Main System

by ghdprentice on Audio ResearchSonus FaberLinn LP12Amati TraditionalTransparent Cable
Current system configuration
Great doggie imaging
System components
View of audio room from library
Aurender W20SE a really key component
Wifi Extender
Upgraded Linn LP12 with Ekos SE arm and Keel sub chassis. Yes, it is worth it.
SRA Isolation Base and LP12
A view from behind of the best acoustical space I have heard. I am very lucky. Found it quite by accident.
With both ARC REF 160m mono blocks and REF 160s
Ok, this is starting to look like a showroom. I am auditioning a ARC Reference Phono stage 3SE, with my REF3 on the floor right.

Description

Started my system in the about 1980 buying a Threshold 500 amp with my first loan. To power Acoustate 2+2... but unable to afford the speakers. Upgraded and learned audio over five decades to current system. I have love seat in listening position so one of my dogs can listen with me. She loves classical and jazz.

My current system reflects my values in sound. Specifically being warm, natural and musical. After spending about 20 years Listening to acoustical instruments when possible and attending hundreds of symphony concerts I finally figured out the difference between many systems that artificially accentuate detail and create excessive slam that compromise the integrity of the music. My system does not overly highlight the venue and mastering techniques but communicates the music and draws you in, as opposed to shouting at you.

For me, perfect.
Read more...

Room Details

Dimensions: 35’ × 25’  X large
Ceiling: N/A

Components Toggle details

    • Audio Research Reference 6SE Preamp
    • Audio Research Reference 3 Phono Stage
    • Audio Research Reference CD9se DAC / CD player
    • Audio Research Reference 160s Amp
    • Aurender WE20se Music Server
    • Sonus Faber Amati Traditional Speakers
    • Linn Audio LP12 close to Klimax
    • Transparent Ultra Gen 5 Speaker Cables and XLR Interconnects
    • Silent Running Audio Ohio ++2 Isolation platform for Linn LP 12
    • Audio Quest Hurricane
    Power cords for amp
    • Audio Research Reference 160 M
    On loan to me from a dealer friend.
    • Audio Research Reference 3SE Phono stage
    On loan from dealer friend for evaluation.
    • Nessie Record Cleaner

Comments 73

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Owner
@ulcerdoc 

Thank you. I am reminded how great it is every time I listen to it. 

ghdprentice

This is a beautifully curated system with a very clear point of view. 


The ARC Reference electronics paired with the Amati Traditionals is a classic, musically coherent match—liquid midrange, excellent harmonic density, and a soundstage that emphasizes image body and flow rather than etched outlines. The near-Klimax LP12 on the SRA platform and strong phono front end really complete the picture, undoubtedly giving the system an organic, continuous quality that’s hard to fake. 


You can tell this was assembled by someone who values musicality, tonal balance, and long-term listenability over chasing specs. A genuinely elegant, high-end setup. Bravo!


ulcerdoc

A beautiful room and system. Nice to see an ARC CD9se taking action.

Happy Listening!

jafant

@ghdprentice 

Very, very nice indeed! I think the journey in itself to get to this point must have been extremely rewarding.

The home made sound treatment, with the rugs and cushions, is discussion in itself. 

Also enjoy your insight and comments on the posts. On my next road trip in the USA will try and swing by Oregon. Or if you ever fly via Dubai / Abu Dhabi to somewhere else, let me know 

Take care

johannm

very nice system.

dxbwineguy

Have you tried other Ethernet over powerline units before? I am experimenting with them and Ive not seen this Netgear one. Do you like it ?

richardnyc2

Owner
The Ayre DAC is very good... note it is not a streamer. I am using an Aurrender Streamer.

ghdprentice

Nice system.  Your headphone system made me look at the Ayre streamer...

Maybe that's in my future :-).

Enjoy!

ffontan

Owner
Thank you for your kind words. 

It is a daylight basement... with the underground wall behind the speakers and off about 25' to the left and right of the system. I drops the background noise to a really low level... not brilliance on my part, blind luck. 

I love my headphone system. I just never thought a headphone system could be that good an involving... thank you Takayuki 300B and Woo!

George

ghdprentice

After seeing your many comments I finally made it to look at the system. Fantastic. Headphone system too. Is that a basement? How high are the ceilings? I have thought of finishing mine. Well done sir!

bubba12

Very nice!

sls883

Owner
Thank you for your kind comments.

ghdprentice

There’s not much I can say that hasn’t already been said in regards to your system. My hats off to you my friend. Awesome rig!

scott8667

Excellent description of your sonic goals. Looking at the room, speakers and components, I can imagine you have succeeded.

tvad

Absolutely beautiful! Im jealous.

winoguy17

That home system is beautifully assembled. Your choices reflect deep knowledge, reflecting years of close listening, plus the amazing technical advances that we've seen in cables and the digital chain in the past decade. All of that said, what I like best about your stereo is the beautiful room and your super cute dog.

dlabovitz

Deeply impressive systems!

jallan

Love your system, I bet it's smooth and buttery. If I were to start over I'd have most of the same pieces. Congratulations.

donavabdear

GHD, I really do admire your setup. Like you, I consider myself very lucky with my listening room. I had to move my wood stove to a side wall years ago, but what a difference that made, a near perfect listening room.

Sometimes, it's about the room, and not about the tens of thousands invested in your equipment, but of course, they both matter.

Well done, my good man! Regards,
Dan

islandmandan

Good looking dog!
Have a Sheltie who listens with us. 
Nice width in your room.
IMO it takes tubes to get the charm into a system. Hard to get it right but when your do!

dentdog

@ghdprentice 

Nice setup
Top notch 
My friend just upped the amp to mono with the ARC v-meters to go with his new top of the line vandersteen’s 

I have not heard the final setup , but, his buddy & my audio group,  says it’s really stepped up the sq. 

All ARC 
Prettiest of the audio manufacturers 

Jeff

frozentundra

A perfect, beautiful system!!

Well done!

paul_lindemann

Owner
Thank you, for the kind comments. If you’re around Oregon, give me a holler.

@fleetowner123 Thank you. But I fooled around building my system for 45 years to get here. only over the last ten years did it come together. My systems were always ugly speakers and all different brands of components… then as I retired it came together in such a beautiful and homogeneous fashion. Which, really turned out to enhance the sound quality.

ghdprentice

Wow. You ain’t fooling around!! Enjoy.

fleetowner123

This system must sound amazing. Feel free to invite me over for a listen! :)

tmccarthy

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