Description

High-performance and high-value component synergy for focused, phase and time-aligned, but most of all ENJOYABLE sound. Fabulous!!!
Read more...

Components Toggle details

    • Technics SL-1210 M5GSE (modified)
    Technics 1210M5Gse, modified by KAB with: record clamp/threaded spindle, external power supply, strobe disabler, & tonearm fluid damper, and Isonoe Machined Sorbothane Spring Isolator Feet. -http://www.kabusa.com/frameset.htm?ttables.htm
    • Cartridge Man Music Maker 3
    The 'MusicMaker' Phono Cartridge is a high-performance variable reluctance device, employing a proprietory extended contact diamond stylus.  *Output voltage: 4mV *Frequency response: 10Hz - 50KHz *Stereo separation:>25dB across 10Hz to 30KHz *Load: 47K Ohm (standard moving magnet) *Cartridge weight: 6.2g *Stylus type: proprietory extended contact area diamond *Tracking force: 1.58g +/- 0.05g (critical) *Arm requirement: medium to low mass (13g or less) *Bias (anti-skate): minimal
    • KAB/Ortofon Pro S-40
    OUTPUT 5cm/S:4mV FREQ RANGE:20Hz - 29kHz RESPONSE 20Hz-20kHz:+2 -0 dB TRACKING 315Hz:[greaterthansign]90uM LATERAL COMPLIANCE:25 uM/mN STYLUS TYPE:FG70 5/70 uM STYLUS REPLACEMENT:STY40 STYLUS TIP MASS:0.30 mG TRACKING FORCE: 1.25-1.75 Gr LOAD IMPEDANCE: [greaterthansign]47kOhm, 200-500pF CARTRIDGE WEIGHT: 18.5 Gram The advantage of the integrated design is that the arm wand, cartridge coils and cantilever are in alignment. This creates a better path for vibration dispersion. The result is great midrange transparency and powerful punchy bass. These are custom assembled by KAB.
    • EAR-Yoshino 834P (Modified)
    Modified with Hovland and HEXFRED. SPECIFICATIONS Input sensitivity for 1 volt out @ 1kHz: MM 2.2mV - MC 0.22mV Max output 30V Noise (unweighted) -80 dB (1HF) Tubes JJ/Tesla ECC83 x 3
    • APL-HiFi/Pioneer DV-563A (modified)
    Universal disc player, with high-performance modifications done by APL HiFi which include: 1. R-Core (R) power transformer, Custom built to our specs in Japan. 2. Various Power supply upgrades, including Shottky and HEXFRED, latest technology rectifiers (specially selected for best sound), highest quality Voltage Regulating devices and highest quality Panasonic capacitors as we find them more neutral sounding. 3. Two DACs in parallel per channel for amazing detail and fuller, even more analog sound. 4. Transformer coupled DAC (for the main channels) featuring custom Lundahl transformers. 5. MOSFET output buffer stage for a very warm, relaxed and natural music presentation. Some customers can not believe that there is no vacuum tube inside this unit! 6. IEC power inlet. 7. Pure 99.9999% Solid Silver wiring for the direct signal path (Teflon insulated). 8. Point - to - point wiring for the new analog stage. No PC Boards! Just like a vintage, or very expensive modern tube amplifier!
    • Response Audio/Jolida REF-3205 (Platinum mod)
    60 watt/channel JoLida 502 integrated amp modified ground-up by Response Audio *Reference grade V-Cap Teflon capacitors installed in the signal path (4 pieces) *Reference Grade V-Cap Teflon ground capacitors used in signal stage.(2 pieces) *Power supply filter capacitors upgraded to higher capacitance/low ESR pieces in two stages (x4 pieces) *Mundorf capacitors used at signal ground location *SoniCap high voltage capacitors used as bypass units in the power supply (x3 pieces) *Dale/Vishay 1watt 1% non-magnetic resistors used throughout the signal path *Carbon Comp one-half watt or Dale Vishay 1 watt metal film resistors utilized in the grid stopper location *Mills 12 watt non-inductive resistors replacing the Tube emitter cushion resistors *Dale/Vishay 3 watt 1%, non-magnetic resistors utilized in the bias stage for lower noise *Fairchild "Ultra Fast Soft Recovery" diodes are utilized in the power supply rectifying stage for lower noise floor and quieter background *Internal wiring upgraded to either 22 awg high quality copper or 22 awg high quality silver plated copper *Alps Blue volume control maintained for a smooth presentation *Balance control bypassed *High quality silver solder used throughout
    • Gallo Nucleus Reference 3.1
    *Frequency Response: 34Hz - 35kHz +/- 3dB *Frequency Response (active bass): 22Hz - 35kHz +/- 3dB *Impedance (top terminal) : 4 - 8 Ohms *Impedance (lower terminal): 4 Ohms *Sensitivity: 88 dB/1 watt/1 meter *Power Handling: 350 watts RMS *Drivers: two 4" carbon fiber midrange drivers, custom 10" dual-voice coil bass driver *CDT Tweeter: 300° dispersion 3kHz - 35kHz *Midrange Driver Material: Hyperbolic carbon fiber *Enclosure: Aluminum/Stainless Steel *Connections: Gold plated brass binding posts for secure wire connection *Weight: 47 lbs each *Dimensions: 36.25" (H) x 8" (W) x 14" (D) with grill__35.5" (H) x 8" (W) x 14" (D) w/out grill__Add 2 to 2.25" for spikes and spike protectors
