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.
I have a Platinum Signature DAC IV with Signature Power Base and Data CD IV. My DAC IV is equipped with the optional Diamond attenuators so I divide my listening time between running the DAC IV directly into my active line level crossovers or with a Brinkmann Audio Marconi linestage in between.
I would like to try the FemtoSecond Galaxy clock some day and I remain curious about the additional performance gains that a Diamond DAC IV may bring to the table.
System edited: Finally got some higher quality pictures (thanks to my friend Luther) that are so much better than my own awful photography skills. A good camera and a skilled person using it certainly makes a huge difference.
I have active version Vibraplanes, one purchased used and one new from Steven at SOS.
My pump is Silentaire which is Italian manufacture. It appears to be the same as supplied with Kuzma Airline.
It's a model Super Silent DR-150, distributed by Werther International, Houston Texas at that time but perhaps discontinued since it does not appear on their site now. http://www.werther.com/. It would be easy to call and check.
The main difference between the various pumps is the maximum available pressure, noise level and reserve capacity. Although Super Silent is 40 DB and considered super quiet, I would not tolerate that noise level in my room.
You can run almost any length hose, and it's TINY. Maybe the size of a 10 gauge wire. My pump is in another room and impossible to hear.
I have no experience with Minus K, it may be equal or better than the Vibraplane. However, the Vibraplane technology is mature and well documented, self leveling and adjustable via the pressure gauge.
Last, if cost is a factor, my used Vibraplane was a $600.00 Ebay purchase and in great condition. Back then (2009) the pump was $499.00. At those price points this purchase was one of the single biggest performance bargains in my system.
I've gotten some additional information back from Steven at SOS about the Vibraplane. I am assuming you use the active version of the Vibraplane?
His email said that there is a compressor for the active version of the Vibraplane that they recommend from a company in Texas. Is this the compressor that you use and if so, is it quiet? He mentioned that it should only come on a few times a day for a very short duration.
I am sure you have been asked this before, but do you have any experience or thoughts on how the Minus K platform would compare in sonic results with the Vibraplane? In looking at the Minus K web site, they appear to be similiar in price to the Vibraplane but don't require any adjustments once they are setup.
Hi Albert, I have a suspended floor but its pretty solid. It is made of 3 layers of 3/4" plywood.
I have a suspended floor as well. It's a blessing to be able to access the underside. I have six audio cable runs, one HDTV and all those dedicated AC lines.
Those would be impossible with a slab. Still, the floor not as solid as a concrete pour.
My construction is similar to yours, two 5/8 epoxy lamination layers over lam beams supported by steel plates and concrete piers.
My flooring guy did about 1.5" of concrete on top as float and level before laying the Multicolor India Slate.
The Vibraplane was a huge upgrade for both my turntable and Studer A810 in spite of my hard work. I'm guessing the Rockport slams your room pretty good. I believe a Vibraplane would be worth the test, at least for the Beat.
I got mine from Sounds Of Silence but they turn up used here at Audiogon and also at Ebay. Please post results if you ever try one.
System edited: I replaced the 4 Stillpoints Ultra SS footers under The Beat turntable with 3 of the newer Stillpoints Ultra 5 footers for a very nice improvement in sonics. With the Ultra 5 footers, I am hearing more resolution and at the same time a sound with more finesse and coherency to it.
We loved the Lyle Lovett concert and really enjoyed hearing him at the new Moody theater for ACL. It holds a good number of people but has a more intimate feel than some of the other large venues that we have been to. Not quite as intimate as One World Theater but that same type of feel with a lot more people than One World. We're definitely going back there for more concerts.
Just let me know when its a good time for you to come by and do some listening.
Hi Arnie, Good seeing you and Laura last week. Just saw Lyle Lovett again last night. Slightly different show, but just as enjoyable. How'd you like the concert/venue?
Now that I'm back working, my schedule isn't as flexible, but I'll be in touch soon to arrange a visit to hear the Rockports.
The LP cabinets are really beautiful to see and they are so nice to use. Its so much easier to find the records that I am looking for and to put them away. My friend is really, really good at this. Let me know when you want to stop by to take a look at them.
Sounds like good progress on your room as well. Let me know when you are finished so that I can come by for some listening.
Hi Arnie...I really want to take a look at these soon! I am out of record space and our rooms are the same size...maybe I'll want some also.
Ps, my front and side diffusors are in. The bass traps went in today. About to post pics on my system in a few min...you're right...it's helping a lot!
System edited: I just took delivery of 2 new LP record cabinets that I commissioned a friend of mine to build for me. He recently retired and has been doing woodworking for a very long time. These cabinets came out even more beautiful than I could have imagined and are so nice to use - its so much easier to find the record that I am looking for and also so easy to put it back.
Sounds great! It is a big move for me...but one worth considering seriously given that MSB supports its older products with all the upgrades, and it has seemingly every technology/input/hi-res option available.
