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.
Read more...

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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Owner
Your English is exemplary. Impressive is precisely the word. Only one of the 15 drivers is really a tweeter. The other 14 are crossed over lower and cover the midrange down to about 270Hz. All together they have the same effective area and cover the same range as one 9" midrange driver would do.    

The idea is that the effective moving mass is much less, a tiny fraction of what that one 9" driver would be. This allows for a much faster transient response than any 9" driver. Also the 14 drivers are operating in the flattest part of their response curve.    

This also means the entire range from 270Hz up is being handled by the same driver. All together these factors- transient speed, flat response, and the exact same driver characteristics- combine to account for the Moabs superb midrange and treble.  

The "shielding" is actually tubes made by cutting up old Perfect Path Solutions eMat. Not sure if this material works by blocking RF or by shear wave effects or whatever, but it does lower the noise floor revealing incredible detail. There is more inside the speakers. The crossovers are mounted on it.  

Glad you like the Neurological Evidence article. For many years people have known experienced listeners continue to show a high degree of listening ability even long after losing a lot of their ability to hear the highest frequencies. The way I read this work is it shows those tests are flawed because they measure only full sine waves, which is only a small part of what we hear. 

millercarbon

Wow, impressive system!
[please excuse my bad English]

Your Moab speaker intrigue me: high sensitivity, 15 tweeters... But I wonder: where is the midrange ?(both from cone point of view, and musically speaking too)

I see many shielding around the cables; is the RF they try to block?

PS: I appreciated very much your post about Neurological Evidence, thanks.

orfeo_monteverdi

Owner
We prefer God Emperor.

millercarbon

OMG 

you are the king of vinyl 
i think you need new carpet in the room and a leather chair.

digitalviper

Owner
Appreciate the compliment. Sorry to let you down but the lava lamp is pure cool factor. Okay, also serves a practical purpose, just the right amount of light for listening in the dark. But to think that I am doing so many things that one can seriously wonder if even the lava lamp serves some SQ purpose, that is high praise indeed! Thanks!

Since you mention power, the normal looking AC outlet up front is just what it appears to be, a normal AC outlet. On a normal circuit. The big fat black thing coming out of the wall is 220V hard wired direct from the step-down transformer to the power conditioner. Everything in the system plugs into that. Even the projector, AC to that goes back into the wall, up and across the ceiling then down to the projector. All other outlets are accessories only. 

millercarbon

O_O

You're completely next level. Now I know what to aspire to.

However....I must know.  What's the Lava Lamp for?  I also have one.  Is it just that's cool...or is it affecting how power is distributed?

guakus

Owner
Come on down, check it out. PM for details.

millercarbon

Redmond is in my neck of the 'woods'.

Love reading your posts and great system!

Rick

rich121

Owner
My pleasure. Your story is eerily similar to mine. You are in the PNW? You are welcome to come experience for yourself. PM for details.

millercarbon

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

Owner
The Absolute Sound guy is right. The only really great systems I have heard were hot-rodded and tweaked. It is almost like, the worse it looks the better it sounds. 😂 Store systems are seldom any good. One time I hear this one with Avalons, it sounds wonderful! Gosh those Avalons are terrific! Right? Or, wait a minute- everything in that room was on BDR Cones, Shelf, all the wires were up off the floor, way more tweaks than usual for a store system. No wonder the Avalons sounded so good!  

The good news, this means a LOT of good systems can be turned into great systems without spending a lot of money, by tweaking real good instead. I got a PM earlier today someone said thanks for all the ideas they did them all and cannot believe how much better their system sounds- total cost $400! Sure if you can spend more Townshend Podiums are awesome, but if you can't don't let that stop you because Nobsound springs are awfully good for only $30. 

Also yes it is a lot of work and to someone looking today an incredible amount of work. But spread out over the 30 years I have been in this room, there were years and years where I did nothing but sit and enjoy. 

Can't say it was any master plan or anything, but now that it has happened it is good to spread the word and let people know, doesn't have to be big, expensive, or fast, baby steps will get you there as well. Just keep taking them. 

millercarbon

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

Owner
danager was here Saturday. The Frank Sinatra he mentions is a Super Hot Stamper Sinatra-Basie from Better-records.com. The Who Quadrophenia was a copy he brought. We cleaned it with the Walker Enzyme 4 Step here just before playing. His comments follow:

Chuck,

Couple of things

WOW that was an experience I'll remember much like the first time on the Colossus roller coaster at Magic Mountain. Thank you for being such a generous host.

The high points for me were the ribs. 


The Frank Sinatra may have been the best sounding album I've ever heard.

 
That was the best the Who album has ever sounded and I've heard it on a lot of different systems... I mean a lot! 

That spot, the listening chair is a very special place that went beyond just listening to music. Great job creating a near religious experience.


millercarbon

Owner
Not likely. But maybe with more info. Have you mapped out where all the wires go? Figure it out, draw a circuit diagram, that would be the place to start. Also I wouldn't email Eric, I would call.

millercarbon

Hi

Noticed that you have had some modified Tektons previously.

Hoping you could help me out, Tekton is not answering my mails.

Upon changing the caps for my center tweeter on my Perfect SET’s I noticed that my tweeter array is connected differently to the crossovers between speaker A-B. 

