Speakers are Focal Grande Utopia EM in black finish
Analog music sources,
Technics SP10 MK3 with two Kuzma 4 Point 14" arms. Koetsu Blue Lace on one and Air Tight Opus One in the other. Studer A820 half track tape machine with three sets of cards, each rebuilt by Studer electronics experts so I can compare upgrade performance.
Digital
music source is Aurender W20 Special Edition into Soulution 760 LEEDH. THe best input for music so far is Purist new USB cable and AES/EBU close second place.
Soulution 725 preamp, Soulution 755 phono stage Soulution 760 LEEDH and Soulution 701 mono block amps for electronics. See image posted Nov 18, 2022 to see how it looks.
Cable is 100% top tier Purist Audio design. All latest 35th Anniversary, all ten AC cords are the new Purist 35th Anniversary AC.
My space is 18 X 31 and
acoustically treated with RPG panels, tube traps and fiberglass acoustic treatment
over triple reinforced walls and ceiling. The floor is lamination beams
over steel plates to concrete pier and beam. Two sheets of 5/8 epoxy
lamination sheets make up the floor with two inches of
concrete topped with India multi color slate.
Whisper Wall
rail system and fine textured acoustic cloth covers the work, making everything appear as a normal room of
painted sheet rock or decorative cloth covering.
The room acoustics were conceived by RBDG
and the entire space was torn out to bare dirt under the foundation and
bare studs in the walls. The combo of all new electrical and acoustical treatment resulting in best sound I’ve ever had.
The best offering from Focal, shown with Stillpoints Ultra 5. Ultra 5 was an amazing upgrade for the speakers !
RPG Acoustics QRD 734 (variation)
On front wall, now obscured by acoustically transparent cloth, is floor to ceiling RPG (similar to QRD® 734) in foam, so it's partially absorptive.
Studer Studer A820
Found a near mint A820 at a production studio in Illinois. I was so excited about it's condition I had it driven here in the back of an SUV, covered with moving blankets.
Head block sent to John French and all cards at Soren Wittrup who worked for Studer. This is the machine I spent more than a decade searching for.
Technics SP10 MK3 Rosewood with Stillpoints Ultra 5
Technics SP10 MK3 Panzerholz with African Ebony lumber (no Veneer). This is the original design by John Semrad and myself, copied to death now.
TTM Stainless Mat and Oil Damp Weight
Japan, TTM Stainless mat (6.61 pounds) plus TTM oil filled record weight.
TTM record stabilizer TTM three piece set
Very hard to find, grateful I was able to purchase this last week. Three piece TTM record stabilizer replaces my previous single piece unit.
Air Tight Opus
Air Tight top of the line phono cartridge
Mutech Hayabusa
Excellent MC cartridge, retail about $4500.00
Koetsu Blue Lace Platinum
Top tier stone body Koetsu, perfect alternate to Air Tight Opus One
Soulution 725 preamp
725, Soulution best preamp, shown in system
Soulution 755 phono
Soulution best phono stage, unbelievable amount of adjustment for cartridge including channel balance to 1 DB
Soulution Soulution 760 LEEDH
Soulution top tier DAC, really pleased with performance of this DAC.
I still prefer analog but many recordings that were digital to begin with (and vinyl cut from CD master) are better on Soulution than on turntable.
Soulution 701 Mono Block Amplifiers
Soulution top tier 2KW solid state amps from Switzerland
ORB-DF03 USA version DF03
Excellent LP flattener, simple to use and so far perfect result
Aurender W20 Special Edition
Aurender music server, model W20 SE with 16TB solid state storage on board.
Vibraplane 2212-01
Under my Technics MK3, powered by Silentaire DR-150
Degritter MK2 Ultrasonic LP cleaning machine
From Estonia, very powerful ultrasonic LP cleaning machine. The MK2 version is better than the original which was already the best I’ve heard
Degritter and ORB LP flattner Degritter and ORB LP flattner
View of two important pieces to maintain LP collection
Milbank Transocket three phase 750 amp
750 amp meter base. Pass through design, three phase power is a huge benefit in conjunction with our dedicated transformer.
