North Florida Office

by lapierre on Ever Evolving

Description

Retro HiFi tube system with open baffle speaker design. Center driver uses Coaxal 10" woofer  with horn tweeter.




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Room Details

Dimensions: 22’ × 11’  Medium
Ceiling: 10’

Components Toggle details

    • Ayon CD 35
    The Ayon CD-35 establishes a new benchmark in SE-Triode vacuum-tube CD/SACD-Player performance by combining a fully balanced PCM-DSD DAC.
    The CD-35 is also prepared for computer playback and general DSD professional audio use. 

    Top loading player with very solid construction and build.
    • McIntosh C22
    A cool 1960s retro design, the C22 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier has been updated to modern standards to deliver a performance on par with any other McIntosh preamplifier. Electromagnetic input switching provides reliable, noiseless and distortion-free operation. Low distortion levels of all types are less than 0.08%, allowing music to be presented with total transparency and accuracy.
    • Aurender Aurender A100

    A100 is, at its foundation, a streamer with support for both TIDAL and Qobuz subscription-based high-resolution streaming services and internet radio. The A100’s MQA Full-Encoder DAC provides optimal performance for streaming 10,000+ MQA albums on TIDAL.

    • Pure Audio Project Trio15 Coaxal

    Trio15 design is an open baffle design.


    The Coax10 driver features a high-end 10′′ mid-woofer with a light-paper cone and a 1/4′′ Horn tweeter with a Polymer dome (similar to our Horn1), but differently from typical configurations, both are mounted on the same axis, aka Coaxial design.

    • McIntosh MC275 MkVI
      • Power Output per Channel75W @ 4, 8 or 16 Ohms
      • Number of Channels2
      • Total Harmonic Distortion0.5% maximum harmonic distortion at any power level from 250 milliwatts to rated power, 20Hz to 20,000Hz
        (≤ 0.25% harmonic distortion at 1kHz)
      • S/N below rated output105dB
      • Dynamic Headroom1.2dB
      • Damping Factor>22
      • Rated Power Band20Hz to 20kHz
      • Frequency Response+0, -0.5dB from 20Hz to 20,000Hz
        +0, -3.0dB from 10Hz to 100,000Hz

Comments 233

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Owner
Good observation Bryon.

Synergistics Research PowerCell and Isotek Titan power conditioners are to be evaluated.

I have a couple of things I'm juggling: new rack system, power cords, and power conditioner along with looking at DACs to go along with my new LaCie Network Space.

lapierre

Excellent system! I remember when I first heard the Dali Helicon's at CES. It was definitely a WOW experience. Ultimately, I chose the Focal Be's, but I could have been very happy with the Dali's. Although I have moved on to a computer based source, your EMM Labs player strikes envy into my heart!

Sorry if you've answered this already, but you don't appear to have any power conditioning. Are you a disbeliever?

bryoncunningham

I do not have 2 mc275's so I did not know that. On mine, it made a huge difference over the stock tube

tzh21y

Owner
Good point to remember. However, since I run the MC275s in mono the 1 position is not being utilized.

I have to go back and look at a couple of emails regarding other tubes for the 12types that I did not consider.

lapierre

it was trial and error. The GE's sound better than the Phillips 12at7's with either the mullards 12ax7's or the Sylvanias. I also had used the teles and they did sound good, but I like the RCA's just a little better. The tele in the no 1 position made a huge diufference. If you can get a hold of 1 you might want to try it there. It works very well with the RCA's.

tzh21y

Owner
No I did not try the Teles. When I started tube shopping a lot of the places did not have enough Teles in stock for two MC275 amps. So I ended up ordering from different places.

How did you determine the following tube selections?

Telefunken 12ax7 position 1, RCA Tall Plate pos 2, GE 1960's 12at7's in 3 and 4, RCA Tall Plate 5, GE 1960's 12at7 6, and 7.

lapierre

It just seemed like something was missing. I cannot explain it. When I added the 12at7's it was better, but not what I wanted. Right now I am pretty happy with the sound. Have you ever tried the teles?

tzh21y

Owner
The Tele's would be my second choice. What did you not like about the Mullards?

lapierre

I am currently using tele's. I have the mullard copies and did not like them very much. i may have to try the old mullards someday

tzh21y

Owner
The Black Sable - Mullard ECC83/12AX7 sound great in the C500. These particular Mullard's add another layer of detail, space, and depth to the sound stage with good decay from cymbals, acoustic instruments, and various percussion.

The C500 is another great component that brings synergy to the whole music experience.

