this room and system is the result of 10 years in High End audio. my
system has been stable for a couple of years (except for transport and
amplifier upgrades within the same brand). the room has been in the
planning stage for about 18 months and i actually moved in a little over
a month ago.
my audio philosphy is to have the system get out
of the way of the event. i like as pure and simple a signal path as
possible and, at this point, prefer passive to active gain stages. i
love all the formats and enjoy having lot's of music.....vinyl is my
favorite but i listen to at least 60% digital. the new room really
reveals the benefits of SACD over redbook.
the system and room
truely allow the event to be recreated before me. i love the way the
speakers disappear and i am transported to another place/time.
i have choosen my cables, sources, amps, speakers to have as little of their own sound as possible.
recently, i upgraded my digtial transport from the modified Philips
SACD 1000 to the new emmlabs CDSD.....this was a significant step upward
in performance.
i have written an article in Positive Feedback regarding my room building experience.....here is a link;
new version of these cables, a big step over the amazing TRSC model i have used for 10 years. fantastic performance.
WADAX SA Reference DAC
Wadax Reference Dac----state of the art dac with 2 separate power supplies. the best dac i have heard by a good margin. below is a link to a thread about my Wadax experience.
Arya RevOpod isolation footer (32 used under the 5 Wadax Chassis).
height and tension adjustable. the Wadax dac, server, and server power supply chassis all use 8 footers, so it's critical to be able to adjust height and tension to have an even support for optimal performance. RevOpod's are unique in those attributes making them ideal for this use.
https://www.arya-audio.com/revopod
CS Port LFT1 turntable w/arm
air bearing platter and air bearing linear tracking arm; string drive with zero feedback dc motor, low pressure, low flow air system with zero noise air box.
world class musical flow, nuance and delicacy, combined with authority and ease. serves the music completely.
Esoteric T1 Turntable
magnetic drive/rim drive idler turntable with torque adjustment.
with the deletion of my NVS turntable, i was able to move the Taiko Tana active isolation shelf to under the Esoteric T1. this has upgraded the performance of the T1 significantly. objectively small changes, but musically quite profound up tics in realism and immersion. more nuance, greater music focus, better bass articulation.
https://www.esoteric.jp/en/product/t1/top
Esoteric G1X Master Clock
Master Clock Generator for speed improvement for the T1 turntable. significant improvement in music realism.
https://www.esoteric.jp/en/product/g1x/top
Durand --Tosca tonearm.
gimbal bearing design. Tosca is on the Esoteric T1 turntable
Primary Control 12" FCL tone arm
Field Coil Loaded uni-pivot tone arm. with power supply. mounted on the Esoteric T1 turntable. amazing natural and very high resolution tone arm. link below.
12 inch tonearm, stainless steel. used for the Sumile mono cartridge.
https://glanz.tech/e/collection/mh1200s1000s900s/
Experience Music/Intact Audio phono corrector + silver wound MC Trio SUT combo for three different tonearms.
bespoke tubed phono preamplifier. silver wound, with custom dual power supplies.
https://myemia.com/LR.html
LFD -3- Phono Cables DIN to RCA
3 sets of very high performance phono cables. amazing performance. built by Dr. Richard Bews in the UK.
one cable uses a DIN to RCA short Dongle + an RCA to RCA interconnect. the Dongle improves the performance of the DIN connection. details at the link below.
two Etsuro Golds, ---a pair of Reference MC Phono Cartridges.
duraluminim (A7075) body, 24 carat 'Kinpaku' Gold Leaf finish, diamond cantiliver. .3mv output, 4 ohms. these are both special versions of the Etsuro Gold.
one is mounted on the CS Port linear tracker.
one is mounted on the Primary Control FCL arm.
finest cartridge i have heard by a significant margin. WOW!
Audio Technica MC-2022 60th Anniversary cartridge
uses the unified stylus cantilever design. which results in extreme lack of distortion and linearity. remarkable neutrality and ability to dig out detail and keep it natural and musical.
https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/at-mc2022
Murasakino Sumile Mono phono cartridge
MC cartridge for mono records, .04mv output. tracking force 3gms. finest monaural cartridge i have heard. competes on musical refinement with the top stereo cartridges.
