Very nice turntable setup. Great to see the Scheu turntable worked out well for you. Looks like something that could be in my near future as well...

By the way, how did the Wright and the Bottlehead compare? Also, just curious to see what you think about the Denon step up. I have one as well, but with my Trichord Dino stage I prefer the direct MC input rather than MM + step-up. Ultimately, I would love to upgrade to a tube phono; the Wright and Bottlehead are just the ones I am considering.

With best wishes,

Rene

restock January 20, 2006 16:18

any recommendations for a TVC with at least four line level inputs? kits are better....

c123666 October 29, 2005 06:53

If you think the Creek sounds good and your system is appropriate for a passive design, you should try a TVC. You WILL forget all about active designs. It is that good.

Oz

ozzy62 October 21, 2005 11:01

System edited: Only thing missing is a much higher quality moving coil transformer, phono stage, and linestage. Current tranny is a new Denon AU300LC which is very good for 131 landed from Audio Cubes. Have modded Bottlehead Seduction phono stage as well as a new Wright WPP200 phono stage (on its way) to play with; will compare to friend's Audio Research PH3 and see what it all means and which one is Right to keep. Linestage: torn between a quality active external linestage and simply building dual stepped antenuators and adding a second line level input to my existing 3 Dimension Audio custom amplifer. As it is I am using this little Creek OBH-12 passive linestage and it sounds very, very good. The new Audio Note DAC 1x Signature sounds quite a bit nicer than my prior (early model) Cal Audio Alpha DAC (moved along). I have budget constraints so that is the reason I've not yet dealt with the linestage hole in the system. The recently acquired REL Storm integrates a bit better with the Lowther DX2 bass reflex speakers than the prior Strata II did.

c123666 October 20, 2005 19:47

I have seen those Lowther speakers in BR cabs before? How do you like the sound? I feel that most of the Lowther designs are usually B horn loaded and I wonder what was the difference in sound, especially between the Lowthers in contrast to the Galante speakers, which I believe you used to have. Am I correct?

bemopti123 October 18, 2005 21:09

wright wpp200 and modded bottlehead seduction on their way so I can do some ab/ing and keep the better one.

c123666 October 17, 2005 20:10

System edited: added audio note dac 1x Signature Mk II sony dvp-s7700 (replaced Counterpoint HD 11.5 and Pioneer DVC 302D) NEED phono stage ...tubed only line stage or full function preamp...tubed only suggestions welcome

c123666 October 03, 2005 03:25

Yes, but both at very low volumes; seems to work fine so far. I've got a REL Storm on the way to try out. I do believe the answer is a pair of passive 10" subs with a quality external active crossover and quality solid state amp run in stereo. I have not found too many systems like this at all.

c123666 August 12, 2005 07:45

You don't really use both of those subs together in the system, do you?

Oz

ozzy62 August 01, 2005 15:54

The Ultimate took a dump; we are replacing all the caps with NOS items. I have a set of four ea NOS Tesla ECC803S tubes for the phono section; the line already has quality Mullard and Telefunkens. I plan to change out the balance controls for dual stepped antenuators if possible and eliminate the stereo potentiometer it comes standard with. Those mods alone will cost something like a grand for parts alone. But, it will be better than new when done.

In the meantime I am listening to an early 90s Tandberg 3008 solid state preamplifier. It is as new and sounds darned good running into the 3 Dimenion Audio 300b interstage coupled SET amplifier.

c123666 July 30, 2005 23:38

Nice and well thought out system. I have owned a VTL Ultimate more than once and it is definately a great preamp, let alone considering what they go for used now. If you haven't done so yet, you owe it to yourself to hear the VTL Ultimate retubed with Telefunken diamond base tubes... if I recall correctly it takes 3 different types between the input and phono stages, and the tubes aren't cheap... overall transformation of the preamp is not subtle. Enjoy it, they are not too easy to find, and many have been "modded" to their detriment. Happy listening.

