Millercarbon's System

by millercarbon on
Current as of March 21
The view from the focal spot
Melody amp standing tall
Amp, power, rack, and cables
Tube glow, loving it!
The Lava Lamp looks much better in person
Elevators keeping everything off the floor
Cable routing to turntable rack
Herron phono stage and Verus motor controller on the Solution rack
Cabling behind amps
The Solution rack, and something else, with some old gear
Note BDR Shelf and Cones on the motor pod
Conqueror VTA mod
Conqueror with ECT and PHT
The Miller Carbon Record Clamp
Green Dream and Black Beauty PHTs on the Koetsu
Total Contact on the Black Goldline sounds fabulous!
View from below showing the "nut"
One of 2 sealed subs, this one near the L front speaker
The view from the front left. Note the front R sub spaced asymmetrically to the L
One RCA input becomes one pre-amp out with this simple 2 resistor mod
Audio Consulting Stepdown transformer with PPS E-card
New cable tweaks
Teres Verus Motor with Millercarbon modified mount
Close-up of mount mods showing TDF painted fO.q tape.
fO.q TA-102 tape and TC under tone arm
Follow the wires and tweaks. Follow them closely. Very closely.
Did you see it? If not go back, its not in this view!
Speaker cable suspension system
Crossover upgrade annotated with parts, values, and connections

Description

The System is built around the philosophy that everything matters. Everything either contributes or detracts, and no one single component is any more or less important than any other. Even details as small as where a component goes or how the wire is routed make a difference you can hear. Everything matters.

The System is also built around the philosophy that the ideal component does nothing. The perfect component does not sound a certain way. It does not impart, it does not detract. It is not there at all.

This is why The System looks the way it does. It is extremely difficult to make a rack as good as no rack, ie the floor. A rack puts everything up high closer to ear level and reflects sound more because its all in one block. So The System is mostly on the floor, and with components at differing height and spacing the components diffuse more than reflect. This also provides for shorter and more direct cabling with greater isolation between signal and power cables. 

The Solution Turntable rack is the result of extensive testing and comparing and shows the extent one must go to be better than the floor. Its as low as it can be for comfort, and as close to center as it can be for the screen. It could not be much closer anyway, and by happy coincidence happens to be in a bit of a bass null zone- not that acoustic energy is likely to have much effect on 700+ pounds of solid granite and concrete!
 
The System is dual use. The frame around the screen is a custom Miller creation, identical in dimensions to and covered with the exact same incredibly light absorbing black velvet fabric as the Stewart Filmscreen frame. At 92x52 it provides nearly the same apparent viewing size as seated a little further back than the middle of a typical movie theater.

The single biggest factor in video quality is contrast, and ambient light is the single biggest challenge with projectors. The upper walls and ceiling are a neutral gray for accurate colors, while a darker fabric and carpet combine with window shutters to control ambient light. Most of the light then comes from the screen itself. Direct side by side comparisons show the Grayhawk screen performs much better than a white screen in ambient light.

Stewart Marcantoni taught me it all begins at the wall. The System begins with 4 ga wire at the panel. This 4 ga brings 240v power to a step-down transformer located just beneath the system. Now at 120v, it is only about 5 ft from the Medusa power center. The step-down transformer and Medusa are both grounded to the same ground rod the same 5 feet from the system. Power wire is all cryogenically treated.
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Room Details

Dimensions: 24’ × 17’  Large
Ceiling: 9’

