The system is at a point where I don't mess with it much as I can listen for hours without fatigue. It is geared towards Rock & Roll as that is mainly what I listen to. The Digital Front End sounds amazing with actual CD's or Streaming through the Lens. The recent addition of the Rega RP-1 has been a cheap way to enjoy a lot of 180Gram Vinyl.
The new EMC 1 UP, launched in 2001, improves on this already excellent design by introducing 24-bit/192kHz upsampling technology. Vital to the EMC 1 UPs performance is a unique cancellation system which effectively cancels acoustic / mechanical vibrations, enabling exceptionally accurate and robust laser pick-up from the spinning disc.
Electrocompaniet EMC-1 Spider Clamp
Nice upgrade for the EMC-1 UP.
Electrocompaniet ECD-1
Introduced in 2002, the ECD 1 is based on the digital-to-analog section of the EMC 1 UP and features the same 24Bit/192KHz upsampling DAC.
Rega RP-1
Entry Level Turntable which sounds fantastic through the Unico SE MM Phono Stage.
Apple MacBook Pro
Connects to the Squeezebox and a 1.0 TB External Hard Drive which houses my Music Library.
AudioEngine B1 Bluetooth Streamer
Bluetooth Receiver-Digital Out
Genesis Digital Lens
Using with AudioEngine B-1 and AudioQuest Vodka Toslink and HT Digital Platinum SPDIF to the ECD-1 DAC with Great Success.
Unison Research SE Integrated Amplifier
Hybrid Integrated Amplifier born from the UNICO amplifier. With it we want achieve the goal of improve the nominal out-put power arriving to 130 W on 8 ohm, and improve the extension in frequency. For achieve that we have double out-put (now we have 4 MOS-FET per channel), we have increase the capability of the filter and more power on driver stages. This can permitted double the capability of current out-put, of the amplifier, so it can easily work at lower loud impedance value. In the same time we improve the realibility, thanks to more distribution of power consumption. Another improvement is the placement of the power capacitors and MOS-FET they are at minimum distance. The drivers stages were modified, we using in it a transistors circuits instead of single transistors, this improve the frequency response, the speed and linear of driver. We use the same driver used for the UNICO 200, where the problem of pilot the power MOS-FET are more. The in-put stage is the same of the UNICO, used the double triode and a stage of communication voltage-current with bipolar transistor.
Mullard CV4003 Vintage NOS Tubes
Installed on the Unico Se and really take the amp to the next level.
Magnepan MG-1C
Picked a pair of these up new old stock on Ebay for dirt cheap. Remarkably musical in my somewhat small listening room. Have moved the Grand Pianos to my 4K Video setup. Really enjoying them.
Sonus Faber Grand Piano
Type: 30 litre two-way with ABR front vented design, magnetically shielded Tweeter: 26mm silk dome ferrofluid cooled Mid and Bass Driver: 180mm fibre glass multi-coated cone Frequency Response: 35Hz - 20kHz Sensitivity: 90dB/2.83V at 1 meter Nominal Impedance: 6 ohms Crossover Frequencies: 200Hz, 3kHz Maximal Power Handling: 250 watts Dimensions: 1080mm x 235mm x 290mm (HxWxD) Weight: 25kg each Cabinet Finishes: Baffle, top and rear, sides solid walnut or black piano lacquer. Accessories: Tripod spiked platforms (supplied). Price: $3,500/pr.
XLO Signature 2 Series
Signature2 is the successor line to the Signature Series, which, for almost a full decade (from 1992 to 2001), upheld XLO's reputation as
XLO Signature 2 Series
Signature2 is the successor line to the Signature Series, which, for almost a full decade (from 1992 to 2001), upheld XLO's reputation as
Shunyata Research Black Mamba
Used on the EMC-1UP
Shunyata Research Black Mamba
Used on the ECD-1 DAC
Shunyata Research Black Mamba
Power Cord on Unico SE Integrated
Harmonic Technology Digital Platinum
Harmonic Technology's Digital Platinum digital cable offers the widest bandwidth and frequency range for the most accurate and smoothest transition from any digital source. It is considered a
AudioQuest Vodka
Tousling used to connect AudioEngine B1 to Genesis Digital Lens.
