What is the best system that you have ever put together , from source to speakers including cables ??? After all the swaps and auditions I'm looking for the final "aahhh, that's the ticket" sound to you and what components took you to Audio Nirvana. {This is a survey of actual auditions, not what you read in a magazine} THANKS,
I agree Cybers 800 are awsome, and no need to spred the news......:) as long as you and i know what they really are , and how they sound.
I am interested in some replacement tubes for my amps but cost is a big factor . I had a good tube source but he rised his prices to the point that it is not even funny.
If you don' mind me asking......... what is your source?
yes, his thoughts and his way of thinking is on par with mine. I believe that his is a very good guy and I have all but respect for him as a person and as an importer of fine products to US market.
Just for the record I don't know Joe personaly and never did any business with him. It is only my opinion.
My Cybers were the show demo (during NJ show). I bought them right there and then and they served me well ever since.
Mechans, if you want to take your system to another level........you can have Bob Backert (he lives in PA) perform the mod on your Cybers.
I can bet you that after Bob finish his magic , you will be amazed what was possible to squeez out of Cybers and I can tell you that it could be .....well.......your last amp(s) ever. (don't trust me.......but trust your ears)
My best friend (also an audiophile) came over the other day to listen to my new-always changing system and he was.....shocked (I am not BSing).
The only thing missing is preamp that would do them justice. After few auditions and preamps that I bought over the last few months I have decided to give DODD AUDIO a chance and it will be arriving in a week or two. Then I will stop the crazy, expancive and long search for the best system that I can afford. In the mid-time, I will try to put together my second(or more like 3th) system based on M&D mini speakers($1200), DECCO Peachtree($800+mod) integrated and possibly moded by Bob and Sonos wireless system($1400 multi-room setup) with power supply upgrade as the source together with my own replinthed MMF 7 turntable and Creek phono.
Take it easy and hope to hear from you ......soon :)
Mr Stark I want to explain. I didn't put this together in one fell swoop it took over 5 years. The single most important contribution were the use of the Cyber 800 tube power amps. The entire line of "Cyber" from Consonace is remarkable. I opted for these because it had the most horsepower and my friend recommended them. He knows my preference for power. For another take on that subject go to ultravioletaudio.com and read my old buddy TRELJA'S philosophy. He help me along the way. I went bezerk with the tube collecting. I must tell you I was always struggling pretty much buying things in excess three grand. Some how I lucked into the Electras open box very good price. Never paid full retail for any of the rig except NOS tubes which there is no retail. I should reveal that I am an old friend of the distributor of Consonance and he always has a demo or returned item etc. so I was able to get an authorized discount but as a strict rule the price is really the price they don't play games. At the retail price as I said you are getting the best amp avaible it is a steal!!! Why Consonance never took off is because the biggest seller was a 4 tube El 34 amp which I also own. Very reliable, very musical but not a Cyber. It simply never built up a Hi end image and it could have used the economy models to get the name out there but peoplare never thinking I eill hunt down a Consonance. If they heard our mono blocks I think they would searching the Gon this minute. They simply spank almost every amp out there. I just bought a Jadis DA 60 so my loyalty is split if that is 60 watts my 40 watt amp was really 5. I cannot get over the completely unflappable nature of that integrated. It is very pretty with the tubes I used. The bill for the matched 8 re-issue GEC Sold Lion KT-88 was almost as painful as a kidney stone. The previous owner thought he had the Svetlana Flying C but they were an admixture of counterfeited Sovteks and anything but a good tube. Iam a tube roller and I as well was about to buy an octet of gues what the JJ E34L blue glass which has a sweet midrange.When I heard these I was stunned by the authority full range still a robust midrange and bass to die for. I called the distrbutor to ask had he used other tubes. He gave me the rundown and he saidthe Electro Harmonics were the ones. He and I are Dyed in the wool JJ fans so I asked some people on AA tubnes if they knew what could explain this. The answer is that the EH are true 6CA7s a tetrode while the EL34 or the E34L a slightly larger richer ans sweet is a Beam Pentode. I cannot explain anything more but be careful if you try JJ KT-77s they are Tetrodes as well but apparently have a minor lightening storm issue if attemptempted As for taking out the what I call the heater, or in common parlance the 5687 I don't care for the virtual broiling heat any of them I used emit. I never felt they are slow amps unless you mean have the speed of an OTL. The CV2493 is a hyper sturdy E88CC or 6922 to us Built for the Britsh army by Mullard. This tubne is a stark tube Mr. Stark, I like it because it is super fast clean potent and I hope will last. I bought a quartet from the only known supplier of true no BS NOS real NOS ECC88-01 that is the official name. It sounds more German than British in style but it may be a bit more money than you would want. The single pair listed on e-bay is ther real deal checkj ou the cost. Cheers on finding Nirvana I have no real desire for any more stuff High end has gotten very high. I am wondering what they take to get that way. Cheers and do write!
