The BEST system you've ever built !!!!

this was about 5 years ago. Let's start with the weakest link a enlightened audio T 700 universal disk transport using AT&T glass output into genesis time lens using Illumanatti d60 aes/ebu to Wadia 27 digital converter to XLO signature cables into Conrad Johnson premier eight amplifiers to biwired XLO signature wires to Dunlavy V speakers. All components upon bright star big rocks. XLO type 10 power cords into dedicated 20 amp circuits. Roomtunes really helps Room acoustics. A tip about Dunlavy speakers upgrading the speaker binding post to Cardas rohidium posts really make a considerable difference. I sold the complete system for $12,500. If the person I sold it to is reading this I would gladly pay you $15k to buy it back. contact me please.

Dunlavy SC-VI's, VPI TNT 3.5 Turntable, VPI JMW Memorial 12.5 arm, Grado Reference Cartridge, VPI SDS Turntable Speed Controller, Audio Research PH3/SE Phono Stage, BrightStar Big Rock TNT Platform, VPI 17 Record Cleaning Machine, Theta Data III CD/LD Player, SigTech AEC2000 Digital Room Correction System, MSB 24/96 A to D Converter, dCS Purcell Digital to Digital Upsampler, dCS Delius Digital to Analog Converter, DAL ULC Balanced Interconnects and DAL Z6 Speaker Cable, Kimber Select Phono Cables, XLO Reference Digital Interconnects and Speaker Wire, PS Audio Power Plant 300 with Multiwave (2), Theta Casablanca Pre Amp/Surround Processor (with digital outs and a “black box” external analog volume controller), Bryston 7B Amplifiers, Grado Signature Headphones, Headroom Headphone Amplifier, Acoustic Innovations Wall Panels, RPG Skyline Diffusors , ASC Tube Traps, Acoustic Innovations Cinema Chairs, Room Tune Deluxe Justa Racks and Salamander Designs Synergy Equipment Racks.

This system has been built over the last 20 years, one piece at a time. I have purchased no new "stuff" in quite some time. All "effort" goes into fixing the room which is far and away the best return on time and money (and buying vinyl). Still never heard anything that sound like this at any dealer or any show. (room size is approx 16x24x9(

Krellpower, check out Albert's earlier posts on this thread as well, he had quite an elaborate wiring setup, as I recall.

Abstract7, Would you mind giving me more details about your house wiring set-up? I am getting ready to re-wire my listening room and would like your layout in more detail. I have read other threads on this subject,but would like to hear yours in more detail....You can email me direct if you want......Thanks

Great thread, for some reason I like it better than the virtual systems.
Speakers: Martin Logan Monolith IIs modified with Focal 12" drivers
Amps: Mark Levinson 20.0 Reference Monoblocks for panels and Krell KMA 160 monoblocks for bass
Crossover: Bryston 10B, balanced, 125Hz 24dB per octave
Pre-amp: Mark Levinson 380S
D/A: Mark Levinson 36
Transport: Mark Levinson 37
Phono Stage: Sonic Frontiers Signature w/ NOS (Siemens & Brimar) tubes
Turntable: VPI MK 3
Tonearm: SME IV.Vi
Cartridge: Van den Hul, the Frog
Cables: Audioquest Lapis and Diamond interconnects, except phono cable which is Siltech. AQ Sterling and Clear (4 foot runs) speaker cable.
Power cables: Most I've made with Hubble plugs, outlets, and 10 gauge stranded wire. Source power cables have 14 gauge stranded wire and dedicated EMI/RFI filters.
Power: Dedicated 220V stepped down to 110V via toroidal transformer (2 live poles at 55 volts out of phase to cancel noise).
Room: Dedicated 17 x 18 (not really rectangular) with built in bass traps.
Equipment rack: built into the wall, supported by wall joists rather than the floor for isolation. Turntable is similarly mounted to a wall mount stand of oak rails and granite top.
This system also has a theater, but I won't go into that unless someone asks. It's take a long time and many upgrades to build this system--and I'm still making changes. Judging by how long this thread has been open, some of the early responders have probably upgraded as well. One of the biggest improvements was the built in bass traps and the power. If you are ever building a dedicated listening room, I can't stress these two things enough. $$ per performance is amoung the best I've encountered.

