From playing The Yellow Rose of Texas, at about 5 from a yellow 45 record that my mother picked up at the grocery story to playing it on my parents TV/record player by some unremembered brand to this present creation for music playback music has been a part of my life. There is always more to come and more to listen to and yet more to enjoy.
Just installed three dedicated lines, 20 amp individual breakers, 12 gauge wire with independent grounds
Zoethecus Z 5/R maple
Maple rack, with three(3) full z-slabs and two (2) half each z-pods for the other two shelves.This is my rock and foundation for all that is to come. Had bought a Z 4/R from this shop and they allowed me to trade it in for the 5/R. So I got 660.43 credit and ended up paying only $650.00. What was even nicer was I had paid only $400.00 for the 4/R, which I still have but that is in another system.
Zoethecus amp stand large amp stand
27 X 22 large amp stand can handle 100+ pounds easily, maple to match the rack. Z slab to rest amp on. Bought this new for $350.00 my stereo shop was moving to a new location and was getting rid of almost anything that needed to be moved.
zoethecus large amp stand
Saw a used zoethecus amp stand to match my rack and other amp stand in maple so I bought it. Will post new pictures soon
Zoethecus large amp stand Black
Black large amp stand, matches in size the maple one but is black. Bought it off Audiogon to get a match, first one I found that was the same size. Black slab for the amp. If there is a difference in the sound between the two I cannot hear it.
Loricraft PR-3
Record Cleaning Machine Anyone into vinyl needs one of these machines by somebody, this is the one I wound up with. What it does is take records that I hesitate to play and make them into ones I am reluctant not to listen to.
Sound Application XE-12
Powerline Conditioner plus surge and spike protection in one unit. The owner lives about 5 miles or so away from me and delivered since it was not out of his way. I lucked out in that he had one that someone traded in for a newer model and I bought it for $1200.00 complete with warranty.
Elrod EPS-3 power cord
20 amp power cord that connects the Sound Application power conditioner and protector to the wall outlet. Bought it on an auction.
Sumiko Celebration
Low output moving coil cartridge. 0.5mV output, 10-40khz +/- 1.5db. Like it with my Sonographe SG-3 like it even better here.
SME Model 10
Came with the turntable.
SME Model 10
Just bought this for $4500.00 and a tube tester. That included the arm, the SME 10, and the Sumiko Celebration cartridge. It comes from the very first year of production per Sumiko, was curious as to its age. A very nice improvement over the good Songraphe SG-3.
plastic dust cover for turntable clear
this came with the SME 10 and covers it perfectly plus it has a cut out for phono cable/poower cord
Conrad-Johnson powercord for the Premier 16LSII
power cord to SME 10 power supply Like it better here
Nordost Frey
Came with the turntable, not as thrilled with it as the Hovland MusicGroove2 but that one would have to be reterminated and this one did not.
Thor Audio Cantantus
Phono PreAmp Has separate power supply connected via an umbilical cord. Has a stereo and mono switch as well as a play or mute switch. All tube. Not particularly flexible but the sound won me over.
Nordost Heimdall
Decided to do one manufacturer throughout.
Conrad Johnson Premier 16LSII
Bought this new with warranty for $5500.00 due to my stereo shop moving to a new location. Bought it and never looked back. As C-J says, it just sounds right.
Pranawire Kensho power cord
power cord goes from my preamp to Sound Application.
Nordost Heimdall
1.5 meter interconnect. Works well between preamp and amp.
Wyetech 211 C Monoblocks
Directly heated triode monoblocks, 36 watts of SET bliss. Original Audio Note Transformers could not be happier. Bought these from a fellow Audiogoner for $8,000 for the pair and think I did very well indeed. Supposedly modified by Israel Blume
Pranawire Kensho power cord
Connect the Wyetech's to the Sound Application.
Nordost SPM
4meters of wonderful wire. The guy at the Cable Company company told me to keep this as they weren't making any more of it. Bought it from an Audiogoner for $1700.00
Avantgarde Uno 3.2iii
All in black, found them on Audiogon about a half hour drive south of me so finally had a chance to hear them and that sold me. Vaughn Loudspeakers had them on Audiogon for $6,995.00 so felt it was a great buy and am very happy.
Marantz SA-14
SACD/CD player, ten years on still no problems, everything works fine. Paid $2910.00 including tax.
System edited: It has been a few years since looking at my virtual system. A friend, audio salesman, made me what seemed like a good deal for a complete Nordost Heimdall interconnect system for my rig and it works, though there is always room for improvement. Just was not happy with the Shunyata, thought of going up the line but then again... Anyway, Lotus Group which makes and sells Pranawire is about 30 to 45 minutes away,so called them up, go a demo, and then bought 3. Nothing else that these ears have heard made anywhere near the difference. Have been looking for a new set of speakers for about three or four years. The Legacy's are not bad at all but wanted more and just had not heard anything that said, YES, this is it. Went down for a demo about 45 minutes away , then for a home demo, just to make sure what was being heard was real, it was, it is, it stays. The Avantgarde Uno's are about as large a speaker as my room will handle and still make it liveable. Guess it is just a matter of waiting till something that sounds like it might work comes withing an hour of so of a drive and give it a listen to hear how it works. This has also been done over the past three years or so. There is another update to come but that is for next month. Enjoy the listening.
system edited: Sold the Shunyata power cords to finance my new Pranawire Kensho power cords for my Wyetech Monoblocks and Conrad-Johnson Premier 16 preamp. They brought the music forward and blackened the background at the same time. Truly amazing powercords.
System edited: Saw an ad on Audiogon for a matching amp stand in maple and could not refuse. No sound difference but visually it matches and that to me is just as pleasing.
Your preference for dealer demo's and closeouts I am finding is a wise one for myself as well. At least with certain gear. One often gets the warranty as well and a complete component with no missing pieces. Seems as if the most fun audio systems are in CA, or is it a case of your neighbors grass always seems greener. My yard is in southern NJ. Would love to hear a system such as yours before you change your speakers. Good luck on your hunt.
Hi Glenfihi, Thanks for the kind words and the response. It is a joy. Music is my mania, we all have one or more and many are not nearly as kind or healing as music. This system has been growing now for years. I buy something when I hear something that is a major improvement, otherwise I am content to stay with what I have, some pieces are 10 years old or more. I prefer to buy dealer demos or as with my preamp and Zoethecus stands from close outs when a dealer is moving. I can wait because it can only get better. Are you anywhere near northern california? Happy listening.
uru975 on Ever Evolving