These speakers are version 2 of Aerial Acoustics' pinnacle speaker design. The workmanship is outstanding. They have 2" thick cabinet walls with heavy cherry veneer. The wiring and components are all premium grade. They use a 4" ribbon tweeter and proprietary Scan-Speak drivers. A true 20HZ to 20,000HZ speaker that is very musical.
Line Magnetic LM-845 Premium
The LM-845 Premium is a SET integrated amp that uses massive output transformers and a massive separate power supply. The driver tubes are 300B and output tubes are 845. I've upgraded the tubes to Western Electric. The authority, richness and soundstage this amp provides is outstanding. With the Aerial 20T V2 speakers it presents a huge soundstage that is silky smooth and powerful.
Eversolo Play & Gustard A26 streamer/DAC combo
This is Eversolo's all-in-one component which I have found makes an excellent stand alone streamer. I'm feeding it to a Gustard A26 DAC that combines two AK4499EX DAC chips with one AK4191 modulator from Asahi Kasei Microdevices. With independent power supplies and grounding for each channel when run fully balanced it makes a huge, natural soundstage and very realistic presentation of the music.
ModWright Signature Truth SCD XA5400ES
ModWright Signature Truth SCD XA5400ES with external tube rectified power supply. I've added Sophia Electric blue 6SN7 tubes to the output stage. I still have a significant CD collection. Overall, great analog type sound.
AR-ES1, SME, Origin Live, Hagerman Labs and LTA analog system
Heavy modified custom AR-ES1 with Origin Live speed box and SME 309 tonearm. Phono preamp is a Hagerman Labs Trumpet MC with LTA power supply. Very high value and excellent performing analog system.
Audioquest Dragon Interconnects, Power Cables and Speaker Cables
Expensive but worth it if you want the absolute best out of your system.
Synergistic Research Black Box
The Black Box is a Low Frequency Resonator Array that works in conjunction with the Atmospheres and FEQ X4 to solve bass node issues.
Synergistic Research ART System
This is Synergistic Research's older acoustic system that's based on resonators. It works very well with their current UEF system and provides excellent results. Complete ART systems are getting hard to find.
The UEF Panels, UEF Dots, Black Box, ECT and GCT are all types of sound resonators. I use an Atmosphere XL-4 (green ATM), Atmosphere (red ATM), FEQ X4 (2) (red ATMs) and Mini-Atmosphere (green ATM) - when used with the Synergistic Research control software they generate various frequencies of Schumann Resonances around the room.
Synergistic Research Tranquility Pod
The Tranquility Pod has powered UEF and SR grounding technology. It works with the SR Atmospheres that I have distributed around the room. Very effective with digital sources.
Electric Bamboo, ADD-Powr Sorcer and ElectraClear EAU-1
The Electric Bamboo is an excellent but very rare line conditioner. Hand-built around a massive transformer thats wired and grounded in the classic star configuration. The ADD-Powr and ElectraClear devices add electromagnetics (EM) to the AC line using an active circuit and algorithm. Contrary to popular belief not all EM is bad for sound quality in stereo systems.
Vera-Fi Audio MainStream, SnubWay and Puron AC Line Conditioners
I use these conditioners as additives to my power conditioner. They give a more realistic presentation/soundstage and reveal more texture and impact to the overall sound especially in the bass.
Stein H2 Harmonizer system
I have 4 Stein H2s in my system.I went with one in each of corner of the room with a Stein stone on each and a Stein diamond on the ceiling in the center of the room. They add layers and layers of depth with each vocalist/instrument being in their own separate but integrated spaces.
Akiko Audio Tuning Stick; Kemp QA Plug (2) and Zero One (2)
The Akiko Audio tuning stick is another grounding product that works with internal crystals. The Kemp and Zero One products keep the electrons spinning around the electronic signals as uniform as possible and add a more standard frequency Schumann Resonance as compared to the Synergistic Research products which have variable Schumann frequencies.
Audio Magic Pulsed Electron Alignment
The PEAs are battery powered and affect Spintronics: electrons spinning around electronic signals. The goal of the PEA devices its to get the electrons spinning as uniformly as possible. It opens up the sound and makes subtle cues in the music even more real.
This company has now closed because the owner has passed away. These products work to achieve a uniform and consistent RF/EMI and electron treatment around components.
I did try the red ATM in one of my slots where a single HFT (or 2 or X!) sits at present but found it WAY TOO MUCH -- it drew attention to itself in a way that didn't seem natural. Albeit this is in the context of a system with a lot of HFTs
Thanks FolkFreak! I do use the green ATM. I agree its a significant improvement over the red. I was emailing Ted Denney and suggested he make a big ass ETF to use on top of components in place of using a bunch of smaller ones. He told me to use the red ATM in place of smaller ETFs since they work in a similar way. Just a little FYI if you still have the red ATM.
