroy low-volume dynamics... this system is still a mid+ volume system for me..
Note, I tried the room (and installed amp circuits) in the other direction first... the room sound SUCKED although sounded great on the other side of the loft in the family room after boucning lol... the fireplace seems to isolate vibration and create a great sound stage
[Update January 2008]
After 1 year with no changes, I couldn't be happier with my system.
Currently using a mac-mini with a 7" XENARC 700TSV touchscreen as my transport. I also find realVNC remote desktop client very useful to control the system from my laptop while in our new seating system.
The Anniversarios are spectacular. I also went with a completely new matched set of Telefunkin EL34's from Brian and the analogroom - these have ended my maintanance nightmare re the amazing AirTight ATM-3 monos which were blowing tubes every month. It has now been 9 months of absolutely perfect operation on a daily basis.
I still cant say enough about the wavelength dac...
I have decided that I am after all pretty happy with the Supratek Chardonnay. There are some tradeoffs in my system, but overall I can listen to the music for longer periods and feel it creates, in general, more realistic soundstaging. At slight expense to my view on bass and on recording venues that are prone to 'reverb','echos'.
I have now seperated this system from the rest of the home theater and run that with a seperate touch screen and shuttle PC plus Onkyo 7 channel amp and 10 orb-audio orbs plus a sub. This way, the wife and inlaws can easily watch tv/dvds and i can easily turn the living room into a jazz venue or concert hall.
It is interesting to note, that it was much easier to just use the mac mini plus itunes as a dedicated audio player than to deal with windows MCE and ASIO drivers for windows.
[end update]
Currently driven by a shuttle running J Rivers Media Center with a touch screen.
My new Mac Mini Duo (dual Intel core) just arrived and might end up being the mainstay...
Just received my new Anniversarios and breaking them in now - I am *really* happy even as they break in!
Already sounds even much more beautiful than with my old Energy Pro Monitors.
Anniversarios are coherent top to bottom, but me in the music, and have great detail!
I have not tube rolled yet.
Interesting to note that the cosecant sounds beautiful when setup properly - compared directly to my old toshiba 6200, it lacks the attack 'snap' (at least in my system), but has a beautiful 'being there' decay. Makes the toshiba sound like the notes are too short.
The Amatis seem faster then my old energy's which improve the slight attack rolloff that seems to be the only negative of the cosecant...