Update May 17.

PS Audio left the system earlier this year after I had to question it's contribution in the end. It sold very quickly and the new owner is delighted with it which is great. So, the design for a replacement power supply began last Xmas, and the finished (well, almost) in in use now, and the sonic difference between mains wall outlet, and P10, is an eye opener. I will add more detail about it, but this afternoon a colleague will bring a Kemp conditioner that he uses for comparison, (i don't think there will be any btw). See my system details and pics for more info on what I built. All i can say is it is by far the biggest single jump in sonic ability I have ever heard in my system here, and my wife agrees for once, which means something!

ps68 May 06, 2017 10:23

Thanks Peter, and yes I did and replied just this week..

Kevin, I wouldn't be able to judge any arm on an LP12, except Linn's own of course ;-). The two TT's using a SEAC that I have heard have been outstanding, but of course, it is the whole package that makes music, or not!

The MY Ultra Eminent BC will arrive here in the UK in August probably, so I aim for late september to have the turntable plinth built and installed, and this will be run into the new Concert Fidelity TUBE phono stage, SPB040. This piece is not intended to improve upon the original SPA4-c JFET stage, that would be difficult. It is being introduced as the JFET's are now in very short supply, and CF need to hold their remaining stock as service parts. The new design I've not yet heard, but includes MC & MM input, along with a TAPE head input. Gain is by 12AT7 & 12AU7 at output stage. More valve fun ahead then ;-)
Rgds,
Paul.

ps68 June 26, 2014 14:14

Back in the day, our local shop had an SAEC with sintered ceramic headshell mounted on a Linn Sondek of all things. The SAEC was supposed to be "the thing." I listened to it and it was nothing special. Perhaps the set-up was lacking, I don't know. But it was a massive tonearm and sonically not particularly distinguished. Even the shop's owner wasn't wild about it. How it developed this reputation over the years is anyone's guess. Maybe it is great, but I auditioned that set up many times and it wasn't.

kevinkwann June 20, 2014 21:17

Very nice, enjoy it! Did you get my response PM on WBF? I suspect my PMs are making it through to anyone

ack June 20, 2014 12:14

System edited: New images and update to the vinyl replay system.

ps68 June 20, 2014 10:27

Vinyl playback is not too far away now, the motor unit is the Denon DP 3000, modified and rebuilt by Concert Fidelity owner, Masa Tsuda. He replaces all the circuit boards, makes external power supply, rebuild motor, replaces bearings with Sapphire and Ruby bearing, plus some other things i'm not clued up on. We used one of these at T.H.E Show, Newport Beach, and it is staggeringly good. I have sourced a 1978 mint condition SAEC 506/30 tonearm, complete with the ULS-3x Ceramic headshell, and the AS-600E stabiliser weight. It is on my desk as I write, the bearing seem to exhibit seriously low friction, it just dances freely when prompted, wonderful Japanese engineering indeed. Cartridge choice is the MY Sonic Labs Ultra Eminent BC, a decision made after using the Eminent BC at T.H.E show. It seems to be a very special maker indeed, held in very high esteem in Japan. The plinth design is also complete, image above hopefully. Most likely COCOBOLO main plinth, acrylic top plate, solid EBONY tonearm pod, silicone gel isolators in the underside. We will produce two plinth to begin with, one will be for a Sony TT-s 8000 motor unit, the other for the Denon DP 3000. This should be fun!

Rgds,
Paul.

ps68 June 20, 2014 09:48

Very exciting Dan, I'd like to hear your thoughts, i'll give you a call soon. I have not heard a system using the Tripoint but a friend uses the Entreq with fantastic results, so it is something I'm keeping an eye on for future inclusion here perhaps..

Atb,
Paul.

ps68 March 14, 2014 07:54

Would look forward to it Paul.

Similar situation here. I've had a Tripoint Troy Sig here for the last month and it's made a staggering difference.

defride March 11, 2014 20:05

Hey Defride sorry I missed your input here, and yep, i did try to convince myself otherwise (i'm told) to avoid the long round trip to pick up a set of speaker platforms but the difference was all too obvious wasn't it?

Domestically, the system is at an all time high, what with the new digital Infinity IC and a rewire to the ML's, it's pretty convincing now, and i'm sure you'd notice on a future visit.. (Always welcome of course)..

ps68 March 02, 2014 19:13

While Paul might not be so vocal about his supports on the forum I'm happy to be!

I heard the before and after using the speaker platforms in the CF/TAD show system. They helped flesh out the tonality and sense of focus/presence. A very worthy enhancement to an already very decent setup.

The TT project sounds interesting, look forward to seeing where it leads. Though I've even less vinyl than you the temptation to do something about that continues to nag.

defride January 16, 2014 18:46

A development to the Infinity digital IC has provided an improvement in terms of low level articulation, finer details are standing out better now, coherence across the frequency band has real even-ness whereas before, with all other digital IC's used, there was evidence of a slight muddying only apparent after we have installed this one: so worthy of inclusion in the system without doubt.

