DEEP SPACE....experience the music!

by claud1e on Done For Now

Description

My mission was to build a system that is capable of wowing’ the listener(mostly me) and to create an environment where I can, ‘experience the music’ rather than just hear it.

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I have always loved a warm and wet sound. I like lots of dynamic range with good detail, but nothing to analytical as my taste in music varies greatly. I have listened to many stereos in my time, especially when I was selling high end equipment in my younger years. I knew the type of sound I was after, and had plenty of time to find it.

My first move was an amplifier. I’ve always wanted a nice pair of monoblocks and I found some Kora Titans on Agon. They seemed to be a perfect fit for me since they are high wattage, I love the tube sound, and one of my close friends (a previous Kora owner – more on that later) is an expert on tubes and capable of helping me fix any issues that may arise. I made the purchase and oh boy, are they great!

The Titans run HOT with a total of 28 tubes, so I wanted another alternative for summer listening....and to bi-amp as well. Eventually my quest led me back to my buddy, the ‘previous Kora owner.’ I say ‘previous’ because after years of begging, I finally got him to sell me his Kora Aries (MOSFET / Tube Hybrid Design) monoblocks and the matching Crescendo preamp to boot! Although I really love the sound of the iPre Preamp I had, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to own, not only a sexy matching Amp/Preamp combo, but one of only a handful in the country.

Most recently, I added my third and final pair of Monoblocks; the MC601s. Solid State Design and loaded with power. Not to mention their appearance, Gorgeous!

So with 3 different pairs of Monoblocks, all using a different circuit design; I get to have several different sounding systems in one.

I previously had purchased a pair of BC Acoustique A3 speakers in Black. Sleek, sexy, and OHHHHH MYYYY GOD! Low end like crazy (I like that) and DETAIL to boot! The imaging capability of those speakers is astounding...at least that's what I thought until I heard the Legacy Signature SE.

I've always loved the pristine craftsmanship of the Legacy speakers and after wanting some for 15 years, they're finally mine! I chose the SigSE because it has 2 10" woofers in a sealed enclosure. I was after more definition and coherence than the A3s had and I sure got it. These speakers easily outperform many others costing twice as much. I HIGHLY recommend them.

For my source, I found a good deal on Cairn Fog V2 and it was just the CD player I needed. It’s quick, detailed and delivers the music with effortless transparency. I really enjoyed it. For the money, I don’t believe it can be beaten! So.... as soon as I saw a deal on Fog V3 I snatched it up. Better sound than the V2 and I can also use it as stand alone DAC.

When not listening to CD, I use an AiportXpress to stream wirelessly from my iTunes library. The AirportXpress connects to my Fog V3 using an Optical cable so I can use the fog as a DAC. It sounds great and I can use my iPad or iPhone using the Remote App to control the music via iTunes.

I always kind of liked the idea of consistency in cabling, so I decided to buy all the same brand and model as well. Enter Nordost’s Red Dawn. Again a great match for my gear. FAST, detailed, and naturally accurate; without breaking the bank.

A few other tweaks that have made a difference:

- A dedicated 30 AMP circuit with Hospital Grade outlets.

- 2 I.C.E. AC Line Filters

- Tube dampeners on all 32 tubes.

Enjoy the musical experience!!!

:-)
Read more...

Components Toggle details

    • Legacy Signature SE
    Utilizing the same Dual Air Motion Tweeter System and 7
    • Kora Electronic Concept - Crescendo
    Tube Line Stage Preamplifier
    • Kora Electronic Concept - Titan
    120-watt Tube monoblock amplifiers
    • Kora Electronic Concept - Aries Hybrid Monoblocks
    Class AB Hybrid, 160W per channel into 4 ohms, MOSFET Regulated, with 1 input tube
    • Cairn Fog V3
    4 Crystal CS4398 D/A convertors, 24-bit/192kHz
    • Nordost Red Dawn RCA and XLR
    2 Pairs XLR. One pair for CD Player, 1 pair for Titan Monoblocks for running tweeters. 1 Pair RCA on Aries Monoblocks for running Bass Drivers
    • Nordost Red Dawn Rev II Speaker Cable
    1 Pair Bi-Wire 2.5 meter 1 Pair Stereo 2.0 meter
    • I.C.E. AC Line Filters 2x 473C-3
    I.C.E. line filters are a complete package of inductive isolation, over-voltage control, capacitive decoupling, and interference control of both common mode and differential mode signals across a broad frequency spectrum range.
    • 'Dedicated' Hospital Grade Outlets Leviton
    Leviton Hospital Grade Outlets installed with dedicated 30 AMP breaker.
    • McIntosh MC601
    McIntosh MC601 Monoblocks. 600 Watts @ 2,4,8 Ohms. Quad Balanced design

