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Post by MartinT on Dec 24, 2018 11:11:34 GMT
See latest post.
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Post by MartinT on Feb 19, 2019 7:26:07 GMT
See latest post.
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Post by ChrisB on Feb 19, 2019 7:35:48 GMT
Yep, that looks nice and simple.
A 42 line list.
Bare bones even...!
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Post by MartinT on Feb 19, 2019 7:46:57 GMT
Yep, that looks nice and simple. A 42 line list. Bare bones even...! Almost - LOL! To be fair, most of it is accessories. Phase 2 will reduce the Pi complexity to the Audiophonics unit. A photo will tell a thousand words, so I'll take a new shot when done. |
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Post by petea on Feb 19, 2019 11:26:20 GMT
Right then...
Germany (Main System)
Mains conditioning
Isotek Nova for sources etc
Isotek Titan (X2) for power amplifiers
All mains cables are either Furutech-based from MCRU or Acrolink-based.
Source Components
Meridian 200/263 CD transport/DAC
Ripped CDs and high res. downloads are stored on a Synology DS1513+ 6TB RAID 5 NAS
Tidal Masters subscription
Naim NDX with a Teddy Pardo PSU and connected to the network via an Aqvox AQ-Switch SE and Aqvox Edge (switch to Atom) and Excel (terminal to switch) cables
Teddy Pardo DAC
CD Transport and NDX are supported on Townshend Isolation Pods.
Amplification
Pre-amplifiers
Onix OA24 pre-ampifier and SOAP PSU
Teddy Pardo PR1 Pre-amplifier (not currently in use)
Power Amplifiers
Onix OA 801 Power amplifier (not currently in use)
Teddy Pardo MB 100 monoblock power amplifiers (not currently in use)
Lab12 Suono power amplifier (on a Townshend Seismic platform)
Speakers
Royd Apex transmission line speakers
Shahinian Arc speakers
Townshend Supertweeters (setting 2)
Townshend Isolda speaker cables (bi-wired to the Royds from the Suono, single to the Arcs)
Both sets of speakers are on Towshend Seismic Isolation Podiums (Size 1 for the Apex speakers and Size 2 for the Arcs)
Cable from the Suono to the Royd speakers are supported on Furutech NCF Boosters
Misc
Furutech Boosters are used to support the power connectors to the TP DAC and PSU.
Felt blocks are used to 'decouple' various cables from the floor and there are some cork discs under the feet of the Seismic platform (mainly for aesthetic reasons).
Digital interconnects are Townshend DCT and all other interconnects are also Townshend DCT (RCA).
Germany (other systems)
There is a Naim Mu-So Qb in the kitchen and a Naim Unity Atom in the living room connected to Neat Iota Alpha speakers using Townshend Isolda cables. The Atom is fed by wired network via an Aqvox AQ-Switch SE and Aqvox Edge (switch to Atom) and Excel (terminal to switch) cables. The Mu-So Qb is connected wirelessly. Mains to the Atom and switch is via an Isotek Orion filter and Furutech-based cables from MCRU)
UK
Mains conditioning
Isotek Sigmas (X2) for sources etc
Isotek Titan for power amplifiers
All mains cables are Furutech-based from MCR
Source Components
Digital
Lector Digidrive III / Lector Digicode 2.24 (connected using the Lector Digilink cable)
Ripped CDs and high res. downloads are stored on a Synology DS1511+ 3TB RAID 5 NAS
Tidal Masters subscription
Naim NDX2 with a Teddy Pardo PSU and connected to the network via an Aqvox AQ-Switch SE and Aqvox Edge (switch to Atom) and Excel (terminal to switch) cables
Teddy Pardo DAC
Analogue
Late 80s Linn LP12 with a Tangerine Audio top plate and Tiger Paw aKula sub-chassis and modern Linn arm board plus Linn solid base and a Funk Acromat. It has a Funk F.X-R II arm (with an ISOkinetik ISOweight counter-weight - mainly to accommodate the height of the cartridge) and a Dynavector DV DRT XV-1s cartridge. The arm to Linn Uphorik phono-stage cable is by Linn (sounded the best) and the DC motor is controlled by the Linn Radikal PSU / controller.
