petg60's system

by petg60 on Bauer AudioSmeZYXbrystonSonySonic FrontiersPMCKondoAcoustic ReviveFurutechSiltechBASSOCONTINUOKimber KableAudioquest
A game changer. A tool, simple and pure, a wonderful mosfet amp with attention to detail
End of the road turntable.
ZYX 4D ULTIMATE X/HSB2, copper version with 0,48mv output.
Still a fine line stage, well matched to a solid state power amp.
One of the components i enjoy most is this FM tuner
Furutech FP-TCS31
Furutech Power Evolution II
MD at its best, a great recording machine especially from analogue sources (excellent DA converter?).

Description

Long time to build but my belief is not upgrading too often, If it plays good from the start it will get better with time. 
Follow the neutral path, truer to the recordings.
Never forget that this is a hobby that demands lots of patience.
 I like listening to different kinds of music (folk is my least favourite), attend live events, audio shows (when possible), visit audio stores for new audio experiences.
My electrical supply is a three phase one all components on same phase on two outlets on a 16A circuit breaker.
My current room is asymmetrical, with one side open- right speaker, not having any treatment at the moment.
What to upgrade?  A new and better preamp, will get me closer, still searching though as i feel that my vacuum tube days are coming to an end.
Any thoughts for room treatment will have to wait when moving to a new place with a bigger room, in the meantime i want to further increase my vinyl collection.
Read more...

Room Details

Dimensions: 14’ × 21’  Medium
Ceiling: 9’

Components Toggle details

    • Bauer Audio DPS 3
    End of the road turntable, extremely capable, though i bet Willibald and his passion for attention to detail will bring out something improving it even further.
    This deck has all late changes like, new higher spec bearing oil and new higher spec belt.
    • SME Series V
    Matches with DPS and Zyx perfectly. Still a top line performer.
    • ZYX 4D ULTIMATE X/HSB2
    This is the copper version with the silver top base.
    One of the great cartridges and when in need for change the exceed version would be my first choice.
    • Bryston BP-2 MM, PS-3 and TF-20 MC STEP UP
    New addition, a giant killer phono.
    Excellent audio engineering units.
    Reason for not going only with the mm/mc version is the slightly better image width offered by using all separate units.
    • Sony SCD-XA9000es
    Shines with pure DSD recordings and is rather excellent on PCM (where it can still hold its own compared to latest offerings). A notable increase in transparency and depth of midrange was noted after disconnecting the i-link function completely, both supply and ribbon cables, from its dac board. 
    I have owned and enjoyed in the past some of the big Sony players like, XA707es, XA7es, SCD1, XA777es. 
    Regret letting go of the XA7ES and SCD-1 for different reasons.
    • Sony ST-J88B
    One of the components i really enjoy is this FM only tuner, listening to classical, jazz, world, ambient, and some after hours programs. IF selectivity is exceptional in wide and outstanding in narrow mode.
    I have changed only the ageing parts, all electrolytic caps using a mix of ELNA Silmic II, ELNA Cerafine, Nichicon ES, Nichicon Fine Gold, all voltage regulators, all lamps, new and better op amp in power supply, and applied damping in certain areas. One of the Super tuners, even though not the quietest one, that can still offer some more after a good calibration and an external antena.
    • Sonic Frontiers Line 2 (parts upgrade)
    Still a good line stage and well matched to a solid state power amp. My tube choice for this unit is Voskhod 6n23p 1974-1979 period. With a good number of part upgrades, gains in transparency, weight, imaging, texture, expression are noted.
    Could be further improved by changing all signal path resistors but this unit is going to be replaced, when funds allow, with a new and better preamp.
    • Sony TA-N1
    A game changer. A tool, simple and pure with attention to detail, i would call it elegant engineering. Main strength is the absence of  character leading to great transparency. There is more, big soundstage, rock solid bass, natural speed and dynamics, ease of drive, all complete the picture of this wonderful mosfet amp.
    Finally for me it is a very good looking beast, a rare feat in Audio. Definitely a keeper.
    • PMC Twenty5.26i
    After so many years of pure enjoyment with Dunlavy SC-III it was time to get a decidedly better speaker. 
    PMC Twenty5.26i shows to be be my last one.
    Time to explore.
    • Acoustic Revive RCA 1.0 Triple C FM RCA interconnect
    1m pair, PC Triple C, solid core, rhodium rca plugs.
    MC step ==> MM phono stage.
    Have tried it in other positions within the system with same great results. This is my best ic cable connected to the most sensitive area within the system. Very low capacitance also.
    An astonishing signal cable.
    • Acoustic Revive Power Sensual 18000
    DIY, 10 AWG, PC Triple-C, 2m with Acoustic Revive rhodium plugs, ==> preamp.
    • Kondo AudioNote Japan KSL-VcII
    1m pair RCA, PCOCC copper.
    SACD player.
    Too bad they discontinued their copper signal versions, a fit and forget interconnect.
    • Kondo AudioNote Japan KSL-VcII
    1m pair XLR, PCOCC copper.
    Line stage to power amp.
    • Kondo AudioNote Japan ACc Persimmon
    2m PCOCC copper power cable. 
    Another amazing Kondo cable.
    Powering phono stage.
    • Kimber Kable TAK-Ag
    1m pair with SME plug.
    arm - mc step up
    • Furutech FP-TCS31
    DIY, 12 AWG, PC Triple C power cable 1,5m terminated with FI-E38R/FI-28R plugs. 
    Top value Furutech power cable and power plugs.
    Wall outlet to power amplifier.
    • Furutech Power Evolution II
    1,8m, μ-OFC 10 awg power cable.
    Wall outlet to power distributor for preamp and sources.
    • Furutech The Empire
    12AWG PC Triple C, 1,5m power cable.
    Very similar to TCS31. Powering CD/SACD player.
    • Furutech The Astoria
    14AWG, PC Triple-C power cable, 1,5m.
    Very similar to TCS21.
    Powering TT power supply.
    • Furutech FP-3TS20
    DIY, 14 AWG, 1,5m PC-OCC, power cable with FI-E38G/FI-28G plugs.
    • Furutech FT-SWS NCF(R), FT-SWS G
    Wall outlets for poweramp & power distributor.
    Both great but the NCF version is in a class of its own.
    • Furutech TP-60E
    Power distributor for sources and pre.
    Has served me well all these years, time to upgrade to either etp309 or etp609.
    • Furutech Rhodium fuses
    • Siltech Cables FTM-3 S
    1,5m pair RCA. Silver ribbon cable.
    phono stage - line stage. G2 version.
    • Siltech Cables LS 4-120
    2m pair from power amp to speakers, no bi-wire, G2 version.
    • Analysis Plus Inc. Copper Oval-In
    1m pair RCA. 
    FM tuner to line stage.
    • Sony MDS-JA333ES
    Not connected lately.
    MD at its best, a great recording machine especially from analogue sources (excellent DA converter?).
    • Studio Connections Abbey Road Reference Interconnect by Moving Air
    DIY, 1m pair RCA - RCA, Nordic copper, with Furutech FP-110G RCA plugs.
    Very fast and transparent cables with extremely low capacitance that needs careful positioning for avoiding hum and noise issues.
    • Canare Cable Premium 75-ohm Digital cable
    1m RCA-RCA
    • Acoustic Revive QR-8 Quartz Resonators
    Strong stuff, require experimentation in placement for not upsetting the tonal balance. Very interesting product as most from Acoustic Revive.
    Can be used everywhere and even to appliances which are not connected directly to the audio system.
    • NOS tubes
    Have almost tried anything of ecc81, ecc88, 5687 families but kept only some pairs of the ones listed below, for their excellent contribution to sonics or their new condition status.
    Siemens E81CC Triple Mica (1967, 1969), Valvo 6201 (1971), Mullard M8162 (1974), Amperex ECC88 Bugle Boy D-getter (1958), Amperex ECC88 orange o getter (1967), Amperex ECC88 orange A Frame (1970), Amperex ECC88 PQ orange A Frame (1972), Siemens ECC88 (1965), Bell ECC88 (1969), Philips Miniwatt E88CC SQ IMPORT (1961), Philips Miniwatt E88CC SQ (1963) Dario Miniwatt E88CC (1970), Valvo E188CC RED (1962), Philips Miniwatt E188CC SQ (1960,1962), RT E188CC (1960, 1962), Siemens E188CC (1965, 1969), Siemens E188CC A frame (1970, 1971), Tesla E88CC (1965), Tesla PCC88 (1980), 6N23P Rocket logo (1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1985, 1987), 6N23P-EV Reflektor (1982, 1985).
    • Bassocontinuo Reference line Accordeon
    Modular, elegant, rigid. Have tried in the past many DIY solutions, and different platforms but nothing comes close to this. Good racks are expensive but money well spent.
    • Bassocontinuo Audio Systems Ultra Feet Level 2
    Ease of presentation.
    • Walker Audio Prelude Record Cleaning System
    Time consuming but it does worth the effort.
    • Mobile Fidelity Record cleaning brush
    • Watts Parostatic Disc Preener
    • Onzow zerodust stylus cleaner
    • LAST Factory Stylus cleaner
    • AudioQuest Fog Lifters
    Still experimenting but not use too many, just one under the heavier power cables.

