Well, it has all changed again, I should just relist it as it has changed so many times since creating this as the "3rd" system. One thing is for sure, Ever Evolving has been accurate.
Awesome little digital tuner from the late 1980's.
Audio Note AN-Vx - Interconnect
I have two sets; I run one from my CDP to preamp and one from my tuner to preamp. Symmetrical 99.99% silver litz coax 20 strands 0.09 mm
Audio Note AN-Vz - Interconnect
Silver IC, 1m RCA
Analysis Plus Big Silver Oval
Constructed of pure silver over a stabilizing strand of oxygen-free copper, woven into a patented hollow oval geometry in an oval-coaxial configuration. 9 gauge.
Clearwave Loudspeaker Design Symphonia 72R
The Symphonia 72R has a custom sandwich layered non- resonant 2 inch thick front baffle with a solid hardwood layer for driver de-coupling. The drivers are flush mounted level to the front baffle to eliminate edge diffraction, and the driver openings have chamfered flares at the backside of the opening to eliminate early reflections inside the box. Top of the line RAAL tweeters and Accuton drivers.
Wadia 170iTransport
I use this with a 160g iPod Classic.
PS Audio DigitalLink III
Mine has the Level 4 Cullen modifications.
Furman IT Reference 20i
This power conditioner and protection unit has made the biggest difference I have ever intruduced into a system; I wish I would have purchased something like this a long time ago!!!
System edited: Hi Samhar. I am long over due to update my page. I purchased a set of Ridge Street Audio Sason speakers last summer after hearing them at the AKFEST show. While liked my W/P 7's, I always regreted spending that much. Unfortunately I couldn't duplicate the wonderful sounds with the Sason like I heard at the show. In December when I purchased the power conditioner I was simplt amazed at the difference it made in my system and wondered if I would like the Sasons with this change in my system, byt due to disability it isn't something I can swap on my own to try, so it was left as a thought for awhile. I was offered a trade for my 7's for some Sophia's plus given some cash, which I did back at the end of January. A short time later I was given the opportunity of some help to hook up the Sason's and I found that they do sound much better to me now with the power conditioner in my system. Short story long, the Ridge Street's are what I am using now.
Gr8ful - I am very pleased with the Wadia, for me there are many pluses and few negatives. When I purchased the Wadia, and DAC, I kept my CDP to compare with, it was a Meridian G08. It was an "interesting" compare; interesting in that I could not tell the two apart, nor a friend of mine. This surprised me a bit because to two setups were quite different and you'd expect some difference, but there is no way I could distinguish between the two. I had both sources level matched as close as possible using the Trim feature on my preamp and could switch between each source at will. Just be sure to use a DAC the reclocks the signal.
Bvdiman - Thanks for the words; unfortunately no Glashutte. :( I am not sure I see it in the near future either.
Brian, how do you like the Wadia 170 transport? I'm currently using an Electrocompaniet EMC 1UP CDP into Mac 119 pre/252 amp with Usher 8871 speakers. Wife would like to use her IPod so problem solved with the Wadia, but how does it sound? The EMC is warm and quite analog sounding and I would hate to trade that warmth for something cold and compressed.
Brian, Nice setup! Have you experimented with power cords for the Furman conditioner? Which would you recommend? I would assume that Furman did not include a power cord with the IT Ref 20i. Happy and healthy New Year! Vito
System edited: I added a Furman power conditioner/protection unit and WOW, what a difference, the biggest, and best, difference I have ever introduced to my system! I posted about it [url=http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?ymisc&1230652278]here.[/url]
Hi Barnes. I am pleased with the PS Audio DAC, but let me be clear in that I didn't have another DAC to comapre it with, rather the DAC/Wadia/iPod replaced my CDP.
I thought hard between it and the Benchmark and went with the PS Audio w/mods simply based on comments I gathered around the 'net; I don't have any regrets with the purchase.
I just looked at your virtual system and was floored! I can't believe I haven't "stumbled" on this before. What a beautiful house!!! I wish I were closer, I think.
As for the Meridian, I have been pleased but I also haven't compared it to much either. I had a Merdian 508.24 years ago, probably shouldn't have sold it, and I went through myriads of gear, including CDP's, and at one point I was using a Musical Fidelity kW500 intgrated amp; I prefer my gear to match so I sold the Classe CDP I owned and purchased a MF A5 CDP, which was getting a lot of good press, well I hated it. Long story short, I returned to Meridian as they have always been solid with their digital offerings and I was pleased in the past. I easily prefered the G08 over the A5 and it has been here ever since.
Brian: What do you think about the Meridian G08, especially with the Mac.
I have a McIntosh MCD205, which is very musical, but I have not heard the new Meridian CD. Years ago I test "drove" a meridian Processor(don't know which one, 568 I think), and was impressed with its accuracy, but thought it was a little thin. Thought maybe the Meridian Front end with mac Power could be a world beater.
I love the Mac Pre and amp with the SF Stradivari's, just looking for new digital. Don't know about Analog Turntable Yet?
...at which point I may get back to being a serious audiophile, though I must admit I am happier with less -
I suspect this is because it doesn't consume you as much. I am far happier when not "worried" about every little tweak and new product, etc. out there. Have a hobby, don't let the hobby have you!
He'll grow to appreciate good music, it seems all youngsters have about a 3 second attention span - the important thing is that he is happy and healthy, everything else will fall into place. I have a 18 month old god son who is just a ball of energy, so I pretty familiar with what your going through :)
Life has been interesting, I sold one of my business about 4 months ago, it had been in the works for around 2 years and I am now "retired" and am enjoying every minute of it. I have a few projects going on up here, but plan to move to a warmer climate with in 2 years at which point I may get back to being a serious audiophile, though I must admit I am happier with less - so who knows.
Wow, you still have the McIntoshes! That says a lot right there! I'd love to hear your system. The Wilsons like being that close together? In any case, looks like a well sorted system to me. Enjoy the music.
