Description

Audio Nirvana has arrived. Being involved in this hobby for the past 40 years proves that this is a journey and not a destination. Over these years I have had countless iterations of too many systems to mention. Over the past 15 years I have become a loyal fan of Wilson Audio speakers and have steadily moved up their production line. Four years ago I never thought it could get any better than my Wilson X-2 Alexandria series l until I heard the X-2 series ll this year. Suffice it to say the X-2 Series ll speakers were added in October of this year in Black Almondine and now occupy the center of my sound syatem. For the past 3 years I have been seriously considering a return to vinyl and was ready to make the move until I began reading about the resurgence of reel to reel tape recorders and The Tape Project. Recently I found a fully restored Studer A810 tape recorder and added it to my system as well as becoming a Charter Subscriber to The Tape Project. Needless to say I was smitten. Recently I also swapped out my much beloved Meitner digital gear for the newer Playback Designs PDS MP-S5 and have been more than happpy with that decision. Earlier this year the video side of my room underwent a complete change and installed the Sim2 C3X1080 triple chip DLP with an Isco lll anamorphic lens. This allows me to enjoy either 16 X 9 format as well as 2.35 on a CIH Stewart Firehawk G3 132 inch curved screen. When I did this I upgraded the subwoofer(s) in my room by swapping the Wilson XS for two JL Audio Gotham subs. It took the better part of four months to get these subs dialed in for my room but once done they are simply better than I could have ever imagined. As far as what the future holds in the hobby, I am in a holding pattern but I never say never.
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    • Wilson Audio X-2 Alexandria Series ll
    I am in awe of this speaker both from the way it sounds as well as the way it looks. After 3 months of anxiously awaiting, the speaker finally arrived. Color is Black Almondine with Parchment Gray grill covers. The speakers weigh in at a cool 720 lbs each and stand 2 inches taller than the X-1's I had. Simply put, I have never heard a speaker as real as this. The soundstage is huge, more open than even the X-2 series l. The ease of setup as well was amazing. It took us only 2 hours to get the speakers operational. The wonderful thing about the X-2 is that the upper modules can now be meticulously set to image at ear level. The X-1's were always imaging just a bit high. These speakers are truly Dave Wilson at the pinnacle of his game. Just when I thought my X-2 series l's put me at audio nirvana, along comes the X-2 Series ll. The best way to compare this speaker to anything else is with a big smile rather than with hyperbole. IMO this speaker has brought me to Audio Nirvana.
    • Lamm Industries ML 3 Signature
    The ML3 is a single-ended (SE) tube amplifier utilizing a very powerful direct-heated triode GM-70 (125W plate dissipation) and a separate power supply. Combining the most sophisticated technologies and electronic design with graceful looks reminiscent of the classic era of tubes, the ML3 is our top-of-the-line, no-compromise product. It is a 32-watt amplifier that operates in pure class A and utilizes no overall feedback. The topology is absolutely unique and incorporates one of the most advanced power supplies ever featured in an audio device. These factors, along with the designer’s unique vision and understanding of the underlying principles of audio electronics, make the ML3 an amplifier without peer. With the ML3 as the centerpiece of a high-end system, the recorded event is recreated in one’s listening room with astonishing verisimilitude. The listener is able to experience an ephemeral yet tangible connection to the essence of the music. These are not empty claims. Those who have listened to the ML3 firsthand have unanimously acknowledged this phenomenon and have reported it to be utterly unique in their collective experience. IMO this amp rises above all others and is the the new king of the hill. Audio Nirvana has arrived
    • Lamm Industries LL1 Signature Dual Mono Line Level
