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.
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.
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.
That is great to learn what you are hearing with Jeff's system and how the Absolare electronics are sounding with the Rockport Altair speakers. I have heard the full set of electronics at Kerem's wonderful home in Istanbul and what you are describing is what I heard as well.
That is great to hear. I can certainly speak from the perspective of the Absolare Balanced Signature preamp and agree with you 100% about how pure and transparent the sound is.
Glad you are enjoying both the preamp and the Absolare Passion amps with the Altairs!
The Absolare electronics are stunning in their transparency,tonal fullness and utter organic character.The PSET amplifier has just fantastic realism and flesh and blood presence.They combine effortless control,relaxation,articulation and are exceptionally nuanced.The sound is very pure and natural.It does make the prior electronics in this system sound veiled,hazy and cloudy relatively speaking.At this early stage I doubt they`re any more than70% of their final sound when fully burned in. Charles,
They are sounding absolutely fantastic. They have a purity and transparency that is phenomenal. I hate to say it, but they are more transparent than my Vac's. I only have 63 hours on them and I hear that they change 100% after 300 hours. The tubes also need 100 hours. I think I am in for a real treat as they are already great.
Yes, the change to the 12BH7 driver tubes was something that I didn't realize VTL had done. You are correct in that they are more readily available than the 6350 but also probably in general better sounding tubes.
I've never heard the VTL 750 amps - only the 450 Series 2, the S400 and of course the Siegfried's. All of which are quite wonderful. The new Series 2 Siegfrieds, at least so far sound quite a bit better - more relaxed, effortless, open and at the same time I think more resolving and more extended at the frequency extremes. One of the many changes that they made was eliminating the global negative feedback from the amp which I think is a nice improvement and helps contribute to the sound that I have heard so far.
You are correct in that it will take some time to fully break in the new amps - they did put in a new fully balanced input circuit, new driver stages, new output transformer, new Mundorf silver oil capacitors, new tubes, new tube sockets, etc
big news! Congrats! looking forward to reading more about your adventures in VTL!
I am scheduled to hear the Altairs in two weeks and am looking forward to it. They know my system, and are trying to assemble something similar. Will be very interesting. stay tuned...meanwhile, enjoy the break-in! like the damping settings...quite cool particularly given that the Arrakis is actively crossed over.
Thanks Arnie, very interesting about VTL changing to 12BH7 after using the 6350 for more than a decade. The 12BH7 is probably easier to source and maybe lower distortion.
What I'm most interested in is if VTL managed to keep the Siegfried Series 2 sounding as "tube" like as pervious models.
If VTL changed the output transformer it could be months before it completely stops changing but it's certainly positive that you've gotten this much performance out of the box.
I did do some initial listening last night - it was great to hear my system again after 7 weeks.
Obviously my impressions are preliminary since the upgrade from the Siegfried to the new Series 2 Siegfried is basically a complete redesign of the entire audio path of the amplifier (and I had VTL provide all new tubes as well) and therefore some extensive break in will be required to fully assess the sound. But having said that, it was obvious as I listened last night, that the Series 2 Siegfried is quite a step up in sonic performance from the previous version. Even right out of the crates (and after about 30 minutes of warm up) the sound was more effortless and relaxed than the previous version with better transparency. After a few hours the soundstage began to open up and I could begin to hear what the new amps are capable of doing.
One of the new features on the Series 2 is an adjustable damping factor control to allow you to tailor the amps ability to control a particular speaker. It has 4 settings and since the Arrakis are bi amped with 2 pairs, I will need to experiment to find the optimum DF setting for the amps driving the mids and highs and the amps driving the bass of the Arrakis. I did use a higher DF setting last night on the bass amps and I could easily hear better control of the bass drivers than I had before (it was very obvious) but I will continue to experiment further to find the optimum settings for me.
Another change that VTL did was with the driver tubes - they aren't using dual 6350's per mono block any longer and have now switched to dual 12BH7 driver tubes and still use the 12AT7 input tube. Right now I have the stock 12BH7 and 12AT7 tubes that VTL provides but I will soon begin to experiment with some better sounding NOS 12AT7 input tubes.
Please do post listening results, especially if you can separate the upgrade to Series 2 and what that delivers beyond the already excellent Siegfried.
My new Siegfried Series 2 amps arrived today! They are back in the system and warming up. Looking forward to listening tonight and learning more about the sonics of the new amps. Alot of breaking in to do - new amps, new tubes and the system hasn't been on for about 7 weeks.
VTL confirmed that both pairs of the new Siegfried 2 amps shipped out from VTL on Thursday so I should have them here middle of next week. Really looking forward to hearing how they sound. I am pretty excited about the new Series 2 amps.
You might have told me already, but where will you be hearing the Altairs? I do agree that since Andy runs Gryphon amps and Transparent cabling in his sound rooms with the Altairs that should be a great match.
Look forward to reading all about them! I am hearing the Altairs hopefully in a few weeks which will give me a taste of the latest generation Rockport sound which I am really looking forward to, having heard earlier generation stuff and loved. As you may recall, I run Gryphon and Transparent Audio with a fairly vinyl-like front end (Zanden 4-box), so if you believe Andy Payor has a good ear (I do), Rockport should be a good place to look for someone like me.
I am really looking forward to hearing the new Siegfried Series 2 version. I know that the audio circuit has been completely redesigned from input to output as well as they have added the adjustable damping factor control. I suspect that this feature will be very nice with the bi amped Arrakis especially for the Siegfrieds powering the bass drivers to provide great control over those dual 15" drivers per speaker.
Amen to that - I am so looking forward to having the new amps back - it will have been almost 8 weeks once they are here mid next week since I have been able to listen to my system.
Part of the upgrade process at VTL was to do some burn in of the amps (partially to burn them in a little and more importantly to test them from a reliability point of view to insure they are stable and everything works correctly over a reasonable length of time).
Once they are here and up and running I will let you know so that you can come by and do some listening.
Spoke to VTL this week and both sets of my Siegfried mono blocks are in their final listening tests to validate their upgrade to the new Series 2 version. The Series 2 version is basically a new amplifier from the audio circuit point of view so this is very exciting. VTL hopes to ship them back to me later this week so I will soon have music again. And I am definitely looking forward to hear how the system sounds with the new Siegfried Series 2 amps.
I took a look at your system - I bet it sounds superb as well.
Ah, the Revox R2R - I wish it were mine but it belongs to a friend who brought it over so that I could hear several of the Tape Project r2r tapes in my system and they were superb. I am slowly learning more about R2R decks and what source material is available. Maybe someday I will get one.
Thanks for the suggestion. I had given that some thought, but then decided not to do it.
Given that I bi-amplify the Arrakis 2 via the Rockport active external crossover with 2 matched sets of the Siegfried mono blocks I knew that I didn't need any more power from my amps. And one of the new Series 2 features is an adjustable 4 position damping factor control that should allow me to get even better control of the speakers in general and specifically the twin 15" bass drivers per speaker regardless of which power tubes that I use. Plus, I like the sound from the Genalex Gold Lion KT88 re issue tubes that I have been using.