All source to pre-amplifier cables are Townshend F1 Fractal (RCA) except for a DCT 300 cable from the NDX2 for playing DSD files (and almost never used). The digital interconnect from the NDX2 to DAC is by Townshend.
The LP12, NDX2, Digidrive and Digicode all sit on Townsend Seismic Sink Platforms.
Amplification
Pre-amplifiers
Townshend Allegri+
Townshend Enigma
I'm still switching between these as Max is still fine-tuning the Enigma.
Power amplifiers
Re-capped Meridian 205 monoblocks.
Cables from the pre-amplifier to the power amplifiers are Townshend F1 Fractal (RCA).
Speakers
Late 80s Rega Ela transmission line speakers (the Mk 1.25 versions with 3 point feet and Royd / Scanspeak drivers - apart from the cross-overs and feet, these are identical to Royd Apex speakers).
Townshend Supertweeters (setting 2)
The cables are currently 'vintage' Exposure cables (amazingly these have so far these out-performed everything I've thrown at the system including the Isolda cables - I've yet to try Fractal ones though). I have no idea why they perform so well.
The speakers are on Townshend Podiums.
I also have a pair of Shahinian Arc speakers, but the Elas suit the room geometry better.
Misc
I have a stack of Onix and Exposure amplification in storage plus a Meridian 201 pre-amplifier (which I confess I have never used!) as well as a set of Teddy Pardo MB-100 monoblocks (these oscillate when used with the auto-transformer pre-amplifiers). There is also an Onix BWD-1 tuner and SOAP (semi-retired at the moment due to the sheer convenience of the vTuner in the NDX2) and a Meridian 204 tuner (again, never used) as well as a Nakamichi DR-2 cassette deck (currently not in use, but it will be as I have a cassette player in the old car!). There are a pair of Rega Kytes lurking around as well and a second Digidrive and Digicode (about to go back to Italy for service and upgrade - I know how long they take which is why I bought a second set!.
I plan to try a Lab12 Suono in the UK system soon as well as a Lector VM-200 hybrid power amplifier (I managed to track one down in Italy for a reasonable price at last). So far the Meridians have seen off the competition!
I also have another NAS to play with at some point and I'm interested in a Fidata server. We'll see where that takes me.
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Post by MartinT on Feb 19, 2019 12:43:06 GMT
Gosh, and Chris called mine long!
Nice to get it all down, isn't it?
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Post by petea on Feb 19, 2019 13:06:10 GMT
I think it's called 'Therapy', Martin!  Doesn't work mind!  |
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Post by MartinT on Feb 19, 2019 13:14:35 GMT
It works for me: I've looked several times and thought about how to reduce and simplify it. I'm getting there!
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Post by petea on Feb 19, 2019 13:22:11 GMT
Oh, I forgot the mystical Artkustik Room Animator in the UK. Andy and Phil at Phonography (now Winchester HiFi) were so enthusiastic about these that I bought one on the promise that if I couldn't hear the improvement they'd give me my money back. Well, I installed in and then never really got round to taking it out to let the 'effect' fade and see if I could hear the difference. So I left it plugged in and referred to it as a gullibility detector to remind myself not to spend £700 on a box of sand with a blue light on again! Anyway, a few years ago I had some work done on the front door and the builders dumped the door curtain on the floor while they were working. I came back from Germany and put the system on and played a few records, but the system was sounding slightly off and I decided that I need to take the turntable in for tuning. Same thing next day and it was then that I noticed that the curtain was sitting on the gullibility detector. I took it off and within 30 minutes all sounded well again! A friend who was saying a year or so later also played around with it and could swear they could hear a difference and so I concluded that maybe it was doing something, but could not imagine what. And then I read on here about Schumann resonators and things started to click. They do not say what is in the box nor how it works (just some vague mumbo-jumbo), but I have a suspicion that a Schumann resonator is what it is: just an expensive one!