    • Green Mountain Audio Callisto
    Perfect time-coherent, phase-aligned speakers. Featuring extraordinarily simple first-order crossovers & proprietary, innovative Q-Stone cast marble cabinetry--all results of solving the world’s toughest time-domain mathematics and 30 years of education and experience in physics & professional sound engineering and recording. WOOFER 6” rigid piston, single-pressed paper/carbon fiber cone with ultra-linear suspension, vented under-hung Kapton voice coil. Shielded, radially-magnetized neodymium-iron-boron magnet. Built for us by Aurasound. TWEETER MorelUSA 28mm polymer-coated linen dome of low-resonant frequency, with large rear chamber, acoustically damped; enclosed in cast-marble chamber, mechanically damped; hex-wound voice coil, Ferrofluid cooled; 0.44 grams moving mass. CROSSOVER 1st-order response, electrically and acoustically, at 2850Hz. SoniCap film capacitor and Solen Litz inductor. ENCLOSURE Solid cast marble. Twin, aero-dynamic ports fire down onto supporting base. Specially-shaped base prevents resonances between base and cabinet bottom. 4th-order Butterworth tuning at 54Hz with nearly zero box loss. SENSITIVITY 90-91dB for 2.83 Volts input at 1 meter, at sea level. Dynamically linear within 0.5dB to 103dB. RESPONSE Freefield at 2 meters: +/- 0.75dB 80Hz to 20kHz, -3dB at 50Hz and 21kHz. In-room typically –3dB at 47Hz on 24” speaker stands, at 8’ distant. Adjustable base, +/- 5 degrees, to accommodate listening heights and distances. PHASE SHIFT +/- 2 degrees acoustically, from 200Hz to 8kHz on listening axis. RECOMMENDED POWER 7 to 170 W (amplifier’s Ohm rating). IMPEDANCE 4.1 to 5.3 Ohms from 100Hz to 20kHz; 4.1 to 24 Ohms from DC to 100Hz. SIZE/WEIGHT 20.125”H; 8.75”W; 11.5”D with base; 49lbs. each. Hardwood trim is applied to both front and rear of the Callisto base.
    • Verastarr Silver Reference Signature IC
    The Silver Reference Signature Interconnect represents the pinnacle of Verastarr interconnect design. It is similar, in design, to the Silver Reference although the design goes one step further and separates the signal and return into 2 completely separate, shielded conductors. This absolutely eliminates any chance whatsoever of interaction between the two. The result is stunning. A perfectly quiet, transparent design. You will hear your source in intricate detail. This is a perfect reference interconnect to use when critiquing different sources due to its sonically invisible nature. Only our trademark 99.99% Silver covered 99.999% HCOFC metal is used, even in the braid shield. Only pure Teflon is used for minimum dielectric absorption. The outer braid is 100% Kevlar for reduction in static buildup. The connectors are WBT of Germany.
    • Verastarr Silver Signature speaker
    Silver Reference Speaker Cables are cost-no-object design and represent the pinnacle of our speaker cable designs. They are meticulously hand-created in very low numbers. The cables are comprised of 4 separate runs; 2 for each speaker. Each run has a quad-braid geometry consisting of 4 separate shielded sub-runs. Each of the 4 sub-runs is a dual helix geometry with 2 separate 20 Ga., individually Teflon-insulated, 99.99% pure Silver Covered 99.999% HCOFC for the most neutral, transparent signal delivery money can buy (16-20Ga. conductors per speaker, which means 12Ga per polarity, or 9Ga. per speaker). Each of the sub runs is individually pure Silver braid shielded on top of being in a dual-helix twist for the ultimate in RFI and EMI rejection. This level of protection also makes this design impervious to power cords, and static from laying directly on carpet...no need for cable elevators. We realize this design is massively overbuilt, but this helps eliminate cables as a possible culprit when debugging. As on all Silver Reference Cables, the connectors are the best made; WBT of Germany. These cables are made to order and each pair is custom. We can make any length and configuration. The Cables are 100% Money-Back satisfaction guaranteed, no questions asked. These cables will not only astound you with their uncanny natural sound, but their beauty is a statement in itself.

