Music Lover

by edgejazz on Budget Minded

Description

System Mumbles: Digital front end consists of a CDP and a network music server hooked up to digital separates - a reclocker and jitter suppressor feeding an outboard D/A Converter then to an impedance buffer, delivering signals to an integrated tube amp (fall/winter) or a classic SS power amp (spring/summer), finally driving a pair of legendary floorstanders.

44.1/16 remains viable when implemented thru digital separates.

After 32 years (1978) I returned to vinyl and resurrected my records.

Musical experience through this modest setup continues to be unbelievably rewarding, old recordings sound fabulous once again, digital playback is engaging, and the system is mysteriously more resolving, Praise the Lord! Music reproduction is superb for acoustic music - jazz, vocal jazz, folk, and classical.

Overall, I'm confident it passes the around-the-corner test.

Read more...

Components Toggle details

    • Concept 2QD
    Circa 1979, virtually unknown. Direct-drive, quartz crystal oscillator servo system, rose wood grained vinyl veneer. Ultra low-mass carbon fiber tonearm modeled after the coveted Black Widow. Made in Japan. One of the rarest vintage tables.
    • Cambridge Audio 540C V2
    Single Disc Player equipped with Wolfson WM8740 DAC.
    • Cambridge Audio DacMagic
    Dual Wolfson WM8740 24-bit DAC.
    • Sonos System ZP90 Player
    Connected to my home network and fed through the Monarchy DIP, GF B-283 tube buffer and DAC, pulls lossless content from a NAS, delivering signals to the amplifier, controlled thru Sonos app in iPad ...what a lovely experience.
    • Monarchy Audio DIP Classic
    Clock jitter suppression, signal conditioning equipment.
    • Grant Fidelity B-283 Mk II
    Tube processor, impedance matching device, 2x6SN7.
    • Consonance M100SE
    Circa 2000. My fall/winter amplifer. 45W in PP and UL configuration. Opera Audio centered its philosophy on highly over-specified massive output transformer and entirely hand-wound in-house. Transformers are in fact output transformers with a non-symmetry configuration. Power pentodes like the KT88, 6550, 6CA7, KT77 and EL34, are configured to function and sound like single-ended triodes with the advantage of considerably increased output.
    • Rotel RC-960BX
    Circa 1995.
    • Rotel RB-991
    Circa 1999. My spring and summer amplifier. 300WPC into 4-Ohms. Dual-differential input with constant-current source that feeds a Class-A voltage-amplifier stage then into a triple Darlington output section. Drives the KEF 104/2 with commanding grip and authority.
    • KEF Reference Series Model 104/2
    Circa 1988. Advance MTM design. Natural glorious midrange, extended highs with shimmer and sparkle; tight, controlled, and tuneful bottom end. Solid and heavy, real veneer wood. A true cult classic.

Comments 13

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Wow, great system. Very inviting. Congratulations.

rob_c

Owner

Thanks, Tune_man. Yes, that's an AT-440MLA cart.

edgejazz

Nice system. Very nice Rack indeed. Really like the Turntable. I have never seen one of those before. Is that an Audio Technica AT-440MLA Phono Cartridge installed on it?

tune_man

Thanks, some good looking racks there - love the Canadian content - my home country!

audiowoman

Owner
Thanks, Cathy. The rack is made by Sonax, a Canadian company. Check it out, not sure if their market covers entire North America. Checkout cymax.com too, they're an online storefront representing hundreds of specialty stores. Hope this helps.

edgejazz

Great looking setup! Great to see it so neatly done.
What kind of rack unit is that? Very cool looking. I have a small Target stand and it is very dated, would love something like yours with three shelves.
Cathy

audiowoman

Thanks for your kind words about my system. Your system is nicely designed, and I recognize a fellow neat freak when I see one! :) Well done.

bryoncunningham

Owner
Thanks, Jaxwired. I was looking at your system the other day and really admired your setup very much, equipment-wise and aesthetically...thanks for writing on my wall. Thanks too for the heads up on the panels with artwork, love it! Am goin' shopping...

edgejazz

Owner
Mjcmt, if you meant the 540v2's digital out thru the DacMagic vs straight away analogue connection, well if there were two sonic descriptions to pick I would say improved definition and wider dymanic range.

edgejazz

Dude, love it! A man after my own heart. Super neat and clean. And I do believe I spot a ikea poang chair. That's my listening chair as well, LOL.

jaxwired

What improvement have you noticed with the analogue out of your 540v2 vs. thru your DacMagic?

mjcmt

Owner
Thanks, Manito.
Yes, no analog digital only, though I enjoyed the Lenco L75 in the 70's. I haven't tried HiFi Tuning fuses but have long planned on it, just never got to do it, perhaps soon. But I'm positive you'll like the A-9555 as it is, very musical.

edgejazz

Very nice setup.No analog?
I just recently picked up the the A-9555 myself. It hasn't burned-in completely yet but never-the-less sounds fantastic.
I read that changing the fuse on the Onkyo to a HiFi-Tuning fuse makes a noticeable improvement. Have done any mods to yours?

manito

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