Source: Burmester 001 24/96 Belt Drive CD/DAC/Pre
Interconnect: Tara "The Zero"
Amps: Accuphase A-50(2) mono bridged
Speaker cables: Tara "The One"(2pr)
Speakers: MBL 111A
AC Conditioner: Bermester 948
AC Cables: Tara "The One"
Acces: ASC Panels/traps, Walker Audio Super Tune Kits on amps and Walker Audio HDLs on the speakers.

I love this system but have a few additions that I intend to make in the future: Boulder 2010 Preamp(no I'm not joking...this thing is heaven on earth and worth every dime!) and a Burmester 979/980 combo. The choice for the new Burmester 001 over their equally awesome 979/980 combo was that in the short term, I feel the 001 works better with no preamp and I am not quite ready to part with the wad for the 2010 just yet.

This system is all about a smooth and natural timber, massive layered sounstage, great macro dynamics with no lack of detail and micro dynamics. The four biggest performers in the system that I would not replace without some serious consideration no matter how much I have to spend(best first): 1.MBL 111A 2.Tara "The Zero" 3.ASC Traps/Panels(never underestimate room treatment even on an elaborate rig) 4.Burmester 948(Once again, do not underestimate the little things like great AC conditioning!)

I was trying a lot of stuff for a while. I still consider myself a relative newbie, but have finally settled on a rig that has made me very content. I have a smallish room (15x18), but it’s treated with sonex panels in critical areas. My speakers are ProAc 2.5,s driven by Audio Research Amps (LS-16 / 100.2), with a Resolution Audio CD-50 as the main source. I found that Synergistic’s Resolution Reference wire and interconnects works well with this, and I use balanced on the source and amps, with shotgun runs to the speakers. Last but not least is the essential PS Audio P300, which powers everything with some room to spare. Early on, I made some fundamental choices (like unobtrusive two way floorstanders & mixed tube and SS). I was also striving toward simplicity, and minimal gear. I have been quite happy with this systems ability to play at lower volume levels, and without having to spend megabucks, it has a very nice sense of delicacy and finesse

Sony SCD777ES
Musical Fidelity A300
Audio Physic Virgos
Maybe it is the most modest system so far, I am new in this but I really enjoy this hobby. Great sites, great people.

The best system I've ever built is my current one. I recently upgraded my system, it now consists of... Revel Ultima speaker system (Salons, Voice & Embrace) 3 Mark Levinson 436 mono amps, Proceed HPA-2 amp, 2 REL StadiumIII subs, Meridian 568 processor, Meridian 596 dvd player, Sony sat-t60 directivo receiver, Sony 1000 vcr, Transparent Ultra XL cables & interconnects, Mitsubishi VS-70803 rptv & an Equitec conditioner. Received the amps, speakers & cables/interconnects about a month ago. I've been breaking them in. So far I am a very very happy man.

Jon

Pcc, upgraded to a used ARC LS-15 since that last post, also since this was balanced I have ordered Transparent "Ultra" balanced to link with the amp and upgrade to single ended Ultra between cd/amp. Hope to upgrade the speaker wire next. Thanks for the suggestion though, I have heard BAT system (guy sold the stuff out of his house)and it did sound nice, just not any reliable dealers in my area and when it comes to spending this kind of money I want local service.

burmester969-elgar+purcell-sirius 3-xlo le digital cab-valhala int and speaker cab-insider-vac ren.sıg. pre-vac ren.sig 140 amp-ps p1200-kingkobra and fat men ac cord-clearaudio magix s-sound lab ultimate 1.-room lens.

