My room was purpose build using the ratio described by Floyd Toole from the Canadian Research council.
Have 20 dedicated 15 amp circuits, 4x20 amp circuits and 2 220 volt 60 amp circuits. The wall construction is 12" thick ,made up of a double wall of 2x4 studs at 16 oc with the studs staggered ,insulation (rock wool), t&g 3/4 plywood glued and screwed, then the drywall is glued with a v notch trowel. This room is so quiet the music can flow with absolutely no distractions. This is a great way to enjoy the music at the end of long day of work.
Many many changes have taken place since posting my system here.
Decided to repaint the room a much lighter colour to lighten things up for reading in the room.
Using the darTZeel pre amp with two different amps. The first amp in this system is the Wyetech Topaz 211 and second one is the darTZeel amp.
Both bring forth tremendous musical enjoyment albeit different presentations.
Mike L turned my focus back to vinyl after being at his home many years ago. Had my Lp and gear packed up until Mike opened up my eyes/ears.
Now LP playback is 90% vinyl and 10% digital.
Steve Dobbins came by last weekend to deliver and set up the KODO the Beat.
Tonearm on the BEAT is the Reed P3 along with the Kuzma Airline. Room for one more.......
Second table is my Verdier which I bought after visiting Mike L's place.
Using a FR 64s and purchased an ET-2 which will be upgraded to a 2.5 in the next month pending Bruce's schedule.
Studer Tape deck plays a role too but is limited due to lack of tapes. Having spent funds on vinyl rigs and arm/cartridges leaves the deck out side of the music room.
Custom build direct drive turntable by Steve Dobbins. Has a separate power supply and speed controller. Can accommodate three tonearms.
JC Verdier La Platine
Great turntable
Technics SP-10 MKII
Direct drive from the late 70s. This one is in mint condition. Will start building different types of plinths for the turntables that I have recently purchased. They will be made out of combinations of slate, alloys and homebrew plywood using veneers and an 80 ton press.
Kuzma Airline
Airline
Fidelity Research FR 64S
With VTA adjuster
Fidelity Research FR 24 MK II
One Ikeda's early arms. Looking for an copy of the original manual of this arm.
Reed 3P
12
Eminent Technology ET-2
ET 2 will be shipped to Bruce Thigpen to get updated to a 2.5 version and get a full check over.
Dynavector XV-1S
Great sounding cartridge
Ortofon A90
Their latest top flight cartridge.
Lyra Kleos SL1
Low output moving coil Kleos. SL stands for single layer
Empire 4000 DIII GOLD
MM Cartridge from the golden era
Grace F9-E
Had this one on my first Rega 3
Denon 103 R
Denon MC
Denon 103
Second moving coil that I purchased after buying the Kuzma Airline.
Allnic H-3000V
Phono stage which allows the use of two MM and two MC
Loricraft PRC-3
Lp cleaner
Audio Research CD7.5
Reference CD player
Aural Symphonics Magic Gem v2t
Very good power best that I have heard in my system. Powering the Audio Research CD-7.
McIntosh MR-78
Great sounding FM
Wilson Audio Maxx II
Great sounding full range speaker
Wilson Audio Puppy 5.1
Wilson Watt Puppies
Wilson Audio Watch Center
Center
Wilson Audio Watch Dog
Wilson Watch Dog
Nordost Valhalla
Nordost Valhalla Have this as my interconnect through out the system excapt for the zeel connect between darTZeel preamp and darTZeel amp.
Nordost Valhalla Speaker cable
High resolution speaker cable
Stillpoints Dampers and Risers
Isolation device
Theta Digital Casablanca max
Casablanca III with Extreme Dacs
Sony VPL-VW100 Ruby
Great looking projector and stunning picture
Stewart Screen 110
Luxus Delux Gey Hawk
Slim Devices Transporter
Computer based server with with its own DA
Balanced Audio Technologies VK-6200
200 watt five channel Home Theater amp
Toshiba HD-XA2
High definition HD DVD player with great upscaling on SD DVD
Dartzeel 18 NHB-18S
Solid state preamp purchased and hoping for a Xmas delivery. Ordered with two phono stages.
darTZeel NHB-108 model one Version B
Solid state amp made in Switzerland.