This seems wrong to me, suspecting that Tekton messed something up during production. However they are not answering my mails. 

Would you be able to assess this.

zuangbro

Owner
Thanks Max, usually people send these kinds of atta boy comments to me PM but this is a beauty glad you put it here. Much appreciated.

You are right, I know what works and what doesn't and there is a lot that doesn't that was tried and is gone! There is also a lot that is used in ways not quite as intended, such as Synergistic ECT used on the tone arm. I do not put a lot of stock in stories or theories about how things work, but that does not mean I am not always trying to understand how things do in fact work. 

A lot of this is quite frankly a mystery, and you have asked about one of them. Tim Mrock before he died ran PPT and made some stuff called Omega E-Mats and you can read my review on them, search through my Discussions Started to read all about them- and my other reviews of ECT, PHT, Townshend, Tekton, etc.  

I try and pick up ideas from anyone anywhere I can. In this case Frank, oregonpapa, noticed the Mats worked great on the sides of his speakers and laid on top of his speaker cables. 

So first I tried this and sure enough, Frank is right. Next, it helps that I am not shy about mods and altering stuff. So I ripped the plastic advertising off one Mat, cut and sliced it into sections, and wrapped it around a cable. Wow! 

Too bad he is not around any more, because Mats like this are a great way to elevate the performance of any cable to the moon, without paying the to the moon prices. It has worked so far on four completely different types of speaker cables, interconnects, and power cords. 

You spotted one Easter egg. Good eye. There are more- and you should see what I got going on under the floor! No on second thought maybe no one should see that! 😂😂

Cheers!

Chuck

millercarbon

Hi there. I’m often amused by your comments and posts. They bring a smile to my face... it’s from a man who has done lots of work experimenting and proving to yourself what works and what doesn’t, and then working out why and if/how the improvements can be repeated. I say ‘bring a smile to my face’ because what youve described in your many posts often matched my own experiences. But you’re a better man than me - sharing your work and discoveries and opening yourself up to ignorant comments. But thank you! I’ve learned much from you. Finally just wanted to ask, when I look at your system photos, I see something wrapped around your speaker cables and fixed with pull ties. What is that?

maximumheadroom

Chuck, thanks for sharing the remarks from the folks who heard your system for the first time. It's always fun to see their expressions. In my experience, it's usually really serious at first not saying much but asking for specific music they want to hear. After that their emotions just flow out .....and THAT is what a good system should do to people! Congrats.

sbayne

Owner
We had a couple over from the FB Tekton Owner's Group last night. They aren't registered AG yet just FB so I am pasting their FB review here below:

Do you even MOAB bro???
Last night, Mr.
Chuck Miller
 and his wonderful wife hosted my wife and I for an audition of the ALMIGHTY Moab. Wow, it was an experience that will be hard to put into words.
Suffice it to say, it was the biggest, most powerful musical experience I've ever experienced in a home setting. We listened to a very wide variety of tracks (all vinyl), and Chuck's system, anchored by the MOAB, never broke a sweat and sounded just as comfortable playing anything from a Keith Jarret solo to THE Black Sabbath. The size and scale of the music fits the old adage "wall of sound", although this wall isn't flat. The soundstage starts a few feet behind the speakers, and extends well out into the room, seemingly surrounding you. I've never (in a true two speaker setup) felt so enveloped by the music as I was last night.
There's so much more to say, but that's a summation of my FIRST impression of this system. I'll be back with more...
Thank you
Chuck
!!!

millercarbon

Owner
Each Dayton powers two 10" Morel subs. There's also a powered Talon Roc sub. So 5 subs altogether.

millercarbon

Prey tell , what are the 2 Dayton audio for , I use them for my buttkickers , if you don’t have buttkickers I seriously advise you to get them , I have them mounted to the springs in my sofa a much better effect than bolted to a solid surface , they are seriously underrated, don’t know why people don’t have them movies and music , I can’t live without them these days.

ngiordano

Owner
Those are Synergistic Research HFT on the Moabs. Same ones that were used on the previous Talon Khorus speakers, where they are easier to see. There's a full Speaker Kit worth of HFT on each Moab. There's also several sets on the room. Look through all the pics and read the comments and descriptions, you will see them on the front wall up near the corners, also on the center front wall below the screen. Other places too just not a picture of every single one. They are very effective. When you read all the comments about the awesome imaging this is where a lot of that comes from. 

Mine are dark gray, or Charcoal as Tammy likes to say. Standard color, standard finish. Yes I did consider Be but only briefly as my review thread details. Briefly, it was a combination of factors. I hate the way so many high end speakers and components hype the top end, and while I thought the risk of that was low I was not about to risk that at all. Also the magic of Eric's MTM design is the seamless midrange. One way he gets this is by using the same driver to cover 270Hz and up. Going to all-Be would be a different story, but too costly. So I went with the safe option. The won that has won such high praise. Deservedly so. Damn fine speakers! 

millercarbon

What are those tabs on the sides of your Moabs.  Looks like little pegs about half way down on the left sides.

Also, I'm guessing these are the dark grey finish.  Did you consider the beryllium tweeter?

dtximages

Owner
~ 9 ft.

millercarbon

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