My New Reference System

Owner

Jafant, All 3 Acrolink cables are connected to the Esoteric player. I have coax digital, single ended and power cord..

stereo5 January 17, 2023 01:24

Owner

I just upgraded my McIntosh MC152 amp to a McIntosh MC302 amp as I felt I needed more dynamic headroom.

stereo5 February 23, 2019 20:38

Owner

Thanks guys. There is a lot of blood, sweat and tears that went into the main system. Many nights of not being able to sleep, agonizing over it. Everything finally came together with the McIntosh equipment and a couple of new cables. I replaced the VPI Prime with the Technics SL1200G direct drive turntable and finally I am enjoying vinyl again.

stereo5 August 29, 2018 00:54

Owner

Major Update, Replaced Rogue RP-5 Tube Preamp with a McIntosh C2500 Tube Preamp. Replaced Conrad Johnson MF2550 Amp with a McIntosh MC152 Amp. Replaced AVC Platform with a 4 inch Thick Maple Platform in gloss black. Replaced Vasari Gold MM cartridge with my ZU DL103 Moving Coil cartridge. I am waiting arrival of an Acrolink interconnect for the SACD Player.

stereo5 January 19, 2018 03:23

Owner

Thanks JA. As I am just retired, this is probably my last hurrah with new purchases.

stereo5 September 09, 2017 21:11

Owner

MAJOR SYSTEM UPDATE:

Where do I start? Replaced the GE Triton 1 speakers with the GE Triton Reference speakers. Replaced the Odyssey Stratos amp with a Conrad Johnson MF2550 250wpc amplifier. Replaced VPI Scout turntable with the new VPI Prime turntable. Replaced the Myrtlewood Turntable platform with one from Audio Vibration Control.

System sounds much more real now.

stereo5 August 20, 2017 19:03

Owner

The main reason(s) I replaced the Modulus 3B Pre was because I wasn't getting enough range out of the volume controls. At 9 o clock, it was too loud and one notch down from that it was a bit too soft. I also am getting on in years and more lazier and wanted a full remote control option. Lastly, The new preamp has many loading options for my moving coil cartridge so I was able to eliminate the SUT and one of the VPI cables. The system is much more simplified now and the new preamp sounds killer with the Mullard NOS 12au7 tubes I put in it.

stereo5 November 14, 2016 02:43

Owner

UPDATE:

Replaced Audible Illusions Modulus 3B preamp with a Rogue Audio RP-5 Tube preamp. Replaced stock tubes in the Rogue with 4 NOS Mullard 12au7 tubes. This took the preamp up to an entire new level, extremely pleased. Removed Bob's Devices Cinemag 3440A SUT as the Rogue preamp can accomodate a low output moving coil cartridge. Also removed one VPI Phono cable as no longer needed.

Replaced Aurender N100H with a Sony HAP-Z1ES Music Server and also removed Wyred4Sound DAC2 and 2 Wireworld Digital cables as all no longer needed. Sold all the removed equipment to fund the new Rogue preamp. The system is now quite simplified and sounds better than ever. Sometimes less is more.

stereo5 November 07, 2016 02:11

Owner

System Update\Upgrade. Replaced Asus 14 inch laptop running J Rivers 21 to an Aurender N100H Music player\streamer with 2TB internal hard drive and 128GB solid state drive. All songs on playlist are cached into the solid state drive for an absolute quiet machine. This is a fanless system and very, very quiet. You must have an iPad , iPad mini or an Android based tablet to run the Aurender. The Conductor software is the best I have used yet for a large music collection.

The Aurender does not have a built in dac so you will need both a tablet and dac to use this. Sound=incredible.

stereo5 May 07, 2016 23:33

Owner

Mjcmt.....

Thank you so very much! That is the nicest compliment I have received . I have been into this for close to 49 years and I am quite pleased with the system. I have another system listed which is my office set up and I am slowly improving it. I listen to the office system at least 6-8 hours daily.

stereo5 October 28, 2015 00:13

Owner

System edited: Replaced Wyred4Sound DAC 1 with a new Wyred4Sound DAC 2 DSD with Femto Clock Upgrade. Just started breaking it in. The new Wyred drivers seem very stable.

stereo5 August 13, 2015 19:46

Owner

System edited: Added another Shunyata Hydra 4 into the system which sits on a Bright Star Audio platform. 3 Pangea AC-9 power cords were also added, 2 two meter cords for GE Triton Ones and 1, one meter cord to connect to the wall outlet.

stereo5 August 03, 2015 23:02

Owner

Thanks, much appreciated.

