my system is so much better than i ever dreamed when i started this journey about 30 years ago.never did i think i would be possible to achieve the sound, i currently hear, in my listening room.My amps are superb...the speakers are amazing...the network player sounds better than the SACD player that preceeded it.I have 2 Silent Source 'Music Reference' power cords.My new Silversmith 'Fidelium' speaker cables are truly amazing.The addition of the Uptown Audio 'EtheREGEN has significantly improved the sound.The addition of the Salon ethernet cable has improved the sonics.I changed my previous modem/router setup to a single Actiontec product.Have just added 2 REL 212 SE subwoofers. The addition has significantly improved the soundstage and midrange....as well as the bass.I have recently replaced the Symposium Platforms that were under my speakers..Tidal and RELs, with AV RoomServive EVP HDR isolation devices that have significantly improved the sound.Upgrading my Lumin to X1 level was a great idea.....Have replaced the Psvane WE 300B tubes with Psvane ACME 300B tubes.My 845s are Psvane WEs.Have also added a LessLoss Entropic C-MARC power cord to my Lumin X1.Have also added a LessLoss C-MARC RCA interconnect..Stay tuned..
Andrew..they don't currently but i would be willing to bet that if you asked Tom Willman about that he might be willing to talk about doing that...for a price...It would be as great as the Grails are..no doubt..dave
David, let's plan on that. It should be a lot of fun. We just have to time it correctly for the bambinos sake. I will let you know more specifics when we have our travel times worked out.
Andrew..no plans at the minute.I did get the Nordost 'Sort Kones' and put them under the Lumin player which did make an audible improvement. We would love to have you and your wife stop by. If you could stop long enough for a quick dinner..maybe pizza and wine..that would be great...i just added a REL S5 sub yesterday. i have to get it set-up correctly which i will be doing this weekend.The dealer who delivered the sub thought the system was probably the best he had ever heard..
Andrew,,i have thought about that in the past as i do have a very large...unfinished...room in the attic....alas...i am getting older...and do not want to climb 2 flights of stairs to hear the music...but i would be able to listen ANYTIME i wanted....HUM !!!!
System edited: Have added 3 HF CT-1 pcs to the system which are superb. Have also added Psvane WE 845 tubes to my amps which are also superb. Will be adding Psvane WE 300 b tubes this month also.
Getting ready to install 2 matched pairs of Psvane WE845 tubes.Just waiting on 1 of the tubes that had a loose filament tensioning spring to be replaced and back to me..should be in about 2 weeks..Can't wait..
Charles, I am an audio anthropologist of sorts and watch these guys on their forums. They have zeal indeed that surpasses us IMO. The pattern here is to buy some gucci name brand equipment, start a system thread which is invariably "an all out assault" and hold court while others fawn over our shine new stuff. They, on the other hand, despite having systems some of which approach 1,000,000, keep pushing and pushing and pushing. The grounding game (Tripoint) is just one of many examples. They seem to keep an open and curious mind and keep moving forward. For us, an all out assault is a state of mind like a movie. For them, it is an actual battle. I tip my hat to them. I am unworthy.
As one of my most astute and golden eared audiophile friends (Joe Tucker) said, you have to stay humble in this hobby to get good sound. Keep an open mind and never stop learning....
Andrew, I don't think it's a lack of zeal for american audiophiles to spend money on expensive audio products. It seems rather a decision to stick with the comfortable highly regarded "tried and true" manufactuers and money allocation. They will spend willing for ultra priced speakers(big Focals,Wilson, Magico etc.). also certain electronics Pass XS, ARC REF big amps or the VAC Statement line. I think a degree of trust and past history breeds confidence with these names. Chalice Audio no matter how sublime will have a hard time getting traction and recognition in this market.
This is why some feel very comfortable with 60K or more speakers and 40K or more amps/preamps but balk at a 13K Tripoint Troy for example. Just diffent conditioned spending behavior. Charles,
Dave and Charles, thank you. Kids are a gift from heaven. I will indeed bring pics, and I would be honored to meet Tom. We will be making a family trip to C'ville in the spring.....
Dave, as an aside, I told Miguel at Tripoint Audio about your amps, and he is intrigued. He shares Tom's fanatical attention to detail. His stuff (external grounding boxes and power conditioners) is SOTA and he moves a lot of product in Asia. Chalice Audio would do well there although there are obvious hurdles and logistical headaches. On the flip side, the Asian audio community has a zeal that many of us lack and are willing to spend serious cash to get there if necessary....
I agree. I pretty much met my goals a few years back. I don't feel I need anything better than what I have. Most of what I do these days is expansion, ie getting similar good results to the extent possible in additional rooms, on my second system, via web and mobile access, etc. Mostly I just listen and enjoy the music though.
Andrew...that is SO cool.i am sure you and your wife are very proud parents.Beautiful name...Be sure to bring a picture when you stop by next time.The upgrade took that long due to a Danish company that was making the interstage transformers for Tom not being able..for a long time..to remove some 'hum' that Tom was hearing in them. they could not replicate it for about 6 months. They finally DID hear it and corrected the problem. Tom will NOT put something in just to make things better unless the part is perfect.Dave...He came over last sunday and just loved how great his amps sounded ..The other owner lives in Vermont.
Mapman...there are some audiophiles that CAN reach their goal and be very satisfied with that end point.I knew from the beginning of this journey...some 25 years ago...what i wanted to eventually...hopefully...accomplish.I am there. There aren't many systems that compare to mine.
