In haven’t Mike, I’ve only ever used the spikes (1.2 and 2 models).

I actually have weighed the dc blocker down with an ornament for fear of it getting dragged off of the rack. I might get a bit of slate / granite cut to size for the job though.

That really is a very fine looking hifi system.

I was feeling brave on the weekend and so swapped the output valves on my dac, from a pair of (5687) Tung-sols to Sylvania gold pins.

Et voila! All of the goodness the Tung-sols delivered (which were better than the stock Philips valves) plus more mid range drive and oomph in the bass; these are all round better valves. I’ve got three pairs, so hopefully a good few thousand hours of improved sound.

On one hand I love that the sound can be improved by changing the valves and on the other, having consistent excellence wouldn’t hurt.

Fair point Jeremy; it is bittersweet to me.

Right now, I’m loving it, they’ve really upped the sense of ‘palpability’ on my system, everything feels better delineated, yet have more flesh to the sound at the same time - it’s remarkable.

When the valves run out, I have others I’ve not tested yet, but I don’t want to go back to the Tung-sols for sure :s

Got a new addition to the system. Photos to follow.

Well aside from some very imposing new speakers (dunno what they are) I can spot a new Consonance integrated, maybe a 300B, and you seem to be missing one of your LDA power amps!

Very accurate, on all points! I think the amp uses an octet of KT88s. Amazing sounding thing. I haven't missed volume controls where you're at ear bleed level by nine though...

P6 amp: One channels transistor failed, currently being fixed. That means one new speaker just sitting silently for now. Covid, plus customs interfering and the fix being more complex than originally anticipated = seven weeks without. Yes, it is painful. Yes I have caved and run one channel sometimes.

Martin, the new speakers are Osborn Epitome Reference Elites - bit of a mouthful! Australian homegrown and Greg (the manufacturer) lives 9km down the road from me so it was nice to have him drop them off and help with set up. Funnily enough, these are my first pair of three way speakers (in the eight I've owned in life) and I feel I've jumped in fully, each channel has dual 10" drivers. So they're pretty large - 1.56M tall and 50CM deep.

Osborn: brand.

Epitome: model.

Reference: upgrade one - better tweeter and lead lining inside, takes weight up to 105kg.

Elite: upgrade two - significant crossover component replacement, takes the crossover weight up to 9kg. Weight alone doesn't mean anything in isolation, but it's indicative that no corners have been cut here.

Finish: Australian blackwood in satin. I requested this so it would match my rack; it's not a perfect match, but that's how it goes with natural materials - I'm very happy with it.

Drivers: The driver complement is something you'd expect to get in a far more expensive loudspeaker; SEAS tweeters and bass drivers, Scanspeak on the mid-range.

When you look at the whole package, what you get for your money ($15,500 AUD / 8,650 GBP today) is an absolute bargain. Of course, this means nothing if they don't sound good... I heard these in a less than optimal room at a hifi show in Melbourne a few years ago, right after hearing a $300k Raidho system and preferred the Osborn by a long way. Impressions like this are hard to forget. Last time I experienced this was when I heard Tony's 4D cables and five years later I got the full loom of 6Ds as a result.

I've got to head to work now but will continue onto listening impressions when I can.

Wow - oh my goodness.
I love the look of those speakers!

I wouldn't be at all surprised if they sounded bloody good as well.

Congratulations, I hope it is all up & running soon.

...One channel can sound good,too.
Do you have a mono switch?