Ampex twin ATR-102----one 1/4" and one 1/2" reel to reel master recorder
hot rodded by ATR Service Inc----Andrew Kosobutsky. significant upgrades over stock. each interfacing with hot rodded Ampex MR-70 preamps. the new tape deck performance standard in my opinion.
active isolation under 5 separate components: (1) the NVS turntable, (2) the MSB dac, (3) the darTZeel preamp, (4 + 5) both darTZeel mono block amplifiers. custom modifications by Taiko Audio add a linear power supply plus panzerholtz top layer + Daiza platform to provide full frequency resonance attenuation to each platform.
Taiko Audio Daiza isolation platform--22 used in the system
Panzerholtz Platform with spiral cutouts reducing mid and high frequency resonance while retaining life and energy and not changing tonality.
22 Daiza platforms in the system of various sizes under every piece of the signal path.
Evolution Acoustics 'system' power cables
a new version of the TRPC model i used on my darTZeel 468 mono blocks for the last 10 years. a big step up.
Sablon Audio King power cord
used on the Wadax Reference Server power supply.
https://www.sablonaudio.com/power
Absolute Fidelity power interfaces
power cords specifically designed for either motors (tt and tape decks), amplifiers, and components. 11 in the system.
Tripoint Audio Troy Signature
Grounding box for chassis grounding the darTZeel 458 mono block amplifiers + grounding the passive main towers of the Evolution Acoustics MM7 speaker system.
Tripoint Audio Elite
Tripoint Elite grounding box. this does chassis grounding for my sources. it uses a a pair of Tripoint Thor SE Master Reference ground cables for my dart preamp and the MSB Select II dac. there are also 4 Signature Silver ground cables to the two arm boards of the NVS tt, the power supply of the NVS tt, and the SGM server.
Equi=tech 10WQ
10kva balanced Isoltion transformer and distribution panel.
Furutech GTX-D NCF Rhodium duplex outlets
10 in the system. used with 10 Furutech covers and frames. uses NCF (nano crystal formula) material to reduce noise by emitting negative ions.
Wave Kinetics A10 U8 decoupling footers
8 sets-of-4 in the system for individual tuning of each piece of gear.
Auralex T-Fusor diffusers
i use 20 of these. 6 each on the front side walls, and 4 each front ceiling and rear ceiling.
Klaudio Record Cleaning System
automatic record cleaner
Acoustic Revive RL-30 mKIII CD-LP demagnatizer
for demaging any disc.
Furutech DF-2 LP disc flattner
will remove warps from Lps
Audiodharma Cable Cooker, Anniversary Ed.
will cook any cables
Winds ALM-01 Stylus Force Gauge
easy accurate, repeatable, measurments.
i-Tower by Koncept LED floor lamp
(3) are used. best audio light ever. 2 'warm', 1 'cool'.
Quietrock THX 545 drywall
specialized drywall with a 1/4" metal layer. used in my front sidewalls to establish proper room boundaries.
everything sounds great so far. really looking forward to the pics. one thing that is too bad is the grill mounting. such a small thing, but I'd like to see more speaker manufacturers using magnets hidden underneath the finish to hold the grills on. i love the look of a speaker minus grill, and most audiophiles listen w/o the grills. i just like the cleaner look without mounting holes. glad to hear that they at least blend in with the finish.
. Mike, . I am happy for the way the VR9's seem to be shaping up. It's a great feeling to have that anticipation of one's system taking a nice jump forward. . Good luck and please keep us updated with as you roll through the break-in process. . Rgds, Larry .
VR9SE update; as of 4 days and about 150 hours (they burned them in about 60 hours at the factory before shipping).
Eric---the Manufacturer recommends a minimum of 30 days/24 hours a day breakin at relatively high volume. even then the subwoofer will require another month or so to breakin.
first, a few things i have learned. the VR9's completely disappear sonically.....no boxy sound, the sound seems completely apart from the enclosures.....even with relatively raw drivers. the VR9's seem to seamlessly integrate.....they are very coherent.....as the woofers breakin i expect the mid-bass integration to even improve.
that immediacy and viceral intimacy i had missed from my previous smaller room is back......the VR9's don't even break a sweat while pressurizing the room and really pulling me into the energy of the music.....yet at low volumes are still quite dynamic and able to do the frequency extremes.
the bass performance is astonishing by any standards. the drivers are still very tight so bass texture is not where it will end up yet.......my Kharmas took 5-6 months to attain their final bass performance in terms of bass microdynamics and texture. every day i hear a little more definition in the bass.
