System edited: Just added my final ARC piece to the system, a REF 5se preamp. Very pleased - even more improved detail, ambience, body and texture, with good dynamics. A powerhouse preamp with finesse.

philb7777 March 06, 2014 17:24

Hi Phil
Sorry for taking so long to respond to your last post. I have been using RELs for years with a variety of amps and even today have 5 RELs in house. The Hi Level speaktron connection is way superior and I have had no problem with this route even with my Denons in my HT system(s). Do check with your dealer regd the connections, if possible. The yellow and red are twirled together and go on the +ve terminal and the black on -ve. I have banana plugs for the REL cable etc
I hope this helps.
A lot of great reviews on the Aviors.
Best
Pradeep

sunnyboy1956 March 04, 2014 10:39

Pradeep,

I think you can daisy chain two REL's together with an extra cable. Theory is, everything in the 20-40Hz range is monaural to our ears anyway.

I did try on my ARC monos to connect the REL at the speaker terminals (high level) but kept getting a slight ground loop, no matter how I tried grounding. I just went ahead and connected the REL at the preamp main outs and have not looked back. I know that REL says high level speaker terminal connections at the amp are preferred (and I can understand that theoretically too), but to my ears I cannot hear any difference.

I can certainly see myself with Aviors and another REL G1 in a year or so. It is striking how similar our systems are!

philb7777 September 08, 2013 21:40

Thanks Phil. The Aviors are truly awesome speakers.
I have the RELs connected to the respective L & R speaker terminals on the amp. Is there any advantage in daisy chaining apart from the expense of an extra neutrik cable etc. I think, though I could be wrong ,that daisy chaining is required if you use 3 or more subs.
Cheers
Pradeep

sunnyboy1956 September 08, 2013 12:46

Pradeep, thanks. I'm hoping to go with synergism and an all ARC set up. Although I would love a Ref 10 pre, my finances can only stretch to a Ref 5se. I'm hoping to add it before the end of this year.

My journey from solid state into tubes has been a fun one. I still hold Rowland gear in a highest regard though.

How are you liking the Aviors? They are wonderful speakers and one I would strongly consider if I ever move on from the Avalons.

By the way, do you have your REL subs daisy-chained together or do you have them isolated to left and right channels?

philb7777 September 08, 2013 05:40

Congrats on your ARC additions. What pre are you contemplating ?
Cheers
Pradeep

sunnyboy1956 September 07, 2013 13:20

System edited: System Edited: Just added Audio Research Ref 250 mono blocks and Audio Research Ref Phono 2SE. I can't say enough about the new Audio Research gear. First the phono is phenomenal. So much acoustical retrieval of space and detail. Great bloom and soundstage width, and incredibly no tube noise at all. Black backgrounds. The Ref 250 amps are uncanny in that they sound fast and impactful in the bass department yet give you that tube magic elsewhere. And again, no noise and super black backgrounds. Sadly, I sold my Wadia 270/27ix as I am playing virtually all analog now. I did replace with with a Marantz CD/SACD player which has a great DAC which allows me to stream wirelessly from my hard drive with an Apple TV. Not the sound of the Wadia, but very good at a fraction of the coast more flexible and works great.

philb7777 January 20, 2013 01:27

Hi Phil, great system you've put together! That Rowland stack is gorgeous! Very impressive in every way. Enjoy!

Best regards,
Dan

islandmandan August 21, 2012 18:03

Phil
If I had to list the inflexion points in my system's evolution the addition of the 2nd sub would be way on top. If your dealer is willing to provide a loaner, try a demo .IMHO, there is an almost magical synergy that 2 subs can provide in a stereo rig whether it's rock or classical music.
Best
Pradeep

sunnyboy1956 July 03, 2012 07:38

Pradeep,

I'm just using a single REL right now. I've thought about a second one, as they can easily be chained together, but the single G1 pressurizes my room easily. I get no sense of locating the sub audibly while listening. My Avalon's in my room go down almost linearly to 28 Hz. I just need the REL for those last few. I demoed one in my room first, being very skepitcal that it would have a seamless blend with the Avalons. I was quite surprised when it did.

I run battery power with my Rowland BPS-1. That probably helps my noisefloor too. Adding the SRA really made the silence 'more silent' when playing vinyl.