Comments 10

Owner
System edited: Just added the Gallo Reference 3.1 to the mix -WOW!!!! Everything the GMA Callistos gave me, but more. I can't afford GMA's larger 3-ways, so this is a splendid compromise. Also not having to integrate a Sub is a plus:)

arrakian

Owner
System edited: update description

arrakian

Owner
It's cool you've got your wife involved in audio, too.

arrakian

It is not a huge deal, I mean my wife can still hear details she never heard before on the couch next to me, but its because that 20 inches is sooo amazing is why it sucks you want to be in the magic! Within a few feet give or take the speakers do sound ok, but I am not being over-eager when I say that the 20 inch sweet spot is like nothing else many may EVER hear, and I mean NEVER!

chadnliz

Owner
"and I also liked not having my head in a vice (eros sweet spot is too small...20 inches)"

I looked at a used pair of Eros' before I got the Callisto. I remember the small sweet spot issue from the "Absolute Sound" review. I can't say this would've been a big problem, but I much rather have the freedom to move around more.

arrakian

I think the Eros are better, but they should be at 3x more in price, but all the same those speakers totally amazed me, I just loved how I couldnt hear the box...just free open air music, they are truely great speakers, and I also liked not having my head in a vice (eros sweet spot is too small...20 inches)I had no issue with the bass, but wasnt listening to classical or really low dynamic tunes, vocals were stunning, and face it mids are what makes or breaks a speaker!

chadnliz

Owner
Thanks, Chadnliz.

How does your experience with the GMA Callisto compare to your Eros (obviously not the low <45Hz bass)?

arrakian

Awesome rig, I heard the Callisto once and have missed it ever since!

chadnliz

Owner
Nzera,
Sorry for the late reply; I didn't know responses could be made to virtual systems:)

The Music Maker is very compatible with the Technics arm, and not at all difficult to setup; the hardest part for me was "centering" the stylus on the headshell. It's about a third lighter than the Ortofon and tracks wonderfully. The sound, as stated in most all it's reviews, is equall to moving-coils costing 2-3 times the MM3. I didn't get a chance to try it with my last phono amp (Benz-Micro Series 2 Lukaschek PP-1), but I think this cart mates extremely well with the tube-based variety. Texture, detail, air... it's got it all in spades! The upgraded wiring of my M5GSE is necessary to hear what the MM3 is reproducing, but I think there is even more available. Kevin (@KAB) is working on an optional arm, with upgraded wiring and terminated with a RCA connection block at the base of the 'table. This will facilitate use of better interconnects. Also, all of Origin Live's arms can be used on the 1200 (with their armboard); I'm looking into one of these options.

The KAB/Ortofon is used (not much) on the second 1200 I have (non-KAB). I use that for auditioning non-cleaned records, and sound manipulation. It was originally for better quality playback on the M5GSE, but when I got the MM3, it was demoted:) The Ortofon's sound would be comparable to the Shure V15vxMR -nowhere near the MM3- but in that family, as far as the "voicing" goes.

arrakian

Hi Arrakian,

Looks like a great system. Very well thought out with a lot of high value components.

I also have a KAB modded technics 1210, and have been considering the music maker cartridge (currently have the KAB Stanton groovemaster). How compatible is this cartridge with the Technics arm, and how would you describe the sound? Difficult to set up? How does it compare to the Ortofon?

nzera

Showing all 10 posts