Rewired Rega tonearms with the captive wire (versus DIN to RCA) can be very good. IIRC Brit Audio used the Incognito wire for their rewiring on Rega tonearms and they received high marks. I'm sure other options could be utilized as well.

It is hard to "out duke" Duke. Really great guy and drove a good 9 hours to deliver my speakers to me. Mot many other places you could get that service.

BTW - I had a chance to meet Robert Schult at RMAF and hear the Sasson speakers. Very impressive in both weight and sound. I'm sure you are enjoying them.

clio09 October 31, 2008 20:01

System edited: New photos added.

clio09 October 31, 2008 19:56

Impressive Anthony it's hard to "out duke" the duke when it comes to audio matters

Look forward to hearing your impressions on the Modules

In your experience does the wire that comes with the tonearm Rewired Rega 300 just as good as phono cable

I tried a diagonal setup in my setup unfortunately it wasn't a practical solution and went back to a conventional setup

musicfile October 31, 2008 18:13

Musicfile,

I'm using the Crystal Cable Micro from the tonearm to the Capri. So far I like what they do. It helped that I was able to get them at a great price due to distributor liquidation, otherwise I'd probably still be using the Oritek X-2 phono cable.

Duke delivered the Jazz Modules last night and we listened together for about 90 minutes. Right out of the box they are somewhat smoother. I'll post more thoughts as they break in. They use a smaller bass driver (12" vs. 10") than the Stormbringer, but the larger cabinet assures equal or better bass response.

I need to post some pictures of them and my new room configuration where I listen extreme near field in a diagonal set-up. The set-up change was partly due to my experience at RMAF and remembrance of an article written by Steve Deckert at Decware for how one might handle troublesome room environments. Duke was amazed at the sound in such a set-up where one is about 4' from the speakers (ear to tweeter). Normally he recommends 6 - 7' to start and 90 degree toe-in, but my set-up had him rethinking that and acknowledging his speakers can work as well in extreme near field applications.

clio09 October 31, 2008 18:03

Nice Changes Anthony
What improvements have you heard with Jazz modules over your stormbringers

I'm getting into vinyl
What cables are you currently using from TT to your capri

musicfile October 31, 2008 15:36

Thanks for the comment Spencer. I have had Grover's speaker cables in my system now for about 3 months. They are quite good and really surprised me. The cable retains much of the characteristics of the Mosaic Chimera speaker cables, but there is a slightly lower noise floor and once they were broken in, a more natural decay which I especially notice in cymbals. While they don't provide the level of detail that the Mosaic Chimera's do I'm not missing it all that much. Quite a bargain at $40/ft. If I have any regret it's that I didn't go with a bare wire/banana plug combination instead of banana plugs all around.

I have been thinking of trying the new interconnects. They look very promising at their price point.

clio09 October 29, 2008 15:08

Hey Clio, looking good!

Please comment on Grover's speaker cables when you get used to them. I've got some of his interconnects and am impressed w/them, especially value-wise. Cheers,
Spencer

sbank October 28, 2008 14:41

System edited: Made a few minor changes. Replaced the BPT PPC with the Alan Maher Designs Reference Power Center v2. Upgraded my Audio Kinesis Stormbringers to the Jazz Modules floor standers. Now using Grover Huffman speaker cables.

clio09 October 27, 2008 15:37

Frank,

The Stormbringers are transparent and detailed. As Ralph Karsten explained to me he feels these speakers offer detail in spades, especially being fed by his amps, which Duke uses to voice the speakers. In comparison to my Spendor !/2e speakers they are also more neutral, and considering the reputation of the 1/2e design that is saying a lot. With the Stormbringer I get a level of clarity that I had not heard before from a pair of speakers in my system.

In regards to tonality the bass is deep and fast while the highs are also very extended, but smooth. The music is reproduced in a very real and lifelike manner. Vocals are especially excellent. I had never heard a horn tweeter before and I don't know if I can ever go back (maybe a ribbon design like the Tonian Labs TL-D1). However, everything is well balanced. The design of the speaker allows you to tune the bass and upper frequencies, so placement is not so critical.

Unfortunately these are no longer available. I'm anxiously waiting for RMAF so I can hear more of Duke's designs. I'd like to eventually trade up to the Jazz Modules which use a Pioneer pro woofer versus the Italian pro woofer in the Stormbringer.

I hope this helps.

clio09 August 31, 2008 20:25

Hi Clio09,

can you explain the sound of your new Audio Kinesis Stormbringer? Unfortunately I never listened them.
Thanks in advance!

Frank

gryfon762 August 31, 2008 11:18

System edited: I couldn't leave well enough alone. Some new components have made it into the system. In addition the analog rig is up and running. I'm enjoying the sound of tubes again. The VAC amps are phenomenal. Hopefully this will be it for awhile.

clio09 August 26, 2008 18:02

The Walker links have always intrigued me. Over on AA a few users have DIYed them and I think one person posted his instructions on Alan Maher's website. A bit more than I can manage but one day I will snag a used set and try them.