Porter Port Cryo outlets 20 Amp
14 of these in my system, each to a dedicated breaker in copper based electrical box
Furutech NCF Booster
New NCF Booster added to majority of AC cords in system. Easy to see against light colored wall, arrow points to NCF Booster to my (previous) owned Allnic M-5000 amp.
Purist Audio Design Focal EM Supply cable
New four conductor cord, replaces stock Focal supply cord from EM drive box to back of speaker. Amazing upgrade
(1) Soulution 725 preamp to Soulution 701 mono blocks
(1) Soulution 760 LEEDH DAC to Soulution 725 preamp
(1) Studer A820 to Soulution 725 preamp
Purist Audio Design 35th Anniversary Bi-Wire
1.5 meter Bi-Wire, Soulution 701 mono blocks to Focal Grande EM
Purist Audio Design 35th Anniversary AC Cables
New STUNNING cable from Purist Audio, silver and seven stage network box. This cable brought so much dynamics, resolution and transparency to my system it qualifies as a main component.
Leica Disto D2
Super laser measuring tool. Indispensable for setting distance and alignment of your speakers
With CES in full swing more images of new Technics SP10 R have shown up on web. I hope it sounds as good as it looks, what a beauty !
What would be excellent is if their platform (base) was comparable to the one I designed and built. Best of all, the new Technics can support three tonearms !
I hope it sounds as good as it looks ! Here's a great link with info:
Funny, I forgot about Symposium, I have some of the premium model in my storage area, need to drag them out and try since you got good results.
I have Stillpoint Ultra SS under the Aurender currently and it was an improvement over stock feet. I'm also ordering some lower end Purist XLR cables, thinking the silver in their premium might be "too revealing" for the digital. The silver is excellent with my analog but I guess that's to be expected.
I placed a Symposium Ultra Platform under my N100H and removed the feet so there is maximum contact between the two. Nice improvement in detail and a slightly more relaxed sound.
Anyone experimented with footers under Aurender? Seems to be quite audible but I'm experimenting with AC cable, interconnect cable and footers all at same time.
Looking for more analog sound, the Aurender already is top drawer for this but would be nice to move it a little closer to my turntable.
I have not made a comparision as both of these are fairly rare but the biggest difference I'm told is the power supply of the Kronzilla is solid state where Allnic is tube.
Of course Allnic is known for their nickle core transformers so that's another factor.
I don't know what you are seeking but for the money I believe the new Allnic M5000 is the best out there. I continue to be amazed by the pair in my system. So far there are only two pair in N American but as they get into more hands I think you will hear a lot about them.
Returned home late Monday afternoon from Rocky Mountain Audio Fest. It was a great show as is every year. I had the Allnic DHT DAC in Purist Audio / Classic Audio room and had great sound.
Aurender told me the N10 was excellent and I almost bought it. I suspect it's performance is very near the W20. I was hoping the W20 would pull digital out of the slumps and make it good enough to listen along side analog.
It's getting better day by the day. Aurender advised W20 requires a couple of hundred hours break in and of course the Purist 25th AES/EBU will need break in as well.
So far I love the Aurender, nice improvement over any previous digital source including other computer servers. Wish I sold this product, would be easy to get behind since it's so well made and easy to deal with.
Sold off Mac Mini, Atomic base, computer screen, two Keces linear power supplies and Data Tale with four ea 4TB drives drives Purist 30th USB and Audioquest Coffee Thunderbolt. Also erased JRiver apps off iPad and iPhone.
Replaced with new Aurender W20, black finish and I'm currently moving music files into it. Hope to have rit unning in three days.
Best bonus, Aurender takes up so little space compared to all the gear it replaces, I have another shelf for LPs.
Received full confirmation that Technics is finally releasing the SP10 R, the super high end replacement for SP10 MK3.
I had hint of this more than a year ago and held off buying any more SP10 MK3 because I believe Technics is fully capable of producing a limit of the art turntable with newest and best technology.
I'm excited about this, could finally be a replacement for my MK3.
I had to post this. Tonight everyone was complimenting sound as we played The Doors LA Woman and Doors Morrison Hotel. LP of Morrison Hotel is the new 45 RPM release from Chad at Acoustic, very impressive.
While looking for LA Woman I found a DCC low serial number release by Steve Hoffman on LP. I knew I had several DCC LPs releases of The Doors but I have not played LA Woman in a good while.
