This system has been evolving over the past 5 years, from a cheapo JVC mini system to what you see now.
I've had the Merlin VSM-Ms for about 2 years now and I could not be happier. I'm curious to know what the MM sounds like on top of what is already a fine speaker top to bottom but that will have to wait.
new higher-mass Nordost-wired, mechanical-anti-skate damping oil-fillable tonearm
VPI Industries Scoutmaster
Turntable with outboard 300rpm motor and dual-plinth.
Cary Audio Design 306/200
Top class CD player (bought used)
Supratek Chenin
All-tube linestage and phono stage with the following tubes: Input tubes: 2 Ken-Rad VT-231 NOS tubes (1940s US Navy) Rectifiers: AWV Radiotron 6F6G NOS tubes (1950s Aussie Military) Phono: Siemens Halske 6922 (1969-70)
Merlin Battery BAM
Bass Augmentation Module. This is now between my CD player and preamp as the preamp doesn't have a tape loop.
Joule Electra VZN-80
OTL stereoblock - one of the best matches with Merlin speakers.
Merlin Music Systems VSM millennium
with RF connector thing
Gingko Cloud 11
Turntable isolation platform
Discovery Cables Essence
Using as a phono cable, nice sweet sound and a bargain.
Homegrown Silver Lace
1.0m RCA/RCA
Cardas Golden Reference
1m RCA/RCA
Cardas Golden Reference
1.5m RCA/RCA
Cardas Golden Reference Speaker cables
2m speaker cables
Mapleshade Ultimate Triplepoint Cones
Under the Supratek preamp. Makes a noticeable improvement in imaging and lowers the noisefloor.
Sistrum SP-101
Amp stand
Sistrum SP-004
Am borrowing a pair of these great platforms to put under the Merlins (replacing the stock Z-feet). Under the platforms, to protect the wooden flooring, I'm getting 3 APCD2 Coupling Discs.
Ordered from starsound 06/10/04
Mapleshade Heavyhats
3 brass weights, one's on top of the CD player, the other two are on the Supratek.
Thanks for your constructive comments Spencer. Unfortunately I don't have much scope for improvement in this room unless I shift it all round 90 degrees (I used to have it like that but prefer it this way). Down the side wall is impossible because of fireplace and in left-rear corner there is too much furniture and I'd also need way longer cable$. I used to have the rack about 5 feet down the side wall but I swear this arrangement sounds better -- I used to get too much bass trapped in the empty corner, even with a plant in there. The other side is the open end of the living room so no possibilities there. Between the speakers would interfere with pull-down screen. Maybe I should sell the house and buy a mcmansion in the mid-west...
Hi Nick, Corners are really bad spots for racks, especially turntables because low refrequencies tend to resonate there. This is why one of the most common room treatments is bass traps in the corners to absorb excess low frequency energy. If you slide the rack a few feet forward along the side wall that would help. Even between the speakers next to your amp would be better. Yes, large objects(e.g. TVs) between speakers hamper soundstage, but it might be a worthwhile tradeoff vs the corner. If you play a test CD and read volume via a sound meter, you can easily see how low freq volumes increase in corners. Of course, by how much depends on your room. Cheers, Spencer
System edited: Just added a pair of Shakti Hallograph optimizers which seem to work quite well in my room. I've been playing with the angle to get a nice balance between expanded soundstage and focus.
System edited: I'm a clumsy fool, I broke my Denon 103R but took the opportunity to upgrade to a Shelter 501 mk II ;-) It's still breaking in but shows promise right off the bat.
System edited: Just replaced the thin strand "OTA" cable with a single run Signal Cables Silver Resolution (12 ft). I know these things need to break in but I heard an immediate improvement in bass extension, overall bass tightness and high-end air. I think Frank has a winner here ;-)
It was a while ago when I added the Sistrum. My room is a little boomy (I know, I could probably add room treatments) but when I added the Sistrums the bass boom seemed to reduce and the overall bass was tighter.
System edited: Added a VPI Scoutmaster to this system. Plays like a dream through the Supratek Chenin. Cartridge is a borrowed Denon 103 (so not added to Component list).
System edited: Just replaced the Granite 861 monoblock amps with a Joule Electra VZN-80. Not that the Granites weren't good, in fact I think they are great amps -- very clean and great authority for 30 wpc tube amps. Joule amps are just the business with Merlin speakers and when one comes up at a decent price, well, you have to jump...
System edited: Just added the Supratek preamp. It took 4 months to arrive but already seems like it was easily worth the wait. The Marsh p2000t which it replaces was good in a lot of ways but the Supratek is in anotgher league (and it should be). Not broken in yet but I am expecting great things.
Recently ordered a pair of longish RCA cables from NearSOTA - the Siver Spiral 2m with Copper Eichmanns. While I was waiting Larry sent me 48 ft of copper OTA (minimalist) - nice guy. Turns out the OTA is *very* nice - people say it's better than 47 labs but I've never compared the two myself. Anyway, the Silver Spirals arrived nicely sheathed in black TechFlex and so far, sound amazing. Larry burns them in for 48 hours or so before sending them out so they were nice and "warm" as it were.
I learn that you are using Homegrown Silver Lace cable, I am also very interested in getting some, just wonder what do you think about this Silver cable? What is their sonic performance?
System edited: Just added a pair of Granite 861 monoblocks. Still breaking in the stock JJ KT88 tubes but sounds wonderful so far. Am awaiting a Supratek Chenin, at which point I will stop upgrading for at least a year (a likely story). Ok then, well maybe a small turntable...
