System Overview

It's been a continuing evolving system for several years. In the past year, I've had a very good idea where to go as the components in my system seem so go so well together. The last thing I wanted to gain was more organic, natural sound of real live instruments. I did this with getting different cables and tweaks that are known to take the system towards this goal more. I added a couple PCs starting with the TRL Silver PC on my DUDE preamp. I then added a Core Power Technologies Equi=Core 150 to come off the Synergistic Research QLS-6 power strip that houses all the necessaries of my front ends--phono preamp, TT, CD player and power supply, cassette deck and the power for my remote on the DUDE. I then added Cerious Technologies Graphene Extreme SCs and jumpers to my VMPS RM40 BCSE speakers. The final voicing of my system happened with adding Teo Game Changer ICs to run from my phono pre to preamp and from the CD player to preamp. Have added 5 Synergistic Research Blue fuses to the Modwright 5400 CD, Whest 3.0 RDT SE phono pre, and Nuforce Ref 9 V3 SE amps. Made a nice improvement in all ways. Will be doing a parts upgrade on the DUDE and on the Nuforce amps which will make an amazing difference without changing the basic sound of either. Am in the process of doing a parts upgrade on my Lenco 78 adding the HD chassis plate and later the copper mat to the platter. Most of the JTN upgrades and mods were done earlier. The Trans-Fi Terminator straight line tracking air bearing arm was added last year. The cartridge is the Benz Micro Ruby 3 with myrtlewood body. Racks are Star Sound Sistrum and will be 2 shorter separate racks for more stability and better soundstage. Each component is held down with RTS couplers which clamp the component to the individual platform. The same combination is used on the speakers also--Sistrum SP-101 platform with an RTS coupler holding it on. The couplers make a similar improvement in the sound as setting things on the Sistrums. I have a dedicated basement room that I built with side walls that are angled from front to back like a movie theater. The ceiling is also angled slightly so it is taller in the back. Most of the ceiling is Armstrong high articulation ceiling tiles. I put a cloud between the speakers and the listening seat made of a couple Glacier tiles. I also used the Glacier tiles on the front wall behind the equipment 2-4 ft. off the ground. Thee Glacier tiles absorb and diffract the sound. 8 Synergistic Research UEF panels are placed around the room and 10 SR dots are located as SR recommends. There is a large 4' X 7' diffractor/absorber directly behind the listening seat. At this point, there is painted cement walls on the lower front wall and entire rear wall. The floor is cement covered by ceramic tile with a large area rug between the speakers and the listener. Power conditioning is with the Core Power Technologies Equi=Core 150 which has all the front end components running into it. This is plugged into a 20 amp line with Maestro outlets. The preamp and amps are plugged into a separate 20 amp line also with Maestro outlets. The system is very resolving, dynamic, now organic and a true joy to listen to. The coming parts upgrades are going to make it more reliable and much more like live music in the home.

Components