Description

Music Preferences:

Classical

Previous Components:

Marantz CD63 CD Player

Marantz AV600

Marantz MA500 monoblocks

Magnepan MMG Loudspeakers

Kimber Kable 4PR Speaker Cables

Rega RB300 tonearm

Future Upgrades:

Nottingham Analogue Spacedeck

Moerch UP-4/DP-4 with blue dot standard armtube (m = 14g)

Musatex Bitream Data II Upgrade

Sennheiser HD600 Headphones

Musical Fidelity X-Can v3

Musical Fidelity X-PSU

Component Preferences (mantras):

Balanced designs

Single stage gain designs without buffer/follower circuits, i.e. zero-feedback designs

Well-designed, filtering, massive power supplies

Tubes present somewhere in the chain

Low-output moving-coil phono cartridges

Massive, non-acryllic, non-suspended turntable designs

Brush-less stylus cleaners

Coaxial digital transmission over optical interconnects

Oversampling technology to upsampling

Silver-based system interconnects

Phase and time aligned speaker designs utilizing first-order crossovers
Read more...

Components Toggle details

    • Rega Planar 3
    Tweaks:

    Ringmat XLR Anniversary
    • Origin Live Silver
    Origin Live Silver Tonearm

    The Silver is a leading high performance tonearm offered at a fraction of the cost of it’s rivals.

    The arm builds on the success of the highly acclaimed Origin Live upgrades. The fully upgraded OL1 is listed among the world’s “super arms” for performance and frequently mentioned alongside names such as the Linn Ekos, Naim Aro, SME V, Graham etc - these arms all have certain strengths and excel over one another in different areas. However none could really be said to have all the musical characteristics necessary in a tonearm. The Silver addresses this situation by possessing a superb blend of qualities. It is this blend that makes it a truly great all round performer, able to excel in all aspects of music.

    All critical components are upgraded using advanced alloys and innovative techniques. The result of these changes is an incredibly transparent arm with superb tonal balance. The sound produced is free from coloration allowing previously unheard low level information to be noticed clearly. The arm exhibits a clean dynamic sound coupled with a tight and powerful bass

    Go ahead, compare this arm with the very best available.

    Owner Comments:

    • Zyx Bloom R50L
    Special-ordered low output version (0.24mV) from Mehran at SORAsound.
    • Denon DL-103D
    MC cartridge. No longer in production. Retipped by http://www.phonophono.de.
    • California Audio Labs Delta CD
    CD Transport
    • Kimber Kable AGDL Coaxial Digital
    0.5m RCA to RCA digital cable with Ultraplate connectors. Used from transport to DAC.
    • Museatex Bitstream
    Currently stock without the Data II update. For more information, see http://www.museatex.com/bitbox.htm
    • Kimber Kable KCAG Analog
    0.5m with optional WBT connectors. Used from DAC to preamp.
    • Balanced Audio VK-3i
    Remote and Phono card upgrades. Matched NOS Siemans steel pin 7308 (4) and 1960's Philips Holland Pope 6V6GT (2) purchased from Upscale Audio.
    • Ayre Acoustics V-3
    Includes Ayre Conditioner and all current factory updates
    • Heartland Cables Belden 89259-based
    5.0m RCA to RCA run with Eichmann Bullet connectors. Used from amplifier to preamp.
    • Creek OBH-11 Headphone
    Stock.
    • Elpac WM080-1950-760
    Regulated power supply for Creek OBH-11 Headphone Amplifier
    • Sennheiser HD-580
    Stock cables.
    • Kimber Kable PBJ
    1.0m RCA to RCA. Used from headphone amp to preamp.
    • Kimber Kable 8TC
    Terminated with Kimber SPD spades.
    • Vandersteen 2ce Signature
    Complete with Sound Anchor bases.
    • Hifi Dreams 10-Gauge Silver Jumpers
    A Audiogon seller
    • Lovan Soverign Equipment
    stands
    • Wiremold L10320
    ... Wiremold L10320 outlet strip whose fact sheet proudly states that it has no switch contacts, indicator lights or passive protection devices that could compromise the AC mains power quality... The 10320 has nine series (rather than parallel) connected outlets wired up with 1.25
    • Volex 17604
    Part Number 17604 NSN 6150-01-262-8554 Category 3 conductor plastic detachable Shielding Beldfoil Shielded Jacket Color black Length Feet 6'7

Comments 12

So what's up with the Bloom?

plinko

Owner
System edited: Added Wiremold L10320 power bar and Volex 17604 power cords on all components. The Zyx Bloom R50L should be here on Monday, June 26th! I have moved to an apartment in Austin and my house is on the market, so I'm losing my 3 dedicated lines and dedicated listening room in the process ;( However, I have a larger listening room now, which I'm excited about!

mre2007

I really like your set-up. I have heard Ayre with Vandies (quattros) before- amazing combo. The 2ce sigs are great... I love that they're matched with a nice turntable set-up. Keep us updated on how the ZYX/ origin live has improved things.

vanderstephen

Owner
System edited: I have upgraded my RB300 tonearm with a new Origin Live Silver tonearm and have ordered a Zyx Bloom R50L low-output cartridge from Mehran at SORAsound. I'll post again once I get things setup and running. As always, comments and encouragement are welcome! -Marc

mre2007

Owner
System edited: I auditioned the Musical Fidelity X-Can v3 with option X-PSU this past weekend with a pair of Sennheiser HD600 and I can say that this combination will most likely be the next step in my headphone section of my system. I only wish there was a cross-fade option on the X-Can v3, as headphone listening has always "confused" my brain which expects the soundstage to be in front of me. Anyways, a small revelation for me ;) Any other comments at this time?

mre2007

I've tried many different cables from Monster/Audioquest to Marigo Audio. I like Marigo Audio cables the most. While being very transparent and detailed they have the analog like sound (warm) without being analytical (something I don't like). The older designs had some advantages as well as drawbacks. Apparition 2 was the most open in upeer midrange (though I didn't like the way BNC version sound with BNC-RCA adapters). 5.7 was very nice cable with tremendous amount of bass. The original Apparition Reference reminded me the sound of reel to reel players back from my childhood.
I also use Glass toslink cable purchased from ebay as a reference point (very good value for the money).

tpaxadpom

Owner
Tpaxadpom:

No, I've just tried the KCAG. I like a quick, more analytical sound in general and like what the KCAG offers. What cables have you tried?

mre2007

Mre2007

get it modded and it will keep you away from analog (at least for some time). I wasn't impressed with Bistream in stock form comparing to Bidat or Idat-44.
Have you compared many digital cables in your setup?

tpaxadpom

Owner
Tpaxadpom:

Thank you for your feedback! I am planning on getting the Data II update and the Black Gate capacitor upgrade for my Museatex sometime this summer. I am slowly getting back into digital after a analoge "binge". The only reason I still have digital around is this DAC, as it is presents the most liquid sounding digital I have heard to date. An amazing piece of equipment!

mre2007

Owner
System edited: Minor edit: Added an Elpac WM080-1950-760 regulated power supply to my Creek OBH-11 Headphone amplifier with amazing results. Effects are slightly less boomy bass (which is a good thing with this headphone amplifier) and more transparent highs. I'd liken this upgrade to replacing a copper-based interconnect with a silver-based one.

mre2007

Get your Bitstream modded with BG it would be in a different league.

tpaxadpom

Owner
Well, here's where I'm at currently. I'd appreciate both encouragement and advise!

mre2007

Showing all 12 posts