Mostly Demos, Used & B-stock

by ghosthouse on Budget MindedTotem Acoustic ForestSilverline Prelude PlusHegel H200Merrill Audio TaranisCardasShunyataSchiit FreyaSchiit Gungnir MBPrimaLuna PrologueFirst Watt F7TEAC CD3000Technics SL1210M5GHeed Quasar phono preamp
System as of 2023/2024
System as of 2022 photo 1
System as of 2022 photo 2
Auralic Aries G1 music server

Description

Previously posted as "Workingman's Rig", the current listing reflects the move to a new and roomier listening area as well as the "evolution" of the system.  

Gear has progressed from a Scott Receiver with SuperEx Headphones back in the 70s to a Yamaha receiver w/KEF 101s and an M&K sub (80s) and, eventually, Polk SDA speakers (90s).  The Yamaha was replaced by a JoLida 502B integrated in 2000.  In 2007 a pair of (B-Stock) Totem Forest speakers were purchased.  The JoLida gave way to a pair of Consonance Cyber 800SE EL34 mono blocks paired with a Consonance tube pre-amp.  The reality of cathode-bias  tube amps was learned painfully with the purchase of many quads of Winged C 6CA7s and EL34s.  

Eventually, a form of sanity imposed itself.  The Consonance gear was sold and replaced by a Merrill Audio Class D Taranis power amp paired with first gen. Freya 6SN7 tube preamp.  Sanity was short-lived since in relatively short order, a Hegel H200 integrated, First Watt F7 amp, and Prima Luna Prologue Premium EL34 integrated were purchased.  All demos.  Something about having a "back-up" played a part in the buying as I recall.  Along the way, getting a well-priced pair of Silverline Prelude Plus speakers from Underwood HiFi seemed like a good idea for pairing with the 20 wpc F7.

Sources are an Aries G1 Music Server feeding into to a Schiit Gungnir MB DAC via Shirt Eitr USB/SPDIF converter, a TEAC CD-3000, and a KAB-mod'd. Technics SL1210M5G (using Grado cartridges) w/Heed Quasar phono pre-amp.

A former cable skeptic.  A Venom HC power cord applied to the Taranis amp opened my eyes to what Shunyata's power cord tech could do vs other well-marketed power cords.  Similarly, I've fallen in love with Cardas for signal wire...speaker cables and interconnect.   

I'm blessed to have the gear I own today.  It allows making changes and keeping things fresh if the sound starts to get "old".  Most importantly, it enhances the enjoyment of listening to recorded music.

Thanks for looking.

[Avatar  photo by Heinrich Klaffs; Jack Bruce 1972]

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Room Details

Dimensions: 21’ × 19’  Large
Ceiling: 7’

Components Toggle details

    • Auralic Aries G1 music server
    Digital file player and streamer.  Digital out to Yggdrasil via Blue Jeans 110 ohm AES/EBU cable.  Has become the #1 music source in the system.  Used for Tidal, Spotify, Internet Radio, & ALAC files from ripped CDs.
    • Denon DCD-A110
    110th anniversary edition CD/SACD player (replaced a TEAC CD-3000).

    Unless listening to SACDs, digital out is connected to the Yggdrasil via Snake River Boomslang BNC cable.

    If listening to SACDs, use analog out via Cardas Clear SE IC to Hegel.
    • Schiit Audio Yggdrasil OG GS2
    Digital to Analog converter replacing a Gungnir MB DAC.  This is pretty much the hub of the system for digital sources.  It sounds better than the H390s internal DAC not to mention the DAC in the Denon.
    • Technics SL1210M5G
    KAB mod'd. TT (tone arm damper, strobe disabler).
    • Grado Prestige Black w/8MZ stylus
    • Grado Prestige Red
    • HEED Quasar
    Solid state phono-pre amp.
    • Hegel H390
    Excellent sounding integrated amp.  Replaced Prima Luna Prologue, First Watt F7, and Hegel H200.  Don't miss 'em but should note the sweet sound of the H200 (purchased as a demo unit) was the inspiration for getting the H390.  Still have the Taranis Class D but since getting the H390 it has not seen any use.  Need to sell it.
    • Cardas Audio Clear and Clear Reflection Interconnects
    Clear Reflection XLRs from Yggdrasil to Lokius and from Lokius to Hegel H390.
    Cardas Clear SE from Denon to Hegel for SACD playback.
    Cardas Clear SE from Heed Quasar to Hegel for vinyl playback.

