Ear Candy & Occasional Eye Candy Too

by audiofankj on Ever Evolving

Description

In process of revising virtual system thread... information below needs to be updated...

After selling my system several years ago, I have been rebuilding and finally assembled a very satisfying system. Upgrades have been more frequent than recommended however, improvement with system synergy in mind is always welcome.

The system goals are to accurately portray lifelike music reproduction - vocals, harmonics, timbre, tonal textures, decay, etc. first and foremost... With that in mind, I want a full range, musical presentation with lifelike dynamic impact, both micro and macro.

We have recently moved into a new home, in which my loving wife allowed me to dedicate the 2nd floor bonus room (16'W x 22'L x 9'H) into a listening room. We had the rear wall configured with built in bookshelves for the vinyl albums, as well as pull out drawers for cd storage. Exposed beam coffered ceiling to help break up standing waves, as well as a double stagger stud wall behind the speakers (shared wall with master bedroom). There is also info in this thread about the "rebuild" of that entire wall...

With the excitement and joy of a dedicated listening room, came the room anomalies that plagued the music reproduction. A great pair of speakers (Meadowlark Audio Blue Heron 2's) were displaced in an attempt to move to a speaker with adjustable bass (Martin Logan Summit). As the Martin Logan's were on order - I became aware that adjustable bass will help, yet not fix the problem... thus started the "wall renovation project." As luck would have it, the room response was improved, however I had been struggling with placement of the Martin Logan Summits. Once finally "dialed in" when you would listen at moderate volumes, you would over excite the room a bit... I tried (for months) to get "permission" to hang drapes behind the Summits - the same ones on the side wall... but no green light. Alas, it was a festering concern that the room wasn't treated properly for the Summits to perform optimally. If they couldn't be allowed to perform their best, the search began for their replacements, and the Summits went up for sale.

As of a couple of weeks ago, I received delivery of the Salk Sound HT3's. They are currently breaking in, and I will be working on room placement and positioning in the upcoming weeks. I am looking forward to getting the system back to a "stable" point!

This is the system "snapshot" as of early September 2006.
Read more...

Components Toggle details

    • Porter Port Porter Port
    1 20A Porter Port utilized on each of the five dedicated 20A lines
    • Fusion Audio Enchanter 20A
    20A IEC used on the RSA D'mitri
    • Running Springs Audio D'Mitri
    Line conditioner
    • Fusion Audio Enchanter Power Cord
    Fusion Audio Enchanter power cord utilized on AMR CD-77
    • Abbingdon Music Research - AMR CD-77
    review here: http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/abbingdon/abbingdon.html
    • JPS Labs Aluminata - 1m Interconnect
    1 meter - from CD-77 to preamp
    • First Sound Audio Paramount Mk II Special Edition
    Top of the line 3 chassis unit offered by Emmanuel.
    • JPS Labs Aluminata - 1.5m Interconnect
    1.5 meter from preamp to mono blocks
    • Fusion Audio Enchanter Power Cord
    One on each H2o Audio M250 SE monoblock
    • H2o Audio M250SE (Special Edition Monoblocks)
    The absolute latest from the mind of Henry Ho. This takes the former top of the line M250 Signature and improves upon it. Details to follow. This is the latest top of the line set of monoblocks from H2o Audio... the M 250 Special Edition.
    • JPS Labs Aluminata 10 ft. Speaker Cable
    10 foot pair, used with Aluminata Jumpers
    • Meadowlark Audio Blue Heron 2
    Pommele Sapele sides and rear, Honduran Mahogany front baffle with dual offset Red Heart stringers.
    A phenominal 1st order, time & phase aligned, transmission line speaker. Have tried many other speakers that fail to produce music they way these speakers do.
    • Sistrum SP-101
    One under each Meadowlark Audio Blue Heron 2 speaker
    • Sony STR-DA5200ES
    http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start?ProductSKU=STRDA5200ES&INT=sstyle-homeaudiocomponents-tophero-7channel_receiver Used in Home Theater for center channel, and rear surrounds. Upconverts analog video to 1080p
    • Sony VPL-VW50
    http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/%3Cwbr%3EINTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start?ProductSKU=VPLVW50&Dept=tvvideo&CategoryName=tv_FrontProjectionTVs

