Recently upgraded the analog front-end thanks to some terrific A'gon sellers. SME IV replaced the Wilson Benesch ACT 0.5 I'd been running. Then I also added a VK-P5 phono pre-amp vs. the built-in phono stage in my VK-3i.
Thanks Mike! Still loving the Marantz SACD player you sold me! Good luck finding that tube amp. . .saw a pair of BAT VK-55SEs just listed today for a great price.
Hi there. I'm considering the Vandersteen 5a's for my system and had noticed that you have your speakers very close to the wall. I have a fairly small room and was curious if the close placement to the wall made it difficult to get a tight (non boomy) bass response. Was it difficult to set up given your room constraints?
Hi Mike! Could not be happier with the Marantz. Thanks for selling me this perfect piece of gear at a terrific price! It's a fantastic addition and upgrade to my system.
hi Kev, it's Mike who sold you the SA11-S2. How's it working out for ya? Great system there. Sure it sounds awesome and glad to see it end up in good hands. Mike.
Hi Soulbrotherjoachim--the Full Circle was an A'gon purchase so I bought it more as a leap of faith than the result of auditions. I'd read several positive reviews including one by Michael Fremer, and the upgrade for me was from a very early Pro-ject suspended table.
I listen to more digital than analog (85:15) but do like the table. The only complaint I have is that the motor isn't dead silent when I get close to the table, and the manual is pretty weak, but otherwise it's great. Mine is one of the early models with the captive tonearm wiring and captive power cable.
The base under the table is an Air Mass from Bright Star Audio. I haven't seen their products advertised for several years. This item has an internal air bladder to float the top plate of the platform for isolation from floor vibration.
Hello, I'm interested in the WB Cicle. Did you compare this to other turntables and what was the difference in sound? Please could you also give my manufacturer and type of the turntables basis plate. Thanks in advance, Joachim
Thanks, Samhar! Although most of the gear is getting into "vintage" territory, I can't justify parting with it. Other than the SACD player, everything else is between 9 and 15 years old and it's still a really fine sounding system. Ironically, the only item that's ever given my trouble is the SACD player (newest piece).
I ran a dedicated 20-amp circuit and I'm the first house that drinks from the transformer on my street which I believe helps. But, I do use an AudioPrism Power Foundation III to clean up local hash.
Nowadays, a majority of my listening is via an Airport Express that's hardwired to my home network which streams lossless digital to the Assemblage DAC without dropouts, interference, etc. The listening room doubles as my office so I get at least six hours of daily playing time.
Sometimes it's hell on my productivity. . .there are times when a particuraly fine piece of music will come on (I use shuffle play a lot) and I just have to stop what I'm doing and listen.
Thanks for the encouraging words. My last home had a "perfect" acoustic profile for the maggies so I know what's possible (now I just need to get it back)!
Very nice system! I did own at one time a Bat Vk3i, VK500, and Magnepan 1.6. Great combo, very involving, purity of tone, especially with vocals. The maggies do require a lot of space to breathe, and lots of power to drive them. Enjoy!!!!!
