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
You wanted to know where I stand on the high eff/low power debate. Personally, I think its hard to get the lower midrange and bass right without sufficient watts which usually means push/pull designs. Thats not to say SET amps, when mated with the proper speakers or horns, cannot have excellent low ends i.e. Shindo's field coil speakers. I may eventually end up owning a pair of Devore, Living Voice, Audio Physic or something similar. I'm not sure I would go to a Shindo Cortese or 300b amp though - I would probably keep the Sinhonias. But, of course, I never say never when it comes to audio.

sbayne

Thanks for response.
I understand that the Shindos can drive the Harbeths, but I am curious to know whether you looked into higher efficiency speakers and simply rejected them in favor of the Harbeths.

bnrlaw

Owner
Bnrlaw: the Sinhonia monos work well with many speakers as long as the load remains relatively stable. In my system, for instance, they have no trouble driving the 40.1 which are rated at 85db into 6 ohms. I auditioned the Super HL5s and the 40.1 are in a different league - they should be based on the price. All areas of performance, not just the bass, are better in the 40.1.

sbayne

Just curious - why did you decide to go with the Harbeths for your Shindo system and not something with higher efficiency? Also, why the 40.1 and not the Super HL5's?
Great looking system btw!

bnrlaw

Owner
Doc_stereo: how do the Shakti Hallographs "work" is a question I can't answer. The manufacturer claims they contour the frequency, amplitude and time coefficients of the reflections you hear. Based on my experience I have no reason to doubt that claim.

sbayne

Congrats on a great system! Matt at Pitch Perfect truly is a great guy. I'm not too familiar with the Shakti Hallographs - how do they work as room treatments?

doc_stereo

Owner
All the kind words are truly appreciated. thanks.

sbayne

Love your system! Very close to what I hope to have someday.

tom_hankins

Scott: Looking great! I think you've just jumped up another level with the addition of the Harbeths, they look fantastic with your setup. I bet they must sound very nice as well. Congrats!

mikeyc8

Owner
As you have probably read the bass with the 40.1s is the hardest thing to get right. I've spent a lot of time on positioning the speakers and adjusting the Shakti Hallographs. At this level of performance everything seems to make a difference but thats part of the fun!

sbayne

Congratulations Sbayne on the addition of the Shindo Sinhonia F2a amplifiers to your system. Also, what a wonderfully delicious setup that you have with your upstream components. I have not heard the Shindo/Harbeth 40.1 combination...but, I bet it just sounds right! Happy listening!

unoear

Awesome!!

The 40's have to sound incredible with the Shindos.

Did you have to reposition the 40's with the new amps?

How does the low end bass sound now with the 12" woofer?

Congrats on the Shindos.

lapierre

Owner
System edited: Major update to system. Went to Shindo amps to match my preamp. The Harbeths go very well with the Shindo equipment. Best tone, attack, decay, resolution and overall musicality I have yet heard. Big bucks but it was worth it.

sbayne

Good choice and decision on your part.

Keep up the good work.

Spin the Yellowjackets.

lapierre

I really like this system,I'll bet it sounds as good as it looks.Congrats

souterncross

Owner
Lapierre, moving-up the Shindo line of preamps has been my best decision. I have built my system around that preamp by adding the very Shindo-like turntable/cartridge combo and Au23 Homage step-up. With that front-end and preamp the music just flows. There is no need to dissect the sound - it just plays music. I've tried a number of different power amps, including a Shindo that was very good, but they did not make as much difference as the preamp. Macdadtexas: I've actually taken all digital out of my system.I'm totally into analog at the moment. I may put my AudioNote transport and Havana DAC up for sale - not that they are bad but I'm getting spoiled by the analog side of things....

sbayne

Sbayne, I actually changed to a BelCanto DAC3, really just to change something out. It's v good too.

macdadtexas

Nice setup.

Just curious what was the best decision on any of your components? Why?

Thanks

lapierre

Owner
I recently added Hi-Fi Tuning Silver fuses to the amps and broke them in with over 48 hours of music playback. The improvement in the sound was substantial. So I decided to add another 48 hours of break-in to the AU 23 step-up by using Granite Audio's MC disc. My system has never sounded better. I really think the higher-end caps and silver wire need lots of playing time. I had hundreds of hours on my system before but now the tone, body of the sound and bass is simply more realistic. Want a super cheap tweek?: play your system! :-)

sbayne

I have the WE 396a right now, I hadn't heard about the the 6n3p, but I'm shoppin' now!! thx.

macdadtexas

Owner
Macdadtexas, I did a lot of tube rolling in the Havana as well. The Russian 6N3P that has gotten so much talk on the boards is very good and depending on your taste may be a little better than the Western Electric 396A. The Havana lets you hear ever change in tubes which is a sign of the quality of the product.

sbayne

I have the Havana as well, and I love it. I changed out the tubes and it got even better!! I tried about 5 other DAC's prior to this one to match with my AppleTV, so I'm right with you. Great rig, BTW.

macdadtexas

Owner
System edited: Major changes to the system over the last few months. I added the Auditorium 23 Homage T1 step-up which took the analog playback to yet another level - truly remarkable. The Havana DAC is so good its hard to imagine a better DAC at any price. Finally, the V-Cap upgrades in Will Vincent's amps was also a revelation. This hobby is never ending and that is what makes it fun for me!

sbayne

yes, about 2,000,000 pennies for the mono blocks :)

mikeyc8

Owner
Agreed on the amp. Just have to save my pennies.

sbayne

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