this room and system is the result of 10 years in High End audio. my
system has been stable for a couple of years (except for transport and
amplifier upgrades within the same brand). the room has been in the
planning stage for about 18 months and i actually moved in a little over
a month ago.
my audio philosphy is to have the system get out
of the way of the event. i like as pure and simple a signal path as
possible and, at this point, prefer passive to active gain stages. i
love all the formats and enjoy having lot's of music.....vinyl is my
favorite but i listen to at least 60% digital. the new room really
reveals the benefits of SACD over redbook.
the system and room
truely allow the event to be recreated before me. i love the way the
speakers disappear and i am transported to another place/time.
i have choosen my cables, sources, amps, speakers to have as little of their own sound as possible.
recently, i upgraded my digtial transport from the modified Philips
SACD 1000 to the new emmlabs CDSD.....this was a significant step upward
in performance.
i have written an article in Positive Feedback regarding my room building experience.....here is a link;
new version of these cables, a big step over the amazing TRSC model i have used for 10 years. fantastic performance.
WADAX SA Reference DAC
Wadax Reference Dac----state of the art dac with 2 separate power supplies. the best dac i have heard by a good margin. below is a link to a thread about my Wadax experience.
Arya RevOpod isolation footer (32 used under the 5 Wadax Chassis).
height and tension adjustable. the Wadax dac, server, and server power supply chassis all use 8 footers, so it's critical to be able to adjust height and tension to have an even support for optimal performance. RevOpod's are unique in those attributes making them ideal for this use.
https://www.arya-audio.com/revopod
CS Port LFT1 turntable w/arm
air bearing platter and air bearing linear tracking arm; string drive with zero feedback dc motor, low pressure, low flow air system with zero noise air box.
world class musical flow, nuance and delicacy, combined with authority and ease. serves the music completely.
Esoteric T1 Turntable
magnetic drive/rim drive idler turntable with torque adjustment.
with the deletion of my NVS turntable, i was able to move the Taiko Tana active isolation shelf to under the Esoteric T1. this has upgraded the performance of the T1 significantly. objectively small changes, but musically quite profound up tics in realism and immersion. more nuance, greater music focus, better bass articulation.
https://www.esoteric.jp/en/product/t1/top
Esoteric G1X Master Clock
Master Clock Generator for speed improvement for the T1 turntable. significant improvement in music realism.
https://www.esoteric.jp/en/product/g1x/top
Durand --Tosca tonearm.
gimbal bearing design. Tosca is on the Esoteric T1 turntable
Primary Control 12" FCL tone arm
Field Coil Loaded uni-pivot tone arm. with power supply. mounted on the Esoteric T1 turntable. amazing natural and very high resolution tone arm. link below.
12 inch tonearm, stainless steel. used for the Sumile mono cartridge.
https://glanz.tech/e/collection/mh1200s1000s900s/
Experience Music/Intact Audio phono corrector + silver wound MC Trio SUT combo for three different tonearms.
bespoke tubed phono preamplifier. silver wound, with custom dual power supplies.
https://myemia.com/LR.html
LFD -3- Phono Cables DIN to RCA
3 sets of very high performance phono cables. amazing performance. built by Dr. Richard Bews in the UK.
one cable uses a DIN to RCA short Dongle + an RCA to RCA interconnect. the Dongle improves the performance of the DIN connection. details at the link below.
two Etsuro Golds, ---a pair of Reference MC Phono Cartridges.
duraluminim (A7075) body, 24 carat 'Kinpaku' Gold Leaf finish, diamond cantiliver. .3mv output, 4 ohms. these are both special versions of the Etsuro Gold.
one is mounted on the CS Port linear tracker.
one is mounted on the Primary Control FCL arm.
finest cartridge i have heard by a significant margin. WOW!
Audio Technica MC-2022 60th Anniversary cartridge
uses the unified stylus cantilever design. which results in extreme lack of distortion and linearity. remarkable neutrality and ability to dig out detail and keep it natural and musical.
https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/at-mc2022
Murasakino Sumile Mono phono cartridge
MC cartridge for mono records, .04mv output. tracking force 3gms. finest monaural cartridge i have heard. competes on musical refinement with the top stereo cartridges.
