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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very nice.... love to hear your comments on how the Valencias compare to the Harbeths.

mikeyc8

Owner
System edited: OK, I did it - I bought a Shindo SET amp. I found locally a primo pair of Altec Valencia 846A speakers so I just had to try a Shindo SET. The overall tone and balance of the sound is excellent. I still think the Shindo Sinhonia F2a mono amps offer a better defined bass than the Cortese but with the Altecs the Cortese just sounds a little better through the treble and upper midrange - its a very close call though. Also, I went back to the Olive music server in my main system. I still listen mostly to analog but it is nice to have your whole CD collection at your fingertips.

sbayne

Thanks for your responses.
Enjoy your system. Looks like a lot of fun.

bnrlaw

Owner
Bnrlaw: Just to add a couple more thoughts on your question. The top end on the Sinhonias is very refined - much like a good SET amp. However, you can drive pretty much any speaker you want with them. With these amps there is really no reason to go to a higher efficiency speaker. The Harbeth 40.1 are excellent performers top to bottom which mate well with the amps so that is why I went with them.

sbayne

Owner
You wanted to know where I stand on the high eff/low power debate. Personally, I think its hard to get the lower midrange and bass right without sufficient watts which usually means push/pull designs. Thats not to say SET amps, when mated with the proper speakers or horns, cannot have excellent low ends i.e. Shindo's field coil speakers. I may eventually end up owning a pair of Devore, Living Voice, Audio Physic or something similar. I'm not sure I would go to a Shindo Cortese or 300b amp though - I would probably keep the Sinhonias. But, of course, I never say never when it comes to audio.

sbayne

Thanks for response.
I understand that the Shindos can drive the Harbeths, but I am curious to know whether you looked into higher efficiency speakers and simply rejected them in favor of the Harbeths.

bnrlaw

Owner
Bnrlaw: the Sinhonia monos work well with many speakers as long as the load remains relatively stable. In my system, for instance, they have no trouble driving the 40.1 which are rated at 85db into 6 ohms. I auditioned the Super HL5s and the 40.1 are in a different league - they should be based on the price. All areas of performance, not just the bass, are better in the 40.1.

sbayne

Just curious - why did you decide to go with the Harbeths for your Shindo system and not something with higher efficiency? Also, why the 40.1 and not the Super HL5's?
Great looking system btw!

bnrlaw

Owner
Doc_stereo: how do the Shakti Hallographs "work" is a question I can't answer. The manufacturer claims they contour the frequency, amplitude and time coefficients of the reflections you hear. Based on my experience I have no reason to doubt that claim.

sbayne

Congrats on a great system! Matt at Pitch Perfect truly is a great guy. I'm not too familiar with the Shakti Hallographs - how do they work as room treatments?

doc_stereo

Owner
All the kind words are truly appreciated. thanks.

sbayne

Love your system! Very close to what I hope to have someday.

tom_hankins

Scott: Looking great! I think you've just jumped up another level with the addition of the Harbeths, they look fantastic with your setup. I bet they must sound very nice as well. Congrats!

mikeyc8

Owner
As you have probably read the bass with the 40.1s is the hardest thing to get right. I've spent a lot of time on positioning the speakers and adjusting the Shakti Hallographs. At this level of performance everything seems to make a difference but thats part of the fun!

sbayne

Congratulations Sbayne on the addition of the Shindo Sinhonia F2a amplifiers to your system. Also, what a wonderfully delicious setup that you have with your upstream components. I have not heard the Shindo/Harbeth 40.1 combination...but, I bet it just sounds right! Happy listening!

unoear

Awesome!!

The 40's have to sound incredible with the Shindos.

Did you have to reposition the 40's with the new amps?

How does the low end bass sound now with the 12" woofer?

Congrats on the Shindos.

lapierre

Owner
System edited: Major update to system. Went to Shindo amps to match my preamp. The Harbeths go very well with the Shindo equipment. Best tone, attack, decay, resolution and overall musicality I have yet heard. Big bucks but it was worth it.

sbayne

Good choice and decision on your part.

Keep up the good work.

Spin the Yellowjackets.

lapierre

I really like this system,I'll bet it sounds as good as it looks.Congrats

souterncross

Owner
Lapierre, moving-up the Shindo line of preamps has been my best decision. I have built my system around that preamp by adding the very Shindo-like turntable/cartridge combo and Au23 Homage step-up. With that front-end and preamp the music just flows. There is no need to dissect the sound - it just plays music. I've tried a number of different power amps, including a Shindo that was very good, but they did not make as much difference as the preamp. Macdadtexas: I've actually taken all digital out of my system.I'm totally into analog at the moment. I may put my AudioNote transport and Havana DAC up for sale - not that they are bad but I'm getting spoiled by the analog side of things....

sbayne

Sbayne, I actually changed to a BelCanto DAC3, really just to change something out. It's v good too.

macdadtexas

Nice setup.

Just curious what was the best decision on any of your components? Why?

Thanks

lapierre

Owner
I recently added Hi-Fi Tuning Silver fuses to the amps and broke them in with over 48 hours of music playback. The improvement in the sound was substantial. So I decided to add another 48 hours of break-in to the AU 23 step-up by using Granite Audio's MC disc. My system has never sounded better. I really think the higher-end caps and silver wire need lots of playing time. I had hundreds of hours on my system before but now the tone, body of the sound and bass is simply more realistic. Want a super cheap tweek?: play your system! :-)

sbayne

I have the WE 396a right now, I hadn't heard about the the 6n3p, but I'm shoppin' now!! thx.

macdadtexas

Owner
Macdadtexas, I did a lot of tube rolling in the Havana as well. The Russian 6N3P that has gotten so much talk on the boards is very good and depending on your taste may be a little better than the Western Electric 396A. The Havana lets you hear ever change in tubes which is a sign of the quality of the product.

sbayne

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