Description

Audio Nirvana has arrived. Being involved in this hobby for the past 40 years proves that this is a journey and not a destination. Over these years I have had countless iterations of too many systems to mention. Over the past 15 years I have become a loyal fan of Wilson Audio speakers and have steadily moved up their production line. Four years ago I never thought it could get any better than my Wilson X-2 Alexandria series l until I heard the X-2 series ll this year. Suffice it to say the X-2 Series ll speakers were added in October of this year in Black Almondine and now occupy the center of my sound syatem. For the past 3 years I have been seriously considering a return to vinyl and was ready to make the move until I began reading about the resurgence of reel to reel tape recorders and The Tape Project. Recently I found a fully restored Studer A810 tape recorder and added it to my system as well as becoming a Charter Subscriber to The Tape Project. Needless to say I was smitten. Recently I also swapped out my much beloved Meitner digital gear for the newer Playback Designs PDS MP-S5 and have been more than happpy with that decision. Earlier this year the video side of my room underwent a complete change and installed the Sim2 C3X1080 triple chip DLP with an Isco lll anamorphic lens. This allows me to enjoy either 16 X 9 format as well as 2.35 on a CIH Stewart Firehawk G3 132 inch curved screen. When I did this I upgraded the subwoofer(s) in my room by swapping the Wilson XS for two JL Audio Gotham subs. It took the better part of four months to get these subs dialed in for my room but once done they are simply better than I could have ever imagined. As far as what the future holds in the hobby, I am in a holding pattern but I never say never.
Read more...

