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
Sorry it took me a bit to reply. In my VK150se's, I have from time to time on the 6v6's and 6sn7s. Not a lot of choices on the 6c33b's or 6h30's. I do have NOS 6h30 in the input. Helps a little.
On the 6v6s I tried, no real significant change. The 6sn7's I tried were RCA's. little warmer, softer, I ended up going back to Russian 6h8c's, they seemed best and what the amp seems voiced for...
System edited: Just added 2 more Purist Audio Designs 20th Anniversay power cords. Upgraded from Dominus Fluid and Ferrox on my Pre amp and Phono stage.
If I were to switch from Ayre SS to tube gear it would be to BAT. Besides the excellent sound quality I've heard from their gear, especially with Wilson speakers, I highly appreciate systems designed with balanced circuitry in mind.
I visited John a week or so ago and heard this system first hand.
I've always respected Wilson Audio due to their construction quality, marketing and customer service, but for me they were always a bit dry and analytical.
Forget that with this system, it's musically involving, has great resolution and almost zero distortion. Too, these speakers only have a couple of hundred hours on them, so I'll wager they improve with additional run in.
John has a wonderful room, even without any acoustical treatment other than tube traps. This has gone from a good system ( with WP 6's) to an amazing system with all the addition of the WP 8's and new room.
No doubt the SME analog rig and all tube electronics are helping but the speakers are a big part of any systems sound. Whatever the design changes implemented by Wilson in this new series, they are very positive.
System edited: Major system update. I moved to Austin late in '06. So new room 1st. Replaced Watt Puppy 6's with Wilson Watt Puppy 8's. Replaced 1 Purist Venustas interconnect with 1 Purist 20th Anniversay (umm WOW). Added a 2nd BAT VK75SE (so VK 150SE's now). Added 2 Purist 20th Anniversary Power cords for the amps. Also replaced my Arcici Suspense with a Pagode Master Reference with Cerabases and Cerapucs everywhere. Most importantly, I have a great new Austin based Wilson dealer that incredibly set up my speakers!
Congrats on a very well put together system. Could you please comment on the performance of the Lyra Skala. I am thinking of upgrading from my Lyra Helikon.
Hi right now I am using Purist Venestas XLR interconnect and a Transparent Powerlink XL Reference ac cord. It sits on a Arcici stand and a Symposium Svelt shelf.
Other power cords I've used are FIM Gold and a Kimber Palladian 10. I like the Transparent here the best of the 3. The other cords worked much better on my amp and preamp until I tried a Purist Dominus...that's by far the best on the amps.
I used to have all Transparent reference cabling, for some reason, this ac cords just likes the DV 50. Purist Venastas for interconnects are hard to beat. They smoked my Transparent Ref x xl previously for 1/2 the price.
System edited: Big step up with the Dominus speaker cable. Dramaticcally improved the system. Albert stopped by to help me tune the system, the Dominus speaker cord made me realize I need to change my VTA, VTF and remove some isolation from under the amp. Also, moved the Opis interconnect to the phono stage and put my Venestas on my digital. Opis keeps suprising me with it's dynamics and warmth.
According to the review comparing Titan, Temper W and Audio Tekne MC-6310 (I paraphrase):
Add to background silence a host of high performance strengths and for $1000 less than the other two, you can own a cartridge that is more than competitive and arguably superior for see-into-the-soundstage transparency and resolution of event detail.
Was it a big improvement over the Hovland? Oh my yes. Almost made me want to skip sex several times...but in the end...:) Seriously, it was such a huge step, I traded out all my Trans Ref interconnect for more Venustas. I now have 2 Dominus power cords on both my phono and pre amp stages. I'll likely get another for my amp soon.
I am real close to buying a cartridge. Can't decide betweent the Titan i and a Dyna xv-1s. The Temper W I haven't considered. I am curious on the price and sound diff from the helikon!
Nice system for you! I know Albert, so if he says the pic was tough, I bet it was!
I didn't realize you'd got the Venustas phono. Was it a big improvement over the Hovland? If you're going to get a Dominus PC, definitely put it on your amp-- made a huge difference for me.
Cartridges: A friend of mine with a Helikon was deciding between a Titan and a Temper W. Went w/ the Temper W and is thrilled (I have one also.) If you're interested, I know where they're available new for a big discount.
System edited: recently updated bat vk50se to vk51se. I think this is mostly a power supply change, however yield much better detail and transparency. Deeper, tighter, bass to.
System edited: Added 2 Hubbel 8300 ac plugs, cryo'd by Albert Porter. Replaced 2 PS audio power ports. One of the biggest updates I've ever done-especially on dollar basis. Seriously, like a cable upgrade. Only these cost $40.
