Speakers are Focal Grande Utopia EM in black finish
Analog music sources,
Technics SP10 MK3 with two Kuzma 4 Point 14" arms. Koetsu Blue Lace on one and Air Tight Opus One in the other. Studer A820 half track tape machine with three sets of cards, each rebuilt by Studer electronics experts so I can compare upgrade performance.
Digital
music source is Aurender W20 Special Edition into Soulution 760 LEEDH. THe best input for music so far is Purist new USB cable and AES/EBU close second place.
Soulution 725 preamp, Soulution 755 phono stage Soulution 760 LEEDH and Soulution 701 mono block amps for electronics. See image posted Nov 18, 2022 to see how it looks.
Cable is 100% top tier Purist Audio design. All latest 35th Anniversary, all ten AC cords are the new Purist 35th Anniversary AC.
My space is 18 X 31 and
acoustically treated with RPG panels, tube traps and fiberglass acoustic treatment
over triple reinforced walls and ceiling. The floor is lamination beams
over steel plates to concrete pier and beam. Two sheets of 5/8 epoxy
lamination sheets make up the floor with two inches of
concrete topped with India multi color slate.
Whisper Wall
rail system and fine textured acoustic cloth covers the work, making everything appear as a normal room of
painted sheet rock or decorative cloth covering.
The room acoustics were conceived by RBDG
and the entire space was torn out to bare dirt under the foundation and
bare studs in the walls. The combo of all new electrical and acoustical treatment resulting in best sound I’ve ever had.
The best offering from Focal, shown with Stillpoints Ultra 5. Ultra 5 was an amazing upgrade for the speakers !
RPG Acoustics QRD 734 (variation)
On front wall, now obscured by acoustically transparent cloth, is floor to ceiling RPG (similar to QRD® 734) in foam, so it's partially absorptive.
Studer Studer A820
Found a near mint A820 at a production studio in Illinois. I was so excited about it's condition I had it driven here in the back of an SUV, covered with moving blankets.
Head block sent to John French and all cards at Soren Wittrup who worked for Studer. This is the machine I spent more than a decade searching for.
Technics SP10 MK3 Rosewood with Stillpoints Ultra 5
Technics SP10 MK3 Panzerholz with African Ebony lumber (no Veneer). This is the original design by John Semrad and myself, copied to death now.
TTM Stainless Mat and Oil Damp Weight
Japan, TTM Stainless mat (6.61 pounds) plus TTM oil filled record weight.
TTM record stabilizer TTM three piece set
Very hard to find, grateful I was able to purchase this last week. Three piece TTM record stabilizer replaces my previous single piece unit.
Air Tight Opus
Air Tight top of the line phono cartridge
Mutech Hayabusa
Excellent MC cartridge, retail about $4500.00
Koetsu Blue Lace Platinum
Top tier stone body Koetsu, perfect alternate to Air Tight Opus One
Soulution 725 preamp
725, Soulution best preamp, shown in system
Soulution 755 phono
Soulution best phono stage, unbelievable amount of adjustment for cartridge including channel balance to 1 DB
Soulution Soulution 760 LEEDH
Soulution top tier DAC, really pleased with performance of this DAC.
I still prefer analog but many recordings that were digital to begin with (and vinyl cut from CD master) are better on Soulution than on turntable.
Soulution 701 Mono Block Amplifiers
Soulution top tier 2KW solid state amps from Switzerland
ORB-DF03 USA version DF03
Excellent LP flattener, simple to use and so far perfect result
Aurender W20 Special Edition
Aurender music server, model W20 SE with 16TB solid state storage on board.
Vibraplane 2212-01
Under my Technics MK3, powered by Silentaire DR-150
Degritter MK2 Ultrasonic LP cleaning machine
From Estonia, very powerful ultrasonic LP cleaning machine. The MK2 version is better than the original which was already the best I’ve heard
Degritter and ORB LP flattner Degritter and ORB LP flattner
View of two important pieces to maintain LP collection
Milbank Transocket three phase 750 amp
750 amp meter base. Pass through design, three phase power is a huge benefit in conjunction with our dedicated transformer.
Porter Port Cryo outlets 20 Amp
14 of these in my system, each to a dedicated breaker in copper based electrical box
Furutech NCF Booster
New NCF Booster added to majority of AC cords in system. Easy to see against light colored wall, arrow points to NCF Booster to my (previous) owned Allnic M-5000 amp.
