Description

I call it penultimate cause its always being tweaked, no?

I like the quiet and precision of the SS front end with the majesty and sweetness of the tweaked Wolcotts. Thanks to Albert Porter, Duke and Dillan84 for suggestions, Steve Nugent and Segeui for great cables.
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Components Toggle details

    • Jeff Rowland LH Complement
    This really the latest production Ikeda Rex since I have had it updated. This the primary cartridge in the system.
    • Pass Labs Aleph ONO
    This has all the latest updates. Drive balanced lines into the next room where the system/speakers reside.
    • Pass Labs X-1
    Quient, two levels of gain and balanced i/o make it match any system.
    • Linn LP-12 Sondek Ittok
    Has all updates uses the rare heavy counterweight with the Rowland Complement
    • Target Turntable wall stands
    Placed in a different room than the speakers increases definition more than any other tweak.
    • Accuphase T-100
    Modified by Don Scott. Use an outside antenna with a rotator. Best tuner I have heard including the MR 78, 10B, and so on.
    • OPPO DV 970HD
    I use this to play DVD-A, CD, and especially SACDs until I figure out what it is that really sounds good and is a stable source from the industry.
    • Wolcott Audio P-220m
    The best amps I have heard. Tube rolling of the 6922s and ECL86s helps greatly.
    • Sound Lab ULTIMATE - 1 PX
    The best speaker in the line of best speakers. If you haven't heard these, try. Here they are near their little brothers the A-3s.
    • Empirical PC - Silver
    Best cables I have tried. Use RCA and balanced on all interconnects.
    • Stealth Special order
    I use these on the Preamp and Wolcotts - they were special order overrun for another tube amp manufacturer.
    • Acoustic Zen Satori
    Short (4') runs for the mono blocks
    • Ortofon Kontrapunkt B
    Helikon killer at a third the street price. Spatial and frequency champ. Backup cartridge.
    • VPI Record Cleaning Machine
    Best investment you can make for an active record collection or collector. Stock cleaning fluid is great, too.

Comments 18

What had happened when you had power issue in your room with the Wolcott?  I am just curious since I also have the Wolcott.

hpfish10

In a house that old with crappy wiring make sure you have
smoke alarms everywhere . More a question of when than if.

schubert

Owner
I moved to an 1818 house in the mountains with crappy wiring.

I sold:

The Accuphase because I shouldn't get any signal except NPR (argh) since there are mountains blocking.

The Wolcotts since I didn't have enough clean juice and they kept crapping out on me.

Replacements:
Oppo BD-105 (marvelous) - still have old Oppo as backup.
Sanderssound Magtech (marvelous, handle crappy wiring well, wonderful match for SLs.)

Plans:
New 200 amp panel and rewire music room. Going solar!
Upgrade U-1PX to Toriod 2 backplanes.
Spend more time with my lovely wife

ivanj

Owner
The PXs are a quantum leap forward from the original panels in every respect. They are also MUCH more reliable. Make sure you have the updated backplanes.

There is an active market for the old panels.

ivanj

Owner
I had the Complement rebuilt by Ikada-san several years ago to current specs. Rowland were kind enough to handle the rebuild.

If you have the correct arm and TT the Ikeda sound is amazing. The Ortofon is very good also and is more forgiving of most conventional setups.

If I did not have the Ikeda I would be very happy with the Ortofon.

"The best is the enemy of the good."

ivanj

Do you have some data of the Complement cartridge or original papers. I mean the years of production and the tracking force, as its known that only the after 93 Rexs and some others could make it under the 2g ( if they ). the JR have also changed the diamond, but to what ?
Thanks.

alceta

Do you have some data of the Complement cartridge or original papers. I mean the years of production and the tracking force, as its known that only the after 93 Rexs and some others could make it under the 2g ( if they ). the JR have also changed the diamond, but to what ?
Thanks.

alceta

how does the px sound better?

brizonbiovizier

Owner
System edited: Just updated due to the PX panel update to the SoundLabs. Well worth the $7500 - fantastic. Also, the Complement/Ikeda Rx finally broke in after 100 hours and is the best cartridge I have ever heard. No cantilever beats any cantilever. I am honored to own the Ikeda.

ivanj

Thanks for all your input. Great food for thought. Happy listening.

creeper

Owner
These reviews redouble my opinion that the XX-1 in the PX2 would be a good match vs. the Linn IN YOUR SITUATION. Btw if the arm doesn't lift on the end this can't be fixed inless you have another table to cannabalize the IC from. It doesn't work on my table and I don't care. The rest of the control ICs I am told have COTS equivalents or are still supplied. Oh one thing, the table sounds best if it is as LEVEL as possible.

ivanj

The XX-1 is now discontinued, replaced by the XX-2 (different design). My only experience with it is hearing my friends. He originally had his mounted on a VPI HW-19 MK-4, can't remember what arm. Now he has it on an Audiomeca Romance/Romeo arm. In both cases I loved the sound. Soundstage is wide, deep and 3D; better on the Audiomeca setup. His setup - same amps as myself, ARC SP-8 pre, Alon Lotus SE speakers. Here is a link to my system:

The Rig mkII

creeper

Owner
I think it would be an excellent choice. How have people reviewed the sound characteristics of the XX-1. What are you using for a step-up and preamp?

ivanj

My system is set up on the short wall of a small room - 9'x13'. It sounds like the narrower soundstage of the PX-2 would work well for me. Plus, the forward presentation would work well with the extremely laid-back presentation of my Alon I mkII. I have a Dynavector XX-1 that has never been mounted. Do you think this would be a good match on the PX-2?

creeper

Owner
The difference I hear between the LP12 and the PX 2 is that the Yamaha has more compact images and a more forward presentation with good front to back depth. The Linn is more easily tuneful and has a more expansive presentation but the images are further back. I hear you avoid the PX1, the 2 and 3 are ok.

ivanj

Ivanj,
I noticed that you have changed your analog front end. How better does the PX-2 perform than the LP-12? I've been very curious about the PX-2 and PX-3. BTW, nice rig!

creeper

Owner
System edited: I added some pictures of the layout of some of the equipment.

ivanj

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