I noticed you previously owned ADS Sat 6 speakers. Are you able to provide any info on these (power handling, impedance load...)? I cannot find specs anywhere on the handful of links that actually come up.
The one quick question you may be able to answer has to do with the dual binding-posts. The label above one pair says "input low pass" and the other "input high pass". Seeing as they currently have no jumpers (purchased just tonight this way) would it be safe to put jumpers in to run them off a small NAD receiver? I'm really curious how these stack up to the NHT SB3s I'm currently using in this second system.
Any info would be much appreciated. Very nice setup you have by the way!
Hi Pat! Sorry for the delayed response, I just saw your post. Yea, I have not had much time to listen over the past 6 months as I have been traveling quite a bit for work. Listening has been via my iPhone through my Jawbone Jambox or Headphones on the road.(I know, pathetic isn't it?)
Lately I been listening to the Drive By Truckers, Social Distortion, Foo Fighters, Jason Isbell, Mumford & Sons etc, and been revisiting a lot of 70's, 80's, and 90's material that I have just lost track of.
Thanks for the post and sharing your experience. Hmm. I have not really experienced that scenario in my setup. I have also owned the Concertino and Concerto Homes (which have the same tweeter) with no issues and I listen at a decent level as I mainly listen to Rock N Roll.
My Speakers are Toed-In Slightly but I have a feeling this works for me as my listening room is an odd shape. I had them positioned straight on and they did sound great. However, a buddy of mine and I played around one Saturday with the placement and things just clicked by toeing them in slightly. The image is focused and the soundstage is large in this position. They also like the spikes to be slightly on the loose side.
As you will notice in the pictures; each speaker resides on a large slab of Travertine which really works well for the sound. Anyway, thanks for visiting and good luck with your system!
Very nice system and nice room! Obviously you found some good synergy.
I am a happy owner of SF GP Home for the last 5 years. I tried them with many different electronics starting with NAD 317 through Meridian 101/105s, Meridian G02/G57, Joule-Electra LA-150 Mk II/Bryston 4B and finally found my ultimate bliss with a Joule-Electra LA-100 Mk III Pre-amp with JAS Audio Array 2.1 A2 SET (Single Ended 300B driving 805 tubes) with Oracle Delphi Mk II/Alphason Xenon MCS/Dynavector 17D3 analogue front end.
The SET sound (with good analogue) is something to be experienced to understand what immediacy, intimacy, transparency and 3D is all about. Two things I am not so sure about re SF and wanted to hear your views are: 1. I have listened to other SF speakers (older GP, Cremona and Cremona M, Guarneri Memento, Elipsa) and did not think there is a house sound. The SF have all different drivers, different cabinets, even different materials and they all sounded different to me (I brought my gear and schlepped my GPH to the audition so I can do a decent comparison). If anything I felt that the GP Home, while not being the smoothest, were the most lively, transparent and agile of the lot. Although a ported design, their bass is one of the best I have heard, they are crossed over very low which leaves the mid-range intact not like many boom boxes out-there. 2. In general and after listening to many speakers (both box speakers and planars/ESL's like Magnepan 1.6 and 3.6, Acoustat 2+2 and 3, various Martin-Logan) in prices ranging from $5K to $160K (Wilson Alexandria) I do not regret my initial purchase but one thing did bother me about them: In all my set-ups, on specific recordings, their tweeter tended to be splashy: If pushed hard (Try Eva Cassidy "If I had Golden thread" when she goes up the octaves- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0kEQSrqu8c), they can sound slightly harsh at high (not crazy) volume levels. In my room they are quite toed-in: tweeters firing at me and are slightly above my ears level.
So I wondered if you ever encountered this issue with the GPH and if you have, how did you alleviate it?
I see yours are only slightly toed-in (but don't you lose focus slightly?)