Comments 8

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Owner
Hi slaw, thanks,
i was really pleased using the Dunlavys with ss or tubes, but the game really changed with the N1. It is revealing to the point of showing everything i am attempting before getting the signal there. If i did not have the patience to stay and explore my possibilities then most likely i could do a lot worse. There comes that moment when you realise that there is something special going on and the only way left is going up without changing gear.
I have seen your system, and you have done an amazing job in a limited space.

petg60

I appreciate your philosophy regarding your system building. I thing we share that.

slaw

Owner
Thank you, Bassocontinuo Accordeon Reference, it is modular and can shape to many configurations. 
G

petg60

Wonderful system. What kind of shelves are those?

attamyway

Owner
Hi, it is calibrated for RMG SM911 but SM468 and XL1 are equally good.
I record from radio and lp's though it needs servicing now as output board acts funny, otherwise it is a fine deck easy to maintain and spares are plenty.

petg60

What do you play on your beeeyoootiful Revox tape recorder? It looks as pristine as the rest of your system.

chowkwan

Owner
thank you JO, sounds warm, detailed with amazing sounstage, even though most of the gear does have years of use but not outdated yet. I had a SF power 2 but that TAN1 really outclassed it, no signature at all and with amazing highs. SF gear have potential and some tweaks are most rewarding. DPS 3 has all the positive virtues of a Linn, Well Tempered and Pink Triangle-withe less noise.

petg60

That is one badass system petg60 and that Sony TA-N1 is a beast! I was just reading about it on the Vintage Knob I've never seen or heard of it before, It must drive those Dulavy's perfectly. Really great table too and nice upgrades to your SF gear.

jond

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