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.
Hi jfrech, Thanks very much. Your system looks great as well.
I was lucky that we could tear my old room down and basically start from scratch. Reinforcing the floor was a huge improvement especially for bass - so much of the bass used to leak through the floor into the garage, but not much at all now. I highly recommend adding the additional layers of plywood on the floor (of course that means ripping up carpeting, changing baseboards, adjusting any doors, etc, but it is a very worthwhile improvement).
The power improvement is very significant as well. If you already have dedicated lines run, then adding the isolation transformer is not very difficult - far easier and cheaper than adding the reinforcement to the floor. The isolation transformer that I used is priced somewhere between $2500 and $4500 depending on the size that you need and the various options that you want with it. Installation, etc via a well qualified electrician is probably around $1000 - $1500. The transformer can be ordered to go inside (in your garage) or outside (which is where I have mine).
The Purist Limited edition power cord is a nice step up from the Purist 20th Anniversary. It has the same tonal balance as the anniversary cord but it sounds more coherent than the anniversary cord and what surprised me the most is that when I switched back from the LE to the Anniversary - the Anniversary sounded fat and fuzzy around the edges.
Since you are in the Austin area, contact me sometime and you can come by for a listen and we can talk more about the room treatments, power, etc.
I had it designed by a guy from California. The key to it is the isolation transformer (quality and size) and the grounding. The company that builds the iso transformer is called Controlled Power Company - do a google search and check out their web site. The type of product that you want to look at is called a K-Rated isolation transformer. If you give them a call, they can put you in touch with a local Dallas area distributor and the distributor knows the local electricians who have installed their products. You'll need a transformer that is sized at least double the maximum power draw of the sum of your components. You'll want a separate grounding rod for the transformer and the last step is to use isolated ground outlets. The distributor can help with the ordering of the correct transformer based on what your needs are. If you decide to go this route, feel free to privately email me and I can walk you through the various options that come with the transformer and other tips that were used in my power design.
Our rooms are very similiar. I to am over a car garage and I am hoping this fall to seriously invest in my room. Doubtful that I'll take the sheet rock down and go as far as you did, but I might do something on the flooring. I'm wondering/worrying about something more rigid...
I am also curious on your electrical work. I have dedicated 20 amp lines, Iso grounds, etc. But not near the attention here as you. I suspect this is like getting your room right, a $1 invested in good power goes a very long way.
On another thread I just asked if you compared the Purist 20th anniversary to the Limited Edition. Curious on your thoughts...Thanks !
I have been auditioning 2 pairs of Echole Obsession speaker cables (need 2 pairs because the Magico M5's are designed for bi-wiring) for the past several weeks. I have not done a direct comparison to my Prana Wire Cosmos speaker cables yet, but the Echole Obsession speaker cables are very good indeed!
I am also auditioning a VTL 7.5 Series II preamp. My local dealer, who is a really good dealer, got this brand new from VTL so I am breaking it in as well, and once that is complete, I will be able to compare how it sounds to my ARC Ref 3. I will also have a chance to compare it to the new Jeff Rowland Criterion preamp, as local audiophile Guidocorona has been breaking in a Criterion for the past several weeks in his system. I am using a Echole Obsession power cord on the VTL so that I will be able to compare that to my Purist Audio Limited Edition power cord which I normally use on my Ref 3.
Well done. Have been a Magico fun for a long time. Own the first Mini and now the V3. Perhaps one day will step up to the M5. Best speakers I have ever heard.
Your memory has served you very well indeed. Thanks very much for the nice words. Please let me know if you are headed down to Austin again as it would be great to have you visit and do some listening.
I think I'm right if my memory serves that this is Arnie in Austin, I hope that's correct....either way your room and system are looking fantastic! Congratulations sir!
System edited: System Update: 8/14/2009. I added 3 Appogg Systems Isolation platforms under my P03, D03 and Ref 3. With all 3 removed, the sonic difference was easy to hear - to me it was a loss of air around performers and seemingly moving the performers closer together towards the center of the soundstage. There was a loss of delicacy in the upper frequencies and some loss of depth in the soundstage. Perhaps the bass was a not quite as tight as well.
Thanks Lapierre. I really want to use tube amps and the M5's need a good deal of power to bring them alive especially in the larger room that I have now. I have tried the ARC Ref 210's with them - they just don't have enough power but I can hear how well the ARC amps sound with the M5's. The Siegfried is wonderful with the M5's as well - and more than enough power. I guess the only other one that I can think of is the ARC Ref 610t's.
