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Post by MartinT on Jun 15, 2014 13:44:41 GMT
My system as of now is an evolution of one I started back in 1999 when I first purchased some quite high end components, leaving my construction days behind. The criteria I use for assessing whether a component or upgrade is worthwhile (apart from being affordable) are: essentially neutral tonal range without colourations; great midrange especially female voice; wide frequency range as I love extension both in the bass and treble; dynamic and able to reproduce the very wide dynamic range of real life. I listen to equal amounts of classical and rock so lifelike reproduction of acoustic instruments and a believable rock gig vibe are both important to me.
Two sources act as primaries: records and CDs/SACDs. I play records on a highly modified Technics SL-1210 turntable with Dynavector DV507-II arm and Shelter 5000 cartridge, playing through an Aurorasound VIDA phono amplifier. Optical discs play through an Ayre C-5xe CD/SACD player upgraded to MP level.
Amplification is through two of my favourite brands, both featuring immense control and authority: a Pass Labs XP-20 preamp and Chord SPM-1200E power amp.
The speakers are a superb pair of Usher Dancer Be-20 that are so capable I'm not sure I'll ever need to upgrade them. Just as well as they weight 160kg each!
I use a Solid Tech Radius Duo 3 sprung system rack and lots of different footers/isolators under each component to suit their needs. Power all comes through a PS Audio Power Plant P10 1.5kW regenerator. The room acoustic is treated with TubeTraps, a SubTrap and PicturePanels.
I do also have other sources: a Logitech Touch streamer, Sky HD box and Pioneer Blu-ray player, all running through a Beresford Bushmaster II DAC.
The sound is big, detailed, powerful and has a great soundstage considering that the speakers are large for my room. More blog notes on tweaks and stuff I've been doing later.
This photo is not quite up to date, but shows the main system. I will take a new one soon.
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Post by John on Jun 15, 2014 14:39:46 GMT
Its good to understand the kind of sound you value, for me this has defined over the years
Ushers do make excellent speakers and certainly keepers
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Post by MartinT on Jun 17, 2014 9:27:52 GMT
Having settled on a good arrangment of footers (see my post about them), I will be ready tonight to test a new single-ended SLIC cable for my phono preamp to preamp run. This is the only single-ended run I use (apart from my tonearm cable) and is currently a Yannis ConnectLitz 223.5 silver cable. I have two runs of balanced SLIC and they have been doing a great job, having replaced Yannis balanced cables.
I don't know what to expect of the new SLIC as single-ended cables are far more fussy and component-dependent than balanced, so we shall see. |
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Post by John on Jun 17, 2014 16:38:48 GMT
Keep us informed how it goes
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Post by MartinT on Jun 17, 2014 21:35:55 GMT
The single-ended SLICs between phono pre and preamp are in and sounding very good. I'm going to let them settle in and get to understand what they do before I write them up. For now, my system is singing wonderfully.
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Post by John on Jun 18, 2014 4:18:35 GMT
Your systems sings pretty well anyway but always amazes me how much more their is to be discovered
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Post by MikeMusic on Jun 18, 2014 7:53:58 GMT
Your systems sings pretty well anyway but always amazes me how much more their is to be discovered Twas Martin's system that made me horribly unhappy with my previously good system. As for the improvements, it sounds fine -100%, add a tweak and it sounds better, so it wasn't 100% before just very good |
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Post by MikeMusic on Jun 18, 2014 7:57:33 GMT
I'm fairly used to seeing Martin's system now
If you haven't seen it the scale of it has to be seen to be appreciated.
