My current system reflects a heartfelt appreciation for some of the smaller manufacturers in our hobby and the importance of resonance control, hence the "not off the rack" moniker.
Theodore Leavitt famously told his MBA students that "People don't want a 1/4" drill. They want a 1/4" hole." Don't get me wrong, I like shiny toys. I view my audio system as simply a tool; a means to the end of enjoying music. My philosophy is to "buy and hold". I try and buy the best, not only because it only hurts once, but in the long run it costs less money. I am fortunate to have a small, dedicated listening room, specifically designed for audio.
Ironically, it was the purchase of a new CD player, the SimMoon Andromeda, that rekindled my love affair with vinyl. At the time, I had been listening primarily to CDs. After purchasing the Andromeda as my 'final CD player', I was shocked to hear how better digital sounded when compared to my trusty Linn Sondek and realized that it was time to consider a new analog path. After auditioning a number of other fine turntables, I got to know Galibier's Thom Mackris and purchased my 'last turntable'. Thom has been been a terrific 'vinyl mentor', incredibly giving of his time and expertise. Through Galibier, I have met a number of like-minded music lovers, including Joel Durand, a composer at the University of Washington. Joel is one of many of the wonderful audiophiles I have met in the Seattle area where I am blessed with many friendships that have resulted from our listening sessions. Music is always more meaningful when shared with great friends.
I recently added a Durand Telos tonearm for stereo paired with the Benz LPS. I use a Durand Talea with a Miyajima mono cartridge. If you are interested in pre 1970 recordings and haven't heard a well recorded mono record with a good mono cartridge, you owe it to yourself an audition. I currently own ~200 mono jazz records and an equal number of mono classical LPs. Now they don't all sound great (especially if recorded prior to the early 1950's), but the tonal richness and lack of stereo artificiality are quite seductive to my ears.
The Experience Music Pre-amplification has brought things to another level. After auditioning a number of highly regarding and often expensive line and phono stages, I fell hard for Jeffrey Jackson's equipment. Jeffrey is a true music aficionado. During the audition and purchasing process, our conversations would always dwell on music, rather than the equipment. He customizes his designs to tailor to the individual's tastes. Since this is my 'end of life' amplification, I went all out; mercury rectification, separate power supplies, and LCR phono stage. (I did pass on the uber-expensive Western Electric tubes.) The Experience Music equipment simply reveals a degree of tonal richness, harmonic complexity and dynamics that I've never 'experienced' with other electronics. They are the 'fastest' electronics I've ever heard. Tube rolling can tailor sound to taste and IMO, WE rectifiers and Sylvania triodes are heavenly.
Amplifiers are Found-Music's "Blade" tube amps. Each amp uses two EL34/6AC7, and single 6SN7 and OD3 tubes.
My speakers are the Daedalus Ulysses. Daedalus had not been on my radar until I heard them at 2008 RMAF. After talking with Lou Hinkley, I auditioned at his workshop and arranged an in-home audition. The sound was so natural and dynamic; so life-like...I was smitten. Best of all, Lou is delightful and like Thom, one of the great people in our hobby. Lou continuously makes small, but significant upgrades to his speakers which always provide excellent value. I have found that the Einstein Light-In-Dark amplifier has great synergy with the Ulysses. Currently I am using Amperex Bugle Boys and hope to try either Siemens or Telefunken CCa's in the future.
Last but not least: equipment racks and cabling. The SRA Scuttle rack and Ohio Class amp stands not only look great but lower the noise floor, clean up treble and produce deeper, richer bass. I have yet to find a bigger bang for the cable buck than the Found-Music products...highly recommended.
Record cleaning machine. I use Audio Intelligent Solutions
Sim Audio Andromeda
Two box system
Experience Music Kahn Phono Stage
Separate power supply with mercury rectification. Big improvement with Fivre 56 and Mullard 7788 tubes. Custom wound Intact Audio step ups in the signal box with separate mono and stereo inputs. Variable cartridge loading. Stainless chassis by Jeff Kahn at Ferra Design weigh in at 90# each.
