Description

High priority on tone, soundstage and overall balance of sound.
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Components Toggle details

    • Tekton Design MOAB
    These speakers use a double tweeter array to produce the midrange. The Be tweeter between the arrays is used as the actual tweeter. Then two big ass woofers are added. Extremely well reviewed and high value speakers!
    • Innuos PULSE
    Network Streamer internal with a RECAP2 power supply by Dr. Sean Jacobs built-in. Uses the innuOS 2.0 and Sense software. Its the best sounding streamer, OS and control software I've every used.
    • Aria Audio Aria Signature MK2
    This is a beautiful hand-built amplifier that puts out100 watts of Class A power with very high current capability. A extremely seductive yet authoritative sound with the Moabs.
    • Border Patrol DAC
    I've recently gone back to the world of Non-oversampling DACs. They simply sound more natural than high-resolution oversampling DACs. This is the USB model with Jupiter caps. It took a couple hundred hours to fully bloom but it was worth the wait.
    • Network Acoustics Muon System
    This is a complete digital cable system (filter, LAN cable, USB cable). This at a higher level than the famed EVO system.
    • Synergistic Research Powercell 12 UEF
    This is a classic power conditioner. It's UEF/EM based and compliments every component plugged in to it!
    • DIY speaker, interconnects and power cables
    DIY speaker, interconnects and power cables. They use multi-strand copper, an open weave, cotton cord in the center and ERS cloth at both ends. It's the formula Danny Richie uses for his cables. They have an open, airy yet very solid sound. The key is to break them in for hundreds of hours and use them as a "full loom" throughout your system.
    • Synergistic Research Black Box

    The Black Box is a Low Frequency Resonator Array that works in conjunction with the Subwoofers, Atmospheres and FEQ X4 to solve bass node issues.  

    • Synergistic Research ART System
    This is Synergistic Research's older acoustic system that's based on resonators. It works very well with their current UEF system and provides excellent results. Complete ART systems are getting hard to find.
    • Townshend Audio Seismic Isolation Podiums
    These decouple and "float" your speakers on a spring-loaded metal base. It opens-up the sound and adds solidity to the bass but doesn't make the sound harsh like most metal speaker bases.
    • Synergistic Research: Atmosphere XL-4, Atmosphere, Mini-Atmosphere, FEQ X4 (2), UEF Dots, UEF Panels, Risers,ECT and GCT
    The UEF Panels, UEF Dots, Black Box, Risers, ECT and GCT are all types of sound resonators. I use an Atmosphere XL-4 (green ATM), Atmosphere (red ATM), FEQ X4 (2) (red ATMs) and Mini-Atmosphere (green ATM) - when used with the Synergistic Research control software they generate various frequencies of Schumann Resonances around the room. Bottom line they work: create a huge/realistic listening experience!
    • Synergistic Research Galileo SX Grounding Block
    The Galileo SX Grounding Block makes the system absolutely silent at idle and creates very black backgrounds for music. I made my own "high definition" grounding cables.
    • Akiko Audio Tuning Stick; Kemp QA Plug (2) and Zero One (2)
    The Akiko Audio, Kemp and Zero One products treat the signal and power in my system keeping the electrons spinning around the electronic signals as uniform as possible or by adding more standard frequency Schumann Resonances. These products are excellent at making your system sound more "natural".
    • Perfect Path Technologies Total Contact, RCA caps, Stop-It duplex plugs, E-Mats & E-Cards
    This company has now closed because the owner has passed away. These products work to achieve a uniform and consistent RF/EMI and electron treatment around my components which greatly helps the sonics.
    • Synergistic Research Tranquility Bases and Tranquility Pod
    I use original MIGs under the Tranquility Bases.
    • Audio Magic Pulsed Electron Alignment
    The PEAs are battery powered. Spintronics is the ability to control or manipulate how electrons spin. Electrons spinning around electronic signals carry audio information. The goal of the PEA devices its to get the electrons spinning as uniformly as possible. It opens up the sound and makes subtle cues in the music even more real.
    • Puritan 156, ADD-Powr Sorcer and ElectraClear EAU-1
    The Puritan is an excellent line conditioner. The ADD-Powr and ElectraClear devices actually add electromagnetics (EM) to the AC line using an active circuit and algorithm. Contrary to popular belief not all EM is bad for sound quality in stereo systems. The proof is in the listening.
    • Timbernation and Bright Star Audio Platforms
    Solid maple platforms stained cherry for electronics and Bright Star platforms for the subs.
    • Puron AC Line Conditioner
    I've added two of these line conditioners into the same outlet that feeds my Puritan 156 line conditioner. They open the sound soundstage, give a more realistic presentation of vocals and reveal a little more texture and impact to the bass. Highly recommended!
    • Stein H2 Harmonizer system
    I have 4 Stein H2s in my system.I went with one in each of corner of the room with a Stein stone at each and a Stein diamond on the ceiling in the center of the room. They add layers and layers of depth with each vocalist/instrument being in their own separate but integrated spaces.
    • Tombo Audio Lotus Harmonic Enhancer
    The bell on the top gives high resonance frequency while the tip on the top of the bell performs as a wave guide streaming high frequency up to the ceiling.
    • Townshend Audio Allegri
    The Allegri is an autoformer based passive preamp. There is absolutely no noise but with with excellent soundstaging and dynamics. 

    • Cayin Audio Mini-CD MK2
    This is an excellent little CD player. I mostly stream but I still have hundreds of CDs.

