It is now 2015 and I have finished my Lamm Signature Triad(ML3,LL1,LP1)It is without a doubt the finest I have seen or heard,I am done with electronics.I am still using the Avalon Isis,it just grows on you and never gets old.I am still up to date on my Walker MKV,I added the oiless and carefree compresser,what a dream.I added a second Troy signature for the ML3s and it works superb,I also am using 4 Thor SE grounding cables in the system and they are a tremendous achievement.I am using Dalby audio single and Duo isolation feet under all my components,they are a component unto themselves.And last but not least the latest and greatest Elrod Diamond cabling to tie it all together.I almost forgot the MD 809 Internet Tuner,a real work or art.
Absolutely amazing,have not heard a speaker in its class.After 2 years I just love everything about it.
Lamm ML3 Signature Amps
These are beyond anything I thought was possible in audio,I think my quest has ended.
Lamm LL1 Signature Line
Lamm's mate to the LP1 Signature Phono Stage,all that is left is the ML3s.These Signature Series are beyond awesome.
Lamm LP1 Signature Phono
Lamm's new 3 chassis phono stage that is better than anything I have ever had in my possession or ever heard at a show,totally incredible.
Elrod Diamond Series Interconnect
The new Diamond series is David Elrod's Mona Lisa.It is just a incedible experience.
Elrod Diamond Series Speaker Cables
Elrod's new top of the line,and sets a new standard for what is possible in Audio.Must be heard to be believed.!
Elrod Diamond Series Power Cord
If you thought the Gold Statement was amazing the Diamond will blow your mind.I still can't believe what I am hearing through this power cord.
Elrod Gold Statement Power Cords
These cords just blew me away,never heard anything like them.Hats off to Mr.David Elrod
Walker Audio Proscenium Black Diamond V
It is a real joy to listen to,pulls every nuance out of the groove and has tremendous transparency and detail but never gets fatiguing.A real work of art.And with the latest update to the air supply,it really puts the Walker over the Top of any table made.
Lee Dalby Lignum Vitae Vinyl Stabilizer
This thing crushed my beloved Shun Mook,it is made with brass,ebony bullets inside and Lignum wood.It is a work of art.
Walker Audio Reference Motor Drive
Does its job well,locks in the speed and keeps it there.
Koetsu CoralStone Platinum Diamond
Nothing I have heard compares to the coralstone,It is unique.Take anything about a Koetsu you have ever liked and turn it up a notch.
Magnum Dynalab MD-809 Internet Radio
Beat my Sequerra hands down and that is not easy.Best on the market.
Tripoint Orion Power Conditioner
Takes clean AC to a whole new level,and the results are stunning.
Tripoint Troy Signature
If you thought the Troy was something special wait till you hear the signature,pure magic.
Bybee Super Effect Speaker Filter
These are the only filters I will use in my system,all positive improvements and no negative,first time I can say that about a filter.Super stuff.
Harmonic Resolution M3 Isolation Base
Put 1 under my turntable,preamp and amps.These really work well and highly recommend them.
I will tell you one thing,the Avalon Isis claims 90db efficiency and nominal 4 ohms(min 3.6)but the Ml3s drive the heck out of them.I don't know is Avalon is being conservative with their specs,but I am quite happy.As the amps have broke in they have great control of the bottom end.
I have had the Lamm Signature Components for the good part of a year(ML3,LL1,LP1)and I would not trade any one of them for anything on the market,Period.They are the best sounding,most musical,natural things I ever had,and they are also built like a tank.Most satisfying purchase I ever made in Audio.
