Description

My system has continued to evolve over the past 5 years with the one constant being the Rockport Arrakis 2 bi-amplified speakers. They have continued to amaze me that as my electronics have changed and continued to improve, the Arrakis have continued to grow with the electronics as well. Every time I thought I had reached their sonic limit, I have been proven wrong and I am very happy about that.

I have now completely eliminated all tube based components in my system. I have always felt that if I could get the sound that I wanted without tubes, that would be wonderful but I never thought that would be possible. The combination of the TotalDAC digital front end and the Steve Dobbins Beat SE turntable and LT tonearm paired with the CH Precision P1 phono stage, the CH Precision L10 line stage and the CH Precision M10 amplifiers (run in active bi-amplification mode) have achieved this for me. 
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Room Details

Dimensions: 33’ × 20’  X large
Ceiling: 12’


Components Toggle details

    • CH Precision C10 DAC
    I have upgraded to the CH C10 replacing the CH C1.2 DAC with X1 power supply.
    • Roon Nucleus Plus

    • Nordost QNET
    Nordost QNET Switch powered by the Nordost QSOURCE LPS.
    • Nordost Odin Gold power cord
    I am using a Nordost Odin Gold power cord for Nordost QSOURCE LPS that powers the Nordost QNET Switch and several Nordost QPOINT resonators.
    • Nordost Valhalla 2 Ethernet Cables (2)
    I am using 2 of the Nordost Valhalla 2 ethernet cables. The first one connects between the QNET Switch and the Roon Nucleus Plus. The second is from the QNET switch to the CH Precision C10 DAC.
    • Nordost Odin 2 XLR IC
    Nordost Odin 2 Balanced IC's from the CH Precision C10 DAC to the CH Precision L10 true monaural preamp.
    • Shunyata Research Everest 8000 Power Distributor
    I am now using the Shunyata Everest 8000 power distributor which has replaced the Shunyata Triton V3 in my system for my front end electronics. I use a Nordost Odin Gold power cord for the Everest.
    • Shunyata Research Hydra DPC 6 V3 power conditioner
    I have the Shunyata DPC 6 V3 power conditioner for my computer based audio gear. I have my Nordost Qsource LPS plugged into the DPC 6 V3. 
    The DPC 6 V3 is powered by an Echole Omnia power cord from a wall outlet.
    • Steve Dobbins The Beat SE
    I have recently replaced my wonderful Steve Dobbins The Beat turntable with Steve's latest turntable, The Beat SE. The Beat SE is a complete and thorough re-design of the original Beat turntable with about 99% of the table different from the original Beat. I have had the original Beat in my system for 8 years and it has undergone several upgrades during this timeframe that always further improved the sonics, but nothing prepared me for the improvement that the Beat SE has made in my analog playback.

    June 29 2021 Update: I just replaced the umbilical power cord connection between the Beat SE power supply and the Beat SE turntable with a new umbilical power cord that Steve worked on with Nordost. The results are simply amazing.

    October 1 2021 Update: Steve has now done further modifications to the Beat SE external power supply with internal wire upgrades with wiring from Nordost as well as adding an external grounding connection that enables me to ground the Beat SE power supply to my CAD GCR reference ground box.
    • Nordost Odin 2 Power Cord
    This Odin 2 power cord is used on the outboard power supply for The Beat SE turntable. This is plugged into the Shunyata Everest 8000 power conditioner.
    • Schroeder LT Tonearm with Magnesium arm tube
    I had my previous Schroeder LT tonearm with wood arm tube modified to the even better LT tonearm with Magnesium arm tube. It has the Lyra Olympus SL cartridge mounted on it and it is truly amazing to hear this combination. This arm has replaced the Reed 2A tonearm on my "Beat" turntable. The Olympus SL has never sounded anything like this.