Ampex twin ATR-102----one 1/4" and one 1/2" reel to reel master recorder
hot rodded by ATR Service Inc----Andrew Kosobutsky. significant upgrades over stock. each interfacing with hot rodded Ampex MR-70 preamps. the new tape deck performance standard in my opinion.
active isolation under 5 separate components: (1) the NVS turntable, (2) the MSB dac, (3) the darTZeel preamp, (4 + 5) both darTZeel mono block amplifiers. custom modifications by Taiko Audio add a linear power supply plus panzerholtz top layer + Daiza platform to provide full frequency resonance attenuation to each platform.
Taiko Audio Daiza isolation platform--22 used in the system
Panzerholtz Platform with spiral cutouts reducing mid and high frequency resonance while retaining life and energy and not changing tonality.
22 Daiza platforms in the system of various sizes under every piece of the signal path.
Evolution Acoustics 'system' power cables
a new version of the TRPC model i used on my darTZeel 468 mono blocks for the last 10 years. a big step up.
Sablon Audio King power cord
used on the Wadax Reference Server power supply.
https://www.sablonaudio.com/power
Absolute Fidelity power interfaces
power cords specifically designed for either motors (tt and tape decks), amplifiers, and components. 11 in the system.
Tripoint Audio Troy Signature
Grounding box for chassis grounding the darTZeel 458 mono block amplifiers + grounding the passive main towers of the Evolution Acoustics MM7 speaker system.
Tripoint Audio Elite
Tripoint Elite grounding box. this does chassis grounding for my sources. it uses a a pair of Tripoint Thor SE Master Reference ground cables for my dart preamp and the MSB Select II dac. there are also 4 Signature Silver ground cables to the two arm boards of the NVS tt, the power supply of the NVS tt, and the SGM server.
Equi=tech 10WQ
10kva balanced Isoltion transformer and distribution panel.
Furutech GTX-D NCF Rhodium duplex outlets
10 in the system. used with 10 Furutech covers and frames. uses NCF (nano crystal formula) material to reduce noise by emitting negative ions.
Wave Kinetics A10 U8 decoupling footers
8 sets-of-4 in the system for individual tuning of each piece of gear.
Auralex T-Fusor diffusers
i use 20 of these. 6 each on the front side walls, and 4 each front ceiling and rear ceiling.
Klaudio Record Cleaning System
automatic record cleaner
Acoustic Revive RL-30 mKIII CD-LP demagnatizer
for demaging any disc.
Furutech DF-2 LP disc flattner
will remove warps from Lps
Audiodharma Cable Cooker, Anniversary Ed.
will cook any cables
Winds ALM-01 Stylus Force Gauge
easy accurate, repeatable, measurments.
i-Tower by Koncept LED floor lamp
(3) are used. best audio light ever. 2 'warm', 1 'cool'.
Quietrock THX 545 drywall
specialized drywall with a 1/4" metal layer. used in my front sidewalls to establish proper room boundaries.
Mike, can you tell more about your new bass settings on the MM3? I am supposed to receive mine in one month, always go to know what is a good starting point...
...another question to you. Have you tried the Evolution Acoustics speaker cable? I had the pleasure of hearing them in my system last weekend (4 seperate 8ft runs, ~200 hrs burned in)...and made my NO Valhalla's sound THIN in every respect by comparison!
They could give your Transparent Opus MM a good challenge. Wonder how a fully burned in SC/IC/PC system from them would sound...
a few of the guys attending have heard my system recently and it will be interesting to get their reaction to the changes i have made this weekend in the bass performance.