Next year will see the system re-gain a Vinyl source, more of a personal project for me as I probably only have 80-100 lps that I would choose to play out of the 500 or so that I have, taste moves on, and my focus on CD and maximising the sq from it has reached a very happy, thrilling and therefore satisfying point now. I have been working on designing a skeletal plinth for a Denon DP3000 that Mr Tsuda has been working his in depth magic on, and will pair this with his wonderful SPA 4c phonostage, a SAEC 506/30 tonearm, but cartridge is to be selected once all up and running, so open to suggestions!

Happy new year too folks!

Paul.

ps68 December 27, 2013 10:03

Thanks Paul that is great news, can you please send me some higher resolution pictures to [email protected] And a brief description of your audio system. Cheers Jason.

jasonparmenter October 17, 2013 21:39

Of course it would Jason, I follow your page anyway!

ps68 October 17, 2013 18:30

Paul wonderful audio system you have put together, the Concert Fidelity audio equipment is very impressive in build and sound quality, I am sure it would sound wonderful with the TAD loudspeakers.
Paul would it be okay to post a picture of your audio system on my Parmenter Sound Facebook page promoting Concert Fidelity.
Please let me know.
Thanks Jason.

jasonparmenter October 17, 2013 08:48

Knghifi, you're welcome, do let me know how you get on, I think ZL120V2SE will be used with CR1 at CES next January in CF room..

Metralla, the bases are a product I have developed along with the rack support, well spotted!! They do help the CR1, each time I have used them, I had to have them placed on the bases, which incidentally I produced for my own ML's. They do raise the speaker more than I would live with personally, but they tighten up the LF and mid range adding better definition and imaging. We initially didn't expect to use them at the show, and left them behind when we set off but after set up and testing, we tried the CR1 on two of the spare shelves for the rack which are of similar construction, and it was clear that we had to use them, so thankfully a colleague drove the 5 hour round trip to collect my pair for when the show opened..

I am not keen on using forums etc to promote my supports etc, but they may be available worldwide next year, and in use at CES 14 in several rooms.

Best wishes,
Paul.

ps68 October 16, 2013 06:55

Paul,

What are the bases the TAD CR-1s are sitting on?

Regards,

metralla October 16, 2013 00:15

Ps68, Thanks for sharing your experience. A dealer ~150 miles away has a ZL-120V2SE available for demo so planning a wknd trip soon.

knghifi October 15, 2013 18:00

Knghifi,

Apologies, I was away and missed your post; back now to catch up..

TAD CR1 is a wonderful speaker, and benefits from power being slightly inefficient at around 86db, but, I would not say there is a huge difference between the two Concert Fidelity amplifiers unless you crave concert hall volume. In a normal domestic setting, both are superb & very synergistic with the TAD's. All pieces have incredible transparency, and although I have not personally heard the E1, I do know that Mr Tsuda has used them very successfully with both ZL-120V2SE and ZL-200. The ZL-200 is very special, but the 120V2SE is in no way a slouch, I happily live with both!

Regards
Paul.

ps68 October 14, 2013 20:32

Ps68, are there HUGE differences between Concert Fidelity ZL-120V2SE and ZL-200 driving TAD CR1's?

I have TAD E1's and heard Concert Fidelity is an excellent match for TADs.

knghifi September 28, 2013 15:44

System edited: A development to the shelf providing total isolation form the
support has been implemented and will form the basis of the final model. The
O2 shelf allows such ease and natural flow of music to an already solid
foundation. We showed this system at the UK National Audio Show recently using
the TAD CR1's, many visitors suggesting that it topped the best of show sound
list.. Immensely pleased indeed..

ps68 September 25, 2013 22:05

Sorry, that should have read 1621a, which is beginning to sound rather good..

ps68 July 14, 2013 06:11

System edited: MBL transport upgraded to the reference line 161a, once settled i'll add some more info.

ps68 July 10, 2013 17:51

Just noticed I didn't update that I made it to Paul's and sampled his wonderful hospitality.

Having seen Paul's craftmanship previously the visit reinforced the perception of quality. The attention to detail in his work is sublime and must be seen to be appreciated.

I've had a sample of of the Z:Axis speaker cable in my system for the past couple of weeks and am impressed. It's delivering air and tonality that I'd not heard previously in my system backed up by it's usual solid foundation.

Great stuff all around.

defride July 02, 2013 19:16

Thank you Tboooe, your comments are very much appreciated.. I just received your email and will arrange a cost inc shipping etc..

ATB,
Paul.

ps68 July 02, 2013 16:04

Will do Paul. Yes I am US based. As a small business person myself, its always great to see top quality and innovative products coming from businesses such as yours. Congrats!

tboooe July 02, 2013 15:27