MY Place sbayne

by sbayne on Ever Evolving

Description

High priority on tone, soundstage and overall balance of sound.
Read more...

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

Sign in to comment
Owner
Picked-up and got the MOABs hooked-up today. Similar to the pair of Impact Monitors with stereo subs I had. A little more coherent. Overall, very nice and excellent value!

sbayne

Owner
Sold my Rythmik subs. Phew, been a crazy few days!

sbayne

Owner
In a matter of 24 hours, I bought a pair Tekton MOABs and sold both pairs of my Impact Monitors.  It was a deal I knew I had to make a quick decision on - so I went for it.

sbayne

Owner
So, a couple hours after I posted my last comment, I get an ad from Audio Advisor about the AudioLab integrated and matching DAC/streamer. They want $1,650 for the pair which they claim is huge value. Looking at the specs the streamer uses the same DAC as my Yamaha but the integrated is only rated at 50/watts per channel! I don't know if the control app is any good but even if its stable thats still $900 more than the Yamaha plus you need to add decent power cords and a pair of interconnects!

sbayne

Owner
Read another review this weekend of a "high end" AIO (all-in-one) having problems. This one retails for $8K and had hiss coming from the speakers but, of course, the reviewer said you couldn't hear it while playing music! My Yamaha has no hiss even with the volume fully open and no music playing. A review I read a couple of weeks ago talked about how much he liked a company's AIO he was reviewing but the control app/software was not stable! Yamaha's MusicCast app has never crashed or locked-up on me. I would strongly suggest before you pay big bucks for an AIO make sure there are NO operating problems! Don't assume expensive is better!

sbayne

Owner
I updated my system pictures. The Raysonic is really coming into its own. It responds well to the PPT products!

sbayne

Owner
I've made some fairly significant changes to my system. I've added even more PPT products and a Synergistic Research Powercell 10SE MKIII.  I've also repositioned the ElectraClear EAU-1s and Kemp QA plug so they are introduced earlier in the circuit. The sound is f-ing amazing.

sbayne

Owner
Thanks @millercarbon! Yeah lots of different things going on in my system, no doubt.  The equipment I’ve gone through over the years is crazy.  I’ll be in touch.

sbayne

Omega mats, eCards, ECT, Tranquility Bases, Jupiter caps, on and on.  Can only punch way above its class. Awesome.

millercarbon

Owner
*

sbayne

Owner
I also used a little Total Contact on the SR Orange fuse and let that bake in the system for a few days. Really remarkable how tweaking the power and the signal can make such a significant improvement.

sbayne

Owner
zipost - I checked out your systems. Wow! Those Odeons are spectacular! Also the Dynastation is super cool. Very nice. I had a pair of Altec Valencia 846a with field coil drivers running with Shindo gear for a few years so I definitely understand your liking nice Triodes! 

Anyway, yes, I run stacked Tekton Impact Monitors. I did it because I heard a pair of Ulfs and thought I could sort of replicate those by adding another pair of Eric's tweeter arrays. I run the second pair off my amp's B channel so they are getting the exact same signal and power. The subs are Rythmk servos which are fast and integrate with the arrays very well. The Tektons sound very much like a horn speaker. You get the leading edge of the note and the natural decay. The dynamics are immediate and fast - like a horn. I see you are running 2a3 amps which are about 6 watts. The Tekton Ulfs are 99db into 4 ohms so you might be able to drive them. I think you would be impressed. 

sbayne

Tekton speakers, is that two pairs of speakers stacking together with the bass module.  Let me know how it sounds?  If you don’t mind sharing your experiences with the speakers.  Much appreciated!

zipost

Owner
Based on others' experiences I didn't think the Orange fuse would need much or any break-in. That was wrong. I now have at least 48 hours on the fuse and its sounding much more "organic" and refined. Looking back, it was a little too vibrant right out of the box. I'm going to let it play for a few more days but its gone way past what I expected.

