For the enjoyment of music. Lot's of changes over the years. I typically won't buy something unless I can listen to it in my system. Spending a lot of time recently searching out well recorded and interesting music via hi res downloads. I have a really nice vinyl collection mostly Jazz and pop. Digital I'm filling out my classical titles and more modern recordings. Jan '16
A seriously great preamp...one of the best...if you're reading this...contact me...this is that good..
DCS Vivaldi DAC, Transport, Clock & Upsampler
dCS Vivaldi DAC, Trans and Clock
Transparent Opus Gen 5 & Magnum Opus
replaced mm2 version
Transparent Audio Opus Power and Opus Power Source Gen 5
Transparent Opus Gen 5 Speaker Cable
Speaker cable
Grand Prix Silverstone F1
stand
Spiral Groove Centroid
Uni Pivot arm
Grand Prix Audio Monaco
Direct Drive Turntable s/n 40
Nagra Classic Amp
Stereo amp
Nagra VPS/MPS and VFS
Just added the Nagra MPS power supply. Really more sublime now...the Nagra VPS/VFS combo was already great, however the MPS lowers the noise...sound stage opens up and transparency increases
Grand Prix Audio Apex - Threaded footer
very finely threaded very of Apex for minute level adjustments
Keith Monks Ruby
Killer record cleaner. I've always wanted a Monks.
Shunyata Hydra Triton v2/Typhon/DPC-6 v2
Sigma HC feeding Triton & Anaconda Zitron Feeding Typhon. All front end (dCS, Nagra, and TT motor controller...
Transparent Audio Reference XL Digital
Clock cables for dCS (2) bnc to bnc and Dual AES trans to dac
Thanks for having Lee and myself over this morning to hear your new system. The Rockport Altairs combined with the new Koda K-10 preamp are sounding really, really superb. I've got the Eric Bibb and Sara K albums on my "to order" list now. It was great to hear a Rockport speaker again after 5 weeks of no music for me while my VTL amps are being upgraded. Also, the paint color of the Altairs is stunning and is a great match to your wonderfully relaxing room. Really well done and congratulations!
Hopefully my amps will be back this week and soon after you can come by to have a listen.
Jfrech, you need to try different type of conductors and gauges when grounding the Robert Koda k-10. Different configurations of wire will yield different results. Example you're always going to lower noise floor when grounding a component, but it's crucial we don't sacrifice immediacy and add mechanical artifacts. Let your ears be your guide, the Koda as you know gets the timing correct and therefore has a cohesiveness and a fluidity that draws you into the performance. It's very easy to mess up a good thing if where not careful with our cable selection. Fine choice in the K-10 which is the correct foundation to be able to judge future upgrades. Happy Listening.
J, when I make my next upgrade, poss SET amps, I'm going to post on the systems pages here. Presently running a Trans Fi Audio Salvation direct rim drive tt/Terminator T3Pro air bearing linear tracking arm - at c$6k for the two, IMHO the biggest bang for your buck in the high end. Will NEVER go back to belt drive/pivoted arms. And recent Soundsmith Straingauge SG200 cart, neutral with just a hint of warmth, dynamic and transparent. Another keeper. EMM Labs CDSA SE cdp - I'm one of the few who's sticking with physical digital media, not interested in downloads, and EMM not embarrassed by anything more current. Zu Audio Definitions Mk4 spkrs - full range drivers with NO crossovers. Personally the density of tone I get from the Zus so beats any of the much more pricy xover-based spkrs I auditioned (Wilsons, Magicos, B&Ws), with superior tone, dynamics and involvement. Hovland HP200 tube pre and Radia power amps, a nice balance of tube smoothness and ss slam, but a little lean in the midband thru my Zu's, hence investigating SET amps to add a little sweetness to the mix, and another perspective on transparency and tonality - prob Audion Black Shadows, or NAT SE2 SEs. Zu cables, Symposium Isis stands, Westwick 8kVA balanced power, Entreq grounding, Spatial Computer Black Hole bass nodes/standing waves attenuators. And that's a wrap. SET amps is an itch I need to scratch, and I may be pretty settled long term from that point.
Hi spirit...interesting alternative I'll have to check out. I've never really explored this part of audio systems. My noise floor is extremely low...until i discover the next thing that lowers it. Interesting point you make on vinyl surface noise...
I've always found Miguel interesting and adding value to our hobby...
Happy 4th everyone !!
ps...what's the rest of your system...i can tell you've put a lot of effort into the power and I know you're a vinyl fan...
jwm, i can't quite seem to see your whole room and I don't know if you can get treatments in...but this maybe the next step...especially helped me getting that warmth and organicness, but with out loosing resolution...