Hi Malcolm, I did not say it has better bass than the CAT amps,I said it does not have the impact of the CATS but it has better control and definition for what it puts out in the bass region.From there up it is no contest the LAMM is far superior to any amp I have heard. The tubes I was using in the CAT were from CAT and they were about 1 1/2 years old. Don't get me wrong ,I love CAT amps and pre-amps but the LAMM signature series is just better as a matter of fact much better. That is my opinion. Robert
Hi,thanks for the compliments.The Ml3s seem to work quite well with the Isis,I think it has something to do with the Isis pretty even impedence curve.It never goes below 3.6 ohms and never above 4.4 ohms and I think the ML3s loves that,it never really strains at all.On some heavy rock music it might give up a little impact that the CAT used to have but it has much better control and definition to the bass.+The CAT also sounded very congested in the midrange compared to the ML3s,as a matter of fact every amp I have heard sounds congested in the Mids compared to the ML3s,It is incredible from the mids up to the high end.Such air and separation and natural timbre,have to hear to really appreciate. My room is a finished attic,it was done in 1975 and I have had a high end system in their ever since.It is 16 x 25 with a 11 ft. peak that slopes down to a 4 ft. knee wall on each side.I have thought about getting it dormered but I get great sound and no standing waves because of the shape.It limits the height of the speakers I can get,but I have about 65-70 inches max on speaker height that I can make work,and I have it treated to help with any drivers to close to a surface.It is a very good sonic room.
Hi, The ML3s are sitting on Lee Dalby isolation feet right now,I am waiting for a set of HRS M3X Bases for them that are about 3 weeks away so I will hold pictures till then,they look a little sloppy right now. As for the sound they are incredible,even my Girlfriend who always says it sounds the same regardless of what I do said it was nothing like she ever heard.And my Friend said it sounded like each instrument had its own little speaker. Thank You for welcoming me as a Lamm dealer,I got serious about it after hearing the LP1 and M1.2,then the LP2 and the LL1.I am really a music lover before a dealer and want the finest out there and this is it.
Hi, Hooked the ML3s up yesterday,listened for about 4 hours and they are really something special.The clarity and space around the instruments is amazing,and they sound so natural.Much more listening but that for starters.
The Diamond cantilever looks like a piece of glass,almost see through and yes it is all one piece. I am hooking up the ML3s tonight,I have been quite busy,but I am dying to hear what they sound like.
Hi, Just received my set of Lamm ML3s,will unpack and set-up in the next few days.That completes the Triad signature series of Lamm LL1-LP1-ML3,they are truley works of art.Will post pictures and give you my impressions after a little break-in and some serious listening.
Thank you for the kinds words about my system,it has been a labor of love but I think nirvana is at hand.Since I inserted the Lamm LL1 and LP1 I have been on cloud 9,it is the finest most natural sounding gear I have ever owned,so addicting the way it presents the music.The ML3s are coming in the near future,I hope the Avalon Isis and the ML3s see eye to eye,from talking to Avalon they said the Isis has a very even amp friendly impedence curve and should respond well to the amp.We'll see.
Thank You all for your input,it is greatly appreciated.I think it will come down to having them for a period to see if they can drive the Isis with the Quality and Sound level I am use to before I buy.I hope they can because they are a sonically incredible set.
Hi Dev, I love CAT gear,and it took the 75000.00 Lamm Signature front end to make me want to change from the CAT Legend,shows you what a bargin the Legend is.It will come down to completing the Lamm with the ML3s or get the CAT Statement amps.If the Lamm works I think that would be a tremendous triad.
I am so impressed with the Lamm LP1 and LL1 signature components that I am tempted to go the whole route and get the ML3s.Does anyone have any opinions on the ML3s driving the Avalon Isis,I am using the CAT JL3s now and they drive them well do you think the Lamms can get the best out of Isis.The Isis is 90db 4ohm 3.6 ohm min. I am on the fence,would appreciate any input.
Hi Audiocrack,Rushton is right the feet on the Walker are pretty good.I check my level every 6 weeks and sometimes it needs a slight adjustment and sometimes it don't,but I am a perfectionist and the amount it is off is slight. You probably have a bad foot,call Lloyd and he will help you with it,he is tops in customer service.
Hi Audiocrack, After Lloyd and Fred did the update I noticed how even the sound became from the lowest notes up to the highest without any signs of compression or lack of dynamics or transparency or detail. It seems to tie everything together on the Black Diamond,when you adjust the VTA for a certain record it is so easy to hear when it is right,it just locks in air,detail,impact,soundstage.It is so easy to hear now. Going from a 120 gm to a 160 or 180 gm. is a snap.Before the update I use to have to fiddle around till I was satisfied now it is very easy. The Walker V is a tremendous table,if you have the series 3 getting it updated will make you very happy. Robert .
