This system, with 60 comments, is already up under my old Audiogon moniker - Fplanner2000. I've had to duplicate it since they wouldn't let me attach it to my new moniker - fplanner2010.
I started this hobby about 8 years ago and have subsequently gone a bit nuts turning my living room into a pretty nice 2-channel and HT setup. When I first posted this system on 10-4-06, it didn't have very much of what is currently there now. (Actually, all that remains are the Gray conditioner, the sub and Sunfire amp!!)
I have done all the upgrades I had been contemplating 3 years ago (plus a number of others for various reasons), and the dogs have been surprisingly cooperative in not taking out any tubes. With the latest addition of the APL Super-DAC prototype, I am pretty much exactly where I had hoped to be when I started this 8 years ago. FINALLY!!
I'd like to thank all my friends and acquaintances here on Audiogon for your help and guidance along the way. I never would have gotten this far this quickly without your help, suggestions and shared wisdom. I am totally appreciative.
I don't anticipate any more changes anytime real soon, but in this hobby, you really NEVER KNOW!! I'm going to CES in 3 weeks, so we'll see what happens. I'm definitely interested in exploring computer integration and would love to have my 1000+ CDs on a big hard-drive, but we'll see....
Valve Amplification Company VAC Statement 450 Monoblocks
WOW. Not broken in yet
Valve Amplification Company Signature IIa Preamp
Added 7308's 2/12 replacing noisy 6dj8's - incredible soundstage and sonic extension. Unbelievable!!
Esoteric/APL 32-bit NWO-M Transport/DAC
SOTA digital. 20 2nd generation 32-bit AKM DACs/side, double tube Class-A output stage, 96/211 upsampler, etc.
Von Schweikert Audio VR-7SE w/Mk 2 upgrade
Total internal re-wire w/Delphi wire, new mid-range drivers and V-Cap bypass mods to mids, tweets and super-tweets.
Pro ELITE 70 inch LCD w/full Local Dimming
Product of a 2.5 yr project between Pioneer and Sharp engineers to build the BEST in the world w/o economic constraints. Came out several months ago in 60" and 70"; 2 yr 3 mo. factory wty. Expensive but amazing so far. Goes FAR beyond Sony XBR, my prior reference, in many noticeable areas.
Oppo BDP-95
Video processing to 3D plus all latest Audio Codecs
Integra DHC-80.2 HD Processor
All the latest codecs for movies.
Velodyne DD-15+ Subwoofer
A nice upgrade from the prior DD-15
Synergistic Research TESLA Reference Subwoofer cables(2)
Best I've ever had on my sub.
Synergistic Research Galileo Speaker Cells
Speaker tweeker - really opens up the speakers for an even more organic and visceral "you are there" presentation. A pleasant surprise.
Synergistic Research Element Series C-T-S ics
Copper-Tungsten-Silver 1m rca ICs between APL and preamp. Increased clarity, deeper and wider soundstage, better imaging and focus.
Synergistic Research Apex Tesla ICs & bi-wire Spkr cable
A revelation for my system
Synergistic Research Precision Reference XLR ICs
Perfect between Preamp and amps. Tried pure silver, but lost the body of the Prec Ref.
Synergistic Research 3 Hologram A and 2 Hologram D PCs
Improved dynamics and imaging. A's on both amps and preamp.
Synergistic Research D-3 Digital IC cable
Best digital cable from Transport to DAC I have found at any price.
Acrolink Mexcel Digital BNC
Great digital cable for the clock - made for Esoteric.
Legacy Audio Focus 20/20 rear speakers
Full range and great for movies
Legacy Audio Silver Screen Center speaker
Blends really well with the VSA fronts
Magnum Dynalab MD-108T Triode tuner
Best tuner I've found. Replaced a Sansui modded 9900, which I still have.
Finite Elemente Cerapucs under UX-1 & Preamp
Tightens up the presentation.
Digital Systems Ultrabit Platinum Disc Treatment
The best I've found to help my CDs sound their best and remove scratches.
I got my tubes and placed them in. Letting my system warm up I could instantly here a difference that sounded very promising. I have around 20 hours on them and really just can't believe what I'm hearing over all, very happy indeed and for sure well worth it. As you said "small investment for a substantial return" FOR SURE Thanks! :)
THANKS, already chatting with both Ian and Rachel.