audiofankj July 12, 2005 10:53

System edited: CAT SL1 Signature preamp and Audio Note DAC 1.x added....

c123666 March 19, 2005 00:19

System edited: Added: SME 312 to replace prior unipivot arm; lovely arm Shelter 301 added Installed Siemens NOS tubes to the Modulus 3A preamp to replace stock Russian tubes. Installed custom built 300b push/pull interstage four chassis amplifier. More than enough power; midrange as good as the SET 300b but this one has real bass and dynamics. The SET was very good in the dynamics; this one is better and has almost treble the power at 22 watts.

c123666 March 13, 2005 09:07

System edited: next upgrade is the amp; the bryston goes back in the closet as backup amp and a custom made SET interstage coupled 300b amp or a push/pull interstage coupled class A 300b amp will find its way here soon....that has to stop soon

c123666 February 16, 2005 09:03

System edited: added audible illusions modulus 3a with MC John Curl board....Alexis ML-9600 hard disk recorder...retired nakamichi zx9 in favour of CR7A....retiring audio note table/arm system in favour of new scheu premier II w/scheu classic 12" unipivot on order from Der Fatherland....Just Say Ja!

c123666 January 22, 2005 07:07

metal supports are standard 5/8 inch diameter threaded steel bars. They come in various lengths; mine are 36" and I recently found some couplers and added a second set of 36" supports for two more shelves to accomodate the new gear.

The 32" CRT is going to have to go away and get replaced by a 17 to 22" LCD mostly in the interests of space and to get rid of that damnably heavy beast.

c123666 January 03, 2005 04:14

System currently has Audible Illusions Modulus 3A with John Curl moving coil upgrade board; excellent linestage and not yet auditioned the phono stage as a cartridge is being mounted on my table soon. Current amp is backup Bryston 2BLp while I await a custom interstage coupled 300b single ended amplififer. I expect that in about 90 days as we want to fill orders for customers that pay first!

Added an Alesis ML9600 to begin the long and arduous task of moving my live DAT and cassette collection to CDR. Maybe I'll be done in five years....

c123666 January 03, 2005 04:13

And the metal supports/framework are what exactly please? Must it be cut to length?

Does the shelving come in other stains or is stainable?

[email protected] October 08, 2004 23:24

in response to ketchup...

the shelves are pine laminate from argentina bought at home depot for 21 bux/ea....measure 48"w x 21"d x 2"h...perfect size..no cutting required other than to drill holes for my rack..no center supports required as these babies are stiff

c123666 October 07, 2004 22:18

I think I am sorry I decided to upgrade at all at this point and would have a lot more money in my bank account! But, I'll revisit this statement at such time as I take delivery of the custom 300b interstage coupled amplifier that s/b delivered before Xmas.

The P2SE (esp the Signature version) amplifier is one of the better values out there on the used market for a grand or so. The fact that your speaker options are much wider with this amp only increases its attractiveness. The Soro integrated amp with phono section is an even better value for about 1200/1400 used as it has the M1 phono preamplifier and the P2SE in one chassis; such a deal.

c123666 October 07, 2004 22:16

what were your thought on the sound of the Audio Note P2se amps in cmparison to theother amps you have heard or owned? Nice system!

vikkysingh September 25, 2004 21:53

System edited: dared amps are very good but not the final answer...would like to upgrade preamp to audible illusions modulus 3a and amp to Manley Neoclassic 300b

c123666 June 22, 2004 06:56

I like the rack. Did you make it yourself? What kind of wood is that?

ketchup April 22, 2004 23:50

I do not agree with Peter; I prefer the cleaner sound when they are placed at least three feet away from walls and use a REL sub to augment the bass below 40hz.

When I have the room the speakers will go back onto the floor or....a pair of Klipschorns!

c123666 April 10, 2004 18:39

I agree that this is a bad position for the speakers (height), but have in mind that Peter Qvotrup actually suggests placing
his speakers near the back wall and even in the corners
if possible!

[email protected] April 08, 2004 13:14