The Legend I have was one of the first ones made,I guess that would make it about 5 years old.I use NOS tubes I got them from Andy at Vintage Tubes in Michigan.I believe he has some Telefunken and Amperex tubes in there,but he made the set up and he is very good.They are about 2 years old.The CAT Legend is Awesome and for the price cannot be beat,but the Lamm is a different beast on the phono.I am using the CAT Legend line with the Lamm phono now but I think I am going to get the Lamm LL1 and complete the front end.I have had CAT for 20 years and never really gave Lamm a listen but it is really serious stuff.
Hi Jfrech,first let me say I am so jealous of your room.It is the room I always dreamed of,great job and a great system.The Lamm LP1 Signature is a superb phono,the best I have ever heard.I have tried for years to find something to bypass the CAT phono and use a dedicated phono but I had tried everything and something was always lacking.The LAMM gives you everything the CAT does and so much more in terms of air and dynamics and timbre of instruments.This is going to be in my system for a long time.
Hi Siddh,please e-mail me at [email protected],I will tell you about the clamps.I will tell you this the Lee Dalby Clamp is 3 lbs.
System edited: I have made some changes in the last year,added Magnum Dynalab 809 Internet Tuner and Lamm's new Incredible LP1 Signature Phono and Lee Dalby Audio's Lignum Record clamp and Lignum Isolation feet,these are some very,very serious Isolation feet and clamp.Also added Tripoint Audios Orion Power conditioner,a really superb pieace of ac conditioning.Will post pictures shortly.
I have not personally heard the new statement amps but between people I talked to at the show that Ken displayed them and talking to Ken himself I am assured that the difference is not subtle. I will eventually move up to them but I have been very busy the last 6-8 months,but it seems like a no brainer.
I have not noticed much difference in the way of dynamics or bass performance.But it does seem faster and portrays a much cleaner window to the music,So you able to hear the bass fundamentals more clearly and the clarity of the music brings out the color of the instruments much better.
The only cartridge I have used is the Koetsu Coralstone Platinum Diamond.
I am very happy and content with the system as it is now.The Avalon Isis and Convergent Audio Amp and Pre-amp are like a match made in heaven.The Walker Black Diamond 3 table is a work of art and a pleasure to operate and listen to.
The Elrod cables especially the Diamond line,which is so far ahead of anything on the high end market,it ties the system together superbly and lets all the components put their best foot forword.
I looked at your system and you have a tremendous synergy going on there.I know you are enjoying the Elrod Gold Signatures and Gold Statements.They are a Tour de Force in their own right.
Lloyd updated a already superb design and fine tuned it to perfection.The soundstage was already great on the Walker but now it is world class,the seperaton of instruments and blackness between the instruments is much more pronounced.Transparency is better than before and I thought it was maxed out,but I was wrong.
The micro detail and layering of the music is turned up a few notches.One thing the Walker is so revealing now small mm changes in the VTA are easily audible.So it is worth the minute or so to fine tune the vinyl when you put it on,it is very easy with the update.
Hi,I had my Walker Black Diamond updated by Lloyd on 8/2/11 and I must say seperating the air supply from the arm and suspension has made a huge difference in soundstage,detail and transparency.The suspension now runs at 22 psi instead of 45 psi and he also added a new coupling material to the bottom of the pods on the table. It was well worth the time and money for the added performance. Bravo Lloyd!!! Robert
Hi,the JL2 sigs are a tremendous amplifier and much more powerful than their rated output.It will drive all but the most power hungry speakers to their full potential. They sound just as wonderful as the pre-amp maybe more so,iron fisted bass control with that incredible tube midrange and top end.Hard to beat.
Hi Andromedaaudio,The Nagra is a very clean,detailed but in my opinion sterile sounding pre-amp.It is also has a very in your face presentation.What the Cat will give you is much more natural instrument timbre and dynamic swings. It will also give you a much wider and deeper soundstage with better layering.Overall it is a much better pre-amp. Not as good as Ken Stevens newer efforts but very excellent.
Hi,I am finally finished cabling my system with Elrods new Diamond Line cables(Speaker cables,Interconnects,Power cords).If anyone in the tri-state area would like to hear what a all Diamond system sounds like please let me know,I would be glad to invite you over and we can listen a bit.I live in New Jersey.
