My objective is to duplicate the sound of a good jazz venue as best I can. I'll never match it but getting close is fine. I've had various audio components through the years and tubes particularly DHT tubes/ASSET have gotten me the closest. So this is where I will settle down and appreciate.
Balanced AC power is fantastic !! 1800va balanced isolation transformer/conditioner. All aspects of music reproduction are improved for every single component.
Tripoint Tripoint Troy.
A wonderful grounding box component. When added to my system it increased the sense of natural sound quality and emotional engagement. The Troy has a humanistic and “soulful “ quality to it.
Coincident Speaker Tech Total eclipse 2
This wonderful speaker is transparent,open and involving. It`s large yet completely disappears as the source of sound within the room. Very easy to drive,94db and 14 0hm impedance (Minimum 10 ohm). I replaced the stock Solens capacitor with the Duelund CAST in the crossover.
Coincident Statement linestage
Superb performance. In my opinion , a masterpiece by Israel Blume. As would be expected, a wonderful match with its sibling the Frankenstein MK II.
Coincident Speaker Tech Frankenstein mark 2
A terrific 300b SET amplifier that is the foundation of my system. The EML XLS 300b tubes are a superb match with this amplifier.
Acquiring these 300b SET mono blocks changed the course of my music listening experience. They elevated the emotional engagement, tactility and “breath of life “ realism.
Yamamoto YDA-01
Wonderful music lover's DAC that has a very natural/organic sound quality. Duelund CAST addition(output coupling capacitors) makes it sound even better. It has a very minimalist circuit/design that was implemented well.
Ocellia Silver Reference IC
Very natural and pure sounding with excellent tone and timbre preservation.
Ocellia Silver Reference Speaker Cable
Same qualities/ comments as the IC.
Star Sound Technologies Sistrum Apprentice component platforms..
These Star Sound platforms are mandatory in my system. Effectively managing resonance and vibration leads to a very noticeable sound improvement with every component and especially the speakers. Excellent product.
High Fidelity CT1 Ultimate Digital cable
A highly impressive digital cable that mates beautifully into my system. Contributes to the natural sound presentation.
Pro-Ject Audio Systems CD Box RS2T
This is a superb Redbook CD playback transport. It’s both high resolution and impressively natural.
. I’m using the excellent Fidelizer Nikola II LPS. Splendid pairing.
Lavricables Grand and Master series Power Cables.
Pure silver wire and unshielded power cables. These are used with all of my audio components. They are very open, transparent, high resolution with beautiful natural tone and timbre presentation.
Abbas Esoteric Audio 3.2SE
Built by renown Ukrainian Abbas Zulfugarov. NOS DAC utilizing the classic Phillips TDA 1541 multi bit chip. Two 6080 tubes in the analog stage. 5 various rectifier tubes in the power supplies.
3 separate toroidal transformers (And 2 chokes ) for the power supplies.A very serious and successful upper tier DAC implementation. Using with the Abbas SPDIF and power cable.
Beautiful room, system and artwork; you must be very happy! In the way of an unsolicited opinion, I had some audiophile friends over several months ago and we happened to try taking the framed artwork off the back wall of my room with great results in terms of center image precision and depth. I had non-glare "art glass" in my frames which was doing a bit of subtle harm to my system's sound. About 2 months ago, I had the glass removed and (no surprise at all), the image and sound stage depth returned to what is was with nothing hanging on the wall. You've got some beautiful artwork there which I really like; have you tried the same experiment and have you contemplated removing the glass from your frames?
Charles, the Zu Def4s really are open and sparkling thru the treble. Hard to believe there's more openess to be had, but at £650/$1000, this is at the low end of any upgrade price otherwise. And I guess if they don't work the Duelunds could be disengaged. I believe Sean at Zu is soon to offer cap choices as upgrades but at present the Mundorfs are the stock option. Really hoping this all works to enhance the amazing synergy I'm getting btwn the Zu spkrs and Zu 103 cart, which as the main transducers of the system really are 'flavouring' the system beautifully.
