Description

Striving for a musically enjoyable experience, while maintaining accuracy.
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Components Toggle details

    • Vandersteen 5A's
    Model 5A Specifications: * Frequency Response 20Hz to 30KKz, + or - 1 1/2db. * Sensitivity 87db at 1 meter with 2.83 volt input. * Recommended Amplifier 50 to 200 watts per channel at 8 ohms. * Subwoofer Amplifier Power 400 watts * Impedance 8 ohms + or -3db * Physical 44
    • Atma-Sphere MA-1's Mk III
    These are 140 watt, Class A mon blocks.
    • Slimdevices Modwright Transporter
    Modwright takes the stock Transporter and adds a killer, tubed, analog output stage.
    • Plinius M8
    This preamp has balanced and single ended inputs and outputs, HT bypass, and full function remote.
    • Furman SPR-20i
    This is a 20 amp voltage regulator
    • Running Springs Audio Haley
    This fifteen-amp power device was designed for high-current amplifiers, front-end components and home theaters.

    The Haley has three-isolated RSA modified Hubbell duplexes, delivering 1800 continuous watts of uncompressed, uncolored power.
    • Kaplan Cables 15 amp inline conditioner cord
    These cords have Rhodium connectors on the male end.
    • Kaplan Cables H.E Power Cords
    These cords have copper male connectors.
    • Kaplan Cables 3 amp inline conditioner cord
    These cords have copper male connectors.
    • Sistrum SP-101
    Used under the Modwright Transporter
    • Sistrum SP-1
    Used under the Plinius M8 preamp
    • Sistrum SP-04
    Used under the Running Springs Haley and Furman Audio SPR-20i voltage regulator
    • Gregg Straley Reality Speaker Cables
    As we created and perfected our unique "Reality Cables" we learned quite a few "tricks and tweaks" that we have not seen used by any other cable manufacturer! Our goal was to create a conductive transmission line that was more transparent than any other current design offered on the market (regardless of cost or technology). We realized we had very lofty goals, but you've got to have a target, right? As we tried many ideas used by some other well known cable companies, we soon realized that too many designs are just decent sounding cables with some unique feature and rely more on "mumbo jumbo" marketing and the "look" of their design then actually creating a "wonder cable" that exceeds all other designs.

Comments 46

Owner
Thanks Haimoc.

George

zybar

I am impressed with your listening room with great system. Thanks for sharing.

haimoc

Owner
Thanks Grr60001.

zybar

Zybar,
Very nice room & system. The Vandersteens are some of my favorite speakers. I haven't had the pleasure to here them teamed with the Atma's.
I'm sure special.

grr6001

Owner
Thanks Art.

It really is coming along nicely.

The 5A/MA-1 combination is something special and there is some serious synergy cooking!

George

zybar

Looking good George!

arthursmuck

Owner
System edited: It's been a long time since I updated the system...here is the current state of the system that is producing the best sound I have ever had!

zybar

Owner
System edited: Updated pics added to show addtional room treatments from RealTraps.com George

zybar

Is that a Monster AVS2000 power conditioner in the pic/system(left hand side box with red LEDs)?

Great set-up BTW!

audioht


Zybar thanks, reading some threads my understanding is the Dodd's bass has also apparently been improved.

I am going to place an order for the Bent Tap line stage, a friend recommended it, he uses a Placette pre.

Are you familiar with the Bent Tab pre line stage?

If I go this ruite the Bent has balanced and rca so I can still use my current cables and only have to add one rca cable on to hook-up to the Moscode 401HR.

If the Moscode 401HR and Bent Tap work with my Eggleston's
that would be a really simplified "wife friendly" set-up.

I am looking forward trying this.

dev

Owner
The bottom end of the 401HR was improved after that intial review and isn't lacking.

I would say the BAT's bass had a little more control on my Salk Sound Veracity HT3's, but not by a wide margin. OTOH, I thought the 401HR's bass was better than the Dodd 120's on the Salk's.