stereo5 July 19, 2015 23:03

Owner

System edited: Replaced Magnum Dynalab MD-90 Tuner with a MD-100 Tuner in silver

stereo5 July 17, 2015 19:17

Owner

System edited: added some new pictures of most current system.

stereo5 May 02, 2015 00:46

Owner

System edited: Added a Furutech E-80 PLC for the Golden Ear Triton One Speakers. A heavy duty Furutech power cord connects the PLC to the wall outlet. Each Triton One is connected to the Furutech PLC with a Shunyata Venom power cord. This eliminated the occasional static I was getting from the speakers and Dynamics have very noticeably increased as well.

stereo5 March 20, 2015 23:16

Owner

My living room is 16 by 18 feet. The left speaker is about 8 inches from the wall and the right speaker is20 inches from the wall. I lowered the subwoofers output on the left speaker to 10 o clock, the right channel is still in the center position. As the stereo is in the living room, I have to make compromises. The speakers are set up on the long wall. The short wall has a window and front door to the house. The speakers sound amazing in my room, bass is to die for and mids and highs are very smooth. Absolutely no listening fatigue. The left speaker is now at a sharp angle to the tv and I don't hear any ill side effects.

stereo5 February 27, 2015 00:00

Owner

The Triton Ones offer a different presentation than the Odyssey Kismet speakers. I am very familiar with the Kismet because I listen to them 8+ hours a day connected to a tube integrated as it's my office system. As good as the Kismets are, the Triton Ones are more in every way. Bass goes deeper in the Tritons as well as the highs are much more refined. The Tritons will also play MUCH louder and has a better dynamic range. The Odyssey Kismets are absolutely no slouch but the Tritons are better.

stereo5 January 14, 2015 20:42

Owner

The Tritons are a fantastic match with the Odyssey. I gained musicality and bass which was absent before. I get Goosebumps every time I put the system on. Very happy.

stereo5 January 14, 2015 14:54

Owner

System edited: MAJOR UPDATE: Replaced the Von Schweikert VR-33 Speakers with the Golden Ear Triton One Speakers. Just started breaking them in but loving what I hear already. Stay tuned.

stereo5 January 11, 2015 19:47

Owner

System edited: Replaced Denon AU-320 with a Bob's Devices Cinemag 3440A SUT and added another VPI phono cable to the mix as well.

stereo5 September 22, 2014 20:09

Owner

System edited: Update 8-28-14 Replaced Shunyata Diamondback power cord with an Acrolink 6N-P4030 power cord. This powers my Esoteric UX-3 player.

stereo5 August 29, 2014 01:00

Owner

Chewbacca54..........................

In many ways I like my Kismet Reference Floorstanding Speakers better than the VR33's but in other ways I like the VR33's more than the Kismet. My main reason for going with the VR33's was because the Kismet speakers had to be out into the room to sound its best where the VR33's sound great 8 inches from the wall. The deep bass is better in the VR33's, but the midbass is better in the Kismets.

If you look online at Positive Feedback Issue 51, Greg Weaver did a good review of the VR33's and he compared them to the Kismet speakers I have. He said basically the same as I have said that some aspects of one speaker is better than the other and vice versa. He did say the VR33 was the better speaker.

I love them both and wouldn't want to give either of them up.

stereo5 July 19, 2014 18:25

Owner

Updated the pictures of my system since I have recently gone through some changes. Everything here is my current system as of July 4, 2014.

stereo5 July 04, 2014 23:02

Owner

Glenhifi...................

Thanks so much for the compliments. A troll on Audiogon told me my system is subpar. I have put a lot of time and effort into my system and I am truly enjoying it. Next up is a either a new SUT or a new cartridge that puts out more than .3 millivolts.

stereo5 July 04, 2014 14:43

Owner

I got it from vt4c dot com

stereo5 May 05, 2014 23:37

Owner

System edited: 03-15-2014 Replaced the Kismet Reference Speakers with Von Schweikert VR-33 speakers. My primary reason was so I could see the TV as the Kismets were blocking the view a little. These speakers throw a large sound and are designed to be placed close to the walls.

stereo5 March 16, 2014 00:29

Owner

Thank you. I viewed your system and it is quite nice. I love your room layout and wish I had a larger room for my stereo.

stereo5 November 24, 2013 20:50

Owner

I have had an Audible Illusions preamp in my system for the past 20 years. The preamp I am using now is their latest incarnation and is about 3 years old with new tubes. I bought it from the factory as a refurbished unit with a warranty. I have had only 3 other preamps in my system before I went with the Audible Illusions and they were 2 Classe preamps from the late 90's and an Adcom from the early 90's.

