Description

It's easy to spend hundreds of thousands on your system. Getting it to sound good is the hard part!

Like most here, I have upgraded round in circles a few times. I now read audio magazines for entertainment only and rely on my own ears. I have built a good network of audiophile friends with a similar outlook, whose opinions I respect.

I don't believe that any particular architecture is inherently superior however I do believe that the best known brands offer the poorest value for money.

My system is very much a work in progress as I transition from solid state to SET architecture.

The Lenco is a stopgap solution (being superior to my previous Linn LP12) whilst waiting for my Galibier to be built.

Also awaiting a pair of high efficiency horns.

My goal is to have a system gets replay as close as possible to the sound of live music without artifice. I like the power and control of solid state amps on amplified music (but only in small doses before fatigue sets in). I love the SET/DHT openness on acoustic/orchestral recordings.

My next step is moving up the Dynavector cartridge range and to experiment with class D amplification.
Read more...

Components Toggle details

    • Galibier Gavia
    Black anodized base, Gavia platter and Stelvio armboard
    • Dynavector XV1s
    Amzingly neutral, dynamic and insightful.
    • Tri planar VII
    Classic, state of the art tonearm
    • Lenco L75
    Idler wheel classic re-plinthed in sold American ash. Cut out to accommodate removable armboard for easy arm changes
    • Dynavector DV 507 Mk II
    Very clever design, beautifully engineered. Probably the most resonance free arm available.
    • Fidelity Research FR64s
    Classic Japanese design, originally bought with my LP12 20+ years ago.
    • Dynavector XX-2
    Scary nude cantilever but great detail, tonality and dynamics.
    • Koetsu Black mc
    Classic cart, retipped 2005 and sounding better than ever
    • Denon DL-103
    My "beater" cartridge. Controversial in that audiophile opinion is divided on whether it's a classic or garbage. I found mine perfect for experimenting whilst teaching myself how to do analog setup.
    • Leak Troughline Stereo
    Classic British all tube design
    • Supratek Chenin
    All tube design with built in phono stage.
    • Welborne Labs DRD 300b
    Elegantly executed SET design and beautifully constructed by Ron Welborne
    • Avondale Graduation One
    Single ended, solid state line stage designed and built by British electonics genius Les Wolstenholme
    • Avondale 260Z
    Custom design based on classic RCA circuit, housed in a Naim NAP180 case.
    • Arcam Alpha 5 cd
    Modifed by Avondale
    • Benchmark DAC-1
    Pro audio component
    • Tannoy HPD 315s in custom cabinets
    Drivers rear horn loaded
    • Mordaunt Short Performance 860
    3 way design in unique resinrock cabinets for reduced cabineet resonances

Comments 6

Showing all comments by stltrains.

View all comments

What a fine system, I am 90% decided to go with a Galibier Gavia. Though Teres tables are appealing also. I know you are having great musical enjoyment with your system with a analog front end like yours.

stltrains