$1800 for a flippin' vacuum cleaner?! Crazy, but it works.
Surgex SX-15NE
Series mode surge suppressor, panel mount, protects only the dedicated circuit for the system. Limits dynamics, so it's out of the circuit; seeking alternatives
Exact Power EP-15A
Voltage regulation, sine wave correction, EMI/RFI filter, large current reserve, digital/analog filters, some surge protection; improves clarity, dynamics and sound floor of the whole system
Teres 320 (modded)
Ref II motor w/ upgraded gold brushes, DIY acid-etched holographic drive belt substantially improves speed stability.
Tri-Planar VII
Gimbal arm, every adjustment I'd ever heard of, and a few I hadn't!
Shelter 901
Not used but often lent out to friends. If you're interested - and friendly! - let me know.
ZYX UNIverse II X-SB
More dynamic and impactful than original UNIverse, yet also with a lower sound floor, lower distortion and greater clarity
Bent Audio Mu MC stepup transformers
Not in use, the MC stage in the Alaap is much better.
Marantz UD-9004
Universal disc player, including blu-ray; massive upgrade in both PQ and SQ from our Denon DVD-3910
Nick Doshi Alaap
Full function preamp. Massive external power supplies. FET MC gain stage, all subsequent gain is from tubes. Each Alaap is built to order and Nick only makes a handful each year. Each one is made with as many or as few options as the owner prefers. This preamp holds its own (at least) against every commercial unit I've heard. It has replaced commercial phono + line stages costing up to $40K. With all due respect, this is the real, "preamp deal of the century"!
Lectron JH-50, heavily modded by Nick Doshi
57 incredibly hefty wpc Dual mono Custom power supplies Partridge output transformers (rare these days) Custom, discrete tube regulator circuits Black Gate power supply caps TFT Exotica coupling caps Cardas internal wire and connectors 4 - Electro Harmonix EL-34's (strong, fast, neutral) 2 - NOS 6SJ7's 2 - Tung Sol 6SN7's Like no amp I've heard anywhere; tube naturalness without warmth or bloat, enormous power reserves with no glare or grain.
B&W Nautilus 803D
Major upgrade from our N803's. Thank you Santa! :-)
Panasonic TC-P46ST30
46" plasma, 1080p, professionally calibrated; crap speakers like all new TVs but stunning PQ, near Kuro quality for 1/10 the price :)
Audio Points 1.5-AP-J
Threaded spikes for speakers
Nordost Valkyrja
1m RCA's between CDP/preamp and preamp/amp
Nordost Valkyrja
2.5m Biwire speaker cables with z-plugs Replaced SPM Reference, major improvement (more extension, less bloat).
Salamander Synergy Triple 20
This is serial #1 of this model, the first Triple 20 delivered to any consumer anywhere. Too resonant for a serious audiophile, but looks nice in the LR.
Nordost Shiva
Entry level Nordost PC. Runs from Exact Power to the TV and yes, the PQ did improve - a lot!
Nordost Vishnu
More bass weight and dynamic headroom than the entry level Shiva. It's actually a bigger upgrade than the marketing folks claim, a happy surprise! We're using three: - wall to Exact Power - Exact Power to preamp power supply - Exact Power to amp
W Enterprises Northwest Music Timbre
Exact Power to DVD player Improved low frequency strength and extension for both audio and video, reduced overhang on all audio frequencies
Symposium Rollerblocks, tungsten, cryoed
4 sets, one set each beneath: - Exact Power - preamp power supply - preamp audio chassis - power amp
Sorry for the slow response. I don't visit my system page often and don't get notices when someone's posted here.
Jwm, I've not heard the MY Sonic Labs Ultra Eminent. Sorry.
Peter, I'm equally curious, but haven't tried one yet.
Needfreestuff,
I haven't heard the ZYX Diamond Gold but I can speculate based on similarly-featured models that I have heard.
1. That big blue ball on the front acts as a vibration storage and reflecting device. Stray mechanical vibrations enter the ball and bounce around inside for varying lengths of time (depends on the frequency and the phase when it first entered the ball). Because the material (lapis lazuli) is dense, highly organized (crystalline) and highly inelastic, it does not damp internal vibrations well, if at all. At some point the vibrations, little diminshed, exit the ball and go right back into the cartridge generator. Result: multiple time- and phase-shifted echoes of the original signal... ie, sonic mud.
On the Omega, this effect was instantly obvious, intensely annoying (to my ears) and resistant to all efforts to tweak it away by fiddling setup parameters. A high level background murmur is inherent in this design, for the reasons explained above.
As the Diamond uses the same ball, there's no reason to expect anything different.