Thank You Andromedaaudio for your kind words,I have put together a system that has evolved into real music being my measuring stick.I have chosen components that I believe bring me closer to the actual event.
Hi Nirodha,there is a incredible synergy when adding more Elrod Gold power cords or the Gold Statement speaker cables or interconnects.The saying the whole is more than the sum of its parts definitley comes into play here. I hate to tell you but after living with the Diamond power cord for a few months now,I believe that 1 Diamond is more of a system changer than 2 Gold Statements,it is that superior to every other cord I have heard.
System edited: Hi,added a picture of the Elrod Diamond power cord on the intro pictures of my system. The Elrod Diamond Power cord retails for 13000.00 but if you put one in your system you will never ever remove it,the Elrod Gold statement is the by far the finest power cord I had heard till the Diamond but the Diamond is so superior to it in every way it boggles the mind. One of these on your pre-amp,amp,power conditioner and you think you upgraded all kinds of components. Robert
Hi,just recieved 2 Elrod Diamond power cords and they are right out of the box magic,just magic.You hear depth and space and instruments coming from all directions and these cords have about 20 hours on them.These cost 13000.00 apieace but 1 on your cd or pre-amp or amp and you will think you have a whole new system,I have no idea what is in them but they are heavy and have the most impressive ends I have ever seen on a power cord.This is without a doubt the finest edition to the Diamond line yet,and the Diamond speaker cables and interconnects are incredible in their own right but these power cord.WOW!
Hi,recent additions are the incredible Elrod Diamond Interconnect and Speaker cables,the Power cord will be added in about a month to the system.Talking about the Diamond lines performance is a mute point,you just sit there with your jaw hanging waiting for the next selection to start,they are something that has to be experienced.I can't wait for the power cord.Also the tripoint troy totally shocked me by the improvement it wrought on my system,it takes away all the electronic grunge in the music and beleive me you do realize how much there is till it is gone.And what is left is totally non fatiguing hamonically correct music,and the better the components the bigger difference it makes.
Hi,Once in a while you are exposed to a product so Unique and effective you wonder how you could have ever lived without it.The Tripiont Troy is such a product,recommended by a fellow audiophile and explained by its brilliant designer I tried it and was shocked by what a difference it makes.It removes all types of electronic artifacts and grunge and adds nothing,but you don't realize how incredible music sounds without all that noise there.You finally start to understand what you pay all that money for superior components ,hearing what they are truly capable of without the electronic artifacts there and nothing added but the music.The better the system the more impressed you will be by the Troy,Any 6 figure system should seriously think about adding one. WARNING:If you can't afford it don't demo it because you will be miserable when you unhook it and send it back.
Hi Alec,Every customer that has bought a Gold statement cable from me has claimed it is the best power cord,interconnect,speaker cable they have ever heard.That pretty much covers everything on the market,they really have to be experienced to understand all the praises.
Thank You for the kind words Rob,it was a pleasure meeting you and having you see and hear my system.I hope one day to hear your superb system,it must be amazing because you have excellent knowledge and taste in audio. Love those Isis and Elrods!!
Hi,Yes the Isis and Convergent Amps and pre-amp make a heavenly combonation,also since I added Elrod's new Gold Statement cabling it has been brought to new heights.If your ever in New Jersey send me a E-mail.
Hi,I have had these cords now for about 6 weeks and they are without a doubt the finest power cords I have ever heard by a wide margin.They have the ability to make you want to keep listening and when you end you cannot wait to get back to listening,its very addictive.I never had a component that did that to me,they are very musical yet very accurate a super combination.I recommend them without reservation. Robert
Hi,I have had the cords for about 2 weeks now and they just get better and better.The bass and midbass slam is totally in a league of its own,and the soundstage just keeps getting wider and deeper.Also extreme transparency and natural high end,as good as the vd genesis was this cable beats it by a WIDE margin in all areas.I cant find anything the vd genesis did better,these cables are a must audition in my opinion.If you cant afford these I understand the silver is a excellent performer to,I would like to hear some opinions after people try this cable. Robert
Hi,I have have changed all my power cords from VD genesis to Elrod Gold Statement ( 6 of them ) and am in the process of burning them in.I put my old power amp tubes back in for this not wanting to waste my newer tubes,I am running the system on tuner about 12 hours a day for a week now and letting the turntable just spin with no record.I am so impressed by these cables,they are starting to go deeper,open up and very transparent,tremendous slam in the midbass,natural 3d top end.I was told by Mr.Elrod they have a long way to go but my god are they special,if you have a system thats almost there try these,they will put it over the top.
