Description

Put this system together over many years. Recently received the crown of my system, the Tidal Sunray, wow what a speaker.

Will be moving house soon and am planning to get a dedicated room as acoustics are so important. I've sure I'll be able to get a big improvement if I do some work in that area.

Current room size is +- 30f t x 20 ft with a sloping ceiling 15ft to 10 ft.

** update *** Moved to my new house. Finally a dedicated room with a nice high ceiling. New dimensions 21 x 18 ft with the ceiling being 14 ft. Able to do some acoustic treatment here. Sound is nothing short than amazing!!
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Components Toggle details

    • Vitus SCD010
    Very analog sounding
    • Emm Labs DAC2
    Great to use with a music server. Using a Mac Mini
    • Vitus SL-101
    Great pre-amp
    • Lyra Connoisseur 4.2L SE
    Beauty. No remote but I don't care. Great piece
    • Vitus SM-101
    Great deep soundstage. One of the most analog sounding amps I've heard
    • Tidal Sunray
    Beyond words....... the end of the search :)
    • Pranawire Cosmos
    1m XLR
    • Pranawire Cosmos
    2 set of single wires.
    • Finite Elemente Pagode Master Reference
    -
    • Grand Prix Audio Monaco
    With apex footers and Formula 1 shelves

Comments 20

very nice set up you have there!

ojdeteos


Hello Maxx1973!

I'd say you'd gotten rather far ;-)

I noticed you have both the Vitus and Lyra pre's...I would be very interested in your observations regarding the sonic character of these pre's relative to one another.

Congratulations!

Best regards,
Sam

c1ferrari

Owner
Hi Quanmer,

Unfortunately I never heard Boulder in my set-up. It's not easy to listening to all the highend electronics over here. Heard mixed opinions about Boulder. Some love it, others find the sound to be a bit clinical. The build quality is absolutely superb. Well I guess it's will all hifi equipment, people have different taste :)

maxx1973

Maxx1973, have you tried Boulder in your system? I heard them in a show with German Phsik speakers, sounds quite impressive?

quanmer

Owner
Quanmer,

I tried the Tidal monoblocks but it was a very very brief session. New amps, not broken in, not warmed up. Sound was very nice, so I'd like to try them again for a longer period. What I did remember from the listening session was that they drove my Sunray effortless and in a non fatiguing way.

The Precencio I heard once as well, for an hour or so, also with the Tidal Sunray and Tidal Impact monoblocks. What can I say...... extremely good :) :)

maxx1973

Maxx1973, I compared XDS-1 and previous model ( CDS-1?), XDS-1 is much refined in mid and high.

Which Tidal electronics you have tried in your system? My friend ordered their top model Pre Amp (Precencio) and Monobloc Amp (Impact), I might have a chance to try them on my system, in maybe 6 months.

quanmer

Owner
Hi Quanmer,

Thanks for your advise. Did you compare the "older" Emm Labs units with your XDS-1? If curious to know what the difference in sound is. The upgrade is several thousand dollars so it's not cheap. Wonder if it is worth it over sellig my DAC2 and buying a different brand.

The Vitus does work well with the Sunray. Yes, it's "only" 100W but pure class A and the power supply is very big and stable. The sound output is plenty for my liking no problem there. With respect to the speed of the Vitus. It's not the fastest amplifier for sure, (eg. Goldmund and Soulution are faster) but it's very revolving and analog sounding. It all depends on your associated equipment and cables to make the right combo. But I am also curious about the Tidal electronics. Heard them once in my system very briefly and they sounded very good. Fast and relaxed. Would like to hear them in more detail in future.

maxx1973

Maxx1973, you should upgrade to DAC2-X, I am XDS-1 user.

Does VITUS SM-101 have enough power and control over Sunray? Would it be little slow or soft?

quanmer

Owner
Art,

Very very late reply. However maybe you pass this page again and read it. I basically use the Vitus CD player and Emm Labs DAC2 by coincidence. I had a Emm Labs CD player which broke down very soon after buying it. It took about 2 months before I received a new unit but since I was out of a player during that period I bought the Vitus player. In the end I replaced the Emm Labs player for the DAC2 since it had a USB connection so I could easily connect it to the computer.

Both are very good units with a slightly different sound. The Vitus is more smooth sounding, very very analog,I love the mid and highs. It's very natural.
The Emm Labs DAC2 is a bit more dynamic sounding, better bass, but I find the mid/high a bit less natural sounding.

It also depends which pre-amp I'm using and the type of music playing. For me the Emm Labs is a bit better on classic music, the Vitus on music with vocal. And...... is sometimes depends on my mood as well :).

I'm curious how the new Emm Labs DAC2-X sounds which is based on the Emm Labs XDS1 player. Thinking if I should upgrade my DAC2 or not.

Also always thinking if I should make a side step to vinyl too :)

Choices, choices :)

maxx1973

Max, Sunray is formidable, excellent choice!

If you wanted to add more weight and body without sacrificing details, try Tara Labs IC, PC, & SC, which are currently serving my Tidal Contriva Diacera SE,

I have two BMI Oceanic Statement PCs for my Ayre MX-R power amp, slightly more detail and add more air than Tara Labs, and very neutral as well. I consider they are good neutralizer for Tara Labs.

quanmer

Maxx - what do you use the EMM DAC for and what differences do you find between it and your Vitus polayer? Art

arthursmuck

Amazing clean set-up just the way i like it. Love it !!

maverick_spd

Awesome Max! There is nothing more I can say about your system! Can you please comment on the sound a bit?

Happy Listening,

Mike

argyro

A few months ago, I congratulated on the Sunray, this time, confronted with your full dream-system, I can only repeat in capitals: GEFELICITEERD!
Karel

karelfd

Fantastic setup! I'm very curious as to what you think about the Lyra Connoisseur. I've heard many great things about it but not many people use it (and it's discontinued).

enzo618

hi maxx1973.

*very* nice!! (finally get to see a pic of yr complete system).

btw, did you get my email reply?

Alex

11flat6

Congrates my friend! Well chosen pieces to make one stunning system!! How's the breaking-in coming along? So anything else anytime soon? Hope to join you in audio heaven soon.. ;))

bvdiman

Owner
Arthursmuck,

Wow, I love your room, it looks stunning. Something I would really like in my house at some point. In the house I'm currently moving to I will have my own hifi room. Need to see which acoustic treatment I can use. I bet the sound of your system must be amazing.
So you have the Vitus CD player as well. One of the few people I think. I really like it too.

Avguy, thanks for your comment. I really like my equipment too :) Took a long time to get this far though. But always thinking what I can do to improve, if money permits off course :)

Currently move house so my equipment is in a shipping container for 2 months. Pretty nervous everything arrives well fully functioning, nothing is stolen or damaged by customs. Few more weeks and then I hope to get my new house and set-up the equipment again. And let's hope nothing is damaged, especially the speakers since I had to wait a long long time for the delivery. Dont want to go through that painful waiting again :)

maxx1973

Maxx = my idol.....just an incredible combination of equipment in your system. Congrats sir.

arthursmuck

OMG!!! I am totally speechless... I really wish it was my system. I really, really do... :-)

avguy

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