No money. Try this for a pre Bat 3i or vk30 and if you really want to get crazy match the bat 3i or 30 (tube pre by the way) and the bat vk200 ss. I just takes to control over my aerius i and plays the music beautifully. The vk200 is only 100 watts, but completely walked all over my previously bryston 3bst. Also audition it in my home with the 4,000 plinius and crushed that also. Just my 2 cents here. Try it let me know what ya think. It made me a believer and I just bought the vk200(demo for $1800) Looking at a bat pre down the road.

My family and I truly enjoy music at every opportunity, though spare time seems a rare commodity lately. Having worked under a tight budget for years, I am actually quite pleased and content with the harmony I feel I have achieved among the individual components of my system. This is my best, and only system: Unison Research Simply II integrated amplifier with NOS Amperex tubes and Unison phono stage, Sonographe SG-3 turntable with Rega tonearm + Goldring 1042 cartridge, Esoteric P500 CD Transport, Monarchy 22B DAC, DCM Timewindow 7 Loudspeakers, Silver Stealth FR speaker cables and Kimber AG interconnects. I mentioned harmony earlier, because I feel that some components simply do not work well with together (especially amps, cables and speakers). The one element not mentioned was the source recordings… it is my humble opinion that the recorded media is just as important as any component in a system! I especially like DCC recordings (not a huge fan of MFSL cd’s, unfortunately).

My current system.Also i replaced the vifa tweeter with scan speak 9500 series.

My current system,Wadia 861 running synergistic designers reference balanced .Active sheilding {new updated ) Power cable is custom power top gun.Power is pass x350 with top gun hi current power cord. Both units cd and amp plugged into seperate dedicatted power line 20amp (cd plugged into audioprism foundation 3. Pass x350 running synergistic designers ref. speaker cable 6ft. to Dunlavys sc 4 a,s.
Dunlavys crossx. reworked with ohmite resistors not the cheap sand ones dunlavy uses, along with crescendo film and foil caps all bypassed.The main problem completing the system is the concrete house i live in.( i live on the island of Guam,and topical storms play hell with us so all structures our concrete) I have made big progress and the system is sounding very transparent and detailed.
There our some amazing rigs out there mine may not be the best but anyone comming to Guam please let me know for any withdrawls one might get while on vacation.

I'll qualify "best" as being the most musically involving, the one that makes you feel good every time you listen. The source is a Sony 608es player connected to a Cary SLI50 integrated amplifier using the stock Sony supplied interconnect. The speakers are Triad design system 3 which consists of two sealed box two way satellites and a sealed box 70w powered woofer using a 8 in. cone. The speakers rest on Chicago metal stands and the woofer sits in a small cabinet below a TV. Wiring is el-cheapo Radio Shack 4 conducter 16g. with the woofer signal being supplied through the speaker cables. The amplifier and cd player are plugged into a cheap computer power strip. Any attempt at so-called upgrading of cables or cd player has been a failure. This system sounds obscenely good using the cheapest of ancilliaries, makes me wonder about all the fancy high dollar power conditioners/cables/cords used in the rest of the high-end including my Big System which will do many things better but never sound as consistly musical.

Timperry, Go for the Transparent "super" bi-wire, you won't look back. My "super" balanced should arive tommorow.

My current rig is: Sonic Frontiers SFT1, Altis 24/96 Reference dac, Assembledge D2D-1, Ortho Spectrum AR200, AudioHarmony Two, 2 NoiseHounds, 2pr of Bybee IC filters, 4 pairs of Audient Technologies Audit/Tactic combo, Electraglide/Transparent power cords, Audioprism Wave Guides, HighPower cable wraps, Nirvana SL/Cardas N ref IC's, Cardas Digital IC's and Golden Ref speaker cable, Blue Circle BC3(Soon to have the Bybee filters installed), Merlin VSM/SE(Also soon to be updated with Bybee filters and Millenium harness), Solidstell rack's(3 and 5 tier), Sound anchor 2 tier amp stand, Noisetrapper CD+ PLC, MGD/ASC pillows, Tube Traps and ShadowCasters, Marigo Crossbow mat, Nordost Pulsar Points and BDR cones and Those Things...whew. If the system went up in smoke, i would'nt do it again. Wopuld you?