Experience Music Kahn 71A Line Stage
Separate signal and power boxes weighing 90-100# each. Mercury rectification. Big upgrade with Sylvania JAN 71a tubes. Intact Audio autoformer volume control with remote and interstage transformer
Daedalus Audio Ulysses
With all-poly crossover
Found Music N/A
Custom interconnects.
Found Music Speaker Cable
Killer speaker cable for the money.
Silent Running Audio Scuttle
Three level rack.
Found-Music FiNeSS
Killer Power Cords.
Found-Music 2012
Single-ended interconnects
Found-Music E+
Tremendous speaker cable value
Found-Music Blade
Mono amplifiers using Sylvania NOS OD3 Voltage regulator tubes, Ken-Rad VT 231 NOS 6SN7 driver tubes and Genalex KT77 power tubes.
Silent Running Audio Ohio Class Amplifier Stands
Beautifully made and actually improve the sound.
Kosmic/Furutech Custom 5 Duplex Power Strip
5-Pack Power Distribution unit included 5 Furutech GTX-DR NCF duplex receptacles, 104-D Cover plates (carbon fiber over stainless steel) and Wall Frames (CNC Aluminum with damping coating). All of the Furutech components are great by themselves, but in this product they are mounted on a carbon fiber sandwich plate which is further mounted to an acrylic enclosure (high molecular weight), resulting in a three-layer damping system.
I agree. I just received a mono version of Miles Davis' E.S.P, and the sound and presences is fantasitic. I am going to be buying more mono when it is available at a good price.
The first half of 2013 has been fabulous for new pop and rock releases. Here are my mid-year favorites (grading is Music/Sonics):
Bombino "Nomad", Nonesuch (A-/B+) Great LP of difficult to characterize but very satisfying guitar music by this Taureg musician. Produced by Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys...you can hear the influence but it is not obtrusive.
Charles Bradley "Victim of Love", Daptone (A/B+) Even better than his debut. Much more consistent. A great soul record.
Deerhunter "Monomania", 4AD (A-/A-) On first spin a disappointment, especially on the heels of the brilliant "Halcyon Digest". Very different feel compared to the recent Bradford Cox (Atlas Sound "Parallax") and Lockett Pundt (Lotus Plaza "Spooky Action at a Distance") solo releases. Much more grungy/garage band feel. With repeated listens, this one has really grown on me. There are a couple of throw aways but the rest of the LP is brilliant allowing me to grant forgiveness.
Jacco Gardner "Cabinet of Curiosities", Trouble In Mind, (B+/A-) He's clearly absorbed the psychedelia of the late 60's...think updated Zombies and Paul Mauriat. A little long and gets a bit repetitive but an artist to keep an eye on. Well recorded. "Clear The Air" is one of the best songs of the year...
The National "Trouble Will Find Me", 4AD, (A/A- with caveat...see below) A bit of a disappointment on first spin but with repeated listens this has become one of my favorites. Not as intense as prior LPs and does not quite attain the brilliance of "High Violet". Ho hum, another great LP by one of the best American bands who absolutely kill in concert. The double LP is for the most part, excellent sounding. However, my copy had noise in the right channel on side 3...
The Orange Peels, "Sun Moon", Mystery Lawn Music, (B+ to A-/B+ to A-) A fun pop LP with jangly guitars and catchy tunes.
Phosphorescent "Muchacho", Dead Oceans (A-/B) Another terrific LP, although not quite the masterpiece of "Here's To Taking It Easy". Has my favorite single of the year "Right On/Ride On". While the sonics are much better quality than previously (the aural equivalent of high jumping a pancake), sound quality is not audiophile.
Psychic Ills "One Track Mind" Sacred Bones Records, (A/A-) My most pleasant surprise of the year. Never heard of these guys before a recommendation on SHF. "One More Time" is a killer single. Well recorded. Will be a year end top 10.
Smoke Fairies "Upstairs At United", 453 Music, (A-/A) I'm a fanboy. It's the Smoke Fairies recorded backed by the Blitzen Trapper rhythm section. Excellent direct to tape recording. Did I mention I love the Smoke Fairies?...sigh. Short documentary can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDe8xbo1M80
Kurt Vile "Wakin' On a Pretty Daze" Matador (A/A) His previous release, the critically well reviewed "Smoke Ring For My Halo" did not wear well for me. It had some great moments but was inconsistent and not well recorded. This LP is a big step forward with consistently excellent songwriting and excellent sonics. Can't wait for the concert next month!
