Albert Porter's System

by albertporter on All Out Assault
Focal Grande Utopia EM
Soulution 701 mono block with Focal Grande EM
LPs, tape, Soulution and Studer A820
Current system Nov 18, 2022
Older photo of our music group.
A different (old) image of Tuesday night music group
Photography for Basis Audio
Focal Grande Utopia EM
Construction view
Studer A820
MK3 Rosewood with twin Kuzma 4 Point 14"
MK3 Rosewood with Micro Seiki MAX
MK3 Ebony with SME (old image)
TTM Stainless Steel mat and Oil Damped weight
Rare TTM three piece stabilizer
Air Tight Opus
Koetsu Blue Lace
Mutech Hayabusa
Soulution 725 preamp
Soulution 755 phono
Soulution 760 LEEDH DAC
Soulution 701 Mono Block
Aurender W20 Special Edition (silver)
Vibraplane
New Degritter MK2
ORB-DF03 Record Flattener
Degritter Ultrasonic and Orb LP flattener
Commercial Power drop to my home (240 3 Phase)
Porter Port Cryo outlets
Purist Audio Design Focal EM Power Supply Cables
Purist Audio Design 35th Anniversary XLR
Purist Audio Design 35th Anniversary Bi-Wire
Purist new 35th Anniversary AC cable on amps
Purist new 35th Anniversary AC cable preamp, phono and Focal
Tweak, super measuring tool
NCF Cable Booster

Description

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.
Read more...

Room Details

Dimensions: 31’ × 18’  X large
Ceiling: 12’

Components Toggle details

    • My Photography http://www.albertporterphoto.com
    Commercial + Advertising Photography, Dallas, TX.
    • Focal Grande Utopia EM
    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 + Rosewood shown with Stillpoints Ultra 5
    • Technics SP10 MK3 Panzerholz + Ebony
    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
    • Purist Audio Design 35th Anniversary XLR (4 total)
    (1) Soulution 755 phono to Soulution 725 preamp
    (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

Comments 4739

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Owner
Henri,

I absolutely want to purchase one.  Probably late Summer as I think sales will be brisk and possible back order upon introduction.  Ideal I would have both the SP10R and the  maybe the SL-1000R to experiment with.

Either way I would compare to my heavily modified SP10 MK3 to find ultimate performer.  This might take awhile,  especially if there are only small differences or performance trade off. 

In my dreams the SP10R would be better than my SP10 MK3 and SL-1000R  would sound as good as my custom plinth.  I cannot seem to get enough custom plinths built so it would be nice to have affordable option. 

The SL-1000R is estimated to be retail $20K.   If so, it's not much more than crazy people on line are asking for old original SP10 MK3.  There was a clean SP10 MK3 at Ebay for $13K, no plinth or mods.  

If the Technics plinth is a  winner then other turntable builders had better run for cover.  At $20K ready to roll, including arm is a steal for ultimate turntable in today's heavy priced record spinners.

Of course if the new SP10R in my plinth is the best sound,  I still get an upgrade over my original modified SP10 MK3.   I have to admit,  the Technics SL-1000R is a beauty and option for three tone arms is awesome.  

I can just see my SL-1000R with the supplied Technics arm plus my two Kuzma 4 Point 14" arms.   Unlimited options for both stereo and mono cartridges and outstanding design and beauty for the eye.

albertporter

Albert,

Do you think you'll be picking it up to replace your MK3? Or is it too early to tell?

Henri

lordcloud

Owner
With CES in full swing more images of new Technics SP10 R have shown up on web.   I hope it sounds as good as it looks, what a beauty !

What would be excellent is if their platform (base) was comparable to the one I designed and built.   Best of all, the new Technics can support three tonearms !

I hope it sounds as good as it looks !  Here's a great link with info:

http://www.technics.com/download/brochures/uk/SL1000R_SP10R_EU_Print.pdf

albertporter

Owner
Dave,

Thank you for Christmas wishes !

Funny, I forgot about Symposium, I have some of the premium model in my storage area, need to drag them out and try since you got good results.

