Hi Khrys, .. just tripped into your Virtual System. Very, very nice rig. Let me add my compliments to the others -- I love the rig, the aesthetic and the piano. I have two questions about your rig and set up experience. Your advice would be much appreciated.

The first Q pertains to your experience with Kimber cables. It seems like you are drinking the Kimber Kool_Aid. There's currently a Forum thread running now in which members are posting comments about the interaction of speaker cable capacitance and amps. As a result of blind reliance on a dealer several years ago, I bought Kimber speaker cables (8PRs) and I/Cs (Heros) for my rig. Take a look at my system description to get a better sense of what I have. Through dumb ignorance, it seems like the cabling works fine, so I'm not complaining. But I have no basis for comparison. Do you have any advice or thoughts about the suitability of the Kimbers in my set up?

The second question pertains to your ARC DAC 8. I've been holding off in going down DAC lane. Can you please share your thoughts and reactions about the DAC 8?? As you probably discerned, I'm somewhat partial to ARC gear. Specifically, are you getting a lot if use out of the DAC? Does it work well with the rest of your system? What are your digital sources?

Again ... my sincere compliments on your set-up and music room.

Happy New Year!!

Bruce

bifwynne December 27, 2013 17:47

Fantastic system! Congrats!

Which preamps you heard before selecting the Boulder 2010? Are you planning to hear the new 2110?

Thanks.

vn101606 December 27, 2013 12:42

Can you tell me about the Finite rack?

thesaint519 August 08, 2013 14:40

Beautiful system.

thesaint519 August 08, 2013 14:40

If there were a Like button on Virtual Systems, I would have surely clicked it!

Congratulations, and enjoy,
Dan

islandmandan July 12, 2013 11:25

Hello Khrys, you definitely have an amazing system! Wow! I know they've stopped production of this unit, but I am contemplating purchasing a pre-owned Magnum Dynalab MD609T and was hoping you could share your thoughts with me regarding this particular unit? Thank you very much!

salazar1 July 10, 2013 19:18

.
Yeah!
.

mitch4t August 09, 2011 20:34

Sooloos just released a software update to allow it to download, store and play files up to 24/192 resolution. So far I've only gotten it to play 24/96 files but even that is a significant improvement over 16/44.1

I may be keeping it longer than I had anticipated.

khrys July 14, 2011 14:54

Balance...and a point of reference. Continue, my friend :-)

c1ferrari July 12, 2011 22:50

Well said C1. But for me, I have to introduce some Samsara merely to reference Nirvana.

It took me years to master analog parameters such as azimuth and VTA and optimal tracking force.

And I have certainly introduced Samsara as I master bitrates, but Nirvana surely awaits, however fleeting.

khrys July 12, 2011 20:56

Samsara, then... :-)

Vbr,
Sam

c1ferrari July 12, 2011 10:37

System edited: Heresy I know but I decided to digitize my vinyl and sell the turntable. Made a few other changes as well. I think computer audio is the future.

khrys July 12, 2011 09:26

Frankpiet, I was very happy with the Sooloos until I heard a dCS Puccini and u-clock playing discs, standard and hi rez files through USB. It is still a remarkable device that draws more people of all ages and demographics into music than any thing else I've ever encountered. It is exceptionally fun. And holds it's own sonically pretty well.

The Boulder 1010/1012 preamps hold their own against most contenders. Fewer interconnects and power cords do afford both sonic and financial advantages. But the future is computer audio, no doubt.

Gammajo, thank you for you gracious comments. The Steinway is probably the only permanent fixture in the room. Lest I can find a clavier à lumières.

khrys June 22, 2011 19:45

Beautiful room and system, congratulations. I had a 7' Kawaii grand in my room and used it to compare recorded with live piano - helped guide me well. Had to sell it when we were staging the house for a move that never happened - miss it.

gammajo June 08, 2011 06:35

How do you like the Soloos system ? Compared it to any high-class cd-players like Wadia 381 or S7 beforehand ?
Have you ever compared the Boulder 1010 to other top-notch pre-amps ? How do you like the onboard phono stage ?

frankpiet February 26, 2011 12:20

Hi congrats on a great system. i have the same table and arm. Are you using the newer benz lp that is heavier? I am wondering about it and the match to our triplanars...

jfrech February 26, 2011 06:22

Art and stereo equipment notwithstanding, the Steinway is my most prized possession in the room. It is the benchmark for evaluating what stays in the system.
And even the ridiculousness of turntables cannot match the sensuality of playing an instrument.

khrys January 21, 2011 18:36

Frankpiet, you're the first to notice. The eyes need quality nourishment as well as the ears.

khrys January 21, 2011 18:20

Khyris: like you Lichtenstein and Warhol stuff on the wall. Boulder is nice gear as well ;-)

frankpiet November 21, 2010 11:16

What a terrific setup and beautiful room! You do indeed have sound and style!

arthursmuck August 31, 2010 08:17

Jimbo, this hobby has allowed me to experience both Nirvana and Samsara but I'm usually somewhere in between.

Thanks for suggesting Tom Maxwell. Now I'll have a soundtrack for when Samasara sets in.

khrys August 31, 2010 06:53

Stunning system and decor! Speechless! And one of the few people who know samsara is the opposite of nirvana. Very cool! Check out Tom Maxwell's album "Samsara" if you are into 1930's New Orleans style jazz/fusion. Peace!

jimbojrjb August 24, 2010 14:38

Thank you Glenfihi.
Your impressions are most appreciated.
Guess I'm attaining a little more Nirvana than Samsara these days but you never know when the audio gods will start toying with you again.

khrys July 01, 2010 19:12

You sir, have sound and style.

glenfihi June 17, 2010 08:24

Hi Chris,

I can understand your description of the AQ Sky being hot for your system...undoubtedly, system synergy as you've surmised as well as individual preference.

You've certainly auditioned some great cables...I've reviewd your post of 2/1 that has stimulated my interest in the KS 1136.

I'm actively engaged in sourcing analogue tapes for my Studer that will likely preclude having both KS 1130 and 1136 available, concurrently, in the near term...priorities...priorities!

Best,
Sam

c1ferrari February 05, 2010 18:40