I am a recovering Audiophile just getting back into music after a few years off. This time around I want to focus on just enjoying the music instead of chasing every last ounce of decay, detail, air, etc of the music and spending more time analyzing the shortcomings of my system instead of just enjoying it. I also put myself on a strict budget to keep myself from going crazy like I did before (see my previous system) chasing the elusive dream of a perfect system.
I listen mainly to singer/songwriters, acoustic, and jazz so I wanted to put together a system that was above all else musical and able to capture the natural timbres of voices and instruments. Soundstage depth and focus is also important to me as this creates more of a sense of realism. With this system, I am able to literally listen for hours without any fatigue.
My room is rather small, 9x10x9 so setup is a bit challenging. I found that moving the speakers away from the front wall helped tremendously to increase soundstage depth and helped to bring everything into focus. There are large openings on the wall directly behind the listening position which is a great help in such a small room.
Future additions:
Sonus Faber Guarneri or Olympica I - I have really fallen in love with the SF house sound. This next speaker upgrade will be my last for a while.
Misc cables - I want to start experimenting with cables to see if I can get more minor improvements.
Thank you for reading! I look forward to any advice that will help me achieve my goal of creating a musical and emotional system (on a budget of course!).
UPDATE 05 April 2016
Added a REL T/5i sub. WOW! What a difference. I am kicking myself for waiting so long to add a sub into my system. Now I am thinking about adding a second one. Maybe that would be overkill in my little room??
UPDATE 30 March 2016
Added the Mutec MC-3+USB converter to replace my old Musical Fidelity V-link. The Mutec also acts as a signal reclocker too which has helped to smooth out the sound.
UPDATE 16 October 2014
Added GIK 244 panels along the midpoint of my sidewalls to deal with some bass issues and the first reflection points. Improved mid bass and clarity.
UPDATE 15 Aug 2014
Added RealTraps Mondo Corner bass traps. The overall improvement has been astonishing! I should have added these a long time ago!
UPDATE 12 Aug 2014
Added the Light Harmonic Light Speed split USB cable. This cable separates the data and power signals resulting in an incredibly lifelike and clear sound.
UPDATE 04 Aug 2014
Added Vicoustic Cinema Round panels at the 1st reflection points. One of the best upgrades I have ever done.
UPDATE 25 March 2014
Replaced my Acoustic Zen Silver Ref II interconnects with Tara Labs The 2 + HFX Ground Station. The sound is just as clear as the AZ but with more air and sense of organicness.
UPDATE 31 Jan 2014
Replaced by beloved Sonus Faber Cremona Auditor monitors with the Guarneri Evolutions.
UPDATE 15 Nov 2013
Added the Vicoustic Flexiwood 75 absorption panels for the front wall behind my speakers.
UPDATE 16 Oct 2013
Added the Synergistic Research Element Tungsten AC cable for my Luxman D-06 CDP/DAC.
UPDATE 27 Sept 2013
Added a Keces DC-116 19V, 6A linear power supply for the music server PC.
UPDATE 09 Sept 2013
Added a PC based music server to replace a Sonos ZP90. Also added a Synergistic Research USB Active SE cable, Musical Fidelity V-link USB Converter.
UPDATE 27 Aug 2013
Added modded Synergistic Research MPC by Michael Spallone
UPDATE 16 Aug 2013
Added Stillpoints Ultra Minis under my PS Audio P3.
UPDATE 26 July 2013
Added the Synergistic Research Element Tungsten AC cable for my PS Audio P3.
UPDATE 07 June 2013
Replaced by Musical Fidelity M6i with Accustic Arts Power 1 Mk2.
UPDATE 26 June 2013
Replaced my Musical Fidelity M1 DAC with a Luxman D-06 CDP with digital inputs.
To me, great monitors that give me what I look for; musicality with lifelike reproduction of vocals and instruments.
REL Acoustics T/5i
8" subwoofer. Amazingly in my small room this little sub is able to go down to 20hz without any boominess. I may just another one!
Accustic Arts Power 1 MK2
Very transparent integrated amp. It almost sounds as good as it looks
Luxman D-06
I use this mainly for its DAC but the CDP is great for times when I want to listen to a new CD without having to wait to rip it. The sound is relaxed and liquid, typical Luxman.
Tara Labs The 2 + HFX Ground Station
Typical Tara Labs sound..very clear and airy.
CAPS Zuma
Purpose built, silent pc based music server.
PS Audio Powerplant P-3
AC regeneration device. This has brought my system to a new level. I am sorry I waited so long to add this.
HD Plex 300W ATX Linear Power Supply
300W, 18A linear power supply for my music server. It definitely made the sound more clear, the highs linger longer, and the midbass more tight.
Tara Labs The One
Very neutral speaker cable with a clear, clear, fast sound.
Acoustic Zen Silver Bytes Digital Cable
Another very good cable from Acoustic Zen. Detailed and clear.
Light Harmonic Light Speed SPlit USB
Split USB cable that separates the power and data. The sound is incredibly lifelike and clear.
Musical Fidelity V-Link USB Converter
Very good entry level USB converter.