I have Stillpoint Ultra SS under the Aurender currently and it was an improvement over stock feet.   I'm also ordering some lower end Purist XLR cables, thinking the silver in their premium might be "too revealing" for the digital.   The silver is excellent with my analog but I guess that's to be expected.

albertporter

Hi Albert,

I placed a Symposium Ultra Platform under my N100H and removed the feet so there is maximum contact between the two. Nice improvement in detail and a slightly more relaxed sound.

Merry Christmas!
Dave

dlcockrum

Owner
Anyone experimented with footers under Aurender?  Seems to be quite audible but I'm experimenting with AC cable, interconnect cable and footers all at same time.

Looking for more analog sound, the Aurender already is top drawer for this but would be nice to move it a little closer to my turntable.

albertporter

Owner
Sorry to be slow, just noticed your question.

I have not made a comparision as both of these are fairly rare but the biggest difference I'm told is the power supply of the Kronzilla is solid state where Allnic is tube.

Of course Allnic is known for their nickle core transformers so that's another factor.

I don't know what you are seeking but for the money I believe the new Allnic M5000 is the best out there.   I continue to be amazed by the pair in my system.  So far there are only two pair in N American but as they get into  more hands I think you will hear a lot about them.

albertporter

Hi Albert,

Can you give me your opinion about the Allnic A-10000 DHT monoblocks?
How do they compare to the Kronzilla DXLs?
Thanks.

leog2015

Owner
Returned home late Monday afternoon from Rocky Mountain Audio Fest.  It was a great show as is every year.   I had the Allnic DHT DAC in Purist Audio / Classic Audio room and had great sound.

albertporter

Owner
Thank you Lalit,

Aurender told me the N10 was excellent and I almost bought it.   I suspect it's performance is very near the W20.   I was hoping the W20 would pull digital out of the slumps and make it good enough to listen along side analog.

It's getting better day by the day.  Aurender advised W20 requires a couple of hundred hours break in and of course the Purist 25th AES/EBU will need break in as well.

albertporter

Hello Albert, 

Glad to hear you are enjoying W20 just as much I treasure my N10. Keep us posted on your feedback with 25th Anniversary AES/EBU cable. 

Lalit

lalitk

Owner
Update,

So far I love the Aurender, nice improvement over any previous digital source including other computer servers.   Wish I sold this product, would be easy to get behind since it's so well made and easy to deal with.

albertporter

Owner
Hello Dave,

Tech at Aurender told me best connection was AES/EBU because that allows Aurender internal clock to work, as opposed to USB which is asynchronous.

Better still would be dual AES/EBU but unfortunately neither the Allnic nor PS Audio DACs can take advantage of that technology.

So, I have a Purist 25th Anniversary AES/EBU on order but with floods in Lake Jackson and Houston I don't know when I will receive.

I'm hoping these changes will bring my digital up a notch or two, I'm back to being disappointed with it since my analog has improved so much :-).

albertporter

Hi Albert,

Good to read that your equipment sold. Congrats on the new gear. Top drawer as always.

What are you using for digital connection between the W20 and the Direct Stream DAC?

Dave

dlcockrum

Owner
Removed equipment recently sold. 

Added Aurender W20
Added PS Audio Direct Stram DAC
Added four additional Purist 30th Anniversary AC cables. 
Added Kiseki Purple Heart Cartridge
Added Images of Allnic H5000 DHT phono
Added Images of Allnic M5000 mono block amps

albertporter

Owner
Sold off Mac Mini, Atomic base, computer screen, two Keces linear power supplies and Data Tale with four ea 4TB drives drives Purist 30th USB and Audioquest Coffee Thunderbolt.  Also erased JRiver apps off iPad and iPhone.

Replaced with new Aurender W20,  black finish and I'm currently moving music files into it.  Hope to have rit unning in three days.  

Best bonus, Aurender takes up so little space compared to all the gear it replaces, I have another shelf for LPs.

albertporter

Owner
For those interested, here is image of new SP10 R  (R for Reference).

https://postimg.org/image/i9u6td4z7/

albertporter

Owner
Received full confirmation that Technics is finally releasing the SP10 R, the super high end replacement for SP10 MK3.

