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.
Thanks Guys, I have so many recordings to recommend that I really enjoy listening to. I'll continue to post from time to time for those who are interested. Charles,
For those interested in jazz, here are a few CDs I've enjoyed this weekend and some of you may like as well. 1, Roni Ben-Hur guitarist, "Sofia's Butterfly" and "Backyard". Roni is a first rate musician from Israel who was mentored by the master Bop pianist Barry Harris.
2, Bobby Broom guitarist, "Plays For Monk" and "My Shining Hour". A terrific player from Chicago.
3, Tardo Hammer pianist , "Look, Stop & Listen". Based out of NYC. He can play!
4, John Coltrane Tenor Saxophone, "John Coltrane Plays For Lovers" a compilation of ballads from the mid-late 1950s. These are prior to his transition phase to modal explorations. Classic big beautiful Coltrane tenor.
5, Theloneous Monk pianist, "Live At The Jazz Workshop". Beautiful Monk in small jazz venue. Charles,
Spencer, I really appreciate your kind comments, thank you. I have read your system page and I am certain you are enjoying marvelous sound and music. Charles,
Love your well thought out system. As one who's enjoyed plenty of SET listening, glad to see you smartly using Coincidents, one of my fav lines for pairing with SET amps. Funny how reading one thread here (re: Frank's system) leads to always more to learn from. Cheers, Spencer
Charles, Like everything else I do, the system changes have been an adventure. As usual, I need more patience, and I need it RIGHT NOW! At any rate, I should have a revised system up in a couple of weeks.
Hi Jet, Thanks for your comments. I sure hope that the gremlins can be kept away this time around. Jet I enjoy reading about your system explorations and discoveries regarding various modifications and tweaks. If I ever get back to New York City I'd love to hear your system. Charles,
Hi Bill, It makes me feel good to know that you're steadily getting settled down in your Tennessee home and able to enjoy your excellent system again. I am always interested in reading opinions and listening impressions from you. Charles,
Charles good to see the system details back up. BTW, I have recently gotten my new music room mostly set up. I still have to do some clean up and put some unused stuff away, and the music room furniture is still in Indiana, but enough is done to allow me to post the new system. I've been getting a lot more listening time in lately. Things are sounding very good these days.
Chris, It is really interesting how a given brand of 300b tube can provide different results/impressions depending on the particular amplifier. The EML XLS is an ideal match with the Frankenstein, a used pair of these tubes represent exceptional value. While I eagerly await my replacement Elrogs I have had a ball listening to the EMLs in the meantime. Charles,
Also, I just saw a pair of the EML-XLS tubes up on Agon and once again you dead on about how much these amps would improve with a 300b upgrade. I'll be curious to see how this whole Elrog situation develops over the next year...
Regarding my system page individual descriptions and pictures, one day they just vanished. I notified audiogon but never received a response. I've been unable to reestablish them. Charles,
Chris, At one time I was very curious regarding the First Watt SIT 1 and 2 amplifiers given their designer and very simple circuit implementation. I came to the conclusion that they're likely excellent amplifiers. I just don't believe they will match the very good SETs in believable tactile presence, pure naturalness and instrumental tone/harmonic overtones. No doubt that the SIT amps have their own unique strengths but I can relate to your direct comparison vs the Frankenstein. Charles,
Hi Chris, I'm gratified that your new system turned out so well and you're very pleased. No doubt that is quite a switch in direction from your Pass Lab/Thiel pairing. Your results with electronica/Rap doesn't surprise me. Although I am predominantly a jazz music aficionado, what ever music genre I choose to listen to sounds "really" good and authentic. The Frankenstein is a fabulous amplifier and you chose an excellent speaker to mate with it. I know you appreciate the natural sound quality they present. Charles,
