AudioCircle
Community => Regional Audiophiles => Gateway Audio Society => Topic started by: Mr Peabody on 2 Oct 2021, 02:59 pm
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Looks like the page is not so lively. So let's talk :)
I have not really made any changes in my system. I keep thinking I'd like a new amp but can't find anything I'm more satisfied with, within my budget I should add. Really nothing wrong with my amp.
I did pic up a used Bel Canto CD transport,just because, I might want to spin a disc someday. I'm using a AES/SBU connection. Wow, was I impressed with this unit, the sound is some different yet it's as enjoyable as my music server, which is saying a lot. It's the T-3.
Based on rviews and my friend's comments I did try a new power amp. Due to the virus and before the vac I didn't have a chance to listen to his and I was given a two week audition window with option to return. So I bought a Coda 8, v2 which is 250x2 with Class A up to 12 watts if memory serves. The amp had one of the blackest backgrounds I've heard, very transparent, I was smitten, although when listening something bothered me and to this day it's still not clear to me. Maybe just not the best synergy with my Levinson preamp. Images were some thinner than I was used to and there was a sense I got from the amp like I get with most Class D amps, not hard or harsh just something making my brain more aware it's not real or natural, if that makes any sense. Anyway I let my window close thinking it might need more break in time. My friend who has the v1 with mor Class A bias and only 150x2 into 8 ohms replaced a Krell ksa250 with his, so I kept thinking I was missing something. He has a Coda pre though which may make a big difference. Anyway I sold the 8.
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I assembled an Altec 414 woofer and Ciare tweeter in an old Altec Santana cabinet and it works so much better than it has any right to. Lush sound, definitely a pipe and slippers kind of speaker and I'm loving just listening without being critical. A fun project that turned out great.
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Enjoyed a pair of Philharmonic Monitors with a pair of servo subs for about 4 years. Thought I'd try something different so I bought a pair of KEF ls50 metas to swap with the Philharmonics. Nice change with a warmer sound. Wasn't overly impressed until I EQ'd them. Now it's a wow combination. One of the few systems I've had that doesn't change sonic character as you slowly sink/slouch in your seat while listening (due to the excellent horizontal and vertical dispersion).
Chris H.
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Oh, always something happening with my system. I have 2 systems, the downstairs is my 'reference' system located in a dedicated room and my upstairs is my 'casual' system in my living room area, which I use mostly as background while working in my home office area. Here's a few changes I've made to each.
Downstairs system:
Finished re-wiring my GR Research Super 7 planar magnetic OB speakers with OCC silver wire
Changed music servers to the HAL MS6
Changed USB cables to the Hapa Audio Aero USB
Changed Speaker wire from UPOCC braided copper to braided OCC silver wire
Upstairs system:
Changed my main First Watt BA3 to a better (and beautiful) aluminum case, along with better internal wiring and better speaker binding posts and changed the input caps from Jupiter 2.2uf caps to Vcap ODAM 10uf. Mainly because the BA3 gets so hot that the Jupiter caps melted. Ouch.
Upgraded the analog cables to Hapa Quiescence Silver cables
Changed USB cables to Hapa Aero USB cable
Changed all power cables to my own version of the GR Research power cables
For the future of the upstairs system, I've got 2 more things looming:
Ordered the Spatial Audio X3's to replace my hotrodded Klipsch Forte III's
Got a Musical Paradise MS-D2 DAC to play around with, and maybe it'll replace my iFi iDSD Pro.
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Since March 2020:
Jays Audio CDT2-MK3 CD Transport
Jays Audio DAC2-Signature
Kinki Studio EX-P7 Preamp
Kinki Studio EX-B7 Mono Amplifiers
Don P
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Since January in the main rig:
Set up and listened to a Stanton Epoch II HZ9S on my VPI Aries/SME V/Graham Slee Era Gold V and didn't like it, I assume because of the VPI. I typically like Stanton cartridges and SME tonearms, and don't typically like belt driven turntables. Will try in another deck, but low mass arms are thin on the ground around here. 2/2021
Swapped from a Krell KSA-50S to a Hypex NC400 stereo power amp feeding my Dynaudio Confidence C4s. Great improvement! 3/2021
Swapped Shure V15VxMR cartridge on SME 312/Technics SP10mk2 to a Grooveticker-retipped Lyra Kleos LOMC. 4/2021
Purchased SPL Phonos phono stage for above 5/2021
Swapped VPI Aries/SME V for original Technics SP-10 with Audio Technica AT1009 arm 5/2021. Still considering change, perhaps to a JVC QL-10 for cartridge rolling.
