My Timeless Passion

by jolen1aub on Ever Evolving

Description

08-08-2019- update- acquired to my collection- Silverline Minuet speakers; Acoustic Solid MPX turntable with Lyra Clavis DC cart.;  built a Bottlehead Stereomour integ. tube amplifier; Tekton Design Lore speakers.  All these addition to expand my listening experience.
I can now easily swap different configurations on my system.

4-15-2003- upgraded my amp from a Luxman M117 to the Mcintosh MC402. The Ascents sang like never before. It was very musical. Brought more body and presence to the music especially to vocals. The addition of the MCD 205 just made the system magical.

10-23-06- Bypassed Line conditioner and plugged all my electronics to 1 dedicated 20amp power circuit... Talk about dynamics

like performers are in front of me....:^)

2-1/08- Update- upgraded my power outlets and power cords- System improved quite a bit...like listening to a different system.

Sounded more full, bass control is just amazing...

2/18/08- just completed re-arranging my system with customized table and 2 Salamander S20. Installed metal brass spikes on main legs of table and another set of brass feet (pointed-up) between wood frame and table-top.

Next upgrade are DIY ICs from VH audio...will try Pulsars with Silver bullet

version. (all upgrades so far have made noticeable improvements expecially with power cords and outlets.

4-09-09- update - finally took the plunge upgrading my ICs with varying DIY cables from CVH, Homegrowm audio, Blue jeans cable and of course Jon Risch's formulas. Spent a total of $325.00 and was able to build 6 pairs of ICs. Each pairs were 3 ft. in length. Very happy moving to balanced IC between my Preamp and Amp with Neotech NEi 3002.

All I can say is... my system has improved in every way...Dynamics, PRAT, Detail, Blacker background noise... gives the experience of "you're there" factor... its like a whole new system all together. Wow..should have done this years ago..
Read more...

Room Details

Dimensions: 16’ × 15’  Medium
Ceiling: 9’

Components Toggle details

    • Systemdek IIX
    3 point suspension-Belt driven, AN Acrylic platter, Jelco SA370H tonearm, Cardas IC.
    • Linn Sondek LP12/ HerculesII/ Ittok LVII
    Belt Driven with Mose/ HerculesII external P.S.; (Black)Linn Ittok LVII arm. Pickering XSV3000
    • Dual 604
    Semi-automatic Direct drive turntable. Purchased in the late 70s.
    • Benz Micro Wood MC L2
    Output voltage: 0.3mv @ 3.54 cm/s Weight: 9 grams recommended tonearm mass: Medium to high VTA: 20 degrees Internal impedance: 12 ohms Recommended loading: 100- 47K ohms Recommended tracking force: 1.8- 2.2 grams Optimum tracking force: 1.8- 2.0 grams Freq. response: 20-20Khz
    • Pickering XSV 3000
    Output - 4.7 mv. Freq. Response - 10hz - 50hz separation - 35db Mass - 5.8gm Tracking force - 0.75 to 1.5 gram Output Impedance - 600ohms Replacement Stylus - d3000 Stylus Tip - Stereohedron
    • Grado Prestige Gold
    Moving magnet, 5mv output, Tracking force 1-2 gm
    • K & K Audio SET Phono -Maxxed-out version
    Phono-kit (maxxed-out; w/ upgrades (MC-LL1931 and Tantalum resistors), Black, Solid state rectifier. With custom cocoboli wood knobs from DKnob.com
    • AES by Cary Audio PH-1
    Phono tube amplifier w/ Jensen oil caps, Hexfred rectifier diodes, VT229 RCA & Mullard CV4003
    • McIntosh MCD 205
    Dual 24 bit/96 Khz DAC, 5 discs music bank transport from Nakamichi, Outputs-Balance and unbalance,toslink, Coax,
    • Sonic Frontiers Line 2 SE
    W/6N23P-EV tubes
    • Musical Fidelity A324
    DAC architecture: 24 bit Delta-Sigma (Bitstream) 8x oversampling, 96/192kHz switchable Sampling frequencies: 8 - 108kHz Inputs: RCA 75Ohms TOSLINK optical Outputs: RCA left and right analogue audio RCA digital loop out Frequency response: 10Hz - 22kHz ± 0.0dB THD: <0.005% 10Hz - 22kHz Linearity <0.1dB to -100dB Power requirements: 100/115/230V AC 50/60Hz (Factory preset) Power consumption: 10 Watts Weight: 10kg (unboxed)
    • Mcintosh MC402
    400watts/CH at 8,4, & 2ohms.
    • Martin Logan Ascent
    Electrostatic speakers
    • Martin Logan Depth
    The Depth uses a switching amplifier rated at a true 300 watt RMS (500 watt peak). The MartinLogan team designed the Depth with a robust input/output architecture for use in both stereo and multi-channel systems. LFE input effectively uses no low-pass filter, instead leaving crossover control to the processor. Left/Right line and speaker level inputs integrate an audiophile grade low-pass filter with six settings ranging from 30–80Hz. Left/Right line level outputs integrate an optional 40 or 70Hz high-pass filter. RCA output allows for easy connection of multiple Depth's.
    • VH-Audio Flavor 4
    Built 2-3footers for my Power amp and Tube preamp
    • VH-Audio Flavor-1
    Built 2-3 footers for my CD changer and DAC.
    • DIY Interconnects Belden 89259/BLC -LC1/Neotech 3002
    Multiple DIY ICs from CVH, Blue Jeans , Homegrown Audio and Jon Risch formulas. 2 prs. 3ft-RCA/89259, 2 prs. 3ft.XLR (neutriks gld)/Neotech NEI 3002. 2 prs. 3ft. RCA/BJC-LC1
    • ChangLightSpeed CLS 6600 ISO
    8 AC outlet power distribution/conditioner w/ upgraded AC plug (Furutech F-11 copper) and with 2-R1 Oyaide ac receptacles.
    • Oyaide R1
    AC wall receptacle. Cryoed & cooked. Palladium > platinum > beryllium copper 20A - will also accept 15A blades (2-installed on Changlightspeed & 1-on main wall outlet)
    • Tekton Design Lore
    Floor standing, 2-way speaker, 98dB sensitivity; 3-200watts,
    • Bottlehead Stereomour
    SET stereo integrated amplifier, 2A3
    • Silverline Audio Minuet bookshelf speakers
    2 way design, 1" soft dome tweeter, 3.25" mid woofer, 8 ohms, 12-300watts, 88.5dB sensitivity,

