Hey thanks for the comments on my system. You too have a nice system. You and me have the same problem however, and that is with compromised speaker placement. Although I can put them anywhere I want in my room, the will not have enough space to the sides which is a big problem with wide dispertion speakers. I see that you probably have to put your speakers closer to the wall than you desire. Well you can win all the battles and as long as you system sounds good to you, I think that that is about all that can be done

chris_michael February 14, 2007 14:16

System edited: Made a few adjustments on the TT for the better...still waiting for the HR power supply. Overall feeling good. I really should update the pics pretty soon...no longer using the Monster 3500 or the RGPC 400S. I'm actually getting to a great place right now...thinking about sitting still for a while.

chadlesko January 23, 2007 20:38

thank you sir, and the natural color like you have looks better in my opinion.

iglun January 08, 2007 07:59

Hi Iglun

The maple blocks do have oil in them, but it doesn't feel oily whatsoever. Haven't noticed any oil on my components...the wood is that dry. The biggest trouble is if you desire to stain them down the road...I did not do to living in a temperary housing situation...not sure of future wood decor to match. Point being that I imagine I will have to leach out the oil (bleach?) in order to stain. Good Luck!

chadlesko January 07, 2007 10:56

hi, nice setup. great cost-effective idea with the rack. quick question: the mineral oil they use to protect butcher blocks, can it get on the equipment? thanks for the input.

iglun January 04, 2007 12:07

Hi Glenn

You know you had a problem [with power] when weeks later you still smile a few moments after power-up without a buzz!

I suspected that load changing might improve sound quality of the H2. Unfortunately I only have the Slee V and not the Elevator that can be added on for load adjusting. I've been waiting patiently for one to appear used, but to no avail at this point. As soon as one does appear I'll be all over it.

I do have an Origin Live Encounter tone arm on the way though...excited for both the arm, as well as, wire upgrade...check back for my thoughts in a few weeks on how it works with the H2 and the Michell/Graham.

chadlesko December 22, 2006 18:38

Glad to see that you power cleanup oddyssey ended successfully. I noticed your comments on your analog system - does the Slee allow you to tweak loading for the Benz H2? I have found that their "wood" series of cartridges can sound magical if run into their optimal load, but they are finnicky that way.

Best of luck,

-Glenn

sdatch December 21, 2006 07:47

Garry

Thanks for the nice comments...I make sure my friends all find out that I build the rack...it was a fun project. In the next year my wife and I plan on making a residence change and I will consider staining it to match the decor at that point.

The Rogue's are wonderful...I still feel that way after several months (for my budget that is!). They have performed flawless and the Triode/Ultra Linear switch is used often...ie not a gimick, but a truely nice option.

As for the bass?!? I am using a single Spendor Sub 3, but there are two problems. The main issue is that my wife hatched an egg when I brought the first "big ugly box" into the family room. I definitely need a second, but this is clearly as far as I am getting. The second issue is that I've heard a few other systems that have truly seemless bass response throughout...I mean the kind that moves from treble to midbass and serious bass. I haven't been able to get that with the sub!

Thanks for your comments...let me know how your system keeps moving along...sounds like you are active on the speaker front?

Spencer

It's always time for a little Tom Waits...I was glad you were there to give me acceptance. At the other meet it was all Jazz and Classical. I actually left my copy of Matisyahu in the car out of fear! I was quite pleased you threw your copy in!

Your system is outrightly outrageous! I especially like your homebrew rack...mine is not quite up to par, but it looks like we both had similar ideas! Everything else you have is overwhelming! Hope to get a chance get together sometime for a listen. You are always welcome here....

Check for my post on your system...I have a few questions there.

Thanks
Chad

chadlesko December 18, 2006 21:28

Hi Chad,
Nice system. Interesting story re: grounding. That stuff is tough to figure out sometimes.
Enjoyed hearing your Tom Waits selections on Saturday. Cheers,

Spencer

sbank December 18, 2006 06:30

Hi Chad,

Very nice set-up you've got there - especially tasty is the multi-level rack.