The best so far for me is my current system:

Sony SCD-1 CD Player
Madrigal CZ-1 Gel 3' balanced interconnect
Mark Levinson 380 pre-amp
Madrigal CZ-1 Gel 3' balanced interconnect
Mark Levinson 335 amp
15' Straight Wire Maestro speaker cable
Vienna Acoustics Mahler speakers

It cost, by my standards, a whole lot of money. But, when I pop in a CD, turn out the lights and sit back, I have the best musical experience I have ever had.

Thiel 6
Krell 200 FPB
Kinergetics BSC SW200 Subwoofer system. (Part time)
California Audio Labs Alpha/Delta up-graded to 24/96 with Fiber Optic connection.
Adcom GTP-400.
Speaker Cable: 12 awg Copper Solid Core Irrigation wire.
Interconnection: Microphone cable.

To my ears, my system is quick, clean and very revealing. Heck, my wife even loves it..lol

Well,the best system I have built is my current one.I am 25 years old and everything for the most part is second-hand,for that is the only way I can afford my taste.First and most important,the room 12ft by 18ft with 8ft ceilings(finished room in basement)various room treatments where necessary,with carpet,plants,and rugs not much really needed,mostly homebrew in this department.Dedicated 30 amp outlet for stereo.Power wedge line conditioner,variety of power cords(next plan of attack)Aside from powercords all interconnects are balanced transparent supers,balanced reference transparent digital,and speaker cables are on the attack list also,actually formost 2 pairs of monster 1.5`s for biwire with transparent ultra for jumpers.Working on super biwires or maybe harmonic tech,not sure yet.Theta basic transport,classe dac,pass labs aleph p preamp with remote(young,but lazy)Mccormack dna 2lae.And this is all driving a pair of conic acoustics,the company hasnt been around long and not well known,but for brief description they have nomax kevlar mids,focal tweeters,15in drivers and retail for $9500.What can be said about it?Resolution,tight bass,soundstaging abilities are the strongpoints.If I had to complain?Some recordings sound a little cool,nuetral while the rest sound perfect,henceforth the hesitation with speaker cable,power cord investments.Also have sep.theater but that is not the topic or where the heart is.

Man do I feel outta my league. Well here it goes. The best system I have ever built is the one I currently have now. My humble system is EPOS ES 12 MONITORS OSIRIS 24" STANDS ELECTROCOMPANIET ECI-3 (RECENTLY AQUIRED) CAL AUDIO LABS DX-2 CDP NORDOST SOLAR WIND FOR SPK NORDOST BLUE HEAVEN RCA FROM CDP TO AMP CUSTOM POWER CORD CO. MODEL 11 (WAITING FOR IT TO ARRIVE) PER MADSEN DESIGN "RACK-IT" STAND (SOLID OAK AND MDF) That's it! The ECI-3 replaced the Creek 4330 I started this kit with The Nordost cables replaced audioquest type 4 biwire on spk and Cardas Quadlink 5C on cd player. My next and hopefully final upgrade will be a serious digital front end. I am looking at the Electrocompaniet, the EAD Theatrevision, or maybe in the short run going with a Bel Canto Dac 1 using the Cal DX-2 as transport. Any comments or suggestions are appreciated. Cheers!

At this point in time: Basis 2500 tt, Graham 2 arm, Miyabi cart, Klyne phono-pre, Sony 777es CD/SACD, Klyne pre-amp, ARC REF 300 MK II amps, Avalon Eidolon Speakers, FIM Gold IC's, SC's and PC's except XLO Sig 3.1 phono cable (soon to change), Mana rack and ASC treatments.

Mark Levinson No.33's driving Wilson Watt Puppy 6's wired with Cardas Golden Reference Speaker and Interconnects fully balanced.