You can read about me comparing the Dodd 120's to the Moscode 401HR over at AudioCircle:

http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/index.php?topic=32863.0

You are correct that with the 5A's, ultimate bass control isn't an issue since the main amp doesn't have to work below 100Hz or so.

BTW, the 120's ran out of gas in my 30x14x8 room with the Salk speakers when asked to play really loudly.

I haven't heard the Andra II's so I can't really comment.

George

zybar

George, you no what led me to this thread. So you had the Bat 600 and Dodd 120 and prefered the Moscode 401HR over both. These were two others on my list to listen to and very respected as well.

In reading one thread which was in depth pertaining the overal sound characteristics of the 401HR it refers to the bottem end not being that great which concerns me because this is a must for me.

I am trying to match up with my Eggleston Andra 2's, they need a iron fist to control the bass properly. I have read some feed back from other owners of Andra's and mentioning Dodd 120's being amazing and controling the bass like the best of solid state amps do. I have also heard that the Bat 600 is supose to be a pretty amazing amp.

Your 5A's are likly alot easier to control the bass then my Andra's.

Have you heard the Andra 2's not original one's, the 2's are in a whole different league?

I don't know if you read any of my other threads but this is for a second system, not my main and has to be "wife friendly"

Big mono block set ups just won't be happening but it's a big room and I want the best sound that I can get. I am wondering if the 401 will run out of gas.

Interested in your thoughts and others.

dev

Hi George,

I have watched your system develop over the past few years and it looks like it keeps getting better. I am considering the Vandy 5a which I love but I am not sure if my room will work. Keep us posted on any new changes.

bobheinatz

Owner
Shadedog,

Thanks for the compliment and I am glad you are enjoying the Vandy 5A/Moscode 401HR combo. It really does an excellent job of extracting tons of detail while reminaing very smooth and musical. I have found that I am listening more and more acordingly.

George

zybar

Great system! Mine is much the same. Vandy 5A, Moscode 401 (I love that amp) plus an Io preamp with two power supplies. Records (no CDs) Your set-up looks terrific. Your comments on the Moscode led me to the amp. Thanks very much.

shadeddog

Congrats George!

No more Tact, no more solid state, looks like no preamp other than the Squeezebox! Amplified subwoofers! Talk about full circle...I bet it's a rock'n musical setup!

PS you picked the best wood choice of Burled wood. Stunning!

Chris

cytocycle

Hi George,

Vandy 5A's! Beautiful system. Im sure they sound terrific! Congrats//Ken

kehut

Owner
Tboooe,

The 5A's have their sub driver underneath the speaker and I don't believe you could use a platform of any type in place of the three cones.

I agree that the Sistrum platforms are excellent and would be a worthy addition.

George

zybar

Very. very nice Zybar's I see that you have done some major changes, way to go on the vandersteen 5A Good choice, I’M currently using vandersteen 3A SIG I got to tell you it sound good, are far do you have to put the speakers away from the wall, just wondering....

ENJOY...ENJOY

keyarae

Zybar, nice room. Any thoughts on getting the sistrum stands for your speakers? I have the sp1s under my amps and am thinking of adding the 101 for my speakers. Everyone I talk to says this will make the biggest improvement.

tboooe

Beautiful George! Room looks awesome. Wish I was there to help you set them up. Congrats! Keep us posted on the sound.

fsarc

Owner
System edited: New pics show Vandy 5A's in Bird's Eye Maple being driven by a Moscode 401HR with NOS Amperpex Pinched Waist 6922's from the 1950's. George

zybar

Hey George- have an appointment tomorrow with Santa and his Elves to set up those 5As? :-) We're waiting....... You room looks great. Can't wait to see the 5As in there and anxiously await your comments on the sound. Merry Christmas!

Frank

fsarc

Owner
System edited: The system continues to evolve and improve. New pics and posts will follow in the coming days. George

zybar

Owner
System edited: Updated pics to include newly installed Tri-Corners by Realtraps.

zybar

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