After 11+ years in this hobby (6 of which were fun, while the other 5 were completely obsessive)I have finally settled down. It has taken me 8 integrated amps, 8 amps, 4 pre-amps, 6 CD players, 3 analog rigs, and 8 pairs of speakers to settle on what I have now.
Am I happy? Yes.
I think everybody in this hobby should be a music lover first and a gear fanatic second. I think that is mostly the case, but I've run into a few exceptions and it still baffles me whenever I encounter it. My goal now is to listen to the music first, and the system second.
In order to hear the music though I require that a system have little to no noise. That is my first requirement. I had a bad experience with Joule Electra OTL gear being noisy (a problem that never was resolved by the manufacturer) and it has forever soured me on any sort of noise in a system.
The second thing that a system must do for me is be accurate in how the controls work. I am a stickler for volume controls being transparent and attenuating the signal evenly in both channels across the volume spectrum. I had a high end Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista integrated amp sour me on the proliferation of inferior volume pots. It had a slight channel imbalance at low volumes, but the deviation was within the manufacturer's "spec", so they would not fix it.
Kudos to Ayre, Tom Evans, and other manufacturers that do not act like cheapskates when it comes to volume controls. Companies like yours will always have my business (when I buy solid-state gear).
The next thing I like to have is coherant sounding speakers from top to bottom. I choose electrostats and planars over dynamic drivers because even though I love the kick and presence of dynamic drivers, planars and electrostats sound more "real" to me. If I listen long and hard enough to a dynamic driver speaker (especially to speakers that are not monitors), I start to easily pick up on the integration points or defeciencies in the drivers themselves. However, to be fair, I love monitor speakers. Its just that my room is a bit too big for them.
Finally, my source has to play with rhythm and pace above all else. I hate CD players that have technical issues (or sound too clinical, veiled, or mechanical). As far as analog rigs go, after switching to the Garrard, I am in no hurry to go back to a belt-driven turntable.
I have not owned enough cartridges to comment on what my requirements are yet. I suppose the first requirement be that they match well with my phono-preamp, so I'll just leave it at that.
So thats about it.....oh wait, what about the music? I listen mainly to rock (classic rock, metal, glam, punk, new wave, etc) but I also listen to folk, jazz, country, bluegrass, and blues too. My new love is classical and I have been listening to it for the last few years, but I am still a n00b. There is so much to learn in that genre.
Happy listening and if you have comments about my system, I would love to hear them.
The single best source component I have ever owned. Devilishly clever British engineering from the old days, mated with a plinth from one of the best.
Tri-Planar Mk. VII (Ultimate II)
You just gotta love how adjustable this thing is and how it was invented by a guy from the US Naval Measurements Division (RIP Herb Papier). After 7 years of building to Herb's sanctioned specs, this is Tri Mai's latest version, incorporating his own ideas. Incidentally, this arm in particular has also been cryo'd.
Dynaco ST-70
This is in my top 3 best amps for the original Quad ESL (Quad 57's). It is also the cheapest. I've bought, sold, and re-bought an ST-70 a few times. They're like that loyal old dog that wont leave you alone. You just gotta love 'em. :)
Quad ESL
The best speaker ever designed? Yes, I think so. Are they a speaker for all things? No. However, they do rock and they are perfect for my room.
EAR 834P
I love this phono pre-amp. There are probably better ones out there, but this one is mine, and we treat each other quite nicely. I even had its power knob chromed (I dont think there is another one like it).
Lyra Helikon SL
Lower output version of this classic cartridge. Designed as a regular Helikon with a single layer (SL) of windings. The single layer winding spec means lower internal impedance and lower output.
Naim NAC A5
This is the latest iterations of the long-standing NACA series of Naim speaker cable. On Naim's website they call it 'NAC A5'. Most people just call it either NACA5 or NACA 5. The best speaker cable for the money, IMHO.
Very interesting news on what can be done with the Zu 103. Thanks for the tips, guys. Maybe I'll hold off from putting my Zu 103 on the 'gon, and instead save my pennies for the upgrade.
@Spiritofmusic - definitely in the 'ear of the beholder'. The only other Lyras I've heard were the entry-level ones, and I liked what I was hearing (though I must admit, it was an overall system - so I cant solely credit the cartridge), so I went with the Helikon SL based on reputation, the SL version's low output, and my pedestrian understanding of the Lyra "house sound" as I heard it. I like your faith in pushing the Zu 103 even further, so I'm taking your suggestion seriously.
