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.
Hi Mihalis. .... How does the Jorma Prime compare to the Valhalla. Have you had an opportunity to Listen to the Nordost Odins. Are they the Magic Bullet that the press writes about ?
Hello!!! Alexee do let us know what Lyra have to say to your question on impedance match between the 4.2 and the SS101.On the question of the gain on the Lyra it is reported that the older version had more gain in the line stage than in the matching phono stage which meant that they matched well. but care had to be taken while matching it with other products.I use the gamut L5s. Mihalis thank you for your observations. Btw which is your preferred power amp.
Hi Alexee. Have you ever heard the Lyra 4.2 and the Vitus paired together.A great pre the Lyra may be , but my reservations on pairing it with the Vitus are two fold. One being that the Vitus is a balanced desgin where as the Lyra is not. Secondly i have been told that the gain at the power amp stage of the Vitus is marginal , that is it is not too high and there may be impedance matching issues. To keep it in the family, all Vitus that is might be to an advantage. I m sure that either pairing will be a cracking combination. Just thinking out loud before i decide to break the bank. Your comments please....
Yes that is not a system but Aladdins treasure cave!!! I have the Vitus SS101, and am running it as an integrated. Great though it is, i would like to take it to the next level. The two pre amps i have short listed are the Lyra 4.2(awaiting the new Power supply release) and the Vitus SL101. Could you please tell me how the above mentioned pre amps mate with SS101 and which do you reckon is a better match. Is there a worth while increase in resolution, staging , etc etc..