Does anybody have anything close to this...Lexicon MC-1 pre/pro, Nak PA-1 amp, Pioneer elite 09 dvd player, Bohlender Graebener 520/220 front/center, Citation THX dipoles, PS audio 300 power, Wireworld eclipse III interconnects....All under $10,000. Email me if you think I could improve somewhere along the line.

PLease after you stop laughing, remember that my tag is retroguy. I'll start with speakers and go backwards. Apogee Duettas standing on subs of my own design, much like the studio grands. I like my subs more. The speakers are being powered in a tri-amp configuration using Pioneer Spec-2 amplifiers, These are being fed by a Pioneer SF-850 crossover that I picked up on Audiogon as amatter of fact. The pre amp is a Pioneer Spec-1. The main source is a Rotel rcd-855 as a transport feeding a Museatex DAC. Other sources include two Nakamichi pieces, a 680zx and a bx-100. I also have a much under rated tuner from Pioneer model TX-9100. I've compared it to the mac MR78 and the pioneer won hands down. All cables are higher end Monster series except for the speaker cables which are Audioquest midnight. I'm very happy over all, but i would like to triamp with Pioneer M-22 class A amps. LOw wattage (22) but tons o current output. Most of the euipment is nearing thirty years of age, but they still sound good. Thanks for not laughing too loud.

2000 System: Classe CDP-1 CD Player, bi-amped and biwired CAP80 intergrate and Sonic Frontiers SFS-80, HK Cit 23 tuner, Custom Renaissance monitors - based on Scan drivers 8k8545k and 2905/9900 in solid maple cabinets, Kimber Silver interconnects and BiFocal Speaker wires. Absolutely the most detail I have heard from any speaker. Sounds amasingly wonderful considering my budget?

1995 system: Theta DataBasic, Sonic Frontiers Ultra Jitterbug, Sonic Frontiers SFC-1 Signature tube integrate amplifier, Opera Callas monitors, strightwire interconects and bi-wired with Art Monolith cables. PowerWedge 114; Upgrade tubes, caps, etc... This system had that synergy everyone talks about.

I have made a full circle beginning in the 60s with Dynaco tubes to early Mac tubes,later in the 80s with SS Levinson. Speakers from KLH6s to Klipschorns,Martin Logans,Quads and now back to McIntosh 275 amp with McC41 driving Klipschorns! Now I simply relax and enjoy THE MUSIC!

Kharma speakers driven by a Goldmund amp, Levinson preamp, Sonic Frontiers DAC or Sony SACD player, and a VPI table. Very relaxing sound that your body, heart and soul sinks in to.

Although I'm not in the same league as some here I have a pretty special system, full of tubes in a dedicated room in my basement. My Equipment list: 2 dedicated 20 amp power lines API Power wedge 116 MkII on all except amps Front ends: CEC TL1X Transport Illuminations Orchid digital connect Powersnakes Black Mamba power cord Rega 25 Table with Rega Exact cart Lehmann Black Cube phono amp Wireworld Gold Eclipse III interconnect Marigo RMX Ref C power cord Classe' DAC 1 Powersnakes Black Mamba power cord Wireworld Gold Eclipse III interconnect VAC Cla1 Mk II preamp Powersnakes Black Mamba power cord Telefunken 12AX7 NOS tubes Vac Renaissance 70/70 Mk II amp featuring 8 300B tubes 2-Powersnakes Black Mamba power cords (It takes 2 cords!) Wireworld Gold Eclipse III interconnect Kimber 8 AG silver speaker wire Genesis Model V speakers (Bi-amped) Genesis 400 WPC bass amp Camelot Sir Bors power cord on amp Kimber KCAG interconnect Acoustical room treatments by Michael Green Designs ASC Tube traps SDG Diffusers on back wall behind listener Sonex 4 " Pyramids on back wall Michael Green Deluxe Justa rack

I have Genesis 350 speakers, Audio Research Classic 120 driving the midrange and tweeters with Kimber Select 3035 speaker wire. The front end consists of an Audio Research Ref 1 preamp, Mark Levinson 360s D/A and 37 transport. All connected with top of the line Kimber Select 1130. Other parts include PS Audio P300 with Synergistic Research Designers Reference 2 power cord. King Cobra on the transport and Viper v2 on D/A and Electraglide Fatboy gold on preamp. Zoethecus stands. Full blown RPG room treatment.