    The monaural line level preamplifier model LL1 Signature is the ultimate statement of perfection in High-End audio. Just like ML3 Signature is the best creation of its designer's professional career among the LAMM amplifiers, so is the LL1 Signature among the line level LAMM preamplifiers. The LL1 Signature has been designed to complement the ML3 Signature amplifier, and this combination in a system represents a "match made in heaven". However, the LL1 Signature will perform magic with any other appropriate power amplifier. The LL1 Signature features a topology that brings out the most natural sound performance in the audio path. In principle, it is a single-stage unit that basically represents the shortest possible signal path. The preamplifier contains four very linear low impedance triodes paralleled into a single inverting gain stage. The LL1 Signature employs a pure single-ended class A operation, with no overall feedback applied. Also featured are specially selected high-transconductance dual triodes 6N30P-DR/ 6Н30П-ДР (original) in the signal path and TKD stepped potentiometers for volume control - the best available on today's market. The preamplifier's audibly neutral power supply features a full-wave vacuum rectifier. This rectifier, together with a choke-containing filter, allows to practically get rid of the hum and buzz and, in the end, to ensure the verity of dynamic range without coloration. Two solid-state analog voltage regulators supply dc voltage to the tube filaments (heaters). Other features include 3 inputs, one tape/HT processor loop, attenuator (-12 dB) switch, output 1/output 2 switches, protection circuitry designed to enable manual muting of the output signal, and built-in remote on/off for LAMM power amplifiers. The main distinction of the LL1 Signature from any other comparable type of preamplifiers is its practically inaudible sonic signature. When connected to an appropriate type of power amplifiers, especially LAMM power amplifiers, it assures the extraordinary transparency of perceived sound and recreation of a three-dimensional soundstage in the home, recording studio, etc., without boundaries and limitations. Each preamplifier is handcrafted of the finest materials and top quality parts like military-grade DALE metal-film resistors, PRC wire-wound resistors, BOURNS multi-turn potentiometers, CORNELL DUBILIER and UNITED CHEMI-CON electrolytic capacitors, ELECTROCUBE, ELCON and ROEDERSTEIN film capacitors; HAMMOND chokes, gold-plated NEUTRIC connectors, and military-grade low-noise long-life vacuum tubes. A custom-designed massive damping panel installed in the preamplifier unit significantly reduces all types of mechanical vibrations which, in turn, leads to a more extended, coherent and natural bass reproduction. The LL1 Signature features a custom-designed super-low noise power transformer. The LL1 Signature works on all world AC line voltages (100/120/220/230/240V).
    • JL Audio Gotham/g213
    Gotham® Your first look will tell you that you are looking at something special… your first listen will confirm it beyond a shadow of a doubt. The beauty of the Gotham® extends well beyond its exotic design and exceptional craftsmanship, aiming right at the emotional core of musical and cinematic enjoyment. This is a subwoofer system with limits well beyond the needs of the typical home theater application, delivering a weight and integrity of reproduction that can only come from a system that is always in control. Its allure lies as much in its ability to convey subtleties as in its prodigious output capabilities. It is simply devastating. A luxurious, handcrafted gloss-black finish is complemented by machined aluminum and stainless steel accents for a look and feel that fits perfectly with the finest home furnishings. More importantly, the beautiful cabinet houses a pair of JL Audio’s highest-technology subwoofer drivers. When demanded by program material, the Gotham’s amplifier can deliver voltage equivalent to 3,800 watts of RMS power to take full advantage of the twin drivers’ four inches of peak-to-peak excursion capability. This ensures that the Gotham™ can breeze through material that makes other subwoofers go into clipping, limiting or distress. Listening to a Gotham® reveals an entirely new dimension of subwoofer performance... a dimension so satisfying that listening to lesser subwoofers will forever become an act of compromise. Available Models: g213 (click for specs and feature list) Model: g213-GLOSS SKU: 96237 Cabinet Finish: High-Gloss Black
    • Playback Designs System MS5
    I just never thought that I would sell my Meitner gear because for years IMO it was the leader of the pack. Not so fast any more as along came the PDS MS-5 which creates music as close to vinyl as the real thing
    • Studer Reel To Reel A-810
    A fully refurbished state of the art Studio reel to reel
    • Krell Theater Amplifier Standard
    This is used to drive my center channel, surround channels and rear channel. I use it only for home theater however when Krell releases their SACD standard in May, I will delve into multichannel audio. I continue to use a Krell FPB-750 mcX for my Wilson XS subwoofer. I use 6.1 and not 7.1 in my room
    • Wilson Audio WATCH Center Channel
    I have used many center channel speakers but have found this one to outperform anything that I have previously owned. I use it with its accompanying speaker stand centered right under my screen. Recently upgraded this center channel to Black Almondine to match my new X-2 series ll speakers
    • Wilson Audio WATCH Surround (left and right)
