Thanks Jazz.
I have tried a few power conditioners, notably the Synergistic Research Powercells and EquiTech balanced power offerings. Frankly, most "fixed" some ailments but added colorations that ultimately became distractions. The RSA Dmitri manages to complement the HiDiamond traits, allowing me to, as you say "focus on the music". Although, even the Dmitri only truly came alive with a HiDiamond P4 feeding it!

I must say, for the first time in a while, I am not searching for changes. Oh, there's the inevitable trials of fuses and sundry tweaks (always need to feed the monster), but my components are set for now.

tympani August 23, 2014 13:47

System edited: Just added Stillpoints Ultra SS's under the Maggie/Mye Stands. Now have Stillpoints under all components, and boy have these footers refined the sound. I must list Stillpoints and HiDiamond Cables as my most consistent "components" in that they let everything else sing. Gear will come and go, but I would not be without these.

tympani March 25, 2014 22:58

System edited: Added a Running Springs Audio Dmitri power conditioner to the front end. Refinement and PRAT! Seems to complement the full bodied HiDiamond sound (much more so than the SR Powercell, which sounded best in my previous SR-loomed setup).

tympani December 10, 2013 14:45

Ozzy, the Bryston combo is a joy. Matched with the attributes of the HiDiamond cables the music from my system has so much nuance and emotion. It did take a little special "care and feeding" to get the Brystons singing. The HD cables, of course, plus after-market fuses (using AMR Gold -sweet!), Stillpoint SS mini's, and about 300 hours of break-in have made the Brystons a worthy front end for my system. And although the quest never really ends, I'm happy for now to stop and smell the roses.

tympani September 07, 2013 15:26

Tnanks 16hzlover. Are you an organist, or just a deep bass aficionado? I thrive on subterranean palpable bass, which I have been able to finally achieve with my current set-up. I knew the big Maggies were capable, but it wasn't till I switched to the HiDiamond (especially their P4 power cords) and the Stillpoint vibration control gizmos that I heard what depths the system could reach. Jazz organ now has new meaning.

tympani June 10, 2013 18:37

System edited: I have completed the transition from Synergistic Research to HiDiamond. Though I still feel SR is a superb product, the inevitable upgrade path had become daunting. HiDiamond makes a uniquely transparent cable, and for the first time I feel I am hearing the music without "editorial". Truly a revelation!

tympani June 09, 2013 14:06

Thanks for viewing, Devilboy. My appreciation for SR remains strong - they are special cables that have as their hallmark a wonderful sense of space. But when I added my newest components (the Bryston combo) I was tempted to try the HiDiamonds based on all the buzz. To summarize, I think the HD's give up a bit of space for a more "fleshy" presentation. Have not tried the newer SR Elements series. For now, I am living with both and thoroughly enjoying the sound. Both are well executed designs that let the emotion come through with ease.

tympani March 15, 2013 01:55

System edited: Updated components and pictures

tympani March 14, 2013 22:03

System edited: System updated. New pics coming.

tympani January 17, 2013 13:40

The room is 25 by 15 feet, with 8' ceilings. Clearly too small for my Maggies. Impressive system you have!

tympani November 30, 2010 03:44

System edited: Added a Cary SLP-05 preamp. As much as I loved my Herron, I wanted an all-balanced system especially as a major room re-arrangement required 6-meter interconnects between the preamp and amps. Synergistic Research converted my Apex and Precision Ref IC's to balanced. Now, with my true-balanced signal chain from Marantz SA-7 to amps the results are spectacular. Impact, refinement, in-the-room realism, all around fun!

tympani April 21, 2010 13:17

Thanks Davt. In my setup, the Herron works very well with the Classe amps. And as you've noted with your Belles, the real secret is in the tubes. I have a set of RCA/Siemens A-frames that I love. I switch between those and Amperex 7308 PQ's. I wish I could find a tube with the qualities of both. The response of the Herron to nuances of various vintage NOS tubes is rewarding but sometimes frustrating. Its neutrality and transparency allow all the subtleties in the tubes (and other "tweaks") to be immediately apparent. The inclusion of not only an absolute phase switch but also an AC polarity switch says alot about this neutrality.

tympani September 07, 2009 14:42

System edited: A complete switch to Synergistic Research cables has taken this system to a new level. There is something special going on with these cables. My system has taken on a wholeness, see-through clarity and most of all, emotion that I had found so elusive in this quest. There are no doubt many factors leading to this result, but the SR Cable update has been the most dramatic, and consistent with each cable addition.

tympani May 16, 2009 13:56

System edited: Marantz SA-7 SACD Player added. What a joy to listen to!

tympani January 03, 2009 22:21

System edited: I've completed the move from Shunyata PC's and Siltech IC/Speaker cables to Kubala-Sosna Emotion. System is more rounded and weighty, has increased 3-D and depth, without giving up an ounce of resolution or transparency. All good.

tympani June 04, 2008 17:48

I've tried several vintage tubes. Several Amperex/Phillips 6922's and 7308's were smooth, but not neutral - somewhat bloated mid-bass. Then tried the Siemens 60's 6922 (shiney plates), first just a pair in the gain position (V3 and V6) then all 6. Without a doubt the gain positions are much more sensitive to noise and microphonics. I'm very happy with these Siemens tubes. They're airy, dimensional, and "lively", and remain true to the Herron sound. I also have some early 70's vintage Siemens "A-frames", really nice as well, maybe a tad lighter in the low end, but with the added weight of the V-3 Herron upgrade, not really a penalty. They run about $200/matched pair (NOS), so not cheap!! I highly recommend Brent Jessee as a source - he has a very customer-friendly return policy and is a stand-up guy.