OK, audio freaks, here's the best I've built, and it doesn't require a lot of money, either! It's all Stan Warren equipment, beginning with an upgraded and modified Onkyo CD player, interconnected to Superphon Dual Mono preamp. interconnected to Superphon 120 amp., out to Superphon crossovers in dual 6 1/2" woofer, single tweeter cabinets, specially built. All interconnects and speaker cables by Stan, who also upgraded and modified the preamp and amp. This is the most life-like reproduction I've heard in any system, including audiophile retailers systems selling for 10K or more, and all for less than $2500.
Hello Mechans & congrats on your rig. Glad to hear that you've accomplished what most of us tried but failed. Some of us were not fortunate enough to have the mean$, selection, know-how and some ( I might be one-hope not ) just enjoy the feel of self- inflicted pain of torture. Enjoy it (while it lasts).
I also share your feelings & enthusiasm towards one of my favorite all around amplifiers - Consonance Cyber 800 monos (& other from that series). I am not sure about their popularity these days but few years back there was very little information/reviews or feedback from the Press or users. This seems to change. Build like a tank, industrial looking and sounding on par with the best. It is very good out of the box, however like everything in life it can be improved. Some tube rolling, PC/IC choice, isolation etc. I've had my Cybers modify, tube rolled with Ampx. 6922 nos, JJ blue El34 (5687 was taken out of the circuit and bypassed with custom-design board to increase speed, transparency and effortless transition between notes. I might try Mullard's CV2943 ( what is your thoughts on those ) in the near future to replace JJs. Power cord is Morrow Audio MAP 2 ref. cable. Right now I am also building solid wood platforms for them to seat on.
My source is also Consonance - gorgeouse, curved, at 40lbs+ dedicated stand Droplet cdp 5.0. Turntables - Lenco (naked), MMF-7 replinthed with Moarch up4 arm and Denon103R cartridge and not yet finished TT "X" belt drive ( you can check out the progress in my system ). Speakers at the moment are Vandersteen Quatro (but I keep my options open to Quads, upcoming ML, some horns, 3A Great Veena or Emerald Physics CS-2). Preamp is Granite Audio 770fp with phono section.
Like you said
It is the RIG!
And there are no two rigs alike.
It should tell you something.
Our systems are as individual and different as we are.
I have it now. Nirvana at last- 800 Consonance monoblocks (lest you think I jest check the Blue moon award,) these amps are incredible . I never met an EH I ever liked. These are incredible, with the stock of four EH 6CA7s true tetrode each. Drivers are Mullard CV2943s and Tung Sol 5687s . The sources are a Concosonance CD player an older sacd capable model I forget but it has volume control number 2.xx going into the best darn preamp I ever heard a simple AE-3 I got for $300. My friend an engineer said let me mod it . Why we both said he said I can make it a DJH signature. OK . We both agree it didn't change the sonics much. I immediately put in my best 6SN7s in I used TS RPs but Sylvania GTs sound almost as good, not W s. Finally without going into cabeling the sound eminates from JM lab 936 Electras. People remark how well my speakers sound now. I chukle they were broken as well some 4 years ago. They don't notice the Tube Power Amps or discount them. The pre is a speck in my audio room a vast wasteland of products tried and abandoned. No it is not the speakers guys it's the rig. Nivana at last Nirvana at last Thank God almighty Nirvana at last. I have found what I have been lookin for now for 6 years. Except my pre has no phono but I think I stick with AES.