Currently auditioning iPhone streaming audio via bluetooth for the car. Not bad so far. Also, using Aux input to listen to the iPod via cheap factory RCA cable.

lapierre

I love the amp platform I would like to get it. Also, how do you like the Mullard's in the preamp?

tzh21y

Owner
No comparison of the re-issues Dave.

During my product evaluation of tube amps it was really difficult to surpass the MC275 retro look and feel, build quality, flexibility, and wattage unless you want to spend additional 50%.

Other tube amps I auditioned included EAR 890, Audio Research VTM 110.

lapierre

Lapierre, looks like you have the same problem as myself..that being you have a very small room to work with.

I have not heard the Mac MC 275's but have heard great things about them, have you had the opportunity to compare the re-issues to the originals?
Very nice looking system.

daveyf

Nice set up, very simple is always the best!

Ever think of checking other amps? If you get a chance give these a listen:
http://www.jolida.com/catalogue/models/jd3000a.shtml[old shot they no longer have a stand by switch]
I have modded versions in my system, they do bass and dynamics like no other I've heard certainly not at that price! A steal used on Audiogon. 200 watts that more sound like a 25 watt SET amp at low volumes,with the bottom end grunt of a big solid state amp.

I only mention them since I've heard them with the big Dali 3 way towers. a great combination. 211 triod has it's own amazing sound for mid range. Something to check out if your curious. I'll be using them with my BG Radia Z-92's when I get them! They were intended for Maggie 3.6 but I just don't have the space. Be thankfull that you have the WAF down with your system!

Have fun,

Vinyl9

vinyl9

I lie your setup Lapierre - I love the McIntosh sound but never heard the Dali line before. I had 240s and 275s some years back and they are great amps - very musical and engaging.

As for the surces, I like your EMM labs choice - I decided for Reimyo at the end but EMM was in my short list as well. I will let you know how the REL subs work with my SGH speakers, so far I like the sinergy of both even thou this model I am trying is not the top-en of REL.

Fernando

flg2001

Owner
Thanks for the comments.

The McIntosh 275s in mono-that is one great sound that pairs well with my Helicon 300s. One of these days I will pair them with B2 Rel but for now I'm very satisfied with my sound. Still refining my sound with cables and room treatments. Currently working on new rack stand and tweaking my system to improve sound.

I listen to a lot of instrumental Jazz (Jesse Cook is playing in the background) usually with percussion instruments. Most of the music I listen to requires a system that is:

1) Fast. Dynamic.
2) Detailed with a bit of air and space with decay
3) Great separation of instruments (think percussion here)

lapierre

This is an incredible system that I would love to hear...I bet those Macs just sound amazing. What type of music to you listen to the most?

macd

Owner
Thanks for the comments.

System sounds great with two MC275s plus updated tubes.

lapierre

Double sweet system, with the two Mac amps. Really top knotch!

glenfihi

Owner
Thanks Tzh21h and congrats on the MC275.

Genelex Gold Lions are great. They provide more power compared to the stock KT88 tubes. Instead of 75 watts you're really getting more like 95 watts. You notice more punch in low mids and more fullness in bottom end of overall sound. Since I run the MC275 in mono I'm estimating 190 watts.

Improve your tone and articulation by changing the 12A type tubes to a more quality tube. If you need more power then change out the KT88s.

lapierre

Hi lapierre, I love your 275's I just bought my first one. It is fantastic. How do you like the Genelex Gold Lions conopared to the stock power tubes? Did you notice a big difference?

tzh21y

Owner
Karelfd,
"Are the Helicons difficult to drive? " The Dalis are rated at 4 ohms but I think you need a great amp that delivers current to get the best sound. However,

"Would a low wattage tube amp (2x15w) be sufficient, provided I use them in a small room?" I audition the Dalis with CONSONANCE 15W tube mono block amps and was impressed with the sound. It had plenty of bass which was surprising to me after listening to several tube amps with 50 watts of power.

lapierre

Owner
Thanks Philippe.

I have very good experience with my current rig. I'm refining my power cables as we speak and looking at room treatments.

lapierre

Hi Lapierre, great system. I'm still intending to build a system with monitors some day. Until now, I didn't have Dali on the shortlist. Are the Helicons difficult to drive? Would a low wattage tube amp (2x15w) be sufficient, provided I use them in a small room? Thanks!

karelfd

Great system, although I’m not a fan of small speakers, I really think that it is the way to go for a smaller room. I like the setup of the McIntosh tube amps, approx 5 years ago I was thinking about getting them too, but ended up with transistors.

The nice thing about HIFI is that there are so many great set-ups out there, each set-up reflects and individuals choice. At exhibitions you only get to listen to what is commercially relevant but not to what is hosen by heart.

Greets ph

philippevdb01

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