Purist Audio Design Focal EM Supply cable
New four conductor cord, replaces stock Focal supply cord from EM drive box to back of speaker. Amazing upgrade
(1) Soulution 725 preamp to Soulution 701 mono blocks
(1) Soulution 760 LEEDH DAC to Soulution 725 preamp
(1) Studer A820 to Soulution 725 preamp
Purist Audio Design 35th Anniversary Bi-Wire
1.5 meter Bi-Wire, Soulution 701 mono blocks to Focal Grande EM
Purist Audio Design 35th Anniversary AC Cables
New STUNNING cable from Purist Audio, silver and seven stage network box. This cable brought so much dynamics, resolution and transparency to my system it qualifies as a main component.
Leica Disto D2
Super laser measuring tool. Indispensable for setting distance and alignment of your speakers
Happy New Year, my friend! Thank you again for the link to the picture that I requested. I'm so pleased to have a copy in hand again.
My handsome grandson was born on 12/31. The best New Year's Eve ever. Damon is such a blessing to our family, and it is so wonderful to be a grandparent! I'll bring pix when I visit on a Tuesday evening.
I will make it to a Tuesday night session but it likely will be mid to late March. Travel schedule is heavy between now and then. Looking forward!
I would love to see that photo! I recently searched through your old emails to me, and couldn't locate it. Yes, I fondly remember. How is Louis doing? Does he still join you all...how about J Frech?
I can't wait to see you all and listen to the progression of your system. It was phenomenal back then; can't imagine what it must sound like now. I'll look forward to joining you all after CES and the 1st of the year!
Congrats to your son! I know you and Patty must be so proud of John. Tech is a great school, good for him for continuing on and getting his masters. Our son completed his 2nd enlistment with the USMC about 18 months ago. While doing his 2nd enlistment, he completed his bachelor's. He is now working in private industry in DC, and also getting his Masters in International Business at OU (have a location in DC). He will complete his masters in May 2012, while working full-time. Not an easy task, but he never complains. We are extremely proud of him.
Grandson's name: Damon Justice. Justice is a family name. Little DJ will be here in about 11 days! That laugh you hear on New Year's Eve will be me, welcoming little DJ into our world. :-)
Merry Christmas, Albert! It's hard to believe that Christmas is almost here. Our first grandson arrives on or before New Year's Eve, so this is a holiday season that is extra special to us.
Thank you for answering my questions regarding the camera(s) and the SME tonearm. I just saw your pic of the NVS and SME, and that is a beautiful setup. Can't wait to hear it in person.
I thought of you tonight when I went through some things of my Dad's (he passed in Nov 2009). One of the things I inherited of Dad's was his prized film camera, a Nikon FG-20 which he bought in June 1986 (the dealer was Doc Miller's on Arapaho Road in Dallas). All of the paperwork was with the camera, including his warranty paperwork. Although it was not a pro camera or expensive by any means, it was one of my father's prized possessions. It took some great pix as well. It's truly an honor to inherit it; I'd like to take it to a dealer and have them clean it up although it is in fantastic condition.
Thank you for the invite to visit the Tuesday evening listening sessions. I look forward to hearing your system early on in 2012, and look forward to seeing the music group members!
I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thank you for all you do to help and advise us lunatics in this crazy music/audio hobby! Cheers!
Happy Holidays to you, my friend. I have two questions, one audio related.
(1) I have a Nikon D40 & D60 with assorted lenses, and looking for a pocket camera to grab & go. Getting ready to be a first-time grandmother (my grandson will arrive on or before 12/31), and want to have something that will take videos and good pix on the fly. Do you feel the Sony would be a good contender for consideration?
(2) Really, really interested in hearing more about the new Kuzma 4-point tone arm from you. Would it be overkill on a LP-12 with my existing Lyra Skala cartridge?
Thanks for your help. It's so much fun watching your system as it is evolved through these years. My best to the Tuesday night Audio Group members!
I cannot get over the changes that you have made to your already outstanding system just since I was over there last! It sounded so amazing during my visits in '05. How is the Tuesday night crew doing? I have a couple of LPs for you that I have been wanting to drop by...are you in town next Tuesday (05/09) and having the regular get together? If so, I'd love to join you guys, if that would be okay. I am working with my boss but putting her on a plane at Love Field about 4:00 p.m. or so. I'll go kill an hour or so at Half Price Books. ;-) By the way, any updates on that new turntable you had mentioned to me? How are the Megalines?
