Dertonarm,

Thank you for your feedback. I am taking your recommendation on working on an effective isolation platform. In order to minimize the expense of commercial systems typcially used for scales and microscopes, I have decided to build a simple Mass-on-Spring system using a granite platform on top of springs of the appropriate spring constant. Utilizing natural/resonant frequency equations and Hooke's law, I am able to design a platform that would give a vertical resonance freqnecy of ~2.5 Hz.

This is not at the same level of the Minus-K or the Vibraplane, and does not have horizontal resonance protection, but it is a place to start and I hope to get a major improvement over where I am now. Based on this I may begin to consider more expensive, commercial systems.

Andrew

aoliviero January 20, 2010 09:53

Aoliviero - well done. I especially like your comment about the CAT preamp: it is paramount to have a "cornerstone" in any system. If you want to go further with your Raven AC, I would recommend getting in contact with Solong on Audiogon. His set-up of the Raven AC-2 is exemplary and does lift the Raven AC way above the Black Night performance-wise. I agree with all your comments on the Graham and Triplanar tonearms. A well choosen and clever system. One that will certainly perform way above its price-level.
Smart.

dertonarm December 08, 2009 06:39

Syntax,

Thank you!!

aoliviero February 26, 2009 16:35

I listen to these Acendo speaker every time at the Munich High End Show, they are amplified with your CAT electronics. Always a super demonstration, always among my personal top choices.
You did it right. Really good combination.

syntax February 22, 2009 02:57

Hello,

Sorry I don't keep up with my own system page! Thanks for your feedback!

Davidri,

I have not tried other tubes. By the way, I recently got my Legend. Holy cow!! This preamp is extremely neutral and detailed. The transformer on the phono is a good option. As good as the Ultimate-2 was, the Legend is in another level. Not subtle.

aoliviero January 28, 2009 08:18

The Accapellas are wonderful. Another couple to look into are Lansche, with the same Ion tweeter and Volent which rival the Magicos for much less money. Ditto the Usher dancer series.

piedpiper October 15, 2008 14:52

Hi,

Very interested in your CAT SL1 & JL2.
I've got also those : SL1 Renaissance and last JL2.

Would be interested in knowing if you try somme tube rolling ?
Often, driver tubes and SL1 tubes are changed for Siemens or Telefunken.
Any experience ?

Thx

davidri September 22, 2008 12:39

Aoliviero,
In a post on your system page you noted that you were interested in MBL speakers. You are welcome to come by and listen to my MBL 101Es as long as you bring the JL-2 Mk II Signature for me to try with these speakers! :^)

exlibris October 01, 2007 21:40

Hi Montepilot or any other specific JL2 MK2 Sig. amp owners.

Montepilot reading your posts it appears it has been aprox. a year now since you have had your new JL2 MK2 Sig. amp.

I am looking at getting one new and if you don't mind helping me out with answering some questions, it would be greatly appreciated;

Have you had any problems with it?

Is this amp noisy? coming from the speakers?

Any humming etc. due to the amp itself?

How warm does the unit get? does it throw off allot of heat?

Thanks

dev August 28, 2007 17:27

My bad. I called Andrew, Dan. The above message was meant for Aoliviero.

montepilot January 28, 2007 15:07

Hi Dan,

Enjoyed reading your review of the CAT JL2 and seeing how your system has developed into something that brings you great satisfaction. Your amps seem to be very revealing of upstream components. On Arthur Salvatore's website (high-endaudio.com) they are listed in the Class A catagory.
Have you heard of the Zu Definition loudspeakers? I recently purchased the Zu Druids and am waiting to take delivery. I understand that the Definitions are extremely transparent and dynamic. 6moons did a comprehensive review of them.
Look forward to seeing pictures when you are able.

Regards

montepilot January 28, 2007 10:04

Dan,

I really do need to add some pictures. Maybe I'm embarrased becasue I don't have a beautiful house like some of the other system pages. Spend too much on my stereo and not enough left on furnishings, etc.

Lately I've been marvelling over the JL2 Signature. As it has broken it it really sounds pretty damn good.

Andrew

aoliviero January 27, 2007 21:07

Dazzdax,

I haven't visited my own system page in ages but I just noticed your note. I like the Dunlavy's but at this point it is the weakest link. I haven't heard the Acapellas but I have been considering them.

I'm also interested in the MBL, Magico and possibly some others that I ghaven't listened to yet.

The Virtual Dynamics cables are really good and as I've said they are a key component in the system and critical to the sound I get.

Andrew

aoliviero January 27, 2007 21:04

Hi Andrew,

I can't believe I haven't visited your system page before! I know from talking with you that you've put a great deal of effort into choosing the components. Hope we can get together someday and compare notes.

Pictures! I want to see pictures! :)

Dan

dan_ed January 14, 2007 12:18

Hi Andrew, so you are living for a while with the Dunlavies? Not bored yet? Before I purchased the Dunlavy SC-V's (used), I had the SC-IV (not the IVa-version). Last year I listened to a buddy's sytem which was very impressive. His speakers were Acapella Campanilles. When he dropped the Bruckner IV CD into the CD-player, I heard a very true sounding brass. As you know brass can give a warm, glowing "distorted" sound with some kind of "flutter" superimposed. This "brassy" sound was very lifelike to me. Of course the plasma tweeter and the midrange horn were for a great deal responsible for the sound. Have you heard big horn systems like the Avantgarde Trio's? What is your experience regarding the Virtual Dynamics cables, especially the power cords?

Chris (The Netherlands)

dazzdax November 20, 2006 17:45

Replaced JL2 Mk I amp with JL2 Mk II Signature.

There is a 5,000 price difference. I did not have mine upgraded. I bought a new one. The main changes are:

 Teflon input and output boards (Signature).
 Black Gate caps in the input stagers (Signature)
 Power supply updates (MK II)
 Gain is 2dB less. Main reason why the amp is electrically less noisy. Where the previous model did have noise coming from speakers, this amp is quiet.
 A new power transformer. This is supposed to be quieter. And it is. Less hum and noise from the speakers. This is available on all new CAT models but not upgraded on older models if you have yours upgraded to the MK II or Signature.

The key and very noticeable difference is that this amp is much more transparent and dynamic. This manifests itself in many ways:

The bass is noticeably punchier, better defined and with more natural tone. This is probably the most obvious difference on first listen.

The mids are better resolved and open with a little less warmth.

The highs are also much better defined and extended.

The soundstage is much wider and deeper. The backgrounds are quieter. Image placement is better. The amp sounds more “open”.

The dynamics are extraordinary from the deepest bass to the highest highs. Combined with the aforementioned qualities, this amp sounds much more realistic.

Overall, this amp is a lot more neutral than the previous model. In comparison, the previous model sounded slightly warmer and opaque.

Overall, I’m a happy customer!

aoliviero August 31, 2006 20:22