Those Ushers are monsters, make my Isobariks look like bookshelf speakers
More to the point the picture cannot say how wonderful the music sounds
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Post by MartinT on Jun 18, 2014 9:22:55 GMT
Why, thank you  Having had a taste of very good sound last night, but too late to have an extended session, I'm already lining up records in my mind to listen to tonight. Mike, I think you mentioned trying supports under the VIDA power supply. Remarkable, isn't it? I'm going to buy some more RDCs to try under the Chord, which currently just sits on its Integra legs. Tony of Coherent has urged me to bypass the legs and put cones directly under the main chassis. |
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Post by MikeMusic on Jun 18, 2014 10:54:26 GMT
Why, thank you Having had a taste of very good sound last night, but too late to have an extended session, I'm already lining up records in my mind to listen to tonight. Mike, I think you mentioned trying supports under the VIDA power supply. Remarkable, isn't it? I'm going to buy some more RDCs to try under the Chord, which currently just sits on its Integra legs. Tony of Coherent has urged me to bypass the legs and put cones directly under the main chassis. I still can't believe that effect under the VIDA PSU Those cones will have to be very big, at least 30mm high, higer to be safe Sheet metal under my CPM 2600, 1200 the same ? Will need to select carefully where the cones go And I should have also said... It crossed my mind to just go and buy all of the kit you had to have that wonderful sound. Almost did ! |
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Post by MartinT on Jun 18, 2014 12:37:27 GMT
You got over half way there!
Tony suggested that I remove the Integra legs from the Chord as they resonate. I'll see when the cones arrive - there should be enough clearance, just.
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Post by MikeMusic on Jun 18, 2014 15:01:46 GMT
You got over half way there! Tony suggested that I remove the Integra legs from the Chord as they resonate. I'll see when the cones arrive - there should be enough clearance, just. Sure did. I now have to try hard to go in a different direction So you can copy me !! I'd like to know how to do that, off my 2600 then Can't find anything anywhere Looks like a lot of bolts to come out |
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Post by julesd68 on Jun 19, 2014 8:41:28 GMT
Yes those Ushers are absolute beasts - the bass extension is quite scary when required!
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Post by MartinT on Jun 19, 2014 8:44:50 GMT
Did I ever play you the opening to Also Sprach Zarathustra by Ormandy/Philadelphia on EMI, one of the finest 'moments' of any recording I have?
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Post by MikeMusic on Jun 19, 2014 8:57:28 GMT
I bet that is good. Keep it for our next meet, home or away
I must also try out the opening track of Close Encounters
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Post by MartinT on Jun 21, 2014 14:48:18 GMT
My Modified Technics Record Deck
The deck I have now has been through several evolutions and plays vinyl to a very high standard, in my opinion. These are the full mods:
- Technics SL-1210 MK2 direct drive turntable
- Dynavector DV507-II pickup arm
- Shelter 5000 cartridge
- Paul Hynes SR7EHD-27 external 1st stage 27V power supply
- Paul Hynes TDR-21 internal 2nd stage twin 21V regulator
- Paul Hynes S1709v4LN internal 3rd stage 9V regulator
- Paul Hynes Z1705LN internal 3rd stage 5V regulator
- Paul Hynes Clearsilver XL cable & Jaeger connector
- Mike New bearing
- Mike New base plate
- Mike New ETP platter
- Isonoe & Techniboot feet
- Speedy Steve ebony armboard
- Stillpoints LPI record weight
- Thomas Schick Graphite headshell
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Post by MikeMusic on Jun 21, 2014 15:18:01 GMT
Be interesting to compare mine to your next meet- or not as it may involve spending money !
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Post by julesd68 on Jun 23, 2014 11:26:09 GMT
That Dynavector arm is quite unique in appearance, looks like a great piece of engineering. But would look completely out of place on my deck even if it sounded good!
Have you tried the Reso-mat yet Martin? Didn't do anything for me but some people love them with the 1200/1210.
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Post by MartinT on Jun 23, 2014 12:02:38 GMT
I haven't found any mat to better the ETP platter on its own, Julian. I think the ETP material must provides an ideal interface to vinyl.
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Post by MikeMusic on Jun 23, 2014 12:18:22 GMT
I'm going to try the Oyaide on top of the MN platter.
Assume it will be no different or worse
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