This is a collection of equipment (note how I dont call it a system!), the purpose of which was for me to sample as much as possible prior to settling down to equipment I can use in a final room I am building with Rives. Needless to say, I ended up getting deeper and deeper in this, learning that reviews are typically falwed because (i) reviewers have specific motives, (ii) they dont generally have very good systems, and (iii) no system is perfect and therefore personal preferences matter a lot.
The room is by no means great but it is custom designed and measured. It works quite well, even though these speakers need more room to breathe.
Happy to answer questions about my experience with all this equipment, all of which is quite excellent in its own way. I have some on order which I will add when the time comes.
Other equipment I have owned include:
-Tenor 300hp
-MBL 9011 monos
-MBL 6010D preamp
-VTL 7.5 mk i and ii
-Audio Research Ref 3 preamp
-BAT 75se
-Other
UPDATE: Moved to new room, much more spacious and finally allowing me to sit within the prescribed distance for driver integration. Also, I cleaned up somewhat the amp list: I now use the Wavac 833 mkii (4 box) and for solid state the Class A Gryphon Colosseum Solos. Added to the preamps is the Soulution. All cables are Jorma Prime including an 8m length xlr. Power cords being changed all to Valhalla. Here you also see an attempt to test the continuum turntable through a wavac phono. The sound of the system has ameliorated appreciably and it is now starting to be a system after all. Very happy with it.
Can you provide some insight into how the Soulution products compare with other solid state and tube products you have used. These have been described as blurring the line between tube and transistor. Thanks in advance for your reply.
I have been following your travails and have found your process quite interesting. One thing we have in common is late entry into analog. One my good friends, who is an extremely knowledgeable audiophile, continues to talk me out of vinyl. He believes that it will be surpassed by high rez digital, and thus not worth the hassle and $$$. Of course he has a vinyl set-up!! (although he rarely uses it). I would love for you to expound on whether you have felt as if "going analog" was worth it for you. At the level I would probably do it, it would cost me a small fortune. Plus, I am a reluctant tinkerer. Thanks,
Do you have any experience with The Lamm ML 2.1 SET amp? I was curious as to a comparision between the Lamm and The WAVAC. My guess is that they would be similar beasts. My current system consists of all Boulder 2000 series amp and preamp with Wilson Alexandria speakers. Now that I have added highly sensitive speakers, it opens up more options for amplification.
