Tubes meet Transistors

by tubegb on AudioquestSymposium AcousticsPer MadsenLinnHarbethTontragerAllnic AudioCalifornia Audio LabsHerbie’s Audio LabSynergistic ResearchdeHavillandMcIntosh LabsPass labsSBoosterAudio PhysicGIK AcousticsEver EvolvingRega ResearchAudienceStillpointsAudio Research
3/2026
1/2026
System/Room Perspective
11/2025
11/2025
2/2025
Stillpoints Aperture II Acoustic Panel
Rega Planar 8
Rega Ania Pro MC
Rega Ania Pro MC
Mpingo'd
Audio Research VSi75
UltraVerve 3
Pass Labs Aleph 30
MiG'd Allnic phono preamp
Allnic Audio H-1201
Allnic Audio H-1201
Manley Labratories Chinook SE MKI
Linn Linto MC Phono Preamplifier
McIntosh MCD201 SACD/CD player
Mpingo'd
California Audio Labs Delta & Sigma II
McIntosh MR-71
Audioquest Niagara 3000
Harbeth HL Compact 7ES-3 30th Anniversary Edition
Mpingo'd
Audio Physic Virgo III
Audio Physic Virgo III
ATS Acoustics Tri-Corner Bass Trap(s)
Verity Listening chair(s)
Record collection - partial
Per Madsen Record Racks
Per Madsen / Side Room View
Behind Primary Listening Position
Time for some Night Music...

Description

An extended period of power cable and interconnect experimentation has led to a return to a full Audience loom.

The benefit of owning multiple components provides fun/flexibility trying various combinations from time-to-time.

The Room: dedicated to audio, second story, frame construction with carpet/pad over wood sub-floor. Excellent (treated) room acoustics and fortunately low mains noise. A Symposium Acoustics Segue ISO platform provides effective isolation for the fixed suspension Rega Planar 8 turntable.

Other (Tweak) Bits:

  • Symposium Acoustics isolation platforms
  • Per Madsen record racks
  • Stable 33.33 Record Transit Platter
  • Reliable UberLight Frame  
  • StylusTimer How did we survive all these years without this device?
  • Herbie's Audio Lab cone/spike decoupling gliders
  • Walker Audio Resonance Control Discs
  • HRS MKII Damping Plates
  • Stillpoints Ultra SS isolation footers
  • Herbie's Audio Lab Grungebuster 1.6mm turntable mat
  • Aesthetix MC cartridge demagnetizer
  • Herbie's Audio Lab SuperSonic Stabilizers
  • Shun Mook Mpingo Discs 
  • Synergistic Research MiG 3.0 Mechanical Interface Grounding devices
  • Synergistic Research MiG SX Mechanical Interface Grounding devices
  • E.A.T. Cool Dampers

Read more...

Room Details

Dimensions: 18’ × 14’  Medium
Ceiling: 9’

Components Toggle details

    • Rega Research Planar 8
    Turntable, tonearm and NEO TT speed controller. 12/2024 replaced the NEO with the new NEO TT MK2 50Hz speed controller. It utilizes the same DSP generator found in the Planar 10 power supply. Plenty of PRAT.
    • Rega Research Ania Pro MC
    Low output (.35mV) moving coil phono cartridge
    • Sbooster BOTW AC
    Substantial power supply powering the Rega Planar 8/NEO MK2. Replacing the diminutive Rega wall wart power supply.
    • Audio Research VSi75
    75 w/channel vacuum tube integrated amplifier sharing the same transformers as the ARC Reference 75. Vacuum tube compliment: TungSol KT-120 (4), Electro-Harmonix 6H30Pi Gold Pin (2). The amplifier is plugged directly into a wall AC outlet.
    • deHavilland UltraVerve 3 Remote (option)
    6SN7 based vacuum tube preamplifier with SOUL. Vacuum tube compliment: GE 5AW4 (1), RCA 6AH4GT (2), 1945 Tungsol (NOS) VT231/6SN7GT (1), Kara's favorite
    • Pass Labs Aleph 30 (option)
    Thirty watts per channel of Class A sonic bliss.
    • Allnic Audio H-1201 MM/MC Phono Preamplifier
    Purchased from the great folks at The Music Room. Vacuum tube compliment: Mullard NOS E180CC (4)
    • Manley Labratories Chinook SE MKI (option)
    Vacuum tube MC/MM phono preamplifier utilizing Tungsram NOS 6922 tubes (4). The Tungsram tube set was recently (1/2026) retired and replaced with Electro-Harmonix 6922 Gold Pin. Kevin's Stash grade from Upscale Audio.
    • Linn Linto (option)
    MC Phono Preamplifier with an ultra-low noise floor and phenomenal overall performance. Direct coupled precision phono preamplifier that takes the output of the cartridge and transfers it directly to the amplifying transistors. There is no adjustable loading network as Linn believes it is not necessary and only adds to increased noise and wasted signal power.
    • McIntosh MCD201
    SACD/CD player
    • California Audio Labs Delta (option)
    CD Transport
    • California Audio Labs Sigma II (option)
    Vacuum tube (12AX7) 24/96 DAC
    • McIntosh MR-71
    Vacuum tube FM tuner clad in a McIntosh L12 slant leg cabinet. This particular tuner was late production (second half 1967) and purchased from the great folks at Audio Classics. All service work performed prior to sale was done by the late Richard Modafferi.
    • Harbeth HL Compact 7ES-3 30th Anniversary Edition
    Speakers wrapped in eucalyptus veneer. Resting on dedicated Compact 7 TonTrager stands. The TonTrager stands are resting on slate, rather than directly on the carpeted surface.
    • Audio Physic Virgo III (option)
    Speakers wrapped in cherry veneer. I've owned these Virgo III's for years. They're extremely balanced and sound staging champions.
    • Audience Au24 SX HP powerChord
    Power cable providing AC to the Audio Research VSi75 integrated amplifier.
    • Audience Studio One MP powerChord
    Power cable providing AC to the phono preamplifier.
    • Audience Au24 SE LP powerChord (2)
    Power cable(s) providing AC to the Sbooster BOTW AC and McIntosh MCD201 SACD/CD player.
    • Audience Au24 SX
    Copper single crystal (Ohno) speaker cables and RCA interconnects.
    • Audioquest Niagara 3000
    Low-Z Power / Noise Dissipation System
    • Audioquest Thunder High (Variable) Current
    Power cable providing AC to the Audioquest Niagra 3000.
    • Stillpoints LLC Aperture II
    Five acoustic panels in Cherry/Cream that are an absorber, diffusor and resonator. THE most effective and profound acoustical room treatment devices I have purchased in 40 years. Located at the side wall first reflection points and the front wall behind the speakers.
    • GIK Acoustics Acoustic Panels
    4A Alpha Diffusors, Q7d Diffusors, 4A Alpha Pro Series Bass Trap Diffusor/Absorbers, Gotham Quadratic Diffusor
    • ATS Acoustics Tri-Corner Bass Traps
    Located in the four wall/ceiling corners. A very simple and effective magnetic system used for mounting.
    • VPI Industries 16.5
    Vacuum record cleaning machine. A workhorse that absolutely refuses to wear out.
    • Bright Star Audio, Herbie's Audio Lab, HRS, Iso Acoustics, Mapleshade, Shun Mook, Stillpoints, Symposium Acoustics, Synergistic Research, Walker Audio
    Platforms and individual devices/footers to control vibration and/or sympathetic resonance.