2. If "Gold" indicates coil windings made of gold wire (vs. silver or copper) than it would be my last choice of the three. I've compared copper/silver/gold coil windings on multiple ZYX models. In every case, the gold was the least dynamic, most muffled and most artifically smoothed. This is a simple side-effect of each metal's mass. Gold is heaviest, silver next, copper lightest. The lower the moving mass, the more responsive the cartridge. A plain and simple cause and effect.
Components that smooth or deaden the sound are not my cup of tea. Some people like to "tame" a rough or spiky sounding system by band-aiding on a smoother component somewhere. This is fundamentally wrong and defies the essential concept of audiophilia, which is faithful reproduction. If one has a spiky sounding system, find out the cause of the spikiness and adjust or replace it. Fixing problems at their source is the path to sonic and system improvement. Covering them up is like brushing dirt under the rug... temporarily better but worse than useless in the long run.
Doug, Have you tried out the new ultrasonic RCMs? I've still got my Loricraft and love the AIVS fluids, but I'm curious about ultimate results. What are your thoughts?
Hello Doug, Very nice system and thread! I also have the Alaap as my first and LAST Pre. I like it very much, although my only sources used so far are Tuner and CDP. When I move living quarters and subsequently join in the mix my new (to me) VL'P TT, I plan on liking it even more.
System edited: Upgraded disc player and TV for blu-ray. The Marantz UD-9004 (discontinued, available at bargain prices) makes a major improvement to sound quality from all sources... CD, SACD, DVD-A, DVD-V, blu-ray. Paired with the new Panny plasma (professionally calibrated) makes for stunning PQ too. We're movie junkies at the moment, and loving it!
Thanks for visiting my page. If I checked it myself more often I might have noticed sooner!
We haven't had time to visit Nick and hear his new amps yet, despite many gracious invitations. Some day when work calms down...
Totally understand and agree about the Salamander rack. I've told anyone who cared (and probably several who didn't) that it's the weakest link in our system.
FWIW, it's isolated from our suspended wood floor on weight-specific sorbothane. Additionally, every component that's susceptible to vibration is suspended on cryoed Symposium Rollerblocks, additional shelves on more weight-specific sorbothane, or both.
That said, we're very aware that improvements are possible, but our living room geography is very restricted. We'd probably need a completely custom built unit to hold our gear in the space available. There go my finances - again.
you've always helped me with some great recommendations Galibrier/Triplaner/Zyx Universe and Doshi Alaap preamp
major thanks for the musical directions enjoy music tolerate equipment
was curious if you have heard the latest Doshi amp options? I may have to give Larry or Nick a call.
the parents live an hour from Ann Arbor so a trip up may be in order
also - with such great components, you might want to seriously consider Silent Running Audio isolation Individual platforms or the craz rack
I had a salamander and this was light year ahead and removed any time smearing and really help define the sound. Not cheap but incredible. THe craz rack - specialized to your needs looks fantastic and is built like a tank
Doug, me too. You have a very decent system. So I have to ask for your opinions on ZYX UNIverse which is not available in where I live(Mehran's exclusive?). Did you compare it with other popular MC carts? Say, from Ortofon, Phase Tech, Shelter, MY Sonic Lab/Air Tight, Benz Micro, or any others...
The cart will not be used with uni-pivot or air-bearing arms.I just want to hear your opinions on it. Thanks a lot. Dan
Fellow audiogoner nsgarch referred me to you as a good source for insight in regards to speaker cables and B&W + tubes. I see you use Nordost Valkyrja and was wondering why you chose these.
I have B&W 804S and McIntosh MC275. Where do you suggest I start looking?
..just checking on nick doshi´s design I read through your comments, and felt like going skiing, however, in Switzerland, Engadin (St.Moritz) snow is slowly going, and our time there is over, I miss it. But - I would appreciate a pm about the doshi pre (I use a current Merlin VSM or TSM with a Berning ZH270), if you find time. Thanks
Hi Doug and Sirspeedy, Thanks for the invite, however I live alittle too far away.
Regarding Nordost wire used in your tonearm. This would most certainly be areal eye,er,ear opener concidering you all ready have Valkyja in your system.
Roy Gregory, editor of the British audio magazine Hi-Fi+ has voiced his option many times using Nordost wire through out an entire system. His wording is ,entire loom of it from your cartridge on.
This includes Nordost power cords and the Thor a.c. distribution unit,which I have. Gregory refers to this as the foundation to building any system.He goes on to say,this is where you should start.
It all works together and it has had an astonishing effect even in a modest system like mine.
The recent issue of Hi-Fi+ #55 has another artical written using an entire run of Nordost wire through out a system.
