Tubes meet Transistors

by tubegb on AudioquestHarbethSchiit AudioAllnic AudioCalifornia Audio LabsShunyata ReasearchShunyataAudio PhysicGIK AcousticsManley LaboratoriesEver EvolvingRega ResearchdeHavillandPrimaLunaAudiencePass labsmcintoshStillpointsAudio ResearchBlack Cat Cable
2/2025
2/2025
2/2025
2/2025
Record collection - partial
Per Madsen Record Racks
Behind Primary Listening Position
Stillpoints Aperture II Acoustic Panel
Rega Planar 8
Rega Planar 8
Hexmat Yellow Bird
Audio Research VSi75
Audio Research VSi75
Audience Au24 SX HP powerChord
Audience Studio One MP powerChord
deHavilland UltraVerve All Octal Vacuum Tube Line Pteamplifier
deHavilland UltraVerve - back panel
Allnic Audio H-1201
Allnic Audio H-1201
Manley Chinook SE
California Audio Labs Delta & Sigma II
Shunyata Research ZiTron Alpha Digital Power Cable
McIntosh MCD201
McIntosh MR-71
Pass Labs Aleph 30
Aleph 30 Opened for Cap Inspection
PrimaLuna Dialogue Four
Audioquest Niagara 3000
Harbeth HL Compact 7ES-3 on Skylan SKY-4P20 stands
Audio Physic Virgo III
Audio Physic Virgo III
ATS Acoustics Tri-Corner Bass Trap(s)
Verity Listening chair(s)
Teac A-4300
Reference
Time for some Night Music...

Description

The love of music and the passion for all things audio started more than 45 years ago. This system delivers on the expectation of communicating music with tone and emotion while providing excellent imaging and sound staging. Speaker placement/location determined primarily by using Vandersteen & Cardas methodology.

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 Rega Planar 8 turntable.

Other Bits:

  • Mapleshade isolation platform & brass footers
  • Per Madsen record racks
  • VPI 16.5 vacuum record cleaning machine
  • Stable 33.33 Record Transit Platter
  • Equipment lighting by Reliable 
  • StylusTimer How did we survive all these years without this device?
  • Herbie's Audio Lab cone/spike decoupling gliders
  • Cardas Multi Blocks cable lifters
  • Herbie's Audio Lab Way Excellent II 2mm turntable mat
  • Walker Audio Resonance Control Discs
  • HRS MKII Damping Plates
  • Symposium Acoustics Precision Couplers
  • HRS ADL light record weight 
  • Hexmat Yellow Bird Phono Record Isolator

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. 
    • Rega Research Ania Pro MC
    Low output 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
    Vacuum tube compliment: TungSol KT-120 (4), Electro-Harmonix 6H30Pi Gold Pin (2)
    • deHavilland Electric Amp Ultraverve 3
    Octal Vacuum Tube Line Preamplifier - with Remote
    Vacuum tube complement: 1945 TungSol VT231/6SN7GT Round Plates (1), RCA 6AH4GT (2), GE 5AW4 (1)
    Big tone and more "meat on the bone" with this preamplifier. Now operating in a second system.
    • Allnic Audio H-1201 MM/MC Phono Preamplifier
    Vacuum tube compliment: Mullard E180CC (4)
    • Manley Laboratories Chinook SE MKI
    MM/MC Phono Preamplifier
    Vacuum tube compliment: Tesla 1960's E88CC/6922 (4) or Tungsram E88CC/6922 (4)
    • California Audio Labs Delta
    CD Transport
    • California Audio Labs Sigma II
    Vacuum tube (12AX7) 24/96 DAC
    • McIntosh MCD-201
    SACD/CD player
    • Schiit Audio Bifrost 2 DAC
    Significant improvement over the previous DAC in use. The soundstage width has increased, improved bass impact and extended high frequency definition. Overall, an amazing product for $799.
    • 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.
    • Pass Labs Aleph 30
    30W Class A power amplifier rotated in/out of the system. This amplifier supports the tenant that the First Watt is the most important.
    • PrimaLuna DiaLogue Four
    Power amplifier
    Vacuum tube compliment: Genalex Gold Lion KT77 (4), Mullard CV4003/12AU7 (2), Ei ECC83/12AX7 smooth plate, produced on Telefunken machinery prior to the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia (2).
    • Harbeth HL Compact 7ES-3 30th Anniversary Edition
    Speakers wrapped in eucalyptus veneer.
    • Skylan Manufacturing Ltd SKY-4P20
    Stands designed for the Harbeth Compact 7 series speakers.
    • Audio Physic Virgo III
    Speakers wrapped in cherry veneer.
    • Audience Au24 SX HP
    Power cable feeding AC to the Audio Reasearch VSi-75.
    • Audience Studio ONE MP
    Power cable feeding AC to the phono preamplifier.
    • Audience Au24 SE LP
    Power cable feeding AC to CD transport/player.
    • Shunyata Research ZiTron Alpha Digital Power Cable
    Power cable feeding AC to the DAC
    • Audience Studio ONE
    Copper single crystal (Ohno) RCA interconnects
    • Audience Au24 SE
    Copper single crystal (Ohno) RCA interconnects
    • Audience Studio TWO
    Copper single crystal (Ohno) RCA interconnects
    • Audience Au24 SX
    Copper single crystal (Ohno) speaker cables 
    • Black Cat Cable Kuro Neko
    Digital Coaxial Cable
    • Audioquest Niagara 3000
    Low-Z Power / Noise Dissipation System
    • Audioquest Thunder High (Variable) Current
    Power cable feeding AC to the Audioquest Niagra 3000.
    • Stillpoints LLC Aperture II
    Acoustic panel in Cherry/Cream that is 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.
    • Stillpoints LLC Universal Resonance Dampers
    Supporting the McIntosh MCD-201 and Manley Laboratories Chinook SE
    • 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.
    • Symposium Acoustics Svelte Shelf
    Placed under the Audio Research VSi75 integrated amplifier.
    • Symposium Acoustics STD Segue ISO LD
    Supporting and isolating the Rega Planar 8 turntable.
    • Symposium Acoustics Segue ISO
    Placed under source components.
    • Symposium Acoustics Segue Stealth
    Placed under the Sbooster turntable power supply.
    • VPI Industries 16.5
    Vacuum record cleaning machine

Comments 18

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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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