I sit about 15-17 feet from the Isis in a 15x25 room and it works fine,the Isis throws a huge soundstage.I have never had ar or vtl on the Isis,but I think the Cat jl3 sigs are the finest amps I have ever had in my system,sound wonderful and never run out of gas.
Hi,I listened to mbl,wilson,Jm lab and heard many others at various shows,but the Isis is the most complete speaker I have ever heard for a combination of soundstaging,transparency and dynamics. My speakers are about 2 feet at the closest point to the ceiling,but being that the head of the Isis is tilted down it is not a problem with reflections.What is rt60? Robert
Hi,just added a bybeewire ac conditioner and I am not a big fan of ac conditoners but I plugged my pre-amp,turtable and tuner into it and it is quite startling how much of a improvement it makes.2 big thumbs up. Robert
Hi,I have added the new Bybee Super Effect Interconnect Filters to the input on my amps and the input from the turntable and I have to say they are as effective as the speaker bullets,after break-in of course.Jack is a amazing gentleman and makes amazing products.Will post picture of filters in the near future. Robert
Hi,shun mook record clamp definitely a improvement over the brass Walker clamp but I have found that turning the knob as little as a 1/10 of a inch changes the sound.It can make you crazy because there is no way to lock it in place and taking it on and off moves it a bit and changes the sound,I had to mark the knob and base with tape to get a reference point,I wish when I find the sweet spot I could lock it in place it would make life much easier. Robert
Just added a Shun Mook Record Clamp,my initial impressions is it can be tuned by how tight you make the clamp but it is a detailed ,open,musical clamp.I really like it.
Hi Number 95,wait till you get about a 100 hours on them it gets even better,such a wonderful cable.If you fellow audiophiles are planning on keeping your transparent cableing for a while do yourself a favor get it updated,it will make you extremely happy. Robert
Now that I have about a 100 hours on the Opus MM2s I highly recommend the update or upgrade,It is worth every penny.Transparent could have renamed the cable and uped the price 25% and it still would have been a good deal,as it is now it is a no brainer. Robert
Hi,Got my opus cables back on Saturday,them people at transparent are aces.I have listened for about 6 hours and have come to the following conclusions,WOW. 1.The bass is much more defined and tighter. 2.The midrange is much more natural and especially on vocals 3.The highs are not forward but very spread out and detailed without being fatigueing 4.Overall the music is very cohesive, like it is coming out of one speaker. I would definitely recommend them,it is not subtle.If you liked MM you will love MM2. I have pictures of the updated cables on my system,will write further after I get the total picture of them. Robert
Thank You,the Avalon Isis is a new direction for Avalon,The Diamond pales in comparision.I have owned the Eidolon the Diamond and now the Isis and it is a huge step up in performance in almost every area.The pre-amp is the new Cat Legend,Kens Stevens Tour de force and a truley wonderful pieace of epuipment.I to love the jl3 sigs,would not trade them for anything,just don't keep turning the bias up because they will end up back at Cat for repair.As the tubes age running the bias at 34 or 35 is fine maybe even preferable. Robert
Having broken in and optimized the vta etc. for the coral stone koetsu,I can say without a doubt that the walker and koetsu is a match made in heaven.After hearing the Walker with the coral stone anyone who does not believe the walker is the finest table in existence is simply fooling him or herself,it is not even close.
