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
We all know that a carpenter's roof leaks and a shoemaker's kids go barefoot. So why would Albert, who is a photographer by trade, be any different ? Asking him to take a "quick photo" would be like asking a mechanic to do a "5 minute tune-up" on his own car : )
Having said that, even the photo of Albert's "old" room looks much like i had imagined it from his posts i.e. truly tasteful, elegant and functional all at the same time. If the new room is that much more functional, acoustically correct and nicer looking, we might have to start billing Albert's advice as coming from a "better homes and gardens acoustician" : )
Kudo's on a job well done to one of the truly nicest guys on these forums. I aspire to have both a house and system as beautiful as what you've shown us. Sean >
Possible upgrade path.No objection to the table and cables, but the choice of cartridge is questionable.Futhermore, Sound Labs are good but not great;Kharma $65000 speakers, don't remember the name, are way better.I would also replace all electronics with full Jadis top of the line set-up.I like the look of the room.
You're a class act Albert. I too like to see a great system integrated into "real life" surroundings. I'll be very interested in seeing what your "new" system looks like. Thanks for sharing and Cheers. Craig
Albert, i hope someday to hear your system. i'm sure the best thing about your system is not the outstanding individual pieces or great room.....but how everything works in harmony to let the music happen.
Great System, Congratulations!
i look forward to seeing the pictures of your new room.
It's done! Your new listening room is complete! I'm sure that you're happy to have those foul mouthed construction workers out of the home!! It gets old, you know.
Now on to better things, like enjoying music and having your normal Tuesday listening sessions with "The Gang"!
Too cool, Albert. By the way, you'd better submit photos of the completed room soon!
I am literally drooling -- hope it doesn't short the keyboard. Very nice system and a very nice setup. Everything I would expect from one of the icons of Audiogon. I'll bring the single malt and Merlot if I am ever in your neck of the woods. Happy listening!
Beautiful setup! Your superb taste in audio is matched by your taste in decor. I can't imagine how beautiful your new set up must be; I'm looking forward to seeing it. By the way, is that a flat screen TV over the fireplace or just a pretty picture?
Very nice Albert! Looking forward to seeing some new pictures and then when I am in your neck of the woods hearing this bad boy. Now the ultimate question, are you happy after all of this? heh heh I sure hope so! ~Tim
Albert, I have been a member of A'gon since 1999. While I am an infrequent contributor to the forums, I read them regularly. I have come to respected you post whether I agree or not. Your knowledge of audio is equal to the class you display. Anyway I am very impressed with your system and especially your room set-up. Usually you see pictures of real world systems with lots of nice equipment, but poor set-ups. Quite frankly many are an eye sore. Your picture shows you can set-up a room for real-life that is aestheticly pleasing, yet ideal for audio enjoyment. Can't wait to see the pics of your new set-up.
albertporter on All Out Assault