    A perfect compliment for my Wilson X-1/XS speakers.
    • Nordost Valhalla
    I use this in my front end. An unbelievably transparent interconnect. I was using Tara Labs The Zero which was magnificent but I feel the Valhalla is a notch above even though The Zero was priced at $12,500 for a 2 meter pair of balanced cables
    • Wilson Audio WATCH rear
    I decided on only 6.1 rather than 7.1 and am very impressed with this speaker in my home theater
    • Sim2 Triple Chip DLP Projector C3X 1080
    For those following the buzz on the internet this is the latest triple chip DLP from Sim that has a picture unequaled for projectors of this price and size
    • Isco 2.35 Anamorphic Lens Model lll
    Anamorphic 2.35 lens for Sim 2 projector
    • Stewart Filmscreen Firehawk G3 CineV 130
    A CIH screen with native 2.35 aspect ratio and 120 inch width. Masks to 16 x 9 as well
    • Sony BDP-S2000ES
    Sony's flagship Blu-ray Disc™ player, with astounding audio enhancements and vibration-reduction that deliver phenomenal results in a rock-solid design
    • Lexicon MC12B-HD v 1.2
    Most impressive about the MC-12 HD is its extensive custom processing capabilities. Four 32-bit floating-point DSP engines provide vast resources for such proprietary features as Logic 7, Auto Azimuth correction, five-speaker enhancement, bass enhancement, and dialog enhancement. Lexicon?s bass management system, digital crossovers and tone controls are also powered by these DSP engines. This processing is performed at sample rates up to 96kHz with 24-bit resolution to retain top performance from all input sources. A fifth DSP engine is dedicated to decoding Dolby Digital and DTS sources. Inside and out, the MC-12 HD is designed to accommodate potential hardware and software advancements with internal expansion, a removable rear panel access plate, and two RS-232 connectors.
    • Nordost Valhalla AES/EBU
    A digital cable with XLR (balanced)terminations. Used to connect the Krell kps25sc to the EMM Labs DAC 6
    • Nordost Valhalla
    Simply the best and most transparent cable I have ever used. I sold my Tara Labs The Omega for these cables. As great as the Omega was, I find there is no comparison with the Valhalla
    • Nordost Valhalla
    20 amp IEC power cables (one pair) used for my Audio Research Refernce 600 Mark lll mono amps. This resulted in immediate improvement in bass as well as producing a somewhat more dynamic sound.
    • Tara Labs RSC Gen 2
    Used in my home theater
    • Tara Labs RSC Air One
    5 pair of balanced cables used in my home theater
    • Tara Labs The One
    I have 2 of these in my front end. They made a big difference
    • Absolute Power Line Purifier
    Used in my home theater side. A very solid work horse
    • Aurios Pro MIb
    Decouplers. An absolute must in any system. I use these under my Krell kps25sc and Audio Research Reference ll Mark ll. I have also found dramatic improvement in my bass when used under my Wilson X-1 Grand Slamm speakers. These are sold exclusively at http://www.audionut.com Ask for Bob Williams. he will give you all of the theory behind this tweak.You can reach him at 1-877-944-5505
    • Acoustic Sciences Corporation Tube Traps
    The single best tweak to my room was to have ASC design room modifications (tube traps)according to the size of my room with the type of gear used. I have a total of 38 tube traps in the room in all sizes, varying from Super trap 20's, Super trap 16's and trap 13's, 11's and 9's. I did this in stages according to the plans provided by ASC and once finished I had a true 2C3D room. The walls are virtually invisible.
    • Acoustic Sciences Corporation Sound Planks
    Also part of the design rendered for my room by ASC. These sit at the front wall and have vastly improved the sound in the room.
    • Billy Bags AV Pro
    This is used for my home theater equiment
    • Billy Bags CD/DVD Stand
    Designrd specifically for my room I am able to store over 1000 CD's and/or DVD's
    • Zoethecus component stands Z.2/R (2 in all)
    Great looking, good support and excellent isolation
    • Zoethecus amp stands (3 in all) Z.block/1d
    Great looking with super isolation
    • Musical Fidelity Tube Output Buffer X-10v3
    high input impedance allowing me to drive my new JL Gotham subs without compromising my Audio Research Reference 3 preamp
    • Musical Fidelity Tube Output Buffer Power Supply
    Optional separate power supply for tube buffer which helps bass response from Gotham Subs
    • Transparent Reference (RSE) Interconnect
    20 foot pair from Tube Buffer Output to Gotham subs and one meter pair from ARC Ref3 to Tube Output Buffer
    • See Other Web site For More Details And Pictures
    [URL]http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showthread.php?10535-Doctor-s-Orders-Part-Two-The-New-Listening-Room-Of-Steve-Williams&p=191656&viewfull=1#post191656[/URL]