    • Cardas Audio Clear Reflection Speaker Cable
    Wonderful sounding cables...great body, texture and detail.  Very listenable over long sessions.  Running bi-wired.  One pair to upper and one pair to lower binding posts of each speaker.  Provided an easily heard improvement over single runs with Cardas jumpers.
    • Totem Acoustics Forest Speakers
    B-stock; intended buyer could not complete transaction.  Have owned these since 2007 and don't tire of music from them.    With appropriate cabling choices and amp pairing they produce a non-fatiguing sound with full mid-range and great bass.  Listenability (metal dome tweeters!) when playing older digital sources with hot treble also benefits from cabling.  They generate amazing amounts of well-controlled bass, image like crazy and completely disappear.
    • SVS SB1000
    Originally added to fill out bass from Silverline Prelude Plus speakers that I no longer own.  Kept them installed for use with the Forests.  The Forests produce excellent quality bass by themselves but I found (running both floor standers and the subs full range; the subs driven via pre-out from from the Hegel) that, when dialed in, the subs somehow opened up the overall sound...more air, space and depth to the soundstage.  Things seem to breathe better.
    • Hubbell outlet Cryo'd. duplex from Cabledyne
    3 Hubbell outlets for 3 dedicated 20 amp lines.
    • Isotek Evo3 Isoplug (2)
    Power conditioner and surge supressor.
    • iFi AC iPurifier (2)
    Power conditioner and surge suppressor.
    • Isotek Sigmas Evo3
    Power conditioner used mainly for digital components.
    Powered by Shunyata Alpha EF.
    • Isotek Aquarius Evo3
    Power conditioner for analog components. 
    Powered by Venom HC cable.
    • Furutech e-TP60 Power Distributor
    Supplies power to subs via 3 Venom HC cables; 1 cable into the e-TP60, 1 cable out to each subwoofer.
    • Shunyata Research Alpha EF power cord
    All copper 8 awg power cord without Shunyata's CCI noise reduction tech.
    One used to power the H390, the other to power the Sigmas conditioner.
    • Shunyata Research Venom HC power cables
    Used to power the Aquarius conditioner, e-TP60, and SVS SB1000 subs.
    • Shunyata Research Alpha NR v1 Power Cord
    Delivers power from Sigmas to Yggdrasil.
    • Shunyata Research Delta NR v2 power cord
    Delivers power from Sigmas conditioner to Denon CDP.
    • Shunyata Research Venom Digital Cable
    Powers the Aries streamer.
    • GIK Acoustics various products
    Two 244 panels behind Forests. Two Soffit traps (front wall corners). Four 242 panels on side and rear walls.

Comments 29

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Ghosthouse,
You have a beautiful setup. I envy the components you have. You seem to be a connoisseur of fine equipment. Can you please compare and contrast the Schitt DAC and the Teac player. Does an outboard DAC make a huge difference. What other DACs that you compare before settling on the Schitt? Also what is your take on the Hegel H-200 integrated? Looke like they are very popular in Europe, but not in the US. I was eyeing the H20 power amp that was offered to me for less than $4K when it was first introduced in the US. But not knowing the company and for the fact that the Parasound was more sensitive, I decided to go with the A21. The price was probably the major factor here. BTW, my power cords are also from Cullen. Good products for the right price I say.

milpai

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