Description

3-21-2024 photo
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Room Details

Dimensions: 26’ × 17’  Large
Ceiling: 8’


Components Toggle details

    • LUMIN X1
    Very impressed, especially with the Leedh volume control. No preamp needed.
    • Clarisys Minuet
    Just installed on 8-29-23. replaced my beloved Focal Sopra 2's.
    • Rotel Michi 8
    Just added these 140 lb. amps. Rated for 1800 watts per 4 ohm.
    • JL Audio F-113 Subwoofers (4) of them.
    4 F-113's
    • AudioQuest Cables Mythical Creatures Cables Complete Loom
    Niagara 7000, (2) 1200, 1000 Power conditioners. On my 3 dedicated lines for a total of 4 AudioQuest units. I have (2)1200 for my JL subs. 2 are in the back of the room and 2 in the front. 

    3 AudioQuest Dragon Power cords.

    Interconnects - Thunderbird XLR 
    Speaker Cables -Thunderbird speaker cables Zero & Bass
    • AudioQuest 7000, (2) 1200, 1000 Power Conditioners 7000
    • AudioQuest Dragon High Current 20A for My Niagara 7000 & Dragon Source
    Using this power cord on my AudioQuest Niagara 7000 power conditioner. Quite impressive!
    Added another Dragon Source to my Lumin X1
    • ADD-POWR Sorcer X4
    Great conditioner!
    • Critical Mass Systems Center Stage CM2,2M in both the 1.0 & 1.5 size footers. Total of 6 sets being used.
    I now have 6 sets under my equipment and boy are they impressive.
    • Entreq Silver Tellus
    Silver Tellus used om my digital. Plus a DIY large box used on analog and two smaller DIY boxes used on each speaker.
    • EtherRegen Uptone Audio
    • AfterDark Queen Clock and Linear power supply
    Combo
    • WireWorld Platinum 8 Ethernet
    I didn't think an ethernet cable would improve the sound much, but with cable connected to my Ether Regen input from my modem even though I am sending the output via fiber to my Lumin X1, increased the sound quality presence. Quite impressive.

Comments 195

Showing all comments by ozzy.

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Owner
I now own the Clarisys Minuet Planar speakers. I did own the Townshend's with previous speakers, and they are superior to the Gaia's. 
But unfortunately, due to my speakers size they would not work.

ozzy

Owner
The Oppo 205 is used daily with my Netflix. etc. streaming from an Apple TV and the occasional Blu ray-4K disc. 
It is a good dac but not in the league with the Lumin X1 for music.

ozzy

Owner
Just added the Iso-Acoustics Gaia 1 under the speakers.

ozzy

ozzy

Owner
Thank you,
lak, 
Man, they are really different than what I was used to. Right now, I am trying to get some quality speaker cables for the woofer end. The ones I am using need lots of break in.

Ken

ozzy

Owner
poky77,
Thank you.
They sure were a bear to get set up.
ozzy

ozzy

Owner
New Clarisys Minute Speakers 8-29-23

ozzy

Owner
My Westie is named Westy! He is now 10 years old. How old did your dog live?

ozzy

Owner
Thank you. He really likes listening to music. He will lay between the speakers and fall asleep.

ozzy

Owner
Thank you! I'll check it out.
ozzy

ozzy

Owner
Thank you and to you too! Jafant!
ozzy

ozzy

Owner
Sorry, I have not modified my Carver amps. yet...
ozzy

ozzy

Owner
The podiums #3.

ozzy

Owner
Thanks! jafant. It has mostly been through buying used at the best price I could afford.

ozzy

Owner
Thank you, he is a good dog! Loves listening to music.
ozzy

ozzy

Owner
Ben,
After that the others are about even.

ozzy

ozzy

Owner
Ben,
The biggest improvement in my system was when I added the Townshend Platforms.

ozzy

ozzy

Owner
Just added some recent pictures 3-5-2021

ozzy

Owner
Andy,
Yes, I think they make that much of a difference. Really tightens up the soundstage.
I use the #1's. The 2's may be ok, but the manufacturer recommended the 2's for the Sopra 2's.

ozzy

ozzy

Owner
Yes, at one time I had everything  sitting on top of Stillpoints Ultra SS. The Critical Mass are very amazing, and I don't understand what they are made of that makes them so much better than the Stillpoints. They are expensive for what they look like, but boy do they widen, deepen the soundstage, along with improving the textures of the music. 

ozzy

ozzy

Owner
Just added recent pictures 5-11-2020

ozzy

Owner
loganfan,

Sorry for the late response. I was not aware. On top of the speakers are the Synergistic Research HFT's. I have since removed them.
If you have the Sopra's you must get the Iso Acoustics footers.
The amp stands are made by Grand Prix Audio.

ozzy

ozzy

Owner
milpai,

The Bob Carver amps replaced a set of Atmasphere M-60.3.3.
Those amps replaced a Pass Labs X350.