AUDIENCE ar12
Top notch ac filtering 20 amp unit made for Wally of Wally Tractor fame.
Audience aR6-T
Used for the amps at the front of the room.
Wyetech TOPAZ 211 A
18 watt SET with the gold plated Audio Note Transformers.
Studer A810
Vintage 1/4 inch 1/2 track. You have to hear it to believe it. Makes great vinyl sound like MP3.
Studer A810
My second Studer. This will be used in another system.
Nordost Brahma
Power cord for the Aestehtix IO
HOMEBUILD Amp Stand
4 inch thick Jatoba ( Brazilian Cherry) wood
Sutherland TIMELINE
Strobe light to check turntable speed. Two speeds only 33 1/3 and 45 RPM. Very accurate and easy to use.
Allnic Speednic
Strobe for Turntable to check speed accuracy.
HARMONIC RESOLUTION SYSTEM ANALOG DISC CLAMP
Record clamp/weight
Unknown Ebony LP weight
Ebony disc weight
Custom LP racks Apple plywood
Never enough room for LP storage, so I took over the front entrance with my wife's permission of course.
Modified IKEA shelving Walnut gables
Wanted a storage area with sliding doors to hide various tapes, LPs Blue rays and misc.
Modified IKEA shelving Walnut gables part II
Picture of sliding doors open
Canadian Tire Tool Chest
Hold all of tubes,cartridges, footers, set up tools.
TEL WIRE HC Power cord 8 feet
TEL WIRE HC Great synergy in my system. Beautifully finished and the Oyaide connectors are of the best quality. Extremely happy with them.
Acoustical-systems P2S
Direct measuring and marking system made by Dertonarm. Quality is very high and very easy to use.
Hey Guys! The darTZeel has been in my system now for a month. The music that's coming through the system is like nothing that I've heard before - it's the darTZeel allowing me to hear music in a completely different way.
How it differs from my previous setup is as follows:
The darT gives me a fleshed portrayal of the musicians at the recording-I use the word "fleshed" because the position of the musicians in small ensembles are as solid as I have ever heard. When I go to a live venue and listen to the band play, you feel the music and energy in the room. That's what I get with my system - this is the most engaged that I have been in a long time. The energy of the players is conveyed with ease. The attack of the instruments, the tones and vibrations of the individual instruments and their locations is the best that I have had in my room. The music draws you in, my feet are tapping and all I want to do is listen to music. One of my sons had friends over for a project and they wanted to listen. Comments were "sounds like the guitarist is right there and the trumpet is a silver trumpet which is right there", and "wow". The reviews that are written about the darTZeel pre are much better written than I ever can. To conclude I can't stop playing music and look forward every day to listening. That's it for me. Now how good can the stereo amp be ??
Dgad The Topaz can drive the Maxx II with no issues what so ever.
Glad to hear your amp is playing music and you have a proper opportunity to evaluate the dart! If you have the chance, I would be interested in reading your sonic characterizations of the ASR, Supratek, and dart.
System edited: System update. darTZeel and Wytech up and running with my Maxx II's Sold the ASR and also the Supratek. darTZeel has over a month's worth of playing/burnin time now. The music is utterly staggering.
Just wanted to mention how Sonny and I appreciated your and Patty's warmth and generous hospitality over New Year's Day - we certainly had a lovely time! :-)
Yup still have the Aesthetix IO, and a second yes to to I am exciteted to have taken delivery of the darTZeel. Now for the hours to tick away before it gets to become it's prime. Looking forward to meeting you at Mike's place on Sunday.