    June 29 2021 Update: I have upgraded the LT arm cartridge mounting plate for my Lyra Atlas SL Lambda to a new one that consists of a carbon fiber top and bottom plate with a copper plate in the middle between the 2 carbon fiber layers.
    • Schroeder LT tone arm with Magenisum arm tube
    This is a new LT tonearm but now with an arm tube made from Magnesium instead of wood. It is a very significant upgrade in sonics. I plan to have my existing LT arm modified to have the Magnesium arm tube as well.
    • Lyra Atlas SL Lambda cartridge
    I have now replaced my wonderful Lyra Etna SL cartridge with the new Lyra Atlas SL Lambda cartridge. My previous experience was that the original Etna SL cartridge was the best sounding of all of the Lyra cartridges. But not any longer. I was fortunate enough to be able to compare the new Lambda versions of the Etna SL and the Atlas SL in my system and the Atlas SL Lambda is simply stunning to hear in my system. The new Lambda Etna SL is also wonderful and better than the original Etna SL, but the Lambda Atlas SL is superior in every way.
    • CH Precision True Dual Monaural P10 phono stage
    I have now upgraded my 4 box true mono CH P1/X1 phono stage to the CH Precision P10 4 box True Dual Monaural phono stage. 
    • Nordost Odin Gold Power Cords
    I am now using two of the Nordost Odin Gold Power Cords to power the two power supplies for the CH Precision P10 true dual monaural phono stage.
    • Nordost Odin 2 XLR IC
    I am now using Nordost Odin 2 balanced IC's between the CH Precision P10 true dual monaural phono stage and the CH Precision L10 true dual monaural preamp.
    • Computer Audio Design (CAD) GC3 Ground Controls
    I am using 2 of the CAD GC3 Ground Controls. One GC3 is used for signal ground with each of my CH Precision M10 amplifiers and the second GC3 is used for Earth Ground with my Rockport Arrakis external active crossover.
    • Computer Audio Design (CAD) Ground Control GCR
    I am using the CAD Ground Control Reference (GCR) in my system. This is used for signal grounds for my front end components and the earth ground for my Shunyata Everest 8000 power distributor.
    • CH Precision L10 True Dual Monaural LInestage
    The new CH Precision L10 True Dual Monaural linestage has replaced my long time reference, the CH Precision L1 true dual monaural linestage. As good as the 4 box version of the CH L1 linestage is, The CH Precision L10 True Dual Monaural (4 box) linestage surpasses it in every audio parameter.
    • Nordost Odin Gold Power Cords
    I am using two of the Nordost Odin Gold Power Cords to power the two CH Precision L10 external power supplies for my CH Precision L10 true dual monaural preamp.
    • CH Precision M10 amplifiers
    I now am using the CH Precision M10 mono block amplifiers. I have 2 of these and I run them in their active bi-amplification mode. These have just replaced (11/30/2021) my wonderful CH Precision M1.1 mono block amplifiers.
    • Nordost Odin Gold Power Cords (4)
    I am using 4 of the Nordost Odin Gold power cords on my CH Precision M10 amps. Each CH M10 amp outboard power supply requires 2 power cords each with 20 amp IEC connectors.
    • Nordost Odin 2 XLR IC
    I use a 9 meter run of Nordost Odin 2 XLR IC's from the CH Precision L10 true dual monaural preamp to the Rockport Arrakis 2 external crossover.
    • Rockport Technologies Arrakis 2 External crossover
    This is the active external crossover for the Rockport Arrakis 2 speaker. It takes the feed from the preamplifier and then splits the signal for the bass drivers and all of the upper frequency drivers.
    • Nordost Odin Gold Power Cord
    I am now using a Nordost Odin Gold power cord on my Rockport Arrakis external crossover. This replaced the already great Nordost Odin 2 power cord.
    • Nordost Odin 2 XLR IC
    I am now using 2 pairs of Nordost Odin 2 XLR IC's to connect the Rockport external crossover to the CH Precision M10 amplifiers.
    • Nordost Odin Gold Speaker Cables
    I am using 2 pairs of Nordost Odin Gold speaker cables  to bi-amplify the Rockport Arrakis 2 speakers.
    • Rockport Arrakis 2
    My speakers are the bi ampified version of the Rockport Arrakis 2 with the active external crossover.  I am driving the speakers with a pair of CH Precision M10 amplifiers run in active bi amplification mode.
    • Furutech GTX/NCF outlets
    I have 13 of the Furutech GTX/NCF outlets with the GTX outlet Frames and the 105D NCF Carbon Fiber outlet covers.
    • HRS SXR
    I have 3 of the HRS SXR audio racks. Each rack is a 4 shelf version and I am using M3X2 isolation bases with G7 footers. These racks and bases hold the majority of my front end components. For the SXR base that holds my Beat SE turntable, I have added the SXR solid brace insert.
    • HRS SRX with M3X2 isolation base
    I have 4 of the HRS SRX amp stands with the M3X2 isolation bases with G7 footers, These are for the power supplies and my CH Precision M10 amps.
    • Nordost Sort Kones
    I am now using Nordost Sort Kones under many of my components. I am using a combination of both the BC and TC sort kones. I am using them under all of my TotalDAC digital components - both DACs, the Outboard Reclocker, the Streamer, the Live Power supply, the D1 player and the NAS. I also use them under my Beat SE turntable outboard power supply (not the turntable itself) and my Rockport Arrakis external crossover.
    • Isonic Ultrasonic RCM
    I have added the Isonic ultrasonic RCM. This is a wonderful RCM. I can do up to 10 LP's at once. It doesn't dry the records - but that is simple to do on my Loricraft.
    • Custom LP Record Cabinets
    There are now 3 of these beautiful LP record cabinets that I commissioned a friend to build for me. Its so much easier to find the LP that I am looking for and to put it back than it was with more traditional shelves that I was using before.

Comments 694

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Dear Arnie,

Congrats on your new P10 monos and M10 monos.

Could you compare the CH M10 monos to the CH M1.1?  In which ways it changed/improved the sound?

Thanks

vn101606

Hello Arnie,

Congratulations on your upgrades!

