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

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

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

angst0 December 30, 2009 19:38

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