Description

My system is a work in progress, but it's been a fun journey. My main setup consists of Audio Research amps and pre-amps with a Thorens TD-124 turntable and a newly modded ModWright Ultimate Truth XA-5400es. I listen to LPs ~ 70% of the time but also enjoy CDs & SACDs. I started with a pair of Vandersteen 3A's but in the past year have acquired a pair of pristine Altec 846A Valencia's and a refurbished pair of QUAD ESL-57's. The finish line is in sight!
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    • Altec 846A Valencia
    16-ohm vintage speakers acquired from the son of an original owner.
    • Quad ESL-57
    A pair of refurbished QUAD ESL's. Purchased from a local owner. Amazing speakers! I plan to periodically alternate them with the Altec Valencia's.
    • Thorens TD-124 mki
    TD-124 mki from the estate of a retired Air Force colonel in Denver, CO. He bought it in Belgium in the early 60's and brought it stateside. Baltic Birch plinth by James Campbell. Brushed aluminum tonearm platforms by Mirko. This project took awhile but came together nicely!
    • SME 3012r
    SME 3012r tonearm
    • Denon DL-103R in a Uwe ebony body
    Uwe Ebony body Denon DL-103 recently retipped by Soundsmith (Level 3) with a Yamamoto HS-1A African Ebony headshell.
    • Auditorium 23 SUT for Denon 103
    Presently used with great results in the Thorens TD-124 mki setup.
    • Yamamoto HS-1As African ebony headshell
    Headshell used with a Uwe body Denon DL-103R and a regular body Denon DL-103.
    • SME 3009 Series 2, Improved
    3009 S/2 Improved tonearm
    • Shure V15 Type IV
    A NIB Shure V15 Type IV moving magnet cartridge
    • Thorens TD-124 mkII
    A very clean TD-124 mkii from the estate of the late Lorin Levee, principal clarinet for the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
    • Ortofon RMG-212
    Ortofon tonearm that came as part of the TD-124 mkii package.
    • Ortofon SPU 90th Anniversary
    NIB 90th Anniversary SPU, presently used with the Thorens TD-124mkii setup, I hope to pair it with a Schick tonearm and the Garrard 301.
    • ModWright XA-5400es
    ModWright Ultimate Truth Mod for a stock Sony SCD XA-5400es
    • Garrard 301 grease bearing
    Grease bearing model circa 1958. Researching & acquiring a plinth, tonearm and cartridge.
    • Linn LP-12 Lingo
    A stock Linn TT that was upgraded to include a Linn Lingo I and a very pretty Cocobolo plinth by Chris Harban of Woodsong Audio.
    • Koetsu Urushi Vermillion
    Koetsu Urushi Vermillion
    • Linn Ittok LVII
    Linn Ittok LVII Tonearm
    • Linn LP-12 Sondek Ittok VII (black)
    Linn Sondek LP-12 with a black Ittok VII tonearm
    • Shelter 90x
    Great Shelter cartridge. Having this to compare against the Koetsu Urushi Vermillion is a treat.
    • Lenco L75
    Purchased this very clean L75 from a fellow A-goner who decided not to take his project to completion. This TT came with a Mirko plinth set up for a 12-inch tonearm. It also came with a yet-to-be-installed Mirko replacement bearing assembly. I think a 12-inch Schick tonearm will complete this project but first in the queue is a plinth and tonearm for a Garrard 301 grease bearing TT. Then my "Idler Wheel Museum" will be complete.
    • Garrard 401
    I've heard the 401's sound better than the 301's though the build quality is less. I need to either fabricate or purchase a plinth and determine a proper tonearm/cartridge combo.
    • Quad ESL-63
    Bought this from the original owner. It came with the Stand & Deliver stands. Unfortunately, it needs to be evaluated and possibly refurbished.
    • Quad ESL-63 US Monitor
    US Monitor - purchased knowing that several panels need to be repaired or replaced..
    • Gradient SW-63
    The SW-63 are presently at Electrostatic Solutions for repair. I need to acquire either the Gradient crossovers or a suitable substitute.
    • Snell Type J II
    A very well kept pair of Type II speakers, that unfortunately needed re-foaming upon arrival. Sounded great when plugged into my system; looking forward to its repair at Orange County Speaker Repair.