Synergistic Research Element Tungsten AC Cable
Added for my PS Audio P3 AC Regenerator and CDP/DAC. I noticed a substantial improvement in clarity and reduction in noise.
Virtual Dynamics PC The Nite II
I have tried all kinds of PCs but only Virtual Dynamics gave me more dynamics and body. I use this for my amp.
Oyaide Cryo'd Outlet R1
Palladium plated outlet. Adds another level of clarity and resolution to the system. I use this for my DAC and transport.
Oyaide Cryo'd Outlet SWO-GX
24K gold plated outlet. It gives some additional bass and body to the music. I use this for my amp.
Vicoustic Room treatments
Absorption panel for the front wall behind my speakers and 1st reflections points. They look really nice and as well as also working good to tame reflections.
RealTraps Mondo Corner Bass Traps X 2
These made a huge difference to the soundstage and bass in my system. Room treatments are key to making any system sound better. I ended up covering these in acoustic fabric to make them look a little better. Hopefully I succeeded.
GIK Acoustics 244 (Extended Range) Panels
Added the 244 panels at the mid point of my side walls to deal with bass issues and first reflections.
HiFi Tuning Supreme Fuse
I have found these fuses can sometimes make a nice little difference. In my Accustic Arts Power 1 int amp I heard more clarity and dynamics but in my PS Audio P3 AC regenerator I heard no difference. I have paid a lot more to get less (and sometimes worse) improvement.
Stillpoints Ultra Mini Footers
Used beneath my PS Audio P3 the Minis added more clarity, focus, and sharpness to notes.
Michael Spallone Synergistic Research MPC Mod
GREAT upgrade to diodes and caps which resulted in blacker background, better distinction between instruments, and highs which seem to linger just a bit longer. Very recommened
Minimserver Server
Digital media server software
Mutec MC 3+USB
USB converter + reclocker. I think the reclocker really helped to smooth out the sound.
At the advice of some nice members including Daveyf, I pulled my speakers further from the front wall. They are now 36" from the wall as measured from the front wall. What a difference! The speakers have now totally disappeared. The soundstage extends to behind the speakers and further! I never thought I could achieve such a wide soundstage in my small room. Just as importantly, the music is more clear. I didn't realize how much I was not hearing! It's about midnight and I can't stop listening to music. Very happy indeed!
Well being a typical audiophile I could not leave well enough alone so I messed around with speaker toe in and listening position this morning. My small room is a challenge so there is not much I can adjust. I have also shied away from messing around with speaker posit ok because frankly the Evolutions are so damn heavy and awkward to move around especially on wood floors. I am afraid of either getting a hernia or dropping the speakers. I first moved my listening position closer to the speakers so that I was closer to an equilateral triangle configuration. The music sounded fuller to me and the soundstage enveloped around me more. So far so good. Then I put my big boy pants on and adjusted the toe in to point more directly at my ears. This yielded more dynamics and details. My speakers are now about 5.5" apart with the listening position a little over 6" away as measured along the axis of the triangle. Nice improvement which cost me nothing aside from a wrecked back!
Dude don't ruin my last bit of optimism for the future!!!!
I have this fantasy that I can convert each of the rooms in my house to highlight a different audio technology. One room could be high efficiency SET, another could be 'stats, and another could be horns, etc. Ahhhh... a man can dream....
02-13-14: Tboooe I wish I had a bigger room but alas my kids have commandeered every room in the house, leaving my basically my toilet room and my music room. One day I will take back my loft! Just 10 more years!! Yikes!
LOL! That was my illusion for many years! Now the boys are all grown and gone, but the wife has snapped up all of their bedrooms! My dream of setting up my audio only room vanished when she turned one room into her dressing room and the other into her craft room. I guess I never realized that the whole time I was waiting for a room to open up, she had secret designs of her own cooking! LOL!!
The only blessing is that I no longer have to cater to her WAF on any of my gear which sits in the main living room. Since I can now just say that I would have had it hidden, but she snaked all of the extra rooms. LOL!
Isochornism, you are too kind. I wish I had a bigger room but alas my kids have commandeered every room in the house, leaving my basically my toilet room and my music room. One day I will take back my loft! Just 10 more years!! Yikes!
Hi Charles, Thank you for offering Steve's well written reviews. I only read his LM 219 review and I fully believe he is hearing exactly what he states. To me, they seem very impressive. I was always a BIG fan of the hammertone finish from a very young age:) and appreciate their Industrial manly presentation. (a custom faceplate in pink could be the deal maker for WAF:) My only question would concern the preamp section. Otherwise, a likely very good value and very interesting integrated amplifier. But of course, you know what I like:)
Brett, If you have the time and the inclination read the reviews of the Sonus Faber Evolution and the Line Magnetic 219 SET on stevehuff photo. com he is interesting to read. Charles,
Daveyf, I probably sounded a bit harsh so I will blame the wine:) I actually am inclined to agree with you, but that is coming from my zero experience with all of the equipment in question. Since others have liked that combination, I can't dispute them, just don't think it would work well enough for me. But who knows? I was more commenting on my preference with SET in general, even tho though that is not the question at hand, and certainly my speakers are entirely different, again... the wine:) Thanks, it is always educational learning of others experiences.
