This is as good as it gets for me. I love the sound. I have owned my Supratek and my Gallo speakers the longest. I have never felt a need to look for other speakers or preamp. The Magtech amp is my newest purchase. I loved my Berning, but the Magtech plays everything without a hint of strain. I want to thank my friends Andre and Larry for helping me get the sound just right.
Hand built by Mick Maloney in Western Australia. Two piece preamp with seperate power supply.
Sandersound Magtech
Solid State amp with a very neutral sound. This amp will handle any speaker with ease. Dynamics are huge. 500 wpc.
Gallo Acoustics Nucleus Ref
Unconventional looking, but the sound is beautiful. Bass down to 24Hz and a midrange to die for with crystal clear highs thanks to Gallo's exclusive electrostatic like tweeter.
Graham Engineering Phantom 2 arm
Wonderful sound with VTF on the fly.
Lyra Titan i cartridge
Best cartridge I have ever owned. Very dynamic with great detail.
Acoustic Research Master Series interconnect
This cable is a fantastic bargain. Wonderful sound for little money.
TW Acustic Raven One turntable
I love the looks and the sound of this turntable. I took the feet off and placed the turntable on computer gel wrist pads. They do a better job isolating the turntable.
OPPO BDP-95 Blu Ray/CD player
I don't listen to cd's very much, but I like this player for it's ability to play cd's, SACD's, Blu-Ray's.
Vandersteen 2wq Subwoofers
I bought 2 of these. These subs blend with my Gallo speakers perfectly. I get nice deep. If you close your eyes you would swear the bass was coming from the Gallo's only.
Hello Slowhand,very nice system!Ihave a VPI Scout with a ClearaudioMM,Arum Beta S,that has a slightly bent cantilever,im thinking of replacing it with a Dynavector 20XL or Karat,im hoping for better tracking,lower groove noise,and better low level detail,im using an Acoustech PH1P phono,could you please give me your thoughts on Dynavector,also how do you like your Granite CD?Thanks, Ray
I have had my pre set up for MM when I first got it and since changed it over to MC. I feel it sounds great in both setups, but Mick recommends the MC setup. I am sure the Cortese is probably even better than the Syrah, but I don't know how much better.
I'm sure it's a great sounding system. David Berning's stuff is hard to beat. I have a couple of his amps that I got(used!) back in 1985: the tubes haven't even worn out yetand it still sounds very fine. I have a question about the Syrah preamp. I just put in my order for one, but I'm wondering if I should hold out for the Cortese. Since it will take something like 4 months, I will have time to collect some more pennies. My main source is vinyl/classical with a moving magnet cartridge. I keep getting seduced by the MC's but end up hating them after a few days and go back to my $1200 Grado, and more recently to the terrific $750 Music Maker II. I too have VPI Aries with JMW arm; Manley 440 monoblocks; Maggie 20R speakers. Any thoughts out there? This is my first visit to the site as a member, but I have been impressed with the conversations I have witnessed as an observer.
