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. 
Read more...

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

Showing all comments by zephyr24069.

View all comments

Arnie....do you ever rest? Looks like you have been very busy pushing the boundaries on your system playback again,.....CH Precision? Wow! That's another big jump for you.  I heard multiple racks of their gear and also 2 rooms loaded with Wadax Reference and Atlantis last May and would be interested in your take on your new CH acquisitions and what else you may be considering from them (Transport, Dual Mono DAC?) and how you feel it all compares to things you've heard and also those you've owned in the past.

Did you work with Elliott at Bending Wave by any chance on the CH purchases?

This room continues to be one of the best and most appealing in the world to me on this forum or any other!

Merry Christmas (belated) and Happy New Year!

zephyr24069

Thanks Arnie!  I see you are running a TRITON v3. Drop me a note sometime and we can share experience with that as I've had one for a while now and am extremely impressed; I dare say I found my destination conditioner. The availability of a star-grounding plane on the TRITON v3 is an innovation that is drastically overdue in this industry and Caelin aced it when he took this approach IMHO.

Remind me to tell you about the huge leap that adding the new TYPHON QR to my setup with the TRITON v3 a few months ago caused.  I did not think things could sound better from the power aspect; I was wrong...the TYPHON QR has put a musical advancement into my system that really surprised me.

Happy New Year!

zephyr24069

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours!

zephyr24069

Arnie....you've been busy and as usual, your system and room are stunning!!!

zephyr24069

"Thanks zephyr,
If you are ever in Texas let me know and perhaps we can do some listening."

You know it! Thanks, I do get to TX sometimes for work (DFW, Houston, San Antonio, Austin mostly); will definitely let you know! 

Your room and system are insane(ly great)!!!

zephyr24069

Arnie,...sorry for the delay in responding and thanks for the background on your decision to move forward with the REL 6-pack.. Your room and setup like Mike L's and a couple of others is that perfect combination of beautiful room, purpose-built for audio and an insanely great system!  You are very fortunate and have one kick-ass and musical setup!

zephyr24069

Arnie,

I meant to ask you last year....what led you to go with 2 x 3 G1 MkIIs as opposed to one per side (G25 or G1)?

zephyr24069

Simply amazing....I cannot believe you added sub towers (2 x 3) to that already amazing system.  That must hit the foundations of the house (!) with great sounds.  When will you post new pics?   You've been very busy :-) !!!

zephyr24069

Amazing system,...ever improving; you must be extremely happy!

zephyr24069

Thanks for the feedback on the grounding cables; I've had star-grounding in the system for many years (and it's never leaving) so I am definitely a fan. I would definitely want to do A:B on such expensive ground cables and grounding devices but am definitely open to the experiment!

Babybear: The change in DACs is a surprise as much as we know you love the MSB.....let us know how this new stack burns in and matures!

zephyr24069

Arnie: Thanks for the info on the Entreq; hope you are doing well and enjoying a lot of great listening time!

Himiguel: I will reach out to you separately. I will say at the outset however, despite my tendencies to go 'up the scale' on cables of all kinds, I am very skeptical of high-prices on something like a ground cable. I understand one can make improvements on simple wire versions but a ground cable must have its limits....we'll talk more offline.

zephyr24069

What is the retail price point on these high-end ground cables? Notice that Tripoint makes at least 3 levels; which is best and what are all the prices?

zephyr24069

Those are great new photos of the room...they show off your equipment and total room setup to the fullest. Thanks for posting them!

zephyr24069

Babybear....thanks for all the background info. I hope that you enjoy the new speakers very much! I'm also glad to hear Goodwin's hasn't lost their touch; they are a class act to be sure!

zephyr24069

Congratulations on your further system upgrade and adopting a very beautiful set of speakers. What prompted your change in speakers to the Rockports?

zephyr24069

I'm sure an analog front-end is in my future...better get more storage space for LPs!

zephyr24069

It does...I have several friends who are vinyl junkies :-) who have kept working the topic with me. They've let me know at various points about the reasonably priced turntables, phono pre-amps and the like that are now available that give great performance at a reasonable price. One of them likes to rip CDs for me at 1x speed direct from his LP deck and send them to me periodically. Needless to say I treasure those CDs and continue to dream about having both analog and digital front-ends. Thanks!

zephyr24069

Babybear, I have thought alot over the years about adding a great analog front-end but practically, I had to make a choice to either excel at digital or analog playback. Ultimately, space, funds and source material amassed to date all played a role in that decision. The idea is still gnawing away so who knows, I may give in as I do love what analog playback has to offer!

zephyr24069

I am enjoying them very much; they bring an energy and realism to the music listening experienced that I've not found until now! I had to make a decision years ago regarding my love of analog versus reality and I decided that I would pursue digital to the fullest for CD, XRCD, K2HD, SACD and DVDA instead of trying to do both digital and analog half-way relative to the situation. I'm glad I made the cut however I still do miss the analog listening experience at times....

zephyr24069

I see you've continued to mature your system; it continues to look and must sound amazing! Thank you for thoughts on the Elrod PCs some time ago; I recently brought a huge improvement to my system with several of David's designs; the difference is staggering!

zephyr24069

That is one very amazing system and room...well done!

zephyr24069