This is still my first system, had it for while now, as a student living at home. Still enjoying this system, only reasone to upgrade would be if a valve (tube) blows.
4 years ago, it was a project way over my head, but luck came as found a retired electronics tutor to teach me soldering.
So we had the Foreplay assembled, as goes IC's and the Straight 8.
The upgrades were built in straight away, all at once.
I suspect the Break-in period of the speakers is now finally over, transition was smooth even barely noticable just as all the way, the details was always there, only it just become more dynamic, its hard to describe i am no poet.
I'd describe this unit as very smooth yet highly musical. It never ceased to amaze me, with more jazz and classical music i play, i listen with even more attention and pleasure, getting more involved with the music.
(discontinued) RFT ECC802S, Auricaps, 4C, Sweet Whispers, top plate chromed to match the monoblocks
California Audio Labs Alpha
not a 24 bit running with NOS 1957 GE 5751 blackplates, nice richness with detail like vinyl
California Audio Labs Delta
very good transport
Antique Sound Labs AQ 1006 / 845
SET monoblocks, very good value, solid and reliable, astonishing with the right tube roll, it really needs a good cable for that clean power flow
Bottlehead Straight 8
Kitset from Bottlehead.com (discontinued) Efficiency aimed for low watt tube Amps crossover ugraded with auricaps and alpha-core chokes and mills/renkins
Jena Labs Trios
4 x 3 feets braided interconnects cryogenic treated copper Cryogenic treated Cardas RCA's Good IC's are vital for that system's synergy
Alpha-Core Cortez Python MI2
Bi-wires 2 x 2 metres
Chris Ven Haus Flavour 2 Cryo'ed
3 x , 1 for the Foreplay, 1 for each ASL monoblocks great cables i can see how these really ensure the flow from the wall to the system , this is no joke
Genalex KT66
Voltage regulator tube to upgrade from 6L6 (NOS) Grey Glass, brown base, very nice
CBS 5692
Driver tube to go in VB1 of the ASL1006/845 nice upgrade from stock 6SN7
System edited: DIY is an excellent way to acquire an audiophille grade system on a tight budget even trying to defeat the 'normative' or 'dogmatic' budget/performance ratio of which I achieved, just that alone is quite incredible. The cavent of this approach as many DIYers knows all too well, is that you have to learn independently and be prepared to research, learn soldering, learn ideas behind many setups, its intrinsic interaction of parts and how to aim for synergy. Im still a novice and forever will be, it really tested my paitence and being resillient to marketing hype were also challenging. Id stop i wont speak of the obvious anymore. Cheers. Enjoy the music !
really good, i think it does takes away the digital edges, yet it doesnt do anything to the details... nice nice nice bit pricy but i think if you're willing to pay for it, you won't be bumbed, like someone said, that's a fitting description.