@Islandmandan - No Austin for me (I'm still recovering from living in a cooler-than-thou city for 18 years). I peeled back the layers of my latent vintage / retro fetish tendencies, applied them to my straight-wire divining rod with gain, and selected America's most underrated diamond-in-the-rough city: Pittsburgh, Pa!
Absolutely loving this city. Great people, huge level of civic pride, no lines, no crowds, and very cheap. Leading the charge in the rustbelt recovery, this is not your Grandfather's Pittsburgh. Get here while there is still time. Bring your Garrard 401 too. :)
BTW - I'm playing with the idea of ditching the EVS Ultimate Attenuators for a while and playing with an LDR passive.
Currently hunting for the following:
* Goertz speaker wires for Quad ESL / Dynaco match (new or used) w/ banana plugs
* a used RixRax stand
* a used Benz Lukaschek (I doubt it will beat the EAR 834p, but I still want to hear this little guy it in my system)
Fascinating 'Clam. Other than the Parnassus (which I loved), I've never got on with Lyras, the Skala and Helikon I find too strident in the higher frequencies. I've switched to an ESCCo modded Zu 103, and my Lyra experiences are now consigned to experience. The ear of the beholder, eh?
So, how do you like Austin? Lot of music venues there, and Hi-Fi shops too, I would imagine.
I'm glad to hear you've settled in, and got the system back in action. As for me, I'm in awe of what my Zu 103R did for me after checking set-up, and getting VTA just right. It tops anything I've heard before with the Garrard 401 and Dyna 501. I better add that I upgraded the power supply in the Modwright SWP 9.0 SE Signature phono stage as well (it's been in for about six weeks).
I played Reference Recording's The Hot Club of San Francisco, which I just got. What a recording!
Even better news, I just learned about a Paratrace cantilever/Sapphire stylus upgrade from Expert Stylus Company, in the UK, that for $400, takes the Zu 103R to another level entirely.
If I have it done, I'll let you know how I get on with it. I'm hoping it might stop me from lusting after a Lyra Atlas, Dyna XV-1S, Ortophon MA-90, and several other carts I can't afford.
@IslandManDan - I am settled in my new city and the system is set up and running strong. I have given up on selling my Garrard 301. That was likely a moment of weakness. I have a fantasy of getting one of the new Well Tempered tables and having some cash in my pocket...but I'll also admit to having the fantasy of owning a 30 series SME. :)
The Helikon SL really is amazing. I've been exclusively using it in my system. I love the detail that it offers over the Zu Denon DL-103r (which sounds a bit sluggish in comparison). Dont get me wrong, I respect that cartridge to no end, but it is handily beaten by the Helikon (as it should, given the Helikon's price).
So, back to the subject of my journey...
In my extensive listening sessions, I've really played with the "direct connection" concept. Dangerously running my EAR 834p directly into my Dynaco ST-70 with no mute or volume control. This is of course all predicated on the EAR 834p being on its MM setting in order to have much lower gain (thus, making this experiment even possible). The transparency is something that nobody can touch. Seriously. It is untouchable. BUT....
The midrange has gotten a bit leaner. It took me a while to positively conclude this (probably because the transparency is so beguiling - one is so smitten, they dont immediately hear the flaw happening). This loss of some of the midrange does not make sense to me, seeing as how I've done nothing to get in the way of the signal (indeed, I have only REMOVED obstacles).
The only thing that I can think of taking responsibility for this slight blow to the midrange is that the loading on the cartridge is seen differently when the EAR 834p is set to MM mode. I've been thinking about buying some Y-plugs that allow me to play with loading in order to test my theory (as the EAR 834p does not have any settings to adjust loading).
I've read some Jonathan Carr (designer of Lyra cartridges) comments here on Audiogon about loading the Helikon, and what I inferred from his posts is that loading does not change much at all with the sound of the cartridge itself, but rather, it instead changes the phono pre-amp's sound.
So these days I'm using EVS Ultimate Attenuators at the inputs of the Dynaco ST-70 (and the MC setting on the EAR 834p)in order to get back some midrange, even if it comes at the expense of transparency by adding a few resistors in the signal path. Having volume control is nice too, haha.