You get the tube magic with the Audible Illusions but the sound is very extended with very low distortion. The speakers are exactly 22 1/2 inches from the rear wall. Placing them on the granite bases tightened the bass to the perfect amount. I am extremely satisfied with them.

stereo5 November 24, 2013 00:31

Owner

System edited: Update 9-7-13 Added a Mapleshade 2 inch thick Maple unfinished platform. I painted 4 coats of black lacquer paint and hand rubbed and buffed with Carnauba wax. This was a DIY project and I saved more than half of the cost of a finished platform from Mapleshade. It looks gorgeous and made the turntable sound richer. The thinness in the upper midrange has vanished!

stereo5 September 07, 2013 21:16

Owner

System edited: Update: Made some minor changes to the system. I installed a Kimber Silver Streak cable from the Esoteric UX-3 to the Modulus 3B preamp. It added just a little bit of air at the extreme top end. I also bought an iPad Mini with 32gb of storage and I am using it in conjunction with J Remote to control the J Rivers Media Player on my laptop. I can be anywhere in the house and pick any album and any song from my vast collection of music.

stereo5 January 26, 2013 01:41

Owner

System edited: System Update: Replaced Esoteric SA-10 SACD player with an Esoteric UX-3 Universal player. Upgraded fm antenna to a Magnum Dynalab ST-2. Upgraded usb/spdif copnverter to a Musical Fidelity V-Link 192.

stereo5 July 26, 2012 20:49

Owner

System edited: UPDATES: Replaced Audible Illusions Modulus 3A preamp with the newest and much improved Modulus 3B preamp. Added a Denon AU-320 SUT for the phono stage. Replaced Magnum Dynalab FT-101A with a much newer Magnum Dynalab MD-90 Tuner. Added a Shunyata Hydra 4 Power Conbditioner replacing the Shunyata Guardian 4. Also added 2 more Shunyata Diamondback 15 amp power cords and an Audioquest IEC-3 connector.

stereo5 June 09, 2012 23:57

Owner

I never heard any of his music so I really can't comment.

stereo5 May 29, 2012 00:30

Owner

System edited: UPDATE: Replaced a Sony SCD777ES with an Esoteric DV 50 Universal Player. Also replaced Shunyata Guardian 4 with a Shunyata Hydra 4 power conditioner

stereo5 May 20, 2012 18:33

Owner

System edited: UPDATE: Upgraded to Shunyata Hydra 2 Power Conbditioner with Shunyata 20 amp Vopperhead Cord. Amp and Preamp are connected via Shunyata Copperhead 15 amp cords. Has dramatically lowered the noise floor. Also added a Shunyata Venom power cord and Audioquest IEC 3 adapter which turns the Venom cord into a 3 outlet extension. Using it to power Laptop andMagnum Dynalab Tuner. The system in its present state sounds so realistic and smooth. Bass is thunderous and the sound is everything and more that I could have hoped for. Next up is putting threaded cones on my Salamander Rack to make it totally stable. Presently, the racks footers are resting on my very thick carpeting and I have noticed a little sway in the rack.

stereo5 March 18, 2012 17:04

Owner

System edited: MAJOR UPDATES: Upgraded dac to a Wyred4Sound DAC 1, upgraded digital cables to Wireworld Starlight 6, replaced old laptop with new Asus 14 inch laptop running Windows 7, 64 bit Edition. Replaced Sanus rack with a Salamander Synergy S 40 rack.

stereo5 February 26, 2012 19:23

Owner

System edited: SYSTEM UPDATE: Replaced MIT Terminator 2 speaker cable with Groneberg Quattro Reference speaker cables. The sound is so much smoother now. Also replaced 3 pairs of MIT Terminator2 interconnects with Groneberg Quattro Reference Interconnects between pre and power amp, cd player and pre, and DAC and Pre. As my power amp and speakers are internally wired with the Groneberg Quattro Reference cables, it makes sense to use them throughout the system. The music really flows now.

stereo5 December 26, 2011 02:25

Owner

System edited: Added Musical Fidelity V Link 24/96 Upsampler connected to DAC via Emotiva X Digital Cable.

stereo5 September 12, 2011 21:15

Owner

System edited: Update: Replaced HRT Music Streamer with Emotiva XDA-1 DAC, added Emotiva X digital coax cable and Shunyata Venom power cord.

stereo5 August 05, 2011 01:19

Owner

Placed my Odyssey Kismet Reference Speakers on a two inch thick solid block of black granite and added the heavy duty floor protectors from Adonis which is a perfect match for the Adonis gold cones.

This has further improved upon the quality of the bass. It's a good tweak as the speakers are located closer to the rear wall than I would like (WAF). This really smoothed out the bottom end. I am very happy.

stereo5 August 12, 2010 01:50

Owner

System Edit.

