Many thanks for the comparison. Your system is awesome as well. Very nice listening space.

glai August 19, 2011 06:57

Jfrech...thanks!!! that is really helpful. given where my system is now...i think transport are cables are left for upgrades. mm2 sounds very very interesting! will give a listen. thanks again...and enjoy!

lloydelee21 August 18, 2011 21:23

Glai, I meant to add, I love your system! Fantasic. I've heard your Luxman amp...very sweet !

jfrech August 18, 2011 14:52

Lloyddelee21,

Hi, I used to have those Trans Ref XL (pre mm and mm2's) The Purist Dominus and Proteus Provectus handily beat in most all parameters. The newer MM2 are dramatic improvements over their older cables. The MM2 vs older Tran are much more organic and involving, even more quiet, deep bass, more clarity and extended highs.

I would not change your power cords. I am considering some of the Purist Limited Edition cords for my amps.

Transparent does have a special synergy with Wilson's. Other cables are great to. Transparent has a great trade up program, if you can take advantage of it. You may even find with the MM2 versions you can step down (so Ref xl to regular reference or ultra and still get performance gains)

Hope this helps

jfrech August 18, 2011 14:43

Glai: I wouldn't classify as gains. I would say different and better system matching.

The transparent helped tighten/extend the bass, also more quiet. Imaging was wider and rounder.

The purist had strengths to, clarity and emotional involvement.

These are degrees of goodness...both are great!

jfrech August 18, 2011 14:34

Jfrech,

The new cables are impressive. What are the sonic gains switching from Purist Provectus to Transparent Ref mm2? I am considering the Provectus myself.

Thanks

glai August 17, 2011 05:56

Nice cable, Jfrech! i also own Wilsons (the older X1/Grand Slamms), PAD Dominus/Ann Contego PCs...and have been using older Transparent Ref and Ref XL (pre mm1). Do you have any ability to offer some guidance as to how older Ref/Ref XL and MM2 compare? Thanks!!! and Enjoy!!!

lloydelee21 August 16, 2011 00:31

System edited: Added new Transparent Reference MM2 Speaker cable

jfrech August 06, 2011 12:23

Hi, I'll get some more photo's up-might be 2 weeks or so. Thanks for the compliment!

Peter, I did not compare against HRS. Frankly the difference from my Finite Elemente Master Pagode (itself a very good rack) was so startling it didn't matter. I did get to hear the Grand Prix Silverstone vs the Grand Prix Monaco Rack at my dealer. Then I brought home just a Grand Prix Monaco amp stand for a small comparison. The sliverstone is a fantastic improvement over the monaco. And Just the monaco amp stand (so moving my ayre mx-r's from finite to monaco amp stand) produced a nice improvement. So given what I heard at my dealer plus this small example at home was all the convincing i needed.

Secondarily, I felt like my Grand Prix Monaco Turntable would be optimal on one of the grand prix stands.

So, this stand is like getting a new system. It's startling...

jfrech May 18, 2011 10:43

Jfrech,
That's a nice looking rack. Did you compare it to the HRS or any other top end racks before you bought it? I'm curious because one rarely reads or hears comparisons between racks. Your system must really sound good these days. Congratulations.

peterayer May 17, 2011 16:49

Jfrech

I like the look of the new rack, a lot more compact and almost elegant with your gear. Nice. Keep the photo's coming.

pcosta May 17, 2011 10:12

Now that is a proper stand!!! Congratulations!!!

samhar May 07, 2011 20:34

System edited: Added Grand Prix Audio Silverstone F1 component stand. This is a monster improvement. It's really hard to believe how a stand can have such a dramatic effect on sound quality. Everything is truly better. Much more detail but keeping all the warmth. Especially cleaned up the bass, I thought I was having room node issues. Also brought out dynamics. Honestly, this is like changing out all of your electronics. I have 2 pics posted (one in my system photo's) Will add a few more over time...

jfrech May 07, 2011 16:21

Thanks, I am very pleased with the sound.
I have the earlier benz LP ebony - not the new s class one, I do like the sound it produces, just curious about an alternative.

dctom March 04, 2011 22:41

I have considered it. But really for a better Lyra. I've wondered about the Titan i or hoping Lyra might refresh the top end Titan i along the lines that they just did for the Helicon...

