A few new additions that have really solidified my 2ch system going to the next level.

1. JWN custom stereo tube amplifier, push pull, tetrode mode. This is a 6AQ5 based tube amp good for 12 watts of pure sonic bliss a side. (4) RCA 6AQ5 output tubes, (2) 12AX7 drivers and (1) RCA 5U4 rectifier are also included, all test excellent. 1/4" stereo jack on the front is for headphones, flip the switch behind the output transformers and the speakers shut off. Any impedance will do. Output trannies are set at 8 ohm. All iron (transformers) and chassis are vintage Hammond organ, doesn’t get much better then that. If you are familiar with the sweet sound of 6v6 power tubes then you already know how nice these 6AQ5's are and they are inexpensive, too. Fully auto bias on the power tubes and auto balance inverter circuit, no adjustments ever needed. 12ax7, 12AU7, 12AT7, 12BH7 can be substituted for drivers with different results. The 5U4 rectifier can be swapped with a 5R4, too. This piece is 100% handmade in the USA, no circuit boards, no assembly line, hand built the old fashioned way, over built for years of trouble free , dead quiet operation. Dual 5-way binding posts are used as are gold RCA input jacks. A solid, standard IEC power connector is also used. 6.3v jewel pilot lamp lets you know when the power is on. Any standard line level source will do...Preamp, Ipod, Mixing Console or a CD Player with level control. The power switch is on front, headphone/speaker switch is behind the output trannies.

2. Frazier Monte Carlo D Monitors - 94DB sensitivity. A true giant killer when you consider price/performance.

3. Audio Mirror DAC1 Custom Modified by TRL in Zebrawood Case - It has been modified to eliminate the opamp output stage and is direct coupled from the DAC chips to the RCA's with Nichicon caps. Proprietary compound has been added to the 8 DAC chips. The SPDIF RCA input jack has been relocated to allow for more separation between it and the power cord. The toslink optical input has been disabled.

Modifications on this unit:
- New case made from Zebrawood and acrylic top
- Proprietary upgrades to the power supply
- Stock RCA input jack has been upgraded to a Cardas RCA jack
- Replacement of some internal wiring with proprietary TRL wiring
- Opamp output stage is eliminated
- RCA output is directly coupled to the DAC chips via Nichicon caps
- Proprietary compound has been added to all 8 DAC chips
- Output stage and power supply regulators and caps have been removed
- All power supply diodes have been replaced with ultra-fast diodes

Results from the TRL modifications dropped the noise level of the DAC 20db. The stock D1 Signature experienced distortion in the midrange from 1K-1200K, following the TRL modifications, the distortion in the midrange was eliminated. Also, the TRL modifications increased micro and macro dynamics, expanded depth, presence, and soundstage.

More music is clearly heard following the TRL modifications, as well as the accuracy with which the music is reproduced. Bass still has bloom as you would liken with tubes but is much tighter following the TRL modifications. The highs have more clarity and detail, while the harshness has been severely minimized. There is more naturalness and ambience to the sound.

4. Custom TRL PC and custom Wegryzn IC made with very pure 4N silver, air dielectric, silver solder, and terminated with WBT NextGen silver RCA's.

5. Promitheus Transformer Buffer - (second one). I like one of them between my DAC to preamp and one between my preamp to amp.

vman71 February 19, 2010 18:33

System edited: I've got my 2ch system at a place where music is so enjoyable. I have flexibility to go between a passive preamp and active tube amp and between chip, ICE-based, and tube amps. I'm going to relax and enjoy music for a while. I'll upload more recent pictures soon. Always welcome comments and suggestions.

vman71 October 30, 2009 19:22

I've finally reached a place of comfort knowing that my 2ch audio systems are light years better than when I first started pieceing things together. I've had the pleasure of trying many different combinations of equipment and cables. Along the way, I've learned a lot about what it takes/goes into putting together an enjoyable, musical audio system. I've also made numerous friends, who I'll continue to stay in touch with.

I'm very fortunate that I can switch equipment in and out based on what sound I'm looking for.

My John Hogan 6sn7/76/300B SET amp (to me) is the last word in relaxing, involving music. I'm not willing to sell it to "try" and find something better. It just does it right.

My highly custom Audio Magic Model 250 ice-based amps will never leave. They are the most perfect overall amps that I've ever listened to and much like my John Hogan SET amp, I'm just not willing to "try" and find something better.

My highly modified EAD CD-1000 mkIII is the perfect blend of warmth, details, and musicality.

My Tube Technology tube preamp has all the features that I want in a preamp. I'm sure there are many that are better but I'm not willing to spend the extra for a little more performance.

