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
Hi good point, the listening seat (sofa) moved several inches to the left but not further up or back. There is a second placement option with speakers closer together and more forward, this would require a position change on seating. Honestly, its so good now wasn't interested on more changes.
I will say the speakers have relaxed, opened up more and the bass and top end really just extends so wonderfully...with two weeks of constant playing time now.
I have not moved my racks, part is i dont have a real good side option and part have to run new eletricity and longer cables (which cost a bit as u know)
I'll likely have a few visitors this weekend and curious on their impressions. Also have a allnic h3000v i've been trying vs my nagra vps/vfs the past few days...
John, while you were placing the speakers, did you also adjust the location of your listening seat?
I found during the one time that I had my system voiced by a professional, that my listening seat location changed a bit more than my actual speaker location did. The speakers moved 3-4" forward and a couple of inches toward each other while my sofa moved back 7". This was primarily to address bass node issues. I was quite surprised with the results.
Have you also moved your racks to a side wall? I can't remember if that was also on the agenda.
Hi inward is what he suggested...placement wasn't so hard...took about 4-5 hours over 2 days...we still may tweak again...although it sounds pretty amazing where they are...
John, Did Andy suggest the side woofer firing inward or was it determined by simply listening? I know this can vary depending on individual room acoustics. Regards,
Thank you Albert! I see you have your grills on...my grills are running a little late, I think it dresses up a speaker some. I always like the wilson's grill off however on listening...a tad bit more transparency. We"ll see what the Rockport's and grills do...
Got some good time with the Allnic H 3000V today and yesterday. I can see why it's so highly thought of!
John, the Rockport Altair look beautiful in your space, I prefer their look over the Wilson.
I hope we can get together at your place so I can hear them. They were nice at THE Show but conditions there are no contest for your listening room, especially now with your acoustic upgrades.
Jfrech, congrats on new speakers. They look NICE in your room. Next business trip to TX, will have to take time and check all the great systems. Hope you guys are close to each other. :-)
Jwm, those arrakis are just huge and imposing...I'd be worried about needing more floor joist support! That said I've always gone for that tonal density, all else being the same...
Hi lloyd and mr bob, I think lloyd is right here on the metals used, pretty wilson does a lot to their tweeter to control certain characteristics....I am sure for rockport also, although in different ways.
I have not heard the new xlf's but want to one day...
Mribob...i think Maxx 3 and many Wilsons for many generations have the Focal inverted titanium tweeter? Rockport and Focal both use Beryllium. Apparently the metal has different properties with higher break up characteristics so greater extension or something? cannot exactly remember.
yes, interesting about the XLF tweeter which is excellent. i have heard excellent things about Rockport's new Be tweeter relative to old soft dome...as i think you may be suggesting, many ways to greatness!
John: Isn't it interesting that your new speakers have a beryllium tweeter; and your older Wilson's also had that type of tweeter. And Wilson for their new XLF have now switched to a soft dome tweeter. From my limited listening; I think the Rockports integrate better, and have a cleaner and richer sound than the Wilson's. I think your new set up is now one of the best on the 'Gon. Congrats again for creating a SOTA system; and also for thoughtful responses to all these posts...thanks for sharing your journey with us.
John, I talked to Andy today and he said my speakers should ship last Monday of May. I asked him about the differences between the Altair and the Arakis. Andy said both speakers have the same tonal balance, but because the Arakis is a D'Appolito design it has little denser images and the sound is more immediate. One needs a hydraulic lift to place the 360 pounds top part to the 400 pound base cabinet on the Arakis. The retail is 225,000.00, maybe I should cancel my Altair's and get the Arakis. I'm kidding, I don't think the Arakis would sound good in my room because of the lively nature of my room. The speaker being more immediate may come off as bright in my room. I guess I'll never know.
Enjoying reading all about your great new speakers...speaking of tweeters...can you make a few comparisons between Maxx3 treble and Altair 2 treble? Thanks!
Yeah those Aviors are pretty special ! stop by any time...mostly free this weekend... or anytime later...besides, I might want to take the turbo around the block ;-)
Just heard the Aviors at our mutual friend's house yesterday. Wow! I don't think I've ever heard speakers disappear like that. I really need to get over to your house and listen to the room and the Altairs.
Hi it's john ;-) ... I think the drivers have a little different look likely very similar to the one's you heard in newport. I don't know if they sound different...I think the smaller rockports are super value for this hobby of ours...I love those aviors
Jeff: your post identifies your speakers as '2'. Is this a new and improved version of the Rockports, and if so how are they different from the '1' version? Heard the smaller Rockports last year at the Newport show and loved them. I'm sure you will love these even more than your Wilson's. glad you are enjoying the journey and hobby, Have fun, looking forward to reading more on your great set up.
Have a Allnic H-3000v coming in for evaluation this weekend...looking forward to trying this highly rated phono stage with my Lyra Atlas and Allaerts MC 2 Finish...
Hi Jeff, Now that I have the Altairs, I have a friend close by with the Arrakis, so in the next week or 3 I think he'll likely come over and listen to mine and me to his again. I'll post more back here. We do have similar sized rooms with good room treatments...electronics are pretty different so won't be apples and oranges. I think what I am curious about is how close the Altair's come the Arrakis...plus with 1/2 the amps & cables of the Arrikis might be some small benefits from less connections etc. Anyway...will certainly let you know !!
Congrats on your Rockports !!! Let's stay in touch as yours get shipped...let me know if I can ever help you !
