It has taken decades to collect and years to assemble but it's a very comfortable room that is full of memories and rocks well. Now that I'm retired I can more freely enjoy it!
These are where this current (final?)stage began. A wedding present to myself which started an unexpected journey. I was a Cornwall/K-horn guy for decades and still have a place in my heart for their sound!
Krell Solo 575 Monoblocks
Last addition: replaced a Krell FPB-600c built in 2001 which I got locally in 2012 and had recapped in 2014. Having been unsatisfied with a pair of mono-bridged Hafler XL 280's.and a Classe CA-400, they both clipped/blew tweeters, the Krell was the only amp that had enough power. Got a great deal on a local pair of demo monoblocks and didn't want to have be concerned any longer with the 600c's age, so resold it for about what I paid and jumped on these one year old demo's. Had the same pair of monoblocks here last winter for a side by side comparison with the 600c and these came out favorably. Surprisingly well when the Dominus Power Cables were added into the mix.
Classe CP-800
Pre-Amp
VPI Industries Classic 1
22lb aluminum platter on a 55 lb turntable.
Musical Fidelity M1 ViNL
MM / MC Phono Stage
Ortofon 2M Black
Their best MM cartridge with Shibata needle
Oppo Digital BDP-95
Blu-ray disc player
Purist Audio Design 1.5M Dominus power cables
Most notably added speed, clarity, dynamic range and overall extension (Pop!) particularly on the very bottom end.
These have been factory upgraded with the 72v packs and the new, solid silver spades at all ends. Except for being Blue and not Black, they are now essentially equivalent to Wel Signatures with the new, 100% silver spades added to all terminal ends.
When I was first initiated into high-end, I was placed in front of a set of B&W 801's and was not prepared for the rush I got. I wanted a set so bad but couldn't find any used (limited budget). I eventually found a set of Wilson Audio Witt II's I loved, but my wife thought they were too large, so I tried to downsize. I ended up selling them to an audio engineer who said he used 801's in the studio. He said if you want to wow people, use 801's. If you want accuracy, use Wilson.