Just heard the Rogue M-150's and you've nailed them perfectly. At the local Zu dealer auditioning the Tones, he was playing them through a very nice Melody tube amp and I asked that he switch to the Rogue's assuming them to be SS (looking head on from the front fascia). When I first heard the amps, the power reserves and soundstage seemed endless with extremely tight bass. It was amazing to find out they were tube amps when checking them out close up. I was intent on upgrading my Living Room system with either Bel Canto's or NuForce - then I heard these . . . ah, decisions, decisions.

Lord willing , they'll be mine someday - maybe in the second system.

You pointed out that you felt your system a little lacking in the bass - have you considered getting a sub (or two)?? With a REL or Velo that would give you the nice, tight bass you feel that's missing.

Anyway, enjoy your system and have a Merry Christmas.

Cheers,
Garry

garryh December 17, 2006 22:06

System edited: A lot of power changes recently. I had a horrible buzz coming from my speakers and I was busy as a bee trying to solve it. Being relatively new to tube amps I wasn't sure if the buzz was typical until I had an opportunity to hear another A-goner's tube system. At that point I became obsessed with getting the stable image that comes with proper electrics. I first bought the RGPC 400s for the Rogue amps...it did a really nice job of knocking the noise down my 75%. But there was still a buzz...I then happended to bring in the Symphony Quantum Pro by pure chance and it really didn't do much for my system, and nothing for the noise. Finally a fellow Audiophile suggested that I only ground my preamp and allow the system to be grounded through innerconnects. Silly me...I already use the PS Audio power cords with removable ground pins. So, off came the pins on both amps and the CD player...viola...problem solved...jet black backgounds and pure musical enjoyment! I haven't taken out the RGPC 400 because it has a slow blow fuse to protect against electrical surge now that the ground pins are out of the amps...and my CD player is on a power strip. In any event, give it a go if you are daring enough...one month later I am still musically statisfied!

chadlesko December 17, 2006 21:08

System edited: Added a Richargd Grey 400s to my system...I think it is a generation old. Currently running the Rogue mono blocks...might experiment with moving it around, but it cut the background noise the amps were producing my 75%!!! This change has allowed a much more musical presentation to come forth. Gone is the fatiguing constant frequency that was present prior. I'm trying to make sure that the frequency extremes aren't limited in any way. The jury is deliberating. Instantly I notice that small details are more audible, making a more cohesive and bigger soundstage. I've also gained a little stage depth...which was rather good prior due to pre amp. I'll update again soon as I have a symphony pro on the way from Quantum as well.

chadlesko November 10, 2006 16:07

System edited: added some new pics...there are some significant compromises in speaker placement (they sound great about two more feet forward and the couch roughly 3 feet forward from the back wall)...but my wife doesn't think it looks good to be sitting on top of the speakers?!? i'm still confused by her greak language. not sure if the amps are adversly effected by the speaker port in the rear, but it was yet another compromise. all together it is a nice arrangement that i can live with. my one wish is to regain the soundstage the speakers are capable of, especially when paired with the CJ preamp. but that will wait for another house. i think i am finally settled with all but my power issues...looking to replace the Monster power unit with an undetermined brand. suprisingly i have had great success by just changing power cords. now i'm waiting to see what is possible with a high end conditioner.

chadlesko November 02, 2006 20:24

i haven't had the chance to hear the slam version yet...it's been a busy summer and i will hopefully get to another head-fi meet in the fall/winter. perhaps someone there will have the slam version for a side by side comparison. for now i am extatic with the singlepower amp. it represents a significant increase in performance over my former musical fidelity x-can v3. i really don't have an upgrade itch in this area...which is a good thing!

chadlesko September 04, 2006 15:14

Have you considered upgrading your Singlepower PPX3 to the SLAM version?

mre2007 August 24, 2006 19:14

System edited: just finished my new rack...used custom cut maple butcher blocks, 3/4-16 threaded rod, neoprene washers, bolts and acorn nuts to cap off the rods. i studied several racks here in the virtual systems and chose a design i thought i could pull off...you can be the judge...total cost $250...now that's my definition of sucess in this hobby. i've been spending considerable time (enjoyable time at that) tweaking in my vinyl system. the gramm slee V is now run in properly and i have finished watching michael fremer's new setup dvd. the end result is that i confirmed a few setings and ended up with far less vtf than is recommended by the manufacturer and the results are fantastic. my vinyl rig is now mining out the detail i had been missing! i also settled on using Nordost Red Dawn over the Audience 24AU for the connection between the gramm slee and my cj preamp. now if i can just get that Michell HR power supply for a little more PRAT i will be satisfied. i have also concluded that the said audience wire is superior to the Red Dawn when connected from the cdp to the preamp. it is slightly less detailed but brings a fraction more musicality to cd listening...this finding came about over a very long period of time, and was not an overnight decision. in the end, with the audience cable in i would sometimes look up from my computer and start tapping my foot to the music because it grabed me that much more...this did not happen with the more anylitical nordost...the opposite being true in my analog system. next up is a TV stand...

