Description

The Perpetual Technologies units took virtually all the edge off of the "digital" sound -- they are paired with the custom built Dan Wright power supply. The strengths of the system are in a wonderful recreation of the live feeling, especially with jazz, blues and most adult rock -- they sound very good at low volumes but it can sound like the musicians are there if the db's are kicked up a notch. The sound is superb off axis. The interconnects and speaker cables were chosen over time to provide the smoothest and most realistic bass and top end detail. They do quite well but I will explore alternatives to the cables and digital front end next year.

CD's like Brubeck's "Take Five" are simply phenomenal in bass, cymbols and everything in between. The system has a tall, wide soundstage and conveys delicate passages and dense passages equally well.

Again, the impact of the music is felt well outside the sweet spot and this is where we spend 90% of our listening time.
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Components Toggle details

    • California Audio Labs CL-10
    5 disc
    • Perpetual Technologies P-1a, P-3a, Power supply
    24 bit, 96khz, with Dan Wright modifications to the P-3a and a Dan Wright custom power supply. Allows for speaker & room correction.
    • Sierra (Borbely) K2
    This is Erno Borbely's EB-100/180 fully differential FET design. Very low output impedence (under 50 ohms) with remote volume control.
    • Sierra Denali
    Pair of power amps. Each: 2,200 ohm input impedence, 2,260 VA transformer, no global feedback, JFET input, MOSFET output, 600 W @ 8 ohms, 1,200 W @ 4 ohms, 72 wpc Class A into 8 ohms, 115 lbs.
    • Montana WAS
    Each: 2 15
    • MIT Oracle V2 EX
    10 ft. Also using 16
    • Stealth Varidig AES/EBU Digital 1.5 m
    This made a huge difference
    • DH Labs Silver Pulse
    1M between DAC and Preamp. Silver plated oxygen free copper, RCA.
    • Sound Quest Pro Series Zero Point Reference
    6m PC-OCC XLR. Soundquest connectors (very good) with Phoenix Gold pro series cable. Excellent value since purchase price is much lower than retail.
    • Revelation Audio Lab Prophecy I2S Perpetual Alchemy
    0.5m with I squared S connectors. Used between the P-1a and P-3a. Impressive improvement over prior I2S cables.
    • Acoustic Research The AR tbl
    Mahogany base with dustcover. Manufactured in June, 1984. Very low hours.
    • Linn Basik Plus
    Linn Basik Plus with ADCOM Hexacoil cartridge
    • BMI Eel
    5 ft 20 amps -- for each power amp
    • Stealth HAC
    6 ft for the preamp
    • Ernest Meunier 83802
    8 ft for the CD player.
    • Exact Power 2000
    Reproduces 120v @ 60 cps. Plug all of my digital equipment into this.
    • Marantz ST-46
    Basic tuner.
    • Power Outlets Misc
    Use WATTaGate 381, First Impressions Music and Purist Audio Design (cryo) at the end of five dedicated 20a lines (10 gauge)
    • Stillpoints Universal Resonance Dampers
    Ball bearing on ball bearings. With base. Use under CD player and preamp.

Comments 17

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The Sierra Audio K-2 preamp with remote is not $2,495 (unless you're talking used)...more like 4,995 (list)...but well worth the price...especially when paired with the Denali or Olympia amps.

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