Hi Jeff,

I did consider the Trinity DAC. I tried to get an audition of the Trinity DAC at Audio Arts in NYC as they were a dealer for Trinity. When I was up in NYC this past September, he didn't have a Trinity DAC available in his showroom, and then later in 2014 Gideon emailed to let me know that he no longer was going to be carrying the Trinity product line. So, I wasn't able to hear it.

Arnie

babybear February 20, 2015 13:36

Arnie did you ever consider the Trinity dac? Jeff

jwm February 20, 2015 03:03

Hi Sam,

Thanks very much. It is always fun to have folks over to do some listening together. And the conversation is always great as well.

babybear February 17, 2015 13:33

Hi Paul,

Thanks so much for your kind words.

babybear February 17, 2015 13:32

Fantastic...such good fun, friends, and listening :-)
Happy Presidents' Day!

c1ferrari February 16, 2015 22:24

Hey Arnie!
Yes, Arnie is one cool cat, that is for sure... I got to see his beautiful home, sound room, and his very nice town (to some degree), and had a wonderful time there.

Arnie's system is one of the most "they are here" sounding systems I have ever heard. I was absolutely amazed by it all, and those big VTL amps.... Oh my! They really shocked me with their transparency. Never heard a big tube amp with such resolute capabilities.

Hope you are well.
Paul

paul79 February 16, 2015 15:19

Thanks John.

I very much enjoyed your visit as well. The conversation is always fun!

babybear February 16, 2015 14:59

Arnie, great to hear your system today. Really enjoyed the digital...for vinyl guys like you and I are...this is really saying something. It's the first time I've been to your home and we were both content listening to digital. Plus opens up a whole catalog of music not always available on vinyl...

The redbook performance was stunning and totally natural and so engaging musically !!!

Thanks again....really enjoyed the company also !

jfrech February 15, 2015 22:47

System edited: I have now upgraded the power cords on all 4 of my VTL Siegfried mono blocks to the top of the line Echole Omnia power cords. I have also upgraded the power cord on the external crossover for the Rockport Arrakis 2 speaker to an Echole Omnia power cord with an inline ABsolare Power Purifier.

babybear February 14, 2015 20:51

Hi Luther,

Thanks so much.

That would be great if you can take some new pictures for me - my little digital camera in my hands cannot come close to pictures that you take. And of course, we can do some good listening as well.

babybear February 13, 2015 13:40

Looking good Arnie and I'm sure sounding just as wonderful. I'll bring my camera the next time I'm up your way and shoot some new pics for you. Luther

wardsweb February 13, 2015 02:58

System edited: Updated a few of the pictures.

babybear January 31, 2015 20:43

System edited: I've replaced some of the Stillpoints footers in my system with Absolare Stabilian isolation footers. I have the Stabilian footers under my Absolare Altius preamp, both boxes of the Allnic H5000 DHT phono stage, all 4 boxes of the TotalDAC digital front end and the Rockport Arrakis external crossover. I am still using the Stillpoints under my Turntable, turntable power supply and my amps.

babybear January 30, 2015 13:47

System edited: I've now upgraded my Absolare preamp to the new Absolare Altius preamp.

babybear January 29, 2015 23:08

Hi Musicmann1,

The TotalDAC D1-Twelve and TotalDAC D1-Server setup that i am using doesn't use USB to connect any of the components together as the preferred connection method is via AES/EBU digital cables. However, I did order one of Vincent's USB cables in case I ever do want to connect another server or computer to the setup.

Arnie

babybear January 29, 2015 13:30

Hi Zephyr,

Thanks. I'll let you know how it progresses but it already superb sounding.

babybear January 29, 2015 13:27

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 January 28, 2015 23:05

Not sure if you are using USB anywhere in your current TOTAL DAC system, but make sure you have (if you already have not ) VINCE at TOTAL DAC send you his USB cable. It is superb, even for a fairly modestly priced USB cable. Best USB cable I have heard.

musicmann1 January 28, 2015 20:25

System edited: I’ve added the TotalDAC D1-Twelve DAC and D1-Server digital front end to my system replacing my MSB Diamond digital front end. The TotalDAC D1-twelve is a 4 box system which includes 2 mono DAC’s, a specialized re-clocker and the D1-Server. Music files are stored on a NAS and the D1-Server is controlled by the MPAD app on an IPAD or IPAD mini. I have auditioned several wonderful sounding digital front ends in the past 6 months some of which I felt were better than my MSB Diamond front end, but the TotalDAC D1-Twelve setup is the first digital front end that I have listened to that has actually made me want to switch away from my MSB Diamond digital front end.

babybear January 28, 2015 19:03

Zephyr24069, I can understand your reservations. Years ago when I reviewed the Tripoint original Troy with its expensive Silver ground cables, I tried every wire I could lay my hands on. None was the equal to the Silvers. More recently I bought a Troy Signature which came with four Silvers. The Signature had a big impact on my sound.

Cutting to about a month ago when I got three Thor SEs. I put two on my amps and one on my preamp, replacing three Silver. The impact of this was to put it mildly gigantic! My audio buddies are coming here on Saturday to hear this. I will take the Signature and Thor SEs, etc. out of the system if I am cruel.

I'm not trying to sell Tripoint products, but my friends should know what is possible. Shielded grounding cables are very important.

tbg January 28, 2015 14:52

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 January 28, 2015 10:48

Himiguel,
Why insn't your website updated with your new products and pricing?

I think as good as the Tripoint stuff are, the pricing isn't attractive, at least to most people. I think this is the reason why people are heading the Entreq route.

muzikmann January 27, 2015 16:56

Hi Zephyr, if you like you can contact me through Tripoint, I don't want to hyjack Babybear thread.

himiguel January 27, 2015 14:50

Hi Zephyr,

The Entreq cables that I auditioned are the Eartha Atlantis cables terminated with spades on one end to connect to the Silver Tellus grounding box and RCA's on the other end to connect to the equipment. The standard length from Entreq is 1.65 meters and I believe the retail price on one of these cables is $1640. Entreq also makes some other grounding cables that are lower in price as well. Hope that helps.

Arnie

babybear January 27, 2015 14:19

Hi Lloyd,

Thanks very much. Your much appreciated feedback on what you heard with these products helped move me to give the Entreq an audition in my system.

Arnie

babybear January 27, 2015 14:15