Your system is fantatsic! I'm envious of that Black Knight motor!

philb7777 July 01, 2012 12:23

Hi Phil...I'm also quite impressed with my Raven One/10.5 combo, and am considering getting the Ohio XL Isobase. If you don't mind, I'd appreciate it if you could e-mail me, since I have a few questions for you regarding sound, related equipment, etc. My address is [email protected]
Thanks very much, Jeff

opus88 July 01, 2012 11:21

Phil
I am glad you are enjoying your vinyl. The TW is a great TT and good isolation squeezes that extra bit...Are you using a single REL or a pair?
I have added a Hydra Triton and the reduction in the noise floor is pretty awesome.
NJoy
Pradeep

sunnyboy1956 July 01, 2012 04:57

Pradeep, its early and only one night of listening, but even though I thought my image solidity and noise floor could;t get any audibly better, the SRA did significantly improve my sound in those areas. Dumbfounded!

philb7777 June 30, 2012 02:59

System edited: Just added TW Acustic Raven AC -1 and TW 10.5 tonearm. And an SRA Ohio XL Isobase. I love the sound I am getting from my analog front end! This is the final frontier for me on the analog side of things!

philb7777 June 30, 2012 02:57

Pradeep, funny you ask that. I just had the custom SRA Ohio platform arrive yesterday. I'm hoping to set it up this weekend. After getting it out of its shipping crate, its build quality is outstanding.

I'm loving the TA AC-1 and TW 10.5 tonearm. They are fabulous. I have an HRS center weight and love it. I bet your HRS wall mount platform is really nice too.

After I get the SRA set up, I will repost results and some pics of my new analog front end.

philb7777 June 29, 2012 03:43

Congrats on a great system and the TW AC. Did you get the SRA Iso platform for the TW ? Am using a HRS platform on a wall mounted rack for my TW AC +BN combo. Do share your experience with the SRA . I have read many positive things about the SRA etc
Cheers
Pradeep

sunnyboy1956 June 25, 2012 11:56

Lapierre, sorry for the delayed response - been off Audiogon for a couple of weeks. I just made a major change to my system. Just purchased a TW Acustics Raven AC-1 and TW 10.5 tonearm. I haven't really dialed in the turntable yet, but initial results are impressive. I've learned the Aries 3 is no slouch abs the Raven is phenomenal. In a few more weeks I'll get the table painstakingly dialed in and get my system page updated with new pics.

I'm contemplating getting an SRA isolation base for the Raven AC soon.

philb7777 March 13, 2012 04:23

Hey PHil,

Planning on any minor changes or tweaks to your system?

lapierre February 18, 2012 05:01

I didn't pass on the SDS! I purchased it with the table originally and still have it. PRAT and image decay are exceptional with it and probably biggest upgrade. I still have it and wouldn't have a VPI without it!

philb7777 December 21, 2011 05:03

Thanks Phil. It's interesting that you decided to go with the ring and the flywheel while passing on the SDS. Although I guess the law of diminishing returns has to kick in eventually.

dhoff01 December 20, 2011 21:57

I would have to say the peripheral ring made the most improvement. It lowered noise floor without diminishing dynamics. Made more air around images and blackened background more.

The flywheel also improved things, much more in rhythm and pace and solidity of images. But I would say ring > flywheel in my set up.

philb7777 December 15, 2011 13:08

Fantastic system. Quick question- between the ring and the single motor flywheel, which offered more sonic improvement?

dhoff01 December 11, 2011 17:32

Philb7777, I'd discourage you from larger speakers. I think the Eidelon Diamonds are a very nice fit with your room. I also think you probably have more to do to optimize you existing listening experience.

Power and cabling is so important for a system such as this, you will be very shocked if you go deeper into it.

For example, the diamond tweeter is a true masterpiece. I have never heard an upper end with such a high, clear, undistorted, and seemless presentation. It has spoiled me when I listen to other speakers, as has many other attributes of Avalon speakers. Most cables are designed to roll-off the top end because people find their speakers have excess tweeter distortion, accentuation, and grain. But, the diamond tweeter has a purity and energy that will be intoxicating once you hit upon the correct combination which permits it to shine. Violin will grab you by the heart, and piano will shimmer with a ravishing beauty and energy. The tweeter provides such a delicate and nuanced presentation, coupled with an overall sense of clarity and that 'notes-floating-from-the-speakers-to-linger-in-the-air' thing.

rtn1 October 16, 2011 21:57

That's an interesting point. I've never experimented with power cords on the Wadia. At this point though I'm listening to about 90% vinyl and 10% digital. You are correct too, I got the Cardas from my local dealer. It might be time to start experimenting with other cables.

By the way, I've admired your system for several months on Audiogon. I would love to have a pair of Isis. Heck I would live to have a pair of Time's!

philb7777 October 15, 2011 22:25

Great system. Very familiar with Avalon, and I had the Wadia 27ix for many years.

I have two suggestions. If you are not using an aftermarket power cord on the Wadia, you should experiment. Both the transport and DAC are extremely sensitive to changes. Also, I am personally not a fan of the Cardas cables - I find they lack clarity and extension. I associate Cardas with those who want to tame or hide something in their system, and this does not apply to yours. You may wish to experiment with some different choices. Dealers mean well, but they don't always know, and I don't think it matters so much about the internal wiring in Rowland.

rtn1 October 15, 2011 11:59