12-watt tube integrated from Hong Kong with high sensitivity speakers from Connecticut. Slowly stopped tube rolling with focus on exploring new music through the Node 2i. Future includes room treatments and placement of the Kingko and Node. Following the golden rule of K.I.S.S. Inspiration from migueca and his second system, which can be found here on Audiogon!
11/2019: added MHDT Paradisea + (OPAMP OPA2228P mod), 1960’s Danish Credenza, ATS acoustic panels, UA Acoustic diffusers, and some Herbie’s tweaks throughout. Connections remain MIT AVT 3s. The discontinued and more than 10 year-old Paradisea+ may be considered a step back to some considering it’s only a 16 bit NOS R-2R DAC connected to a streamer fully capable of MQA. But because of my strange music preferences more than 95% of what I listen to is in 16 bit from Tidal anyways. Additionally, NOS R-2R seemed to fit within the “less is more” equation when accounting for the Omega’s single driver and no crossover design.
11/2020: Added the Galante Rhapsody, NAD C 658, and Ryhmik/Omega sub. Greatest barrier has been the room which is considered pretty “hot.” Unable to add more room treatments due to my better half. DIRAC utilizing the UMIK-1 through the NAD was the compromise (in my eyes).
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02/2022: Added some new 4” ATS acoustic panels. Updated the sub to a Rythmik F12G SE, which blends and disappears into the soundstage (simply incredible). In line for a Decware Zen Torii Jr - should have purchased four years ago (that waitlist...), but contemplating QS Mid Monos, LM 845, or Aric Audio Transcend. Future includes corner bass traps (floor to ceiling from ATS), larger diffuser between speakers and much lowered mid-century credenza.
Favorite 2022 late night find: Before the Road by Motorama. Favorite "audiophile" album: Braziliana by Luiz Bonfa and Maria Toledo
Late 2022-2023: Added Sonore opticalModule Deluxe and Aric Audio Transcend Push/Pull with Sophia Electric tubes.
@mmcgill829 Oh 100% agree with supporting boutique, usually one-man operations, within the industry. There’s a lot of value and appeal there which can also create a unique system and approach to high fidelity.
@toro3 Yes, the price on those that you have listed is excellent! I almost pulled the trigger on some used Kensington GRs, but I wanted to explore some other options. Glad I did! Enjoying the Coherents quite a bit. Always nice to be able to support independent manufacturers when I can, too. Plus, often can get more bang for buck this way since there's no massive overhead from large scale operations and advertising. Thanks for the compliment!
@mmcgill829 appreciate the compliments! I was strongly considering the Coherent Audio, but found a great deal on the used market for these Tannoys. Your Coherents look (and I’m sure sound) stunning with Aric Audio. Without a doubt, I would consider your system end-game.
Aric sure does make pretty amps! That transcend amp is a beast. Love the Tannoys - I almost went the GR route myself since I've pretty much exclusively used Tannoy speakers for 10+ years before now. Nice room!
@pehare received your message - sent a response just now :)
@subterranean6 appreciate the comment, sir! I could same the same about your listening space and DeVore Super Nines. I've checked out your system a few times. I'm pretty sure I favorited your system some time ago. In particular, I really love that picture of the sun through the window hitting Aric's phono stage - that image could be in a magazine. Your space looks extremely inviting and relaxing.
Wonderful room! That Transcend push pull amp is on my shortlist for my DeVore Super Nines. I have Aric’s phono stage and I absolutely love it, especially with an mc cart and a fun SUT. Those Tannoy’s are gorgeous, and again, a really beautiful listening room.
@milpai appreciate the comment. I was able to purchase the Strilings on the used market in 2022. You are totally correct - I really do enjoy tube integrated amps. I've always appreciated your system because it's dedicated (something I wish I had) and very well thought out - definitely something to aspire to!
@pehare I'm right there with you. I think the Strilings are keepers. I've been playing around with placement since I received them. As you know, Tannoy recommends radical toe-in which was just a little too insightful for me. I have a little bit of rake on them to open up the soundstage and have moved them a little closer to each other to help with the tone. Toe-in is somewhat slight like yours. I typically adjust the treble output between -1.5 and -3.0.
Maybe not so ironically, I also had the Atma-Sphere Class D monos and Will Vincent on my short list. I'm extremely curious how Atma-Sphere's take on Class D sounds on the Stirlings. And the Will Vincent ST-70...absolutely stunning to look at.
