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.
System edited: I finally finished making my speaker plinths. After much r&d, I wound up with air dried maple from Mapleshade and I installed threaded inserts for the Audio Point 1.5 cones. This has turned out to be a much bigger improvement than I thought I would achieve.
are you talking about the dampers? if so, then yes, they do work very well. the effect can differ from tube to tube so ymmv. i've noticed more improvement from the smaller tubes than the outputs, but the improvement in my system has been excellent. helping tame that last bit of microphonics even in the 6H30 in my cdp has improved timbre, tonal balance and allowed more detail to come through due to the blacker background. even if you're concerned about them not working well for you, steve is very easy to work with and he has a great return policy if you're not pleased with the results.
System edited: Here's a few new pix. I added a pair of air dried maple plinths from Mapleshade. I've got some 2.5 Audiopoints to install, but I'm already very impressed with the sound these provide.
System edited: I was just about to ditch my Mapleshade speaker cables, thinking that they were the culprit in the system's problems with a smaller soundstage and a lack of air... I swapped the cement pavers under the speakers out for some blood wood blocks and man, what a surprize! The imaging has improved as well as better PRAT. I just saved myself a bunch of money and frustration.
System edited: I just added the 3.9uf Mundorf Silver/Oil caps today. While they still have a long way to break-in, I'm very impressed with their fullness and improved impact across the spectrum.
System edited: I finally decided to get another set of the cerapucs to put under my player. They add more air, more inner detail, better imaging and much better transients as compared to the ceraballs, which I think were at their weight limit under this player.
System edited: I finally put the SWO-XXX Ultimo back in the system, after four months of break-in... Wow! When I first placed this receptacle in the system, I didn't like it at all. It's presentation was tight, closed in, lacked bass to the point of animia and it was very bright on top. Well, I'm very pleased to say that that has changed completely. This piece is super transparent, very dynamic and it seems to allow even more information to come from my system. It also would seem to be a perfect synergistic match with the Elrod a/c cables.
System edited: The Elrod Signatures are settling in nicely. Even out of the box, they're very nice to listen too, although a little closed in. Now they've got some hours on them and they're really starting to open up. The bass is very hefty and well articulated. The mids are well defined and natural and the highs are detailed yet soft... nice to listen to all day and night. One of the largest improvements over what I was using before (VH Audio Airsine & Flavor 4's) is the spacial soundstage and deliniation of instuments. The imaging is much better from top to bottom as well as from side to side. I'm very happy with these cables and am now starting to think about the Statements...
System edited: The Elrod stuff is really sounding amazing. So far; deeper sound stage, better delineation between instuments, increased dynamics, stronger bass... more to come.
System edited: Isoclean... what can I say? If you've never heard any of these products in your system, you should. I have no affiliation with Isoclean, just a happy user.
System edited: Sold the BPT and added the Isoclean 105F-II. Wow! Increased resolution, more relaxed presentation, more air, better micro dynamics, very clearly defined sound stage... a really great upgrade.
i've got about 120 hours on them now. an asylum inmate/friend of mine came over for a listen today. we were stunned at how good the system sounds now. i've worked long and hard to get as much as possible from the other components and now you can really hear that. the hawks are very transparent and natural. the sound stage is very three dimensional and imaging is as good as i've heard. they do indeed go very deep into the 30's and the highs sound crisp, without being edgy. i'm really liking them a lot!
Congrats. I've heard the Hawks a few times at a shop in Philadelphia. Fantastic sound. I really couldn't believe the bass response from that little driver. I was told they take a while to break in but that it's worth it when they finally come around. What are you getting from them at this point?
System edited: I went for the Hawks and I couldn't be happier. While I'm still breaking them in, they seem to have exactly what I was looking for as far as bass extension, great midrange, smooth natural highs etc... I was hoping for the Model 1 Signatures with a little more, and I got it.
you're welcome and thank you x3. the flavor 4's replaced a shunyata diamondback on my amp and a tg audio 688 on my player. while the diamondback and the 688 are both nice cables, the flavor 4's are much more nuetral. they present more air, punchier and more detailed bass and more relaxed natural sounding mids. after the addition of the airsine on the bpt, the whole system seems to have just fallen right into place. the halos are great. they alieviate micro distortions accross the sound spectrum, giving a much cleaner, more detailed sound.
Hey Quackfat, thanks again for the recommendations. You have a great set up there and I wonder if you could give your impression of the Flavor 4 and the HAL-O tube dampers. What have they done for your system? I was thinking about those for my primaluna. Thanks. millikeith
Hey Quackfat, thanks again for the recommendations. You have a great set up there and I wonder if you could give your impression of the Flavor 4 and the HAL-O tube dampers. What have they done for your system? I was thinking about those for my primaluna. Thanks. millikeith
well, that sounds like what i'm looking for. my hawks should be here next week, so i'll start there. i've never been so nervous about selling any audio equipment as i was about selling the model 1 sigs. in fact, i kept the stands just in case...
I was in ATL last week and listened to the Forests. The rep said they were "Model 1 Sigs with more bass", in other words kinda floorstanding Model 1 Sigs.
As a long-time owner of Model 1s and very familiar with the sound, I would have to agree. All the imaging with a little more heft.
