VERY NICE! Tell me more about the Levinson vs Wadia separates, if you please. Im enjoying my system immensely these days, but am curious what other 390S feel about this player vs the other top digital platforms. Also, did you look at other digital before ending up with the 390S? thanks - Art

artg March 10, 2005 04:32

System edited: Put up a new picture of the rack. The Levinson 32 preamp with it's generous quantity of inputs (10!) has me lugging out the toys. I'm really enjoying having the reel machines up and running. Life is good, and the system sounds nicely balanced now. The 32 preamp brought a smoothness and a locked-in soundstage that captivates me......without losing detail. I hear things in my sources I've never heard before. Best, Paul :-)

beemer February 27, 2005 17:46

System edited: Swapped out the Classe Omega for the Levinson 32 Reference with phono stage.

Best,

Paul :-)

beemer February 18, 2005 22:18

I love your choice analog reels. The Otaris' are amazing machines. Wished I kept mine. Oh well. Nice to see someone keeping analog alive and doing it nice. way cool

vincedog3 January 16, 2005 20:04

What a knock out system! You're right passive biamping is the way to go! I use two pair of #436 amsps on my Salons and look out! Drums are explosive! The best upgrade I've added besides the construction of my room.
From my experience if you want to improve your system even more, replace the 336 (I've owned one, great amp!) with another pair of 33hs. My system didnt't come into its own until I used the same amps, cables, racks, and isolation!
You're right the 390s sounds great and better than the Wadia stuff.

sgr January 16, 2005 14:58

Hello Gregadd:

Thanks for your kind and totally factual comments. Over the years I have found the hard way that many speakers with traits that initially sounded good had a habit of wearing on my ears after time had passed. This current rig has me listening and enjoying more of my music than I had thought possible.

This gets all the subtle details and low-level retrieval for classical is exceptional, and will also present full-range orchestral passages without compression.

Best,

Paul :-)

beemer December 24, 2004 14:30

Congratulations! You have chosen an expensive system that is not likley to draw much ohs and ahs from your fellow audiophiles. I bet yours is a very natural sound. Even though I like tube and electrostatics, I voted the Levinson/ Aerial as best sound at a the Sterophile show in New York. A tt with a Lyra Helkon might be another analogue alternative. To my ears the Lyra has a similary neutral sound.

gregadd December 21, 2004 17:40

I listened to the 20T for well over 3 hours and watch part of a movie on them(I had to leave)(Dealer was great).

They do so much more then the 10T did. I really love the Raven tweeter. Powering them with those ML amps you have must be incredible.

Congrats and happy listening.

jimmyrod November 21, 2004 19:40

Once again Paul, Nice job.The Otari reel to reel seems like a high quality open reel deck. My experience is with the Revox and Teac units. My Dad has a Nipper also! Really makes his system come alive!_Enjoy!-Ken

kehut October 31, 2004 17:43

System edited: Added more pics. Some analog goodies. The low Billy Bags rack is new, pieces are not optimally placed yet. Perhaps I'm not "done for now" so I moved it to a new category.
Best,
Paul :-)

beemer October 31, 2004 15:58

System edited: Added an Otari MX5050BII reel deck. I've got a LOT of prerecorded reel tape from the 50's through the early 80's. Analog still gets it!

beemer October 30, 2004 17:51

Hey Paul, Great set up. I agree with your bi-amping senario in full range with the speakers own passive Xovers as opposed to using outboard XO's.I have found the this better in my experience also, I think it introduces less phase shift problems. Those 20t's are stunning and Im sure they sound great! Mike Kelly sure has come to the forefront since his early days with ADS when he was very limited in his design parameters. Once again, very well done! --Ken

kehut October 22, 2004 02:16

Hiya!

I'm biamping full-range. I have a certain well-known active crossover, however it offers no improvement.

I have found that active line-level crossover work best on their own, and most speakers with their own passive crossovers are best run-in full range when biamping.
Speakers with removeable crossovers such as Magnepans respond well to line-level actives instead of the factory units.

Best,

Paul :-)

beemer October 13, 2004 02:08

Concerning the Biamping: are you running the full range signal to the highs and lows, or are you running through an outboard crossover? Thanks.

krell_man October 12, 2004 23:49

Hello:

You are correct in your assumption, the system is bi-amped.
The 336 on the woofers, the 33H's up top.

The 33H's serve well on their own, however the system goes to another level with biamping.

Best,

Paul :-)

beemer October 12, 2004 22:04

Okay, nice system. I'm curious, however, what purpose does the 336 serve? If you are focusing purely on 2 channel, wouldn't the 33H's be all you need to feed the Aerials or are they bi-amped?

thesaint519 October 12, 2004 20:21