Had large 1.5" compressed wood product custom shelf made, anchored it to wall studs with 1000lb Rockler granite brackets to cure turntable footfall issues.
Moved entire main rig to a corner of my living room next to the fireplace, and made 26' stereo run of Belden balanced cable with XLRs to feed the power amp, installed PassDIY Aleph P preamplifier to go full balanced and with an active output stage to drive that much cable, previously I used a Placette Audio Passive Pre. 7/2021
Fought numerous hum pickup issues stemming from power wiring running so close to tonearm wiring. Still trying to figure out a more elegant solution for all that. I put a tray below the turntables for phono pres and transformers, but the proximity to power wiring was too great. 7/2021-9/2021
Still want to figure out a remote controlled balanced preamplifier of suitable quality, but the only options I can see are the Benchmark LA4, HPA4, or SPL Elector, and, uh...I can't afford one! Maybe a Topping Pre90, but I like gear that I can rackmount.
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Still want to figure out a remote controlled balanced preamplifier of suitable quality, but the only options I can see are the Benchmark LA4, HPA4, or SPL Elector, and, uh...I can't afford one! Maybe a Topping Pre90, but I like gear that I can rackmount.
There's also the Schiit Freya S and Freya+. They might be about the same width as rack mountable gear, but I think you'd have to do some modifying (aka warranty voiding :icon_twisted:) to actually mount it.
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In fact, I have changed everything back to what I was running 18+ months ago. Too many changes and losing interest is what did it. So caution on how many things you change. Sold off what wasn't for the better.
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I finish my Linkwitz tribute speakers for a speaker show in May. They were fun and well received.
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=230533)
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=230534)
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I'm in system hell at the moment.
Nothing is meshing up and I'm not happy.
Forced to get new speakers which has led to new amp/ cables/ accessories
and still crying. If this post is still around once I get it figured out I'll post the equipment.
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There's also the Schiit Freya S and Freya+. They might be about the same width as rack mountable gear, but I think you'd have to do some modifying (aka warranty voiding :icon_twisted:) to actually mount it.
If I move away from either the Pass Aleph L clone or the Musetex remote line pre or Placette Audio passive, it'll be to something that's on the absolute bleeding edge of state of the art in every way.
I've seen too much Schiit gear that under-performs, breaks early, and the factory doesn't want to fix. The Benchmark HPA4 would be my choice, as it sounds transparent, looks beautiful, and there's a 30 year history of excellence without any of the normal audiofool bs like tubes or available "upgrades" to better the sound-it just works, and then they design a better one.
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I've got a pair of KEF Reference 107's that are currently in Chicago getting refurbished. Found a vendor there that was very familiar with the speakers and specializes in high end speaker repairs. I've owned them since new and I knew the woofer surrounds had to be shot, tweeter ferro fluid gummed up, and old crossover parts were properly bad as well. When I finally opened them up, the surrounds were basically dust! It is amazing that they played at all. Crazy because I had not "noticed" any real deterioration of sound. It happened so gradually, that it was hard to pick up the changes. Plus some REL subwoofers were making up for a some low frequency loss.
Anyway, while being refurbed, this gentleman is also upgrading crossover components and internal wiring and giving these speakers new life. I pick them up in a week in Chicago and I am anxious to get my "new, old" speakers back in the system! If anyone ever needs high end speaker repair, this vendor in Chicago knows his stuff. Highly recommended.
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=230738)
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Nothing new in my system. Still looking for someone to build a new plinth for my VPI, and need to rebuild my Dyna MK-3's.
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Running my passive B&O Beovox Pentas at my new home with Yamaha M60 and Minidsp SHD, took down my main system at my parent's place with dual Snell SUB550s and Beolab Pentas for good, trying to sell the subs. Will likely change out the Minidsp SHD for a Flex and the M60 for an M70, the latter change happening much sooner. The M70 needs a Rifa cap on the mains side replaced as well as component(s) in the meter board changed out. Have only cracked into it to redo some solder joints so far. The M70 is probably the best performing amp I've ever had in my system, at least until I get my M80 and/or MX-1 fixed up. My bet is on the M80 being the best out of all three but only time will tell.