Nice system. Have you tried the new SR green Atmosphere tuning module? Compared with the red it seems much more open and natural. Kind of expensive but may make sense in the context of your system
I added a tube based 7.83 HZ Schumann Resonator which augments the Synergistic Research FEQ and Atmosphere. I also raised the Atmosphere about 8 inches higher off the floor which added even more "bloom" and bigger soundstage to the sound.
I added a Doge 8 (2017 Clarity edition) tube preamp to my system and updated pics. I've got about 200 hours on the preamp and it's really starting to open-up!
I've been messing with the location of the Synergistic Research Black Box. Long story short, directly between the center of the speakers is by far the best location. Duh!! I'm now getting the most refined sound in the bass I've ever had. It even has caused me to swap-in some different components into my system - such as a tube preamp.
I recently have been using Burson Audio cables. They sent me the Cable+ for audition which I thought were excellent. So at my expense, I ordered their Cable+ Pro cables that have upgraded wire and connectors. These cables use a powered buffer to match the impedance of your components. Overall conclusion is they are excellent on sources and are a very high value cable!
Updated pics. I've added an Auralic Altair music server and the Dared DV-200s amps. I put a picture at the end showing the system in the dark - glowing toobies!
200 hours and counting on these BIG tube amps. Holy crap!! I'm totally on board with big tube power! (I reserve the right to change my preferences for power amps at my whim! - this is MY blog after all! Ha,ha...) Seriously, I had no idea. i've gone low power SET, medium power Class A solid state, high power solid state and super heat Class pure A. As of today, big tube power rules!
Here we go again. I recently purchased a pair of mono tube amps. Each amp weighs 60lbs. The transformers are HUGE. There are 6 KT-88s on each amp. The seller obviously didn't like the sound because he told me he listened to a bunch of different 6SN7s and ECC88. He also upgraded all the KT-88s to Gold Lion remakes. The tubes alone are worth what I paid for these amps! He purchased the amps new and said he listened to them less than 20 hours. I believe it. The tubes look brand new. No heat residue on the KT-88s, for instance.
If you read my posts you know I'm a big believer in break-in. You simply have to let the transformers and circuits heat-up for an extended period of time. Yes, the first day I used them the amps sounded harsh and constricted (which the seller obviously heard and didn't like). But over 100 hours later, they throw a smooth, huge soundstage. The bass has all kinds of texture and is rock solid.
The guy simply didn't give these amps a chance and lost a lot of money for his impatience. Oh well, his loss my gain.
Based on numerous testimonials I purchased a Signal Cable REL Speakon cable to replace the stock REL cable. Well.....they are right! All aspects of this sub's performance is enhanced. Highly recommended.
This Odyssey preamp is WAY overbuilt. It weighs close to 50 lbs! The transformer is as big as most power amp transformers. Its dead quiet - even with the volume fully open. It also has an excellent MM/MC phono section. I haven't talked to Klaus about it but I assume this is what you get when you ask for his Tempest preamp on STEROIDS!
I really didn't "need" a subwoofer because the Von Schweikert VR-7 HSE have excellent bass. However, I saw this REL Strata III for sale in my local Craigslist at a crazy low price (they were moving and had purchased a "surround system", etc) so I bought it and hooked it up. I must say, its a very nice addition to my system. Adds just a touch of solidity to the music which probably doesn't make sense but if you could hear it you would know what I mean. After I bought it I read the reviews of the Strata III and it turns out this is one of the more reasonably priced "musical" subs out there (whatever that means).
I've had inquires regarding the horn speakers and various amps/preamps I have "stored" in my listening room. The short answer is: "Yes, they are for sale". The horns are Frazier Dixelanders. I stained them, added legs and rewired the horn drivers. The amps are low wattage Class A or SET tube. The preamps are all solid state. The receiver is a Fisher 800. The Thorens 124 is not for sale. If you are truly interested perhaps we can workout an audition if you are in the Charlotte, NC area. Thanks.
The other day I thought I purchased an item with Buy it Now. I was in the process of paying and when I clicked the final button to make payment - it came back and said the item had already been sold! I've never had this happen before. I assume someone was in the process of making payment when I hit Buy it Now and finished before I did. Really strange and a little aggravating!
I added a tube preamp back into the system (was going direct from the Mytek Brooklyn) and, yep, there is a little more "bloom" to the music. Also, I've been messing around with my Thorens 124 turntable which likes a little more gain than the Mytek could provide........more to come........
Tidal finally launched TidalMasters today to showcase their MQA titles. I just finished listening to some Emmylou Harris and Led Zeppelin. Sound staging is top-notch with a very smooth presentation. They sounded a little thin, however, as compared to my 16bit/44.1 khz of the same recordings through the same DAC - a Mytek Brooklyn. This was just a short listening session so not going to draw too much from this. Good to see Tidal follow through with, at least, some commitment to MQA.
I added the "green" version of the Synergistic Research ATM for the Atmosphere. It's pricey but "WOW" the soundstage explodes even more but with refinement. They are really on to something here!!
A follow-up to my story below. The dealer now has the item at $2,450 which is $250 less than what I offered him over a month ago! All because he wouldn't negotiate!
