Feed the Passion, Live the Dream

by wardsweb on Ever EvolvingClearaudio Champion6H30845EARAuralicPS AudioBenz MicroSmeDIY

Description

After years of tweaking and rolling gear through to find the perfect synergy, I have gone backwards to a simpler system. Vinyl and a digital server give me what I want. The tubes with horns are sublime to my ears. I listen more these days and have stopped the changes.
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Components Toggle details

    • DIY 6H30 Class A Linestage
    DIY tube rectified 6H30 class A linestage.
    • Antique Sound Labs AQ-1006
    ASL AQ1006 845MKII
    • Clearaudio Champion II
    Clearaudio Champion II table
    SME 309 arm
    Benz Micro Glider cart
    • EAR 834P
    Phono preamp
    • Auralic Altair
    Music server : DAC - PCM/DSD
    • P S Audio Quintessence
    Power Center
    • DIY Wardsweb speakers
    Baltic birch & MDF with sapele pommele veneer. JBL 2235H woofer, Altec 802-8G driver on a 511B horn and JBL 077 tweeter.
    • Dual Connect DC-S200
    Gold plated solid silver wires in a dual configuration (“Dual Connect”) within a thin tubing of PTFE.

Comments 64

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Ward, even though you have scaled down the scope of your system, it's good to hear you're listening to, and enjoying listening more to your music and system.

I recently had a Chinese Audio Renaissance 845 amp re-capped and otherwise gone through, and I've been very pleasantly pleased with how it makes my Tannoy HPD's sound. Even though it's a very inexpensive amp, it's very quiet, and myself and my Tannoys really enjoy it. 

Your Antique Sound Labs AQ-1006 mono-blocs, I would think, are a great match for your custom built horns, still beautiful after all these years.

Best regards,
Dan 

islandmandan

Owner
2020 and I have dialed my system back. I moved the SACD to another system and gave all my reel to reel stuff and the Maplenoll away. Now there is more listening and less playing with gear.

wardsweb

Owner
My how time flies. Last time it was a year, this time it's been two years since I posted on my system. A couple changes: Auralic Altair and EAR 834P. Still loving the hobby and working on my system in the Sun room.

wardsweb

Owner
It has been over a year since I last updated this thread. So, I have uploaded some new pictures of the gear and system, as it sits today.

wardsweb

I used a Sonic Euphoria PLC for many years, until an amp I bought needed a few more db's of input. It was then I built the Transcendent Sound Grounded Grid, whose sound has been sufficient to please me, with better caps, tubes, and Goldpoint attenuator.

The SE PLC is so transparent, I'm sure you'll be very satisfied with it in place of the McIntosh.

Regards,
Dan

islandmandan

Owner
Thanks Dan. Audio is a passion that I really enjoy on many levels. My next change will be the preamp. The Mac is over kill for the 845's. I have a Sonic Euphoria PLC that I'm going to roll in the system.

wardsweb

Ward, I've long admired your system, and the many projects you have completed over the years (as seen on DIY forums and websites).

You have hit on a system that must sound phenomenal, yet without spending a ludicrous sum of money.

Well done, Ward, enjoy.

Regards,
Dan

islandmandan

Owner
System edited: Added the latest picture of my system. The Antique Sound Labs 845MKII mono blocks are the newest addition.

wardsweb

Owner
Schubert - My floor is hardwood glued over a concrete slab, so it transfers a lot of energy. With the speakers so close I wanted to make sure none of the vibration made it to my turntable. It works like a champ and my table is dead quiet.

wardsweb

Such a pretty system, must sound great 1
Do you find the BL 304 stand improved sound ?

schubert

I know it has been said before but great job on the speakers!

jp1208

Owner
System edited: Added my reel to reel collection picture. Revox C270,Teac X-2000M, Teac X-1000R, Teac X-10R, Teac A4010SL, and the Tascam BR-20 in back.

wardsweb

Owner
Thanks Glenfihi, Sound is always first and foremost but esthetics are important too because our living room is built around this system.

A reel to reel with good source material, like The Tape Project, is really awesome. The magic of analog without any noise.

wardsweb

Way to go with the addition of the R2R. You really have a eye candy fun to listen to system. Very cool.

glenfihi

Owner
System edited: Description changed to better describe the system now.

wardsweb

Owner
System edited: Updated system picture. Now includes Music Fidelity M1DAC and a tube VU meter.

wardsweb

Owner
System edited: Tascam BR-20 latest addition to the system

wardsweb

Wardsweb
Very nice looking setup. However, I'm not sure if you face any acoutistic issues?
I'm currently working with an acoustic engineer to get my room acoustic fix!
Cheers

primare_cd31

Owner
System edited: Rolled the C-36 pre back in and added a PC based music server controled by an iPad.

wardsweb

Wow, Wardsweb. That CJ is a nice looking peice.
Were you running CDP to the SP-80 directly before? Sounded nice before, sure it sounds even better now.
Enjoy!

sebrof

Owner
System edited: Conrad Johnson 16LS has added the warmth I was looking for.

wardsweb

Owner
System edited: New picture featuring Steely Dan Aja on canvas.

wardsweb

Owner
System edited: Time for an update. The McIntosh C36 and Tecel phono have now been replaced with an SST Ambrosia preamp. It is a very detailed and clean pre with no color added to the music.

wardsweb

Your speakers are making me drool. Looking at them, I can imagine how big and free and open they sound. Congrats on a beautiful job; they are just beautiful.

roxy54

Owner
Here are some bigger close up pics of the speakers:

http://wardsweb.org/audio/Widgets/DIY3way.jpg

http://wardsweb.org/audio/Widgets/DIY3wayback.jpg

Thanks everyone - I am proud of these.

wardsweb

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