System edited: updated description and components

distortion August 13, 2005 21:17

This system is undergoing renovation and downsizing basically because I am building a small two channel and need some components. Due to financial reasons we are holding off on building so the dedicated theatre/listening room is, well, I guess thats mostly self explanatory.

The equipment list is up to date. The pictures are not, sorry. I'll snap some in the near future and post 'em.

The little Rotel has good synergy with the B & Ws and the Bryston Processor. Its surprising after using multiple amps how balanced the sound is when going back to a single 5 channel amp. Power is obviously down but the balance is great.

The ASW2500 sub is quite a remarkable sub. Very Articulate and blends seemlessly with the CDM9s. Not exactly a rafter shaker but for music it absolutely excels. Anyway I have the dual 12's in the NHT. Though I prefer leaving it off most of the time.

Sold the Jolida CDP and miss it. Its really a nice piece. The Bryston has a superb DAC and so it is serving as main DAC as well.

distortion June 14, 2005 23:32

System edited: I have been running Telefunkens in the JD100 and really like them. I have also upgraded from the Bryston 4B-ST to the 4B-SST. It was a nice improvement and definately has great synergy with the SP1.7 Processor.

distortion August 20, 2004 18:41

I added a Synergistic Research AC master. So far it works best on my Pre/Pro. It wasnt a huge improvement over the Signalcable PC that I was using, but it did improve the dynamics and blackened the background without a significant change in tonal balance. Which is good, because I like it pretty well now. Serious, I just cant help myself when it come to tweaking.

Speaking of tweaking. I removed the fixed power cable from my Sony DVD and replaced it with a Female IEC connector. I have a dremel and a soldering gun so what the heck. It's still burning in, but I think it sounds better already and video looks better as well. Even though this machine isnt "all that" it does a pretty good job at video playback, and the jury is still out on SACD. I have been enjoying the sound of my Jolida CDP so much lately that I really havent played many SACDs.

I still havent upgraded the TV yet. I am seriously eyeing the Samsung DLP rear projection. Maybe after Xmas.

distortion November 27, 2003 00:47

Thanks Tvad. I have really been enjoying the system since the HT cables went in. I have some inexpensive(50.00) DH Labs BL-1s from the Jolida CDP to the Pre/Pro, and I really like them. Articulate bass, smooth mids, and extended highs. I have a Synergistic Research PC on the way!!! Cant wait for that one. I took a MIT Z cord from the CDP and tried a SignalCable PC and it made a small difference. I liked the Signalcable better, more coherent midrange. I have been eyeing the Truthlinks for a little while now. I may just bite the bullet and get some. Thanks again for your post.

distortion November 17, 2003 18:52

I have found good synergy with HT Truthlinks and my Bryston 14B SST and Bryston BP25 pre. Also, I have recently been using MAS Gray and MAS Black IC's with good success, and they're a bargain at $60 and $40 respectively.

tvad November 17, 2003 01:41

System edited: Added a photo of the sources, Jolida JD-100 and a Sony DVP-NS900v. I hate having to stack them. Sorbothane feet are under the Sony and Vibrapods under the Jolida. Signalcable Analog 2 RCAs and an MIT Z-Cord 2 are currently in use on the Jolida. I am thinking of upgrading both of these, probably used, with a budget of around $300.00 for both. I am considering Harmonic Tech Truthlinks and ProAC11. Virtual Dynamics and Synergystic are both in the running for the PC as well. Any thoughts on either are appreciated.

distortion October 12, 2003 15:38

Unclejeff, Thanks for the website. As far as a thread on A'gon, that sounds great. I think A'gon spawned a new site called Videogon.com, which I am gonna check out right after this.

Thanks again for your help.

distortion August 25, 2003 20:29

Hey Dis-tort;yopu are welcome. there are a number of great web pages for the video-end of the AV. www;AVSFORUM.com is good. there are many others. As a matter of fact, perhaps someone will start a thread mentioning favorite video links as Audiogon is fantastic on the Audio part, just a bit lacking on the video.

unclejeff August 25, 2003 04:33

UncleJjeff, Oh I get it now. Thanks for straightening me out, I had no idea.

I dont like video running through my audio. For starters, my processor doesnt have video switching or any on screen menus. Only my DVD does, no problem, I am using a relatively cheap($50.00) component cable from DVD straight to TV. The digital out from the DVD goes straight to the Processor. I plan on keeping the two(audio/video) as seperate as possible.

I really didnt like the TV when I bought it, =), I am itching, but I think patience is in order. Prices are coming down regularly.

Thanks much for the line on Plasma Depot.

distortion August 22, 2003 22:55

Distort, I wish it did not seem so complicated. It seems that the folks who own thr rights to the movies don't want us copying the very best versions of them. So, as High Definition begins to go mainstream, there is resistance to letting us all have easy, recordable access to it. So, there is this attempt to 'copy protect' the digital flow so that you can only get the best picture if you whole digital system has all of the software. It is my understanding that this is not a problem once you run it through your DAC. But, lets say for instance, your Satellite or DVD player or your high-end DAC don't have the latest chip. Then the system will downgrade the picture a bit so as to avoid us making a copy. think of it as Macrovision in High Definition. Now, if your DAC is ready for this, then your plasma or projector does not really need it as you simply feet it the analog stuff through your normal compopnent inputs. It is just that if you buy a plasma/projector with the DVI input, planning to use the on-board DAC, you might find your self with old equipment, sooner than you wanted. I am not too worried about this as I will probably rely on an external DAC and continue to use my plasma and/or projector simply as a monitor. The point being that you should be aware of this before spending too much on a monitor system with DVI inputs that don't have the copy protection.