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Running my passive B&O Beovox Pentas at my new home with Yamaha M60 and Minidsp SHD, took down my main system at my parent's place with dual Snell SUB550s and Beolab Pentas for good, trying to sell the subs. Will likely change out the Minidsp SHD for a Flex and the M60 for an M70, the latter change happening much sooner. The M70 needs a Rifa cap on the mains side replaced as well as component(s) in the meter board changed out. Have only cracked into it to redo some solder joints so far. The M70 is probably the best performing amp I've ever had in my system, at least until I get my M80 and/or MX-1 fixed up. My bet is on the M80 being the best out of all three but only time will tell.
Why the change from the SHD to Flex? Just curious, i have an SHD as well.
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I like money, I could sell the SHD and buy the flex and have money left over and it seems the flex is just as good as the SHD only lacking a wifi streamer which I don't need as the latest bluetooth which the flex has is lossless anyways. I am very happy with my SHD, only I wish it was cheaper. I also don't use Dirac.
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I just finished the crossover for my second diy bookshelf speaker. Cabinets are about .25 cf and the driivers are SB Acoustic ceramic drivers. The woofer is just 5 1/4" and the tweeter is their only ceramic. I think they are the best diy speakers I have made. They are clean and crisp and have good bass even though they are sealed for now. I got a lot of help from Kevin K over at Parts Express. :D
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I like money, I could sell the SHD and buy the flex and have money left over and it seems the flex is just as good as the SHD only lacking a wifi streamer which I don't need as the latest bluetooth which the flex has is lossless anyways. I am very happy with my SHD, only I wish it was cheaper. I also don't use Dirac.
I hear ya, Dirac and Roon are staples for me so it'd be hard to give them up.
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Small changes:
I got an MIT Sl-Matrix USB and MIT AVT1 Digital RCA cables to replace the Morrow cables I'd been using.
I also picked up a Solidsteel 5.5 rack courtesy of vinyl_lady in Columbia MO to replace the basic Pangea rack in my study.
Both The Morrow cables and Pangea rack are available. PM me if you have interest...and I'll probably be posting them on our 'official' place at some point.
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I tried some Herbie's Tender Feet under my music server an preamp, actually the firmerversion under preamp. They made a big improvement, a very reasonably priced tweak that really works. I plan to add more over time.
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Big change was Spatial M4 Saphire from Spatial M3 Turbo S. Bought two phono preamps recently to replace the Schiit Mani. Sent the first one back to AVA Hifi for repair. That was the Vision Q. The next was a new in box Rega Fono Mk-3 and still in shipping. I'm at the point where vinyl has to get better or it's out of here which would be a shame as I have many, many albums.
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In june.2021, when stores got re-opened, I purchased Bryston gear: BCD-3, BP-17³ and 4B³.Waited over 4 months, but it was worthed it.In meantime, I sold my 5.1 Arcam home theater.Never had any regrets about switch, re-discovering my music ever since.
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That Bryston gear is absolutely spectacular, isn’t it?
I’d love to afford some 7B3s…but no way can I sustain that!
Lately I mounted a Stanton Epoch II HZ9S to my JVC QL-10 turntable and am really surprised at how good it is.
I
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=237547)
had the same cart on my VPI Aries/SME V and didn’t like it. I’ve come to the conclusion that VPIs aren’t for me. I’ve heard five VPIs now and haven’t really been enamored with any of them. Technics and JVC correctly figured out drive systems, I think. The SME V is staying for sure though.
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Just got these back online after some repairs. Replaced the output tubes with Smoked Glass 1625 from 1944. Sounds better than ever with the Chord digital front end.
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=237557)
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=237558)
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My best friend Mike gave me his Pioneer Elite DV-45 DVD/SACD player. I connected it to my Denon 2802 home theater receiver. It sounds great, but I messed up a connection somewhere. I can turn the source selector to any position... tuner, CD, phono, etc. and the Pioneer plays through all of them.
:o
My built-in wall unit is a PIA to connect the components, so I haven't jumped back in to play around with it.
Wish me luck!