Looking forward to seeing you all, hopefully sooner than later.
Is that the scotch I bought for you, Albert? ;-) When do I get to place some of these Purist Audio interconnects and speaker cable into my system for a test run, and more than likely a purchase. Maybe it's low fi that could move to mid fi because of PA. Missed you guys tonight...missed the great company and tunes. Will be there next Tuesday!
You truly are the Host with the Most, particularly when it comes to kindness, genuine love of your fellow man...and of course, the ownership of the world's greatest 2-channel rig! My, oh my. It made my 2005! Seriously! Now what is audio going to do to hit me between the eyes during 2006? Nothing will measure up to the Dali's, Walkers, VTLs, Purist Audio (I have NEVER loved a cable but those stole my audio heart), Sony, 3500 LPs plus, etc., that I met in your household. The listening session is a memorable one, and it'll always be cherished. ;-).
I'll be at every Tuesday listening session that I can, travel schedule dependent, and hopefully you all will still welcome me after a few weeks! I gotta tell you that I have yearned to listen to your system this week so I am looking forward to returning next week.
As I end this post, I'd just like to say how much I appreciate my friend, Albert...he is the same as he was 25 years ago and welcomes me back with the same affection. Albert is my life-long friend, and I'm going to do everything within my power to not loose track of him at this junction in my life. God is good, and he leads us to return to good things in life...such as precious friends like Albert Porter. Thank you, Lugnut (Patrick Paul Malone), because it was the thread about your life that assisted in my location of Albert Porter.
Albert, your rig is 2nd to none. I have not heard or seen anything in a magazine that would even seem comparable. Keep that baby in tune...we're gonna be there on Tuesday to hear her at her best!
My husband and I were fortunate enough to be invited to join Albert Porter's listening session at his home last night. Terrific food, wonderful group of audiophools (who made this female feel welcome and not obtrusive), and an amazing listening session to boot...plus it was Albert's birthday! Listening to Albert's system and software is one of the 10 most noteworthy audio experiences of my life...it reinforces why music should play a major role in our lives.
His listening room has to be one of the most stunningly quiet rooms every designed and constructed. It's design was well implemented, and invites the listener to relax and enjoy the performance. The acoustic treatments simply disappear...the walls appeared to be textured and not acoustically damped. Elegant, warm and engaging.
Prior to last night, my husband and I have never been introduced to the level of performance like Albert's equipment reproduces. The beauty of the Dali's took my breath away (even prior to firing up the rig!) ... they are amazing eye candy. :-) The Dali's performance is an incredible experience. I have NEVER heard any speaker provide that level of detail, resolution, soundstage depth, midrange sweetness, bass extension, and true "realness". When Albert played Faron Young's original master tape, it felt like being in the studio with Faron while the performance was actually occurring. It was the single best musical moment in my entire life...music the way it was meant to be heard. If only it could be reproduced for us that way (sigh)...
I could go on and on. The Walker was quiet, strikingly handsome, and made my Linn LP-12 sound like a childhood record player by comparison. Albert, you've motivated me to take that next step in my vinyl setup. Maybe not a Walker, but I want to make enough of a jump that the performance is at least 50% of your vinyl rig. :-) For those of you who have never been impressed with vinyl or believe digital is still the superior medium, I challenge you to take a trip to Dallas and hear Albert's table. It puts digital to shame.
Albert has put together a system that we all strive to achieve: one that is musical with synergy. The VTLs, Purist Audio cables (WOW!), Walker, Sony digital, Aesthetix, Dali's, Technics, etc., etc., are synergistic and simply get out of the way. And, above all else, they remind us that is is all about the MUSIC.
Albert (and audiophools), thank you for allowing Chuck and I to join in on your Tuesday evening gathering. It was so great to be in the company of individuals who truly love music, and want to share their enjoyment with each other. As one person mentioned last night, music gets more and more important the older we get. That single statement was reinforced to me last night amidst the company of a wonderful group of people, and an exceptional 2-channel audio system. I encourage anyone who has the opportunity to hear Albert's setup if you ever get the opportunity. Albert you are an awesome host!