My custom tube DAC is a non-oversampling DAC that is made with premium parts, internal silver wiring throughout, a very cool automatic "on & off" feature, and uses the 6DJ8/6922 tube which is easy to find. For the price I paid, it would be very hard to justify another DAC.

My two custom chip amps from the genius of Stan Warren are great little amps that work very well with my Klipsch speakers as well as my transmission line bookshelf speakers.

Speaking of my Klipsch speakers, after upgrading the xovers, these are hands down, speakers to hang onto for life. There is and has never been a question of changing them out for something else.

My two power conditioners, a highly custom Audio Magix Matrix and a PS Audio Ultimate Outlet with Bybee's inside, are all I need. Yes, there are probably better but I just couldn't justify the amount it would cost to better these two. I'm confident that it would take a lot of $$$ to do so.

My cables are a great match with my equipment and fit my requirements of needing highly flexible cables. I've experimented with a number of cables and I'm happy with the ones that I have.

My ability to mix and match between equipment that I have and still use my existing cables, makes me very happy and content. I need to move this system to "done for now" status.

As always, your comments and advice are always appreciated.

vman71 July 24, 2009 19:26

System edited: Just added a custom tube DAC. The tube DAC is a DIY that somebody clearly took great care in assembling with high grade parts, internal silver wiring, bypassing caps where possible, and a very creative auto on & off function. The tube DAC automatically powers on when a signal is present and automatically powers down when the source (CDP) is turned off. The result of adding this to my 2ch system is a very nice increase in musicality, layering, separation, and coherence of the music. I must confess, I've become a huge believer and fan of tubes with my audio systems.

vman71 July 01, 2009 16:03

System edited: A few new changes. I've changed out a number of my cables to Grover Huffman's new silver-carbon shielded cables: one new IC between the CDP and preamp, speaker cables with custom silver banana plugs, and a PC that goes to my preamp. The biggest change are my new Audio Magic Model 250 ice-based mono-block amps. These are the best of all worlds when it comes to amps. While they can't reach the glorious midrange of my reference 300B SET amp, they come very close. They do everything else exceptionally well and are my new reference amps.

vman71 January 25, 2009 13:06

How quickliy things change. I love the Eico HF-81 but sold it for a couple of reasons: I hate using just the cheap Monster speaker cable that you're almost sure to be regulated to with the vintage tube amps and I just wouldn't use it that much, as I have 4 amps in the rotation right now.

I also picked up a pair of Wolff Ribbon Carbon Source PC's.

vman71 October 31, 2008 11:45

I'll be busy over the next few months trying out a number of new cables and a couple of new components. I sold the Scott 222C and bought another Eico HF-81. I think it's pretty well known that the Eico HF-81 is a true audio gem. I also bought a second Stan Warren custom chip amp, slightly different and yet still amazing. I've also bought a number of cables to evaluate, they include: Michael Wolff Silver/Carbon/Gold IC's, Grover Huffman Silver-Carbon IC's and SC's, and an Electraglide Epiphany X PC.

vman71 October 08, 2008 11:51

System edited: A few minor changes to my 2ch set-up. First, is the insertion of the Creek OBH-12 passive preamp. I really wanted to be able to remotely control the volume when using my Scott 222C and my John Hogan 300B SET. Second, is the introduction of a very custom pair of Ridge Street Audio Poeima IC's. They were custom made for enhanced sound from mid-treble through mid-bass. Lastly, I'm changing out my Buggtussel Circa transmission-line monitors for a pair of Meadowlark Swallow transmission-line monitors. I really like the transmission-line speakers and am anxious to see if I hear any differences between the two. The major differences between the two are that one is front-ported and one is rear-ported and one uses better materials (solid wood vs. MDF).

vman71 June 27, 2008 15:30

Thanks Glen. It's really nice being able to switch up my 2ch set-ups. I love each combination and the differences that they bring. It's amazing how good some of the vintage audio gear sounds. Sometimes I wonder how some of the current equipment can cost so much and in some cases not even sound as good.

vman71 June 25, 2008 17:07

Something like having your cake and eating it too. Having set things up for a couple different systems you can indeed enjoy the various flavors of sound from each.

I came across a Scot amp once in ill repair, had I had a good place to do the work that I could not do...well would have been nice. Glad that you can enjoy your 50 year old unit. Having had put back into service some of my very old gear,it is surprizing how some of them can sound better than some of the newer stuff. Sometimes old can beat the young.

Enjoy the music and the gear....Glen

glenfihi June 17, 2008 01:23

I got a chance last week to listen to a fantastic set-up and the Conrad-Johnson HQ. While it was not completely finished and optimized, it did give me a point of reference as to what a true high-end system sounds like.