    • Audio Research SP-10 mki
    Great preamp for analog. Received a complete set of ARC tubes and factory-authorized tuneup back in 2008.
    • Audio Research SP-11 mki
    Another ARC reference standard preamp. The previous owner had this retubed by ARC just before I purchased it. Great with digital sources and very accurate with analog. I prefer the SP-10 to the SP-11 for analog but it's very close.
    • Audio Research SP-8 mkii
    It's fun to tube roll with this preamp.
    • Audio Research SP-9 mki
    For grins, tube rolled a pair of Siemens Cca into this preamp which just kicked it up to a whole new level.
    • Wright Sound WLA12
    Wright Sound linestage in great shape to pair with the WPA 3.5 2A3 monoblocs
    • Audio Research M-100 monoblocks
    Audio Research M-100 monoblock amplifiers
    • Wright Sound WPA-3.5
    Pair of Wright Sound WPA SET monoblocks with Sovtek 2A3's purchased from an original owner. Time to explore and better understand SET "magic" by pairing the WPA 3.5's with my Altec 846A Valencia's.
    • Audio Research VT-100 mkIII
    Solid performer day in and day out. Works great with the Vandy's and the Valencia's.
    • Sony DVP-NS9100es
    DVD/SACD/CD player used as a transport in conjunction with a Theta Gen Va DAC
    • Pioneer Elite Reference DV-09
    Used as a transport in conjunction with the Theta DAC.
    • Theta Digital DS Pro Gen Va
    Decided to take the DAC plunge with the Gen Va DAC which I've paired with both a Pioneer Elite DV-09 and a Sony NS9100es as transports.
    • McCormack DNA-1
    Solid state amplifier and a great match with the Vandersteen 3A speakers.
    • McIntosh MR-67
    Unfortunately reception in my area sucks so I haven't had much occasion to use this tuner.
    • Cardas Golden Reference 3.5M bi-wired
    Bi-wired speaker cables with spades.
    • Purist Audio Design Musaeus 2.5M
    Speaker cables that pair well with the QUAD ESL's. Spades on amp end and bananas on the speaker end.
    • Cardas Golden Reference 2.0M IC
    RCA termination
    • Cardas Golden Reference 1.5M IC
    RCA termination
    • Cardas Golden Reference 0.75M IC
    RCA termination
    • Cardas Golden Reference 0.5M IC
    RCA termination
    • Cardas Golden Cross 2.5M bi-wire
    2.5 M Bi-wire speaker cables with spades
    • Cardas Golden Cross 1.5M IC
    RCA termination
    • Cardas Golden Cross 0.75M IC
    RCA termination
    • Kimber Kable D-60 Illumination 1.0M
    75-ohm digital cable to connect the Pioneer Elite DV-09 or Sony DVD-9100es transports to the Theta DP PRO Gen Va DAC
    • MIT Digital Reference 1.0M
    The seller of the Theta Gen Va gave me this digital cable as part of purchasing his DAC.
    • Black Cat Silver Star 75
    1.25M 75-ohm digital cable from Black Cat
    • Illuminati D-60 0.5M digital cable
    Chris Sommovigo's original design before it became the Kimber D-60 Illumination
    • Stereovox HDXV 1.0M digital cable
    75-ohm digital cable
    • PS Audio PS 300 with Multi Wave 2 & remote
    Power conditioner that was upgraded by the original owner. Came with a remote which is nice.
    • Wyewires Juice II (Silver) power cord
    Two 6-ft. Wyewires Juice II Silver power cords for the ModWright SCD XA5400es and its separate power supply
    • Shunyata Venom 3 power cord
    Raffle prize from an LA Orange County Audio Society monthly meeting.
    • Billy Bags Pro-30
    Pro-30 Audio/Video component table
    • Sound Anchor Class A amplifier stands
    Pair of Class "A" amp stands with isolation spikes
    • Shunyata Dark Field Cable Elevators
    Speaker cable elevators
    • Shunyata Dark Field mini cable elevators
    Twelve mini cable elevators to separate ICs, power cords and speaker cables.
    • Billy Bags Pro 24 amp stand w/ isolation tips
    Beyond sturdy. At least with my amps.
    • Hickok 539B Tube Tester
    Finally scored a well kept, classic tube tester to sort through the various tubes I've accumulated over time. Tube rolling will be that much easier!

