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.
Can you advise the most bang for the buck
to the least for the following products you have listed - Townshend Audio Seismic
Platforms #3, Critical Mass Systems Center Stage 2 1.0 footers, Stillpoints
Aperture II, and ADD-POWR Sorcer X4.
When the funds become available I will try them out, they offer a trial period, I feel this is something you will hear right away. Thanks for the recommendation.
You responded back to me to say if you have the Sopra 2’s, you should get the gaia’s. Do they really make that much of a difference? Also did you get the #1 or #2 Gaia? The #1’s are a crazy amount of money. I can see trying the #2’s. Only 2 lbs over the recommended weight.
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, I see you’re using critical mass footers. Have you had any experience with Stillpoints footers for comparison? Btw, have always enjoyed your postings.
I was looking at your wonderful system, Amazing. I did notice 2 things I want to ask you. I have just bought a pair of Sopra 2's, a month ago. They were a demo pair and got them at a nice price. Also Black. But, in your photo's I see something silver above the tweeters, what is that? Also, the stands you have the amp's on are beautiful. Who makes those?
Thanks for sharing your amp upgrade path. I have read a lot of good things about the Bob Carvers, including the fact that the tubes last for a long long time.
I was wondering about dedicated lines and power conditioning. Good to know that despite dedicated lines power conditioning makes a difference. I found the thread where you mention that you liked the AQ 1000 so much that you went ahead and got the 7000. I am considering either the IsoTek Sigmas or the Inakustik power conditioner.
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.
Not a problem. Thank You for sharing. @Lak mentioned that you do like the Gaia footers. How hard/easy was it to install the Gaias?
Your system is looking great now. How do you like that Bob Carver amplifier? Which amps were replaced by the Bob?
Can you throw some light on the how a power conditioner improved your system? Also, if you can please let me know your experience of moving from CPT-1800 to the AQ Niagara 7000. Thanks to your information on the CPT thread - I was not aware of serial Vs parallel wiring and assumed that all Power Conditioners are the same. But after reading that thread, it took me to a new path. I am seriously considering either the IsoTek Sigma EVO 3 or the Inakustik AC-3500P in my system. The only thing I am not able to figure out is - will be able to make out any difference that the power conditioner brings to my system? Because I already have dedicated 20amp lines in my audio room.
I apologize for all the questions. Please feel free to respond whenever you can spend some time.
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.
You posted 3 questions on 11/08/2018 on the Gaia footer thread, that were unanswered. I see in your system pics that you now have the Gaias installed on the Sopras.
How was the overall experience with the footer upgrade? Did you install the footers with the speakers lying on the sides? How easy/difficult is it to install and level the footers? Please also provide (if possible) your thoughts on how the Gaias improved the sound in your system.