chadlesko July 29, 2006 14:40

My dealer had the Blackbird on the shortlist and I would love to hear how it compares with my Benz Glider. I really love my audience interconnects on my CDP. Good luck.

maineiac July 26, 2006 16:08

Hey Maineiac...feels like it's been a while. I moved recently and threw up some crude photos...I finally finished my rack and I really should take some more appealing shots...oh well! I'm really enjoying the phono system. I'm not sure that I am mining out all the detail that is in the grooves, but the Gramm pre seems to be openning up a little, so I will hold off my judgement for now. I think my only mistake is that I could use a little more detailed of a cartridge with this particular system...I wish to try the Sumiko Blackbird, but I am sitting still for now...A/V furniture is actually hitting the top of my list. The Rogue's are GREAT! I can't recommend them enough...they are the closest to SS slam that I have heard, and still maintain that realism. Some have said that they are too close to SS, but in the end that is what I was after (it took 3 amps to figure it out). No one could escape my house with them!!! I'll post some more thoughts on the overall system soon...the only changes have been wiring...recently sampling Audience 24AU innerconects.

chadlesko July 25, 2006 21:02

Hi Chad, wow, you are not sitting idle with your system!! I am anxious to hear your thoughts on the phono, I also have a HO MC and would like to find something that works well (not too much gain). I am glad to know that you like the Rogues, as much punch as the MF?

maineiac July 11, 2006 06:46

System edited: Just moved into new listening room...the room was horrible until i completely divated from the speakers previous setup...this room wants the speakers wide and close to the wall. Many changes...Rogue 150's are the perfect amp for my taste...they have a solid state bass response and the liquidity of tubes...i also love how the amps can flip from triode to ultra linear on the fly! Also added the Graham Slee V phono stage...pretty nice...still breaking in so I will hold my judgements till later on...it came down between this one and the Accoustech PH1 (not SE version). I'll repost when things get settled in, and or my new homebrew rack is finished (in a few weeks).

chadlesko July 04, 2006 16:43

Awesome system title. The spinning inertia weights of the Michell table certain conjure up images of a hamster wheel. Or perhaps that comment was directed more at the merry-go-round associated with audiophilia nervosa?

I have to agree with you on the tubes. moving up to tube (especially if that gear is better than ones prior gear) does involve the trade-off you mentioned. More realism (more transparency, veils lifted, etc) but less hi-fi traits (extension at frequency extremes, bass slam, etc). For my priorities and tastes that is a trade-off worth making.

aroc June 04, 2006 21:14

System edited: Just updated my amp and pre amp to CJ tubes...overall a more realistic presentation of music...but I will miss that MF A5 and its precision and authority.

chadlesko May 17, 2006 16:30

System edited: Added the Michell table...really nice adjustment. I will write more when the Benz H2 cartridge arrives.

chadlesko March 29, 2006 17:25

Hi Chad,

Can you do me a favor and invert the polarity (swap + and -) of your speaker cables? I found that doing so on my system (I actually have 2 phase inversions, one for the pre, one for the speakers, so I'm back to "normal") actually seemed to make the speakers sound better. Let me know what you find or if you hear a difference.

BTW, I think the Spendor S8e's sound great with C-J gear. From my very limited experience, I found the MF gear lacking in soundstaging ability, and these speakers seem to be soundstaging champs. With Harmonic Tech cables, the soundstaging is precise, bass is tight, overall sound is clear, full, and sweet-- not fatiguing at all!

gene888 January 26, 2006 06:47

Be sure to post some pictures of your new A5 CDP when you get it. Glad you happened to enjoy it so much.

Cheers.

sugarmedia December 14, 2005 11:19