Hi,having lived with the coralstone for about a month I can say without qualification that it is heads and shoulders above any Koetsu I ever heard.It is just steller and soooo involving,So expensive but on the scale of their pricing worth it. Robert
Hi Dev,I really like them speakers.The C.A.T. amps are a big step up over the pass labs,as a matter of fact I think they are a big step up over any amp.I have not tried tube rolling with the jl3s,I am very conservative when it comes to stuff like that.I do not know much about the Berning amps,but by your post they sound like contender for state of the art. Robert
Hi,I have added a walker velocitor and a pair of hdl's and I really like them.They focus the music a bit and unleash these wild dynamics in conjunction with the bybee magic speaker bullets,they work very well together.I have a Koetsu Coral Stone Platinum Diamond coming next week,anyone have experience with it let me know.I am looking foward to mounting it on the walker.The Walker continues to amaze,if there is a better table arm combo I have yet to hear it,Lloyd has his table tuned to perfection. Robert
Hi Bart,The 109 is the finest tuner I have ever had and I had a mc 78 and a sequerra studio before it.I was ready to give up on tuners when I tried the 109 and it is in a world of its own,I am in the process of getting a xm radio module put in right now.It definitely closes the gap between record and radio. Robert
Hi Joey,I have no problem with the chair.I like the idea of the control on the armrest,and it is very comfortable and well thought out.I don't know much about the Eames chair but I am happy with this.
Hi Joey,I just added the harmonic Resolution mxr stand.I was able to take the m3 Isolation bases and use them as shelfs on the stand,very clever.I am also about to get back my Magnum Dynalab 109 fitted with the xm radio module,that should be interesting. Robert
Hi,that is the new CAT Legend pre-amp a real work of art,even for Ken Stevens.And it even has its own build in step-up transformers that you can use them or not,he has them set at a 4 to 1 ratio,a .2 cartridge puts out .8 before it hits the line section.As for the amps the original jl3s and lamms were very close,the jl3 sigs with the teflon boards and black gate caps among other improvements is the finest amp I can find tube or solid state.And I went on a search price no object and could not find one I preferred over it. Robert
Hi John,no remote on the Legend.Ken doesn,t seem to be interested in making a remote,but the Legend is a tour de force.A perfect match for the jL3s.You are in for a real treat when you move up to the Isis,a totally involving realistic experience.I had the first pair made serial # 003-004,neil had 001-002 and I have never regretted for a second buying them.Incredible speaker top to bottom.Hi Keyarae,I don,t own a cd player but from what I have heard at shows and freinds houses I would buy the esoteric sa60,just my opinion. Regards Robert
Hi,I was listening to my system last night and it dawned on me what the walker does far better than any other table I ever heard does,It keeps the pace and the leading edge of the music in perfect time.The best way to describe it is you are sitting in your yard and there is 20 feet of bushes between you and your garden,the walker cleans out the bushes so there is nothing between you and the garden. Hard to descibe but very addictive.
Hi,what magazine is going to review the Legend.I think it is the finest pre-amp on the market myself,a long time coming but it was worth the wait.I will have some time off the end of sept. and Oct. maybe we can set something up then.Where do you live. Robert
Hi,had the ref 2 in my house but heard the ref 3 at a local dealers.No contest,the legend is far better.Put it this way the Legend is on another planet compared to CATs own ultimate mk2 and that can hold its own with most of the highend pre-amps made.So you see my point the legend is a whole new game,I just got finished listening for about 4 hours and I am amazed at how involving this pre-amp is.I tip my hat to Ken Stevens a real masterpeice.
Hi,have had the legend for 3 weeks now and I can say without hesitation that it was worth the wait.It is better in every way than the Ultimate and that was no slouch,I don't know where to begin but I will try.It has a much wider and deeper soundstage and it is more extended at the frequency extremes and much more transparent and natural in the midrange,overall just a perfect match for the jl3s.Also it has built in step up transformers that can be switched in or out for low output moving coils at a 4/1 ratio and that works great.I use a koetsu .2 mv so it is superb performing with the tranformers in.Definitely the finest pre-amp I have ever heard,and I have had my share to demo top of the line Aeshetix,levinson,nagra,conrad johnson,lamm,pass labs and audio research and this by far beats them all.I don't know how much of it is synergy with the jl3s but I really don,t care,It is a new landmark in my opinion. Robert
System edited: The legend will be delivered on Tues July 17,and I will add a report after break-in and listening.Have to thank Ken for being prompt on his delivery of this pre-amp once he got it in production.Between the sound of the CAT products and his vastly improved customer service buying Cat products is a no brainer.