I was amazed at the difference in the  Audioquest Niagara 7000 compared to the CPT 1800. Best I could describe it is the Niagara brought way more dynamics or the boogey factor as I would describe it to the sound.
I even added 2 JL Audio F-113 subs along with the Carver amps to the Niagara. Only complaint is the Niagara buzzes a little due to the internal isolation transformers.
And by the way I also have 10 gauge wiring to my dedicated Furutech NCF outlets.

ozzy

Owner
milpai,,
Sorry for the late response. I was not aware of your comment.
I installed the footers the day after I dialed in the Sopra's. So it is very hard to say what improvements in sound quality the footers added. With the Sopra's you need to remove the installed footers and loosen the glass base. I did that with them lying on the sides on the floor. To install the new footers I just leaned the speakers while they were upright to one side, the wife helped, while I attached the footers on that side. Then performed the same procedure on the other side. I used a bubble level on the Sopra's glass base to level them.

ozzy

Owner
Hi Jim,
The MC-05's seemed to offer both in terms of sonics.

ozzy

Owner
frozentundra, Jeff,

Sorry it took a while for me to respond. 
The Sopra's are the best I have heard within my system and budget. And yes, that is a Lions throw rug...it likes to be walked over...
Merry Christmas!

ozzy

ozzy

Owner
jond,

Sorry about the late response. I really enjoy the Atma-Spheres. But, I want to try some other speakers such as Planers or Electrastats  that I know have very difficult impedance and sensitivity requirements.

ozzy

ozzy

Owner
chazzy007,

I know the room pictures are dark, sorry I use that room also for home theater so the walls are painted dark grey and the carpet is also.

ozzy

ozzy

Owner
lak,

They are in the pictures on the stands.

ozzy

ozzy

Owner
Well, I just got done replacing the Aurum Cantus woofers with ScanSpeak Revelators in my DIY speakers.
I must say the ScanSpeak play way better in my sealed cabinets. Especially in bass response. 
ozzy

ozzy

Owner

Well, the Aurum Cantus C165/50C2C 6-1/2" Midwoofer is actually a 7" woofer. I found it out the hard way when I took out the 6 1/2" Pyle for the Aurum Cantus.

I find the transition from ribbon to midwoofer to be seemless although I did have to pad down the Ribbon with some Mundorf resistors. Check out the specs on the Aurum drivers on Parts Express.

ozzy

ozzy

Owner

DIY Speakers, changed mid woofers from Pyle to Aurum Cantus C165/50C2C 6-1/2" Midwoofer. I used all Mundorf Supreme Silver, Gold, Oil caps. Mundorf resistors and Janzten foil inductors in a external crossover box 2,000hz @12db.

I am now using a DEQX Preamp unit that has a electronic crossover built in. With that, I have (2) JL Audio F-113 subs crossing over at 80hz to relive the low frequencies from the DIY Speaker.

ozzy

ozzy

Owner

All of my cables have been changed to Cerious Technologies Graphene Extremes!

My watch dog really likes them.

ozzy

Owner
My Watch Dog Grows Up

ozzy

Owner
System edited: Everything Matters. Getting rid of Rf and EMF is an ongoing challenge, but each step has been an improvement.

ozzy

Owner
Dev,Roxy54,

I used 1/8" copper caps with a large copper cone from a company called "Hareline" inside. Hareline makes items for fishing lures and can be bought from Amazon.

The caps however, will need to be purchased from a plumbing house. Then just simply glue the cone inside the cap. The cone is a direct drop in. I used Elmer's school glue to seal the cone inside the cap.

Isochronism, I love the dog, but... if he ever..., well lets just say he would have to gum his food.

ozzy

Owner
Brf, When the picture was taken he was around 8 weeks old.
He's now about 1 1/2 years old.

ozzy

Owner
System edited: Added new 85 inch 4K Samsung 10-1-14

ozzy

Owner
The Dog is a White West Highland Terrier. I named him Westy.

ozzy

Owner
System edited: New 85 inch 4k Samsung added 9282014

ozzy

Owner
Krell man, no I haven't heard of the QK1, I'll look it up. thanks.

