jsm71's System

by jsm71 on Retirement System

Description

This is my retirement system, built for maximum realism and clarity.  The JansZen speakers provide the virtues that ESLs are known for, along with class leading integration of bass woofers.  The Rythmik subs are icing on the cake.  With the subs, the speakers sound much more expensive and impactful when recordings call for that lower foundation.

The Linear Tube Audio electronics allow tube sound to play without the distortion burden of iron core output transformers.  I couldn't be happier with the sound.  The speakers and the provided sound levels fit the room perfectly. 

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Room Details

Dimensions: 17’ × 13’  Medium
Ceiling: 9’

Components Toggle details

    • JansZen Loudspeaker Valentina
    Hybrid ESL loudspeakers
    • Rythmik F12G
    Twin subwoofers
    • Linear Tube Audio MZ2 - used as preamp and headphone amp
    Preamp
    • Linear Tube Audio ZOTL40 amplifier
    Amplifier
    • Technics SL-1200G
    Turntable
    • Audio Technica ART 9
    Cartridge
    • Lyra Delos
    Cartridge
    • Bob's Devices SKY 20
    SUT
    • Don Sachs Phono Stage
    Custom built with all upgades
    • Marantz SA-8004
    SACD/CD player
    • Cerious Technologies Graphene Matrix Speaker cables, Graphene Extreme power cords, interconnects
    • Morrow Audio PH5 and PH4 Reference Phono cables
    • GIK Acoustics Bass traps and diffusor panels
    • Vicoustic DC2 2' x 2' diffusor panels
    Quadratic diffusor panels (6).

Comments 8

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Owner
@toro3 - As noted in my list of components the center diffusor is a tight grouping of 6 Vicoustic DC2  panels, each 2' x 2'.  They really help set a great focus for imaging between the speakers.  On each front corner is GIK Acoustics Bass traps.  They have done a great job of eliminating any bass boom when the sound gets loud.

jsm71

Owner
@cdc2 - the main difference that was clear to me when first hearing the Valentinas was in the woofer integration.  It was always obvious hearing ML designs that the woofer was under the panel and sounded like a separate speaker.  Newer models may have improved on that.  

The Valentinas use twin woofers, on top of and below the electrostatic elements.  It comes across as a single music source and the woofers blend seamlessly.  The acid test is listening to solo piano what covers a broad frequency range.  If you can tell when the woofer takes over, that is not optimal.  The Valentinas also have woofer and tweeter controls at each speaker for room tuning.

jsm71

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