This is my first high end system. I first have to thank this community without which most of this equipment would be out of my range. So thanks!!
EDIT: Hi there. This is the second rendition. Had to send the Focal back to Canada for repairs. The woofer was off-center thus the rattle. I must say though customer service was great, with a quick turn around, no charge for shipping to and from, and no charge for the repair. A++ to Focal for that!!
Isolated the speakers on great maple stands. This definately brought out the best of the Focals. Deeper bass, nice tingly highs. Mids might be lacking a little for this mini-monitors though.
Changed CD players as well. Went from the marantz/bel canto combo to the audio aero prestige. As expected from an upgrade like this I was blown away. The detail, sheer musicality, and functionality of this player are just astounding. Really for the first couple of weeks I had this player I was just floored. And that feeling continues. Ultimately what I am looking for is a system that just makes me want to get up and dance, sing, keep my feet tapping and fingers snapping each time i listen. The prestige does this in spades.
Also upgraded power cords in the shunyata line. 20amp pythons now power the conditioners. I think big improvement in floor noise and my system just seems more extended.
Finally, with the recommendations of many fine audiogon folks, I stepped into vinyl. Man I love it. I love the sound, I love getting back into records and finding recordings that peak my interest. Just great. The Scoutmaster as is well known is a fine entry turn table. The Dynavector matches well. The tube based minimax gives me a nice touch of that tube beauty. Just lovely.
Thanks again for looking. Any comments suggestions appreciated. I am currently working on building a maple isolation platform for the table.
The Valve Audio gear is hand made in South Africa. It does have balanced outputs and it is a absolute stunning performer. I doesnt have a phono-stage but it is a bit better to use a external dedicated phono pre-amp like the Graham Slee... Valve Audio also recommends Graham Slee.
Send me an e-mail at: [email protected] then I can send you some 'inside' pictures of Valve Audio...
Sorry, I did not notice that the Bel Canto is a DAC only.
Okay for the pre-amp: Have a look at the Valve Audio Black Widow Pre-Amps. These units are hand-built in my home-country by my good friend Mr. Havenga. Its quality beyond imagination. It has balanced in/outputs and uses tubes in the gain stages. I would say that a tube pre-amp like this one will work wonders with your Jeff Roland digital power-amps. You connect the poweramps to the Black Widow outputs and then the BelCanto DAC to say BAL1 and the phono to SE1 and the Tuner to SE2. It has a quality remote control and is very easy to use. See it here:
Stands: Anything that is very heavy and at least 600mm high - get the tweeter at ear-level at listening position. If you can get stands that is hollow to put sand in so much better.
Yup - Rega. It is quality tables with only the most nessesary stuff. Sounds very good indeed and is childsplay to set up. Easily upgradable. Looks sexy and well... is just amazing. Even the higher-end Rega P7 is stunning compared to other highend tables. Dont ever be tempted to buy a Pro-Ject machine - they have motor-hum problems.
Cartidge wise: Sumiko EVOIII MC - best place to start.
Just get the speakers on their own pedestals and then youll be 'singin''.
A good place to start with vinyl is a Rega P3 turntable - it is plug and play and sounds stunning for the price. Then slowly buy some LP titles - no need to rush. Music Direct has hundreds of stunning titles...