Acurus, Thanks, I'll keep you in mind. What is the name of your dealership?

ozzy

Owner
Interesting...
The Audio Magic has a crystal in them. But, mine thus far don't.
I made mine out of 1/8" copper caps with a cone shaped copper insert glued inside.

ozzy

Owner
System edited: Check out my new DIY HFT- Bell. Pretty easy to make for a few bucks. Sounds better than the HFT version.

ozzy

Owner
Mikeg,

Not sure if I have 40.
I have the fuse chips on all of my fuses.
I have several Power chips on my circuit breaker box and a few other places.
And I also have the speaker chips and some cap chips on my PS Audio P10.

ozzy

Owner
System edited: Check out my new footers from AmCam

ozzy

Owner
System edited: Just update my current system.

ozzy

Owner
Albertporter, I own the Eggleston Andra 2's not the Focals.

Tbg, the 3/8"-16 is what my speaker uses. I thought it would be better to just have a straight same size threaded stud from speakers through the Stillpoints. That is if the Stillpoints could be threaded to accept the 3/8"-16 thread.

I would have to drill additional hole into the Andras to accept the new 1/4" inserts. That would place them slightly away from the outer edges.

ozzy

Owner
Albertporter, Thank you so much for the offer.
My speakers use a 3/8"-16 thread. If you could tap the Stillpoints to be able to use the 3/8"-16 thread that would be great!

ozzy

Owner
I ordered a set of stainless steel and at the right length from a Company called Evo Industries. They made them up for me and I had them in a few days. The cost was $8 each.
I don't know about Stillpoints and I am not impressed with their customer service.

ozzy

Owner
Tbg, Thanks for the reply. In my case, Stillpoints wants about a $400 payment for 8 screw adapters in advance and a 2 month wait.
The email replies appear quite rude to me. I don't know , for the cost of their product, I expect a little better customer service.

ozzy

Owner
Devilboy, Sorry for the late response.
The Stillpoints work great on some components and not so great on others.
So my opinion is you will have to try them. The company support is pretty bad however, based on my experience in trying to get a proper adapter for my speakers.

ozzy

Owner
System edited: Picture added to show the different spikes I have used. First there was the original spikes with cups, then I moved to the 2" Audio Points and now I am trying the Stillpoints but I cant seem to find the right adapter .

ozzy

Owner
Zephyr24069 , Thanks for the response.
With my Egglestons I am also using Townsend super tweeters and a pair of JL Fanthoms F113 subs.
With proper set up I now have an excellent soundstage and fantastic frequency extremes.

I have copied my Cd's into a 2TB Hard Drive.

ozzy

Owner
System edited: A view of my latest DIY power strip

ozzy

Owner
Warrenh, Just turned 60 Tuesday so I hope I outlive that Sony!

ozzy

Owner
Thanks,
I've been searching for a Projector/screen to replace my Sony when it goes.

ozzy

Owner
Yes, I took the cover off and stuck it through the opening in the circuir board tha sits atop the transformer. The transformer has a can cover over it.
This weekend I will be also installing the Capacitor chips to the Pass Amp.

ozzy

Owner
Yoby, The SR Powercell 10SE comes with a Precision Reference special made 32A plug so thus far that has been the only cord I have used with the Power Conditioner.
Someday I will find an adapter and then I would like to try the HiDiamond 3 on it.

ozzy

Owner
System edited: Just added HIDiamond Interconnects,Digital and Power cables.

ozzy

Owner
Wig, About every 3 months.

ozzy

Owner
Devilboy, I believe we have communicated, but if not I apologize. Yes the Morrow cable I am using is the Dig 4, in my opinion it is way better than the Kimber D-60 in all the areas that matter. Better sound staging, sound quality, frequency extremes etc. But I did pay extra to include the Silver Eichmann rca's.
The Have/Canare is a very good cable for the money and as soon as I get my Cable Cooker, I'm going to give it a try again.

ozzy

Owner
It's just for show, I don't actually drink any of it.
Well, maybe a little during holidays..

ozzy

Owner
Highend64, Just about every day.
There still is a slight edge in Audio Quality playing CD's through my Cary 306 SACD over playing the Touch with digital out to the Cary. But, it is very close and so much more fun. Its great to pick a whole bunch of tunes to play anytime without having to get up to change discs.

ozzy

Owner
System edited: New pictures and discription. DIY speaker cables are Wwaayyy better than any of the high priced speaker cables that I tried in the past!

ozzy

Owner
Desalvo55, yes I do have a Oppo BDP 95. But I use it mostly in my Home theater set up. However,I did try a few SACD's and Cd's. But I still prefer my Cary 306 SACD player with those formats.

ozzy

Owner
Perhaps RFI is a factor, I don’t really know. But the Walkers are supposed to deal with that.
No matter, the end result is still that the sound quality is better than when I used the other $$$ cables.

