Description

Softly as in a morning sunrise. This system really excels at voice, solo piano, and small ensemble music (as long as it's not a death metal trio). More and more I'm convineced that well-regulated AC is the bedrock of a good system. There are many good companies for that; I chose Furman based on their reputation with professional musicians. The ATC driver in the DIY sub can hit a low E string on a bass with complete authority.

Next up, better streaming system, and upgraded phono cartridge.

Good listening, everyone.
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Components Toggle details

    • Thorens TD-2030
    Acrylic Series. Fitted with TP-300 arm (Rega OEM). Lyptus wood base with Finite Elemente Ceraball supports. Good resistance to vibration.
    • Rega RB-300
    OEM arm for Thorens TD-2030. (aka TP-300)
    • Clearaudio Aurum Beta S
    Moving Magnet. No longer manufactured. $800 when last available new.
    • Whest Phonostage PS.30R
    Remarkably good product for the cost.No plans to upgrade further at this point. I think Whest is one of the more underappreciated phono stage makers out there.
    • Marantz SA-14v2
    Version 2 edition. SACD/CD Player from Marantz. Unmodified. Balanced Output.
    • Apple TV
    Wireless streaming source for WAV music files stored on SOHO computer
    • Wyred4Sound Remedy Reclocker
    Anti-jitter device. Does a really good job with the Apple TV, but that ATV still remains the weak link in the entire system.
    • Belkin Synapse Platinum Professional
    Digital 75 ohm cable RCA-RCA. I was never a big believer in cable tech until I happened upon this one. Replaced some cheap Monster. Difference like night and day. No Longer Manufactured.
    • PS Audio DigitalLink III
    Cullen Level III mods
    • deHavilland Electric Amp Mercury III Remote
    Designed to complement the Aires GM-70 Monoblocs. Very nice synergy from this combination now. All triode circuits.
    • deHavilland Electric Amp Aires GM-70 Monoblocs
    50 wpc SET monoblocs employing GM-70 power triode from Russia.
    • Velodyne Amplifier SC-1250
    1200-watt class D subwoofer amplifier with phase control and variable crossover point. Slope fixed at 24 dB/Octave. A little challenging to integrate with main SET amps, but corners at a relatively low 70 Hz, which helped a lot. Very quiet amplifier.
    • DIY Sub The Lucky
    Cabinet approximately 100 liters in interior volume. Made by local craftsman with highly rigid walls of 3/4 birch ply over 3/4 MDF, and is criss-crossed with threaded rods which may be tightened to tune cabinet resonance and/or increase rigidity. Driver is ATC SB75-314
    • Silverline Audio Bolero Supreme
    Drivers by Dynaudio. 1.25" Esotar T330D tweeter 5" Esotec 15WLQ midrange 9" 24W100X woofer 26-35k Hz Frequency Response Sensitivity 92.5 dB/watt
    • Furman Reference RA-1220
    20 Ampere capacity voltage stabilizer, filter, and surge protector.
    • Furman Reference RI-1220
    20 Amp balanced AC power transformer for digital components
    • PS Audio XStream
    Analog cabling by PS Audio. No longer manufactured. Good quality wires at sane prices.
    • Finite Elemente Ceraball
    First Generation isolation device. Works well with source components.
    • Mapleshade Silclear
    Electrically conductive paste. If you like NOS tubes, it pays to check the pins for corrosion. If any exists (or even if it doesn't) a light application of this stuff does a remarkable job of increasing clarity.
    • Boston Audio Record Mat 1
    Graphite record mat. Benefits from being placed over felt or leather. No longer manufactured.
    • Sorbothane Various shapes & thicknesses
    Have it DIY cut from larger sheets under several components. It remains the go-to elastomer for audio in my estimation.

Comments 7

Showing all comments by djwilbourn.

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Love the silverlines, wondered if you might go into greater detail on what attracted you to them and how they have performed. You probably already know this but you would probably get much better imaging if you spread them away from the equip rack about 12 to 24" and away from the wall another 10 to 20". Just a thought. Thanks

djwilbourn