[rklein]

A few years back, I had DIY'd a pair of TRT model speakers a kit sold to me by Rick.  I was driving them with tube amplification/preamp.  I thought they sounded wonderful.    The TRT's are a 2.5 way speaker that utilize the Scan Speak 9600 AirCirc tweeters and the Scan Speak 18W/8531G and 18W4531G woofers.






Since that time, I tried some Raal 70-20XR tweeters in place of the SS tweeters.  After running the Raal's for quite a bit of time, I came to the realization that I preferred a soft dome tweeter.  Sold the Raals and reinserted the SS AirCircs.  I continued to run the TRT's with tube amplification.  I also upgraded all the internal hookup wire from Dayton Audio stuff to UniCrystal TM OCC Copper Hookup Wire with AirLok TM foamed/cellular Teflon Insulation(for the tweeters) along with some Groenberg cabling(Odyssey) I had lying around(for the woofers).

About 4 months ago I started to try some other types of amplification based on a comment that FredT300B(who also built the TRT's) made.  He liked the TRT's best with SS amplification(I believe he was using some Krell amplifiers).

I built some NCore mono amps and later on added a bunch of improvement "tweaks" to the NCores.  My TRT's liked the additional power that the NCores provided.  I was also running a Lindemann 24/192 DAC using Foobar2000.  I still was using a tubed preamp in my system.

Well...........with the help of Ted Brady, I built a C.A.P.S. V.2+ server.  Then he gave me a taste of some of his DSD recordings.  He also lent me one his Mytek 192 DACS so that I could experience the DSD quality in my own setup.  I was running the Mytek directly into the NCores balanced utilizing the volume control on the Mytek(no preamp was in the chain).  I also had purchased some speaker cable from MG Audio called the Planus 1's.  This setup sounded pretty darn good.

Then two things happened simultaneously that absolutely transformed my system!!  Ted convinced me to try the Planus 2 speaker cables AND he lent me his Bent Audio TAP preamp.  I fired it all up and OMG!!!!!!!! I had to pick my jaw off of the floor.  I could not believe the transparancy and synergy that was going on.  It was like tasting Mama Leone's spaghetti sauce that she had been slaving over for a whole day.  It was like downing a dozen blue point oysters with some Sam Adams.  I did not move from my listening spot for at least two hours.  It was that good!

The first person who had ever mentioned the word "synergy" to me was Klaus Bunge at Odyssey.  Well, I finally heard with my own two ears what the hell he was talking about.  I always considered myself a "tube guy".  Well, I don't have one tube in my current system and it has never sounded, imaged so well and has never given me more enjoyment.

I have found it really rewarding to have kept my TRT's rather than buying different speakers.  Choosing instead to upgrade the electronics behind them.  I seem to remember reading a statment made by Steve Nugent from Empirical Audio in response to all the accolades showered on the Vapor Audio Room at RMAF.  He gently reminded all the posters that while the Vapor Audio speakers were very very good, it is not just the speakers but also the electronics behind them.  After hearing my TRT speakers transformed, I have to say that I definitely agree with him.  For $1,600 for the TRT kit and with the electonics that I am running behind them, these speakers are world class in every way.

Regards,

Randy

[jackman]

I've admired those speakers from the time you posted the first picture.  The drivers are world class and I'm glad that I'm not the only one who prefers a good soft dome (and the one you have is VERY good) to a RAAL or ribbon tweeter.  I also agree with you regarding the Ncore but mine is not modded...and I don't trust my soldering skills to mod it anyway.  Very powerful and neutral amp and I'm happy as-is. 

Good luck with the speakers, and congratulations!

Jack

[jonbee]

Very beautiful and true.
I've spent more time (and money) trying different front ends, cabling, and amplification (I'm also using Ncores) than I did on my Tempestas to get the best from them. After a couple dozen such changes in the 18 months I've owned the Ts, I'm at a similar place to what you describe, I think. The reproduced music is entrancing and enveloping - just what I've been shooting for these many (44) years in the hobby, but have only rarely attained. Matchups are indeed at the heart of this. Just throwing $ at expensive labels is not the road to follow to get satisfaction in the end.

[rklein]

I have to add that the tube gear I was using (Nightshade Audio NS-60 SE amp and Beacon III pre) was/is outstanding gear.  When I built the NCores, I kept the Nightshade gear for at least three months to make sure that the NCores were a good match.  I have recently put the Nightshade equipment up for sale here and on Audiogon.  Blair over at Nightshade made me some wonderful stuff.  I just have gone in a new direction.

Even though Rick really likes the Raal tweeters, he never once questioned me when I told him I was going back to the Scan Speak soft domes.  As we all know, some audio designers can be somewhat opinionated.  It sure was a PITA re-doing the tweeter openings to accept the round SS tweeters again!    But everything turned out great cosmetically.

I had my future son-in-law down in my listening room the other night and after listening for 5 minutes he looked at me and asked "where I was hiding the center speaker."     He then went on to state that he "sees the TRT's but why is the music coming from across the middle?"  I told him that my daughter made a wise choice...

Regards,

Randy

[LadyDog]

Those are some sweet looking diy cabinets.  And based on your reporting, they sounds as good as they look. 

Congrats on the job well done.

[TF1216]

I have to know how you swamped in then out that RAAL ribbon with flawing the craftmanship.  Nice work! 

