Well, the system has evolved quite a bit the last couple years... I sold my Avalon Ascendents after getting a great deal on some candy apple red Wilson Sasha W/Ps. But the Wilson's bass completely overwhelmed my room, so I first added some ASC Tube Traps in the front corners. They helped, but couldn't tame the boom. I added some diffusion blocks, and some picture panels too, which helped the overall dispersion. But the bass on recordings like "Raising Sand" from Alison Krause/Robert Plant still became so muddy I couldn't listen.
So in the back corners I added two pairs of MSR Spring Traps after seeing them at my dealer. I would have put them in the front corners, but the window and outlets got in the way. So I stacked each pair in the rear corners, one upside down on top of the other. Bass boom gone, attack, impact, clarity, all tremendously improved. My dealer ever said he was enjoying my room more than the primary auditioning room at his shop! (Hell of a nice compliment I'd say!)
Then this winter I got the serious jones to upgrade my turntable. I ended up with an AMG v12 & Benz LP-S cartridge. I also added an HRS isolation base for the table.
On the aesthetic front, I finally ditched those crappy white curtains I had, got a wall color behind the system that worked, and added some lighting I can control from my iPad.
I also have begun to upgrade my power cables, now with Shunyata Cobra zTrons to the Amp and Hydra, and finally a pair of Python zTrons to the Einstein phono-pre. I was a reluctant convert to the high-end power cable bandwagon, but man-o-man what a difference. As my budget will allow I'll improve a couple other cables and upgrade the cable to the amp.
Most importantly, the system is really sounding great, and the new turntable cartridge has me gobsmacked on platter after platter. What a treat!
New from Analog Manufaktur Germany, the Viella 12 turntable. Designed by the late Werner Roeschlau, who owned the machine shop that made parts for Brinkman for a couple decades.
Benz Micro LP-S
Benz' flagship low output moving coil.
Audio Research DAC-8
Bought for house sound and USB connectivity.
EINSTEIN Audio The Turntable's Choice
4-chassis balanced version. A really amazing phono-pre which replaced a SIMAUDIO LP5.3. I bought this without ever auditioning phono amps (not too many places have a variety to listen to) but based on reviews and comments here on the 'gon. Like the SIM it has great dynamics and control, just much more so and more open and revealing.
Audio Research REF-3
Replaced my LS-26. Found used here on the 'gon with only a few dozen hours on the tubes. Great bargain. Will wait for another iteration from ARC before moving up.
Audio Research REF-110
Replaced my VS115. Also found here on the 'gon. Amazing sounding amp, much better than the VS115. Like with the pre-amp, will probably wait for another iteration from ARC before upgrading.
Wilson Audio Sasha W/P
In Candy Apple Red. Bought used from the Wilson Dealer, they were about a year old. These replaced my Avalon Ascendents (which replaced my USHER Tiny Dancer's). I miss a little of the soundstage depth of the Avalons (must be the faceted cabinets) and some of the warmth, but the Sasha's are far more revealing, accurate, and tremendously more dynamic.
Cardas Golden Reference XLR
These too seemed like a good starting point for my re-entry to the high-end. Purchased on the 'goN, three pair, between CD and pre-amp, Phono and pre-amp, pre-amp and power amp. Balanced throughout.
Audioquest Gibralter
Wanted an upgrade to my prior Nordost flat cables, and these were a great value. Now that I have some Shunyata power cables that made a huge difference in my system, I'll likely try Shunyata speaker cables when funds permit.
Core Audio Furniture MOD-3 v2
A pair of these three shelf stands. I'll move up to HRS or Stillpoint stands someday in the future, but these are robust and reasonably priced.
Core Audio Furniture CLD Large
Isolation stand for my REF110. Stout, nice-looking, great craftsmanship.
Well, it has been a while since I visited the 'Gon, and did some updating on my system. The main post above now reflects my latest updates, I suppose I was supposed to add all that info here, and save the original for a historical look back?
System edited: System updated. Last update way back in 2008, and there's been a move up on just about every level. While not the current REF level of ARC gear, I do feel the REF3 and REF110 offer a wonderful wide open window on the sound. I'm contemplating a new front end currently, with AMG Viella 12 table on the short list.
