This is a rather simple, but high quality digital only system. I am fortunate to have a dedicated room. It has been analyzed with a RTA and the remaining bass modes addressed with the Rives PARC which is highly effective.
Way more than a tweak, but not a DAC, the U-Clock is an external, highly accurate master clock along with an asynchronous USB interface should I wish to implement a computer based, digital front end.
Nagra PL-L
Tubed line stage preamp on Nagra's VPS. It's optioned with remote control and balanced outputs.
Ayre Acoustics MX-R Twenty
300 watt mono-blocks. Just updated with Ayre's new Diamond output stage and other internals.
Rives Audio PARC
Three band parametric equalizer that operates from 300Hz down. Used to equalize bass modes.
Wilson Audio Watt/Puppy 7
Iconic full-range speaker from Wilson Audio
Grand Prix Audio Monaco
Sorbothane and single point suspended equipment rack. Has optional Apex feet. Columns are shot-filled.
Shunyata Hydra
Line filter
ASC Tube and Studio Traps
Various bass traps and diffusors
Room Tunes Various
Various corner and echo tunes.
Shunyata Dark Field Elevators
Cable elevators
Cardas Audio Golden Reference Balanced Interconnect
Golden Reference balanced throughout.
Cardas Audio Golden Reference
Speaker cable. These have been reterminated using Cardas' cold forged process introduced with their Clear line of products.
That's where they ended up as a result of Wilson's voicing process. They're farther out than might appear in the picture. The baffles are about 3' away from the wall.
Hi 'saint, Yes you do and one eerily similar to mine. My previous electronics were ML; 380S, 335. I auditioned several tube amps; CJ LP140M, Nagra and accompanying preamps as well as the Ayres. To my ears, and I know this is contrary to conventional wisdom, the CJs sounded more brittle to me than the Ayres paired with the Nagra PL-L, which as you can see were my final choice.
The pairing is exceptional to my ears. Most telling is that cymbals sound like cymbals, not high frequency hash. They're full of metallic sheen when they should be. Depth and imaging is first rate and bass control is outstanding. The latter could be a problem given that the Wilsons present a difficult load in the bass. The Ayres have all the current capability necessary to control them. I'm very happy and I think the choice of a tube pre-amp is very synergistic, although I've not heard the Ayre KX-R preamp.
I, too, have a simple, but high quality digital only system. I'm looking to upgrade my amps to a reference quality amp like your Ayres. My other consideration is the Lamm M1.2. What are your thoughts with the Ayre/Wilson pairing?
HI Lenny, I want to thank you for having me over recently. Truly outstanding system !!!
I was really surprised at the PARC. I am pretty familiar with the rest of your system (we have some common components) so I kinda knew what to expect. The PARC was surprise not only tightening up and defining the bass...but the clarity gains in the mids plus the focus in soundstage!