I agree with Charles. I was thrilled with the RP. . . until I tried the Takatsuki. Since then, the RP have sat in the closet; and I bought a back-up pair of Takatsuki. But it is twice the price of the RP.
Charles, the fuse takes a LONG time to burn IMO. 100-300 hrs. I noted changes at the 300 hr mark. Self-deception? Who knows at this point. A very impressive little tweak....
Hi Spirit, Many people experienced with various capacitors say the Duelund VSF(and theVSF Black a step above VSF) are some of very top caps available. The CAST is considered better yet. I don`t know your speaker but I`d find it hard to believe the Duelund would`nt improve the sound.Is`nt Zu offering it as an optional upgrade?
In my Coincident speaker the level of openiness,transparency and resolution improved and the sound became even more natural and realistic of instumental tone and dynamic contrast. Really, it was a very worthwhile and noticeable change.I think the Duelund is a very premium product and occupies the highest tier. Regards,
Onemug, I`m cautious with recommendations due to the varibles of different amplifier/system compatibility and of course different ears. In my amplifier the RP was truly special and close to the Takatsuki.1200 USD is`nt cheap but it`s much less than 2000 USD(Takatsuki).If I had to buy 4 tubes the RP really begins to look even better based on sound quality/price value.Onemug though I`ve not heard them, many say the EML meshplate 300b is a contender(I know,so many choices).I tried the W.E. 300b reissue and did`nt like them much at all(though others rave about them).Suggestins are tough.All I can say is in my particular amplifier, the RP and Takatsuki were in a different league
Thank you Charles and Gary. Sounds like the RP's are worth the jump in price. So, just how close is the RP to the Takatsuki?
I wish I didn't have to buy a total of 4 tubes....although I'm playing with the idea of 4 Takatsuki's and when I'm not using them in the pp 300b, use 2 of them for my SET.
I'm on the cusp of the "diminishing return" law, any thoughts would be appreciated.
Hi Charles, I am actively investigating the Duelund Cu cap upgrade to my Zu Def4s' tweeter. I have had a quote from the UK dealer of £650 (c$1000) for the pair, but the range of available choices is a little bewildering, in the UK anywhere between £400 and £1500 (c$800-$2500). Do I assume he will have made the 'right' choice? If I want to be sure what do I ask for? I notice you specify 'CAST' but there is also Duelund VSF (?) Cu. What am I expecting to hear with the correct upgrade? Will it be a wholesale change in nature of high frequencies, or more akin to a new component, or cable upgrade?
Onemug, I agree with gary,the RP is better than the BT tube by a significant margin.The RP is closer to the Takatsuki(both occupy a higher plane) in overall sound.The BT is a good performing 300b,RP is a 'superior' performer.
Agear, Thanks, I trust you opinion.Sistrum and Synergistic it will be.
Hi Dragon, My email is [email protected]. I `m happy to help if I can. Regards,
I've read your comments on the Shug Black Treasures. I think you ranked them 3rd behind the Takasuki and Sophia Royal Princess. You have me thinking about the Takas for my best 300b SET amp but I also have a 300b push-pull that I'd like to get "4" nice tubes for but not the Takas.
I'd value your opinion between the RP's and the BT's.
I`m going to fine tune my system, I very happy with my current components and just have no desire or reason to replace them. The Duelund experiment actually exceeded my expectations.The Star Ground Sistrum platforms make sense to me and I`ll give them a try("Duelund-like", how can I go wrong?). I`ll also give the Synergistic Research Tesla fuses a try. These were highly suggested by the Absolare folks I met at CES last week.These people were so friendly and smart.
Anyone who can develop a product like the Absolare Passion amp and linestage has my full undivided attention and respect.Their system was quite honestly the best reproduction of music I`ve ever heard,so natural-organic, life-like and real,the true antithesis of the artificial hifi sound. It was a fun time(and educational) they place much importance on resonance/vibration control. Based on what I heard I`m a believer.
