[mca]

After the addition of the Butler TDB5150 to my home theater/multi-channel system, things have taken a giant step towards the better. The system is sounding more musical than I ever thought it could. This of course has led me to want to do some upgrading. I have three thoughts in mind and am wondering what would be my best first step.

1) Add a BPT 3.5 to my system. Right now everything is plugged directly into the wall. I do at least have a dedicated 20 amp circuit run to that room.

2) Replace all my bottom of the line Analysis Plus IC's and speaker wire with something of better quality. I am thinking of going with VH Audio.
This woud also leave me some cash left over and I was thinking of putting it towards some Ginko Audio Mini-Clouds. Right now I don't use anything for vibration control.

3) Getting my stock Denon DVD2900 modified by Modwright. I would probably do the universal truth + multi-ch signature mod.

Any comments suggestions would be appreciated!

[hmen]

I bought the BPT 2 ultra and it was an incredible upgrade. Just about every aspect of my system's preformance improved noticeably right away.

[lonewolfny42]

Hello mca,

Could you post your comments on the Butler 5150...what you like or dislike about it , thanks !! Been alot of interest concerning Butler amps.[/list:u]
As for the Mini Clouds...recently picked up a set of three to use under my EA modded Sony 7700. Cd's seem to sound clearer....and I tend to play my music a little louder than most, so I believe they help with vibration. And they were available at a lower intro price....may still be "on sale". Thanks !! [/list:u]
PS - Might PM Andy to see how his modded 2900 is doing....

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=10116&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=    ... [/list:u]

[Inscrutable]

mca,
Am I missing something ... I could not find your system listed.  Is it under some other username?

[mca]

Am I missing something ... I could not find your system listed

I never had my system page setup, just did one:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?action=systems;system=414

[mca]

Anyone?

[bubba966]

Did you notice much of any effect when you were using the HTS5100?

If you did notice a large effect (either good or bad), then you'd probably want to go for the BPT 3.5. If there was hardly any change at all with the HTS5100, then you probably don't really have terrible power problems, and you'd be better off going in another direction to start.

I don't know your Analysis Plus cabling too well, so I don't know what improvement would be made by upgrading that. But good quality cabling with good connectors (Eichmann Bulletplugs & Bayonets, WBT NextGen RCA's, Furutech power plugs, etc.) does make a nice improvement.

If the BPT isn't first on the list, then modding your Denon is probably the better choice over upgrading cabling. Not that the cabling won't make a diference, but improving your source as much as you will if you mod it will make a bigger difference than improving the cabling.

[bixby]

I would start with 3 Herbies Tenderfoot with Ebony ball.  Made a huge difference on my Cary Cd as compared with the Final Labs daruma bearings.   The metalic glare I didn't even notice was gone, as well as much more defined bass and better clarity.


I heard your amp at the RMAF show and was very impressed.  Did you happen to audition Bel Canto EVOs before settling on the Butler?

thanks
Bixby

[OBF]

I would tend to agree with Bubba that an improved source would make the largest difference as your other gear is probably higher quality than the Denon.  I'm sure the Modwright mods would be a great upgrade to a stock Denon, but I'd also suggest you look into the occasional used Exemplar modded Denon.  I'd buy one if I could afford it.

[mca]

I would start with 3 Herbies Tenderfoot with Ebony ball

I'll have to look into those as I have never heard of them.

Did you happen to audition Bel Canto EVOs before settling on the Butler?

Nope, I bought the Butler on a whim, and I'm sure glad I did  

Did you notice much of any effect when you were using the HTS5100?

A little in the sound, but I was hoping that a much higher quality unit would make a larger difference.

[bubba966]

I would start with 3 Herbies Tenderfoot with Ebony ball

I'll have to look into those as I have never heard of them.

http://herbiesaudiolab.home.att.net/footers.htm

The Herbies stuff works well. I've not tried the footers w/the balls, but have tried the regular Tenderfooters. Definitely worth picking up a set of either. And Steve Herbelin is great to deal with. I'm sure he'd be more than happy to answer any questions you've got about his products.

Did you notice much of any effect when you were using the HTS5100?

A little in the sound, but I was hoping that a much higher quality unit would make a larger difference.

Well, I'm going to guess you're not going to get huge results with the BPT if the results you got with the HTS5100 were small differences.

I first picked up a pair of HTS 3500's. There was a slight improvement in sound & the video was a slight bit improved. Tried an HTS2500 & HTS5000. Not much difference with either of those. Tried the DeZorel that was on tour. Wasn't much of an improvement over the HTS3500. Tried a Transparent Audio conditioner (about $2,500), that didn't do much more than the HTS either. Got a few OneAC's, same story.

Shure, they all helped out a bit. But my power doesn't seem to be so nasty, so none of them were doing huge wonders.

What did help more on the power side more than any of the units listed abouve was improving the power connectors. Swapping an IG8300 outlet into the wall made a huge difference for the better. As did swapping out the outlets in the HTS3500 with IG8300's. More so than the difference the HTS3500 made...

So while I'm sure the BPT would make a difference in your setup, I'm doubting that it'll be huge as I'm guessing you don't have terribly nasty power.

I think you'd be better off modding your Denon, and picking up some Herbies Isolation Footers. Then take care of the cabling & BPT later if you still wish...

[bubba966]

Might want to pick up some tube dampers from Herbies for your Butler along with the footers if you order any.

I do have a set of Premium Black Tenderfooters you could borrow if you wish. They're really only being used as spacers as the moment...

[mca]

Well, I've decided to start with the basics. This is what I ordered:

Ginko Audio Mini Clouds under all the equipment.

Herbies tube dampers for the amp.

Herbies Grungebuster CD mat for my CD's/DVD's.

Next week, I'll place an order with VH Audio for new IC'S and PC'S.

I'll see how this stuff works out before I decide to move on to more expensive mods  

[markC]

If you have the time/skills to diy, order the materials from Chris and build 'em yourself. It's fun and the pride of doing it yourself is long lasting. Not to mention you save $ to put towards your next mod/upgrade.