Haven't spun Vliets S/T , Rhye "Woman" and Wolf People "Fain" enough yet to give a final score but they are contenders
The LPs I listed are all originals. (BTW, sorry for the typos!) Not sure what the options are regarding reissues. I've had good luck (knock on wood) with Ebay. I'll add a few more I like in the next few days
Many thanks .Much appreciated. I guess there are not too many mono classical LP reissues, unlike jazz.I have the stereo versions of a couple on your list. I guess Acoustic Sounds could be a useful starting point for used Lps Cheers Pradeep
Funny you should ask about mono classical LPs...I'm currently working my way through my modest classical LP collection. Keep in mind that what I know about classical music couldn't fill a thimble.
As to the Miyajima...yup, it's a bit of a challenge to align. The body is big and the stylus is under the body. It's a little bit more work than my Benz but you will be rewarded with the extra effort to get it right.
Hi Jazdoc I have less than a dozen mono lps. Couldn't agree more that there is something spookily real about a mono lp played with a mono cart, especially traditional jazz. How do you align the Miyajima cart ? I had Yip do a Mint protractor for me but the cantilever of the Miyajima is so thick, almost like the nib of a fountain pen, that at best i get the stub like cantilever parallel to the lines on the protractor. Would appreciate any recommendations for classical mono lps, perhaps half a dozen or so. Cheers Pradeep
hey bud i see that your into mostly jazz music? you seem to be the goto guy for interesting music...I am always looking for excellent coral music accompanied with pipe organ...do you listen to this kinds of stuff..
Bombino "Nomad" Deerhunter "Monomania" Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside "Untamed Beast" The National "Trouble Will Find You" Radar Brothers "Eight" Smoke Fairies "Upstairs at United" Kurt Vile "Walkin On A Pretty Daze" Wolf's People "Fain"
I was sort of a beta for Experience Music and I'm sure my pricing doesn't represent the current cost. If you are interested I'd contact Jeffrey Jackson by email...He just relocated to NY state and I'm not sure how quickly he is responding by phone these days.
As far as music venues, there are many terrific ones in the Seattle area I like including:
The Neptune Theater (very cool old movie theatre with good acoustics)
Tractor Tavern (Great club with cheap cover and beer)
Crocodile Club (See above -- locally famous venue for the grunge scene)
The Showbox (I prefer the one downtown -- Prince recently played here)
Neumo's
Chop Suey
Triple Door (Old burlesque theater which has a real 50's lounge feel. Good acoustics...food by Wild Ginger)
you have a very interesting system if you wont mind curious as the cost of the line and phono...I really don't want to go on the website or ask there ...
I have the Miyajima Premium BE which sounds great on my Talea I. There is a signficant improvement in performance going from a Talea I to II, so I'm sure your set up sounds terrific.
I connected as per the instructions supplied with Miyajima (which are not particularly well-written). I did have Scott Shaeffer of Found Music rewire the tonearm cable which made a HUGE difference and is a worthwhile investment to consider.
The Premium BE had a 50-100 hour breakin time as I recall...
I really enjoy the mono set up and probably listen to mono ~1/3 of the time.
Congrats on an exquisite system and an equally impressive record collection. Which Miyajima mono cart do you have on the Talea? Did you mount it as you would a stereo cart ? The Durand site has some observations and I did exchange a mail with Joel. What is the breakin time for a Miyajima mono cart ? I briefly mounted the Miyajima Premium BE on the Talea 2 to check if everything was working. Cheers Pradeep
Prior to purchasing the Scuttle, I used the EquaRack system which definitely improved my systems' sound by lowering the noise floor, improving clarity and extending frequency response. Honestly, I bought the Scuttle for the aesthetics and was pleasantly surprised that it seemed to improve things even more than the EquaRack. Not a night and day difference, but noticeable.
IMO, an equipment rack should be considered an important component in the audio reproduction chain, perhaps not as important as transducers but on a par with good cabling. The Scuttle is a worthwhile investment provided the rest of the system has reached a certain level of refinement.