Comments 21

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Owner
Jim, I am grateful for your gracious comment. I have followed your journey towards audio perfection on BOTH of your systems for an extended period of time. Gary

tubegb

Great well thought out yet passionate system - bet it sounds lovely

tomic601

Owner
Recent changes reflect current thinking on power cables and interconnects.

tubegb

Owner
scar972, thank you for taking the time to view my modest system and for the positive comments.

tubegb

Very nice system! You have many components that are tastefully presented and seems to work well together.

scar972

Owner

Mscetal, thank you! Synergy is an excellent/apt descriptor. For those of us whose dexterity and eyesight may not be what it used to be, I cannot recommend the Rega Planar 8/Ania more highly. There is nothing to “fiddle” with, other than a new mat.

tubegb

What a beautiful set up!  I am a fan of the Rega turntables!  They make great products and each is a value at its price point.  It looks like you put together a system with a lot of synergy.  Enjoy!

mscetal

@tubegb, Ah, I get it now.. I've had Ryan make several. Good work.

slaw

Owner

Slaw, I’m assuming you’re referencing the Stable Transit Platter? I think the way it’s photographed makes scale deceptive. Rather than a periphery ring, its primary use is to have a sturdy place for your record to reside immediately after cleaning. The product is quite heavy and beautifully made. When I purchased it, I thought “you are out of your mind.” It gets use every day…  

tubegb

Owner
Slaw, thank you very much for your comments. I hope Per is enjoying retirement. He was always very gracious on the telephone. Ryan Tinsel (Etsy) produces pieces to blend with the Per Madsen system.

tubegb

Owner
Spiritofradio, thank you for your positive comment and for stopping by. Greetings to you in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

tubegb

BTW, I'm not familiar with the brand of periphery ring you have. Can you talk about it?

slaw

You have a well put together room/system. We are brothers in Per Madsen.

slaw

Beautiful system!  Hello from NE Portland.

spiritofradio

Owner

Hi highend64, thank you for your positive comments. I would sum up sentiments on the 150A Hot Rod by saying, it’s a keeper. It is well balanced, voiced in some ways similar to a good tube amp and has excellent pitch definition in the bass/lower registers. My best to you.

tubegb

Very nice system indeed. Really like how room is layout. How do you like the Belles 150A? Happy listening and Enjoy!

highend64

Owner
Hi Dan, thank you for your positive comments and well wishes. I'm not from Portland and for the life of me I can't remember the exact circumstances as to when I started doing business with Kurt and his crew. I'm betting their new location is beautiful. Many items purchased from them over the years and always a positive experience. Please stay well also.

tubegb

You mention Echo Audio. Does that mean you are from Portland? I have a couple of friends there, and I've been in Echo Audio with them.

Very nice system, enjoy, and stay well.

Dan

islandmandan

Owner

The Virgos were purchased years ago from the great people at Echo Audio. They have been a constant in the system ever since.

tubegb

Owner

Thank you, Jond. After 45 years; too many components/iterations to count, plenty of mistakes and lessons learned along the way.

tubegb

Nice mix of gear looks really well thought out and those Virgo's look lovely.

jond

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