Update! I've taken the plunge into reel-to-reel. It's fabulous! Read on...
I have built this system over a period of many years, and have reached a level of satisfaction that is incredibly gratifying. I would not have guessed how important a role vintage gear would take, but for my listening tastes and preferences, this analog-biased system really floats my boat.
I play the piano every day and compose my own songs, and this system, more than any other I have owned, finally gets piano "right" for me.
The single most astonishing improvement has come with the addition of the Studer A80 RC Mk II reel-to-reel tape machine. Listening to master tape dubs form the Tape Project leaves me speechless! Pictures of this amazing machine can be seen at:
http://gallery.me.com/kip/100054
The Micro Seiki RX-5000 holds piano notes in perfect pitch, something I have found is very rare in a turntable. Pictures of this turntable system can be seen at:
http://web.me.com/kip/micro
The Scintilla speakers are a revelation in transparency and speed, with a soundstage that conjures up performances in an eerily accurate fashion--unprecedented in my experience. I restored these speakers over a seven-month period, and that process can be seen on this web site:
www.kippeterson.com
I love nearly every kind of music, and though I was trained in classical music and enjoy it frequently on this system, I have found my favorite music to be jazz recordings from the late 50s and early 60s. I have come to believe an analog system can depict this type of music better than a digital one, and this one truly creates a palpable, completely musical experience for me.
THE single component that has positively transformed my audio system more than any other. Incredible!
Micro Seiki RX-5000 turntable
After listening to several to several "statement" turntables, ranging from TW Acustic to Transrotor, I found this Micro Seiki RX-5000 and am in sonic heaven! Stunning, almost incomprehensible solidity, bass and imaging with incredibly silent backgrounds. Almost as good as tape... ;-)
Custom AX-1G V
I had this custom armboard made for my Micro Seiki RX-5000 turntable. I added the letter V to it to represent my Vector tonearm.
Micro Seiki HS-80 High Inertia Unit
A passive, stainless steel flywheel system weighing in at 33lbs (15Kg). It significantly opens the soundstage and enhances the solidity of the low end. Amazing!
Transfiguration Temper W
One of the most neutral and musical sounding moving coil cartridges I have ever heard. The MintLP Tractor nails alignment!
Basis Audio Vector Mk 3
One of the best tracking arms I have heard and a great match for my system.
Balanced Audio VK-P10SE with SuperPak phono stage
This phono stage presents with a delicacy and sweetness that completely complements my musical preferences, and beat every other phono stage I auditioned.
Balanced Audio VK-31SE Line stage
This preamp brings a warmth and realism that makes the music soar for me.
Krell FPB-350MCx monoblocks
Powerful, yet sweet and musical amps, capable of driving my Apogee Scintilla loudspeakers.
Thanks again to everyone who has commented on the system--I greatly appreciate it!
John (Jfrech)--arriving at the Basis Audio Vector tonearm was not entirely by chance since I had started with a Basis 1400 'table and eventually upgraded its arm to the Vector. It is such a great performer, in my opinion, and it performs exceedingly well on the even more solid foundation of the Micro. I had thought of changing arms when I moved to the Micro, but auditioning a Graham Phantom was quite disappointing and my other choices, like the Breuer or Grandezza, were just out of reach financially. The Vector is wonderful, though!
Wavetrader--thank you so much for your compliments! Your system is gorgeous, too. I love everything Accuphase I've ever heard, and you own something I lust for--Crown reel-to-reel decks! Just stunning. I've been toying around with the idea of upgrading my analog system to tape (after all, we do know it is the ultimate!), and I've looked at the "hot" Technics 1500 or a Studer (I can't imagine one could go wrong with a Studer), but again, there's the sticky matter of money! :-) Anyway, congratulations on building such a great system--I'd love to hear it some day.
Gallant_diva--hello my friend! Thanks for the kind words. Well, you may remember, I had an near-obsession with keeping the Scintillas stock, other than their appearance. That meant keeping the original base, which many think is key to the sound and I rather like. You're right, though, about the angle--however, I DID change the back-tilt to 2.5 degrees (from probably 5 degrees) with my custom 1-inch solid aluminum struts. :-)
I would suggest you use slabs or some other platforms to raise the scintillas a couple of inches from the groud. In my case the improvements were pretty obvious. Also, the Scintilals has too high of a tilt angle but I guess you may have already reduced it a bit by inserting some support under the rear edge of the bottom plate.
Yes, the HS-80 flywheel is a completely passive device. My benchmark instrument when listening to turntables, the piano, has never sounded better now that it has been added to the system. It's just amazing how much fun can come out of these "old" designs!
System edited: System updated to show the addition of a Micro Seiki HS-80 High Inertia Unit for the RX-5000 turntable. I was surprised at the level of sonic improvement this 15Kg device made, including a wider, more solid and realistic soundstage. Plus, it's fun to observe the geometry of all these pulleys and threads!
Bravo on the speaker restoration!I know how much work a project like that entails, a labor of love. If the speakers sound half as good as they look you should be in heaven. Enjoy the vinyl!