Acouple of years ago or so, VPI introduced their new line of tonearms factory wired with Nordost Valhalla. I bought one right away. The 9 inch signature arm as VPI named it proved to be light years ahead of the standard 9 inch arm wired with a Discovery brand.
As you know it takes an extraordinary long time to burn in Nordost wire. I had my new tonearm wire cooked for a solid week which was not near enough.The dealer said this was more then enough time, he's wrong.... I logged another 200 hours on it before the brightness vanished. Once it did,I heard my system for the first time.
I have never heard my overhauled Quad electrostats sing like they do now.
Those who claim Nordost wire is bright sounding ,have not heard it in a system fully burnt in, thats for sure. Or it simply revealed a component in their system for what it really is.
This tiny fragile signal from a cartridge is very easily distroyed with other wires used in this cridical application. Its one of those things,how would you know if you have not heard something better?...Far and away better.
Thom Mackris sent me an e-mail last night. There is a foot note on the bottom of the page that Thom is fond of, written by Robert Hunter,it reads,
Once in a while,you get shown the light. In the strangest of places if you look at it right.
I think this applies very well to an entire run of Nordost wire from your cartridge on through.
What ever arm I choose for my Galibier,I will have the arm wire replaced with Nordost Tyr.
Gee, I go skiing for a week and everyone drops by!
If your name's Mark then I guess you're invited. ;-) If you're not Mark but you're good people, you're also invited! We're in central CT, except when I'm in Beaver Creek or somewhere else snowy and steeeeeep! :-)
Our Triplanar has a single run of Discovery wire from clips to (RCA) phono plugs. Haven't had the Nordost rewire yet but that's of interest. Our I/C's and speaker cable are all Valkyja and the increase in transparency and speed accuracy vs. any other wire we've heard is notable. Great stuff, though completely unforgiving of problems elsewhere.
"Hi Mark,Thanks for dropping by(and please do so for real if you're in the neighborhood)."....Whew,I worked hard to be taken off the excommunication list!...Thanks for the invite,and if I'm in the area I'd like that(you really are a decent guy).No follow up sillyness either.I promise!!
Hi Doug I would like to thank you again for brining my attention to Galibier tables. I have re-thought where I should go with my budget for a new table, arm and cartridge.
On your Tri-planer arm,do you have the R.C.A. termination box? And did you have your arm rewired with Nordost? Then again maybe everything is working just fine without doing so.
Alright Doug i think its time for some pictures. I need to get a look at that analog rig of yours. Where do you live? Might send my swash buckling buccaneers to snatch the booty. Arrrrgh
Thanks for dropping by (and please do so for real if you're in the neighborhood).
I work at it pretty regularly because, like a sensitive instrument, it's a constant effort of love to keep things in perfect tune. Also, Paul gets all cranky if anything's off. ;-)
OTOH, four of the five A'goners who've visited decided to duplicate our system to one degree or another. They spent all kinds of money they didn't plan to, so I guess it's good for the economy. :-)
I can count hobby age instead of real age? That's great news for the new year! Thanks. :-)
"Never judge anything but in-room performance." Truer words were never spoken. I get emails (I'm sure you do too) from people who want me to tell them the "perfect" arm for some cartridge based on effective mass/resonance calcs or something. Heh. Would that it were so easy.
You're right about soundstaging and imaging. The 803D's are barely larger than the N03's but they are taller, so they throw a much taller and deeper stage without sacrificing image tightness. Neat!
That small footprint is important for another reason. Wider/deeper speakers would block our paths into the living room. We'd have to enter/exit by climbing in a window and that would excite the BlockWatch. ;-)
The efficiency means our 57wpc Doshi-modded Lectron amp supplies all the power they need. The impedance curve is tough, but that's handled by superb output transformers and Nick's remarkable power supplies. People who say B&W's need umpti-hundred watt SS amplification just haven't heard a really good tube amp. I can literally knock pictures off walls with a 40Hz test tone if I want to, but the amp's transparency and sound floor also remind me of some great SET amps. Best of all worlds? I don't know but we're happy. :-)
Best for the new year and I know you mean it. Thanks. Doug
P.S. Sorry for "Marc". Don't know where that came from...
"absurdly out of proportion to their looks,specs and model designation"...Are you kidding???..One thing I have learned in my old age(in hobby,as I cannot face my "real" age)is never to judge anything other than actual "in room" performance. Your beautiful(to me,at least) speakers come from a very well respected mfgr,and I know you are smart enough to choose speakers to match room volume,and ancillaries(they appear very efficient,which your Doshi stuff surely loves)!I,also like the small footprint(width-wise)so must assume they get out of the way,and the "soundstage" is fabulous. So what's not to like?Hope you are "thrilled" with them!Also,I really hope you know I am sincere! Best of luck.