Just take the speakers. They may not sound their best without the stands but the question you have is LM amp drive capability, that would be answered. Go for it. Charles,
Dan, Wow, that's an excellent idea! Those speakers are manageable enough to make it plausible. The main objective is to hear the amp drive the speakers, so the location doesn't matter. Once heard together it is either yes or no as far as a match. I can't envision a reason why your dealer could possibly object. Charles,
Though not optimal, you might consider taking your SF's to the dealer, and trying them with the LM amp. You can compare with other amps they have on hand, to see if they would make the grade in your home system.
For what it's worth, I drive my custom Tannoy HPD's with my SET 300B (using EML 300B XLS tubes), and a factory-upgraded VAC PA 35.35, which is a 70+lb. beast. The SET doesn't short-change the dynamic side of things in any way, and just sounds more like music.
The above may not be pertinent, since the HPD's are 94db sensitive, but to me it shows a good trial might tell the tale.
Yup, thank you guys for shedding so much light on this topic for a total tube newbie. I am learning a lot and definitely plan to audition as much as I can with my speakers in my home.
Daveyf, I suppose we have said about all that can be said. You talk as though your experience is the only valid one and disregard the other two owner's contrary opinions. But yes we can end this in agreement that home audition is desirable for Tboooe. Tboooe I'm interested to see how this opportunity plays out for you. Charles,
Isochroism, I have NOT posted "conjectured based negative opinions". On the contrary, I have posted non-conjectured based opinions based on actual experience with the speaker's in discussion ( ok, their close sibling that behaves similarly to the speaker in discussion). OTOH, Charles HAS posted "conjectured based positive opinions"...based on no experience personally with the gear that he is suggesting will sound so good. Am I being pessimistic, maybe....BUT if you were to ask me if a pair of horns or easily driven Wilson's would work with low powered SET's, my answer would have been very different. What Charles( and it sounds you also) IMO fails to grasp, is how SF G's react to upstream components that have the ability to really drive them ( then again Charles has NEVER heard the SFG's!!, never mind lived with them). You ( Isochronism) talk about your speakers that are 106db efficient!!...a TOTALLY different animal to the SF G's...of that I can assure you. Charles, you don't like ARC sound...that's a VERY encompassing statement, have you heard all ARC amps? I happen to like the sound of SET amps, as I stated above, the Lamm's are superb ( BUT on the right equipment). What I didn't like was the lack of breath and obvious strain that the SET's that I heard exhibited with my speakers. Nothing to do with liking or not SET sound. I'm done with this thread, as the ONLY way the OP will know what the Line magnetic amp will sound like is to try it for himself....at least we can agree on that.
Daveyf recommends an ARC amplifier, it very apparent that he and I represent nearly polar positions, ARC amplifiers don't move me. It isn't right vs wrong but simply taste and objectives. He and I have assembled our audio systems in different directions which merely mirrors what we hear and respond to. If your taste tends to fall in line with his then I'd heed his advice and caution. My perspectives in contrast would be irrelevant and of no value to you. Sincerely, Charles,
Hi Tboooe, Your question regarding SET compared to a push pull integrated amplifier, well I'll give it a try (obviously my own personal journey). For roughly 15 years I used a variety of PP amps, el34, 6550, KT88 etc. I enjoyed them , some more than others. I've been using SET amps for over four years and there's no going back. No amplifier can " do it all" it just isn't possible, but what SETs excel at is what I find most important. Sheer natural tone of instruments and human voice, convey much emotion, soul, passion and life of music. Undeniable flesh and blood tactile presence, in summary =realism like I've never heard with other types of ampifiers.
Tboooe admittedly that's me and your hearing and perspectives could be different and lead you to a different conclusion. IMO a good quality SET is the closest imitation of live music believability I have experienced. You hve to have the proper speaker for this to occur. Given Steve Huff's rave review it would seem you meet this criteria with your Evolutions and the LM 845 SET. Charles,
It is clear to me that Dan was more correct in his initial post per: Daveyf The SET "magic" that many speak of does exist! My speakers (106db crossover-less) mated to my amps sing to me. Since the proposed matching is not a theoretical optimal, trial testing is necessary for the questioner to find if it meets their own satisfaction. Conjectured based negative opinions hold no weight to me.
I specifically pointed out that Art Dudley used a Shindo amplifier. The LM SET is a different amplifier with larger output transformers and is a much heavier amp. Amplifiers of the same specified power rating can in practice have a wide perform gap. One amp could struggle with a speaker while the other drives it effortlessly, again, power supply and transformers matter greatly.
Tboooe has gotten strong assurances from Steve Huff and still he has lingering reservations. I understand that, we're very condition to fixate on the numbers specified for components and then question actual real practical use. Another point, what pleases one may not please another. I cited two Sonus Faber owners who are quite happy with SET s driving their speakers.
Daveyf I recognize your experience with different choices of SETs but I also acknowledge Steve Huff and Dongiovanni's very fine results as well. We all agree that an audition of this amplifier in Tboooe's system will settle all speculation.