It will be interesting to see what effect the Sistrum and premium fuses make in a system I already love.I believe a lot of additional performance is available in our components than we often realize.Getting the most from what you currently own may be better than constant 'upgrading' and replacing components(at least in some cases).If the platforms and fuses provide one half of the improvement the Duelunds did I`ll be ecstatic. Regards,
That white rectangular item in the crossover is the Zobel Network.It`s used to smooth and even out the impedance and thus decrease fluctuations(limits wide impedance changes with varying frequency ranges). It`s not in the signal pathway.Got home last night from CES, this trip was worthwhile and very enjoyable.I`m glad I was able to attend. Regards,
Hi guys, Thanks for the feedback on the Sistrum platforms.Saying something is 'Duelund like' is enough tho get me hooked.
Regarding the crossover components the white object is a non electrical parT(just a support piece beneath the inductor).It was`nt connected to any wire or other parts,we found no resistor.
Well I`m off to Las Vegas today for T.H.E. SHOW and CES.I`m really curious to hear the Absolare Audio Passion preamp and PSET amplifier.Hope I can play music of my own in their room. Regards,,
Charles, I have read that in places, and some have created a spurious casual link to metallic ringing of the stands. The actual resonance of the materials within the stand is subsonic according to Robert and the Starsound gang who are mostly engineers.
The Sistrum stands are like a microscope or magnifying glass that provide greater focus while also unleashing dynamic energy. If your components are well designed, it is a win win situation.
If you like, you can start small and introduce Sistrum concepts into the mechanical grounding of your xover and transformers. You can mount the xovers on a brass plate, drill them out, and attach small brass audiopoints. (I did this with my Frieds). You can mount the transformers in your amps on small audiopoints as well. Give Robert at Starsound a call. He can talk you through it.
Regarding your equipment, I would start with the speakers. That has the biggest impact followed by your amps.
Not to let the cat out of the bag, but my room construction was guided by the above principles. My room is mechanically grounded (at least the walls are).
Grannyring, Well if the Sistrum stand has the 'CAST' effect then that`s very good news. I`m interested in true organic sound(CAST) not false warmth coloration .I want the natural tone and body of music which has enough intrinsic color and beauty.I also want to avoid products that flatten, thin out and make sound leaner and dry, that`s an even worse deviation IMO.I`ll have to look closely at these platforms for my system. Regards,
In an earlier post I wrote that full burn-in time for the Duelund CAST was 75-80 hours. At 75 hours they sound sooo nice!They continue to improve I discovered,but have`nt reach their peak.Now I`d suggest 'full' burn-in is likely150-200 hours.Currently with over 250 hours of playing music these CAST are phenomenal!They have a stunning effect in good sounding components and just make them better.It`s as simple as that. Regards,
No, what others are most likely referring to is the absence of added resonance accross the frequency spectrum. More of the music's intended character and nuance comes through with far less unwanted resonance. Yes, even resonance that adds warmth, slight bloat, or other terms for perceived as organic.
These are like CAST caps Charles. You hear more of what actually is.....
That is my short explanation.
FYI, I just placed 4 CAST caps in my new Art Audio Concerto monoblock amps. Lovely improvement!
Grannyring and Agear, Do either of you hear any subtle changes to the natural character of your sound with the use of these Sistrum platforms? IOW with their insertion have you noticed any effect from the metal construction (as a few have claimed)that makes the sound 'leaner'and perhaps less organic?The principle of the design seems logical. Regards,
Grannyring, Thanks, I`ve read good comments about them.Some have compared them to the SRA amplifier bases and say the SRA 'might' be a bit more natural(less influence on the sound character vs the metal Sistrum) but opinions differ (no surprise) on this. Both are highly thought of and have relatively long track records of performance.Naturalness/organic character of sound is my top priority for all decisions to purchase audio components. Regards,
