Description

I guess I'm in my third year now working to put together a high end system. I am finally at a point of being extremely happy with the choices I've made and reference quality I've achieved. Changes over time have been numerous but with a lot of diligent reading of various user threads and talking with other audio friends, I believe the trek has been well worth it and definitely a fun one! I'm still tweaking a bit but think I'm at the end of the big changes for awhile. And it sure sounds good! Thanks for all the help! (updated comments 6/21/04)
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Components Toggle details

    • McIntosh MC-1201
    1200 wpc monoblocks $9000 ea
    • Dartzeel NHB-18NS Preamp
    Battery powered. Reference Audio Mods replaced existing internal battery system with external 12v batteries with cabinet casing
    • Esoteric P-03
    SACD/CD with DSD signal processing
    • Esoteric D-03
    SACD/CD with native DSD and PCM to DSD up-conversion
    • Esoteric G-0s master clock
    With Rubidium Oscillator
    • Halcro SSP-100 Processor
    With upgraded MPCM (LPCM) 7.1
    • Halcro Amplifiers MC-30
    Three channel for center and rear surround speakers
    • Escient Fireball E-120 Digital Music Mgr.
    Used in conjunction with a Sony 400 Disc CD changer plus an internal harddrive which allows 1800 hours of digital recorded music. I run this setup through the Goldmund DAC and get amazingly high end audio output!
    • Talon Audio Firebirds
    full range with diamond tweeters
    • Talon Audio Hawk Center
    w/Talon stand
    • Talon Audio Hawk Surrounds
    Amazing monitors that I'm using for rear surround channels
    • Talon Audio Thunderbird
    With external 1200 watt Crown amp
    • Harmonic Resolution Systems M-3 Isolation Base
    I'm using these under each amp. Nothing short of amazing!
    • Pioneer Elite Pro FHD-1
    50
    • Tara Labs Omega Gold Speaker Cable
    10 ft.
    • Tara Labs Zero Gold
    1.5m between amp and preamp (16k) 1m between DAC and preamp (14.5k)
    • Tara Labs Cobalt A/C cable
    Used on the DAC and the conditioner
    • 6sonsAudio Windigo
    Using one on the transport and one on a power condition. Really excellent.
    • Nordost Thor
    One on the audio and one on the video. Amps go straight to the wall.

Comments 103

Showing all comments by appassionata.

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I am new to Audiogon but I have browsed admiringly at many of the fabulous systems posted, especially yours. It is, well, astonishing. I am considering some cable upgrades and liked your comments about the Supra Sword speaker cable. Also the Harmonix interconnect, but this is likely in the financial ionosphere for me.

Given the system dependence of cables, do you think the Supra Sword would be a good choice?

Do you recommend bi-wiring them?

Also my physical layout requires a balance XLR 4-meter inter-connect. I am of the understanding that the inter-connect is sonically more important than the speaker cable. Is this true?

One last question. I am building a small home theatre downstairs in an already finished area. Running speaker wires to the back speaker has been challenging. The building code requires FT4 fire rated cable. The runs also get very long. Do you have high-end speaker cable to your Talon Audio Hawk surround speakers? How long are the runs? Was fire rated cable required?

Incidentally, your Talon Audio Hawk surround speakers would be at or near the top my list for my dream system of the universe for main stereo speakers.

Thank you for any tips you can give me.

P.S. Again, you have a lovely system, celestial.

appassionata