If I was to use the factor of 10 that many cable builders use, my home made versions would sell for $5000 retail (not counting the Walkers and the Ground Controls).

I still believe that the actual wire conductor itself is the most important element in speaker cables. All the other cable manufacturer claims are just so much BS.

ozzy

Owner
Desalvo55, I realy didn't know what to expect, I was afraid it would be hard sounding and tilted towards the treble. Surprisingly the sound was very smooth, yet detailed but in no way harsh even with very little break in. I sold my Synergistic cables and bought other things. I still have my SR Power cables though.

I think I read somewhere that the dielectic is what takes forever to break in. With my DIY cables there is no dielectic. But, if I was doing it over again , I would perhaps use an even larger gauge teflon tubing to allow for more air around the conductor. I dont know if it would make a difference in the sound however.

Kwa69, Yes, you will need a 14 gauge for both + and -.
Bare wire is probably the best way to go, plus you will save quite a bit by not buying the Goertz spades.

The Ground Controls and the Walkers add to the cost, but I also had them when I used the Synergistic Apex speaker cables. They they dont look like much for what they cost, but they will make your speakers come alive!

ozzy

Owner
I found the wire on EBay.
Just do a search for solid core 9999 Silver wire, then look for 14 gauge.
There are several sellers, most have listed only a few feet of it for sale.I sent a message asking for a 50 foot length.
They were more than happy to provide it. I think it went for about $7 a foot.
I believe the seller on Ebay that I purchased it from was
online2deal mention my name, perhaps it will help.

Make sure it is soft annealed, it should be able to bend easily almost like solder. The soft annealed makes a big difference in sound quality.

The Goertz connectors can be found at Goertz Website and use a good Silver Solder.
The 12 gauge teflon tubing was bought from Handmade Electronics.

I ran the conductors in opposite directions for the + and -.
I then twisted them about 3 twists per foot.

The Ground Controls can be bought from Music Direct.

I also added the Walker HDL Ref + these were a liitle pricey but added a great calmness to the music.

All in all the final product sounds way better than any Speaker cable I have or have owned or tried. And, I have tried some very $$$ cables including the Synergistic Apex. Purist Audio Dominus, Virtual Dynamics Rev 2 and Nordost Valhalla.

Hope this helps!
ozzy

by Ozzy

ozzy

Owner
DIY 14 gauge Solid core 9999 Silver cable.

After spending many $$$ on Speaker cables, I have found that the actual conductor is what matters.

ozzy

Owner
System edited: Recent update , sold most of my $$$ Synergistic Research Cables, found better for less...

ozzy

Owner
Desalvo55, Thanks for the comments. I also owned and sold the Cary SLP-05.

ozzy

Owner
System edited: Recent Updated Pictures

ozzy

Owner
Its a HP "Simple Save". Most of the on line reviews say it is very good.
I cant say if its better than others, but for a guy new to the Digital storage medium I was able to install it pretty easy.

ozzy

Owner
Talk2me, I love the Andra 2's. They look fantastic with the high gloss finish and the Granite sides.
Though there weight was a problem when setting them up and proper placement is important.
They can handle just about any sound level without distortion.
They have a very nice soundstage and the tweeter used is about $1000 a pair if you can find them.

I have a large older 60" Sony projection LCD between my speakers.
So, to get past that I moved my Andra's way out into the room about 6 feet. I am using the JL Audio sub at about 45Hz. It adds just enough to the bottom end that due to my present speaker layout lacks. I should add the JL Audio sub is also High Gloss black and matches the Andra 2's.

I have never heard the new Andra 3 version, but I wish they did not choose to use the Aluminum sides with the screw holes showing instead of the Granite.

ozzy

Owner
Samzx12, Yes that is a Detroit Lions mat. It likes to be stepped on.
Someday, they may win a championship, but the mat will be withered by then.

ozzy

Owner
System edited: Added some more Synergistic Research items. A Quattro, a Galileo Mini Coupler and another Precision Reference power cord for my Pass Labs XP-10 Preamp.

ozzy

Owner
Pops, Yes that is a Detroit Lions mat. It likes to be stepped on.
Someday, they may win a championship, but the mat will be withered by then.

ozzy

Owner
Adhaney, Sorry I did not reply sooner. Since the Powercell came out last , that was my last purchase.
If I was starting out now, I would purchase the SE 10 first. That one item will make the biggest change for your entire system.
Then slowly add power cords, interconnects, and speaker cables. There are usually some used cables listed on Audiogon at quite a discount.