You are so far ahead of the game because of your good sense to pick the front end components that you have!!! It's funny but I'll probably land up with the same components,yesterday I received the CD3-MK2 immediately hooked it up, WOW!!! There was order in the universe !!! Everything was in it's proper place, PRAT (pace,rhythm and timing )had a real meaning!!! This is an incredible CDP, if the VS-115 delivers like this,( which I'm banking on literally), my whole CD collection will be transformed and require a re-listen!!! The bass is unbelievable, tight, fast and powerful. Previously I thought there was a problem with my subs, they were soft and didn't didn't go very deep, well they do now and with authority!!! The hi's and mid's seem equal, nothing being over emphasized, all working together. I didn't want the cookie cutter system: ARC, Vandersteen and AQ but it's where I'm headed so why fight it!!! I live close to a"big" Vandersteen, ARC and AQ dealer and this combo is common here!!! When I get the chance I'll have to give the Ushers a listen, I've seen the bigger models and they look very cool. I'll let you know how the VS-115 is breaking in.
You're right, there's little chatter about the VS-115, and I purchased one without hearing it, based on the few comments I had read here on the the 'goN. (Thanks Dave Mitchell who sells ARC at a store in Milwaukee.)
I called that store and they too mentioned the Audioquest IC's and SC's. I'm tempted to try the Niagara (a step just below the Sky's) but I really want to spend a lot of time listening to my system and getting familiar with it before checking out wire - plus this little foray into the high end, even with buying a couple components used, was not something we'd budgeted for this year. I should count my blessings I can drop this kind of $$ without a lot of pre-planning. Still, it will make the wife happy if I back off a little and just listen and enjoy.
Thanks for the comments re: the Audioquest stuff, it will move to the short list to try out.
Vandersteen makes a model, I think 2-ce Sig II, that we went to audition when we started looking for speakers last winter. Both my wife and I looked at each other and shrugged - we were not impressed. We asked the dealer what else he had in a similar price point, and while a bit more he played the little Usher's (BE-718's). We looked at each other and smiled - they Usher's were way more dynamic and exciting to listen to compared to the Vandy's. Of course, it was fun to read all the reviews AFTER buying the speakers, there were quite a few reviews and all were very positive. While a speaker upgrade is desired, the little Usher's will fill in very nicely until that time comes.
As for the VS-115, I'm very, very happy with the sound. It certainly took a while to start really sounding good, now I think the all ARC pairing works together in a terrific way - but, as I mentioned, I'm just now returning to this high-end arena and have little to compare it all to so my opinion probably doesn't count for much compared to a seasoned listener.
The Robert Plant/Allison Krause CD 'Raising Sand' is in heavy rotation in my room. Some really wonderful cuts on that CD, the bass is deep and tight, but there's a couple songs with lots of reverb and I can't tell if my room starts to get active or the speakers struggle. There's also a Wood Brothers CD 'Ways Not to Lose' with a big stand up bass that sounds like he's playing it in my room, just slightly left of center.
I visited a friend's house recently who has a solid state amp with a tube pre-amp. I always thought his system sounded great - very clean and articulate - but compared to the ARC front-end it now sounds sterile, like there's no meat on the bones.
Hi, I just bought a VS-115 which I should receive by the end of next week, and a CD3 MKII that is arriving Wednesday!!! I check this thread often looking for any info, it's strange how little talk there is about this amp. The ARC dealer near me also sells Audioquest and Vandersteen, both go extremely well with ARC. I have gone through Kimber KS 1111, 1120,1130 then Cardas Golden Referance, AQ Cheeath and finely AQ Sky Not the flavor of the month but excellent and definitely worth an audition ( a bargain on Agon, in my system (political correct) it sent the Cardas to" The Gon" in a matter of minutes!!! The detail and depth into music( more information) was striking !
The Vandersteen 5A is a bargain and works exceptionally well with ARC and AQ gear, and can be tuned to the cave with it's adjustment capabilities. Soon the 7's will be out and I'm looking forward to many used pairs of 5A's on 'The Gon" and at the local Vandy dealer!!
How is the amp sounding now??? Keep us posted and if I can answer any question about my A-Bing I/C's and S/C's let me know, I can only say what I listened for and what I heard!!