I was happy with the system that I aquired as a young audiophile of 17. Following a path laid down by my Father. I wanted to get the best I could afford. Then after 25 years of service the integrated died. Enter,.... what? What's that site .... Audio--- what... where are the stores ? HIgh End? what's that???!
(I don't wish to cast any aspirtions about Dr. King's final quotation and crescendo phrasing of the 1963 address in front of the Lincoln Memorial, please take no affront)
hi. i have recently inherited a pair of bose 2201 speakers, which from what i understand are extremely rare. i am trying to determine how to value them but am having extreme diffuclty. can anyone help? is there a price source like a blue book for stereo equipment? is there a stereo musuem? is there another forum that may have this information? thanks.
This is the best I have to date, but far from what is to come. That is because this journey is neverending. Too bad the money seems to be. Here it is... B&W 800d speakers, Transparent Ultra MM bi-wired speaker cable, Pass Labs X-600 monos , Purist Dominus interconnects, Meridian 861 V4.2, Transparent reference digital interconnect, Shunyata Hydra 8 ac conditioneer and the weakest link in the chain(due to lack of money) is the Arcam DV27 cd. I will soon be purchasing the Meridian 800(I hope).
It's the one I am listening to right now. It has two changes to go before I am done, I still have not found the one box SACD/redbook player I want yet. I want to upgrade the BAT VK-31SE preamp to the VK-51SE.
VPI Super Scoutmaster w/signature arm Dynavector XX2 cartridge VPI SDS BAT VK-P10SE phonostage BAT VK-31SE preamp Parasound JC-1 monoblocks Thiel CS7.2 speakers Consonance Droplet 5.0 CDP All cables are Bogdan Gold/Silver ref. All power cords are LAT AC2 speaker cables are LAT SS1000 Audio Magic mini Stealth used for the digital.
Huge, deep, solid soundstage. Transparent. Lots of detail, but very relaxed and smooth. As soon as I get my digital source worked out and the better BAT preamp, I am done for a long, long, time.
My current system is the best: Primaluna 7s BAT 3i (phono and remote) Meridian CD Sony MD Lenco rebuild w/ Rega arm and Denon 103 Avalon Eclipse Old shop, converted to listening room. I love it!
speakers:......merlin...................................... amp:...........simaudios w-5............................... preamp:........simaudio p-5................................ phonoamp:......ear834p..................................... cartridge:.....sumiko blue point........................... tt:............vpi tnt mark1 and mark5 mixed............... roomtreatment:.acoustical ceiling tiles on one side wall... ...............records on other side wall.................. ...............bookcase filled with books on wall behind me ...............more acous. ceiling tile on wall behind sp.. ...............cotton batting wrapped in fabric on ceiling
My current rig is by far the best system I've ever assembled. I've had a few costly systems in the past, but this one simply obliterates all the others. It's taken quite a few stumbles and a small fortune to get here, unfortunately. But I guess the end justifies the means. My system:
Von Schweikert VR-9 EMM Labs CDSD/DCC2 DarTZeel NHB-108 Jena Labs ICs and power cords
I'll soon be adding the DartZeel battery-powered preamp to the mix and using the DCC2 strictly as a processor. I heard a prototype of the pre at CES, and it's mind-altering.