Placed my Modulus 3A preamp on top of a 1 1/2 inch thick slab of black granite. That took away a slight glare in the 800hz range. Removed slab of granite under the VPI Turntable and used it as a base for my Shunyata Guardian Power Supplys and the Modulus 3A Power Supply. A VPI Magic Brick resides on the top of the Modulus 3A power Supply. Placed a Bright Star Audio, Little Rock on top of my Magnum Dynalab tuner. For whatever reasons, it smoothed out the sound of FM radio and my stations come in better.

I have been listening to a lot of rock since I got the Kismet Reference Speakers and I am really rediscovering my rock collection all over again. I am pretty much done for a while (I think). The only other thing I desire to try is the Groneberg Speaker Cables and Interconnects. My amp and speakers are wired with the Groneberg Wires so I think it makes sense. I'll have to wait until I get more money. For the time being, I will satisfy my habit by buying new cd's and vinyl.

Bob

stereo5 July 04, 2010 02:53

Owner

I would love to hear from the people who view my system.

Thanks,

Bob

stereo5 June 21, 2010 22:39

Owner

For 100.00, the HRT Music Streamer is a wonderful piece of equipment. It isn't the most resolving dac, but everything sounds good through it, especially my older rock recordings. All the digital is in the Apple Lossless format an I am very pleased with it. I have no desire to upgrade.

The Odyssey Stratos Extreme +++ amp is the BEST solid state I have ever heard and the best that has ever graced my system. It is very resolving and very musical. It has incredible bass slam and speed and the mids and highs are pure and without grain. This is another "keeper" as are my Kismet Reference speakers.

stereo5 June 04, 2010 14:52

Owner

System edited: Replaced DeVore Gibbon 8 Speakers and Paradigm DSP-3100 sub with a pair of Odyssey Kismet Reference Loudspeakers

stereo5 May 29, 2010 18:14

Owner

I received the amp this past Thursday and it is still breaking in. From what I have heard so far, it already exceeds the $2,995.00 Classe' Audio Fifteen amp that it replaced. The amp is faster, much more dynamic and goes deeper in the bass and has more extended highs and there is absolutely no grain!

stereo5 April 11, 2010 16:27

Owner

System edited: System edit: replaced Classe Audio 15 amp with Odyssey Audio Stratos extreme with K board modification and full cable upgrade.

stereo5 April 08, 2010 17:22

Owner

Thanks for the kind words. I am perfectly satisified with the regular Music Streamer as I prefer playing vinyl and cd's. I only use the Music Streamer when I have company over as I can run the music software on random play and not have to worry about getting up to change discs.

The DeVore speakers have an incredible soundstage and seems to go very far back. The imaging is incredible as well and the speakers are one of the best investments I have made.

stereo5 April 05, 2010 16:23

Owner

System edited: I have an Odyssey Stratos Extreme+++stereo amp on order from Odyssey Audio. I should have it within the next 6 weeks. This is going to replace the Classe 15 amp which will be put in my secondary man cave system upstairs.

stereo5 April 05, 2010 01:42

Owner

System edited: added TT Weights 1080 gram brass record clamp with built in bubble level machined for VPI Turntable. Replaces the VPI stainless clamp. Bass extension has increased and better focus.

stereo5 March 09, 2010 04:27

Owner

System edited: New Pictures added.

stereo5 February 26, 2010 01:55

Description

Components Toggle details

McIntosh C2500 Tube Preamp

McIntosh MC 302 Power Amplifier

Golden Ear Triton Reference Speakers

Technics SL1200G Direct Drive Turntable

Zu Audio DL103 MC Cartridge Modified

Sony HAP-Z1ES Music Server/Player

Apple iPad Pro

Esoteric UX-3 CD/SACD/DVD Audio Player

McIntosh MR88 Tuner

Canare Cable Canare 4S11 Speaker Cable

Acrolink 6N-D5050II Digital cable

Acrolink 6N-DA5500 Interconnect

VPI Phono Cable

VH Audio Custom Interconnect

Nordost Red Dawn Interconnect

Accuphase AL 10 Interconnect

Acrolink 6N-P4030 Power Cord

Shunyata Copperhead Power Cord

Shunyata Diamondback Platinum Power Cord

Pangea AC-9 Power Cord

Shunyata Hydra 2 Power Conditioner

Shunyata Hydra 4 Power Conditioner (Black)

Shunyata Hydra 4 Power Contitioner (Silver)

HRS Lightweight Record Weight

SolidSteel S3-5 & S3-3 Audio Rack

Magnum Dynalab ST-2 Antenna

Comments 87

Showing all comments by stereo5.

Latest forum discussions

Audiogon

Forum

Bluebook

Merch