I would have put this in the tweaks that didn't work, but I think it does (somehow).
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steve
Rank: Trio
Posts: 206 
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Post by steve on Mar 3, 2019 12:14:07 GMT
Analogue - JBE Series III turntable, Mayware Formula IV mkIII tonearm, Audio Technica VM540ML cartridge.
Phono Stage - NVA Phono 1
Amplification - NVA A20/P20 or single tube output transformerless valve amp using the 13E1 radar power regulator/LW transmitter tube.
Digital - AppleTV 4 streaming Apple Music, Mac Mini iTunes.
DAC - Beresford TC7510
Speakers - Home built, large sealed floorstanders with Fane 12-250TC single full range driver, 98dB efficient.
Speaker Cables - NVA LS5 mk1
Interconnects - Various Maplin and Belkin or whatever I have lying around.
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Post by MartinT on Mar 3, 2019 12:18:04 GMT
There was a time when I really wanted a JBE deck. Would have been a better purchase than the Roksan.
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Post by Barrington on Mar 4, 2019 17:23:08 GMT
Sold lots of gear recently to purposely streamline my set up.
SystemDek XII 900 , Rega 250 arm fitted with a Techno Weight and Ortofon Quintet Bronze MC.
OPPO UDP-205
Denon DNP 730AE Network Player
Yamaha A-S2100 integrated amp.
Acoustic Energy 305 speakers.
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Post by MartinT on Mar 4, 2019 17:59:19 GMT
See latest post.
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Post by robin5 on Mar 9, 2019 9:54:48 GMT
Headphone source - ARC CD9 into a Kevin Gilmore Grounded Grid amp via Atlas Asimi balanced cable to Stax 009S.
Vinyl - Clearaudio Innovation - Graham - Lyra Atlas - Aurorasound phono - ARC REF5 pre - Dartzeel power - Magico V2 with some wires.
90% of listening is now via the cans.
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Post by MartinT on Mar 9, 2019 10:53:06 GMT
How do you find the Stax 009S, Robin?
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Post by robin5 on Mar 9, 2019 12:11:30 GMT
How do you find the Stax 009S, Robin? Personally I prefer it to the originals which could be slightly strident although superficially more detailed in high frequencies. A lot depends on the amp driving them. Some say the new version lacks some of the bass of the 009 but I haven’t experienced this. The Stax T8000 which I suspect was used in the voicing of the ‘S’ isn’t the last word in amplification though. |
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Post by petea on Mar 17, 2019 18:54:07 GMT
An update on the UK system Mains conditioning Isotek Sigmas (2011 version) for CD / DAC, headphone amp, music server and switch. Lab12 Gordian for record deck, phono stage, streamer / DAC and network switch. Isotek Titan for power amplifier All mains cables are Furutech-based from MCrU. Source Components Digital Lector Digidrive III / Lector Digicode 2.24 (connected using the Lector Digilink cable) Ripped CDs and high res. downloads are stored on a Fidata HFAS1-XS20U and backed up to a Synology DS1511+ 3TB RAID 5 NAS. The Fidata server is also used to render files to a DAC via USB and is connected to the network with an Aqvox AQ-Switch SE (Aqvox Edge cable from switch to Fidata and AQvox Excel cable from terminal to switch) Tidal Masters subscription Naim NDX2 with a Teddy Pardo PSU and connected to the Fidata server via an Aqvox AQ-Switch SE using an AQVox Cat 7 cable between the server and the switch and an Aqvox Edge cable between the switch and the NDX2. Teddy Pardo DAC (supplied by an AQVox Edge RCA cable from the NDX2 and an AQVox Edge USB cable from the Fidata server). There is also a Lab12 DAC2 SE which, although superb, does not fit in the main racks / stands and so is used for dedicated sessions only at the moment. Analogue Late 80s Linn LP12 with a Tangerine Audio top plate and Tiger Paw aKula sub-chassis and modern Linn arm board plus Linn solid base and a Funk Acromat. It