I had hint of this more than a year ago and held off buying any more SP10 MK3 because I believe Technics is fully capable of producing a limit of the art turntable with newest and best technology.

I'm excited about this, could finally be a replacement for my MK3.

albertporter

Owner
I had to post this.  Tonight everyone was complimenting sound as we played The Doors LA Woman and Doors Morrison Hotel.   LP of Morrison Hotel is the new 45 RPM release from Chad at Acoustic, very impressive.

While looking for LA Woman I found a DCC  low serial number release by Steve Hoffman on LP.  I knew I had several DCC LPs releases of The Doors but I have not played LA Woman in a good while.

Both were excellent, it's hard to say which was better since the recordings are so different to begin with.

I will say the Hoffman LA Woman was way better than I remember.   Of course I've pushed my system a lot this last year but this LP has to be really right to get this kind of sound. Regardless of the gear.

albertporter

Owner
Mike,

Thank you for the report and kind words about the preamp. 

Although  I did not hear the exact things you describe I had similar experience with improved resolution, things I have never heard before.   Songs where the mix of instruments cover vocal are suddenly more separate and I can understand lyrics as well as emotion that was buried.

Believe it or not, it will slowly improve even more with time.    Mine has improved remarkably since I got it and upgrading the 300B tubes were another bump.   Not a requirement but very pleasant surprise.

albertporter

Albert,

I thought I'd drop you a quick note about the Allnic L-7000 preamp I just picked up from you to let you know that I could not be happier with this unit.
I went from Cary SLP-05 to The Messenger to VAC to Allnic L-3000MK2 to this unit. I was very happy with the L-3000, but the L-7000 is just better in every way...Quieter, better dynamics and especially the resolution. I've been playing my reference tracks for a couple days now with a huge smile on my face. Last night I was playing a track that I've heard a thousand times before. There is a soft keyboard note in the background of the song. For the first time ever, I just discovered it's not a keyboard note, but three voices softly harmonizing! Crazy to hear something new like that on a track you thought you knew inside and out. 

mikeba316

Owner
Norm,

I have not experimented with Verus II controller so I cannot comment.  If you have issues with MK2 controller you should get in touch with the guy that builds my power supplies.   Music Technology, Bill Thalmann.  He used to be head tech with Conrad Johnson, a very sharp guy and reasonable price.

He has a new replacement chip to sub on Technics MK2 and MK3.   Users report better dynamics and even more speed stable than before.   I keep looking for a time to send my controller in, when I don't mind being out of business in it's absence.

If you contact me via communication boxes here at Audiogon I will send my email address if you wish to discuss.  

By the way, the Furutech IEC is a great connector, I think an even bigger upgrade than the fuses but both together is better.

albertporter

Hi Albert,

Thanks you the input. 

The  Mk2a PS has a Furutech  IEC input connector and stock fuses. Unfortunately,  the Mk2a has developed some issues since I last tried powering the power supply with Nordost V1 power cord. After reading your post, I will experiment using a premium power cord on my Verus II controller.

Best,
Norm  

norm

Owner
Norm,

It was audible on  my MK2 when I owned it, is your power supply completely rebuilt including new IEC connector and premium fuses?

I've found in general that power supply is a bid deal in audio, regardless of where it is in the system.   My MK2 and MK3 both had complete rebuild and Krebs mods, was a big deal and AC cables are very audible here too.

A cheap way to experience AC cable upgrade on MK2 or MK3 is Purist Aquila.  I have a three meter you could try and see if it works in your system.

Just pay a deposit and then return for credit.   I'm sure it's too long even if you like the sound and price but we can address that if you have interest.

albertporter

Hi Albert,

Congratulations, on your PAD 30th Ann AC cables.

I've compared the stock PC on my SP-10 Mk2a power supply to an expensive PC and didn't hear an notable difference between the two cords in my system. I was wondering if you've upgraded the stock umbilical cord from the TT to your Technics SP-10 Mk3 power supply/controller?  If so, which of the two cords had a greater impact on the sound?  

Best,
Norm

norm

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