I have the Mini Couplers plugged into a non filtered power strip, the powerstrip is then plugged into the powercell. To get the Mini Couplers to plug into a regular power strip with the big blocks, I bought these short pigtails that allow a big coupler to plug into it on one end with a regular 3 prong plug on the other end.

The VD cables are good , but the Synergistic stuff pulls the music out of the speakers and into the room. Huge upgrade in my opinion.

ozzy

Owner
Mpit , Sorry I have not replied earlier. I am using the JL sub with my Pass Labs Preamp. Since the Preamp has dual outputs it works great for this.
The Andra's are running full out with the JL sub crossover set at about 65hz. The sub is very easy to blend in with the regular speakers.

I have entirely seperate Home Audio equipment from my Home Theater equipment. For home theater I have a Denon 5910 DVD player, a Denon 5803 receiver/processor, B&W Speakers and 2 Outlaw Audio Subs.

The Pass Pre amp also has a home theater pass through which allows me to run my main Amp and speakers/sub for the front channel. I may end up doing this full time.
That would put 3 Subs in the mix along with the Andra's (4) 12" Woofers.

ozzy

Owner
Matt54321, Thanks, I really love the Pass Amp. However, it is a brute in weight and size .
The Cary CD player is excellent but the drawer gave me problems. 2 times I had to ship it to Cary for repairs. Both times Cary charged me about $500 for the repair. The repairs were only 4 months apart!

I have been a Lions fan since way back when. Through the good, bad and ugly. So far I have only seen the bad and ugly.

ozzy

Owner
Lapierre , With the Large screen TV in the middle of my speakers,the soundstage was difficult. I have now moved my Andra's out quite a ways into the room, the soundstage now is better.
However, bringing the speakers so far out from the back wall resulted in a little loss of the deepest bass notes.
The JL Fathom adds that little oomph and blends in very well with the Andra's (including the high gloss finish!).

ozzy

Owner
System edited: Added JL Audio Subwoofer. Intergrates very well with my Andra 2's.

ozzy

Owner
Lapierre,
My system sounds ever so smooth and enjoyable.
But, when called upon, the Music jumps at you with wide dynamics. Bass and treble are extended with a tightness that sounds like real instruments. This is with playing regular recordings ,not Audiophile recordings. Its amazing how good regular recordings can sound.
However, the best recordings do sound even better.

I really cant see myself getting any more equipment, at least for now. I may get some sundry items like a better stand, Amp stand ,etc.

I wrote a review about the new PowerCell. It is located in the Review section under Accessories.
Please read it, I spent alot of time on it.

The best power cord, can only be descibed as the best one for the equipment.
That is, Digital -Hologram D
Amp -Hologram A
Preamp -T2
PowerCell -Precision Ref

The one that suprised me the most was the Precision Ref on the PowerCell.

ozzy

Owner
System edited: Just added the new Synergistic PowerCell 10 SE with the Precision Reference power cord. I also placed a Teslaplex outlet in the one wall outlet and another in my homemade extension quad box.

ozzy

Owner
The XP-10 has a remarkable soundstage. Deep and wide.
Very pleased.

ozzy

Owner
System edited: Just added the Pass Labs Preamp XP-10

ozzy

Owner
Dev, thanks for the Cat Amp advise. I will lool into it.

ozzy

Owner
System edited: All Synergistic Cabling added

ozzy

Owner
System edited: Changed from the APL Modified Denon Player to the Cary 306 SACD. Added a Preamp to the system the H-Cat.

ozzy

Owner
Sherod, Sorry I have not replied earlier. Yes, I am running my APL directly to my Amp. I have not found any benefit in putting a Preamp in the chain.

ozzy

Owner
Dev,
As good as the Pass 350.5 sounds, the 600.5 should be awesome !

I found some used Audio points that were made for the EW Andra's , should get them soon.

I think you posted that you had pictures of installing the sistrums under the Andra's. If so , please send them my way.

Question: If I was going to start with one sistrum sp-101 stand for my equipment should it go under the Amp or the digital first?

ozzy

Owner
Thanks for the kind words. The original pictures came out pretty dark so I had to lighten them up considerable.
By doing that the resolution became pretty grainy.
Oh well, I am not a photographer.

ozzy