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 have the Havana as well, and I love it. I changed out the tubes and it got even better!! I tried about 5 other DAC's prior to this one to match with my AppleTV, so I'm right with you. Great rig, BTW.
System edited: Major changes to the system over the last few months. I added the Auditorium 23 Homage T1 step-up which took the analog playback to yet another level - truly remarkable. The Havana DAC is so good its hard to imagine a better DAC at any price. Finally, the V-Cap upgrades in Will Vincent's amps was also a revelation. This hobby is never ending and that is what makes it fun for me!
Your Garrard 301 is also a beautiful table. Matt also told me to forget about isolation devices, Shindo is voiced to work best on solid wood, so your timbernation rack seems perfect. If I had to make a comment, I would say the only thing missing from your system is a Shindo amp. However, given your Alons are only 88 dBs, you would need something quite powerful and expensive, say the new Shindo mono blocks which pump out 80 wpc.
Hi Mike, the Shindo Mr. T makes a noticeable improvement through out my system, even on the non-Shindo gear. Just can't beat those Shindo transformers! It does concern me a little that there is no surge/spike protection but I do have a rider on my insurance for my system which includes it. I haven't had to use it yet but probably some day.....
Scott I love your system! I agree with your assessment of Matt at Pitch Perfect, top class guy to deal with. I notice that you have a Shindo Mr T. I'm considering this as well, but I understand that it doesn't actually provide any surge/spike protection. Is this a concern to you? Do you notice a significant improvement in sound with this in your system?
Hi, I've been messing around with the Keces USB DAC which costs about $250 and I assume is made in China. After about 50 hours the sound settled down. It also responded positively to a Black Sand Violet power cord. The "upgrade" that really surprised me was a USB cable I picked-up at Staples office supply that has gold plated ends and extra shielding. That USB cable added a little more authority to the bass and seemed to open-up the midrange. I have my sights set on a Wavelength DAC but for now the Keces is very good. Scott
Just wanted to add a few more words about the Shindo equipment. I've gotten a number of emails "off-line" asking for instance: whether its worth the expense, if you must use high-efficiency speakers, if you can buy it cheaper in Japan, etc. I am going to repeat my responses here to hopefully start a constructive dialogue. Please just let me say I am not an expert on Shindo gear. All I can tell you is MY experience. First and foremost I can say its the best sounding gear I've had in my system - you simply forget about hi-fi and listen to music. So the next question is what are you willing to pay for that type of musical experience in your home? Obviously, I decided it was "worth it." In fact, I have changed most of my system around, at a fairly significant expense, to accommodate the Shindo gear. As to going the high efficiency - SET route - all I can say is the Haut Brion amp is not an SET configuration and I could not imagine any speaker with a reasonable load that could not be driven extremely well by this amp. Forget the power rating. I technically need a more "powerful" amp for my speakers but I don't think I'm being short-changed in anyway. As to buying it for half-price or even less in Japan all I can say is "good luck" because you are going to need it. From what I can figure you would have to fly to Japan, buy the gear, ship it back, modify the transformers for US voltage or use a cheap voltage converter and live with no warranty or dealer support. If you want to go to that expense and take that chance then go for it. Personally, I think its foolish. Enough said on that subject and please no more emails from people who I don't think own Shindo gear but are more than happy to tell me I got ripped-off buying it from a US dealer! Finally, just want to say Shindo will get you back into your analog collection. Digital gear has come a long way but vinyl through Shindo is still a step above it in my opinion. Best regards, Scott
Joel, it must be the lens I used - the speakers shoot straight ahead. The Shindo gear is very good on its own but together they go up another notch. Thanks for the kind comments. Scott
Thanks Matt. The Shindo gear is truly excellent. Anyone reading this: check out Pitch Perfect Audio. Matt Rotundo is the owner. He provides excellent service, has great gear and is a super guy to deal with. Scott
Thanks Ken. The Shindo equipment has really gotten me back into analog. Amazing what a good set of transformers can do for a preamp! Take care and stay in touch.
Thanks! The Olive turned out to be much more musical than I expected it would. I have to admit using a decent music server as a high-end source is in no way a compromise. I currently have my eye on some DAC units so the system may be changing......we shall see. Best regards, Scott