Hi,After living with the Walker for 3 months I have nothing but positive things to say about it.The first thing that strikes you after living with it for awhile is regardless of how bad the recording is or how loud or long you listen you never get listener fatigue,yet it is super detailed and transparent and just hangs the instruments in the air.Some kind of inherant distortion in turntables is removed that fatigues the listener,a real pleasure to use and works flawlessly. Robert
Hi Aaron,it is from the relax the back chain.I got mine from cherry hill N.j.,Go to their web site and check out their selection.It is a really comfortable yet not overly stuffed listening chair,I am very happy with it. Robert
Hi,don't feel so bad rooms shaped like ours are not that bad 1.No standing waves in corner 2.uneven surface keeps sound from reverberating 3.No wasted space to fill with music,more db for the money.Few things to remember,wall to wall carpeting,treat the side walls a bit at first reflection points and treat the ceiling by the speakers a bit.Don't over do it,you will dull the sound. Robert
Hi,this system has been evolving for about 10 years now.It started with Wilson speakers,mit cabling,pass amps and a basis 2500 table.Now I am at a point where I am about finished,I can change things and make it different but I am not so sure better.But it really is a joy,the Walker table was the cherry on the top.
Hi,I use a relax the back zero gravity recliner,great for listening.As soon as I get some time I will post picture of table and chair,the more I listen to the Walker the more Amazed I am.It sucks every nuance of info out of the grooves and hangs it in the air in all different shades as clean and dynamic as could be.
Had the Walker Diamond Installed by Lloyd and Fred,talk about nice and helpful guys.I have about 15 hours of listening on it and am still getting use to the vta and damping adjustments but the table is truly special.It unravels the most complex music and just hangs it there in its own space and the fatigue factor is almost nill,8 straight hours at very LOUD levels and no fatigue at all,that is a first.A real work of art,will report back after I get some more listening in and form definite opinions.But I like what I hear.
Hi,I put foam or wood under the cables pretty much just to keep them off the rug and the right height.Sonically I don't believe it matters what you use as long as you keep the cables off the rug.
Hi Aaron,I use a right angle din to rca graham juntion box and from there I use a 1 meter of transparent opus to the phono input.The juntion box is attached to my stand and the wire just floats from the arm not bothering the suspention of the table.I have never tried a Vector arm so I cannot comment on it,I found the HRS base made a big improvment over a already excellent isolation of the basis.
Hi Redell,great 3 choices.All I can say is the Isis is the most tonally correct speaker I have ever heard,I have had them for about 8 months now and cannot find fault in them and I am very critical of speakers.They draw you into the music like no other speaker I have heard,the only thing is you need at least a 20 ft. room to let them do their thing.They throw a huge soungstage. Robert
Hi Raul,I live in the New York area.You are right I went through a lot of combinations till I found the right synergy.I found out one thing,throwing all the high dollar products together does not guarentee great sound,you have to keep at it till you get the right combination.
Thank You all for your kind comments,All the components from the cartridge to the speakers has been chosen for its synergy with the system.I have switched out many different products trying to find that synergy and this is the combo that seems to fit perfect.By the way the room is 15x25 and I use a relax the back recliner to listen in and have 2 other recliners flanking it,very comfortable.
I am really at a point now where I neither want to add or subtract anything from the system,it is that good.I am done listening to the components and am just enjoying the music,it took many years to get to this point.The Isis speakers are about broken with 500 hours on them and they are in a class by themselves.After listening to them with good equipment all dowm the line for a hour you just sit there with your jaw hanging thinking did these speakers make that sound,I kid you not.They are in a different universe than the Diamonds and most other speakers out there.
Hi Dgad,the system has a certain synergy now that I have been trying for years to get.I was wired with all vahalla and I got the opus speaker cables and it made a big difference all through the spectrum,then Brad at transparent convinced me to try the interconnects and sure enough it blew away the Vahalla.So now I am wired with opus from the turntable to the speakers,I think they really work well as a system.I am trying to get my friend to take some pictures of my system,hopefully soon.