Both were excellent, it's hard to say which was better since the recordings are so different to begin with.
I will say the Hoffman LA Woman was way better than I remember. Of course I've pushed my system a lot this last year but this LP has to be really right to get this kind of sound. Regardless of the gear.
Thank you for the report and kind words about the preamp.
Although I did not hear the exact things you describe I had similar experience with improved resolution, things I have never heard before. Songs where the mix of instruments cover vocal are suddenly more separate and I can understand lyrics as well as emotion that was buried.
Believe it or not, it will slowly improve even more with time. Mine has improved remarkably since I got it and upgrading the 300B tubes were another bump. Not a requirement but very pleasant surprise.
I thought I'd drop you a quick note about the Allnic L-7000 preamp I just picked up from you to let you know that I could not be happier with this unit.
I went from Cary SLP-05 to The Messenger to VAC to Allnic L-3000MK2 to this unit. I was very happy with the L-3000, but the L-7000 is just better in every way...Quieter, better dynamics and especially the resolution. I've been playing my reference tracks for a couple days now with a huge smile on my face. Last night I was playing a track that I've heard a thousand times before. There is a soft keyboard note in the background of the song. For the first time ever, I just discovered it's not a keyboard note, but three voices softly harmonizing! Crazy to hear something new like that on a track you thought you knew inside and out.
I have not experimented with Verus II controller so I cannot comment. If you have issues with MK2 controller you should get in touch with the guy that builds my power supplies. Music Technology, Bill Thalmann. He used to be head tech with Conrad Johnson, a very sharp guy and reasonable price.
He has a new replacement chip to sub on Technics MK2 and MK3. Users report better dynamics and even more speed stable than before. I keep looking for a time to send my controller in, when I don't mind being out of business in it's absence.
If you contact me via communication boxes here at Audiogon I will send my email address if you wish to discuss.
By the way, the Furutech IEC is a great connector, I think an even bigger upgrade than the fuses but both together is better.
The Mk2a PS has a Furutech IEC input connector and stock fuses. Unfortunately, the Mk2a has developed some issues since I last tried powering the power supply with Nordost V1 power cord. After reading your post, I will experiment using a premium power cord on my Verus II controller.
It was audible on my MK2 when I owned it, is your power supply completely rebuilt including new IEC connector and premium fuses?
I've found in general that power supply is a bid deal in audio, regardless of where it is in the system. My MK2 and MK3 both had complete rebuild and Krebs mods, was a big deal and AC cables are very audible here too.
A cheap way to experience AC cable upgrade on MK2 or MK3 is Purist Aquila. I have a three meter you could try and see if it works in your system.
Just pay a deposit and then return for credit. I'm sure it's too long even if you like the sound and price but we can address that if you have interest.
I've compared the stock PC on my SP-10 Mk2a power supply to an expensive PC and didn't hear an notable difference between the two cords in my system. I was wondering if you've upgraded the stock umbilical cord from the TT to your Technics SP-10 Mk3 power supply/controller? If so, which of the two cords had a greater impact on the sound?
I just replaced my two remaining Purist 25th Anniversary AC cables with new 30th Anniversary AC cables. So far every place I've swapped over to 30th Anniversary has resulted in a big improvement. New cables are quieter, more dynamic and more detail without being bright or forward.
These last two 30th were fitted to Studer A810 open reel and Technics MK3 turntable power supply.
Probably over the top to put such an expensive AC cable on the turntable but I began with entry level Purist AC and every upgrade in Purist line has resulted in improved analog (turntable) performance.
In any case the new AC cable is not welded into place, I can always remove and sell if it turns out to not be worth the investment.
All the Allnic pieces for sound and display are on their way to the LA Audio Show at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel, Los Angeles, California.
I'll be making music with the new Allnic L7000 (preamp), the new Allnic H7000 (phono), Allnic M3000 amps, Allnic D5000 DAC, new Allnic HPA 3000 GT Triode headphone amp, and for static display the Allnic H1201 phono.
Come see us in rooms 376 / 379 beginning Friday June 2 through Sunday June 4.
We are showing with Purist Audio Design and PBN and for source there will be two music servers and a turntable .