So, if you likes what ya got, stick with it for another year or so. I think the wait will be worth it. finally, there are great plasma deals on the internet. check out the Plasma Depot, amoung others.

unclejeff August 22, 2003 02:20

Unclejeff, thanks so much. Yeap I really need to do something about about video. I was very frugal when purchasing that TV, knowing what was in the pipe. I do love the Plasma, its just so expensive, and to top it off, if I do go Plasma I want to change my audio rack from vertical to horizontal. So even more of an expenditure.

I dont know that much about video. I have just started reading up on it. I am fairly content right now, with my DACs. External and internal, in the Processor. If you will, please elaborate on the Plasma and DAC situation. Is it the video bandwidth? or diaglog difficulties with the flat screen? Just guessing.

distortion August 21, 2003 14:55

Your system is distortion-less. Very nice. I do agree you need to go with plasma or projection. I am using projection as I have family over to sometimes watch movies. I might be soon be changing my TV in the living room to plasma. If you do go with plasma, pay attention to the DAC as everything is changing, especially with the CPHD (copy protected high definition) coming on line. If you go with a high-end Theatre Processor you probably won't need to worry about your projector/plasma DAC.

unclejeff August 21, 2003 00:29

System edited: Updated my system description

distortion August 20, 2003 21:58

Thanks Capnizzy. I hope your demoing goes well and you find a Pre/Pro that meets all your needs and then some. While I have never heard EAD products, I live in the sticks, I have read quite a bit about them......and not one word was bad.

I liked the Bryston amp almost immediately....They certainly arent the last word....but overall they provide alot for the money.

The Jolida is right at home...she is all burned in as of tonight. I really like this player. I am beginning my tube play, that may sound dirty =) but its really a good thing. I just love audio and this gives me something to tweak without having to blow the vacation fund.

I tried some newer GE 5751 JANs in place of the Electro Harmonix 12ax7eh's and liked their bass, but was disappointed with imaging and depth. I am considering some 1960s RCA 5751 black plates. Any thoughts appreciated.

distortion August 20, 2003 02:35

Thanks Distortion,

For the input you provided to me in my hunt for a new pre/pro. I am in the process of demo'ing the EAD, and look forward to hearing the Bryston. I really like Bryston amps, and it sounds like their pre/pro is up to par.
Just checked out your system. NICELY DONE !!!
Take care
Capnizzy

capnizzy August 19, 2003 01:30

System edited: I guess it really isnt a starter anymore. I finally got the pictures to take after three tries. Added a Jolida JD-100 CD player....My first tubes. I am going to try a few different tubes out, starting with EH 12ax7 and GE 5751, tell me what you think sounds good in your gear. Anywho, I think I might leave it alone for now.

distortion August 13, 2003 00:40

System edited: Picture added

distortion August 12, 2003 00:12

System edited: Pictures added

distortion August 09, 2003 00:08

Well the Bryston is in place and Burned in. In one word....WOW. I listen to alot of 2 channel and the analog 2 channel bypass is stunning. Having compared several pre/pros this one walked off with the 2 channel trophy, easily. However for HT purposes they all fall fairly close, having compared Classe(ssp30), B & K(ref50), Krell(showcase), Integra(rdc7), and Rotel(RSP976/1066).

I am now making the jump to XLR connections, so I am in the process of evaulating cables, next up is a Harmonic Tech Pro Silway III. I will post more on cables later.

Foreverhifi, I do use analog in, from both the RCD971 and the Theta DAC. Its a toss up right now, they are only ever so slightly different in sonics(more may be revealed as cables are improved).

Thanks for your recommendation of Classe Pre/pros. I gave them a try, but the Brystons dynamics and extension in bypass was superior, by my ear anyway. I should say, that I like detailed highs. The big Classe was out of my price range, it may be a superior unit, but that will have to wait.

distortion July 14, 2003 14:58

System edited: Finally made that upgrade from a Rotel 976 pre/pro to the Bryston. After Break in I will follow up.

distortion June 29, 2003 15:55

System edited: Added a Rotel RCD-971 for CD/Transport duties.

distortion May 11, 2003 19:51

You could upgrade CD player if you're going "analog in" top your pre/pro for 2 ch listening. Otherwise, going "digital-in" to your pre/pro is an option. That said, you'd overall have much better sound upgrading to the Classe SSP30 and matching amps for your B&W CDM speakers! That combination is stellar for the money, and isn't easily beaten. The Classe is a superior pre/pro to the Bryston sonically as well. The Bryston amps aren't better than the Classe's either.
If it were my money, you're upgrade path (without getting tricky) would be selling the amps and pre/pro , and buying Classe SSP25/30(probabaly 30) and maybe the multichannel Classe or Separates.
Good luck

foreverhifi May 05, 2003 17:39

If you like Theta, look at a Theta Data Basic. I owned one for 7 years before I upgraded to a Classe CDT-1

axendo May 05, 2003 12:41

I am working on improving the source currently.

I have a Theta DSPro Basic I, and I am currently looking for a modest CD player/Transport.

The Bryston sp1.7 is very expensive so it will be a while.

distortion May 03, 2003 02:08