Hi Chris,I have never heard a acapella speaker,but I hear they are quite special.Thank you for your kind words about my system,I think I have finally reached nirvana as I am done listening to the equipment and am just enjoying the music.By the way the Isis do have a diamond tweeter and now that they are almost fully broken in they are abosultely awesome.I believe it is the last speaker I will by for a long,long,long time.
Hi,the tweeter in the Diamond is .75 in,the tweeter in the Isis is 1.2 in..It has higher power handling and can go a bit lower in frequency.The list price on the Isis tweeters is 4300.00 apieace,The list price on the smaller Diamond tweeters is 2700.00 apieace.Hope this helps. Robert
I agree the Eidolons are missing that slam that the Isis has.The drivers are all different in the Isis,the tweeter is a 2nd generation Black diamond,It is bigger and more efficent than the diamonds.The midrange is a 7in. ceramic driver compared to a 4 in. in the Diamond,and the woofers are 2 13in. drivers in each cabinet compared to 1 11in. driver for the Diamond.And all the drivers in the Isis use neodynium magnets,they are more powerful and faster than the ones in the Diamond.My room is 15x25,that is about as small a room as I would put the Isis.I believe 20x30 would be perfect.
Yes,they have much,much more slam than the eidolons,At this point I think it would be fairer to compare them to the sentinels not the eidolons.Thats how good they are.
I am nearing the 200 hour mark on the Isis and I am convinced that these might be the be all around speakers in production.Imagine a pair of diamonds with a more open, detailed top end also smoother and a more detailed but musical and smooth midrange that almost has the impact of a wilson maxx and a powerful,detailed bass that can move a lot of air.and to top it off a soundstage that has to be heard to be believed and 3 db more efficent than the diamonds.These things can play loud and clean,I kid you not,All in a very managible size.A real breakthrough.
Have put about a 100 hours on the Isis and am amazed at what it can do.I really believe this is the finest speaker in production.It made my Eidolon Diamonds seem very flawed by comparison.
ISIS have been shipped,should recieve them on Mon. Feb 27. First pair sold in the world,I can't wait to take a listen.Will report after they burn a bit. Robert
I have decided to get the new Avalon Isis,I am not sure when they will arrive but I am pretty excited about it.My room is 15x25 so I think it should fit well.My birds eye maple diamonds will be for sale,if anyone wants to get a jump on the classified let me know,they are in pristine condition.Will have to wait till I get the Isis but it should not be long,they are in production.
No the Legend is still about 6 to 8 weeks from production,I have been assured by Ken it will be in my listening room by Christmas.He did say it is a major improvment over the Ulimate in every way.Ken stuff is the best but you cannot hold him to a timetable,that just the way he is.But his eqipment is so good I can deal with it. Regards Strapper
Thank You,I too spend many hours that I should not listening,but it is so non-fatiguing and pleasant you lose track of time.I spent a lot of time matching the system,but I think things are meshing.the only changes I see in the future is the CAT Legend pre-amp and possibly the new avalon Isis speakers,the speakers are 50/50 the pre-amp is definite.Thanks you again.
The m3 is a Isolation platform from Harmonic resolution systems and it is the best on the market,it is not cheap but if you are worried about cost you do not need one.
Glad you got a hold of a M3,they really do make a difference,I find the closer to the source the bigger the difference.As for the Legend Ken is behind schedule,he said it will be out sometime this summer.We Hope.
Another major change I made was going from all NBS statement extreme powercords to Virtual Dynamics Revelation cords.This was not a subtle difference,it beats the NBS at every phase of the game.They are by FAR!! the best powercords I have ever heard,If you have not heard them I recommend a listen. Robert
Hi Art,I am using 5 harmonic resolution bases in my system,one under each amp,one under the turntable,and the two under the pre-amp.I probably could have got away without doing the power supply but I decided to go the whole route.They make a huge difference,I love them.
Hi Art,I am using a Harmonic Resolution M3 Isolation base under the Pre-amp and one under the power supply,It is the best base I have found.Simply amazing.
Hi Tom,I had one of the first couple pairs of Diamonds to be distributed in the U.S. and back then the only finish was birds eye maple.It is a stunning finish and a superior speaker,just make sure you feed them enough of clean power they eat it up like candy.I use the C.A.T amps,very powerful with huge transformers,Great match.Enjoy!
