Description

I am just about done for now in terms of the main components. I'm focused now primarily on squeezing more out of what I have

Any comments are welcome.
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Components Toggle details

    • VPI Industries Aries 3
    belt, 33, 45, no arm, 60 lbs
    • VPI Industries JMW-10.5i tonearm
    The new JMW 10.5i Memorial Tonearm begins where the JMW 10 and 10.5 leave off. By going to a dual mounting design we have made a tonearm that is clean, fast, and powerful, but also very easy to adjust for the best results from any cartridge.
    • VPI Industries JMW-10.5i armwand
    Extra armtube
    • Lyra Skala
    Lyra Skala
    • Lyra Helikon Mono
    MC, .25mV
    • Kinetic Systems Vibraplane 2210 Passive Air
    Vibration-free platform originally designed to enhance the performance of electron microscopes.
    • Pass Xono XP-15 Stage
    Phono stage
    • Mytek Stereo 192
    DSD DAC
    • Spectral DMC-30S
    remote control preamplifier
    • MIT Magnum M2.3
    interconnect
    • Spectral DMA-150 s2
    Wide bandwidth, extremely fast, high resolution amplifier
    • MIT Oracle V3 bi-wire
    Ultra-wide bandwidth, 8ft bi-wire
    • Aerial Acoustics Model-10T
    pr, 10.5in woof, 3way, 220 lbs
    • Quantum QBASE QB8
    AC power distribution
    • Quantum QX4
    Power conditioner
    • Nordost Brahma
    power cord
    • Stillpoints Ultra
    Resonance control

Comments 29

What do you think of the Vibraplane (before and after)?

robforst1

Owner
Ultras made the most difference under my speakers by far. My amp was second.

I have yet to address my Quantum QBase power strip, but I expect to big things there as the Stillpoints cones that are under it now helped a lot.

I should point out that I already had the now defunct cones under everything before starting to introduce Ultras. Once everything is floated on Stillpoints, the effect is much greater.

kennyb

Kennyb, I am interested to hear your thoughts on which component benefited most/least from the Stillpoints. I tried some Ultras and Minis in my system and found them to make the most difference under my PS Audio P3 AC regenerator. This was before I started to treat my room so I think now I would be able to better hear changes in my system. I am going to revisit the Ultras soon.

tboooe

Owner
System edited: Stillpoints Ultras now under everything ... Huge upgrade

kennyb

Owner
System edited: Swapped a Pass XP-15 phono stage for an Xono. Huge upgrade.

kennyb

Owner
System edited: I replace my Minerva DAC with a Mytek DAC. Big upgrade.

kennyb

Owner
System edited: Added current photos

kennyb

Great system! Are you happy with the Lyra Xono synergy? I have a VPI and Xono and I am interested in the Lyras.

tzh21y

Owner
System edited: The Quantum products are amazing. After inserting the QX4, my system took a huge leap forward in terms of being able to create the sense that real musicians are performing right in front of me.

kennyb

Owner
System edited: A Lyra Skala replaced my Lyra Helikon

kennyb

Owner
System edited: I just added a music server based on an Apple TV and a Theta DAC. The sound exceeded my expectations for sure.

kennyb

Owner
System edited: I updated my system to reflect a recent turntable & tonearm upgrade -- from the Aries 1 to an Aries 3 and from the JMW 10.5 to JMW 10.5i. The upgrade was a HUGE. One of the most significant upgrades I've ever made.

kennyb

Very nice system. I just recently switched from XLO 3A
phono cables to the Discovery Essence cables and thought
the Essence a huge jump.

Is there a real difference going from the Lyra Helikon
to the Helikon mono? I've got a Benz Ruby for stereo
and a Helikon mono. The mono is great but I thought
part of the reason I like it so much is that it has
more weight than the Benz.

Regards, Randy

norfish

Beautiful system, Ken! Matched by your musical good taste. Thank you for hosting me this afternoon. It was a treat...

skushino

Owner
System edited: Updated my photos

kennyb

Whaddya think about those MIT cables?

thesaint519

Owner
System edited: Had to downsize my system due to financial difficulties. Dropped my PS Audio 600 and a modified Sony 222ES SADC. I'm still quite pleased with the system.

kennyb

I concur with your fondness of the Discovery Essence interconnect. I replaced my Transparent Audio Reference MC Phono ($1295) for the Essence about 6 months ago and was was amazed at the improvement. I also have a VPI 10.5 arm with a Helikon cartridge (on a VPI HW-19 mk IV w/SAMA & SDS). I've heard that the VPI arms are internally wired with Discovery cable, maybe this explains the synergistic sound. Very nice system.

Regards,
John

jmcgrogan2

how about the new aerial 9's??

worldcat

Owner
System edited: Replaced phono cables. Switched from $1999 MIT Magnum phono to $850 Discovery Essence. The Essence was a HUGE improvement over the MIT.

kennyb

Owner
System edited: Changed phono stages. Moved from a Sonic Frontiers Phono 1 to Pass Xono.

kennyb

Owner
System edited: Picture updated.

kennyb

Owner
System edited: I added an SACD player.

kennyb

Owner
System edited: I just swapped out phono cables. I was using Acoustic Zen Silver reference. I replaced it with MIT's new Magnum phono cable.

kennyb

I like Spectral gear, and I have heard it mated with the Synergistic Reasearch cables (very nice) running Vanderstein 5's. I was envious of this setup.

KF

tok20000

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