Tom
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I wondered if I could hear any sonic advantages to these newish super low noise power amplifiers like the Benchmark AHB2 or Purifi 1ET400A but didn't want to part with $1500-$3000 to find out. Along came the Topping PA5 at $349 (new), so, I'm willing to part with that to satisfy my curiosity. It's around 75 watts into 8 ohms of super clean amplification and to make a long story short--YES, you can hear these improvements in transparency, resulting in better clarity deep into the soundstage, improved separation of instruments and overall musical enjoyment. This amp is a bit different having an external power supply, so opportunity for a little DIY tweaking is present. I tried a few things with good results you can read about here (https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/pa5-power-supply.384404/). Overall, a winner at this low price point and recommended if you have moderate to high efficiency speakers. There have been comments about the reliability of this amp, so be aware of this. Anyone local that wants to hear it driving my KEF LS50 Metas over servo subs, let me know.
Chris H.
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I wondered if I could hear any sonic advantages to these newish super low noise power amplifiers like the Benchmark AHB2 or Purifi 1ET400A but didn't want to part with $1500-$3000 to find out. Along came the Topping PA5 at $349 (new), so, I'm willing to part with that to satisfy my curiosity. It's around 75 watts into 8 ohms of super clean amplification and to make a long story short--YES, you can hear these improvements in transparency, resulting in better clarity deep into the soundstage, improved separation of instruments and overall musical enjoyment. This amp is a bit different having an external power supply, so opportunity for a little DIY tweaking is present. I tried a few things with good results you can read about here (https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/pa5-power-supply.384404/). Overall, a winner at this low price point and recommended if you have moderate to high efficiency speakers. There have been comments about the reliability of this amp, so be aware of this. Anyone local that wants to hear it driving my KEF LS50 Metas over servo subs, let me know.
Chris H.
Yep. Once I heard the Hypex, it's amazing just how much you miss from other, more traditional amplifier designs. I'm using a stereo Hypex NC400, and except for some Thiels that are known amp-eaters, it's driven every speaker load I've thrown at it with aplomb.
I'm hoping to buy a PA5 sometime soon, but my audio budget is spent and I don't have a use for it.
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I finish my Linkwitz tribute speakers for a speaker show in May. They were fun and well received.
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=230533)
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=230534)
Linkwitz LX521's in Mini-me size ? How cool is that ? I went up to see Dr. Frank's LX521'a at AXPONA. He had them set-up perfectly and they sounded great. MUCH better, IMHO, than the boomboxes everywhere else.
I gotta say, I do not get what people see in Magico's, Focal's, Von Scweickert's, etc., or a bunch of the other crap that was there, but these LX521's sounded really good. The other set-up that was really cooking were a pair of the big power ATC Pro Monitors set-up across the Expo Hall set up in a medium size ballroom. Nothing fancy looking, but these puppies sounded great and had tons of power.
For what is worth, the golden ears have voted on some simple systems for their now use. Pass is now using Maggie LRS's with some bass augmentation of his own design. The Madisound guys who sell almost all the OEM's drivers and electrical parts are all Linkwitz fans. Not too many industry guys using the mega speakers......they know better.
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As a DIY builder it's fun to try different stuff. We follow the science and measure everything. I've done full open baffle (OB) and hybrid OB, horns and traditional box speakers. I think the cool smaller stuff is appealing to buyers and builder's alike. I'm waiting to see what Andrew Jones does with MoFi, supposedly he has a design completed.
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I recently tried a Clarus Duet power block in my system and was amazed at the improvement it provided in sound, even over the power product I was currently using from Surgex. This is from a local dealer if anyone would be interested in trying one. I am not affiliated just like passing on things that worked really well for me like Herbie's or my Aurender. I ordered the Concerto so I can plug all my 2-channel gear into it.
Importantly, the Duet and the high current outlets on Concerto do not limit current, so should work well with all but the most beastly amplifiers.
These power products do not come with a cord, of course, you can purchase one of theirs. I already use Clarus Crimson for all my cabling. I suppose I should do some experimenting there to see what could be gotten away with for a cord.
What it did for me, I did get quieter and darker background which I find is typical of good power products. This is not like noise you heard in your system, it's like you didn't know it was there until it was gone. As I mentioned the Duet went further in this than what I was already using. I noticed more depth of sound stage and better spatial cues which I hadn't experienced before with this type of product. Instruments and especially vocals became more natural. Some aspects of improvement I can't put into words but the overall sound improved by a good margin.
FWIW there are a few reviews out there