WOW!!! I am building back my system but not as GRANDEUR as the first one hahaha. Currently putting these pieces together! Nautilus N802, Krell KSA 150, Krell HTS pre/pro(eventually to be replaced by Bryston BP25 preamp). MIT speaker cable,balanced interconnect and sony xa3es CDP, OPPO BDP-93! has anybody have this similar set up? like what I said not too Grandeur! Matched currently with Thiel CS3.6( to be replaced by N802's) The Thiel have so much depth, very nice soundstage!

etruiz March 03, 2013 04:14

System edited: Recent additions of Bryston BDA-1 and Olive 04HD. D/A bliss!

angst0 January 14, 2013 20:02

System edited: Just added a VPI SDS and ring. Significant difference. Image more stable, bass tighter and greater detail.

angst0 February 26, 2010 12:58

Muralman: I never was able to get back here to respond to you. We might agree on more than you think with cables despite what is in my system and I am embarking on some changes to challenge (again) my own assumptions, listening and spending over the past couple of years! The big difference is that I lack the ability to envision, design and build my own cables. I wish I had those skills as I have an extremely hard time believing the price levels of many if not all high-end cables (yes, even those I am using and happy with!)...

zephyr24069 February 12, 2010 20:54

System edited: Amazing find, changed one line tube in each Carver Silver 7 monoblock with Mullard 12AU7's (4003) and the system came together.....deeper, fuller bass, smoother mid-range, fuller sound stage, air and evaporating glare......new speaker cables are shining now........tubes not even broken in yet! A lesson learned, do not miss the small details.........smiling as I listen to Gail Pettis

angst0 February 12, 2010 20:17

System edited: Recently updated tuner and speaker wire. Analog tuner significantly better. MD-90T has much better reception and I like the tube output. Will be upgrading the tubes in the Sonic Frontiers which is my dedicated DAC for Sirius Tuner. Synergistic Research Cable provides greater high frequency extension, wider staging and depth. Mid-range opening up as the cables break in. Will know more over time.

angst0 February 07, 2010 15:47

The speaker cables I like with the N802's are the Audio Magic Excalibur, connected to the bottom terminals and then using the stock B&W jumpers. They are silver ribbon internally and modestly priced compared to some of the cables out there. I'm not a believer in real expensive speaker cables. I've tried other cables biwired and also tried Audio Magic jumpers and to me, the N802's sound best configured as I have described.

rhljazz January 20, 2010 21:28

Update..........I have replaced my mid-range drivers with excellent results.......return to the detailed and open sound I remembered when I first purchased the 802's. I wonder if these Kevlar drivers deteriorate over time. They certainly changed color from yellow to almost orange....both the same. Any other B&W owners have this experience?

Back to experimenting with speaker cables.

angst0 January 17, 2010 23:05

Btw, Rhljazz...........which Audio Magic speaker cables do you use?

angst0 January 05, 2010 20:30

Thank you for comments, RHljazz. I am fortunate to have the tube sound of the modified Carver's with the immense current and wattage. I found the 802's are happier when connected to the 4 ohm outputs...bass is amazing, tight and there is this sense of acoustic presence and deep extension. I am struggling a little with the upper mid range purity of the kevlar drivers to the point that I am installing new ones to see what it might be like (even with the need for break in time). They are inexpensive and my speakers are a bit ancient now. I am easily disturbed by edgy highs, especially mid-highs. My memory is that the mids were sweeter years ago. Any thoughts?

I love my Cary preamp with the F1 mods. It seems to love to test the limits of the amps by holding nothing back and the Carver's seem to be unclipable. I will check into Magic cables.

I looked at your system and admire your acoustical treatments. My glass windows and your doors are not the most sound friendly surfaces. I have a separate recording studio in our carriage house that is acoustically treated well and has a wonderful natural reverb.

If you knew how fussy we are about the framing (and the cost) you would understand the reticence to make changes with the art.

Again, thank you for your comments.

angst0 January 05, 2010 20:25

I prefer the N802's with tube power even though everyone else claims you need solid state. The bass always sounded to lean and overdamped with solid state amps. I always found the soundstage more coherent single wired using the B&W supplied jumpers and Audio Magic silver speaker cables. Your room looks great. I love the old barber chair in the corner. Since you have some artwork, GIK acoustics will make panels with your supplied artwork or photos which should help tame the room without destroying the appearance.

rhljazz January 05, 2010 18:37

I think I accidentally did not confirm items on list...I think this is complete.

angst0 December 30, 2009 19:38

Thank you for your kind words.

The weather in Sacramento is mild. Even so, I have toyed with the idea of storm windows to cut down on outside noise, and conserve heat.

I am surprised your steam heat still works. It is a lovely sculpture. My house is 17 years newer, and it has gone through three heating changes. It had coal or wood burner stoves first with no hearth. I don't know of another vintage house in my vicinity that doesn't have a fireplace. That was switched out for hot water heat in the house's first renovation, around 1920. The hard water here clogged those up in short order. Just some 12 years later the steam units were junked in favor of the octopus gas heater. That we still have, and wouldn't change it for anything. We redid the wiring and plumbing.

Stone and brick houses are as smart when the third little piggy made his. In SF, the stone houses generally survived through 1906. You never have to paint them, though people usually do.

After many years listening to many systems, I have never seen or heard the popular Magnepan. I know folks who would never give up their Acoustats. I'll have my Scintillas made into a coffin for me. They can fit me in a fetal position. :)

I can't see where your present speakers are mentioned.

muralman1 December 30, 2009 19:25

I can see you have strong opinions, Muralman1. I am sure based on thoughtful experience. I am not as dedicated as you in making my own cables, etc, but always admire such passion.

The house is a stone Victorian (1886). The swinging door is one of two..one to the living room and one to the dining room, both leading to the kitchen. The doors are original. The trim is consistent with the not so high Victorian style. The dark insert in the window is actually a stained custom made inner storm window we had made to prevent covering the arch with conventional storm windows.

The radiators are terrific in that they have a huge surface area, are beautiful and take up no real floor space They work perfectly.

I was always an admirer of Apogee speakers...closest I have had were Magnepans and Acoustat 2+2's years ago.

angst0 December 30, 2009 18:26

Thank you for your appreciative comments. Those cables are a bit beyond my financial courage so far..but who knows..some day.

angst0 December 30, 2009 18:15

We wouldn't agree on anything audio, I can tell right now. For instance, I don't think you can buy a better speaker cable, especially for short lengths, than you can make for yourself.

Through the window, I see some hint you live in a Victorian. We share a common interest in aged abodes. Swinging doors in my 100 year old neighborhood lead from kitchen to dining room. They all have little diamond windows. Did you put that door in? Why no paint on the sash? The oak floors have a rich patina.

I love the oils you hung. Strange there is a chair rail, but no picture rail. The rug lends authenticity. Your mantle pieces are great. Is that steam heater still operational?

muralman1 December 30, 2009 17:34

That is a beautiful room in what looks to be a very nicely restored older home; very classy! I've had extremely great listening with a shotgun run of Tara Labs "The One" speaker cable. The shotgun is two sets of the "The One" however I've found it to superior to a single set of the 0.8 in bi-wire; I believe the cost is roughly equal with either option. The cables are extremely musical, have great imaging and serve up all the deep bass, bass, mids and treble you would appreciate to serve those speakers...Tara cables are fairly stiff so I'd suggest 6' or 8' runs.

zephyr24069 December 30, 2009 12:53