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.
Read more...

Components Toggle details

    • 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

Just spoke with dave santerian about your system...very nice:) I also have been throgh the mill over the years and have sort of come around to your sensibilities regarding audio. My system is far more humble at this time, but close in heart. I got my hands on a pair of Sophias driven by Krell's new S300i and fronted by a BAT VK-D5 24bit CDP (vinyl like indeed). Cables are Harm Tech copper reference series wt. Transparent MM and MIT Oracle PC's. The synergy captures the gestalt of the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia very nicely. The Studer was a rare find...cherish it!

dave_b

Steve, as you know almost never post to these sorts of blogs. but I know how much pride you have taken in setting up your fabulous system and thus felt compelled to add a comment. When I was there last, the audio system was based upon the EMMM/ARC Ref 3/Lamm/Alexandria platform that has recently evolved. But as good as the audio system is (it is among the handful of best systems I've heard and I've heard a lot of 'em), it is the video system that blew my mind. It is the finest home theater system I've ever experienced, and that includes all the CES demos I've attended over the years. Truly awesome and inspiring and one that is now a benchmark for me. Can't wait to see you in January to relish the achievement of your latest version of audio heaven. Marty

ugamotz

Owner
System edited: An updated description of the room and changes made.

oneobgyn

Owner
Microstrip

Paul Stubblebine took me into their listening room which had a huge pair of Alon Wolf's Magico speakers ( a prototype which he never made again).He used a large floor standing Studer with 1" heads and took out his "running master" tape of The Arnold Overture (recorded at 15 ips)and played it for me, him and Doc. There were none of Dan's Bottleneck mods on this player but in my 38 years involved in this hobby I have just never heard anything as good as this ...NEVER. It was tantamount to being at the symphony and hearing it live. The amps were a 4 way system into the speakers using Doc's Bottleneck gear as was the preamp

oneobgyn

Oneobgyn,
Could you tell us what was the system you heard at the Tape Project studio? Audiophiles are really curious ...

microstrip

absolutly!!!!!

koegz

Owner
Koegz

I once again agree with you about all of your comments about vinyl. Isn't all of this what makes this hobby so much fun?

oneobgyn

Doc. that sounds great except i am not really interested in the london philharmonic orchestra, it is just not my cup of tea. as i type this i am listening to dave edmunds, the man could rock, any R2R's? i am sure that the R2R you'r demoing sounds fantastic, why shouldn't it, it is from a master tape in a room and system i am sure was tweeked to the max. i have heard vinyl recordings that have sounded that way as well. all recordings are not created equally. before i bought my walker i was at loyd's and he played a led zep original and a ccr 45 original lp's both fantastic recordings that made me melt away. i have been working towards that sound ever since. again to each their own and good luck with the tapes you will let me know when they get more current. personally i do not believe that will ever happen. i have been looking at R2R's for some time, it was one of my dreams as a kid and they are cool looking as well as great sounding. so we will see. but vinyl can't be beat, in availability, price, sound, collectability(1200 plus and growing) and just that feeling of the record in your hands. the smell, that history and to see those amazing grooves and record covers. one better then the next. most with all you need to know or just enough to perk your interist. this took so long to write now i am listening to "Vampire Weekend" by Vampire Weekend another great new band. i will say that i am closer then ever to that elusive sound and will keep working on it. keep spin them if you have'em. see what i mean?

koegz

Owner
Unoear.

All I can say about R2R is that this is the real deal. When Dan played the Arnold Overture from the one inch master at 15 ips this was tanatmount to hearing it live at the symphony. I did not hear a machine using Dan's mods. If it is better still than what I heard then I say is "count me in"

oneobgyn

Hey Steve, the Studer addition is a wonderful smack of genius! BTW, did Dan's system that you mentioned earlier on 11/30 create some of the over the top excitement you are describing?

unoear

Owner
Koegz
FWIW I had opportunity to tour the production studio of The Tape Project today in San Francisco. I met all of the owners and had a great talk about tape. At the end they played a 1" 15 ips master of Arnold/London Philharmonic Orchestra: Arnold Overtures. I can only say that it was an almost out of body experience. I have heard great vinyl but nothing as good as this. It was like being at the symphony. Some say this is better even than HiRez digital. Stay tuned

oneobgyn

Grr6001 very very cool room and set up! wood defussers, did you make them? simple but can see how they would get the job done. what type of wood? i asume a hard wood like birch or oak? i may try making them myself. Doc as always great set up, except the lack of vinyl of course. times ah waisten! besides no cool saying with tape, like see you on the flip side or it's in the grooves man.

koegz

Doc,
System has exceeded my expectations, thank you for your comments.
There are loads of nice systems out there & it's nice to see & hear different approaches to reaching the same goal of quality reproduction.

Your thoughts on the Playback Design? I find it one of the best digital players I've heard.