Components Toggle details

    • Audio Consulting Step-down Transformer
    Pure silver wire Swiss transformer, 240v to 120v. Plates, bolts, and all terminals treated with Total Contact. Mounted on BDR Cones in a 2" thick MDF cabinet with one Perfect Path Solutions Omega E-mat. Dedicated copper ground.
    • Miller Medusa Power Center
    The Medusa power center is built on a custom Black Diamond Racing Black Beauty Shelf. Incoming power from 4 ga copper is hard-wired direct to a Jungson transformer with filter caps. Point to point Audio Consulting pure silver wire connects the Jungson to Oyaide and Synergistic Research Blue outlets strategically located on the four faces allowing short direct power to components from the centrally located Medusa.
    Two Synergistic Research Michael Spallone modified MPCs are also hard wired in silver.
    Two Synergistic Research Michael Spallone modified Tesla MPCs hardwired in silver to an additional Audio Consulting silver isolation transformer.
    3/4" MDF mitered pyramid cabinet. MPC transformers and all connections treated with Total Contact.
    Dedicated copper ground.
    • Miller Carbon Turntable
    Based on the Teres Audio turntable bearing, platter, and Verus Rim Drive Motor, the Carbon features a Black Diamond Racing carbon fiber plinth, arm base, and feet. The brass bearing screws directly into a large 4" diameter by 1.25" thick threaded BDR carbon fiber nut for extreme rigidity and vibration control. The Teres bearing is modified with a silicon carbide bearing and tungsten carbide thrust plate. The Verus motor is modified with a BDR Source Shelf base, Cones, and mini-Pits. 
    Miller carbon fiber record clamp together with the carbon fiber washer clamps records so secure and flat that when released it takes a second for the record to pop loose, as if held down by vacuum.
    One Synergistic ECT and One Perfect Path Solutions E-Card on the motor. 2 ECT and 2 Orange fuses in the motor controller. The motor controller umbilical is modified with Active Shielding added using another Spallone modified MPC. The Verus motor controller is on BDR Cones and Round Things, with a BDR Shelf on top. Internal connections, caps, transformers and other parts treated with Total Contact.
    • Origin Live Conqueror Tone Arm
    2007 Conqueror. Leads modified with Active Shielding using Michael Spallone modified Synergistic Research MPC with upgraded caps and diodes hard wired. One Synergistic Research PHT on the arm, 2 ECT on the arm base.
    • Koetsu Black Goldline
    0.4 mV output MC cartridge with body lightly painted with Total Contact, and with one SR Green Dream and one Black Beauty PHT. Pins and leads treated with Total Contact.
    • Herron Audio VTPH-2A Phono Stage
    2018 Herron VTPH-2A phono stage with Synergistic Research Orange Fuse, 3 ECT, 2 Perfect Path Solutions Stop-Its, and all tube pins, transformers, and other items treated with Total Contact.
    • Miller Solution Turntable Rack
    The Solution to turntable vibration control is a modular component rack. Top and bottom shelves are solid reinforced 4" thick concrete with a 2" deep sand bed cast into them. The middle component rack is 2" thick concrete. Legs of polished ABS are filled with concrete, with threaded inserts cast into them. Bottom footers incorporate BDR Cones and are height adjustable for leveling. Assembled on site due to its over 700 lbs total weight The Solution is bolted together for extreme rigidity. The granite machinists plate rests on a 2" deep sand bed.
    • Synergistic Research Atmosphere X Euphoria (Level3) Interconnect
    2m Euphoria, grounded to dedicated Earth ground with all connections treated with Total Contact and supported with ceramic insulators.
    • Melody I880 Tube Integrated Amp
    Melody I880 with 4 JJ KT-88, 4 Sovtek 6SN7, and one D100 rectifier tube. Modified with one pair of input RCA converted to pre-out. The factory feet are removed. Three BDR Those Things on the inside of the bottom cover are screwed together through the bottom plate with three Round Things, with the cover sandwiched between them, and with a Cone screwed into the bottom of each.  The Cones are supported on Round Things on top of a Shelf, Cones, 150 lb granite plate, and Cones.

    All tube pins and connections treated with Total Contact. SR Orange Fuse and 3 ECT. One pair Stop Its.
     
