the electronics and most of the cables are pretty solid. finishing the rives design (I specified a mostly diy solution) and playing with isolation a little.
Lall, I love the ZZ8-in fact, in my system (and to my ear), it doesn't need the upgrade that is available.
As you can see, I have the tube pre and the sound of this amp (modified to this level) is also very very natural. I listen to a lot of acoustic music and am looking for both correct attack & decay (dynamics), imaging and the whole package (my room helps me image quite well).
I am not familiar enough with most of your gear to comment further, but I have no plans to upgrade.
I love my SPM speaker cables--but only for the "full range" half of my gallo ref 3's. Am much happier with other cables running the "second voice coil"
Now, when it comes to I/C's, maybe I'm just seeing too much of a good thing. I thought I'd get more speed and keep increasing mid range resolution at no loss elsewhere, but for me, it was not the case. Tried the SPM I/C's between CDP & Pre, Pre & Amp, and even from Tonearm to Pre and I like the Speltz better.
System edited: Finalized my decision--I'm selling the SPM I/C's in favor of the Paul Speltz Anti I/C's. Also (finally) received the RPG Diffractal-a sound diffuser that sits behind the listening position. I like what it does, but will need some time to be able to describe it well. RPG service sucks--not only did they take over 4 months for the unit (after promising me 8-10 weeks), they wouldn't give me a straight answer and started avoiding my phone calls. I haven't heard about them ripping anybody off, but be ready for hassles...
System edited: I am blown away by the Speltz Anti-IC. I bought two sets on a lark. Put'em: CDP--Pre Pre (full range)--amp I am blown away. Will probably sell my SPM Interconnects soon if anyone wants em.
System edited: finally happy with my sub cable (using a custom wegrzyn copper slam 4 awg cable). had a gingko cloud under the bow for a little while--completely lifeless (sorry vinh). back to aurios over granite over brass on the wood rack... still waiting for the rpg and will order a nitty gritty mini pro next week...
System edited: added TT platform... 3" thick maple waiting to receive: RPG Diffractal Wegrzyn 8 AWG Copper Slam Speaker Cable (for Sub) Might get: Keith Monks Record Cleaning Machine (we'll see how the ebay auction finishes) if not, thinking about a Nitty Gritty Mini-Pro Remaining in Rives design: cellular shades on all windows ceiling treatment
System edited: New pictures: ZZ-8 Stax/Dared 300B Benz It keeps changing, but the improvements still continue. Will it never end? (I hope not, too much fun)
Thanks for the note. If you compare your systems to mine, one of the (speaker) lessons is that the Gallo's can be "dressed up" pretty good--they will respond to a strong signal path & last you through many other upgrades.
Thanks for your note. I am an opportunist, so when the moment comes that I can no longer suppress the buying urge, it will probably depend on what I can find. (there is also one more thing in the Rives design that I need to buy & one more big project to make--maybe I can sublimate some of my energy there...).
System edited: got rid of the shelter 501. the combination of: 1. the cartridge man isolator & benz cartridge 2. changing the base that the aries was sitting on from granite to wood (based on some a-goners advice), and 3. the nitrile belt has brough the magic back into my vinyl...(now, save up for a vpi 17 washer to replace the old nitty gritty and i'll be done for now). Thanks for looking--feel free to comment/criticize (not much love for the Isorocks out there these days...but I still swear by em).
1. Stands: there is a brief review of them in the recent TAS and I agree with the positives in that review. These are very helpful if you like to play your music loud, and I find that they add some refinement at low levels. Also, I really appreciated that they raised the sweet spot (some percieved tonal difference).
2. The SA: also really like it--both firms up the bottom end and makes the mids and upper frequencies sound more effortless (still trying to make sense of this because it is completely independent of the the mains, so it may be an effect of continuing break in of my amplifier which was recently upgraded to SMC Platinum level). I'm running the SA through Nordost SPM's (my set of SPM's was biamp/biwire) and hear the expected speed. I have some other cables I was considering for the bass, but probably won't bother...
It does not come "set up" out of the box, you'll need to diddle some switches (a red light means power to the unit, but not turned on by the way). The binding posts are cheesy plastic ones.
System edited: Updated a number of things (mostly the SA & some tweaks). Need to update the photos. Continuing to implement the Rives design and that, combined with the system changes has me feeling pretty good. I welcome any suggestions/opinions, so everybody feel free to jump in.
System edited: With the gallo sa promised to me next week, here's what I've done: Mains: full range: McCormack bass: SA Earphones: tape out > Dared 300B >Stax
I am blown away by the effect of putting my CDP & pre-amp on final daruma ball bearings...
Also playing around with the 300b SET amp on the gallos. surprising sound from a 7 watt amplifier. Should be fun to combine this with the sa (when it finally arrives)
Streetdaddy: I made the resonators--sealed half cylinder (diameter = distance between studs) lined with rigid glass insulation
Tbooooooe: I also made the rack--it's based on the flexi-diy design. The shelves are 2X1's glued up (kind of like butcher block), the uprights are threaded rods (you can find points like I have if you pick the right diameter). Then shelves are held on with nut/steel washer/rubber washer/shelf/rubber washer/steel washer/nut assemblies.
System edited: New CDP Amp is undergoing next set of mods Room keeps plugging along (just changed to a wool rug--didn't think it would sound different but it does).
Just found out that I'm getting the door to my listening room installed for a fathers day present... not a waf issue--she just didn't know what to get me...
It's a component of the rives design I haven't gotten to you...
Thanks for your comments--it's been a long path, but it's the journey that's been fun.
In terms of Rives: 1. Great experience--they are a pleasure to work with 2. I've chosen to go the "DIY" route for as much as possible... 3. Having said that, I find: Much much better bass (counterintuitively, adding the bass abosrbing treatments adding perceived power & control)
Better imaging (was already pretty good, but as I continue to build out the plan I keep getting better)
I'm not convinced they had the best speaker placement recomendation, but everytime I add something to the room, I go back & check again...
4. Design is "clean" and was developed with my input--desires, plans, aesthetics, etc.
For me, the Rives design included what seemed like a lot; everything from room layout, tuned resonators, absorbers, diffuser, ceiling treatment, floor treatment, window treatments, add a door & its treatment, etc. so it is very much a work in progress....
am a decent way through the rives specced room... changed the geometry & have built or bought and installed: a bunch of absorbers a pair of mondo traps (realtraps) carpeting passive resonators (tuned)
Huge differences in sound and I can't wait to get through the rest of the build.
The room really is a key components... pictures to follow
System edited: crude pictures for a crude room will post more polished ones when there's polish to show... am about to close a deal for 1.25" butcher block shelves for my rack...
I was confident that the Supratek pre would stand up to more critical speakers... had some small question about the Maccormack, so I'll relish away... (I always relish "new toy time".
Will also keep anyone interested posted in the progress of the rives design--they are working on my final design, but I completed the gross layout to their specs... so far so good.
I got the Gallos because my room is too small for the SC-3's: sound was not integrating from the drivers. I am amazed at how good the Gallos are--I think they sound better than the Dunlaveys...
For the Syrrah, I have had it almost 18 months, and at that time, had to wait about 6 months for the unit (would have been less, but Mick ran out of wood and had to go cut down more trees).
The Shelter has been a pleasure. The JMW arms are very easy to set up, but the Shelter seemed to fall right into it's own sweet spot. It's very neutral and very fast (now). To get the speed on the transients that I like, I have gone to great lengths to isolate the table--an MDF sandbox, 25 lbs sand, a granite slab on the sand and then 4 3X4" stainless steel blocks between the granite & the plinth of the table.