Components Toggle details

    • Wilson Audio X-2 Alexandria Series ll
    I am in awe of this speaker both from the way it sounds as well as the way it looks. After 3 months of anxiously awaiting, the speaker finally arrived. Color is Black Almondine with Parchment Gray grill covers. The speakers weigh in at a cool 720 lbs each and stand 2 inches taller than the X-1's I had. Simply put, I have never heard a speaker as real as this. The soundstage is huge, more open than even the X-2 series l. The ease of setup as well was amazing. It took us only 2 hours to get the speakers operational. The wonderful thing about the X-2 is that the upper modules can now be meticulously set to image at ear level. The X-1's were always imaging just a bit high. These speakers are truly Dave Wilson at the pinnacle of his game. Just when I thought my X-2 series l's put me at audio nirvana, along comes the X-2 Series ll. The best way to compare this speaker to anything else is with a big smile rather than with hyperbole. IMO this speaker has brought me to Audio Nirvana.
    • Lamm Industries ML 3 Signature
    The ML3 is a single-ended (SE) tube amplifier utilizing a very powerful direct-heated triode GM-70 (125W plate dissipation) and a separate power supply. Combining the most sophisticated technologies and electronic design with graceful looks reminiscent of the classic era of tubes, the ML3 is our top-of-the-line, no-compromise product. It is a 32-watt amplifier that operates in pure class A and utilizes no overall feedback. The topology is absolutely unique and incorporates one of the most advanced power supplies ever featured in an audio device. These factors, along with the designer’s unique vision and understanding of the underlying principles of audio electronics, make the ML3 an amplifier without peer. With the ML3 as the centerpiece of a high-end system, the recorded event is recreated in one’s listening room with astonishing verisimilitude. The listener is able to experience an ephemeral yet tangible connection to the essence of the music. These are not empty claims. Those who have listened to the ML3 firsthand have unanimously acknowledged this phenomenon and have reported it to be utterly unique in their collective experience. IMO this amp rises above all others and is the the new king of the hill. Audio Nirvana has arrived
    • Lamm Industries LL1 Signature Dual Mono Line Level
    The monaural line level preamplifier model LL1 Signature is the ultimate statement of perfection in High-End audio. Just like ML3 Signature is the best creation of its designer's professional career among the LAMM amplifiers, so is the LL1 Signature among the line level LAMM preamplifiers. The LL1 Signature has been designed to complement the ML3 Signature amplifier, and this combination in a system represents a "match made in heaven". However, the LL1 Signature will perform magic with any other appropriate power amplifier. The LL1 Signature features a topology that brings out the most natural sound performance in the audio path. In principle, it is a single-stage unit that basically represents the shortest possible signal path. The preamplifier contains four very linear low impedance triodes paralleled into a single inverting gain stage. The LL1 Signature employs a pure single-ended class A operation, with no overall feedback applied. Also featured are specially selected high-transconductance dual triodes 6N30P-DR/ 6Н30П-ДР (original) in the signal path and TKD stepped potentiometers for volume control - the best available on today's market. The preamplifier's audibly neutral power supply features a full-wave vacuum rectifier. This rectifier, together with a choke-containing filter, allows to practically get rid of the hum and buzz and, in the end, to ensure the verity of dynamic range without coloration. Two solid-state analog voltage regulators supply dc voltage to the tube filaments (heaters). Other features include 3 inputs, one tape/HT processor loop, attenuator (-12 dB) switch, output 1/output 2 switches, protection circuitry designed to enable manual muting of the output signal, and built-in remote on/off for LAMM power amplifiers. The main distinction of the LL1 Signature from any other comparable type of preamplifiers is its practically inaudible sonic signature. When connected to an appropriate type of power amplifiers, especially LAMM power amplifiers, it assures the extraordinary transparency of perceived sound and recreation of a three-dimensional soundstage in the home, recording studio, etc., without boundaries and limitations. Each preamplifier is handcrafted of the finest materials and top quality parts like military-grade DALE metal-film resistors, PRC wire-wound resistors, BOURNS multi-turn potentiometers, CORNELL DUBILIER and UNITED CHEMI-CON electrolytic capacitors, ELECTROCUBE, ELCON and ROEDERSTEIN film capacitors; HAMMOND chokes, gold-plated NEUTRIC connectors, and military-grade low-noise long-life vacuum tubes. A custom-designed massive damping panel installed in the preamplifier unit significantly reduces all types of mechanical vibrations which, in turn, leads to a more extended, coherent and natural bass reproduction. The LL1 Signature features a custom-designed super-low noise power transformer. The LL1 Signature works on all world AC line voltages (100/120/220/230/240V).
    • JL Audio Gotham/g213
    Gotham® Your first look will tell you that you are looking at something special… your first listen will confirm it beyond a shadow of a doubt. The beauty of the Gotham® extends well beyond its exotic design and exceptional craftsmanship, aiming right at the emotional core of musical and cinematic enjoyment. This is a subwoofer system with limits well beyond the needs of the typical home theater application, delivering a weight and integrity of reproduction that can only come from a system that is always in control. Its allure lies as much in its ability to convey subtleties as in its prodigious output capabilities. It is simply devastating. A luxurious, handcrafted gloss-black finish is complemented by machined aluminum and stainless steel accents for a look and feel that fits perfectly with the finest home furnishings. More importantly, the beautiful cabinet houses a pair of JL Audio’s highest-technology subwoofer drivers. When demanded by program material, the Gotham’s amplifier can deliver voltage equivalent to 3,800 watts of RMS power to take full advantage of the twin drivers’ four inches of peak-to-peak excursion capability. This ensures that the Gotham™ can breeze through material that makes other subwoofers go into clipping, limiting or distress. Listening to a Gotham® reveals an entirely new dimension of subwoofer performance... a dimension so satisfying that listening to lesser subwoofers will forever become an act of compromise. Available Models: g213 (click for specs and feature list) Model: g213-GLOSS SKU: 96237 Cabinet Finish: High-Gloss Black