I've been searching for a long time, at the beginig I used Acurus electronics and B&W speakers, cabling was by nordost. That system was my firt hi-fi entry and it gave my years of listening pleasure. I've then upgrated my electronics to Sonic Frontiers and a new journey began, the neutral and soulfull sound of the Line 1/Power 1 combo maxed the capabilities of my Matrix B&W's. I upgrated to Martin Logan Ascents and found myself rediscovering the joys of audio nirvana. A teac esoteric fron end put the icing on the cake. Cables continue to be Nordost blue Heaven
my current one EMM Labs CDSD EMM Labs DCC2 Linn 500 Solo Mono blocks Kharma 2.3F Shunyata Anaconda power cords, and Hydra 8 Kharma Supreme Reference interconnects
Cary V12 R Amp Cary SL98P Pre VPI Scoutmaster w/JMW-10 and Grado Reference Statement Kimber Hero interconnects/8TC speaker wires (on Dennis Had's recomendation) VPI HW-19 Mk III w/Benz-Micro for my old punk records Cary 308T Tube CD Player Sony RCD-W5000C CD Player/Recorder Audioquest Power cords on everything Cary Silver Oak III or Celestion SL600s or sometimes I move my Vandy 2CEs in from the home theater for a change
I hit it pretty hard last year, really spent a lot of money (for me) for my first whole-system upgrade in 19 years! I'm so pleased I may never change again!
Micro Benz LP cartridge Rega P9W/ RB1000 Sony SACD 777 ES Audio Research Reference Phono McIntosh MC2102 amp McIntosh C2200 preamp McIntosh MR 85 tuner Sonus Faber Guarneri Homage Richard Gray 400S MK2 Power Conditioners(Two) Nordost Red Dawn interconnects and speaker cables
I put this system together BEFORE I got serious about equipment, back when it was all about listening to the music, not how the system was playing the music.
My current and best system has Harman Kardon Citation I tube preamp and Citation II tube amplifier along with Revox A-77 reel to reel tape recorder, Pioneer ctf-750 cassette, Sony 5 disc cd player, Pioneer pl-550 turntable, and KLH model 7 vintage speakers.
AR ES-1 Turntable Theta Digital Probasic III DAC Theta Pearl Transport Wyetech Sapphire Monoblock Amps Wyetech Opal Pre-amp Brentworth Soundlabs Type 3A Speakers
Incredible clarity, resolution, and musical texture. Blows me away everytime I warm it up.
Three systems come to mind. I'm from the old school.the first two I heard in stores. The last I owned.
Infinty rs1b( I hope that is right. it was the four box system which was succeeded by the IRS beta) Mirror Image ss amps(4) Mirror image preamp SOTA cosmos turntable SME V Madrigal Carnegie one Mit shotgun cable under $20K circa 1988 Heard at the now defunct Excalibur in Fairfax, Va. Setup by the guys from Mirror image.
Martin Logan Statement Spectral amp(several)and preamp Basis debut turnable and graham arm Spectral cartridge Mit cable built for spectral set up approved by galye sanders of M/L who was present for demo ~$100k circa 2000 Overure Audio, Wilmingotn Deleware
My own Martin Logan ClS one NYAL moscode 150 SOTA Star, Sumiko ARM, Carnegie Model One Conrad Johnson PV5 Janis W3 subwoofer, interphase/amp crossover monster cables ~7k circa 1987
It's not "Up-n-Running" yet but hopefully soon. Main Stuff: Oracle CD2000 Altis Ref 24/96 Aesthetix Calypso Modified BAT VK75se Merlin MX P.S. Audio Statements all the way around.
Jim -- wow! You STILL have that speaker system, right?
Please don't say you've sold it... it'll take $50+ grand for a commercial sonic equivalent (if not more). (IF you still have it, why not go for 2x15" spkrlabs per channel in an W open baffle -- as per Linkwitz. Should give you tremendous authority down to ~30Hz with some equalisation).
RTR ESR-6 tweeters Electrovoice 350 horn mids 15 inch Speakerlab woofers in ported cabinet Stereo 70 for tweeters 2 x Dynaco Mark IIIs for mids 2 x Dynaco Mark VIIs for bass Carver C-9 holographic sound processor Dynaco PAT-3 Preamp Technics 1400 turntable
My main system-Rotel Rcd 951 cd player Denon PMA 2000r integrated amp B&W Cdm1 nt speakers comes in second to the best system I have built- Musical Fidelity X-can V2 headphone amplifier Sennheiser Hd 600 headphones Rotel Rcd 951 cd player Neither comes all that close to real life, but both are satisfying and the best I have had. I think the headphone set up has greater presense and has a more natural sound, or so it seems. At the very least, it has an ease to it that I find very appealing. The Denon is huge and heavy and a bit squat, and somehow I have become fond of it. I would like to see what becomes of it given a "better" cd player than the 951- would like to go full circle before I consider replacing it, even as I suspect it is the weakest link in this combination.