    1080p projector
    • Stewart Filmscreen Firehawk SST 100
    http://www.stewartfilmscreen.com/ Firehawk SST - optimized for Sony VPL-VW50 1080p projector - Luxus Deluxe
    • JL Audio Fathom 113's (x 2)
    http://home.jlaudio.com/products_subs.php?prod_id=371 Pair of these 130 lb. each monsters... Used in HT
    • Onix Rocket - RSC200
    http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=100.1 Center channel speaker - used in HT
    • Onix Rocket - RSS300's
    http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=7.1 Rear surround speakers. Used in HT
    • StudioTech U-22T RW/B
    Component Stand - 67" W x 22" H
    • Eighth Nerve Room Pack
    Accoustic room treatment
    • --- Room Renovation --- (listed below)
    pics attached
    • Room Reno - Room Prep - Rear Wall
    Pic of the rear wall. Everything was removed and the shelving for the vinyl was tarped and taped. Furniture that was not moved out of the room was also tarped over.
    • Room Reno - Front Wall - Before
    Pic of the front wall before renovation commenced.
    • Room Reno - Drywall Removal
    Pic of the start... drywall cut above and below metal furring strips in horizontal rows to allow for removal of drywall
    • Room Reno - Drywall Removal continues
    Pic taken after 8 solid hours of work. The metal furring strips were spaced 12" apart. Screws had to be removed from the strips as well as all of the blown insulation.
    • Room Reno - Furring Strips
    This pic shows how poorly the furring strips were installed in some of the areas.
    • Room Reno - Front Wall - drywall mostly down
    Pic of the front wall with most of the drywall removed. There are still some metal furring strips up to be removed.
    • Room Reno - Front Corner - Drywall Removal
    Pic of front corner, most of the drywall removed, metal furring strips yet to be removed.
    • Room Reno - Front Corner - Progress
    Pic of the drywall removed, metal furring strips removed, and insullation removed. Some original studs are removed and laying on the floor.
    • Room Reno - Studs
    stack of studs ready to be installed...
    • Room Reno - Front Wall - New Stud Installation
    Pic of the new studs being installed
    • Room Reno - Front Wall - New Stud CloseUp
    pic close up... studs were glued with Liquid Nails, and screwed together with 3" drywall screws. Spacing was roughly on 9" centers.
    • Room Reno - Front Wall - New Studs Complete
    Pic of the front wall... studs are complete, and insulation installed.
    • Room Reno - Front Wall - Plywood Begins
    Pic of the front wall... 3/4" tongue & groove plywood being installed. Liquid Nails and 3" drywall screws.
    • Room Reno - Front Corner - Plywood Continues
    Pic of the front corner, plywood installation continues
    • Room Reno - Front Wall - Plywood Complete
    Pic of all the plywood up. All Liquid Nailed and screwed with 3" drywall screws. The white lines in seams and around outlets is acoustical sealant caulk.
    • Room Reno - Front Wall - First Layer Drywall
    Pic of the first layer of drywall going up.
    • Room Reno - Front Wall - First Layer Drywall Up
    Pic of the first layer of drywall up. Audio Alloy's "Green Glue" was used between drywall and plywood. First layer was mudded prior to second layer going up. Yes, one piece of drywall is backwards, as the Green Glue was applied before it was realized...
    • Room Reno - Front Wall - Layer Two Drywall Up
    Pic of the front wall, second layer of drywall up and initial mudding
    • Room Reno - Front Corner - Second Layer Drywall
    Pic of the second layer of drywall up and initial mudding
    • Room Reno - Front Wall - Semi Final Mudding
    Pic of the front wall - semi final mudding
    • Room Reno - Front Corner - Semi Final Mudding
    Pic of the front corner - semi final mudding
    • Room Reno - Front Wall - Primer Application
    Pic of the coat of primer being apllied - before final mudding and sanding then final paint
    • Room Reno - Front Corner - Final Paint
    Pic of the front corner, final coat of paint
    • Room Reno - Front Wall - Finished
    Pic of front wall - finished and ready for system to be put back together.
    • Room Reno - Front Corner - Finished
    Pic of the front corner, finished and ready to have system moved back into the room and set up.