    • Playback Designs System MS5
    I just never thought that I would sell my Meitner gear because for years IMO it was the leader of the pack. Not so fast any more as along came the PDS MS-5 which creates music as close to vinyl as the real thing
    • Studer Reel To Reel A-810
    A fully refurbished state of the art Studio reel to reel
    • Krell Theater Amplifier Standard
    This is used to drive my center channel, surround channels and rear channel. I use it only for home theater however when Krell releases their SACD standard in May, I will delve into multichannel audio. I continue to use a Krell FPB-750 mcX for my Wilson XS subwoofer. I use 6.1 and not 7.1 in my room
    • Wilson Audio WATCH Center Channel
    I have used many center channel speakers but have found this one to outperform anything that I have previously owned. I use it with its accompanying speaker stand centered right under my screen. Recently upgraded this center channel to Black Almondine to match my new X-2 series ll speakers
    • Wilson Audio WATCH Surround (left and right)
    A perfect compliment for my Wilson X-1/XS speakers.
    • Nordost Valhalla
    I use this in my front end. An unbelievably transparent interconnect. I was using Tara Labs The Zero which was magnificent but I feel the Valhalla is a notch above even though The Zero was priced at $12,500 for a 2 meter pair of balanced cables
    • Wilson Audio WATCH rear
    I decided on only 6.1 rather than 7.1 and am very impressed with this speaker in my home theater
    • Sim2 Triple Chip DLP Projector C3X 1080
    For those following the buzz on the internet this is the latest triple chip DLP from Sim that has a picture unequaled for projectors of this price and size
    • Isco 2.35 Anamorphic Lens Model lll
    Anamorphic 2.35 lens for Sim 2 projector
    • Stewart Filmscreen Firehawk G3 CineV 130
    A CIH screen with native 2.35 aspect ratio and 120 inch width. Masks to 16 x 9 as well
    • Sony BDP-S2000ES
    Sony's flagship Blu-ray Disc™ player, with astounding audio enhancements and vibration-reduction that deliver phenomenal results in a rock-solid design
    • Lexicon MC12B-HD v 1.2
    Most impressive about the MC-12 HD is its extensive custom processing capabilities. Four 32-bit floating-point DSP engines provide vast resources for such proprietary features as Logic 7, Auto Azimuth correction, five-speaker enhancement, bass enhancement, and dialog enhancement. Lexicon?s bass management system, digital crossovers and tone controls are also powered by these DSP engines. This processing is performed at sample rates up to 96kHz with 24-bit resolution to retain top performance from all input sources. A fifth DSP engine is dedicated to decoding Dolby Digital and DTS sources. Inside and out, the MC-12 HD is designed to accommodate potential hardware and software advancements with internal expansion, a removable rear panel access plate, and two RS-232 connectors.
    • Nordost Valhalla AES/EBU
    A digital cable with XLR (balanced)terminations. Used to connect the Krell kps25sc to the EMM Labs DAC 6
    • Nordost Valhalla
    Simply the best and most transparent cable I have ever used. I sold my Tara Labs The Omega for these cables. As great as the Omega was, I find there is no comparison with the Valhalla
    • Nordost Valhalla
    20 amp IEC power cables (one pair) used for my Audio Research Refernce 600 Mark lll mono amps. This resulted in immediate improvement in bass as well as producing a somewhat more dynamic sound.
    • Tara Labs RSC Gen 2
    Used in my home theater
    • Tara Labs RSC Air One
    5 pair of balanced cables used in my home theater
    • Tara Labs The One
    I have 2 of these in my front end. They made a big difference
    • Absolute Power Line Purifier
    Used in my home theater side. A very solid work horse
    • Aurios Pro MIb
    Decouplers. An absolute must in any system. I use these under my Krell kps25sc and Audio Research Reference ll Mark ll. I have also found dramatic improvement in my bass when used under my Wilson X-1 Grand Slamm speakers. These are sold exclusively at http://www.audionut.com Ask for Bob Williams. he will give you all of the theory behind this tweak.You can reach him at 1-877-944-5505
    • Acoustic Sciences Corporation Tube Traps
    The single best tweak to my room was to have ASC design room modifications (tube traps)according to the size of my room with the type of gear used. I have a total of 38 tube traps in the room in all sizes, varying from Super trap 20's, Super trap 16's and trap 13's, 11's and 9's. I did this in stages according to the plans provided by ASC and once finished I had a true 2C3D room. The walls are virtually invisible.
    • Acoustic Sciences Corporation Sound Planks
    Also part of the design rendered for my room by ASC. These sit at the front wall and have vastly improved the sound in the room.
    • Billy Bags AV Pro
    This is used for my home theater equiment
    • Billy Bags CD/DVD Stand
    Designrd specifically for my room I am able to store over 1000 CD's and/or DVD's
    • Zoethecus component stands Z.2/R (2 in all)
    Great looking, good support and excellent isolation
    • Zoethecus amp stands (3 in all) Z.block/1d
    Great looking with super isolation
    • Musical Fidelity Tube Output Buffer X-10v3
    high input impedance allowing me to drive my new JL Gotham subs without compromising my Audio Research Reference 3 preamp
    • Musical Fidelity Tube Output Buffer Power Supply
    Optional separate power supply for tube buffer which helps bass response from Gotham Subs
    • Transparent Reference (RSE) Interconnect
    20 foot pair from Tube Buffer Output to Gotham subs and one meter pair from ARC Ref3 to Tube Output Buffer
    • See Other Web site For More Details And Pictures
    [URL]http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showthread.php?10535-Doctor-s-Orders-Part-Two-The-New-Listening-Room-Of-Steve-Williams&p=191656&viewfull=1#post191656[/URL]