[satfrat]

Imaging is a strong suit of Scan-Speak drivers. I have the 9700's soft dome tweeters and 8545 carbon midwoofers in my Odyssey Lorelei's and an expansive soundstage with solid imagery is what they do in spades so I know of what you speak. But I love your 3-way design and it makes me wish I had a 3rd driver in mine. 

Cheers,
Robin

[rklein]

Well, the Raal tweeters have a rectangular "box" that is behind the tweeter ribbon.  I had to cut some of the inside lip of the original tweeter openings so that the box part of the Raal's would go through the opening.  The tweeter housing on the front is also rectangular and covered the outer edge of the round tweeter hole.  Rather than drill screw holes on the front of the cabinet to screw the Raal's in, I opted for duct tape to keep the Raal's in place while I tried them out.

When it came time to put the SS tweeters back in, I had to glue in little pieces of MDF back on the inner lip of the tweeter openings, file the opening back to round and then redrill my holes for the SS tweeters.  Very niggily work that took a lot of patience.

Regards

Randy

[TF1216]

Thank you for the details.  Well done Randy.  Your story of audio nirvana was enlightening and made for a good day! 

[barrows]

rklein: I am glad you have found synergy in your system, and I agree with you that it can be really rewarding to find the right match of electronics for a given pair of speakers.  It is quite astonishing to me what a relatively simple speaker design (albeit with excellent parts quality) is capable of with the right source, amplification, cables and accessories.  I find the same is true with my Focus Audio FS-888s (two way, three driver speakers, Scan Speak Revelators).
I do find it interesting that putting in the TVC helped your system to click.  I know some class D amplifiers are very sensitive to RF on their input, and the nCores do not have any RF filtering built in.  I actually experienced some RF problems last time I listened to nCores in my system.  I wonder if the transformer coupling of your set up is responsible for some of the "magic" you are currently experiencing...

[rklein]

Barrows:

I am quite certain that the S&B windings that John Chapman used in the original TAP preamps are a huge part of my audio giddyness.  If I can't find a used TAP or TAP-X(uses the later transformers made by Dave Slagle), I will have to break down and build my own TAP-X.  I certainly can't keep Ted's forever...hmmmmmm maybe he will forget I have it since he is currently using his mega bucks Concert Fidelity pre...hmmmmm. 

There are some posters who have commented that running a passive pre with the NCores "robs the music of its soul".  I say to that suggestion that they were not running a passive the quality of what John over at Bent Audio has come up with.  The timbre/tone of instruments have never been truer and honest.  In addition, the NCores certainly do not need ANY help with more gain in the preamp!

As far as RF noise, I am running all balanced for the first time, which was a goal of mine, especially since Bruno recommends this with his NCores.  I can put my ears right up to the drivers and for the first time hear....nothing but dead silence.  The music comes out of a jet black background and the decay of notes is a beautiful thing to hear.

Regards

Randy

[rklein]

I should also ad that I am in the process of breaking an Uberbuss as well.  A very nice piece from Dave at PI Audio.

Regards

Randy

[TF1216]

Have you tried putting the Planus 1 cables back into the system?

[rklein]

Have you tried putting the Planus 1 cables back into the system?

I put them in for a short period but ended up sending them back to Greg at MG Audio Design as I decided to keep the Planus 2's.  I also opted to get the 6' length in the 2's as opposed to the 8' length I had in the 1's.  The 2's were an obvious upgrade over the 1's and it wasn't too bad on the wallet going with the shorter length.

However, I do need to say that the Planus 1's are no slouch!

I haven't listened to this much music in a long time.   

Regards,

Randy

[jtwrace]

What's so special about them Randy?

[rklein]

Jason:

I need to qualify my remark about "listening to so much music"...

To be honest, I believe this has more to do with the love making between the NCores and the Bent Audio TAP passive preamp than it does with just inserting the Planus 2 speaker cables into the mix.  That being said, I believe that the Planus 2's create a bit larger soundstage than the 1's.  In addition, I hear a bit warmer presentation with the 2's.  This has to be system dependent obviously as the 1's could be the ticket to many people depending on what their gear is presenting soundwise.

I am the first to admit I am not an expert in amplified instruments.  However, I DO know what accoustic instruments should sound like, especially orchestral intruments.  The replication of woodwinds/brass/strings/piano/vocals etc. are the best I have ever heard in my system.  Is it the S&B wound transformers that John used in his TAP?  Is it not adding any more gain to the system that an active pre would do?  Is it a combination of electronics and the TRT speakers?  I don't know...   I just feel realy fortunate to have got to listen to your tour NCores and doubley fortunate to have Ted lend me his TAP preamp.  I am not sure, but I  think I remember reading somewhere that Bruno is not that high on passive preamps. Oh well... 

I know that audiophiles use words like detail, dynamics, slam, prat, etc.   These are also important elements of sound.  However, for me, the sounds also need to be as close to an accurate representation as possible to what these instruments sound in person.  In this regard, the Planus 2's do a bit better than the 1's.

Now that I have a really good benchmark soundwise, I really need to work on the accoustics of my room.  It is probably the worst dimensions one could have    ...14' x 14' with a 7' drop ceiling.  I need to give GIK a call and start the learning process on what I would need to improve my situation.

Oh, one more thing...the TAP really holds the listening enjoyment factor even at low listening levels. 

Oh, and one more thing    I have just introduced Dave's Uberbuss to my system.  Another very nice piece. 

Regards,

Randy