Black noise v2 line filter added to esoteric p3 d3..I was always suspiocious on line filters because more of them seems to roll off highs and give pressure on sound that is not my liking, yes they give black background effect but seems that you missed somethings...black noise was not that kind of filter, it filters but in a vey positive way my sound is purified, and the detail is increased, you wonder already detailed esoteric cd have now more detail and separation between the notes, is incredible..I plan to audiotion at least a week after I plan to add another one for cj art preamp.
Another very good change was I changed my balanced cyrstal cable ends with wbt ag110 silver rca, now I hear my cables with quads, silver definately love tubes, this is for shure..

hal123 July 28, 2013 11:12

Hal123,

Yes, it's a small club of 250. Curious, what tubes do you run in yours?

I have felt for some time now that the ART is my last preamp also. Their new GAT caught my attention but it has mosfets in its output which makes it somewhat of a hybrid. Not to say i might not like it better but I like the idea of a pure tube design and just have no desire to change what I have.

Re the Cary: I have had absolutely no issue with hum or buzz or anything since the day I got them. In fact this is one of the quietest tube amps I've owned whether my ear was next to the amp itself or pressed up against the speakers.

The 211 tube surprised me in a good way. I owned an 845 amp in the past and enjoyed it. I just figured having the ability to also run a 211 was a bonus but when I heard it, I'd say I actually prefer the 211 to the 845. Seems to be a little faster (dynamic?) and have a little more extension, high and low. Between the two, I'd call the 845 the midrange lovers tube and 211 the "fuller ranger" one but its midrange is pretty nice also. The amp is supplied with both so you will find which one you like best.... BTW!!!!.... make sure and double check that you flip the switch on the left that sets up the transformers for the correct tube. I have more tips should you demo or buy the 805's. I'll look here for your progress.

Will you be able to demo them in your home first? I looked at the impedance graph of the Sophia 3 and it looks like the 4 ohm tap is going to be best. You could experiment with the 8 ohm but I think the Cary would be happier on the 4 but it's just a guess. Let your ears decide.

Never heard the Quads, just good things about them. My Marantz 8b is keeping me happy and that says a lot coming from a single ended lover.

onemug July 24, 2013 17:10

Onemug,
Very glad to hear you are also CJ Art 2 user, this preamp is something very special and I see my self as a lucky one of 250 user..my search for preamp is over.
My dealer has one new 805 AE edition on sell and want me to trade with my krell..I am also curious on how they react on Wilson sophias, I did lot of search on web for cary805 and sophia owners and find only one but didnt hear any comment yet..as far as I heard 805's there was some hum noise coming, maybe were from cables that are not shielded dont know but do you have this issue also? Another thing is that 211 tube seems very energetic, they say it run with 845 also and had some romantic sound (dont know the meaning of romantic sound but)..if you describe little on sonic attributes I will be appreciated..Have you ever tried vintage Quads 2..if find one on ebay or something definately consider some, its also quite spaecial like CJ Art 2, pieces of audio history..

hal123 July 23, 2013 20:26

Hal123,

Congrats on a fine system. I have an ART 2 preamp also. I consider it the heart of my system. I personally think it is one of the finest preamps ever made.

Also congrats on thinking "outside the box". Many would not ever consider using something like the Quads with the Sophias. I myself use a vintage Marantz 8b with my Sonus Faber Guarneris (originals) and get very musical results.

At heart though, I am a SET lover and bought a pair of Cary 805 AE's to see if they would work with my Magnepan 3.6's (talk about outside the box). I alternate them with some Pass class A monoblocks. Single ended just does something I really like. If you ever decide to try that route and are interested in the Cary's, let me know as I already have a dedicated low power SET/Hi-eff system and the Carys are more of a luxury that I really don't need.

Think long and hard before you ever let go of your ART.

onemug July 23, 2013 19:11

System edited: Multiple editings are occured..As a mind mixed audiophile I decided to change the title of my system as Not finished for now..

hal123 July 23, 2013 18:35

Hi Charle1dad. Yes it's a quite interesting for me. Actually happened like this; last day one of my friend bring a Quad II for autioning to my house, eventually this piece was on sale and we wondered if this 15 watts could drive my speakers, I was curious on hearing those he insisted that will drive my speakers with ease and we started to audition Quads, result was very successful and I decided to let stay with me. I paid very small amount respecting what we pay for cables and other things.. My krell is still sitting in the rack and I dont have intention to sell it until now. But it was quite surprising that 15 watts are running side by side (except lows of course) with 600 watts solid state. I keeped those for entertaining purposes. Main differencies were on mids more information and musicality, highs are improved too, got bolded, chimbals with more spark, more definition totally more musical emotion, as far as soundstage is expanded but seems that krell had more depth of field. For getting most I need to change some cables, Quads are taking bananas mine speaker cable were on spades so I didnt hear silver effect that I thing will make some differencies.

But still my Krells are good mostly I respect to 600c or 700cx types (older models) which has slamm and civilized power together with power need to deliver all frequency spectrum with ease as good solid state has to deliver (didnt hear the new ones)..but its a interesting hobby, I felt myself as playing child with his new toys..

hal123 July 23, 2013 18:28

I can believe you're very happy.
What caused you to go from a 600 watt SS amp to the 15 watt tube amp? This is quite interesting and would require a different mind set. What did you lose/gain with this amplifier change?
Regards,

charles1dad July 23, 2013 12:22

System edited: System edited..added conrad johnson art2 preamp replaced my retired sonic frontiers line 3...changes are so many, I will describe in detail if anyone is interested. Very much musical expression and everything improved..another surprise step was adding also Quad II vintage amplifiers..boy this getting very interesting argument.. I am vey happy now

hal123 July 22, 2013 22:52

Thank you Jaxwired..

hal123 June 19, 2013 21:45

Beautifiul space! Well done.

jaxwired June 19, 2013 01:48

What about Cary 805 ae, I am curious to try 845 tubes on wilson sophias but I am not sure any comments are welcome..

hal123 June 18, 2013 21:42

I would not suggest any power conditioners with those amps, just dedicated lines. You could try conditioners on your other components to see what you think.

bigshutterbug June 06, 2013 21:20

I plan to add power conditioner..any user of psaudio P10 power plant and comments are welcome. Does it worth to add to my system, what do you think, any opinions?

hal123 June 06, 2013 20:25

Some fantastic gear you have there...nice system! Your room appears to be up in a loft... extremely small with a very short wall behind your speakers. The bass energy must be quite overwhelming with the Wilsons and big Krell amp in there, and with wooden floors to boot! I agree with the above posters in regards to putting some serious room treatments in there, with large bass traps behind the speakers. Wall and floor treatments should also help a great deal with improving image focus and keeping the sound from bouncing around in there so much. Enjoy!

bigshutterbug June 02, 2013 21:05

Thank you Taboooe for your comments..I heard many good thnigs on Esoteric single boxes K-03 and K-05, curious on how they act. On room threatments I must definately consider something without softening sound or looseing something..I looked from the net on studio threatments and curious on trying something on near future..

hal123 June 02, 2013 20:33

Excellent, simple and elegant listening room. I concur with you regarding the Esoteric gear. I used to own the P3/D5 combo. I have since downsized but intend to pick up the K-05 single box unit.

Curious about your low ceiling. Have you considered room treatments?

Again, congrats a very nice system. It must be very detailed and resolving.

tboooe June 02, 2013 15:03