I haven't been paying much attention to this page but I wanted to say thanks for the kind comments. Indeed our daughter is the best addition to our "system". Just hope she loves music as much as I do. She's already fascinated with the guitar though she'll probably break the strings as she tugs at them. She also likes to watch my fingers move on the piano but she's not banging at the keys yet.
So much fun!

stuartbranson September 21, 2006 22:21

Thanks. I am in Vancouver too. I think I might have met you in a Stereo Shop in Richmond. They had the ASR and there was a discussion about Kubala Sosna vs. Valhalla.
If it isn't you, there is someone in town with a remarkably similar system (Levinson/Wilson). Very nice I must say.
Thanks again for the well wishes and compliment. I have struggled to put this system together with the intent of doing as best as I could imagine within my budget and my wife's kind and generous heart. I think I have plateau'ed and until I can get a real room set up I think an added expense (beyond a return to vinyl) would not be worth the investment. But then again, I may have had this sentiment many times before. Ha.

stuartbranson April 03, 2006 05:28

Thanks very much. We couldn't be happier.

stuartbranson March 27, 2006 04:36

System edited: Now for some beautiful evenings listening with our precious daugther Isabel.

stuartbranson March 24, 2006 20:47

Thanks for the kind comments. I hope Don's cables get some press because they are a bargain IMHO. I used Gregg's cables for along time and they beat everything I tried until the Chords. (and I tried and borrowed alot of cables) It's a significant (huge) difference in price but it's worth it. So many other cables that cost way more than Gregg's can't even come close. They're still around so I will probably revisit them in the future for another comparison. Also, if I ever were to start a second system, I'd be way ahead in the cable game using his cables.

stuartbranson March 17, 2006 17:15

System edited: Just wanted to mention that in the midst of a problem with some ground hum in the EMC-1 I was looking at the RCA jacks and saw how crappy and cheap they were (as well as causing the hum) so I replaced them with the WBT NextGen Cu jacks and it was like a cable upgrade! It's so simple for me to believe that cables can significantly change the sound but for some reason I couldn't imagine the jacks having similar effects. I believe now. I am thinking of changin the jacks on my VAC now.

stuartbranson March 17, 2006 17:09

System edited: My Chord Signature speaker cables came in today. So much "air" and emotion in the music. It feels good to be at the end of the cable road.

stuartbranson March 16, 2006 06:18

Thanks Synjohn, kind words made all the more generous considering the beautiful aesthetics of your room. The rack was a fun project and it's fun to watch the cherry take on it's dark rich colour as it ages. I need a new project now, maybe a matching cd rack.

stuartbranson February 19, 2006 11:34

System edited: I won a DCCA power cord on auction with the thought of seeing if the raves were justified. I ended up replacing my Elrods and Shunyata Taipan. These are the best power cords in this price range I have tried and I have gone through alot of them. Don is a great guy to deal with and I really hope more people discover his cables.

stuartbranson February 11, 2006 08:39

Thanks for the kind words! I really do love my system and set-up now.
When I first got the ProAc's I thought I'd made a huge mistake. They did not sound good with the 30w Audiomat at all. So my friend lent me his VAC and the pairing is beautiful. Clean dynamic bass, silky midrange and great highs. I quickly figured that it was the amp for me even as it was out of my price range. So I pared down so I could afford it. I miss the vinyl but it's worth giving it up for the VAC. I guess 30w just wasn't enough.
The Electrocompaniet is a significant improvement over the Copland. As much as I liked the Copland, the EMC-1 is just better in all respects.
I consider this new system to be much more resolving, engaging and musical than any system I've had. I really enjoy it. The upgrade I want to try next is the matching Chord Signature speaker cables.

stuartbranson February 06, 2006 03:08