    • Synergistic Research Element Copper Tungsten Silver Speaker Cable
    8 ft Element CTS with spades and Michael Spallone modified Tesla MPCs hard wired into the Medusa power conditioner with in-line Audio Consulting pure silver isolation transformer. All connections and transformer surfaces treated with Total Contact. Supported with Cable Elevators and ceramic insulators.
    • Talon Loudspeakers Khorus X
    Talon Khorus with X crossover upgrade treated with Total Contact and Perfect Path E-cards. Synergistic Research Speaker Kit HFT treatment. On BDR Cones and Round Things.
    • Talon Loudspeakers Roc Subwoofer
    Self powered dual 12" drivers in an isobaric design cabinet. On BDR Cones with Total Contact on all connections.
    • Dayton Audio SA-1000
    2 Dayton subwoofer amps. Each one drives two 10" subs, wired in series for 16 ohms. Transformers, caps, resistors and all connections treated with Total Contact. Perfect Path Stop-Its on unused RCAs. Amps stack on each other with BDR Cones.
    • Miller Morel Subwoofers
    A Distributed Bass Array comprised of 2 Morel 10" drivers in sealed cabinets and 2 in ported cabinets. All covered in stained Rosewood veneer.
    • Black Diamond Racing Shelf for the Source, Shelf, Cones, Those Things, Round Things
    Every single component in The System is on BDR Cones- including even parts like the Audio Consulting transformers, Talon Khorus crossover networks, and the Medusa Power Center. Most components, such as the speakers, amp, phono stage, and turntable, are also on Round Things.
    The Miller Carbon is on a Source Shelf with Cones and Round Things on both sides. 
    The phono stage and amp are on a Shelf with Round Things and Cones on both sides.
    The Verus motor controller is on Cones and Pits. The Verus motor itself is mounted in a Source Shelf, its factory rubber feet replaced with Cones and Pits.
    All the subs, subwoofer amps, and the CD player are on Cones.
    • Synergistic Research HFT, ECT, PHT, and Orange Fuses
    Level 2 HFT Room Treatment. Several ECT on Melody, Herron, Verus motor, and motor controller, and Conqueror arm. Two Green Dream and one Black Beauty PHT on the arm and cartridge. Orange Fuses in Melody, Herron, and Verus motor controller.
    • Perfect Path Solutions Omega E Mat
    Several, located on the main electrical panel, Audio Consulting step down transformer, Talon Khorus speakers, and Medusa Power Center.
    • Perfect Path Solutions E-Cards
    Located on the Medusa, SR Atmosphere interconnect, Verus motor, Herron phono stage, Talon crossovers, breaker panel, and Dayton amps.
    • Cable Elevators Ceramic Insulators
    Cable Elevators together with ceramic insulators on stands support all wire above the floor and maintain spacing minimizing field interference.
    • Synergistic Research Power cords
    Resolution Reference .5 and Master Coupler power cords to the Herron and Oppo.
    • Shunyata Research Cobra
    Power cord to the Melody integrated.
    • Electraglide Fat Boys
    2 Fat Boy 2 foot power cords to the Daytons.
    • OPPO Modded DVD Player
    Extensively modified player on BDR Cones, with BDR Shelf and dive weights on top.
    • Sony VPL HW40ES Projector
    Ceiling mounted. With 10m cryo'd Cobalt HDMI.
    • Stewart Filmscreen Grayhawk Screen
    Viewable 92x50  screen mounted in custom black velvet screen frame.
    • Miller Window Shutters
    Half inch MDF window shutters for shutting out sound and light.
    • Miller Solid Core Door
    With weather stripping for sound control.
    • Miller Corner Tunes
    Owens Corning acoustic panels covered in Art Deco designer fabric for acoustic control in corners where walls meet ceiling and ceiling and walls come together.
    • Radio Shack Bulk Tape Eraser
    Powerful handheld demagnetizer for demagnetizing records and cables, and charging Omega E Mats.
    • Macintosh MacBook Pro
    When used for movies, sits on top of the Oppo, with one ECT and one E-Card. Video out to projector via HDMI adaptor. Audio out to the integrated via mic to RCA adaptor.
    • Townshend Audio Podiums and Pods
    Townshend Podiums are used under the Tekton Moab speakers. 
    Pods are used under the turntable, amp, and phono stage.
    • Duelund, Jantzen, Path Audio, Goertz, BDR, Townshend Audio, Tetrault Audio Caps, Resistors, Inductors
    Duelund JDM Silver bypass caps, Jantzen Alumen Zcaps, Goertz Alpha Core inductors, and Path Audio resistors in crossover upgrade 5/15/21. 

    Crossover components mounted on Tetrault Quantum of Solace laminated to BDR Shelf, isolated on Townshend Pods.

Comments 98

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I went through a stage about twenty years + ago when I crept down the detailed tweaking route. Where I learned most of what I know now. It probably lasted for ten - fifteen years. Black Diamond Racing shelves, pods, cones… played with pneumatic vibration control (cheap ones). Yes, it all matters… well almost all. I got busy with work and moved here to the PNW. Accidentally choosing a house with a sonically great audio area. I was able to upgrade several times, with just listening in between. I did a last upgrade before retiring. Then fortunately through several years work with my investments was able to upgrade to my dream system. So, as I said, I am at the power management stage. I have so been enjoying my system for the last year I have been really slow work on improvements. 

You may have read one of my posts where my system took a turn to the more musical side and it has been so overwhelmingly positive that it has made me rethink how I got here. On rare occasions I heard a system with such an overwhelming emotional connection that it would make me stop and take pause… but the costs in terms of detail was enormous. There was this guy in Dallas, ran an audio place out of his house… almost all tube stuff… Airtight, Viva (?). He had paired a Millenium Electrostatics (the enormous 6’ by 4’  with the flea sized Viva… what 15 watts per channel amp. It was a ridiculous pairing, he knew it.  It only had midrange, but those things practically brought tears to my eyes. But, i couldn’t go there with my system… there was absolutely no detail or slam whatsoever. But a few of these experiences stuck in my mind and now after decades have finally got both the emotional content and the detail. 

I have to admit, you are inspiring me not to stop at power management. I remember how far careful, thoughtful tweaking got me the last time I worked my way down that path. Should give me great rewards for a long time to come. 

Thanks for the inspiration.

ghdprentice

Wow. I am impressed. You are the tweak master. The amount of effort you have put into your system is truly amazing and I am sure the sound reflects this. I remember (vaguely, I am getting old) one of the Absolute Sound guys said something like I have heard good systems that were not tweaked, but I have never heard a great system that was not… tru performance is in the details. I now know who to come to for advice on tweaks. I have some heavy carbon fiber shelves on vibrapods and cable lifters for my speaker cables only. That is as far as I have gone. After a major upgrade last year I redid my interconnects and cables. I am finalizing my power management now. Then I’ll do a bit of vibration control. But my enjoyment is in the destination not the journey. You look like a journeyman.

ghdprentice

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