Samuelg.... From the picture of your cd player, it looks like you're using the Finite Elemente Ceraball feet. I was wondering what your impressions were of those isolation feet. Do they enhance the sound quality...if so...in what way? I'm curious about their performance; they seem like a rather inexpensive tweek in the world of high end audio.
Without the additional gain provided by the preamp- the system loses dynamics. 80 watts of tube power drives the Avalons louder than I ever wish to play them. It sounds louder-much louder than the 250 watt Pass Labs amp it replaced.
Hi Samuelg. my name is Serge from french Canada. With your atm-2, do you have enough power with your Avalon speakers ? And why you don't use, your volume control without preamp ?
I have heard of the company but have never seen or heard of the preamp- I have seen the turntable- I remember the armboard looked like an artificial limb
There is nothing wrong with the EAR, the Wavestream -however-is in a different league. The only comparison would be the 9k Aesthetix IO. The Wavestream is hand built- no circuit boards- all hard wired. Designed and made by Scott Franklin- the "F" in MFA. I paid 4,500 for the prototype-production units could cost upward of 8-9k.
It is absolutely neutral-really shows what the SME can do.
Hi. Just to throw in my thoughts. I´m looking for a very high-class pre-amp myself. The best unit I´ve listened to was: Brinkmann Marconi (linestage only) far better then: Jeff Rowland Concerto, Hovland HP-100 MC, Ayre K-5X, VAC Rainessance MK II. Probably this helps..
Very nice system! I'm not familiar with the Wavestream phono stage, but I was wondering what you are seeking above and beyond the 834P, or what you find lacking in that unit. Could you elaborate? Much thanks,
Samuelg, We must have been shopping at the same audio store, The Analog Room, as I have a system that is quite similar to yours. I too am waiting for the Wavestream Phonostage which I hope shows up later this week. I am #4 on the waiting list. I would like to know what you have placed under your Opus speakers to isolate them from the carpet. My Opus speakers, with the same wood finish, are on a sisal carpet.
I did. On Saturday, Brian came over and gave me a set of the Tungsols. Compared to the JJ's, they have a fuller midrange and a more rounded out bass presentation. I had no idea they were 35 bucks. Brian also convinced me that the Nagra would be a lateral move- given the fact that my ATC-2 has the 1k upgraded volume pot. I just ordered they new face plate that is olive to match the color of the amp. I too will try out the line stage once it is made- probably in the spring. Ten phono sections are being made and I am number 10 on the list so I will take delivery around Christmas. The other huge upgrade for the ATM-2 is replacing the captive power cord with the Harmonic Tech Magic Power. The Finite Elemente amp stand also makes an incredible difference.
Samuelg, I am using a Conrad Johnson Premiere 16LS Series 2 linestage. I have had the Nagra PL-P in my system and there is no comparison...the Nagra is so much better (including the integrated phonoamp). So at your system's level of play I would not recommend the CJ. I should have purchased the Nagra instead and have been looking for a different linestage for some time now.
It is hard to do head-to-head comparisons with the Callisto Signature in one's own system since the Signature is a bit of a monster to transport and accommodate but I have heard it many times in a couple of different systems and it is undoubtedly first cabin. The VAC I know only by reputation...very good.
I note that the prototype Wavestream phonoamp can be compared to the Aesthetix Io Signature in the setup at The Analog Room in San Jose. In my listening the Wavestream more than holds its own in that comparison. I don't fully trust "casual" listing on any system other than my own so final judgement will await until mine comes home. Also, the production models will have five tubes instead of the four that the prototype has. Still, it's impressive that Scott's one-box solution can go head-to-head with the three-box Io.
I have a Wavestream Stereo V8 amplifier. Based on my experience with that amplifier, my expectations for the other components that Scott Frankland is designing are very high. I am lining up for the Wavestream linestage which they will be coming out with "soon". If you are getting their phonoamp why not wait and see how it performs and then maybe consider their linestage, too?
Finally, I was doing comparisons of the new SACD RCA's and the original LP's yesterday on a system with Air Tight ATM-2 amplification. The ATM-2 had newly installed "Tungsol" 6550 power tubes made recently in Russia! We all agreed that, regardless of the difference between SACD and LP, those newly-minted Tungsol's transformed the ATM-2 to an even higher plane. I use GE 6550A's in my amplifier and recently they have become more scarce and even more outrageously expensive. For $35 these new babies may be the answer to our tubey audiophile dreams. Maybe you should give them a whirl in your amp.
Hi Samuelg- Sweet system. Great choices of components. I recently removed my coffee table from the listening area as I had something similar to yours, and the image really improved dramatically. If your able to, you may want to give that a try and see how it sounds. I use a low profile, fabric covered ottoman so I can still put my dogs up and be comffy. Once again, very nice job!
I listen to all types of music, quite a bit of jazz, and classical and popular music as well. The system has no sonic sugnature and sounds true to whatever the source sounds like. The SME is the best turntable I have ever owned and coupled with the Urushi is the most non-fatiguing sound I have ever heard. The latest addition- the finite elemente stand was rather expensive but it transformed the sound. Everything is quieter, transient peaks are much more dynamic and the bass is significantly improved. It sounds like the improvement that a 15k preamp would make/ It is worth the money and my wife likes the way it looks.
samuelg on Done For Now