Comments 1014

Hi Oneobgyn,Good luck with the new player,on a different subject i have finally upgraded my Audio Research Reference 2 Mk.2 to a Reference 3 do you recall how long it took to break in i only have 10 hours on mine so can't comment yet.
It has so many good reviews i know i have made the right decision.
Regards Bigpond.

bigpond

Owner
Picked the player up today at Andreas house. Professionally packaged and eye candy to open. He had been burning it in for the past 48 hours and then tested it to be sure all was well. It was. I brought it home and installed it in my system in less than 5 minutes. Great remote with back light. Very user friendly. I have been burning in today with my Purist Audio Design System Enhancer and finally tonight spent a few hours listening. The esoteric drive betters that on the Meitner. It seems quicker to open and load and does it smoothly with no unusual sounds. In a million years I never would have thought that something could better my beloved Meitner stack but indeed this unit does. Andreas is a genius and all too modest to boot. He was given a blank piece of paper and designed this unit from the ground up. My hat's off to him. Some have asked for the ability to do DVD-A etc but IMO this is wonderful as is and is not meant to be a universal player like some other boxes. Initial impression is a larger soundstage with width and depth. Bass is better and noise floor seems to be almost non existant. Compared to more expensive units I can only say that my buddy Jonathan has hit a home run with this one. Anyone thinking of buying a new player, this one is worthy of an audition.
More to follow.

oneobgyn

That's great OB. Can't wait to read about it in your system.

mikeduke

Owner
Andreas called me this morning. My unit is finished and burning in. I intend on picking it up today

oneobgyn

Owner
Hi Vito

I will be running it balanced to the Ref3 (same as the Meitner). Yes it does SACD. My initial observation when Andreas brought the unit over to my house to a/b vs the Meitner was that it was very subdued and I was somewhat concerned. When I mentioned that to Andreas he said that the output on the new unit is set 6Db lower than the Meitner. When I adjusted my Ref3 up the 6Db to compensate then the magic happened. Stay tuned for some further updates

oneobgyn

Mikeduke, so I assume that Transparent Music is a PD dealer. One more thing that they need to get out on a web site. My local dealer is interested. I personally know three to five likely buyers.

Dave

dcstep

Oneobgyn,
Congrats on the Playback Designs player. Does the
MPS-5 read SACD discs? If so how did SACD playback
compare to the Meitner set-up? Are you planning to run the
player balanced or single ended to the ARC ref 3?
Have Fun!
Vito

vmk

No,
I heard it here
http://www.transparentmusic.net/

I have been talking to Barry, the owner, for a while now and I went up there to buy my Grand Prix rack. It was really impressive to hear his entire system with that player. Out of my league though but at least I got to listen to it. Like I said, it is the best sounding cd player I ever heard.

mikeduke

Mikeduke, where'd you hear the Playback Designs, at Doc's place? It is truly amazing. The more I listen, the better it gets.

Dave

dcstep

Hey OB,
I ordered the rack today. Plus I was able to listen to that CD player. Holy Crap is great. I have heard a number of good players. Granted at shows, but still... I have heard the big esoteric rack, the Zanden, Audio Research, Sim Audio, Pathos etc. That PlayBack is the best digital system I have listened to. It sounded so real. It was the most natural sounding player I have ever heard. I am sure in your setup, it sounds out of this world. Congrats.
I will let you know when I get the rack installed.

mikeduke

I'm truly amazed at how quickly it "burn-in", it's more like "turn-on". Literally it sounded great out of the box and in under four-hours it jumped to incredible. Running it constantly for a few days it may have moved just a teeny bit.

Dave

dcstep

Owner
Now we're talking. The sound "IS" amazing. I must admit that when Andreas brought it over to m house I was very skeptical as to how it could better the Meitner. Honestly it took only brief listening to convince me and my friend with direct A/B testing vs the Meitner. I sold my Meitner stack the next day and bought it.

oneobgyn

I think you mean that my wish list is beyond your expectations. If I didn't already own DVD-As I wouldn't care either.

