Main system: tower speakers, tube preamp (based on Ultraverve III), solid state DAC, tube or SS amps; sources are DIY intel nuc based streamer and CD transport.
2023 updates: added Holo Audio Spring DAC KTE; Vicoustic diffusion on sides and ceiling. Removed some dampening from ceiling.
Fall 2022 updates: Added a Schiit Bifrost 2/64 DAC and a 6SN7 DIY preamp. A Pass XA-25 amp now alternates with my QS mono blocks.
March 2022 updates: System now showing Ascend Acoustics Sierra Towers with RAAL tweeters and custom made audio rack from Clay Street Woodworks (Morrison, CO).
Spring 2021: Added photos with mixture of deflectors (boards), diffusors (GIK, bookshelves), absorbers (ATS, GIK), and bass traps (Real Traps), along with some DIY (utilizing OC 703, OC R38 pink fluffy).
Holo Audio Spring DAC Level 3 "Kitsune Tuned Edition"
Acquired used in December 2023; replaced Schiit Bifrost 2/64
DIY Preamp, roughly like DeHavilland Ultraverve 3 Ultraverve 3
Local designer
Quicksilver Mono 60s
2020 model.
Pass Labs XA-25
Pass Labs XA-25 stereo amplifier.
Audience Adept Response AR-2p
Shunyata Research Venom Defender
Wiremold Legrand Power Strip
Nothing fancy.
Porterhouse Audio Porter port
Outlet plug.
Analysis Plus Inc. Copper Oval-In
Various other AP wires, connects here.
AudioQuest Type 4 Speaker Cable
GIK Acoustics Tri Traps, HF Limited Bass Traps, Q7D Diffusors
RealTraps Mondo Traps
NOT IN USE NOW Acopian power supply feeding modified Node 2i Bluesound Node 2i
I swapped in a power supply board from PD Creative and then added an Acopian power supply purchased on Ebay from Florida Industrial. Good deal and a real improvement.
NOT IN USE NOW Bluesound Node 2i
2020 model
Quicksilver SOLD Line Stage Preamplifier (upgraded caps)
Hey nice remembering Gilda Radner's Rosanne Rosanada on the post with you today. Checked out your system, lovely, must sound wonderful. Nice of you to post a playlist; I've checkout a few of the titles. l am also a QS fanboy and run a pair of Mid Monos as well. Keep thinking maybe to upgrade ( you know how it is) but suspect there isn't much better out there unless I spend huge $$$.
I did ask Kent about Firstwatt options, specifically F8. His suggestion if it was going to be your "main" SS amp go XA25, safest and more universal option. Interestingly, I do have 2 pair of the Tokin SIT transistors Nelson used in the SIT-4. Need to get some chassis ordered and build up my SIT amp.
Will take a look at those other amps you suggested, but yes at this point I am trying to make this move as budget neutral as possible. Used XA25 plus new Mid mono is only about 1K more than what XA30.8 should sell for. Part of the allure of the QS was being able to explore some of "less powerful" output tube options, think Sylvania 6L6GAY, real Tung Sol 5881, GE 7581A. Thats on the question list for Mike also.
@loki_ut No harm! Texas, Tennessee -- it's all weird for native New Yorkers like me.
Anyway, many people really were strong on the XA25 over the 30. BUT now you tell me you might go to 97db speakers that don't get below 6 ohm? Well, maybe you should think a bit more about this. A SIT amp would be great for you and maybe even look at even lower watt tube amps. Erhard audio or Aric Audio or Don Sachs could all be wonderful with speakers like that. Depends on your budget. If you got the mid-monos you'd have an amp capable of less sensitive speakers, too, so that's nice.
Thank you for the quick response! You may find this offending but I'm that other UT, Go Big Orange.....
I was at the Florida Audio Expo this past weekend and spoke to Kent English about the possible XA30.8 to XA25 move. He agrees, very special Pass amp and with unique presentation. He said its like getting a big warm hug.
Moving toward 97dB, horn based speakers, flat impedance load that does not go below 6 ohm. So Mid Mono should be more than enough (at least that was Mike at QS suggestion in an email) and even open up playing with 6L6 based tubes. Which KT77 are you favorites?
Seems like having these 2 amps, with the right speakers, would give you great options for playback depending on musical choice or mood. Too much fun.
@loki_ut Are you a UT grad? Hook 'em and so forth? Me too.
So, I love the XA-25 and it has a very special, gentle sound. Good call.
As for the mid-monos, they seem special. I have the 60's and use KT77 tubes all the time. This is not that different than the EL34's that the mid-monos would take. The issue will be how thy power your speakers. If they will be enough power, I think it will sound delightful. I think QS is an amazing bargain and you will love the mid monos. There's a good Facebook group on Quicksilver and some questions might be posed there, also.
Hello, Will echo what others have said, nicely laid out and presented room. Love the little details everywhere.
I had a question about your experience with the QS amps and Pass XA25 amp. I currently have a XA30.8 that is for sale. Was looking to get back into tubes now that my children are older and far less likely to grab to the pretty glowing spheres. My current plan was to replace the XA30.8 with a XA25 to keep a SS amp and also get a pair of the current QS Mid Mono amps to scratch that tube itch. Was completely ignorant of them till researching options, and they seem to be real sleepers.
So, are you still using both amps? Do they compliment each other, ie each do things well but different (which was my hope)? Which QS amps do you have, "Sixty Watt"? Guessing you changed out the coupling caps in the QS?
Thanks for any input, needle in the haystack to find someone using exactly what I'm thinking of doing.
@burtlake Thanks! In order to figure out the room I needed to plan a lot. These diagrams helped me think ahead about acoustics and saved me some lower back mishegoss!
I like that integrated amplifier a lot, but it was too bright coming through the speakers because they have a beryllium tweeter, and my room has low ceilings.
@buellrider97 I am just about at the end of the trial period and will probably keep the Schiit Bifrost 2/64. At the moment, I'm hearing the two DACs as very similar in many ways; the tube DAC (with the present tube) is a touch softer in the mids, highs, and textures, but otherwise the main difference I'm hearing is that the silence around the Schiit means that sounds are better defined in the sound field and the separation between instruments is greater. As we might say of a good television, "the blacks are blacker." That's a step forward, as I hear things.
I see you’re trying a Schiit DAC . Maybe you could post some comments after review. I run a Gen 3 Yiggy fed from a Project Streambox Ultra II and I find it enjoyable. Unfortunately I’ve never owned a tube DAC and would love to hear your experience. Cheers , Mike B.
@jond I have to say that the Ascend towers are really the best speaker's I've had in my system, which has had Salk SS 6M, Martin Logan XTi 60s, Fritz Carbon 7's and Carreras, Focal 836's, and Dynaudio Evoke 30's. They are sensitive enough for the tube amps and the tweeter located below the top driver is better for keeping highs from over brightness and for sound stage.
@lalitk Thank you so much! I've had a lot of fun experimenting with some very expertly crafted 6SN7 preamps and have also added a separate LPS to my Node. Things are sounding very good to me.
@jtcf Thanks for your comment. I really like the Ascends a lot. They're an excellent value. Those tweeters are very subtle and the company is completely professional and offers great value.
Thanks, Technick and b_limo. Don Sachs makes great, great stuff. Glad to hear it pairs well with QS because I could imagine trying a preamp of his. Or a deHavilland.