Comments 316

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Moscode 401HR

It'll likely grip the Salk's bass like an outstanding SS amp does, yet because of the tube input and driver stages, the Moscode has the sweetness and holographic presentation of a tube amp. In fact, I think of it as a tube amp rather than a hybrid because it's sound is like clean and transparent without glare, edge or sterility. It is very sensitive to tube rolling and swapping a couple of mini tubes (6DJ8, 12AU7, 6H30, 5814A, among others...) can make an obvious change in presentation.

I love mine in combination with the Lamm LL2 Deluxe, and the bass from my VR4 Gen IIII HSE has never sounded so deep, tight and controlled.

Anyway, it's available on a 33 1/3 day home trial. You know the rest...

tvad

You and Zybar must be in constant communication. You should both seriously consider auditioning the Moscode 401HR...either in stereo or 400wpc monoblock configuration.

tvad

One's head spins thinking about the changes in store for the next six months. :)

Purdy lookin' speakers. Congratulations.

tvad

I understand completely what Kirk has forthcoming. I'm simply stating what I know from my own experience and how it may address the issues Kirk has with the Dominus Fluid cord. Whatever Kirk finds with the Contego, there is no guarantee the problems he has with the Fluid Dominus will be ameliorated by the Contego Anniversary...then again they might. I know without a doubt the Ferrox addresses the issues Kirk has with the Fluid cord, and without any downside.

I didn't just fall off the zucchini truck.

tvad

Thanks, Kirk. I have never heard the Purist Anniversary PC, so I have no basis for comparison. I do think you'd find the Ferrox to be "just right" without any fault in the midrange. As I said, many folks combine the two. I do, too. I'll be interested to hear what you think about the Anniversary PC as I think you're description of the Fluid cord, though exaggerated, was in accordance with what I have heard in four different - and disparate - systems.

tvad

The Dominus also however, sounds quite closed in on the treble and cymbal extension. This is a broad generalization that has been magnified for comparison purposes - and varies upon which equipment has which cord... but this pretty much holds true. The Dominus AC cords I have are the latest Rev. C with fluid.
Kirk, what you describe is in line with the Dominus Fluid sound. The Dominus Ferrox has the open extension you say the Fluid is missing. The Fluid and Ferrox are different sounding cords. Before you make your final determination, you owe it to yourself to audition a Dominus Ferrox. I think you may be pleasantly surprised.

Most of the Dominus power cord owners I know use a combination of Fluid and Ferrox...Fluid is generally reserved for Digital sources.

Have fun.

Sorry to hijack your thread.

tvad

...ahhh...I remember now. The PrimaLuna amps (aren't they?).

So, how are they, Kirk?

tvad

Tube amps? Did I miss an iteration? I thought the H2O amps were doing amplification duty...

tvad

Kirk, your description of the Amperex 6922 PQ and Siemens 7308 mirrors my observations. FWIW, I find Amperex 7308 tubes to be closer to Siemens in their neutrality, yet they retain the Amperex midrange magic. They're perhaps worth a listen if it's difficult to decide whether to stay with Amperex 6922 PQ or go with Siemens.

tvad

Kirk, as you know I owned an Empirical Audio modified EMC 1-UP for
over a year. I can tell you with total conviction that an APL Denon 3910
would take your system to a completely new level. Superior extension
and dynamics. Wider and taller soundstage. It would blow your mind.

Also, I'm also using the First Sound, and I have found that Amperex PQ
6922 white labels made in the USA offer the ever-so-slight midrange
bloom you mention without sacrificing any of the clarity, dynamics, or
extension of the Siemens 7308. To me, the Amperex are musical while
the Siemens are analytical.

In my most humble opinion.

tvad

I've done a web search for the H20 amps with no luck. How does one get more info/research about these amplifiers?

tvad

Nice set up! Now that you've had the EMC Spider for a little while, what are your impressions? Did you have an opportunity to listen to the 1-UP without the Spider?

tvad

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