Yes the TV even with that cord is very nice, I noticed on my other pce changing the power cord did make a positive difference and it's just a shame one can't do such on this one.
Did you get yours calibrated as of yet? I have heard from others if properly done very positive results. I will be once I put some hours in on mine.
I was also shocked with the plastic backer when my other unit is all metal, as you are aware not an inexpensive unit and just wonder why that's all.
K-01 is breaking-in nicely, so far prefer it over any other single units I have had. A AMR 77.1 is sitting at the door awaiting to be shipped to it's new owner along with a DCS Puccini.
Still burning in my Magnum Dynalab 109T, gorgeous looking pce but sounding a little thin and isn't offering the same body nor bass compared to my MR78 W/Modafferi Modifications which is just a stunning tuner! Larry said 50+ hours and I might have 30 on it now so time will tell.
With your 108T can you run either rca or balanced IC'S? What are you using, have you ever done any comparision, if so what were the results.
What power cord do you use, again if you have what were the results.
Thanks, I'm sure your set-up sounds absolutely marvelous but you are missing out big time not using vinyl as a source option :)
I picked up last week same 70" TV as you, replaced my Pioneer ELITE® KURO Flat Panel HDTV PRO-150 FD 60 inch. Kinda shocked with the crappy power cord cable that is attached and not allowing one to install their own as per my other unit, never mind not being all that long. Happy to have the larger screen back because I went from a Elite 710 64" down to the 60" because nothing larger was available at the time but now finally back up to this one.
Tubes in pre-amp, put them in recently and still allowing to burn in and then will evaluate.
I was just checking out these amps tubes to place an order and found the following information, were you aware of this.
Thoughts .....
From GF web site:
Notice:
We have officially discontinued this Treasure CV181-Z model and have replaced it with the newer better MKII version called Psvane CV181-T. Please visit under Psvane T-Series vacuum tubes category for details on Psvane CV181-T tubes.
you know this hobby is addictive and I had to chuckle reading your last three posts in reference to the 450's.
It's okay I know you want the 450's soooooooooo badly, I bet you dream about it at night. :)
I'm just sitting relaxing and listening and while writing I have found myself just getting loss within the music, loosing track of time so it has taken a long time to write this little blurb.
I haven't really been following the digital arena very closely at all.
You said "Digital is developing more bells and whistles very quickly now"
One of the main reason's why I don't want to invest crazy money, one would think prices will come down along with some pces becoming extinct.
With Albert picking up this line I would have thought you would have gotten one of these players in your system for evalution and provided such info. to him be it good or bad.
Have you checked out "The Memory Player", I did a few years ago and at that time was not all that enthused for a few reasons but now their current units have from what I read come along including cost drops.
1. Build quality 2. Glishes 3. Not user freindly 4. Over all sound quality greatly differed from Clement's praise. 5. Rediculous price 6. Always changing constantly but reading their info. now the ysay can be upgraded over the internet, very interesting indeed.
I like the concept
Every server set-up I have heard to date, no matter what was involved or cost I find the individuals seem to be very enthusiastic and talk a good game. To the point of having me excited but once a song is played all that fads away very quickly unfortuantly leaving me just wondering.
Esoteric K-01 player, intersting. I'm presently looking into getting another player, I know I won't really use it all that much but when others drop by they always have those shiny discs and want to have a listen. Prior we would listen and then once a record was put on we just didn't go back, I also have a very nice collection of cd's and most are not available on vinyl.
Previously had a amazing set-up but do to not being used, money invested but mainly the real estate space needing due to being separate pces and the MBL 1621a transport being a top loading unit got rid of them. I'm looking for a all in one unit.
So any input in relation to this specially knowing what you already own would be appreciated.
Vac 450's, well you already know what I think. Did Kevin have the new phono pre-amp at the show that he has been working on? any pics or info.
What were your thoughts of the Nola speakers? I heard a pair, they were okay but nothing that intrigued me saying to get a pair.
Did you have any favourites at the show while attending that you care to share.
I also owned a MBL 6010D as well along with a ARC REF3 and switched back and forth within my system to get different flavours but once I got the Sig. MK2a pre into my system well long story short with out any hesitation I sold both of those world class pre's and I'm just truely enjoying my VAC.
Will be interesting to see what your out come is in comparing those two that you mentioned.