Comments 28

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Owner
Thanks a bunch Zephyr24069!!!  I really do cherish my time spent listening.

And speaking of Beautiful....HOLY COW your system looks beyond amazing!  I hope to someday have a large enough room and deep enough pockets to upgrade my Legacy's as it looks like you did.  That does not by any means indicate that I am unhappy with the Sig SEs.  In fact, I find I like as much or more than most speakers....many twice the cost!

I am considering having the tweeters upgraded to the new Air Motion tweeters.  Do you have any thoughts on that since you have made the change?

Thanks for your kind words and input.

Regards,
Claud1e

claud1e

Beautiful system and room,...you must enjoy this very much!

zephyr24069

Owner
Needfreestuff-

Thanks for the kind words! I believe proper lighting enhances the musical experience. :-) It use to have red accent lighting but switching to blue softened the look and it feels nice and cozy...especially when the tubes are all glowing.

claud1e

Owner
Tboooe-

I actually never had the Zu speakers. But my buddy here in town did. My previous speakers were BC Acoustique A3s. They found a new home locally when I found a good deal on a new pair of the Legacy Signature SEs. I couldn't be any happier. The Sigs perform as well and sometimes better than speakers twice their cost. :-)

claud1e

Owner
Islandmandan-

It is a treat indeed...Thank you!

Your Tannoys are beautiful!

claud1e

The lighting just drew me into your room, creates a special atmosphere. Sure it sounds great, thanks for posting.

needfreestuff

What made you switch from your Zu speakers?

tboooe

Hello Claudle,

Beautiful room and system, what a treat it must be to relax and take it all in.

My listening room is somewhat like yours, but not anywhere near as beautiful. 16'.5" X 34' with cathedral ceilings. It also doubles as my living room, but my wife is blissfully indulgent.

Congratulations, and enjoy!
Regards,
Dan

islandmandan

Owner
System edited: A few minor updates. :-)

claud1e

Owner
Thanks Jmohd!

claud1e

Owner
Tboooe-
For now I only have the ICE filters which made a great difference....with vocals in particular. I have plans to try a regenerator, or maybe an isolation transformer design(mpc1500) at some point down the road. As far as room treatments, I have the window behind my rig covered with a large Jerry Garcia rug. That helps not only keep the light out (I like listening in dim light) but also absorbs reflections. I also have bass traps in the corner behind my speakers. Finally, a couple years ago, I stripped the room down to nothing and rebuilt with heavy duty flooring under the new carpet, and sound deadened the walls to stop the room interaction I was getting. When I was younger I had some Michael Green Room Tunes. They worked nicely as well :-)

claud1e

I would consider doing some seriously illegal things to have a dedicated room like yours! I am also lucky in the sense that my little listening room also opens up to a larger space behind the listening position. I see you have dedicated lines but have you tried an AC regenerator like PS Audio P3/P5/P10? Perhaps where you live the power is clean and consistent but where I am, I get a lot of variation. Adding the P3 improved my system by several levels. Also, any thoughts of adding room treatments?

tboooe

Hi, beautiful setup.

jmohd

Owner
Thanks Tboooe! I live in a log home and my listening room is the loft area upstairs. The wall behind my listening position is open to the great room below. This great for 2 reasons. First, is that music easily fills the house so I can hear it while doing chores, cooking, working on my computer, etc. The second is that while in my listening chair, I do not have a rear wall causing any sound quality issues with reflections or anything. :-D

claud1e

What a great listening space and unique equipment. It is apparent you have pcarefully put together a system that perfectly suits your needs. Like you I spend a lot of time in my listening room doing a variety of things including reading, paying bills and sleeping! Is your room a converted attic?