Comments 1014

Owner
"I am curious how you will attenuate the light from the GM70."

I am just as curious about that myself. It will be a challenge. The GM-70 gives off quite a bit of light.

Getting used to a dual mono preamp sans a remote control is also quite challenging

oneobgyn

Congratulations. You must be approaching heaven but as with any major change you are bound for some pains along the way. The challenges make the journey even more worthwhile and the rewards sweeter. Your incremental steps towards this end shows your dedication to achieving the best sound. I myself am currently in limbo with a few projects all room related being put together. These include furniture and room treatments and LP storage. Home theater has a separate set of challenges that always conflict with 2 channel in terms of ergonomics and more. I am curious how you will attenuate the light from the GM70. Nice challenge ahead of you.

dgad

Owner
For my needs my home theater is just fine. I do acknowledge there are many prepros that best my Lexicon however the Lex does everything that I ask of it

oneobgyn

You might consider the new Arcam Avr600 for your home theater duties:

http://iar-80.com/page161.html

sherod

Owner
System edited: System Edit. To reflect changes in equipment. Just as Michael Corleone in God Father lll stated, "just when I was out, they pull me back in" [url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcEAzvwKRn0[/url] All too often that line has gone through my head when I consider some of my audio and video purchases over the years. So many times I have gone on record as saying "I have reached audio nirvana" or "my home theater is complete" and "I will need no further upgrades or purchases as a result thereof." I have said here many times that I felt the ML 2.1 amp was the best sounding amp that I have ever heard, until early last year Vladimir Lamm loaned me his newest ML3 Signature to audition in my system. It became for me the amp by which all others will be judged. It was just that good. It ranked high on my radar screen. Then out of the blue Vladimir Lamm brings to market his latest Line Level Preamp a dual mono preamp with each channel having its own separate power supply, the LL1 Signature. According to Vladimir this was a preamp designed to work the magic of the ML3 Signature, a 32 wpc SET monoblock amp also with each channel having its own power supply. I never thought that I would have a parting of the ways with my much lauded Audio Research Ref 3 preamp but having heard the ML 3 played through my Ref 3 and knowing how good the sound was, and now, with the thought that there was a preamp designed specifically for the ML3, set my journey in a new direction. Suffice it to say I took delivery of both components several days ago and they are now set up, wired and going through the proverbial burn in. There are approximately 25 hours so far on the tubes and the system i starting to open up. It is truly a "wow" experience. Imaging, sound stage and dynamics is truly amazing and better than I even expected. With change there have been some snags. First this is a dual mono preamp with no remote so it does involve getting up and setting each volume control with the music. I am finding however that I have found one comfortable listening level that is perfect for most music Second the addition of 8 new "boxes" and getting rid of three boxes made for a major readjustment in the room. The ML 3 amps still occupy center stage under the screen whereas the LL1 preamp and my Playback Designs have been moved to the left side of my room onto another AV stand. This allows for easier access to both the preamp and the Playback Designs. The biggest negative is the amount of ambient light put out by the huge MP-70 output tube on each ML3. Easily as much as a 60 watt bulb and these are sitting under my theater screen. This precludes watching movies until a fix is found to control this light. Certainly I could leave the ML 3 amps off while watching movies or perhaps finding a pair of SS amps to use for home theater for left and right channel output. Stay tuned Updated photos will follow.

oneobgyn

Hi! No, you are not in the Audio Nirvana yet! Please try your Playback Design with Mac + Amarra and you will know what Audio Nirvana is! Bye

zklupi

Owner
1. I do not find the Studer noisy
2. I am a charter member of The Tape Project and there are some reliable sellers of recorded tape. I have found some excellent tapes in this fashion
3. Can't answer with any assuredness re the life span of a tape but there ways of preserving longevity starting with how they are stored and at what temperature etc. I also treat all of my tapes with Last Tape Preservative which need only be done once. It is also a good idea to make sure the tapes are stored flatwound.
4. As best I know mine are the original heads as my machine had very little hours on it. Heads last longer if they are kept clean and demagnetized several times per year.

All I can say with this format is that if you are a serious audiophile and haven't heard it you really owe it to your self to see what all the fuss is about

oneobgyn

Hi Oneobgyn,

youe set-up is looking great, a couple of questions for you regarding the Studer and tape reals.

1. Listening using the Studer, is it noisy? the machine it's self along with the music is produces, hisses etc.
2. Actual tapes, getting them are there others sources besides just the Tape Project? like for Jazz, Vocals, Blues
3. Whats the life span of a actual tape?
4. Heads on the machine 810, live span and how easily to have be replaced, are you using the original?