Also , what cables are you using on your R2R?

grr6001

Owner
Grr6001

Thank you for the kind words. I had a look at your system and photos. First class in every way. You must be very proud of how it turned out. I bet it sounds wonderful.

oneobgyn

Owner
Koegz

I agree with everything you say about vinyl and BTW you have a great setup. For me however the enjoyment that I achieved from R2R and the knowledge that some very fine material will be made available by the Tape Project has once again put my return to vinyl on hold for now.

oneobgyn

with R2R the cool factor is a plus, but i have enough trouble getting new blu-ray disc's. vinyl has just come back strong with new titles coming out every day. vinyl is supported by past rockers and current artist alike. high quality sound at reasonable pricing, to not support the vinyl medium would be a crime. R2R should coexist with vinyl in a high end system set up. but if you consider the very low availablity of classical and jazz and even less to nonexsistant in pop, rock, punk and new music, i mean as i type this i am listening to al stewart sing "post world war two blues" in vinyl, fantastic. i am in my early-mid 50's, if i wait for R2R tapes it won't matter how good they sound i will not be able to hear any more anyway and that's if they ever come out in tape at all. so support the tape project, but not instead of vinyl!

koegz

Hi Doc. Congrats!! Very nice system indeed, well thought out. The room is awesome as well.
I'm very intrigued by the RTR experiences of late. Yours & others I have been following.
Having owned a couple many years ago & I was always impressed with the quality of the sound, I just never stayed with it for some reason. Should have held on to one of them I guess. Just like a few cars I also should have kept ( we won't go there ).
I may want to pick your brain in the future if you don't mind. Still doing some research.
One suggestion , look into a nice chair, a stressless by Ekornes. My next purchase.

grr6001

I had to learn how to tie my shoes and button my sleeves again after I was very very sick(deaths door) at 9 years old. I could probably get it if I really tried. I am not ruling against it at all. I believe that it is really as good as you say it is. Anyway, I think I would need a 2ch pre for this to work. I don't think my Halo can do it. That will come in time as well. Thanks for giving me one more thing to think about :).

mikeduke

Owner
Mike

This isn't rocket science and no super skils or dexterity are required. You just need to know how to push on, off, play/record and stop and you have it mastered. I just say don't turn a deaf ear to reel to reel until at least you have had a listen.

oneobgyn

That's great. I had a reel to reel when I was a kid. But it is long gone now. It was cool. I just don't know if I have the dexterity for it. I think I will stick to vinyl. Maybe some day I will look into it.

mikeduke

Owner
I did a lot of research in this Mike and learned much by reading other A'goners posts about their reel to reel experience. The two things which stood out were The Tape Project and Mike Lavigne's comments about reel to reel. Mike commented that when listening to a 1/4 inch half track tape recorded at 7.5 ips he felt it was as good as listening to vinyl on his Sirius lll but, better yet, when listening to a 1/4 inch half track tape recorded at 15 ips the experience exceeded that from his Sirius lll. I thought those to be very profound statements inasmuch as I had been looking at turntables for months. Then a review of the Tape Project
http://www.tapeproject.com was an eye opener for me. Here you can buy (albeit limited numbers of releases for now) tapes of some of the best albums taken from a master recorded at 15 ips. There is a promise of more tapes to come. So I started looking into tape decks and found one right here in California that had been completely refurbished and the price was right. For a small amount of money I could buy into a format that allegedly can reproduce sound better than perhaps the world's best turntable. The gamble was whether there will be software available to have made the investment worthwhile. I had a long talk last week with dan (Doc) from The Tape Project and he assures me that more releases will be forthcoming. Dan also extended an invite to me to tour their San Francisco production studio this week, something I am very much looking forward to. Lastly when I picked up my Studer A810 I was given a tape of Dark Side of The Moon recorded at 7.5 ips. Suffice it to say it sounded beyond superb in my room and if tapes at 15 ips sound even better then I say "give me more".

oneobgyn

Cool.
It is great when you can get something that reinvigorates why we started this madness in the first place. And no matter what, there is that "coolness" factor :). Can you indicate the difference between tape and a TT that has you putting off a TT for a very long time?

mikeduke

Owner
Mike

The R2R just opened up a whole new world of audio listening for me. As long as tape content continues to be made available, my return to vinyl is put on a very long hold

oneobgyn

Great pictures.
Glad the R2R is working out for you. Those X2's sure do look nice. As does the Studer.

mikeduke

Owner
Gregadd

The smile on my face is indicative of how correct you are. I am looking forward to my tour of the Tape Project's production facility in San Francisco this week. Dan (Doc) promises to show me a $10K system which he claims sounds as good or better than any high end system. I am probably going to take Doc's recommendation and go with his mods which he claims will better the sound even more.

oneobgyn

Showing 201 - 225 of 1014 posts