tympani March 20, 2008 13:44

System edited: System updated: Keith Herron just upgraded my preamp to VTSP-3, a very nice improvement in impact and weight, while remaining supremely musical. Definitely a worthy upgrade. Also changed my speaker cables and IC's to Kubala-Sosna Emotions. Very pleased!

tympani March 04, 2008 16:55

IFlyfisher, I don't use the REL for 2-channel audio. The Maggies sound best alone.

tympani May 04, 2007 15:32

The room is 15' by 25'. I wish I had a bit more width for the Magnepans. The main seating is about 13 feet from the speakers, which leaves plenty of room behind the seats. I toyed with the idea of retractible curtains to cover the plasma, but felt it would look too messy and cluttered.

tympani April 11, 2007 02:19

The large plasma glass does slightly influence the imaging. Even with my speakers 4.5 feet out there is some reflection. I have 4 custom-made fiberglass panels (similar to ASC) to hand on the wall behind the plasma, each measuring 18" x 54", as well as a large single panel I can hang over the plasma for critical listening. To be honest, I don't use the TV-covering panel much... too much of a hassle to hang and take down. I do keep the others up (not shown in the photo's)
Here's the site for the custom panels, made to your specific size and color. Very nice quality.

http://www.acousticsfirst.com/frstresp.htm

tympani April 01, 2007 17:43

Texas25,

I have heard the big Maggies with several Classe amps including Classe Omega Omicron monos (the product designations are confusing, these were the 300 watt mono towers). Not with the stereo amps you list. I would describe the sound as powerful, controlled but a tad polite. Personally, I believe Maggies pair well with the Classe "house sound", but really need a neutral tube preamp to breathe soul into the presentation.

tympani March 17, 2007 14:29

Siegfried, I only use the Sub for 5.1 content (movies, surround SACD, and occasional TV). If the source doesn't have a .1 track the sub stays off. The big Maggies are very comfortable producing deep bass, but room positioning is very critical. I've toyed with the idea of dual subs for stereo content, but I'm satisfied for now.

I see in a previous thread you were having hum problems with your gear. Interesting because the transformer in one of my monoblocks would occasionally hum. I finally traced it to the dimmer switch for the overhead room lighting. Even though the amp was on its own dedicated circuit, there was interference at certain positions of the dimmer. Low-noise dimmers solved the problem. I'm convinced that the enhanced listening experience we seem to get with the lights out is more than just "psycho-acoustic"

tympani March 17, 2007 13:45

Thanks Alan,
One thing you will hear from every Magnepan owner - they can sound bright and fatiguing if not set up properly, more so than most speakers. The quality of the upstream gear and the speaker placement are crucial, but when done right you will be rewarded with captivating music. I have heard MG20's sound awful in mega-dollar systems, and have melted in musical joy listening to 1.6's properly set up in very modest systems.

tympani January 27, 2007 16:38

System Edited: My Herron Tube Rolling Adventure continues. Currently using NOS Amperex 7308's, USN-CEP tubes, vintage 1965. Really nice sound, balanced throughout the spectrum, with airy top end and natural, not boomy bass. The holographic imaging and pace are tops. The system has an ease and warmth without the unatural midrange presence I noted with the Philips/Mullard/Holland 6922's. Not cheap, but in my setup well worth it. These are keepers!

BTW Akozar, in my audition of the Ayre monos I did not have a chance to really crank up the volume, but they definitely sounded unrestrained and capable. I am pleased enough with my Classe's (especially with the sweet music I'm getting now with my new tubes) that I am not lusting after any other amp...for now

tympani January 06, 2007 15:19

Akozar,
I heard 20.1's with the Ayre monoblocks recently (not my speakers). I found the sound very pleasing and 3-dimensional, with plenty of solid deep bass. It did not sound "solid-state" in a derogatory sense, nor "tubey" in a euphonic sense. I think they mate well with the Maggies and I'm sure I would be very happy with these beautiful amps, except that they sell for 2 1/2 times what I paid for my Classe monos used. At this level, the differences are usually subtle. The Classe's have a very neutral sound as well and a slightly less bright high-end, which in my setup complements the Maggie tweeters, especially with a tube front-end.

Jesse,
nice Sub review. I may just have to try 2 smaller V-dynes.

tympani December 28, 2006 17:52

Thanks for the kind comments. Yes Jesse, the REL sub is behind the left speaker. I only use it for movies. The Maggies sound better "pure". I've debated switching to a Velodyne DD-series (15 inch likely), Anyone using these full-time with Magnepans? I am having fun with my tube-rolling on the Herron. I just tried a sextet of NOS Amperex Mullard/Holland 6922 1967 tubes. Beautiful lush midrange, but a bit too much "presence" on some recordings. I will next be trying Amperex USA 7308 USN-CEP's, should be arriving this week. I'll post my thoughts in the Discussion Forums. This stuff is fun!

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?aamps&1163544273&read&keyw&zzherron

tympani December 12, 2006 23:19