System update. Took delivery of the darTZeel yesterday. Very nice eco packaging, first time a box with no foam or chips. The dart is now in play mode in my system. Have the CD player on repeat and hope to get some hours on it. Using the ac mode as per dealers's instruction. Hope to do some serious listen by Xmas day. Shutting down work on Wednesday and take delivery of my other toy in the afternoon. Its a mog.
Will post the latest setup pics once the room has been rearranged.
when you are down here for your shopping i hope you can stop by. Sam and his wife will be at my place Saturday the 26th and Sunday the 27th. i hope you and Patty can be here (i know during Christmas time is not that flexible). i know you will really enjoy Sam and his wife Sonny; great, fun people.
i can tell you that the darTZeel preamp and the A90 are a match made in heaven. the A90 is maybe even more detailed than my Colibri's; and so natural and easy to listen to also. you gotta hear this Garrard. it will blow your mind.
....and i have some new tapes which you gotta hear....
Thanks for the observation...my system is about to evolve to Dali MegaLine III's and 4 BAT 150SE monoblocks. Congrats on the new pre - perfect for Holiday enjoyment! It would be fabulous to greet in person :-)
Hi Sam Thank you for the kind words. You have quite the system your self. Maybe we will get a chance to meet at Mike L's place over the holidays. He is a very special person and has a great place to listen to music.
The new preamp will arrive next week. Received confirmation today from UPS, just in time for the holidays.
Fabulous room/system! I'm finalizing details to visit Mike L. over the Holidays...I believe I'd read you've experienced his room and hospitality as well. :-) TWO Studers!! I'm hoping to pick-up an A810 Mk. II for some location recording. Once again, AWESOME sytem...Enjoy!
Received the Orotfon A 90 today. Now to get the plinth finished for the SP10 MK II so that I can start to listen. Too many projects on the go around this time of year. Looking forward to the holidays this year to do lots of r and r. Will post pics of the A 90, very cool packaging.
Hi Mike Thanks for your note, confirmed with JT that it will ship by Dec 1 . The deal fell through on Sunday, so we decided not to drive down. Heading your way after the Xmas to do the Portland shopping spree. Have to keep the kids and wife happy. As we both know, wife is happy we are happy too.
Talk to you soon and will send the pics of the plinth to you.
System edited: Ordered a Dartzeel preamp with two phono stages. Hoping for a pre Xmas delivery. Also working on the plinth for the SP 10 MK II. Getting to the assembly stage, weight is 170 LBS plus the SP 10.
Rugyboogie: Thanks for your kind reply. So, did you change the ASR Magic Cords which come along the ASR with the Aural? The tricky point is also the big IEC, thus it's difficult to find some cable to try and test... -- Ale
Hi Artale Sorry for the delay in getting back to you, was on vacation. I would play with AC cables first. In my set up I am using Aural Symphonics with nice results. All of my sources are Valhalla both for direct and rca. Speaker cables are Valhalla. Never played with the dip switch. Good luck,
The ASR replaced a Pass Labs X250.5 The sound now is very detailed and transparent, dynamic is improved, the instruments are clearly placed in the soundstage which is now bigger and deeper. The only thing I'm loosing from the Pass is the lushness in the mid-range, in particular with female voices. I'm wondering whether the brighter sound is inherent to the ASR or whether with a different cabling I can get a better mid. Should I change to an RCA cable to use the Direkt input? Did you play with the ASR setting (dip switch)? Thanks for any possible advise.
System edited: Added pictures of my Studers. Picked up some Mercury Living Presence and some RCA Victor 7" tapes. Talk about dynamics. Also received notice of the arrival of my first TAPE PROJECT TAPE at my PO Box at Point Roberts WA. Heading down today to pick it up.
The Mark Levinson 33 mono block that I owned required 220 V and a minimum 40 amp for each amp. The dealer and several owners here in Vancouver also had them on 60 amp breakers. They strongly suggested in order to have no power resrtriction to the amps that I go with the 60 amp breaker if I had the ability to do so. So naturally I had to have 60s for my amps. Take care,