Hi J, there is an affordable alternative to Tripoint - I've just installed an Entreq Silver Tellus grounding box, with Apollo Eartha interconnects, c$4500, a more reasonable cost I'm sure you'd agree. In conjunction with my 8kVA balanced power transformer, I've really achieved a vanishingly low noise floor in my system, getting that 'after midnight' sound 24/7. Really, no need to spend $10k+ to achieve earthing solutions. One excellent side benefit is consigning vinyl surface noise to the very periphery of the soundfield so it's barely intruding. And none of the frankly irritating self-agrandisement of Miguel.
Albert's Focals are killer good. I really need to get more time with them...before I say to much more. I can say the beryllium tweeters have similar signatures with the Rockports..incredible transparency & resolution but in a relaxed/natural way. I can also also they are one of the best speakers I've ever heard...so pretty good all in all ;-). I can also say that his system is one of the best i've ever heard...and I said that before the speaker change...his system is clearly improved now. I am trying to get back here in the next 2 weeks.
So my Rockports don't leave me wanting for any more warmth or organicness...but I also have my more time on mine.
How treated is your room? Are you using Siltech cables for interconnect and speaker? (just asking-I don't know anything about how these cables sound)
Jfrech, yes I had to position the speakers in a different place. They are sounding much better. I don't have any sibilance problems anymore. I only have 210 hours on them. I still want to get more organic sound or warmth out of the midrange. I still think I have a way to go. How does the sound of the Rockport compare to Albert Porter's Focal's?
Charles so true. Plus I got a decent deal on the whole transaction which helps also...I've heard so many diff systems at so many diff price points...some of the best I heard didn't cost much....just careful set up and synergistic matching...
Jfrech congrads on your new K-10. I must be from a different planet because I never heard of this until you mentioned it. It looks like its right up my alley. I like his design philosophy and obviously he has worked with some of the best minds in the business.
Jfrech, You made an excellent choice, you can't own everything. There are simply some wonderful music reproducing superb quality components available in the High End audio market to select from. Charles,
Albert, I really want to get up there and spend more time...I know your speakers have to be settling down some...and you focal's were pretty damn good when I heard them on 2 occasions, I know it was brief...but it only takes a few notes on your system to know it's about the best there is...
Charles, I really thought about the Absolare, i have a friend locally and I know the Absolare Passion was a significant improvement over his prior VTL pre...I had actually intended to listen to it...however once the Koda K-10 arrived for loan - I just couldn't let it go. My prior reference points were a BAT VK51SE and the Nagra I just sold...I'd also heard a BAT REX and a Nagra Jazz.
Miquel, thanks !! I know you have some definite experience here...with the two ground lugs...one from chassis ground and one for signal ground...anything I should experiment with? I can't quite spring for a tri point at the moment?
My phono stage also has a chassis ground lug..should I try connecting these?
Congratulations on the Robert Koda preamp, it has earned quite an esteemed reputation. I'd love to hear it compared to the stellar Absolare Passion Signature . This would be a lot of fun. You'll enjoy the koda K-10 for a lifetime. Regards,
System edited: Robert Koda K-10 Preamp and pics added to system. Really wonderful...wow...it's only been powered up for a few hours...but just a incredible sound...so interesting and just draws you in...
Sunnyboy, I read a lot of great things about your arm...and also how it matches with the Lyra Atlas. I am struggling a little bit on getting arm boards built for tonearms to go with my Grand Prix Monaco. It seems to be a custom process, Grand Prix has em ready to go for Tri Planar's and Grahams. Anything else is a little bit of a adventure.
I'd really like to try the SME V-12 also. I'd like to find a tonearm with a din connector, I've found that the wiring can have a substantial difference. Especially with cables like the Purist Proteus Provectus Praesto or the Transparent Reference XL MM2...
That said, I haven't tried a arm of your caliber with a dedicated cable recently...
Ideally I'd like to get 2 more arms...I do enjoy experimenting and usually find I like something about each arm...
Hi Albert, yes I purchased the Koda K 10. I had it here on a loan for about a month and just couldn't be with out one. It's a pretty special preamp. I does have a few draw backs...no remote and only one balanced input. However on the sound of course it's a lot more quiet, more resolution, deep bass, etc etc etc...but the thing that it does is draw you in and make things so interesting. Things have timing precision and a place and ...anyway need to come listen soon!
John If you are on the lookout for a new tone arm, would strongly recommend that you audition the Durand Talea 2 or Telos. Plenty of happy Agoners not too far from you are plying a Durand arm.