Thanks

dev

"As for inputs to the preamp it uses any input ( I input mine via the phono input). I am not certain what you mean by analog inputs in the preamp."
I guess I used the wrong words but you gave me the info I wanted anyway. Yea, I bassicly wanted to know what input to use. I checked out The Tape Project. It seems like very impressive stuff. But to be honest, the fee to subscribe is really above what I can do right now. I am assuming that it is a yearly fee. So you bought yours from a private seller? If there were other tapes that did not sound bad AND were a bit more affordable, that would be a different story. We all have to know our limits :).

mikeduke

Owner
I kept my Studer A810 stock although I have debated modding it to accept the Bottlehead Repro amp. Doing this however limits me to the machine having only playback capability and not record capability. The gentleman who refurbished my unit said something very interesting to me when I discussed that idea with him. He smiled and said, "if Willy Studer felt that a separate repro amp was the way to go , he would have done it himself." Suffice it to say I am quite happy with the sound it creates in my system.
As for inputs to the preamp it uses any input ( I input mine via the phono input). I am not certain what you mean by analog inputs in the preamp.

oneobgyn

Was your Studer stock or did you have it modified. Does the Tape Project sell them or do you have to get them at places like Audiogon? I will admit, it is still an iteresting idea that is floating in the back of my mind. Who knows. I am still a "youngster" in age when compared to many people here :). Does that have to be connected to an analog input on the preamp?

mikeduke

Owner
Mike

Interesting question. As great as the Playback Designs is, IMO the R2R is better. Now having said that, several days ago when Jacob Heilbrunn from TAS stopped by for a listen, his parting comments to me were that the Playback Designs in his impression was just about as good as R2R. He is also an owner of the Playback Designs as well as a Continuum TT

BTW, regarding the price of admission being too steep, I bet that I bought my Studer A810 for less than what you paid for your new vinyl rig

oneobgyn

Hey OB.
I guess I fell asleep and missed a few pages. Congrats on the Reel to Reel. I am sure that is sounds fantastic in your setup. So does it out play the Playback? As for me, I am getting a Turn Table in about three months. Not a Brinkman or Raven but a Well Tempered Amadeus with a Dynavector XX2 cart. Should be pleanty good in my setup. But that's great that you were able to ge a R2R to play with. To be honest, I think the price of admition would be to steap for me right now.

mikeduke

Doc I actually got to see and hear two Gotham subs today. They are a beast to look at but they were totally in sync with the main speakers.

gregadd

Steve,
Thanks for sharing the blog. Excellent reading & all fantastic systems.

grr6001

Owner
Earlier this week, my good friend Mike Grellman arranged for an afternoon listening session at his house, then mine and finally off to hear those amazing $400,000 horns at the factory of Alon Wolf from Magico. Mike brought with Jacob Heilbrunn a reviewer from The Absolute Sound. I am including a link to Jacob's Blog regarding his impressions of all three systems

http://www.avguide.com/blog/three-megabuck-systems-rockport-wilson-and-magico

oneobgyn

Owner
I've met Mike and Nelly when I was in Boulder visiting my daughter at CU Boulder. They have some extraordinary equipment in their sound rooms which is high in the mountains looking down on Boulder

oneobgyn

You'll need to scroll down the page. Mybe someone more computer savy can post it here.

gregadd

Sorry Doc.
I got those of the Audio Federation site and thies 2009 CES coverage.
One more try.

http://www.audiofederation.com/hifiing/2008/CES2008/day1/index.htm

My lack of computer skill is showing. I was trying to post the actual picture here. That is the link for finding the picture on my own computer.

gregadd

Owner
gregadd

A better link please to those photos

oneobgyn

C:\Users\Accuphase\Pictures\IMG_2614.jpg
nice picture of Wilson Lamm3

gregadd

Owner
Gregadd

Thanks for the link

oneobgyn

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=558

check out these pictues of thier singled ended 300B amps.
gregadd

gregadd

Owner
Gregadd

I am familiar with their site and have been on it several times.
Indeed MikeL talked highly about their 3000 phonostage and seeing his comparison between his Dart and the Allnic I also wonder if Mike is remembering how good tubes really sound. IOW I would love to A/B the Ref3 vs the Allnic top of their line linestage in my system....tubes vs tubes, then I can tell you with certainty what the fuss is all about.

oneobgyn

The line stage appears to be all tubes from the pictures I have seen. They are advertising on this site under tube preamps.
Gregadd

gregadd

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