I started planning the upgrade of my system in 2010, inconjunction with a renovation of our NYC apartment. My main listening room is the living room which is 29'x 20'. Due to space considerations all the equipment is in the living room which drives speakers oin 3 other rooms. The dining room/ kitchen is 20'x 16.5',the bedroom is 14'x 14' and my wife's office is 12'x 11'. The renovations were completed in 2012 when the system was set up by my dealer. The only changes in the system for 2013 have been the Wilson Alexia's from the Sasha in the living room, upgrading to Shunyata Zitron power cords from CX and purchasing the Klaudio record cleaner. I also changed my tonearm to the Spiral Groove Centroid from the Tri-planar. Changes in 2014 include Shunyata Triton power conditioner and Alpha Digital power cords. Both work as claimed.
I recently added a Shunyata Cyclops/Anaconda for my LAMM M1.2s, it did lower the noise floor and improved the imaging and dimensionality of the soundstage.
I just exchanged my Pass Labs X250.5 for the X250.8 amp. Initial impressions are positive ,improved base control meaning tighter and better defined, faster transients, better imaging and dynamics.
Just added a Shunyata Typhon to my Triton for my source components. The improvement is dramatic, a level of haze has been removed and the depth, dimensionality and transparency steps up a level or two.
I just received my Lyra Etna, it only has a few hours on it. Immediately you notice the dramatic increase in resolution, detail and speed compared to the Skala.
I upgraded fromTA Reference to Gen5 Reference XL signal cables, the improvement, brings the music to another level of realism, in added depth, space, speed, power and detail.
I traded in my Spendor ST speakers for the Wilson Sabrina's for my bedroom. The Sabrina's are excellent speakers full range, very good dynamics and life like imaging.
After owning a Linn LP12 for 30 years I got hooked on the SG2 after a demo by Allen Perkins at my dealer. Upgraded to the SG 1.2 in 2019
Spiral Groove Centroid
An outstanding tonearm for this TT.
Lyra Etna
Replaced my Lyra Skala
VTL TL 7.5 III
The VTL TL 7.5 III was the perfect preamp in my situation. It has four main outputs, it works well with most other amps. Although it has a wide and deep soundstage and excellent tonality, it is very neutral and allows the characteristics of the amps to come through. Using Snake River Signature Takshaka interconnects and power cable. Also Telefunken AU7 61’ NOS tubes.
Lamm Industries LP2
Using Snake River Takshaka interconnects and power cord. Also Western Electric 417a and Tong Sol 50’s military tubes.
Lamm Industries M1.2
The M1.2s drive Wilson Alexia's in the living room. I use Transparent Audio Opus G5 power cords and Snake River Takshaka interconnects. Using Telefunken 6922 60’s NOS tubes.
Pass Labs X250.8
The X250.8 drives the Duette's in the dining room. I use Snake River Takshaka XLR Interconnects and Transparent in wall speaker cable and premium brick. Snake River Signature Amp Power cable.
Krell Evo2250e
The Krell drives Wilson Sabrinas' in the bedroom using Snake River Signature XLR interconnects and Transparent in-wall speaker cable. Power cable is Snake River Signature Amp
Linn Akurate 2200
The Akurate drives the B&W ccm818 in ceiling speakers in my wife's office. I use Transparent Ultra Gen5 RCA interconnects, Transparent in- wall speaker cables and TA XL Gen5 power cable.
Wilson Audio Alexia V
Alexia's are in my main listening room.
Wilson Audio Duette's
Duette's are in the dining room and are driven by the Pass X250.8
Wilson Audio Sabrina
The Sabrina's in bedroom are driven by the Krell Evo 2250e amp.
B&W ccm818
B&W ccm818 in ceiling speakers in my wife's office.
Transparent Audio Gen 5 Opus and XL power cables
T+A T 1210R
Using Snake River Signature Mamushi RCA interconnects to the VTL and TA XL Gen 5 PC
Polk Audio SR-H1000
Sirius Radio using Cardas Audio Clear Reflection RCA interconnects
VPI Typhoon HW-27
Klaudio KD-CLN-LP200.
