My goal with this system was to build a musical sanctuary for myself from the stresses of daily working life. The intention is to play fairly mainstream music well, with clarity and emotion. I listen to mainly pop, alternative, and rock music, with a little classical, electronic, r&b and jazz on the side. The only thing I don't listen to is country. These preferences usually change as time goes on. (sometimes I'm in the mood for 60s music, sometimes electronic)

I originally aimed at a B&W CDM1NT or Nautilus based solid-state system. With suggestions from a local dealer and overall price considerations, I took a different route and went tube...with excellent results.

There are two sources in this system, CD and vinyl. I feel that there is more current media on CD, so hence the investment on the CD front end.

The CD front end has been a work in progress. I feel that I have brought it to nearly the level of my vinyl. I attribute this to the A324 DAC and Acoustic Zen MC2=Zen cable. The CD section is rich with emotion and well balanced at the ends of the frequency spectrum. Bass is well defined while the highs are crystal clear with well recorded material. The main focus is on the midrange, which has a very intimate quality in both vocals and acoustics. Several examples include the grit and rasp in Louis Armstrong's voice, intimacy of Norah Jones vocals and instrumentals, realism of the piano in Rubenstein's Beethoven piano sonatas, and acoustic guitar on John Mayer albums. The vocals and instruments just sound so real. As always with any music, the extent to this intimacy is subject to the quality of the recording.

The vinyl section is a beginner's section. I've picked up a few great artists from back in the day like Fleetwood Mac, Creedence, Eagles, and the Beatles. I plan to extend this collection with more music from back then. The vinyl just sounds wonderful, in a similar respect to the CD section. Well balanced and emotionally involving.

The Jolida integrated, with the musical EL34 tubes, helps to communicate that emotion and present it to the Alons. The Alons are ruthlessly neutral speakers. They play what they are fed. But in doing so, if the front ends sound the way you want, they convey exactly what you want. A wonderful speaker with the right front end and amplification set up.

Overall, I am very happy with my system. I don't need any major upgrades for at least several years. Small upgrades may include Sound Anchors stands for the speakers and a power cord for the CD transport. It's been a year in the making, and now I'm ready to listen and be drawn into the music.