CD Transport: Mark Levinson 37 D/A Converter: Mark Levinson 360S D/D Converter: DCS ' Purcell ' Line Preamp: Mark Levinson 380S Power Amps : Mark Levinson 336,331,334,434 Speakers : B&W Matrix 801s SII, SCM 8, ASW 800, 805s, HTM 800 Tuner : Magnum Dynalab 'MD 102+ Magnum Dynalab 'Signal Sleuth 205' Headphone : Headroom Blockhead and Sennheiser 600 with Cardas cable Interconnects: Acoustic Zen Hologram Ref II and Silver Ref II, Transparent Ultra XL, Harmonic Technology Magic and Pro Silway II, Kimber Orchard, NBS master AES/EBU Speaker Cables: Audioquest Volcano Biwire, Kimber 8tc Power Cables: Harmonic Technology AC-10, Shunyata Black Mamba VII, NBS Monitor II, Virtual Dynamics Nite, JPS Labs Digital AC, Power Conditioner: BPT 3.5 Signature series and Tice Video Solo Projector: Sony CRT Line Doubler: Runco SC4200 Video cable: Transparent Premium SVS, Kimber RGBHV D30, Better Cables VGA, Screen: Stewart Four Way Masking Tweaks: Symposium Ultra platforms, Aurios 1.2s, Cardas caps, Symposium roller balls 2+, Polycrystal cones and spikes, and platform, Sound Anchor amp stands, Rack: Lovan
Its was in the late 60s- Klipschons in the corner, TWO pairs of Bose 2201 speakers configured to be 1/4 spheres along the wall between the K horns, (Bose had their own amps) K-horns driven by Marantz 9s, 7C preamp, 10B tuner, a Crown 842 tape deck, Magenecord tape deck, Thorens 124 w/SME arm and Ortophon MC and a Thorens 224 w/Thorens arm and Ortophon cart. Most important was a big rack of 10" original tapes of recording sessions from classical venues all around the country (an engineer's private stock.)
How is your system doing now? I would like to know how it sounds, and especially how your VMPS speakers do in comparison with the Apogee Divas that you owned before.
System should be complete within a month. Awaiting arrival of final pieces (RM/X cabinets now 4+ months in the making and awaiting build of the 302/4 by JRDG)...
- Levinson 40 Audio/Video console - Levinson 433 (3 channel amp for center & surrounds) - 46" - 60" LCD HDTV - Revel Ultima Voice Center Channel Speaker - Revel Ultima Embrace Surround Speakers - Revel Ultima Subwoofer - PS Audio Ultimate Xstream Power Cable (for the 433) - Grand Prix Audio Monaco Modular Rack w/ Apex footers (two shelf base) - Richard Gray Substation (for the 33H's) - Synergistic Research Master Control Center
My greatest fear is that my focus will change before my system is done.
-VPI Aries w/SDS, Syrinx PU2 (rewired w/ Cardas), Benz Ruby -Marantz CD recorder w/Adcom DAC to make it listenable - used primarily for recording -Wright Sound Company WPL20 preamp -Music Reference RM-200 tube/solid-state hybrid power amp -Wilson Watt/Puppy 7 Loudspeakers -Cardas cabling throughout
Its like a time machine that can transport you to the recorded event. Immensely fun.
speakers totem mani-2 pro-ac -resp / or wilson audio cd player linn rega/jupiter classe cd1 -yba-california-audio amp-mark/levison conrad-jonson /art or yba
My system for the since 1978 is a pair of Bozak Symphonies (need to find some Concert Grands and use the Sym for back-ups), Mcintosh MC2125 amp, MC-27 pre-amp, Yamaha DSP100 sound processer, Transparent Ultra speaker cables, and a Mcintosh MCD7009 CD player.