has a Funk F.X-R II arm (with an ISOkinetik ISOweight counter-weight - mainly to accommodate the height of the cartridge) and a Dynavector DV DRT XV-1s cartridge. The arm to Linn Uphorik phono-stage cable is by Linn (sounded the best) and the DC motor is controlled by the Linn Radikal PSU / controller. All source to pre-amplifier cables are Townshend F1 Fractal (RCA) except for a DCT 300 cable from the NDX2 to a Teddy Pardo headphone amplifier. The LP12, Digidrive and Allegri+ and headphone amplifier all sit on Townsend Seismic Sink Platforms. The power amplifier and Digicode are supported by Townsend Seismic Isolation Pods. Amplification Pre-amplifiers Townshend Allegri+ Townshend Enigma - this is now destined for the German system. Power amplifier Lector VM-200 Hybrid power amplifier (just edged the Meridians out!). Cables from the pre-amplifier to the power amplifiers are Townshend F1 Fractal (RCA). Speakers Late 80s Rega Ela transmission line speakers (the Mk 1.25 versions with 3 point feet and Royd / Scanspeak drivers - apart from the cross-overs and feet, these are identical to Royd Apex speakers, but better made I think). Townshend Supertweeters (setting 2) The cables are currently 'vintage' Exposure cables (amazingly these have so far these out-performed everything I've thrown at the system including the Isolda cables - I've yet to try Fractal ones though). I have no idea why they perform so well. The speakers are on Townshend Podiums. I also have a pair of Shahinian Arc speakers, but the Elas suit the room geometry better. Misc I have a stack of Onix and Exposure amplification in storage plus a Meridian 201 pre-amplifier (which I confess I have never used!) as well as a set of Teddy Pardo MB-100 monoblocks (these oscillate when used with the auto-transformer pre-amplifiers) and now some Meridan 205 power amlifiers (which will end up in Germany). There is also an Onix BWD-1 tuner and SOAP (semi-retired at the moment due to the sheer convenience of the vTuner in the NDX2) and a Meridian 204 tuner (again, never used) as well as a Nakamichi DR-2 cassette deck (currently not in use, but it will be as I have a cassette player in the old car!). There are a pair of Rega Kytes lurking around as well and a second Digidrive and Digicode (currently in Italy for service and upgrade - I know how long they take which is why I bought a second set!). I also have an Atwood phonostage (Concerto?) plus their large PSU - I kept waiting for the new phonostage which could also use the PSU, but they still haven't got beyond the prototype. I am awaiting a Lab12 Suono for occasional use in the UK system. I have now also finished the main cabinet, which is based on a heavily modified Audiotech rack (the one with the CD transport on in the picture below). I need to tidy up / modify further / replace the other one next. Here is an overview image.  |
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Post by julesd68 on Mar 18, 2019 19:56:37 GMT
Exposed brickwork and lots of timber - very nice indeed! The kit looks pretty decent too ...  |
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Post by The Brookmeister on Mar 18, 2019 20:31:47 GMT
Few changes my end due to kit being sold Analogue Source CLARO AUDIO DUAL WITH SME 312S and DS Audio Master1 Optical Cartridge System  Digital Source CAD 1543 MKII DAC CAD CAT Amplification Soulution 5 series Pre-Amplifier Soulution 7 series Power Amplifier Speakers Maxonic TW1100 MKII Townshend Audio Seismic Podiums CAD GC1 grounding boxes IsoTek Systems EVO3 NOVA PS AUDIO P20 Critical Mass Center Stage Footers Tellurium Q Statement Speaker Cables Slic XLR Cables (pre to power) CAD USB Cable II MCRU No. 77 Mains Leads GIK Panels and bass traps A leather sofa |
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Post by MartinT on Mar 18, 2019 20:37:29 GMT
Hah, hah! Mustn't forget that! I still use a nice 2-seater M&S settee I bought in a sale many years ago. |
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