sbayne

Owner
I've been listening to a lot of music during the COVID-19 "stay-at-home" order and, of course, thinking of ways to squeeze the last bit of performance out of my system without breaking the bank.  I re-read some of the forum reviews of the Synergistic Research Orange fuse. I've been very please with the Blue fuses but thought I'd try the Orange fuse. 
Wow! The reviews are right. The Orange is better in every way! Expanded soundstage, more natural presentation, more defined frequency extension, etc. Very impressive!

sbayne

Owner
I've updated the pictures of my system. It now shows the tube phono stage and the PPT E-Mats on the back of my speakers. I've also added bowl resonators to the top of the speakers. Since I'm working from home right now I spent my "lunchbreak" listening to music and decided to take some pictures!

sbayne

Owner
Since I've been working from home because of the Corona virus scare I've been running my system for over 12 hours per day using the Ayre burn-in CD for a good chunk of it. Sat down and had a nice long listening session last night. No doubt, the soundstage is deeper and wider. I'm thinking my second pair of Tekton Impact Monitors weren't fully broken-in!

sbayne

Owner
I've been breaking-in some new PPT products and a new phono preamp. System is sounding really big and three dimensional. I've also gotten more feedback from Yamaha R-N803 users which has all been positive. I will say be careful you are not using a Yamaha AVR which is intended for movies - its a different animal.

sbayne

Owner
I got two "hater" private messages last night about my system (I actually think they may be the same person using two different user names. I've reported "them" to the admin) I could care less if you do or do not buy Synergistic Research, Tekton, PPT or Yamaha stuff! That's not the intent of my system page. I'm simply reporting MY experience with these products.

sbayne

Owner
Thanks chrshanl37.  The Yamaha is a great all in one unit.  Forget that it’s a “receiver”. To me, it’s an amp, preamp, streamer, DAC, phono preamp, and tuner - controlled by an IPad - that sounds great! Plus, it’s less than $1k from a major manufacturer.  It’s got value written all over it.  Use the right cables/accessories and it’s performance is amazing!

sbayne

Great looking system sbayne! The Yamaha is a sleeper of an amp, I just purchased one to downsize my system and it sounds superb driving my Herons I’s. Hard to believe you can get so much performance for little $$. Certainly not missing my Kinki Ex m1 or my Wells Majestic these days. Well done!

chrshanl37

Owner
bdp24 - Thanks for checking out my system! Yeah, I've read and been told a number of times about all the "problems" Tekton speakers have by using multiple tweeters and especially by stacking a pair of them!!!  Ha,ha  Problem is this set-up sounds absolutely real. Music is a big deal in my life. My average week includes at least two rehearsals and a couple of performances. My wife is a professional musician. Tonight we are attending a concert featuring tenor Limmie Pulliam. Check him out on YouTube. He is spectacular! I've literally had world-class musicians hear my system. I know these people well enough they would definitely tell me if things were out-of-whack. If you are ever near Charlotte, NC stop by for a listen!

sbayne

sbayne, having the Rythmik F8's is very cool, as is using them as bases for the Tektons. May I make a suggestion? Go onto You Tube and watch all the Tech Talk Tuesday videos that Danny Richie of GR Research (Rythmik Brian Ding's collaborator) has made. Find the episodes in which Danny discusses the problems caused by employing multiple tweeters on the same baffle. With two Tekton's stacked, you are creating some serious phasing, lobing, and comb filtering issues. The huge distances between the various tweeters is unquestionably creating some out-of phase cancellation at certain frequencies.

But, if you like the resulting sound, that's in the end all that matters.

bdp24

Owner
I've been letting the PPT products settle for over a month now. The sound I'm getting from this Yamaha receiver and stacked Tekton monitors really is incredible.

sbayne

Owner
I moved a number of E-Mats to the back of my speakers directly behind the Tekton array. They've only been there a few days but I can tell its already an improvement from where they were before which was under my receiver. I also placed some E-Cards between the Impact Monitor stacks and the subwoofers.

sbayne

Displaying posts 151 - 175 of 595 in total
  • 221.7 Thousand
  • 595
  •  5
© 2026 Audiogon.com