lukemaximus's system

by lukemaximus on

Description

I recently replaced my sources. On the analogue side a Music Hall Stealth replaced an Audio-Technica LP-1240 and on the digital side an iPad replaced a BlueSound Node, after testing and realizing playing my music library via USB into Chord M Scaler => Quetest sounded better than Airplay through the BlueSound Node. I play Radio Paradise and TuneIn with the iPad for variety.

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Components Toggle details

    • ATC SCM-19
    speakers
    • IsoAcoustics ISO 200 stands
    • Sumiko S9
    powered subwoofers
    • Hegel P20
    pre-amp
    • D-Sonic M3a-600M monoblocks
    class D, Pascal amplifier modules
    • Music Hall Stealth
    AT-33Sa cart, Jelco silver head shell wires
    • Rothwell MCL
    step up transformer (previous integrated had only MM input)
    • Hegel V10
    phono stage
    • Apple iPad Pro, 11"
    When I first got the Qutest I tested and Airplay => Bluesound => optical => Qutest sounded better than MacBook => USB => Qutest. So I ran the former for a while.
    When I added an M Scaler I inserted it into this arrangement: Airplay => Bluesound => optical => M Scaler => double BNC => Qutest. 
    After having the M Scaler in my system like this for a while I tested MacBook => USB => M Scaler => Qutest, and found it to be major improvement over the former. Hence this iPad, and an AudioSensibility Signature USB to match my loom. 
    This transformed my system, finally bringing out the potential of the components.  
    • Chord M Scaler
    Upscaling digital to digital computer feeding Chord Quetest DAC via dual BNC. Went this route to maximize the Quetest DAC I already had, and to maximize the sound quality of my existing music library on my Apple devices.
    • Chord Qutest
    DAC fed by dual BNC from Chord M Scaler.
    • Audio Sensibility Signature signal cable loom
    Silver interconnects, incl USB; copper speaker cables; Bybee filtered power for pre-amp and mono-blocks.
    • Pangea Audio Power cable loom
    to subs, to Octet power strip for main components and wire world Matrix 2 power strip for accessory components, and to LPS's for M Scaler and Qutest. 
    • Massdrop Drop + THX AAA
    headphone amp
    • Beyerdynamic T1 v3
    headphones (not shown)
    • SBooster BOTW Linear Power Supplies
    Linear Power Supplies for Chord Qutest, Chord M Scaler, and Music Hall Stealth

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Owner
I ordered the Rothwell MCL step up transformer from their web site and they shipped it direct from England, which was easy enough. I like it and would recommend it, though I've not compared it with others. Their website is informative and lists a variety of models for specific voltages etc.

lukemaximus

Owner
Thanks for the kudos and the tips.
The subs are actually down firing with a passive front. The speaker height is spot on. I’ve played with toe in, and am currently favoring no toe in for wider soundstage and better sound throughout the room. 

lukemaximus

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