Henry, sorry for the delay in my response. i have been working this weekend on tuning the bass performance on the MM3's, in anticipation of trying to integrate the Fathom subs when i recieve the long XLR cables. i wanted to be more able to answer your question.....both for you and me both.
i am a bit embarrased to say that it appears that i may have underestimated the bass performance of the MM3's. i called Kevin, the MM3's designer, and we discussed my settings and such. i think my previous settings were too soft and restricted. since yesterday afternoon i have pulled out track after track of music with 'big bass', deep bass' lot's of bass', etc, etc......it's like a new set of speakers. it is what i imagined the f113 subs might be able to do.
at this point my feelings are that the MM3's are every bit the equal of the VR9's in bass impact, and the MM3's have more sense of presence and space; i cannot say whether they quite have every bit as much of those things as the VR11's.....if i had to guess i would still think the VR11's have a slight advantage in this area.....but that is based on a three year old preception from CES.
will the f113's be an improvement if i can get them to blend? at this point from what i am hearing in 2-channel i am skeptical; but until i try it i don't know. since the multi-channel mixes are different than the 2-channel versions it is difficult to compare the 2 in my current configuration. the bass on the MM3's is a bit 'bigger' sounding and blended better......the actual bass texture and impact seems about the same.
4 15" subs on the MM3's can simply move more air than the 2 13" on the Fathoms, and the integration of the MM3's is unique.
. Fendergibs, . Hopefully you will learn to speak when you have something factual to say. . Please don't waste any one's time with your inane comments and or insults. . Rgds, Larry .
i appreciate that we enjoy what better cables can do for our system performance. this subject is very polarizing.
the part i have a problem with is where cable performance opinions are formed without listening; simply based on a perspective that significant differences cannot exist therefore why listen? then followed by the burning desire to lay that crap on everyone without being asked.
i have never seen a cable 'believer' 'crash' a discussion of why there are no cable performance differences. why would i care what people may think that have not listened?
i do think i have an answer to these questions. it is really not much fun to talk about negative things.....like why all cables sound the same. you don't see threads started or carried on on those subjects. OTOH i suppose that cable objectivists are attracted to cable performance discussions as an opportunity to make their opinions known. like mosquito's to a warm shoulder at dusk......and with the same result.
OB, of course you are always welcome.....i would enjoy hearing your impressions of the current set-up as you were last here a month after i first moved in almost three years ago.
i cannot yet say for sure how the f113's will integrate with my MM3's in 2-channel. i don't have the same sort of crossver you have on the Pipedreams; i hope that the Low Pass filter on the Fathoms, combined with the High Pass filter on the MM3's will allow me to get them to perfectly blend. even if they blend they may not add anything as the bass performance of the MM3's is already stellar.
they are clear winners for the LFE (.1) channel of my SACD multi-channel. i am definitely planning on buying lots more SACD multi-channel.
Marty, your last visit here gave me some valauable feedback regarding my system balance. you would be welcome to visit any time you are in the area.
Hi Mike, always a pleasure reading your thread. On the topic of your new subs, I remember an online review by you of the VS VR9's and you ended that review by saying something to the effect that the soul of music is in the speakers base reproduction capability. And the VR9's had that in spades.
How, in your opinion, does the base of your current setup (MM3+subs) compare to that of the VR9's, and do you think it could even be better than the VR11's?
Great job on the subs Mike. It does seem like they are the real deal. Like I said in my email, I have a Seaton Sound SubMersive1 and I love it for movies and MC music. I really have not used it for 2ch yet because my speakers now have outstanding bass on their own in my room. I also really appreciate the chance to talk to you own the phone. Your thoughts and insight were a very big help. Your ideas helped me to refocus on what my end goal is. Thanks again Mike
You are too nice in your reply to Fendergibs but I guess that is a reflection on what a great guy you are and it avoids flame wars on your system thread.
I often laugh at these people who feel the need to measure everything or those who insist on double blind listening tests to confirm audible differences. I don't know about other audiogon members but I do not listen to music as a means of scientific analysis or to test my hearing acuity but rather as a way of connecting to the deeper meaning in a performance which makes the experience a more entertaining and/or enjoyable way to spend my free time. If a cable, resonator, rack or other tweak brings me closer to my goal then it is money very well spent. Audio is a subjective pursuit afterall and the system need only please its owner to be considered a success.