Comments 566

Owner
Roon is the best library management available - no doubt. It organized my music and combined it with content from Tidal to make categorizes which now make a "complete" library. Very impressive. The user interface is beautiful and easy. If you have more than just a passing fancy with digital music I don't know of a better choice!

sbayne

Owner
 Going to try a Roon/Tidal music server. Doubt it can compete against analog but we shall see!!

sbayne

Owner
Spencer - Great idea! Thanks.

sbayne

When I found the same, I replaced the coffee table with a small table that could go on either side of the seating position. In practice, I basically just needed a spot for a beverage and a remote. If you "need" something in front of you there, an absorptive fabric ottoman would still give you much of the improvement over the hard surface table. Cheers,
Spencer

sbank

Owner
Spencer - you're right the coffee table does change the soundstage slightly.  Now I've got to figure out what to do with it or just live with it!

sbayne

Owner
Agreed.  I've messed with the location of the pictures and finally got them in the least obtrusive places. However, the coffee table I have not experimented very much with. I will report back on if moving it makes a difference. Thanks.

sbayne

Very cool system. Love how you made a wide variety of brands all visually blend by emphasizing the wood finishes.
Here's a dumb question: Since you mention soundstage etc. being important to you have you ever tried removing the large wooden coffee table from between speakers and seating position? Also if those picture frames on the front wall include glass, they might have a noticeable impact if moved elsewhere in the room. Cheers,
Spencer

sbank

Owner
I've now thoroughly broken-in the VR-7 HSEs (yep, had to break-in a 10 year old pair of speakers!). These are truly excellent speakers. Very smooth yet explosive.  If you can get your hands on a good pair of VR-7 HSE or even VR-5 HSE - I would highly recommend it!

sbayne

Owner
I've been asked what happened to the resonators I had been using and selling.  The answer is simple: UEF Panels/Dots by Synergistic Research. Using resonators to expand the soundstage yet focus the image works very well and may still be preferred in some rooms and systems. With the size of my new room the UEF panels make more sense. In this larger room I had been using 40 small resonators along with 3 bowl resonators!

sbayne

Owner
I've recently received inquires about the Fisher 800 receiver and the Thorens 124 turntable (with roll-top plinth) shown in one of my pics. I'm not planning on selling them but, of course, if you REALLY want one of those items shoot me a reasonable offer and maybe we can work something out. Thanks

sbayne

Owner
I've also added Synergistic Research UEF Panels, UEF Dots and an Atmosphere. These are ground-breaking products in my opinion and are highly recommended!

sbayne

Owner
I replaced my Philharmonic Audio 3s with Von Schweikert Audio VR-7 HSE speakers. They are very high quality and represent some of the best Albert has ever offered.

sbayne

Owner
I finally added some photos of my new system. This is a much larger room than I had before. The additional space has made the soundstage blossom. The front-back layering is much deeper - the speakers simply disappear. The SR Black Box and VH Audio Plasmatron 3 have refined the sound to a point I didn't know was possible. This hobby is amazing!

sbayne

Owner
Just got a VH Audio Plasmatron 3 for my sources. All I can say is Holy $hit.....really, really nice...!

sbayne

Owner
I've moved into a different home and have a much larger listening room. Pictures and comments to follow.................

sbayne

Owner
System edited: I've gone whole-hog with my DIY resonators. Its remarkable what these can do.

sbayne

Owner
System edited: Currently using a Project Extension 10 turntable with Grado Statement Master 1. This is an excellent combo and very high value. (Still have the Thorens 124 and Lenco 75 idler drives though!)

sbayne

Owner
System edited: My system picture now shows the three resonators that I use. The large one is 9" and the smaller ones are 6". I placed a HFT from Synergistic Research inside of each one. I've also made my own HFT and have placed them through out the room and on my speakers. These work well by themselves but Synergistic Research's FEQ is designed to work with the HF. When the FEQ is activated the soundstage opens even more especially with the resonators that I am using. I believe the FEQ generates Schumann Resonance frequencies which audio companies have been experimenting with for years. In 2015 Synergistic Research is coming out with a product they call Atmosphere that from what I can tell manipulates Schumann Resonance frequencies in very specific ways in order to change the acoustic of your listening room. The companies that sell these types of items are definitely on to something but their products are fairly expensive so I'm trying my best to DIY at a reasonable cost.

sbayne

Owner
Ppeters - This is an attempt to recreate the sound of a Highend-Novum resonator (here is a link:http://www.highend-electronics.com/highend_novum.html) which retails for $2,500! Its basically a deep brass bowl mounted directly between the speakers with a hanger thats designed to display bowls. I need to update my system picture because now I use a total of 3 DIY resonators with Synergistic Research HFTs mounted in the center. The sound is crazy good with a huge soundstage, extreme clarity but not harsh or bright. Look around I'm sure you can find some suitable brass bowls and then simply mount one between your speakers and listen!

sbayne

Sbayne, where did you find the info for the DIY resonators?

I've looked high and low, and cannot find . . . maybe I'm going blind.

Thanks.

ppeters

Owner
Doing a lot of experimenting with DIY full-sized resonators and DIY small-sized resonators. The results are truly remarkable especially when a FEQ by Synergistic Research is added. The soundstage is huge and the clarity is like you are there but without a trace of harshness or brightness.

sbayne

Owner
System edited: Synergistic Research Basik and DIY resonator added to the system. Also a pair of IsoL8R bases for the speakers.

sbayne

Owner
System edited: Went back to an idler drive turntable. Been around the block with a Garrard 301, Lenco 75 and now Thorens 124. All classics - fun stuff!

sbayne

Owner
Made some major changes. Going battery powered. Life off the grid is a whole new audio experience! Also been using a DYI sound resonator. All I can say is WOW! More to come.....

sbayne

Owner
System edited: Update: Added a Sony HAP-Z1ES mostly for DSD playback and DSD conversion.

sbayne

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