although the Kharma's are a more artisitic design than the VR9's.....in the black color the VR9 is a better speaker in my room as far as scale and mass.....it looks like it belongs. the whole feel of the speaker and it's sound seems to 'fit' right and sound 'correct' in the room.....i am happier than i expected to be with the 'look'. i must also say the that the build quality is about perfect.....the finish is flawless (as it should be for a $60k speaker) and the grills integrate perfectly but in the Piano Black color you don't see all the little 'grill mounting holes'.
are they as good at clarity and detail as the Kharma Midi Exquisites?
incomplete answer at best. if i were to predict my answer.....it would be that i will consider them equal but different when all is said and done in these two areas. it will come down to the different sound of the different drivers......the ceramic mid-range of the Kharma has more of a shimmer and hightened perception of texture and detail.....which i am use to and love.......but......the Aerogel mid-range driver of the VR9 is smoother and more closely resembles the real world. both seem to be equally open and un-veiled.
the Kharma mid-range is percieved by some to have a slight 'brightness' compared to neutral.......the VR9 mids are in contrast less detailed but maybe more neutral.
again, the tweeters are quite different......the Kharma's Diamond Tweeter seemed to have a prominence when i first tried it with the DarTZeel......as the Dart broke in the prominence was considerably reduced.....but there are no other ss amps that are as smooth as the Dart.......the tweeters (all three) on the VR9's are still kinda 'all-over-the-place'......but.....i have had brief views of tweeter heaven.
these views are kinda stabbs at this point based on my listening so far.......i reserve the right to change my mind as these beasts break-in.
at this point the speaker is a little different every time i listen. you have 6 drivers breaking in and lots of adjustments going on.....so far this speaker has a good chance to meet or exceed my highest expectations......but only time will tell.
congrats mike! and i think Wow! and holy shit are a great first impression :) can't wait for some new pics and some thoughts after break in. what does the manuf. recommend for break in?
Congrats on the latest acquisition, Mike. I'm certain the VR9s will be quite the adornment to an already handsome room. Can't wait to see some new photos.
Hey congrats Mike, they finally made it!! I know the VR9s will sound fantastic. Everytime I listen over at Hoopers place I still get an ear to ear grin. Happy listening! -Dan
soooo.....i went home at lunch and met the delivery truck....assisted getting the '500 pound' crates into my room.
it took about an hour to disassemble the crates....install the integral ramp system.....roll the speakers out onto my floor, remove the protective packaging.....and see that they actually fit rather nicely into the aesthetic of my room.
alas...duty calls...back to the salt mines.....at least knowing that the beasties are there ready and waiting for later....all unpacked and looking mean as hell.
well, I trust your "aurial memeory". another words if two speaker's performance are so close that you can't tell the difference unless you side by side, then I will say it comes to personal preference other than quality of the music. wish you the best.
I am still interested in what you think of VR9 VS Midi Exquisite.
Albert, thanks. yes, i do expect that the VR9'will be at home in my room.
Greg, thanks for the feedback from the NY show.
Blue, yes...the (my) VR9's are on a truck in Seattle and will be delivered sometime today.
some slightly bad news; i had to pack up the Midi Exquisites last night and they are awaiting pick-up today for delivery to a buyer. it would have been preferrable to have them both at the same time but listened to the Midi's last night and i'll listen to the (not broken in at all) VR9's tonite in the same room. i trust my aurial memeory at least that much for comparitive purposes.
hard for me to complain much.....i've had a pair of $75k SOTA loaners for 4 months...my dealer has been more than fair with me.
a head to head shootout with both after breakin of the VR9's would have been fun though.......
Mike, just based on a short listen at the NYC show, I give the vr9 my highest rating as a truly nuetral transducer. While hanging around the hotel room someone commented on the small room. they claimed to have chosen a small room "on purpose." That I doubt. This was to demonstrate the speakers could shine in a small room. Wrong! Happy listening!
atlien, i am a working guy.....i manage (not own) a medium size retail company (car dealership). i work 55+ hours/6 days a week. i have been with the same company for 24 years.
one reason i am an audiophile is that it works well with my job; i can listen at night or whenever.....i don't need big blocks of time.....and it also offers great stress relief.