The "direct connection" has been achieved (an easy quest when you're using a CD player with its own analog domain volume controls running directly into the amp, but much harder when doing it with a full analog rig); yet, there is still more tweaking to be done in order to get it right.
I've got a few ideas. If I continue to stick with tubes, I need to have amps with a very low voltage gain (the Dynaco ST-70 and Quicksilver Horn Mono amps are the best tube amps for my Quads with a voltage gain of around 15). If I decide to go back to playing with solid-scrape, I like what Nelson Pass is doing with his Pass Labs integrated amp designs (limited gain stages, and merely a buffer in the pre-amp stage).
Last but not least, I'm going to be getting out of my Naim NACA 5 cable, and hunting for high-capacitance speaker cable that may work even better with my Quads (probably Goertz), but then again, that kind of cable has its own conditions that it casts on amps, so I've got to be mindful there too.
Lots of delicate decisions to consider. One thing is for certain: I'm soooo grateful that I've cancelled my subscriptions to the magazines and accepted that 90% of the reviewers and other audiophiles (that share their opinions in forums) have no idea what the hell they're talking about. Too bad it cost me untold amounts of dollars to have the kind of audiophile education I have today. :(
At least I have had fun listening to music though while on this journey. So I've got that going for me. Heh.
I guess you got settled in in your new town, and got your system up and running. Have you given up on selling your 301? Glad you got a nice cart, wish I could afford something like the Helikon, but I'll just have to suffer along with the Zu 103R and Dyna XX2MKII.
System edited: Switched out the Zu Denon DL-103r (grade 1) that I had been using for a number of years. Replaced it with a Lyra Helikon SL. The difference is astounding. Of course I used the swap as an excuse to fine tune setup of my arm that much more using the Fieckert protractor, a stylus gauge, a little bit of eyeballing, and a fair amount of listening. This is my first Lyra cartridge, and everything that I've read over the years is completely true. Extremely revealing without sounding analytical. I'm definitely hearing more on my records (without being annoyed). I specifically ordered the SL version of the Helikon so that I could continue to not have any volume controls in my system. The Zu Denon DL-103r that I was using had a .3mV output. The Lyra Helikon SL has a .22mV output. Nice huh? Definitely worth the money. Totally psyched on this new cartridge. :)
I did not have the Joule monoblocks hooked up to the EAR 834p. I owned the Joules a long time ago (before I experimented with kind of configuration you see above). Many components (in fact, many systems) have come and gone since my experience with Joule.
The noisy Joules were hooked up to a Joule LA-150 pre-amp, but it was not a pre-amp problem. The Joule amps have a switch on the back that can defeat (mute) the inputs. You can experiment with the amps not having any pre-amp or source plugged in at all. So if you isolate the amps (and believe me, I tried so many isolating scenarios, it would make your head spin), you can ONLY conclude that this pair was defective.
I'd say experiment with OTLs on the Quads. If it were me though, I'd experiment with a Futterman, NYAL OTL, or a Transcendent. No Joules for me ever again. Bad experience.
But Hey! There are hundreds (thousands?) of happy Joule owners though. Dont let my story that I've just shared be the defining experience for all Joule products. I'm just telling you what happened to me, with the pair of amps that I struggled with. I will only wish the best for you...and it may just be a magical-sounding outcome.
So besides the noise, how was the Joule amp tonally? I want to try an OTL next with my ESL57s and I've been very interested in the Joule. Hopefully they've resolved the noise issue. I wonder if it had something to do with a mis-match with your EAR 834p. Passive attenuation is tricky.
Rotten: I'm moving too, from NY to Austin. I get it. But in my case, I'm gonna have a dealer friend break-down the system and store it for me (I will probably work out a different arrangement for the vinyl, which is pretty substantial somewhere north of 10 thousand discs). Where ya movin' to? And, yes, I saw your ad. My plan is to send mine to Wayne when I move and have him ship the restored units to my Texas location. (I'm also thinking about going 'blonde', i.e. getting him to fit the bronze grills, rather than the black ones. I think it's probably OK to change that after so many years. My pair has travelled with me while I was a student, then to various apartments in NYC, then to houses outside the city, where they now languish in boxes in my basement). You are welcome to ping me to chat anytime at [email protected]
@Whart - I've never heard that one about the guy strumming his guitar "going professional". Sage wisdom indeed.
