8 watts of SET bliss using W.E. 300b,Takatsuki TA-300b and EML 300b XLS tubes.
First Watt SIT-3 amp
Nelson Pass limited edition amp which has the sound signature somewhat of a SET amp and SS Class A amp combined.
Horning Hybrid Eufrodite Ellipse
Hi-efficient speakers that mate well with SET amps. Very musical and refined sound.
PurePower 1500+
ac regenerator & conditioner with battery back-up
PI Audio Group Digibuss
Digital filter with Furutech GTX-D NCF (R) outlets and IEC. Isolates and filters my digital components from sending digital nasties back into my system.
Black Cat Graceline 2 phono cable
Turntable to SUT
High Fidelity Cables CT-1 Ultimate IC's
connected to all componets except Turntable
HIJIRI HDG-X million digital AES/EBU
connected between server and Dac
HIJIRI TAKUMI MAESTRO PC
Used from Digi-bus to DAC
Amp and Preamp
Triode Wire Labs Obsession, Digital American HP PC's, Spirit II phono cables
Obsession connected to Regenerator, phonostage, Digital American HP to Grimm MU1,
I've had limited listening experiences with the Zu speakers. Having heard Horning Eufrodite recently I can certainly agree that they're open, refined and dynamic. Good choice.
Tom, I also use the Star Sound platforms beneath the Frankensteins and all other components. They do improve the sound quality and are definitely worthwhile (and very cost effective).I suspect that the SRA is an excellent product as well. Charles,
Hi Joe, I look forward to your impression of the Elrogs given that Israel Blume had a different view compared to Bill and I. He found them better by only a subtle margin. You have different speakers/system to provide another individual perspective. Israel, Bill and I used various Coincident speakers. I don't know how many hours Israel's Elrogs had. Out of the box they impressed me be they clearly improve with burn in. Charles,
Hi Jet, Sounds like you had a very fine time with Joe, wish I could've been there. I'm certain Joe's system sounds just heavenly. Jet I'm glad you had the opportunity to hear the Coincident Frankenstein. Was Joe using his Takatsukis or the EML XLS? I'd love to hear your custom SET amplifier and system as well. Charles,
Hi Joe, Thanks for your reply. It impresses me the sound quality Israel gets with the Solen capacitor in this position{6em7 input/driver tube). It would seem to me a high quality copper foil wax cap should sound even better(at least in theory). Charles,
Hello Joe, I'm curious as to what capacitors you replaced in the Frankenstein and what is its rated cap value(is this a tight fit or is space adequate?). The Franks have an interstage transformer in the circuit. Are these caps you replaced in the 1st amplifier stage? I have read only good things regarding the Jupiter Cu foil capacitors. Joe was it worth the cost in your opinion? It you feel this was a worthwhile upgrade I'd likely do this as well.the Franks have terrific tone/timbre and I want to preserve that at all cost. Charles,
Hi Joe, Are you using your Takatsuki tubes exclusively in the Frankenstein or do you alternate them with the EML XLS ? How did the Apprentice mate with the Franks? I hope all is well with you. Thanks, Charles,
Snopro, I can understand the change in direction you`ve made. What motivated you to make this change? I did the same 4 years ago and glad I did. Charles,
