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.
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".
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.
Your Garrard 301 is also a beautiful table. Matt also told me to forget about isolation devices, Shindo is voiced to work best on solid wood, so your timbernation rack seems perfect. If I had to make a comment, I would say the only thing missing from your system is a Shindo amp. However, given your Alons are only 88 dBs, you would need something quite powerful and expensive, say the new Shindo mono blocks which pump out 80 wpc.
Hi Mike, the Shindo Mr. T makes a noticeable improvement through out my system, even on the non-Shindo gear. Just can't beat those Shindo transformers! It does concern me a little that there is no surge/spike protection but I do have a rider on my insurance for my system which includes it. I haven't had to use it yet but probably some day.....
Scott I love your system! I agree with your assessment of Matt at Pitch Perfect, top class guy to deal with. I notice that you have a Shindo Mr T. I'm considering this as well, but I understand that it doesn't actually provide any surge/spike protection. Is this a concern to you? Do you notice a significant improvement in sound with this in your system?
Hi, I've been messing around with the Keces USB DAC which costs about $250 and I assume is made in China. After about 50 hours the sound settled down. It also responded positively to a Black Sand Violet power cord. The "upgrade" that really surprised me was a USB cable I picked-up at Staples office supply that has gold plated ends and extra shielding. That USB cable added a little more authority to the bass and seemed to open-up the midrange. I have my sights set on a Wavelength DAC but for now the Keces is very good. Scott
Just wanted to add a few more words about the Shindo equipment. I've gotten a number of emails "off-line" asking for instance: whether its worth the expense, if you must use high-efficiency speakers, if you can buy it cheaper in Japan, etc. I am going to repeat my responses here to hopefully start a constructive dialogue. Please just let me say I am not an expert on Shindo gear. All I can tell you is MY experience. First and foremost I can say its the best sounding gear I've had in my system - you simply forget about hi-fi and listen to music. So the next question is what are you willing to pay for that type of musical experience in your home? Obviously, I decided it was "worth it." In fact, I have changed most of my system around, at a fairly significant expense, to accommodate the Shindo gear. As to going the high efficiency - SET route - all I can say is the Haut Brion amp is not an SET configuration and I could not imagine any speaker with a reasonable load that could not be driven extremely well by this amp. Forget the power rating. I technically need a more "powerful" amp for my speakers but I don't think I'm being short-changed in anyway. As to buying it for half-price or even less in Japan all I can say is "good luck" because you are going to need it. From what I can figure you would have to fly to Japan, buy the gear, ship it back, modify the transformers for US voltage or use a cheap voltage converter and live with no warranty or dealer support. If you want to go to that expense and take that chance then go for it. Personally, I think its foolish. Enough said on that subject and please no more emails from people who I don't think own Shindo gear but are more than happy to tell me I got ripped-off buying it from a US dealer! Finally, just want to say Shindo will get you back into your analog collection. Digital gear has come a long way but vinyl through Shindo is still a step above it in my opinion. Best regards, Scott
Joel, it must be the lens I used - the speakers shoot straight ahead. The Shindo gear is very good on its own but together they go up another notch. Thanks for the kind comments. Scott
Thanks Matt. The Shindo gear is truly excellent. Anyone reading this: check out Pitch Perfect Audio. Matt Rotundo is the owner. He provides excellent service, has great gear and is a super guy to deal with. Scott
Thanks Ken. The Shindo equipment has really gotten me back into analog. Amazing what a good set of transformers can do for a preamp! Take care and stay in touch.
Thanks! The Olive turned out to be much more musical than I expected it would. I have to admit using a decent music server as a high-end source is in no way a compromise. I currently have my eye on some DAC units so the system may be changing......we shall see. Best regards, Scott