Wayne did indeed restore mine. I put them on the 'gon a few nights ago in a fit of depression with how much stuff I have to move across country, come this October. But after a few listening sessions, I'm thinking of pulling them. Believe it or not, my girlfriend's face fell when I told her that I listed them.
I've entertained the idea of raising them off of their little feet. There are some who say that Peter Walker himself will rise from the grave and stick a piece of straight-wire-with-gain in my eye if I do such a thing.
Retired? I wish. There is no way that a youngster like me is ever going to get social security.
As that taking walnut, Suze Orman says...."you're just gonna have to work until your 70." By her calculations, I've got another 32 years. Oh Suze, you economic succubus!
I'm one of those new-fangled workers that has multiple screens on his desk and is good at "multi-tasking". Unlike many of my contemporaries, I use a not-so-smart-phone (an old style clamshell flip-phone), and actually have an attention span; so I find myself haunting the domains of esoteric hobbyists such as yourself during the day.
Rotten: like the joke about the guy strumming a guitar, drinking rum, and lounging on an island dock who is approached by a tourist who suggests to him that he 'go professional,' so that after years of beating his head against the proverbial wall, he can enjoy enough success to sit around on an island dock, strum a guitar and drink rum, you already have all you need. The Quads are a joy to listen to, and despite all the advances in materials, science and acoustics/design, their midrange- where the life of the music is- remains uncanny. I too used a Dynaco ST-70 (built as a kit when i bought the ESL). My pair now languishes, awaiting restoration. Did Wayne restore yours? Robin Wyatt has a clever way of getting some height under his while retaining the original style feet- they are essentially mounted on tall spikes. I love the simplicity of the system, and have a very good idea of what that system would sound like. It takes a wise man to know when to go backwards! Best, Bill Hart
Dan - you old salty dog! I love your choice of gear.
You've got the Japanese cartridge and arm, a British turntable, and then some American amplification.
Watch and learn my fellow audiophiles; see, guys like Dan and myself are on the audiophile Olympics podium. We're worldly, slightly thrifty, and have a keen eye for value.
Dan - what speakers do you use? Tell me they're some old Spicas, Spendors, or perhaps even Watt Puppy 5.1's.
...oh wait. I just clicked on your system. Tannoys? You mad genius!
I just read your posts here, the new and the old, and got a good chuckle at your irreverent approach to audio. Kinda reminds me of AD himself!
Well, I finally got my 401 project done, had the wiring in the Dyna 501 changed out to silver, and just recently, bought a Zu Denon 103R, which has relegated the XX2MKII to its box. The 401 has been quite a change from the VPI Scout, I'm learning all over again just how good vinyl can sound, so it's been a more than worthwhile project.
I don't have the balls to try running my Modwright phono stage directly into my amp, the Modwright has way too much gain to try that, I think, but my passive line stage seems to do no harm.
I had my old VAC upgraded at the factory, and with Genelex KT 77's, instead of EL 34's, it's making me very happy.
Love your minimalist approach, enjoy, and stay irreverent!
System edited: Hooray! Way to go Audiogon for getting your act together on allowing member's to change the photos of their system. As I mentioned earlier, I sold the EAR 861, and stepping in like an eager 2nd string linebacker, the humble Dynaco ST-70 is providing a rugged 30+ watts. In these updated photos, you can now also see the ultimate hair-shirt configuration of NO VOLUME CONTROL in all its glory. I dare all of you audiophiles to try that! :)
If you're interested in the H3aa circuit, you can contact George Kaye (aka - Mr. Moscode). Just google him and his site. He can build that one from scratch. He is the only guy I know that I would trust to build one or to work on an H3aa.
I've thought about buying one from him, but it is not cheap. Also, the 2nd market for futtermans is not as cheap as it used to be. Keep your eyes open though and I'm sure you'll be able to find one.
This "direct connection" thing is pretty special. Without having an input select, a mute switch, or even a volume control - life has gotten a bit more simple...and thus, a bit more enjoyable.
I've thought about the next extreme move, which is eradicating speaker cables completely. Eradicating speaker cables you say? How can one do that, almighty Rottenclam? Surely, you must be insane!
Well, as I've thought about this more and more, I figure that if I buy some Dynaco Mk. IV monoblocks (the monoblock version of the ST-70) and hook their speaker terminals posts directly to the wires that feed the terminals on my Quad ESLs (literally unhooking the wires that attach to both binding posts on the speakers and the monoblock amps, and soldering them together!) I could maybe pull this off.