Rob, I liked the Taipan and the richness it added to my system. However, after living with it for a while and listening to a large variety of music. It was almost too much of a good thing. Certain recordings lost their "Magic" and "Air" that the XLO delivers so well.
Also, the bass was just slightly bloated on certain recordings. The XLO has a more transparent and accurate reproduction on my system. I am still going to continue to audition power cords but for right now, the XLO stays. All of these observations were on my EMC-1 UP CD Player with the Spider Clamp. I did not test it on my ECD-1 DAC.
Although they are essentially the same DAC Card. Hope this helps!
Why did you swap back to the XLO from the Taipan? I have an ECD-1 also and was interested in the Taipan Helix (non-VX) as Shunyata recommends those for DACs, VX only for transports and CD players. Was the XLO better? -Rob
Added a Shunyata Taipan Helix VX to the EMC-1UP CD Player which replaced the XLO Reference Power Cord as an upgrade. I have given it a few days of play time and the Shunyata Cord has made a nice difference in the sound and texture of my system. More thoughts and impressions to come..
(This cord has me thinking about how much better a Python or Anaconda VX might sound. Maybe move the Taipan VX to my DAC for my Squeezebox)
Okay, so yesterday I upgraded my Single Outlet to a Duplex Outlet by installing two of Albert's Porter Port Outlets. I had always had my amp plugged into the wall prior but was using a WireWorld Power Strip with an XLO Reference Power Cord to feed my sources. ( I know, not the best connection)
What I first noticed on just plugging my cords in was the grip that these outlets have. The plugs are engaged firmly and definitely not going anywhere. My old outlet was no where near this grippy. Well, I powered up my system and let it play for about 3 hours to warm up and came back to take a listen.
There was definitely a difference but I had a hard time at first putting my finger on it. Then I realized that things seemed blacker and the noise floor was absolutely more quiet than before. Also, the treble was still detailed but a little bit sweeter than before. Not rolled off but sweeter. The bass also seemed a little tighter and tuneful with great extension.
Anyway, knowing my system well and it how it sounds; adding these into the mix is an absolutely upgrade and a fairly inexpensive one at that. From what I have read, the outlets need some burn time and will change slightly in character over the course of week or two so I will continue to listen. However, even if they don't change, I am very satisfied with the results so far.
Thank you Milpai! The Sonus match very well with the SE integrated and love the power it produces. The combination is definitely warm but with a perfect amount of detail and precision. You can listen for hours on end without fatigue.
And yes, the EMC-1UP is probably my favorite component. It is definitely the most musical CD player I have had the pleasure of owning and enjoying.
Chris, You got a very nice setup here. How do the Sonus sound with the Unico amp? I mean - is the combination warm? That Electrocompaniet EMC-1 player must be the star of your system :-) A very thoughtful combination you have here. I am sure you must have spent a lot of time researching the equipment you have here. Looks like you have a lot of experience, when it come to hi-end audio. Enjoy your music.
In the process of installing a Quad Outlet with 2 20AMP Porter Port-Hubbell Outlets which will eliminate the Wireworld Power Strip with an XLO Cord Feeding it which my sources have been plugged into. Will also be putting a higher end Shunyata VX power cable on the CD Player and probably Shunyata Alpha on the Unico. Will update everyone on the results...
Yes, I really was a fan of the Au24 for a long time and still think it is a great performer. What made me switch to XLO was I had fantastic results in a past system using the XLO Type 5 (Green & Purple) Speaker Wire with their Original Reference Interconnects. After thinking about it, it was probably one of the better sounding systems I had ever assembled.
So that got me thinking and I took a leap of faith and ordered up the Signature 2 Speaker Wires and Interconnects to A-B with the Audience. After break in and some serious time with the XLO, it really just out shines the Au24 combo in my system.
I think what I noticed immediately was a much more vivid placement of the instruments, a much deeper soundstage, and tighter more defined bass with better extension. There is also an airiness to the treble which the Au24 just never had.
Anyway if you ever get a chance, definitely audition them.
