Updated and Upgraded. Custom made plinth of Phenolic and aluminum. This is probably one of the best turntables in the world now! I have heard a lot, but I have heard few better!
TriPlanar VII
black and silver. I've never seen an arm so versatile and easy to setup.
Soundsmith Strain Gauge
Not moving magnet or moving coil. The best I have ever heard regardless of price.
Sony SC-D777es
sacd, 1 bit. Modded by Richard Kern in Dec 2005. added new superclock and replaced all caps with Black Gates. The sound is much less 'digital.'
Pursit Audio Design Venustus
1.5 meter interconnect.
Soundsmith (custom made) SG - 400
Phono section with line stage single input. Custom Cocabolo cabinet.
Purist Dominus, 4 meter
4 meter pair of the liquid filled Dominus between the pre-amp and amp. The best cable I have ever heard.
Atma-Sphere M 60 mk III
60 wpc class A OTL mono blocks with V-Cap Teflon caps, power supply boost, Caddock resistor package, and stainless steel front panels.
Purist Dominus PC - 2
Using two Dominus PCs on the Classe amplifier
Purist Venustus
1.5 meter pair
Harmonic Precision Caravelle
Smallish two way with the original stand.
Sistrum SP-1 (?)
I bought five shelves with the solid top for the Sota Cosmos table. This is a great rack. If a person spent twice the money they might be able to get something better, but is it twice as good? The picture is just the top shelf. [url]http://starsound.biz/multiplatforms.HTML[/url] gives more info.
Purist Venustus PCs (2)
On the Sota power supply and the Klyne power supply.
Exact Power EP15A
I don't know what this thing is doing, but it sure does it better than the Tice Power Block...
Doug, before I bought my EP15A I read up a bit in different threads and some people seemed to love them while others did not get the benefit they thought they might... After reading and talking to Mehran I decided it was worth the risk.
Nothing works for everyone! Cuz not everyone has ears as good as mine, that's a sad joke...
I'm still not settled for VTA on the Sota but I'm getting closer. I don't have Pauls ears so I'll just leave it when I get to where I should be, although I thought about putting a mark on the top of the TriPlanar where it generally works best for 120g, 180g and 200g playback.
Yea, I'm still looking. I emailed everyone in my group and no one seems to have them.
I probably put them in a drawer and don't remember where. I've only been out of the hospital a few days and between the surgery and drugs I'm not 100%.
If I can find them, Nate is welcome to try them for as long as he needs to make a decision.
. Well Albert, . It would seem logical here that you go out and find a set of Rollerblocks and then loan them to Nate since he can't find any. . Rgds, Larry .
. Nate, . I am sorry that I have given you such an insurmountable task. I realize that you have been searching in earnest for 9 days as of today. . Do keep pressing on with your search. It may take a month or longer. but you will prevail. This is the time when you have to look deep inside yourself for your inner strength and forge forward. Good luck., I am sure you will prevail in the end. . Rgds, Larry .
. Ok Nate, . You are now ready to pick up a pair of Rollerblocks (used) on Audiogon to put under the Exact Power. . Prepare for another surprise. . Rgds, Larry .
Wow, I must say that the Exact Power EP 15 A is amazing in my system. I know there has been some controversy in regard to this unit, but ever since it arrived from Sorasound my system has sounded markedly better. I have gotten a second opinion lest anyone think I have been stewing in my own juices to long to know the difference... The other sets of ears were as impressed as I, I think...
It added a level of refinement, and solidified the bass, while adding more air to the presentation.
The Exact Power replaced a older Tice PowerBlock II which I have been using for about ten years. I have been wondering for a while if the PowerBlock was not a limiting factor in my system now, but since I needed the outlets I was not able to unplug it and test the system without it...
The improvement was immediate. I was waiting for a while to say anthing because I wanted to see if additional time would add to it's performance, but what I got out of the box was what I have now with about ten days on the unit.
They are not cheap, but I do think they are worth the money!
I guess I'll have to look into the Symposium products!
The Sota Cosmos IV (the very first one released from Sota) is an improvement over the version III. The ratio between the top of the armboard and the top of the platter allows for more flexability when it comes to arm selection, and VTA adjustability. Right now I am running it with all the suspension cancelled, so it's hard to comment on the sound as it is intended to be used.
The table seems to have much more authority than the previous version. I must admit that I'm still playing with VTA though...
Thanks for calling the other night. Sorry I had to make it so short, we were literally running out the door. I'll send you that file I mentioned, as soon as I find it!
Larry's advice on Rollerblocks beneath the Exact Power is spot on. We found the the improvement audible and worthwhile beneath ours.
FWIW, we've A/B'd Rollerblocks and Stillpoints beneath our Nick Doshi tube amp. The Rollerblocks were clearly the better performer. As in all vibration control YMMV of course, but you definitely should try Rollerblocks. They're beneath our EP, amp and preamp power supply - all to good effect.
I've not tried our EP at sub-zero temps so I don't know if your "cryo" treatment will help it or not. We didn't notice much change with added hours. We did and do notice exactly the improvements you noted. Increased bass and dynamics, nicely lowered noise floor. It's a great product.
Larry, Steve mentioned that you were pretty happy with Roller Blocks. I've never used them. I have tried Aurios bearings and brass cones, and I have one set of Stillpoints under my amp now. I think the Stillpoints were well worth the money. How would you compare the two, or have you had the chance to compare them?
What changes should I notice as the Exact Power gets more hours?
. Nate, . Once the Exact Power has around 500 hours on it, try placing it on top of a set of Rollerblocks and then listen again....you will be in for a treat.... . Rgds, Larry .
System edited: The Exact Power AP15A arrived this morning. It sat in my truck for about five or six hours before I got to bring it home and put it in place. I have had the Tice Power Block for years and struggled with the question: "Is this helping or hindering? After the AC15A was on for two minutes I had my answer. The differences were all on the positive side and too obvious to ignore. The low end is much more authoratative, and the noise floor has dropped again. There is much more definition to the soundstage, but not at the cost of loosing musicality (like some companies do with their gear). I'm sure there is more improvement to come as the unit gets to temperatures above freezing. It's being going for about three hours now, and the wow factor continues to grow... :o
Yo Nate, It's been a long time for me around here, but I'm kinda getting back into things again. Your bike looks Sweet ! Nice job. Oh yeah, system looks Awesome too ! Bruce