it has taken 10 years of purchasing to put together my gear....most of my upgrading has been 'revenue neutral' for the last 5 years or so. the room project was budgeted into my recent home purchase (but THAT budget was well blown).
many audiophiles have more financial resources than myself but have decided not to devote as much ($$$'s) to the hobby. don't confuse an expensive system with financial stability.....they are two different things.
my wife has been amazingly understanding.....i just tell her that my investment in the hobby only means i'll be working a few more years (than i would otherwise have to) before i can retire (at a similar lifestyle). those kind of decisions are very personal and many would not agree with my choice.
when i proposed the new room project i promised my wife i would be revenue neutral for a few years......so far i have kept my word for 2 years.
i once asked Andy Payor (of Rockport) about his typical customer for his Sirius III tt......surprisingly he told me it was guys like me.....not filthy rich....but working guys that really wanted to have the best and were enthusiasts that actually used them daily.
I like the black, much nicer than the silver ones at Stereophile show in New York. Thanks for providing the link. Being the fan of black that I am, that's exactly how I would have ordered them.
Von Schweikert had pretty good sound in NYC for a hotel room. Your room may be the first place where these speakers have a chance to show what they can really do.
O.K. the damn things have actually shipped.....and i should have them next Thursday. i have been curious exactly how the VR9's would look in Piano Black. my opinion was that the silver color made them look quite industrial looking.....and i was hopeing that the Black would be less 'rough' looking. i just got pictures of my actual pair at the Von Schweikert factory and i am quite happy with their look. below is a link to the pictures.....the grills do look very nice also (although i'll listen with them off).
i am told they have gone with an all-black cone for the rear-firing subwoofer that looks more integrated and finished.....although the picture does not show that.
i am told that the VR9's will ship at the end of this week (friday). which means they will likely ship at the end of next week (everything they have told me has taken twice as long).
i do slightly prefer the Midi Exquisite's to my previous Exquisite 1D's. i listened to both the Midi Exquiste and VR9 at CES and the resolution issue was too close to call for me at that time.....you may be right. the diamond tweeter on the Midi is more prominent than the three tweeters on the VR9 and can indicate more detail.....although i think that the ribbon tweeter on the VR9 is just more natural sounding but reveals equal detail but possibly in a more coherent way.
unless i can actually compare both of these speakers side by side this issue cannot be settled. the fact that the VR9 was in such a small room in NYC would very likely cause at least some bass bloat and obscure mid-range detail compared to the Midi Exqusite that has much less bass energy to cause that same effect. in my room that won't be an issue.
i certainly don't take your comments personally.....especially from two different speakers at a show in different rooms with different amplifiers......and subjective opinions are just that. i appreciate your feedback and that you went to the trouble to share your viewpoint. i hope it works out that i CAN compare them side by side.
the only way to get the answer is side by side listening in the same room with the same amps. i am still open to the possibility that a head to head between these speakers might result in my preferring the Midi......ya gotta listen.
i agree the DarTZeel sounds better to my ears than the Lamm M1.2.
Hi Mike I finally did listen to both VR9 and Midi exquisite at HE show. base on my limited experience, overall I have found that Midi exquisite have more natural presentation, eventhough the bass is little weaker than VR9, but midi does have slightly better resolution than VR9s to my ear. they both are in the same league, as you previouly own the exquisite I would like to know Do you think the new midi overall better than your previous exquisite?
well, I also found the Dartzeel are better than Lamm M1.2.
I think they have different presention. so it is more like apple and orange thing. Just wondering why you decide to pick up the VR9s. are you sure you won't regret?
this is base on my very limited experience with both speakers. please don't take personal.
For 60K list, this must be as painful a wait for you as for the rest of us ! I think you could probably get a Ferrari quicker ? At least you have those Exquisites to keep you amused while waiting.
Larry; this past year i was in Orlando in September for a Convention and last week i was in Ponta Verda for a dealer meeting (last spring i also was in Key Largo).....there are no South Florida trips planned over the next few years that i know of (the meetings are rotated around the country every year).
my business trips are typically day and night affairs (meetings during the day and long dinners at night---which i hate---i'm always the first to leave). if i do travel to South Florida i'll let you know. a visit to a kindred spirit would certainly make the drudgery of the travel much more inviting.
i use to enjoy business trips but not any more......no music, no chair, no peace, gain weight, jet lag, get behind. as i get older i seem to appreciate the little things in life more.
