MY Place sbayne

by sbayne on Ever Evolving

Description

High priority on tone, soundstage and overall balance of sound.
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Components Toggle details

    • Aerial Acoustics 20T V2
    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.
    • Synergistic Research: Atmosphere XL-4, Atmosphere, Mini-Atmosphere, FEQ X4 (2), UEF Dots, UEF Panels, ECT and GCT
    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.
    • Perfect Path Technologies Total Contact, RCA caps, Stop-It duplex plugs, E-Mats & E-Cards
    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.
    • Timbernation Stand and Platforms
    Solid maple platforms stained cherry.

Comments 595

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Owner
Currently using the excellent Parasound Halo integrated with built-in DAC and phono stage. I've also incorporated a music server based on a MacBook Pro. Getting excellent sound.

sbayne

Owner
Based on Spencer's comments below I've removed the coffee table and a number of pictures from my listening room. I've also followed the placement guidelines for my Synergistic Research UEF Acoustic Panels more closely. Overall, its made a tremendous difference!

sbayne

Owner
!!!!!Crazy changes to my system.......!!!!!! More to come......

sbayne

Owner
I was looking at Synergistic Research's Facebook page today and saw they commonly have the Black Box in front of the speakers. Sent a brief message to them and they said sometimes that location works best. Since I took Spencer's suggestion and moved the large coffee table out of my listening room I was now able to experiment more with the location of the Black Box. And...I've now moved the Black Box out in front of the speakers and very close to my listening position. It has made the entire presentation a little more smoother and cohesive.

sbayne

Owner
Roon is the best library management available - no doubt. It organized my music and combined it with content from Tidal to make categorizes which now make a "complete" library. Very impressive. The user interface is beautiful and easy. If you have more than just a passing fancy with digital music I don't know of a better choice!

sbayne

Owner
 Going to try a Roon/Tidal music server. Doubt it can compete against analog but we shall see!!

sbayne

Owner
Spencer - Great idea! Thanks.

sbayne

When I found the same, I replaced the coffee table with a small table that could go on either side of the seating position. In practice, I basically just needed a spot for a beverage and a remote. If you "need" something in front of you there, an absorptive fabric ottoman would still give you much of the improvement over the hard surface table. Cheers,
Spencer

sbank

Owner
Spencer - you're right the coffee table does change the soundstage slightly.  Now I've got to figure out what to do with it or just live with it!

sbayne

Owner
Agreed.  I've messed with the location of the pictures and finally got them in the least obtrusive places. However, the coffee table I have not experimented very much with. I will report back on if moving it makes a difference. Thanks.

sbayne

Very cool system. Love how you made a wide variety of brands all visually blend by emphasizing the wood finishes.
Here's a dumb question: Since you mention soundstage etc. being important to you have you ever tried removing the large wooden coffee table from between speakers and seating position? Also if those picture frames on the front wall include glass, they might have a noticeable impact if moved elsewhere in the room. Cheers,
Spencer

sbank

Owner
I've now thoroughly broken-in the VR-7 HSEs (yep, had to break-in a 10 year old pair of speakers!). These are truly excellent speakers. Very smooth yet explosive.  If you can get your hands on a good pair of VR-7 HSE or even VR-5 HSE - I would highly recommend it!

sbayne

Owner
I've been asked what happened to the resonators I had been using and selling.  The answer is simple: UEF Panels/Dots by Synergistic Research. Using resonators to expand the soundstage yet focus the image works very well and may still be preferred in some rooms and systems. With the size of my new room the UEF panels make more sense. In this larger room I had been using 40 small resonators along with 3 bowl resonators!

sbayne

Owner
I've recently received inquires about the Fisher 800 receiver and the Thorens 124 turntable (with roll-top plinth) shown in one of my pics. I'm not planning on selling them but, of course, if you REALLY want one of those items shoot me a reasonable offer and maybe we can work something out. Thanks

sbayne

Owner
I've also added Synergistic Research UEF Panels, UEF Dots and an Atmosphere. These are ground-breaking products in my opinion and are highly recommended!

sbayne

Owner
I replaced my Philharmonic Audio 3s with Von Schweikert Audio VR-7 HSE speakers. They are very high quality and represent some of the best Albert has ever offered.

sbayne

Owner
I finally added some photos of my new system. This is a much larger room than I had before. The additional space has made the soundstage blossom. The front-back layering is much deeper - the speakers simply disappear. The SR Black Box and VH Audio Plasmatron 3 have refined the sound to a point I didn't know was possible. This hobby is amazing!

sbayne

Owner
Just got a VH Audio Plasmatron 3 for my sources. All I can say is Holy $hit.....really, really nice...!

sbayne

Owner
I've moved into a different home and have a much larger listening room. Pictures and comments to follow.................

sbayne

Owner
System edited: I've gone whole-hog with my DIY resonators. Its remarkable what these can do.

sbayne

Owner
System edited: Currently using a Project Extension 10 turntable with Grado Statement Master 1. This is an excellent combo and very high value. (Still have the Thorens 124 and Lenco 75 idler drives though!)

sbayne

Owner
System edited: My system picture now shows the three resonators that I use. The large one is 9" and the smaller ones are 6". I placed a HFT from Synergistic Research inside of each one. I've also made my own HFT and have placed them through out the room and on my speakers. These work well by themselves but Synergistic Research's FEQ is designed to work with the HF. When the FEQ is activated the soundstage opens even more especially with the resonators that I am using. I believe the FEQ generates Schumann Resonance frequencies which audio companies have been experimenting with for years. In 2015 Synergistic Research is coming out with a product they call Atmosphere that from what I can tell manipulates Schumann Resonance frequencies in very specific ways in order to change the acoustic of your listening room. The companies that sell these types of items are definitely on to something but their products are fairly expensive so I'm trying my best to DIY at a reasonable cost.

sbayne

Owner
Ppeters - This is an attempt to recreate the sound of a Highend-Novum resonator (here is a link:http://www.highend-electronics.com/highend_novum.html) which retails for $2,500! Its basically a deep brass bowl mounted directly between the speakers with a hanger thats designed to display bowls. I need to update my system picture because now I use a total of 3 DIY resonators with Synergistic Research HFTs mounted in the center. The sound is crazy good with a huge soundstage, extreme clarity but not harsh or bright. Look around I'm sure you can find some suitable brass bowls and then simply mount one between your speakers and listen!

sbayne

Sbayne, where did you find the info for the DIY resonators?

I've looked high and low, and cannot find . . . maybe I'm going blind.

Thanks.

ppeters

Owner
Doing a lot of experimenting with DIY full-sized resonators and DIY small-sized resonators. The results are truly remarkable especially when a FEQ by Synergistic Research is added. The soundstage is huge and the clarity is like you are there but without a trace of harshness or brightness.

sbayne

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