I've heard the RAM mods are very good. Not sure how it may affect my unit as it is slaved to the DAC. The CEC clock signal is somewhat of a non-factor in this set up. I believe one of RAM's mods is to upgrade the clock, which if the DAC is slaved to the transport should afford an improvement, if the whole process is carried out properly.

Also, I'm going to have some new pics up soon. The system has changed. Don't know why I posted it to this category. I should have known better.

clio09 August 03, 2008 18:05

Cio09,

Nice setup, I also run the CEC TL-51X and although the stock unit is no slouch, I wanted to take it to the next level.

So, I had it modded to the max by RAM, $2,000.00 after everything was said and done, but oh what difference it made. I've run mine for a couple of years now and the sound still blows me away.

I also noticed you're using Creative Concepts Pigtails. I also find these to be great little devices.

Another similar tweak, you may want to try, which I couldn't live without, is Walker Audio's High Definition Links.

getheleadout August 03, 2008 12:40

Hi Clio,

I enjoyed viewing your system. Thanks for the info.

jj

jackiejr August 03, 2008 04:46

Jackie,

I'm very happy with the LessLoss combo. The most analogue sounding digital I have heard, even better than a previous NOS DAC set-up I had and my North Star combo which was also very good. I don't listen to SACD so I can't make any comparisons there. Also, if I didn't get this combo used I wouldn't have it in my system as I would not spend that much for the combo new (I think over $5000 USD now). I really listen to vinyl and now have my analog rig set-up. I need to update the photos soon.

As for the room treatment I like the concept behind Eighth Nerve. I did not want something that would over absorb and treating the upper corners and seams has been recommended by many folks over at Audio Asylum. As for the stand alone panels I saw them here on Audiogon and always liked the idea since they could easily be moved around.

I didn't read a book, but the Room Acoustics forum on Audio Asylum is a wealth of information. Especially posts by David Aiken and Ethan Weiner. Also, go to the Decware website and read Steve's philosophy on room treatment. He also sells some nice diffusor panels I'd like to try.

clio09 August 02, 2008 13:33

Hi Clio,

I've been reading with great interest about the Lessloss/CEC combo. You know, the 1704 chip and the master/slave relationship.
Are you happy with the sound? Are redbook cd's with the aforementioned combo as good as sacd?

Also, regarding the room treatment, how did you decide what to choose. Is there a book you might recommend?

Thanks a lot,

jackiejr

jackiejr August 02, 2008 04:39

Dale's speakers are quite nice from what I have heard from a few people who use them. Duke's Audio Kinesis speakers are heavy enough I wouldn't be able to lift Dale's.

I wish I could afford the Phi series. I'm feel fortunate enough that I lucked out on the Auricle Musicblocs.

clio09 July 27, 2008 17:05

Thanks for the update. Your new setup sounds nice. I, too, am a VAC user (VAC PHI 110), and am thinking about trying the Intuitive Design speakers. Please keep us updated. Have fun.

kyyuan July 27, 2008 05:20

Kyyuan,

Well as in my previous post you will have noticed I am changing some equipment. The VAC Auricle Musicblocs have the balanced input circuit and the Rowland Capri is fully balanced. So I'm going to try out some balanced cables. Right now I'm looking at Mogami Neglex as recommended by Ralph Karsten, Oyaide PA-02TX, and Magnan Vi as recommended by Duke LeJeune. I will probably look at a few others as well. I also haven't rule out the balanced version of the Mosaic Chimeras. I've wanted to try a balanced set-up for a while.

clio09 July 27, 2008 01:05

The VAC Avatar SE is now in the system and sounds wonderful with the Stormbringers. While not as quiet or detailed as the TRL combo the Avatar SE is a fine piece of equipment. Huge soundstage, plenty of detail, but most of all I think it's more musical than the TRL combo. The phono is very good as well.

I also just picked up a set of Auricle Musicblocs. Sort of by accident. So then I went out and got a Rowland Capri with phono and will see how that matches up with the Musicblocs. So much for being done for now.

clio09 July 27, 2008 01:01

I noticed you are selling the IAD Chimera cables. What are you using in lieu?

kyyuan July 24, 2008 04:16

Got to love the two-way loudspeakers.

Nicely done all the way around.

Let us know how the VAC sounds with the Stormbringers.

lapierre July 22, 2008 05:44

Tony,

The speakers are quite nice. A pleasant surprise and I have played around with the tuning a bit too dial them in.

I'll be getting A VAC Avatar SE integrated with built in phono in a few days. We'll see how tubes interact with the Stormbringers.

clio09 June 08, 2008 20:51

Hey T-

Nice setup! Speakers look very interesting.

--Tony

lkdog June 08, 2008 15:38

I was inquiring about the TRL D225 a few years back and was seriously considering buying one.
You were very helpful giving me your objecive opinion on Paul's amp designs

musicfile May 23, 2008 03:04