Comments 17

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Owner
Thanks Needfreestuff & Mapman. Unfortunately, I sold my place and am living in temporary digs so most of this system is in storage until I get to my final location in about two years. I do run the Altecs and the Thorens with Shindo gear as the available space in my loft is limited. But who knows, I might get the "itch" and hopefully the time to find the various boxes and might take the 57's out for a much needed spin. I do miss their transparency and near field awesomeness.

Thanks for possibly "spurring me into action".

closdesducs

Owner
I am presently using the WyeWires Juice II Silver PCs on both the transport and the power supply with good results.

Whenever I saw a ModWright XA5400es on display at either the THE Show or Rocky Mountain Audio Fest, they've had either WyeWires or VooDoo PCs. No personal experience with VooDoo but may try them out one day.

As for the 6SN7's, I presently run the Sophia Electric's in lieu of the stock tubes ModWright originally sent. For the rectifier tube, I've played around with NOS Mullard GZ 34 and the Philips 5R4GYS from Holland as sold by Upscale Audio. ModWright was able to provide a power supply cover with a neat hole cut out to accommodate the taller Philips tube and that's what I presently have running.

As for tube rolling the 6SN7's, I should do that as I have managed to cobble together a varied selection of NOS tubes for the Wright WPA 3.5 monoblock amps (oval plate black glass Tung Sols, RCA red base 5692, Brimar CV1988 and Sylvania VT-231) and will eventually get around to it. Parts of my system have been "mothballed" as I am selling my home, so I will wait until I get to my final digs before swapping in and out components/tubes/power cords/etc.

Congrats on your new acquisition and I wish you many hours of Happy Listening!

closdesducs

Owner
Thanks for the kind offer but I think I've reached the "end of the road" re. digital playback with the ModWright. Best wishes on your quest.

closdesducs

Owner
System edited: The Klipsch Heresy III's were sold to a fellow audiophile. And on the cheerier side, the Snell Type J II's were repaired by OC Speaker Repair. Can't wait to try them out!

closdesducs

Owner
System edited: Always wanted to own a pair of Snell Type J speakers and was finally able to locate a very clean pair on eBay. I think these speakers will be a workhorse this summer as I will be changing residences and the Altec Valencia's will be in summer "hibernation".

closdesducs

Owner
System edited: In anticipation of a change in home, sold the Vandersteen 3A's and 2W subwoofer to a friend. Sold the Snell Type A II speakers to another audiophile friend who sold me the Wright WPA 3.5 SET's earlier in the year and who has been "jones-ing" for a pair of Type A's. Also acquired a pair of extraordinarily clean Snell Type J II speakers on eBay. Despite being well packed, the foam surrounds were falling apart by the time they arrived in SoCal. So they are presently at Orange County Speaker Repair for a much-needed re-foaming.

closdesducs

Owner
System edited: Acquired a very clean pair of 6-foot Wywires Juice II Silver power cords for the ModWright XA5400es SACD/CD player and its separate power supply. They replace a pair of Shunyata Venom 3 PCs. I've been tube rolling RCA red base 5692's and Tung Sol 5Y3 tubes into the Wright WPA 3.5 monoblocks (with a pair of NOS Bendix 6106 in the acquisition phase) so I'll let this setup run for awhile before evaluating the impacts of the Wywires PCs.

closdesducs

Owner
System edited: Couple of acquisitions as of late. A pair of Wright Sound WPA 3.5 2A3 monoblocks to learn about what SET amps can do when paired with a very efficient pair of Altec 846A Valencia's. It was a local sale which was nice as the seller was able to let me audition the amps in my system for a day. The second piece of the puzzle is a very clean Lenco L75 mounted in a heavy Mirko plinth and a yet to be installed Mirko replacement bearing assembly.

closdesducs

Owner
System edited: Christmas comes early! The ModWright XA-5400es made its appearance underneath the Christmas tree yesterday. Had a thoroughly enjoyable setup and first istening session late into the night, but will wait the unit is run in over the next couple of weeks before any serious assessment. I'm using the ModWright-provided stock power cords, Electro-Harmonix 6SN7 and 5AR4 tubes to obtain a baseline, and have a pair of recently-acquired Sophia Electric 6SN7, Mullard 5AR4, and Create/Synergy 5AR4's to eventually tube roll through the player and power supply. I've been reading up on potential power cables upgrades and I'd appreciate any feedback from other ModWright users regarding their experiences with Voodoo Cable, WyWires and Kubala Sosna. Happy Holiday Listening everyone!

closdesducs

Owner
Thank you for your kind comments! I acquired the Quad's just before Thanksgiving, so I've been running them and becoming familiar with their sound. They'll be sent out after the holidays to have EHT and Zener clamp boards installed, so I'll rotate back to the Valencia's at that time. I tend to rotate speakers every quarter, but perhaps it's time to set up a separate system in my upstairs loft to be able to choose between the two sets of speakers without having to move heavy stuff around.

I really liked the look of your Audio Note system and have enjoyed their showrooms at both the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest and THE Show. Perhaps one day, it would be fun to travel down that audio path.

Happy Listening!

closdesducs

Owner
System edited: Acquired a QUAD ESL 57 from a fellow A-goner. Love a local sale; no shipping drama. The pair was refurbished ~7 years ago and in very good condition. The seller included a pair of EHT and clamp boards from Electrostatic Solutions which was very nice of him. I'll have to have them installed. I am running the QUADs with Purist Audio Musaeus speaker cables and the Audio Research VT 100 mkiii & ARC SP-10 combo. Great detail and soundstage. A wonderful near field listening experience. Still playing around with speaker positioning. The Final Solution is almost in sight...?

closdesducs