This is an ultrasonic record cleaner well built and simple to use.
Adona Corporation Signature
The audio rack was custom ordered from Adona Corp. Highly recommended very competitive for the price.
Shunyata Venom PS8 and Venom HC power cord
I use the PS8 for my less important digital source or noisy components.
Transparent Audio XLPower Isolator Gen 5
Computer Audio Design GC 1, 1.1 and GC 3, 3.1
Use for signal and main grounding on components, and main grounding on 3 dedicated a/c outlets.
Network Accoustics Muon filter
Muon filter is upstream to Antipodes Oladra
Furutech GTX-D NCF(R)
I have 4 dedicated outlets 2 quad and 2 duplex. Using SR quad cover plates and Furutech GTX 106D
EdisCreation Black Diamond DC cables
Use on main switch and filter
EdisCreation Fiber Box III Extreme
Upstream from the EC switches.
EdisCreation Silent Switch II Extreme and I Extreme
Extreme to Oladra server and from router
Clarus Sextet
In closet for FireBird. Use Clarus Crimson HC and Snake River Signature Amp power cables
Antipodes Audio Oladra
Uses Shunyata Omega X USB cable to Aries Cerat. Power cord is TA Opus G5
Clarus Crimson HC power cable
To the wall from the Clarus Sextet
Snake River Audio Signature Hybrid Amp Power cable
For Krell, Pass Labs, Mutec and Crimson Sextet.
Sablon Audio AES/EBU DIGITAL CABLE
Mutec to AC Dac
Aries Cerat Ithaka Minor Dac
Uses Takshaka interconnects and TA Opus G5 cord.
Critical Mass Systems Center Stage 2, 2m and LS2 footers
EdisCreation Ethernet CAT 8
From wall to switch and server
DH Labs Glass Master Toslink
From Sony TV to Mutec
Sablon Audio Ethernet
From TV to switch and in closet connecting router and switches
EdisCreation Firebird LPS
Powers the EdisCreation switch and Firebox on rack and in closet
Audio Sensibility Statement SE DC power cable
From EdisCreation Firebird to router and Silent Switch Extreme
Snake River Audio Takshaka signal cables, speaker cables and power cords
Congrats...I bet after a few weeks playing time you'll be even MORE happy. I find with Transparent cables they sound good after about a hour playing time...better after a day or two...then about a month later even better...they don't seem to change character along the way...just smooth out but with a tightness/focus...higher resolution and more relaxation (a paradox of sorts) ...Please post again after more time on em.
I've always been impressed with TA cables. I started with a Reference IC, added a Premium USB, and the results have been startling. I'm working on getting demo TA speaker cables in for a test.
System edited: Just received my TA Gen 5 Reference XL signal cables. Initial impressions are the upgrade is revolutionary. There is a fullness and richness to the sound I have not experienced before, the level of realism is profound. I am hearing elements of the musical compostition the TA reference was not able to resolve. You can hear the subtle interplay of musicians coming in and out of the music. They are not yet even broken in.
System edited: I just ordered the Transparent Gen 5 Reference XL speaker and audio cables from my dealer and I am trading in my Reference MM2 signal cables. TA is fairly busy with orders and it will take 3 to 4 weeks. My dealer had gone up to TA to audition all their new cables. He indicated the new Gen 5 Reference and Reference XL outperform the MM2 Reference XL and Reference MM2, respectively.
John Thank you very much. I have been following the evolution of your system for a number years, you have done a thoughtful job upgrading it over the years and it is a fanastic system. I am very envious of your dedicated audio room. I auditioned a number of preamplifiers,I prefer tubes or hybrid designs but the LAMM preamps do not provide the flexibility and functionality of the VTL, with its programmability, number of inputs and outputs. The 7.5iii has a wide and deep soundstage (because of its separate power supply) The tonality of instruments is vivid, there is great tonal depth and 3 dimensional space in the way instruments are reproduced. Moreover the top end is extended and smooth, the midbass has good presence and bass is tight and controlled. The LAAMs are high gain amps and they do create the slightest bit of tube rush in the tweeter when you are standing near the speakers but from a normal listening position you cannot hear it and they work very well together. The Etna is very natural and full bodied in its sound. It is very fast and presents a wider and deeper soundstage with much better imaging then the Skala. Upgrading from the Skala to the Etna was similiar to going from an average recorded redbook CD to a well recorded hi-rez download. I compared the LAMM LP2 to the VTL TP-6.5 with the VTL TL 6.5 and VTL MB-450iii. The LP2 had much better base extension and control and its soundstage depth and width were suprising superior. It has excellent dynamics and decay and is dead quiet. I have not listened to the LP2.1 yet, I am not ready to upgrade, my audio dealer is a block away and will get me a demo when I am ready. Mark
Hi Mark, I've missed your system to. VERY nice ! How is the Etna breaking in now? I moved from a Skala to a Atlas awhile back...and yes a big difference !