Other choices could be a Allaerts, Koetsu Coralstone, or Airtight Supreme. I might have to change arms with some of these. Plus, I've ran lyra's so long now (Lydian B 4 years, Helicon 4 years, Skala 4+ years) I'm a little afraid I won't like anything else.

Congrats on your phono stage. I bet that sounds fantastic. Are you using the newer Benz MR or the former? I've read outstanding things about both...

jfrech March 02, 2011 15:12

Hi John

I emailed you earlier this year about your experience with the BAT P10 v nagra VPS and was glad for your input. I have finally gone for an ARC ref 2 phono as one became available at a good price. It has proved a good upgrade with more definition, dynamic swings, it partners my VK52 very well.
looking at your system you have kept the skala cartridge have you considered changing this. I ask as i am considering cartridge possibilities at the moment.

dctom March 02, 2011 11:36

System edited: some basic edits/updates

jfrech February 26, 2011 17:15

Hi, you have a nice system to! Also, I love the purist cabling. I stray from time to time but keep coming back. I haven't tried the Canorus just yet.

The Shunyata helix cx cables with the Vray II is a very hard combo to beat. It's a pricey, but yields fantastic results, especially on front end equipment like digital and pre amps. I like my amps straight to the wall. What cord goes to your V ray II? A Purist limited? I'd try a King Cobra Helix cx here first, then Anaconda's Helix CXs (or pythons depneding on your budget) to you front end. The Shunyata seems to work best as a complete system.

Do not sell your Purist AC Cords, these are very good especially the Limited Ed. I'd use these for your amps, and other equipment, but on a separate circuit if you can from the Shunyata.

You should also try the Purist Limited without the Shunyata. I think to many different AC conditioning technologies can hurt more than they help. So I'd keep the Purist going straight to some components and Shunyata (as a system with their cords) going others.

Hope this helps

jfrech February 08, 2011 13:24

I wanted to say hello good to ask questions, I want to buy 2 Shunyata Anaconda CX for my 2 pre Krell KBL, would be to replace a 2 Harmonic Fantasy, what advice can you give me the same, the rest of my powercord are tin Purist 20 Anniversary range including M1 F1 Oyaide 20Amps to Hydra 8 V Ray II.
Since Purist and Shunyata sell in Argentina, I have the opportunity to buy the best brands.
What would you recommend?
Thanks for everything and your system is really impressive!

adri2005 February 08, 2011 11:38

System edited: Hi, Added some new pics of new amp stand and current room

jfrech February 04, 2011 21:26

Sgr, thanks for the comments! The little things are becoming to important now. Wilson's, like any speaker, require system matching and proper placement, but once done are very very rewarding.

jfrech February 03, 2011 12:29

Hi Dev, I keep hearing a lot about the minus k and the vibraplanes. I know they are a little different technology, but I agree with you on isolation. I have a friend in Dallas with a vibraplane under his technics table with excellent results.

On Isolation, Where most electronics seems to have a law of diminishing returns, isolation, maybe a law of increasing returns as your system resolution increases...just my experience so far

jfrech February 03, 2011 12:26

Very nice system. I've never heard the Wilsons but would sure like to audition them someday. Looks like your system has really transformed itself for the better over the years. Congratulations!

sgr February 02, 2011 20:27

Hi Jfrech, good to read you rectified your issue, what you described would be most anoying specially with the caliber of gear you have.

I got a Minus K specifically for my TW AC3 table for isolation and it's incredible, some food for thought for down the road. I placed my 1621a Transport which is very heavey on it's own and was placed on a HRS platform, placing this on this Minus K is the best my REDBOOK has ever sounded too, darn it because now I need to buy another one.

I have been looking at different stands for a few years now and have come to a conclusion that almost every stand out there the gear placed within still benifits from further isolation of some sort so you might want to get one for your table, you would most likely be able to just get a standard one.

dev February 02, 2011 14:09

Hi, well it's solved now.

But if it was electrical, the hum seemingly would have been constant and not related to having the stylus in the groove. When you lift the stylus...hum was gone.

It was purely mechanical ...the vibration was moving up the stand into the table/stylus. I and my dealer when through dozens of trouble shooting things...we were both surprised on the outcome !

Anyway, solved and better sound :)

jfrech February 02, 2011 12:55