I also wish for HDMI I/O so that I can take that extra box universal player and stream it into the MPS-5 using the DSD-out that my players provide.

Oh well, nothing's perfect, right?

Let's talk more about the sound, isn't it amazing?

Dave

dcstep

Owner
Actually you made it very clear. I was also trying to suggest that your wish list for this player is beyond your expectations...but never say never.

oneobgyn

Maybe I didn't make it clear, I have a universal player (three in fact); however, I'd rather have only one box, the MPS-5. BTW, I put a DVD-A in the MPS-5 to see what would happen, and it actually started playing, but with horrible sound. It was reading something, just not with any accuracy at all.

Dave

dcstep

Owner
I would bet 24/192 is doable BUT seems to me you still want a universal player

oneobgyn

06-26-08: Oneobgyn said:
"... would you not agree that DVD-A is ancient history"

Just like my vinyl, I don't want to ditch my DVD-As. Also, I want to be able to record hi rez discs of my live performance files and play them on my main system using discs. I can record in DSD at 5.6mHz, but I doubt that resolution will be available, but I'd be happy with 24/192. An alternative might well be a music server interface that Andreas is working on, as I understand.

I think something will work out in the next few months.

Dave

dcstep

Owner
Dcstep

BTW, the more I re-read your post it is apparent to me that what you want is another universal player, something that the PD-MPS-5 isn't

oneobgyn

Owner
Andreas is on vacation until next week but would you not agree that DVD-A is ancient history

oneobgyn

Oneobgyn said:
."..the Playback Designs is more up to date and has the ability to accept literally every type of input with the ability to upgrade"

Welcome to the PD MPS-5 club.

Much as I love mine, it will not play DVD-A or a host of non-Redbook CD formats. That's actually only a relatively small problem for me as I can use the PD's digital inputs and one of my universal players as a transport. (Still, I would love to get rid of another box. Are you listening Andreas?)

Dave

dcstep

Owner
Thanks Carl

If the Brinkman proves to be above my means I do intend on auditioning Dmitri's Nottingham. He even prefers to set it up for me himself as we live so close to one another

oneobgyn

Owner
Mike

You are probably correct in that I feel the same. If I go analog and there is a strong likelihood that I will, I do not have the smarts either for setting up and would defer to the dealer.

oneobgyn

Hi, Steve,

I actually heard this Nottingham table at Dmitri's a while ago, it is a very nice deck and Dmitri is an interesting, knowledgeable audiophile with an intriguing array of single ended equipment and tubes. Looking at his stuff is like a tubeophile picnic.
Bob and Neli at Audio Federation seem to be in the small group of completely credible high end dealers, they display a high order of knowledge, taste, and no BS, judging from their online blogs and show reports. The Brinkmann looks like a good bet to get the highest order of analog performance without going into the price stratosphere of some of the other high end turntables. The Raven turntables also look like good bets.

cjfrbw

The "problem" is that I am physically unable to work on my system myself. I just don't have the balance for it so I need to have a dealer do all my installing for me. I know that fact limits what I can get, but I that is a limitation that I simply can not get around :(. So far though I have been able to get the things I wanted without much trouble. The hyperspace with the Anna arm should be very nice. If you do audition it, I would be curious to hear your thoughts on it.

mikeduke

Owner
Guido, Alexee

Initial listening observations are better soundstage, more open, quieter, lower noise floor and much better bass. Now I must add that this does NOT make the Meitner a bad piece of gear but rather the Playback Designs is more up to date and has the ability to accept literally every type of input with the ability to upgrade.

Bear in mind that Andreas started with a blank piece of paper and was designed from the ground up. It really is a special unit and worth having a listen to. I was a doubter because I have loved my Meitner stack over the past several years, having started with the very first modded Philips SACD 1000 with the DAC6e and going through all of the iterations ending up with the CDSD SE and DAC6e SE. I have said that this gear was as close to analog as the real thing. Suffice it to say I was stunned. In fact the day Andreas brought the unit over, one of my close audiophile friends came by also for a listen. He is all analog with a Sirius 3 TT driving his system. He said as well that the new unit bettered the Meitner by a long shot. I never thought I would say this but change is just that and Andreas is a veritable genius when it comes to digital algorithms

oneobgyn

Displaying posts 326 - 350 of 1014 in total