Fendergibs' logic could also be applied to the art world where the value and selling price mean different things to different people since beauty is very much in the eye of the beholder. Try measuring those differences.
The system is looking great Mike and I am sure it sounds even better. Keep us posted with the subwoofer and multichannel SACD progress.
Fendergibs, thanks for the kind words on my gear and room.
regarding your cable comments; have you ever listened to the cables products in my system or done any cable listening comparisons? please tell us about your experience with cable listening which caused you to develope your opinions. if not; respectfully, your opinions on cables have no interest from me.
btw; as this is you first audiogon post i am curious what motivated you to start here on my thread......your style reminds me of a few cable trolls from other forums.
if you are looking for an environment to make a point about cable performance i would suggest starting your own thread.
i do appreciate your respectful tone. just because we don't see cable performance in the same light does not mean you are not welcome to post here. to be clear; you don't need my permission to post here.
System look fansatic esp the Turntable set up, but remember the electrons dont care which cable they go via only we do ie placebo effect as there has been no doubble blinded study to confirm ANY of the befits your cables make except in your pocket book. Thus get regular well shielded cables for 200 to 300$ and give the other thousands to your local charity your system will sound the same, that is you will NOT be able to tell the diffence under blind conditions (thus elemitating bias ) all of the other compoments esp the room have proven physics behind them to justify their use. Enjoy
Mike, Steve tipped me off that you bought some F113s. I ordered a pair of G213s 2 months ago to replace my Pipedream subs (always was the weakest part of the system) and I was told they would be delivered in June. Now I'm told they might arrive in December. Damn! Glad your impression of the JL audio subs is positive. Gotta get up there to hear the new speakers.... Marty
'Sacred Feast', Gaudeamus.....a wonderful choral SACD is sublime. funny how wonderful, powerful, deep bass can affect the human voice.....and separate and make more profound each voice, yet make the ensamble sing more with one voice.....beautiful.
'Aja', Steely Dan.......'Hey Nineteen' just rocks.
'Ship Ahoy', the O'Jays......title track, a favorite in multi-channel of my friend Ted. it's now a fav of mine too. the bass track is amazing and transforms this music to something real. again; my room has no walls.....it just goes on......
Just remember... first impressions are great, but sometimes, emotions get the best of us. Let the system run for a few days and then really get your thoughts together and let us know exactly what you think.
But, what I just read seems to point to a more positive note with regards to these dual JLs.
i am trying to stay calm. i have written three different 'first sentences' to this post that are all quite over the top.
upon further reflection; i'll give myself some wiggle room.
the subs arrived late tonite. 2 JL Audio f113 Fathom subwoofers arrived at 8pm via fedex ground. the driver, who delivers here enough that we know each other, asked me what those 'beasts' are? subwoofers; actually quite small but very heavy (130 pounds each). he kindly wheeled them inside the door to my barn and placed them on my 2 waiting piano dollys.
i went back inside the house to watch the Mariners beat the Cubs in 13 innings.
new subs, the Mariners win their 5th in a row on the road, every one in their last at bat. so far a very good nite.
i went back out to the barn; wheeled the subs into the room; about 45 minutes later both subs were unpacked and in place; behind my speakers on each side of the room. i only have connected one sub so far; as i am waiting for some additional long balanced cables so i can hook up both in both LFE and in 2-channel mode.
i quickly read thru the manual.....and do the simplist of set-ups.....for multi-channel only for tonite.
XLR input connected, polarity set to 0 degrees, phase at 0, E.L.F. at '0', LP Freq at 75, LP filter at 'off', master volume at mid-point, level mode 'variable', A.R.O. in 'defeat' mode.
i plug it in. no sound checks or level checks.
i put on the SACD of the Who's 'Tommy' in multi-channel mode. go to track 10......the 'Underture'.
a moment prior to the music starting, the room expands to maybe 200 feet wide. then everything is bigger, bolder, and with this level of authority that i only recall being approached by the VR11's. this is with zero setup of any kind and only a single sub.
after 'Underture' i play 'Pinball Wizard' and 'See Me, Feel Me'. i am really stunned. no bloat, no loosness, nuanced, delicate, and with effortless impact and sense of space and air. everthing is alive.
i think to myself that my room really likes these subs.....but can i get them to work and be coherent in the 2-channel?
next i grab the Newman, 'Music for Organ, Brass and Timpani' SACD, multi-channel. track 1 is a Strauss piece, track 2 is some Handel.