System has been great but now going to upgrade to better pieces but have loved what i have had for years.
I can see the audiophile product now--"Baker's Racks"! Equipment stands with built-in heating coils above and below to cook your equipment to its optimum temperature! Deluxe model has doors which fold down (recycled ovens, of course).
One day my wife moved my EAR 834P Phono Pre onto the window ledge. That afternoon I came home early and put on Stanley Jordan [Gyrodec/Zeta/Zyx1000]. I could not believe my ears. The sound was heavenly. My Proac Responce 2 never sounded better.
When I went to change sides, I put my hand on top of the 834P. To say it was hot would be an understatement. The sun had been baking it all day. It was scorching. I quickly unscrewed the top, let it cool, and put on the other side of the record. OPPS.The magic was gone, but the memory remains.
pioneer 1250, JBL 100, technics turntable,akai 760., and still works till this day. What a sound. What a time for starting out in hi end. have spent ten times the money, trying to come closer,and have improve the sound. But after spending fifty thuosand, that was the best system I ever built.
The best system I have ever built is the one I am building now. It may be considered modest by some, but I love it and I think it sounds really good in my room - which is the typical American Family Room - 13'6" x 19'. The system is used to play both 2-channel stereo and 5.1 channel DVD Audio and DVD Video. The front speakers are Thiel 2.3 which I bought as demos off the showroom floor. The center channel is the Thiel MCS-1. The suurounds are junk at present, but will soon be replaced by Thiel Poweer Points mounted in the ceiling. This is the only possible location for the surrounds which the CDO (Chief Domestic Officer, i.e., wife) will go for. The amplifer is the Aragon 8008x5, rated at 200 wpc. The preamp surround processor is the Aragon Stage One. The front end is the Denon DVD-1600 DVD/Cd player. I also have an old Pioneer CLD 2090 Laserdisc player connected because I have a modest number of LDs which I love. And a Sony VCR. Routine TV watching is through a DBS satellite with Directv and the Samsung SIR-TS160 HDTV/Directv receiver. The monitor is the Panasonic TH-50PHD5UY plasma display. The HDTV picture displayed on the 50" plasma screen will blow you away to use a cliche. It is unbelievable and I cannot tear myself away from TV shows that I would otherwise probably not watch. AC line conditioning is via the Monster Cable HTS-5000. Finally cables are Harmonic Technology Pro-Silway Mk II interconnects and Harmonic Technology Pro-9 Plus on the front, QED Genesis Silver Spiral for the center channel, and junk for the current surrounds. Lastly, I have isolated the amplifier on a 22" x 26" piece of black granite with Perfect Sound Isolation Cones and Discs. I will also put the granite and cones under the DVD player. I also enjoy FM radio and have installed the Fanfare FM-2G antenna which really works.
I enjoy this system very much - a progressive scan DVD such as "Saving Private Ryan" or "Titanic" on the plasma screnn with even the modest surround system is stunning.
First I'd like to say all the silliness that came in the first part of this thread sure was funny.
Like Zane, I've found starting with the Apogee speaker makes the rest easy. I'm now settled in with the only 1 ohm speaker in existence as far as I know, and that is the Apogee Scintilla. Few have ever heard a Scintilla, and almost no one has heard one properly powered. That narrows down amp choices to a chosen few. The one that I am using, like Zane, is a Pass Labs, this one being the X-600. These 600 watt mono blocks are an equal match for the power hungry Scintillas. Sadly there were no amp matches for this spectacular performer when it was introduced. That means there are no enlightened reviews of it. Not even it's builders knew of the Scintillas potential. Voicing this perfect as can be transducer is the little known Jolida-100 with special NOS tubes. Switching duties are carried on by a Pass Labs Aleph P. Sorry to say to those of you who believe auxiliary equipment, like cables, stands, and cones are important, I am only going to disappoint you. My cables are just whatever I came across which happen to be Kimber for the most part. I biwire, and use balanced connectors. I'm in North California, if you care to have a listen. Warning, you will never look at audio the same afterwards. This has been an audio journey with a goal in mind: How to make the Scintilla work for me.
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