tboooe

Owner
System edited: Been absent for a while. I added new amps, speakers and some updated photos. ENJOY!

claud1e

Owner
System edited: - Remove old Cairn Fog v2 and replaced with newer Fog V3. - Sold K02 Amp to a friend to get him started on a system. - Had dedicated circuit wired for my rig with hospital grade outlets and I.C.E. AC Line Filters.

claud1e

Owner
System edited: Just added a few new pics. Need to update the Fog V2 to my newer Fog V3...and a couple other items next. :-)

claud1e

Owner
Excellent! Thanks for the feedback on the Bel Cantos....I will no doubt have to give them a whirl sometime. I think a pair of Ref 500 Mono Blocks would be great...unless I can afford to step it up to the Ref 1000. ;-)

The Kora Crescendo preamp (tube) seems to play nice with everything....at least everything I have tried so far. I'm up in MN right now, and have a buddy that just started at Audio Research. I may try and get over there for a tour before I leave!

Happy listening!

claud1e

I have been most pleased with the Bel Cantos. They have just the combination of finesse, muscle, detail, control and efficiency that I need to run my OHM speakers optimally. And not a trace of fatigue even as the volume gets cranked up to realistic levels. They also mate well with teh tube pre-amp, something not all SS amps do. A home run for sure.

The ARC pre-amp has also been a hit and hard to fault. There is nothing glaring to not like. It is clean, detailed dynamic and smooth plus amazingly neutral sounding for tube gear, which I like.

I had considered ARC SS amps when looking but decided to go with the BCs and give a well received Class D icePower design a try.

mapman

Owner
Thanks Mapman!

The Kora sound is sweet indeed. I have 2 pairs of their Mono Blocks I use for Bi-Amping, but only in the winter due to HEAT. One pair is all tube (Titans - used on mids and highs) and the other is a Mosfet design with input tubes (used on the bass). All in all, when they're hooked up its something like, 30 tubes of sweet sounding goodness! :-)

Once I get the other 2 pieces for my new rack (in the fall) I'll have some updated photos to post with the Titans back on the rack as well. Currently, they're in the closet.

I use the new Cairn KO2 (also need pics of this) for summer listening for 2 reasons. The first is obviously heat...it runs nice and cool. The second is that I just like to have options for different types of sound.

I see you have some Bel Cantos...I was seriously considering them when I found a smoking deal on the Cairn. How do you like them? I have strongly consider Audio Research as well...I guess partially because both companies make great stuff...and partially cause I am from MN and like the fact that they are made there!

Happy listening!

claud1e

Very nice.

Nver heard of Kora before. Nice looking stuff....

mapman

Owner
System edited: Just added a couple more recent pics. Also purchase a Cairn KO2 which I need to add still....but you can see it in the Current Rig picture

claud1e

Owner
Devilboy -
Thanks for the nice comments....and I see Arthur got to you before I did. That's just as well since he did ALL the work! :-) I took a look at your current system page. Very nice room and some great gear too. Looking forward to seeing your new system as well. Let me know when it's up.

A and Bort-
Big Smiles :-))

claud1e

Devilboy - We retubed the Titans with Russian (Reflector/Saratov) NOS EL84M tubes rather than anything else because non-M tubes cannot really handle the anode voltages that Kora has selected. In addition, the voltage issue is exacerbated by the fact that generation 3 Koras and earlier have 115V primaries, which ups the voltage from 400 to 440VDC (and 100mA bias). This is not a happy scenario for a regular EL84 tube and I'm sure the Jupiter is the same as a single Titan.

To be fair, many amps have 115V primaries but it's not a problem unless it is a vacuum tube power amplifier, and, you are running the output tubes at their absolute maximum operating point. I trimmed the plate voltages on the Titans back down to 400V (and heaters to 6.25VAC) but Ms are still necessary. Non-M EL84s will work for sure but their life will be shortened by half or so, maybe more. If you have any questions about all this, feel free to contact me directly.

But they are incredible amps - you made a stellar choice! Kora sound is truly special.

Arthur

aball

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