150wpc Integrated Amplifier 2 channel. Recently evaluated by Rowland Research. Despite all being fine, I had all electrolytic caps updated. Nice improvement. They said they are better caps.
Denafrips Venus II 15th DAC
Current model of the VENUS (as of late 2025). I use the I2S input for my high resolution downloads and streaming from my Eversolo T8. I use a DH Labs HDMI cable.. I use the SPDIF input from my Oppo Blu-Ray player. Interconnects are balanced Cardas Neutral Reference.
Esoteric Audio E-03 Phono Preamplifier
My phono preamplifier. Very transparent with deep and powerful and well defined bass, tons of detail and not a bit of grain or etch.
Eversolo T8 Streamer/Transport for HI RES Audio
I use a DH Labs HDMI 2.1 for HI RES to the Denafrips. I have optical drive hooked to the T8 to rip CDs to memory. This is one of the most impressive pieces of equipment for the money that I've seen in my 40 years as an audiophile.
Vertec/LiteOn Chassis for internal optical drive and internal optical drive
I use this for ripping CDs. I had read the Vertec chassis had the best sounding circuitry and I knew that LiteOn optical drives rip well. I put sorbothane feet on the chassis. It does require a 12vdc power supply to operate. I purchased a regulated linear 12vdc power supply and it made a massive improvement over the stock wall wart. I use an Audioquest Coffee USB between this and my Eversolo T8 for playing CDs back in real time, and for ripping them to the Eversolo's memory.
Oppo BDP-103 Used for Blu-Ray Audio and Classic Records DADs.
The DADs are made by Classic Records in the late 90s. They were made to play on any DVD player and they were 24/96 stereo audio only discs. They sound good! I have a copy of Casino Royale on HDAD and it's stunning. This is connected via HDMI to a BRA extractor which allows DVD pass-through, then it's SPDIF to my Denafrips DAC using a Supra HDMI and Coax digital cables.
VPI Classic 2 Turntable
This table received what was needed to elevate it to Signature level, and then some. It now has the 3D Gimbal Reference arm, peripheral ring, ceramic-coated platter, delrin clamp. I went away from the internal motor and now use a 300 rpm standalone motor by VPI with the single speed pulley. I run 2 TNT6 belts from the pulley to the platter. This system offers a strong glimpse of idler drive, but with far less noise. I have a VPI ADS speed controller. I am currently using a VPI BLOODWOOD low output cartridge and my phono cable is a Cardas Golden Presence. VPI HRX feet were added as part of the Signature upgrade.
Marantz SA 1 SACD/CD Player
The original Marantz Flagship SACD Player. Back in the day it was $7500. It's a tank and sonically, it completely changed my perspective about SACD.
Cardas, Audioquest, Viborg, DIY Cables and Power Conditioner
Speaker cables: Cardas Neutral Reference - Single-ended interconnects between Esoteric Phono and Rowland amp: Cardas Neutral Reference - Balanced interconnects between Denafrips DAC and Rowland amp: Cardas Neutral Reference - Balanced Cardas Neutral Reference for Marantz SA 1, McIntosh tuner uses Cardas Neutral Reference single-ended, High Res HDMI cable between Eversolo and Denafrips is DH Labs 2.1: Optical player/burner uses Cardas Clear USB, Oppo uses HDMI and SPDIF Supra.- All power cables are Viborg 1606 for digital and 1501 for analog,, don't knock 'em until you try them! After extensive auditioning of various cables, and I tried stuff out until I was just sick of it all, I concluded that I was NOT buying $300, $400, $500 power cables with these Viborgs being available. I tried the $400-$500 on down power cables and most fell short and very few rivalled the Viborgs. Looking at their designs, there is no question they are engineered for specific purposes. They're in the system, and I don't even think about them. That alone is saying a lot. As an Electrical Engineer, I designed and built my own power conditioner. You can plug in 8 items; it has a filtered ground plane, every plug-in has its own dedicated multistage power filter network, making for a total of 8 filter networks. It covers a HUGE bandwidth and also blocks DC offset on the AC line. My buddy wants me to build him one because it smokes his Audioquest, which is around $2K. I'm very pleased with how it turned out. UPDATE: The power conditioner recently got the better of a Shunyata (SP?) that was more than $2K. I have to say, that one surprised me a lot. I am going strictly by the words of a friend. I did not hear the comparison myself. I assume he's being honest, because it was his Shunyata.
McIntosh MR500 Tuner
Digital Tuner recently aligned and refurbished by McIntosh tech. I love it.
