This unique SE Class A design has a 211KHz upsampling, a hybrid attenuator and a total of 2 components on the entire signal path from the DAC outputs to the line output.
Elrod Power Systems EPS2 Signature
These cables are targeted towards low-amperage components like CD players and pre-amplifiers. Smooth, eloquent, and refined.
Finite Elemente Cerapucss
isolation devices
APL Hi-Fi UA-S1
Hybrid amplifier with single tube voltage gain stage using two ECC99 triodes with a zero-gain and no-feedback bipolar power buffer. The absolute best amplifier I've ever heard.
APL Hi-Fi UA-S1-inside
Here's a look inside...
DNM terminated with Eichmann Bullets
The most amazing sounding copper I've ever heard, teminated with Eichmann silver bullets.
Elrod Power Systems EPS3 Signature
These cables are targeted towards high-amperage components like large amplifiers.
Finite Elemente Cerapucs
Designed for direct coupling for defined contact with components weighing up to 500 pounds, the Cerapuc's high-tech ceramic ball does all the work to reduce resonances. Along with a precision machined stainless steel base and height-adjustable top section for achieving correct damping the Cerapuc achieves better resolution, better soundstage, better dynamics and better musicality with no resonance build-up, overdamping, or loss of detail. Worth evey single penny!
gold tip toes
brass and gold cones and feet
Isoclean 105F II
Isoclean 105F II Power Bar with Audio Grade Noise Filter Copper Chassis 4 Outlets EMI Noise Isolation Rhodium and 24K Gold Plated Sockets 100% Hand Made Resting on Finite Elemente Ceraballs
Elrod EPS 3 Signature
This is David's latest version with 004 Oyaide connectors.
Oyaide R-1
Oyaide's state of the art receptacle, the 20A rated R1. These start with a base of Beryllium, which is highly polished (twice), upon which layer of Palladium is laid down (and polished twice), on which a layer of Platinum is laid over (and polished twice).
DNM Precision Solid Core
Advanced characterisation methods were developed to design the magnetic performance and to provide a balanced capacitance, inductance and resistance - factors that, when correctly aligned, can improve the amplifier's sound quality.
Totem Acoustics Hawk
The Hawk exemplifies total involvement with all your senses. Truly full range, extremely compact and aesthetically balanced, it has incredible attributes and strengths that will guide you like no other. Detail, continuity, harmonic nuances, timbre, precision and it's self effacing holography all point to an experience that will never cease to amaze and involve you. Frequency Response 35 Hz to 21 kHz ± 3 dB 29 Hz to 21 kHz ± 5 dB (with proper placement) Impedance 6 ohms Sensitivity 86 dB Power 120 W max. Crossover 2.5 kHz 1st order compensated Woofer 5 1/2 Special extreme long throw Non-resonant cone and dust cap Dynamic linear suspension for maximum airflow Patented magnet system Tweeter 1 alloy dome Flexible linear suspension Special low resonance chambered unit Max SPL's In average room (4 m x 6 m 107 dB peak from pair at 2 m Dimensions w 6.75 x d 9.5 x h 36w 170 x d 245 x h 910
DIY X-2000
Lots of power!
GIK Acoustics 242's & Tri-Traps
The GIK 242 Acoustic Panels have absorption from 4000Hz down to 250Hz. The Tri-Trap has been effectively designed to absorb more low end, but also does an excellent job of absorbing the high end, creating smooth sound absorption from 50 Hz to 5000 Hz. I have one Tri-Trap in each of the front corners, one 242 behind the listening position and one 242 on each side at the first reflection points.
How are the Elrods coming along, any better than stock? Is the UA-S1 the amp only version or does it have the volume control enabled? Are you still impressed by it?
System edited: I'm breaking in the new Elrod Signature 3 right now. This is the latest version, with 004 Oyaide connectors. So far it sounds better out of the box than the other Elrod cables have did. Now I just have a few hundred hours to go...
System edited: I've been thinking about trying some super tweeters for about five years now. These are very cool. They do a lot for something you can't even hear... more air, better bass response and a great help for the mid-range. They seem to make the sound more natural and relaxed.
Thats no problem I didnt think you were. I was just wondering about some quick impressions. Thanks for the response, Ill let you know my experiences once I recieve my gear.
Sorry if I sounded snarky on that reply... I've just sort of had it with the whole PC battle "conversations". While it's true that Alex has been a long time proponent of silver in Teflon, I think he has something new that he's discovered he likes even more now. I will leave that announcement to him though. I did listen to the amp with his silver PC and liked it very much, but that amp was a different iteration, so a direct comparison to what I have has not been made yet. My guess is that your statement will sound excellent and quite full!
Ok, no need to debate. I have the new Elrod Statement with Oyaide plugs that I will try on the amp. I was just wondering since Alex recommends Silver in teflon wires if you had tried something similar. BR Par
I haven't compared the stock cord to the Elrod on this amp. I have done lengthy comparisons between the Elrods, stock, various Shunyata and VH Audio cables on other equipment though. I found what I enjoy listening to most. I'd elaborate, but I'd rather not get into another on-line PC debate. Suffice to say that I really like the over-all sound derived from the Elrod cables. They seem to expand all frequencies and still sound very natural and musical. Whichever way you go with PC's, I'm sure you'll be extremely happy with this amp... I've finally reached that point where it's just music, with-out artifact, that seems to come from people and instruments, not speakers and electronic equipment.
See you have a UA-S1, I have ordered one myself and really looking forward to it. Whats your experience with power cords and the UA-S1. Have you compared the stock to a Elrod cord?
The speakers are 2.5' from the rear wall, so the bass is solid and clear. There's 7' between tweeters and 8' to the listening possition. This has proven to be the best possition for the speakers in this room. I wound up with the Hawks after making a trade for a pair of Model 1 Signatures. They were really enjoyable to listen to, but like you: I wanted a little more. I didn't feel that my room was big enough for the Forests, so I went with the Hawks. 40 watts seems to be ample power to drive them. I've been very happy with them.
Great system - totems and tubes are a match made in heaven as long as there's enough power. Do you bring the hawks out into the room more for critical listening?
I was wondering if you ever compared the Hawks to the Forests or Mani2s? I have Arros and love the sound but have been itching for "more," mainly in terms of bass, presence, and scale.
Thanks for happy comments. I think you'll really like the Hawks. Those laser-cut Scanspeak drivers are hard to beat. After trying Zoethecus pods, blood wood blocks, cement pavers and a few other things under the speakers, I made the plinths with Mapleshade air dried maple, Audio Points 1.5 threaded brass cones and threaded inserts. They really improved the imaging and bass most. I'm thinking about trying a set of the AV123 Extended Response Tweeters on top next... always playing with something!
Haha, I used to have that Project Playlist thing on my Myspace page! I love your music; we have similar tastes it appears. You got a mighty sweet system too, cheers!
Nice choice in speakers. My Hawks should be showing up next week. It's good to see some people out there believe that a $2500 speaker can be of reference quality as I do. People who don't, haven't heard them yet. It's also neat to see how you've really "tweaked" your system to get the tone and quality that you want. Very nice. I might consider adding the maple plinths as you have. What improvements did you notice when you added the plinths? Also, nice tunes!
System edited: These new Herbies dampers have as much improvement as going from no dampers to using the old Teflon models... they're very good across the spectrum. There's a huge improvement in the noise floor, which reveals more low level detail, better transients and improved bass control.