Since you have a lamm phono and amps...curious why the choice on the VTL pre? I know it's a good pre, I had a friend who had one...
Any comments on your Lamm phono? It's always one I'd like to hear (or the newer lp2.1) Did you compare it to anything else before you bought it?
Saint Funny I did not see your response till now. I use the Pass Labs X-250.8 to drive my Duettes. Similar to LAMM the Pass Labs amps work well with Wilsons. Mark
System edited: I just received my Lyra Etna, it only has a few hours on it. Immediately you notice the dramatic increase in resolution, detail and speed compared to the Skala. The micro-dynamics are amazing. The cartridge is still breaking in and has not relaxed yet and does not yet have the musical liquidity of the Skala.
Need The 250.8 has much improved bass control, not deeper but faster with better focus. The noise floor is also lower which provides overall improvement in tonal balance and imaging. The midrange is still liquid and smooth but with better micro-dynamics. Mark
Great system glad you posted. Now that you have had the pass 250.8 for a while can you elaborate on the differences you are hearing. I also have pass labs amps and would love to hear your input on the .8 series. Best of Luck
Roxy54 The Spendor STs are very attractive and great for when you may need a small footprint with a quality speaker. They are very neutral, toneally correct speakers that sound right. They are not as dynamic as Wilsons. They do not present a huge soundstage and are room sensitive. They will perform well in a mid-size room. In my specific room which is very difficult as it absorbs sound, they worked well with my Krell Evo 2250e, which is a fairly powerful amp with excellent base control and detail. Mark
Markramler, You have a beautiful system. I would like to know your impressions of the Spendor ST. It is really beautiful to look at, and I know irt was the top dog when it came out.
System edited: I recently added a Shunyata Cyclops/Anaconda for my LAMM M1.2s, it did lower the noise floor and improved the imaging and dimensionality of the soundstage. I just exchanged my Pass Labs X250.5 for the X250.8 amp. Initial impressions are positive ,improved base control meaning tighter and better defined, faster transients, better imaging and dynamics.
Thanks Mark (from another Mark by the way)....if I wind up in NY or PHL or BOS because of all this, I'll let you know! Love your room,....the system looks like one that would bring a LOT of enjoyment. Happy Listening!
Zephyr Thanks, I enjoy the audio system greatly, as well as living in NYC. Funny my wife wants too eventually move out of the city to the country and I feel the same as you about leaving. Your system is very thoughtfully put together with high quality components and tweeks I can see why it sounds great. Mark
Mark,....beautiful listening room setup, I would have never guessed it was an apartment in NY. You've done an amazing thing in there and the system must sound great! Where did you find a 29x20 living room equipped apt in NY? My wife has a quest to potentially move me back to NY and I have been in audiophile hell over the prospect of losing a suitable room for my system :-)
Hessec I am still using the Skala but will trade it in once my dealer gets in the Etna. The ETA is late February or March. I will post my impressions. Mark
Mark, Please post your impressions of the Etna for us. I have an SG 1.1 with Centroid and am considering the Etna. Had the Skala a while back. Hopefully you still own it to do a current analysis. Thanks.
System edited: I changed my tonearm to Spiral Groove Centroid and I am waiting to receive the Lyra Etna cartridge from my dealer. This weekend I changed my power conditioner to the Shunyata Triton and also added a Venom PS8 and a few Alpha Digital power cords.