The Transcend Push Pull is one of those amps I'll likely keep for the remainder of my years. I personally view it as two amps in one which is determined on what and when I'm listening. The variable gain and feedback are unique. I typically listen to more relaxing and downtempo in the evening with this amp in Triode mode with no feedback - 70% of my listening is usually low level in the early morning or late in the evening. With more upbeat genres of music, I enjoy this amp with feedback in Ultra Linear mode. The Stirlings respond by providing a greater amount of mid-bass.
Candidly, I was previously considering a Decware Torii Jr, but another member with Stirlings and Aric Audio provided me with excellent information to make an informed decision. I'm glad I sought his advice: this amp matches beautifully with the Stirlings.
The TEAC NT-505 was purchased from an extremely nice gentleman in Tucson for $500. This was going to be a temporary DAC while I figured out which direction I was going to take with my "end-game" DAC and streamer. Quite frankly, it really surprised me with its rich harmonics and excellent volume control. It's hard to say how good it really is: was my previous streamer/DAC/Preamp (NAD C 658) really that bad or is the TEAC just that good? Needless to say, I'm really not in a hurry to replace it.
I've followed your system for some time, especially when I was researching the Stirlings. Just took another look at that picture of your Will Vincent - beautiful.
Great setup! I too have Stirling GR's I bought new in 2019 and consider them my final speakers. I have driven them with Music Reference RM10 MkII, Atma-Sphere Class D monos and now a Will Vincent ST-70, all great amps with the Stirlings. I would love to hear the Aric Transcend with them - how would you describe the pairing? Curious about the Teac DAC/streamer as well. My system is posted. I like you like to keep things simple and mine is central to the living space and often playing. Congrats and happy listeneing.
Congratulations on the Tannoys! When did you get them. They look regal in your setup.I had followed your system from the Ohm speaker days. Had not checked out recently. You have always been a tube integrated person :-)
@aniwolfe thank you much for the compliment. This is system is fortunately/unfortunately the first thing you see when guests enter the home. Because of this, it really has to look clean and minimal. Compromises - it’s just the name of the game for the majority of us.
@smortega agree with you about the NAD - not the most visually appealing, but quite the nifty component for a somewhat tight budget. Appreciate the observations and compliment!
Well done. At least visually, you've done very well serving both the masters of sound quality and living aesthetics. Except for the NAD, (in college there was the chant of go-NADs) these are all components I know nothing about- which is the fun of looking in. BTW, it's also fun to look at the books- a PS manual and a DSM-IV.
I’ve been there before, too. Not with Omega, but with someone else. It was pretty frustrating. Never went back regardless of whether the issue was an outlier. Rubbed me the wrong way. Plus there’s a lot of choices these days. Live and learn, you know?!
Thanks a bunch, subterranean! Drawer for the tubes has been much more accessible than a shoebox in the closet.
Small changes to the system over the course of the past few months which include selling the HTD sub that was ported - no plans on adding a sub due to 80% of the listening being later at night. Better cable management. Swapped out the MITs for Cardas Parsec ICs, SPDIF, and no frills Cardas 101 speaker cables. Streaming is solely through either Spotify or Deezer (FLAC).
If I had extra cash sitting around and minimal financial obligations, I’d love to try a Decware Zen Triode SET, Klipsch Heresey IV, and Denafrips Ares DAC.
Appreciate the compliments, Chris! Not too much interest in the system from guests, which is more than okay. You’re spot-on, though, the Omega’s are deceptive. I live for soundstage and imaging, which these speakers excel at. For $775 on the used market, it’s extremely hard to justify parting ways through an upgrade.
How have I not seen this system until now?! Great gear and room, first class all the way! I would be willing to bet when you have non-audio-inclined guests over and pull the grilles off of the speakers you drop jaws every time.
And "generally euphoric" with that picture is one of the greatest things I've seen on this site in a long time. Audiogon at it's best!
Appreciate the compliments guys. Cymbop and Johnd - that Phish poster is housed in the office closet. If interested, PM me and I’ll send it free of charge. You know, holiday spirit and all.
toro3 on TannoyROONMid CenturyrythmikAric AudioCardasNADKingkoomega speaker systemsATS AcousticsMhdt LabsCardas ParsecTeac