It would eradicate one more component in the signal chain, and I would be that much closer to "straight-wire-with-gain".
This would leave would rotten interconnect between my EAR 834p phono pre-amp and my monoblocks, but oh, the potential! And yes, I do know that there is a bit of an interconnect between my cartridge, the Tri-Planar tonearm wire, and then into my EAR 834p, but dont try to spoil my concept...unless, of course, anybody has some sage wisdom to offer that has actually done such a thing.
Hi, You wrote about Futterman amplifiers.... I wish I could get one somewhere, best would be an old amp made by Julius Futterman himself, like the H3aa type. It's my dream to use them with Quads, but sure enough, it's very hard to find them. Do You know where? Other amp are nice and very nice, too, but I read so much yet about Futterman - it must be a revelation to have them. Thanks!
In the last 24 hours I've played with interconnects more than I've played with them in the last 5-7 years. Still as unenjoyable as ever! The cable industry is without a doubt the most shameful corner of our hobby, and I am loathe to explore it any further by voting with my actual dollar.
So as it stands right now, I've pulled out every set of interconnects that I have (about 5 pairs) from an old bag in order to hear how they impact my "direct connection". Capacitance is a necessary thing to get right with cables across components. If anybody can tell me how to calculate what my perfect measurements *should* be, please let me know. I have a digital multi-meter.
To be clear (because Audiogon has gone crap-fi with its upgrade so I cant actually 'update' my virtual system right now), I'll convey what my signal chain looks like:
Garrard 301 turntable Tri-Planar VII (Ultimate II) Tonearm Zu Denon DL-103r into E.A.R. 834p phono stage (set to mm) directly into Dynaco ST-70 amp Naim NACA5 speaker cables Quad ESL 57 speakers
There are only 6 things I can fiddle with in the system directly right now in order to adjust my sound:
1. I can roll tubes in the Dynaco ST-70 2. I can roll tubes in the the EAR 834p 3. I can change the interconnects btwn 834p and ST-70 4. I can change speaker cables 5. I can make adjustments to the turntable setup 6. I can play with loading the cartridge using Y-cables
There are only 3 things that are additive (or subtractive) to listening:
a) I can adjust the listening room, position, or change rooms b) I can bring power conditioning into the system c) I can play with racks / stands
With so few choices, it helps narrow down my own personal path of how to craft my "absolute sound". The only 'lunatic fringe' things to explore beyond the 9 items listed above is hard-wiring (soldering) everything together. I'm saving that last. :)
I've since returned to running the EAR 834p (in mm mode) DIRECTLY into the Dynaco ST-70 when spinning vinyl. Again, I know that this extremely dangerous, but seeing as how my analog rig is my primary source (90%+ of my listening is done through this particular front-end of the system) I feel like it has been worth the further exploration.
To my pleasant surprise, this configuration does have more than enough gain! Because my Quad ESLs are great in the near-field (just ask any seasoned Quad owners about this), and dont require longer listening distances to integrate the outputs of dynamic drivers, I'm fine moving my listening position about 6-12 inches closer, which results in a slight increase in perceived listening volume.
Another well-known trait of Quads is that they do not suffer that unacceptable trait of sounding less-than-ideal when listening at lower volumes. This particular trait, which is the bane of so many solid-scrape systems with sub-89db sensitive speakers in dealer showrooms, is the main reason why I dont visit hi-fi stores anymore (well, that trait, and the unfortunate state of the generally uninformed staff). So, having my Quads playing at what most would consider a 'medium' volume suits me quite well.
Sure, I wish sometimes that I could 'turn it up' a bit, or 'turn it down' a bit, but it is generally a comfortable volume for my room. And, of course, some records are a bit louder than others.
The other trade-off I have right now is that I cannot clean the stylus when the system is powered up. I have no mute switch in this configuration, so I must wait until the Dynaco ST-70 is turned off before I clean the stylus.
For those of you who read Arthur Salvatore's high-endaudio site (which I have been reading for the last 10 years), this configuration is a quest / journey that I have been striving for on-and-off since I first learned about this approach to doing away with a pre-amp / line-stage. Like him, I do not advise anybody to attempt this type of configuration without really knowing what they're doing. You are at great risk of blowing up your speakers, and scaring yourself silly if you do this wrong!
