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.
no wonder the 1%er's have me wanting to jump off a bridge. If I could afford 1/10th of that equipment. But then again being in a wheelchair and on social security and substitute teaching will never get me there.
Mihalis, I am very envious of your ability to construct such a collection of equipment, and the kindness in sharing your quantitative and qualitative analysis with the community. It's people like you that give a new and enthusiastic music lover a glimpse at what is possible - when trying to recreate all of the live music I have experienced, hoping to set in action those same wonderful waves of air in my home. Moreover, your help in educating others, the most important aspect of what you have done here. However, I fully understand you are busy with those "in-the-know" although if/when you find some time could you give my question a read, thanks.
As a beginning teacher (and new audiogoner) my funds are quite limited, allowing me to build a system that I am proud of, and most importantly, is pleasing to my ears, while yawned at by most here I'm sure, oh well. Forgive me if my audio language is not up to par but I'll try my best to speak the audiophile language. So far I have replaced my old JMLab 3.1 Dalines with new Magnepan MG12, my Yamaha DSP A-1 & ARCAM A65+ Int. Amps with a Bel Canto S300i USB (I would like to construct a computer based system as I am encoding all of my music using xACT to Lossless format), Nordost Blue Heaven speaker flatline, and keeping my old Miller & Kreisel mark IV sub for now. I need and would gratefully appreciate your expert advice as to a good power amp to pair with the Bel Canto, or even with the ARCAM while using the S300iu as only a DAC, possibly paired with the wadia i170. Don't laugh but I only have roughly $3500 to spend on a power amp. I know it's not much but is there something you might suggest that would bring out the best in my Maggies (clean, quiet, fast, musical), and bring my digital music source to life?