Holy Shit!
then track 12, Mussorgsky's 'the Great Gate' from 'Pictures'.
OK, now i really lose it. and i simply cannot put this musical experience into words. the whole room is alive with this big church with 2 organs going 'warp 9' at each end.....i'm there. there are numerous musical events happening all around the room fully realized.
i've heard big organs in churches; that is what they sound like...the whole deal. spooky.
now i'm listening to the MTT of Mahler 3rd. the effects are overall more subtle......but the magic is there in spades. and i'm in San Francisco.
the only bad thing is that i have a Sales Meeting in the morning at 7:30am.
after the Murano's have more time on them i will try them on the MM3's. it will not be a level playing field as i only have the 8 meter 'zeel' BNC cables that i use with the dart pre and amp......so i will need to use a BNC->RCA converter plug......which will be a compromise. but it will give me a good idea of it's true potential.
it will not surprise me if they sound quite competent on the MM3's.
Glad you are enjoying your multi-channel experience. It would be interesting to try your Murano P-1000s (plus) monoblocks on the Evolution Acoustics MMthree speakers. Sounds ridiculous given the price difference compared to the DartZeel amp (not to mention lashing up the Opus MM speaker cables which should be compatible) but it might surprise you since it seems to be doing well on the Dukes at the moment.
Henry, sorry for the delay in my response, busy week.
no problem with HT talk here; it's funny that i keep upgrading my HT and then it pretty much just 'sits there'. i go over to the AVS forum and spend a few months getting involved with projectors and such......get up to speed on the current SOTA......make my purchase.....and that is it for a few years. even though the picture is now pretty damn wonderful.....i've likely watched 3 or 4 movies in the last 90 days. seems i just want to listen to music.
regarding an analog 6 channel pre; besides the Switchman i'm only familiar with the no longer made Sony unit which was quite cheap and actually not bad sounding......and Placette will make a passive 6-channel pre custom order but it ain't cheap ($9k+). i would expect that there are quite good sounding 6-channel analog pass-thrus in some processors although i have yet to hear one personally.
i have been listening to multi-channel for the last week or so. it is quite interesting and wonderful to some degree.
it turns out that the Marten Duke speakers seem to work perfectly as rear speakers; based on my personal viewpoint on the ideal multi-channel performance. they have a seemingly identical tonal character as my MM3's. the Duke's high frequencies blend well, i don't percieve any distractions. the Duke's bass is fast and articulate; again matching the MM3's with much less deep bass of course. even though they are placed with their rear port just inches from my side-wall cd shelves; i get no bloat or thickness in the mid-bass.....so no PARC needed.
the Murano P-1000s (plus) monoblocks seem to do their job perfectly; at 1000 watts they don't even break a sweat doing rear channel duty on the Dukes. i don't hear anyhting that tells me they are $899 each. note that my desire is for the rear channels to be 'unnoticed'......provide ambient support for acosutical recordings without being distracting.....but also be able to step up and be first class on some quad recordings such as 'Tommy' or 'DSOTM'.
so far the amps and speakers are everything i could ask for. i have not listened to either in 2-channel so i have not really tested them critically; but for what i needed i'm very happy with my choices.
i am using an in-expensive borrowed XLR cable for the center channel from the DAC6 to the Switchman, whereas i am using XLR Valhalla for the left and right front chnanels; this is no doubt compromising ultimate 'phantom center' performance. i am looking for another set of XLR Valhalla to solve that issue.
i still have not bought the sunwoofer; which for some recordings is needed.