Marantz CD7, Hovland HP100, Cary 805C and Merlin VSM-M. Cabling by JPS, Audiotruth and Cardas. Refined, airy, taut bass, unbeliverable multi layered soundstaging and simply musical.

Wadia 860x, ML333, Dunlavy IVa, AQ Sterling, XLO Signature 1.1. Simple, direct and quality still offers the most resolution and wham for the buck.

I fell in love with audio 10 years ago, thiel 2 2, theta data II/ pro-basic, krell pre/amp & amp. Today I own, my dream system Thiel 2.3's Pass Labs x-150 Pass Labs x-1 Sony SCD-1 Harmonic Tech cables.

Pass twos driving the top of the Apogee Mini Grands, Classe 25 driving the subs of the Mini Grands. Pass X1 Preamp, Electrocompaniet phono preamp, VPI-3, ET-2 tonearm. Sony sacd-1. Chang light speed conditioners, powerwedges, cables from Transition Audio Design. INCREDIBLE!

Martin-Logan Monolith speakers actively biamped with an Adio research VT 130 for the highs, and a Krell KSA-250 powering the woofers. The pre-Amp is an Audio Research LS5 MKII, and the D/A converter is a Theta Gen V with balaced inputs. It sounds pretty darn good for the price!

Well, I thought I might as well toss my hat into the ring as well. I've only been addicted to this hobby for 3 years (I'm 23), so my experience is extremely limited. On my paltry student budget I've managed to scrape together what is now my second system, consisting of a pair of Egglestonworks Fontaine loudspeakers, REL Strata III sub, Proceed Amp2 and Proceed Pre amplifiers, and a Sony S500 DVD player as a transport running into an MSB Link III with the upsampling module. I may think about buying an SACD player for myself as a Christmas present this year, but we'll have to see. Cables are Harmonic Tech Pro-11's for the speaker, ProSilway Mk2 XLR's for the amp and pre, and Truthlinks for the DAC to pre. The sound was actually good enough to move my girlfriend to tears on Clapton's Wonderful Tonight as well as Bocelli's Sogno. The speakers I'm definitely going to keep for a very long time, but I'm always open to suggestions for a better front end.

Building a system is a life long journey. I currently have Sonus Faber Extremas for speakers, All Classe Audio Components, CP-60, CDT-1 DAC-1,two CA-400's, Genisis digital lens, two REL Stentor subs, MIT 770 Push Pull cables, 350 Proline twin balanced interconnects. Time to work on ac lines and conditioning. I think building a sytem and matching components is almost as fun as listining to it.

The system I would like to build is designed around the SoundLab U-1 speakers. There are a number of amps I would like to try with them, some recommended by reviewers such as the Atmaspheres, the Wolcott, or the Krell, and others I would like to try out for best bang/buck like the Gamut, the Bryston 7B-STs, the new Marsh 350 wpc., etc. The front end would be only digital. One option would be the Tact 2.0 Room Correction Sysytem used as both DAC and pre-amp, with a 24/96 transport from Muse, or Sonic Frontiers. This would be a best bang/buck option. If money were no object I'd try the Accuphase SACD system and the Burmesters.

Thanks much for the info, Rcprince. I will check out Audio Outlet.