Comments 13

Sign in to comment
Very nice system! Can you provide some details on the stand and platform on top? Types of materials? Commercial or DIY?

salectric

nicely displated

vernneal

Two great tables!!!!

Enjoy!!!

linnie01

Amazing system!! Very clean and well thought out. I just purchased a pair of Martin Logan Aeris i's and am wondering about placement. Any tips? I always used the Cardas Method, but that puts the speakers about 5.5 feet out into my room, I noticed yours are much closer to rear wall. Is that by choice? Thanks!

jimbojrjb

Owner
Update: Installed my very 1st MC cartridge from Benz Micro a wood L2. Let me just say it was an ear opening experience. Music is more dynamic, detailed, airy, more realism, presence and awesome SOUNDSTAGE! Well spent investment period IMHO.
No more looking back. I can throw just about any record on my turntables MM or MC and they just kept singing good music.

jolen1aub

Owner
Update: Replaced the noisy motor/pulley with an a brand new LP12 motor/50 hz pulley from Spinning Dog records. Using the Linn Valhalla PS encased on a Mose enclosure to run the systemdek with excellent results. It just trounced my LP12. The systemdek is more dynamic and has more sparkle. This could be due to its acrylic platter and Cardas cable.

jolen1aub

Owner
System edited: Added a systemdek IIX turntable to enjoy more vinyl and simplify cartridge swapping. This was project table- installed the Audio Note Acrylic platter and Jelco SA370H tonearm. Table combo quite impressive and easy to set-up.

jolen1aub

Owner
System edited: Added the K & K phono stage and Systemdek IIX turntable

jolen1aub

You seem very much a DIYer. Your system looks well integrated especially the stand. Many here spend $$$$$$ on electronics but neglect the stand. Your Mac amp is nice

vernneal

Owner
System edited: Build the K&K phono preamp (maxxed-out version)with the MC-LL9131 and tantalum resistor option. Completed approx. a week ago and have been listening 2-3 hrs everyday. Initial impressions after build- DEAD quiet, PHENOMENAL bass, everything SOUNDED BIG and musical. Will install a DENON DL-103R MC cart. in the near future.

jolen1aub

Owner
Just replaced 2 (2 year old) porter ports with cryoed/cooked R1 (Vh audio). The porter ports were dam good BUT the R1 is just much better IMHO. My system sounds more transparent and musical to my ears. It's more balance across the audio spectrum. Bass is more pronounce than before. Highs were more crisp & quick.

jolen1aub

Owner
Completed upgrading my IC with DIY stuff.
All I can say is...I should have done this years ago.
Thanks to Audio Asylum and the Audiogon community for all the info. I have learned. I managed to achieve the "WOW!" factor with my system once again. It was one of the best and smartest investment I have made on my system of 5 years.

jolen1aub

Owner
System edited: Completed upgrading my PCs and am very happy and satisfied with the results. I'm about to embark on DIY ICs from VH audio (Pulsar w/ Silver bullet plugs). Any other suggestions from inmates are most welcome.

jolen1aub

Showing all 13 posts
  • 22.4K
  • 13
  •  0
Similiar items on Audiogon
Latest forum discussions
© 2024 Audiogon.com