After listening to my system last night, I'm extremely happy with the way my system sounds. I know now that I'm done with swapping components and will only do very minor tweaks to the system. I have some tweaks lined up that I'm going to do.

The tweaks that I have lined up are:

- Installing a hi-fi tuning fuse
- Finish making and mounting 1st reflection panels
- Install ERS cloth in my EAD CDP
- Install vibration dampening material in my EAD CDP
- A little tube rolling

I feel really good about my 2ch set-up combinations and love the way it sounds.

vman71 May 21, 2008 13:01

I've completely enjoyed my time with the H.H. Scott 222C. The sound is strong and authoritative across the entire spectrum. I'm a true convert to the world of tubes and am amazed at how something that is almost 50yrs old, can sound so good.

I have to give credit where credit is due and say that this piece of vintage gear sounds as good as it does because of the workmanship of Craig@NOS Valves.

Well, that completes my three variations/combinations of 2ch that I can play with and listen to. I'm going to sit back and enjoy some music!

I'll be doing some minor upgrades of tubes, resonance control, room correction, and power tweaks over time.

vman71 March 19, 2008 14:53

It's been a month with the John Hogan 6sn7/76/300B SET in the system. I'm still amazed and blown away at how good music sounds with tubes, especially if you can use SET. Music just sounds so right, voices and instruments have such a real precense in the room.

It's time to put the H.H. Scot 222C into the mix and see how things sound. This will be my first listen to this PP tube amp. I just had it fully checked out/serviced with the complete tweaks and mods from Craig@NOS Valves. Will post some thoughts in a few weeks.

vman71 February 13, 2008 17:20

Correction, my John Hogan SET amp is a:

6sn7/76/300B

From what I know, the 76 and 27 are both IDHT tubes, so probably not much difference between the two.

vman71 January 18, 2008 17:04

What a great place to be - I'm very happy with the way the system sounds. I've only listened to the Tube Technology and chip amp combination and find the sound to be musical with a wide soundstage, airy, and having depth/layers.

It's time to put the JH 6sn7/27/300B into the mix and see how things sound. A little hesitation because of the 88db sensitivity of the speakers and the 8-10watts/ch output of the JH SET amp. Will post some thoughts in a few weeks.

vman71 January 14, 2008 15:23

System edited: Updated with pictures.

vman71 January 08, 2008 00:56

System edited: Update on my 2 channel system that I’ve been trying to piece together. The system looks like this: EAD CD-1000 mkIII CDP Tube Technology Seer Line Stage Preamp (pair of 12ax7 tubes; gain is pretty high) Stan Warren Custom Built Chip Amp (60watts/ch) Buggtussel Circa 2-Way Monitors (88db sensitivity) Siltech SQ-88 mkI (silver) between CDP & Preamp (WBT RCA) Argent Audio Jaden (silver) between Preamp & Amp (WBT RCA) Pear Comice (copper) between Amp & Speakers (Furutech Bananas all the way around) Von Gaylord Chinchilla power cord to CDP Audio Magic power cords to Preamp Reality power cord to Amp Last night was the first night I got to listen to this set-up and was very, very happy with what I heard. It sounded warm, smooth and relaxing; non-fatiguing would be the one word I would use to best describe it. If there was any one thing that I thought was a weakness, it was that I thought the highs were a little rolled off. I guess that’s to be expected when you are using tubes somewhere in the equation. Although, after hearing the tube preamp with solid state amp combo, I’m a big fan of this combination and have no desire to change it. The midrange was solid and glorious, that only tubes (at least what I’ve heard) can bring. The sound seemed to extend beyond both speakers with the vocals being dead center. There was texture and details that seemed to have depth and layers. The low end was crazy for a 2-way speaker, although the manufacturer does state that the speaker does have a range of 20Hz – 45kHz. It was strong and solid but in all fairness, it wasn’t strong enough to feel like you do with a subwoofer. Other thoughts: - I tried this set-up with the Stan Warren SP 100 passive preamp. It sounded clean and quiet but the passive doesn’t have the gain that is needed to compensate for the low sensitivity speakers and power of the chip amp - I now know that the preamp is important and influences the sound (much more than I thought) - I really like the Furutech bananas on my speaker cable, makes connecting to the amp and speakers a breeze - This chip amp is amazing, my personal feeling it’s a combination of Stan's genius design and parts quality (love those Jensen 4-poles) - The Pear speaker cable, for the price is an outstanding performer - For all equipment and cabling to be older and out of production (except for the Pear Comice and Von Gaylord Chinchilla), I’m completely satisfied and happy

vman71 December 14, 2007 15:45

System edited: I've finally finished putting together my simple and decent 2 channel system that I can easily change up. Initial listening sounds good.

vman71 December 12, 2007 16:11