Could you please compare the audible effect the Shunyata Everest 8000 Power Distributor vs. the Shunyata Triton V3?

vn101606

Hello Arnie,  Very good looking amps!  Congrats!

vn101606

Hi Arnie,

I look forward to seeing the pictures of your system with the CH M1 monoblocks. 
Cheers,

VPN

vn101606

Hi Arnie, 

I am very glad this change brought such a large improvement across the board in a system that was already extremelly realistic.  

Thank you for the invite, and I will do my best to go there listen to your system again.  I am certainly very curious to hear the improvement. 

Cheers, 

Vicente

vn101606

Arnie, Congrats! 
Could you describe the changes brought by the CH M1 amplifiers?

vn101606

Hi Arnie,

Thanks for your answer.  It certainly makes me want one.
Cheers,

Vicente

vn101606

Dear Arnie,

Since you had both configurations, could you please compare the sound of the regular L1+X1 vs. your 4-box CH L1 True Dual Monaural?
Thanks,

Vicente  

vn101606

Hello Arnie,

Thank you for the opportunity to meet you and listen to your system!

It is certainly the best system/room that I have heard so far in my life. Your digital sounds like great analog and you analog sounds like live music.  Really amazing!

Cheers,

Vicente

vn101606

Hello Arnie,

I meant using the SGM 2015 instead of the cubox of the Totaldac server, so the USB output of the SGM would feed the Totaldac reclocker.  I read that some people did this in Asia (SGM feeding Totaldac) with great results.  So this is probably worth trying if a dealer can let you test the sgm 2015 in your system. 
Cheers,

Vicente

vn101606

Hello Arnie,

Congrats on your new upgrades!  I am sure your system sounds even more realistic now.

If you care to try at some point in time, I wonder how your Totaldac Twelve would sound if either:

a) You used a SGM 2015 (with 2TB or 4TB SSD upgrade) to feed the Totaldac reclocker, instead of the Totaldac Server.

b) You used a Melco N1ZS/2 as NAS instead of the QNAP

Cheers,

VPN

vn101606

Hello Arnie,

Thank you!

Your description is very clear,  and better than any scoring.
Cheers,

Vicente

vn101606

Hello Arnie,

Thank you for taking the time and sharing!  This is quite useful.

So I learn that in your experience, in terms of upgrades, if you someone has only one X1, use it dedicated only to the L1, don't use it with the P1, and don't share with the P1. 

If you don't mind me asking one more question, If you were to give a 100 score to a L1 with dedicated X1, which score would you give to a L1 without X1?

Cheers,

VPN

vn101606

Arnie,

Congratulations!  From your comments, the CH components seem like a wonderful upgrade!

Regarding the CH L1, I understand there are several configurations:
A - L1 Dual Monaural
B - L1 Dual Monaural + X1
C - 2x L1 (True Dual Monaural)
D - 2x L1 (True Dual Monaural) + X1 (two regulator boards)
E - 2x L1 (True Dual Monaural) + 2x X1 

You ultimately decided for option E.  I wonder if you compared options B and C, and which one was better.

Thanks,

VPN

vn101606

Hello Arnie,

How do you connect your subwoofers?
Do you connect the subs directly to the Absolare preamp?  Connect them to the Rockport crossover lowpass?  There is an additional set of outs in the Rockport crossover (three way) for the subs?
Thanks,

VPN

vn101606

Hi Arnie,

Not yet. Stillpoints are officially in my list, but I haven`t bought yet.

I am now waiting for a major purchase of Duelund CAST components I ordered so I will have two new Duenlund CAST - only external crossovers made for my speakers (no changes in the circuit, just component upgrade), so this will take some time and a lot of listening for the changes. I am really looking forward to this upgrade.

Cheers,

VPN

vn101606

Hi Arnie,

Thank you for your response. I will see if I am able to hear both of them in my system (may not be possible).
Cheers,

Vicente

vn101606

Hello Babybear,

I have a pair of Echole Obsession interconnects and I am considering buying more. The Echole Signature is about 80% more expensive than the Obsession, so I will probably stick to the Obsession, but I wanted to have a word from you on how much better is the Signature. If could give me a sense of the magnitude of the difference it would be highly appreciated.
Cheers,

VPN

vn101606

Babybear, Lloydelee21, and Himiguel,

Thank you for your feedback!
Cheers,

VPN

vn101606

Hello Babybear,

In my view (not having heard it), I believe you have one of the top three systems here at Audiogon. Congrats!

I am considering using 2 sets of 4 Stillpoints Ultra 5 with their bases under my (very heavy) Dunlavy SC-VI speakers. I currently have BDR Pucks and cones.

Do you think this would be recommented?

Thanks,

VPN

vn101606

Hello,

Would you mind providing as much detail as possible about the difference between the VTL 7.5 Series 3 and Series 2? I am deciding between the VTL 7.5 series 3 and the Dartzeel 18NS.
Thanks in advance for your time!

Vicente

vn101606