The Antillion Signature pictures will be posted on the net within the next few weeks if you can't wait you can e-mail me directly

Brelee:Thanks for your suport on this matter.I was up in santa Barbara for 5 years then Portland, OR. for 8 years took a 2 year break from audio now I am in Scottsdale,AZ.The new Antillion Signature amp is so far beyond anything Flemming has done in the past it's scarry!We are talking an amp with Twin-tier banks of ultra-fast caps that deliver 400,000mFtothe output stages and 40,000mFto the driver stages!!!Frequency responce from 1-350,000 with a peak power of 1,200 watts(THATS TRUE CLASS A WATTS,NOT IMAGINARY CLASS A LIKE SOME OTHER DESIGNS)into a 1 ohm load!!An intergrated service log is automatically updated for a full recorded history of the unit(anybody else have that..not)This information and posible future microprocessor upgrades can be transfered via a special keyfob interface!!!It also has unique zero-inductance resistors with a flat ceramic plate etched with a thick film/metal film conductive layer which is laser-trimmed for precise impedance(another unique feature)The Antillion Signature employs NO contacts,NO sockets,NO current limiting,NO global feedback,NO output relays and NO protection circuitry in the signal path.The only internal wiring is a short lengthof GryphonGuideline Referance gold-embedded silver interconect from the XLR inputs to the printed circuit board which has 105mmPCB copper traces.I guess that takes care of ss.Desharpiro:In less the dealer in Chicago, within the last few weeks became a dealer I don't believe he is one.The Antillion Signature sells in the U.S. for 18,400,The Sonata Allegro pre sells for 11,500 and the CDP-1 cd player sells for 5,400(which was the first up-sampled cd player on the market,that's right the Danes did it again!).Gryphon web site is Gryphon-Audio.DK,my e-mail is JCLAY1964@aol.com

Rayhall, in the NYC area Audio Outlet may still have their demo unit of the Callisto, if you want to listen to it (they were listing it for sale a while). A short walk from the Mount Kisco train station, so not too difficult to get to.

Albert, It never occurred to me that noone else would be interested. I should have your email address, and I will email you tonight or tomorrow. Thanks,

Rayhall, sorry for the slow response. Do you and everyone else want the full blown details on the Callisto and all the tests? Otherwise, I can give you my e-mail address and/or telephone number.

Ther is one gryphon dealer that I know of in chaicago. They are a midfi store more geared to HT but they had a Gryphon set-up with Dynaudio Evidence speakers. It was in a poor location in the store, but the combination sounded very good. The electronics were $350,000!!! Where are you located. Please send me private e-mail. Thanks, David

I have built a number of systems, each of which had their strong points. My first system in 1974 was actually scary good, especially on a cost basis. I had a Philips GA212 table with a Shure Type III playing through a Sherwood 8900 receiver(60 w/ch FM only) into two Hartley Zodiacs(10" 2-way bass reflex cabinets) in my UNM dorm room and the sound from a good album was incredible. The bass slam, pace, tonality, and imaging were first rate, while the soundstage was at least adequate. Not as delicate as some systems, but an overall winner. Through headphones the sound was even better, a credit to the front end quality. For a total investment of under $ 800, I cry to think how sweet it was! Acoustics were in my favor, as the room was somewhat octagonal(no parallel reflections) and placing the speakers in the corner really got the bass down to 30 HZ or less without much rolloff. When Townsend hit the first guitar chords, and Entwhistle bass kicked in on Pinball Wizard, you were there! Some days I would trade all my current high-end gear to get that immediacy back. Or were my ears just better than? Na-a-h-h. It was real.

Hi Sound_decisions. Mike is doing fine. I have had the pleasure of listening to the Gryphon stuff and I think Sound_decisions has made a sound decision in in his choice of ss electronics. Hey S_d do I know you? S_d I agree with your post above.I would like to add that the Gryphon integrateds are better than most seperates in the same price range. Good stuff

Sorry,I guess my point was also missed.What I was trying to ask is have you ever heard it in a properly set up room at home?You see,in your caliber of equipment(and what I mean by that is Price,price meaning you have to work within a bugget)You can not acheive the same caliber of sound.Now wait a minute everybody, I am not saying that at home most can not acheive sound better then stores.But what I am trying to say is that given the same peramitors of tweekability I do not believe that today as we know it Gryphon can be beat.Brulee:Ok if you want to talk tubes I would have to say without much reservation the Wavestream V8's.So how is Mike's sound these days?I have not been to his store in quite some time.