Rockitman's System

by rockitman on All Out Assault

Description

My "All Out Assault" on two channel reproduction started back in 2009 with the acquisition of Wilson Audio W/P 8's. Prior to getting those speakers my system remained pretty much static from 1994-2009. It was a Mark Levinson system consisting of No.27.5, No.36, No.380s. Speakers were Aerial Acoustic 10t's. It was a digital only system. After the W/P's came the PS Audio Perfect Wav DAC/Trans. This was my first time being exposed to hi-rez playback. It only took a few hi-rez needle drops for me determine that analog was the way to go for best sounding audio. 

System tour on YouTube.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?list=LL8mwfiB_0vQtdPPbBJv0EMQ&v=pd1JYxBZS3s




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Components Toggle details

    • American Sound AS-2000 Turntable
    Belt driven (Pabst Capstan) super high mass turtable. It is the absolute state of the art in vinyl spinners. Using NOS SME 3012R’s as primary arms. Knife edge bearing from the early1970’s. Original NOS cables for the arms too. Total weight...approximately 500lbs. Air platter, no bearing.
    • TechDAS Air Force One
    Ripple free air bearing, air suspension and vacuum hold down. Running 12" Graham Supreme rear slot and Phantom Elite (Not here yet) with Nordost Odin wiring and tone arm cable. (DIN->RCA)
    • Clearaudio Master Innovation
    Belt-driven magnetic drive. Ceramic Magnetic bearing.
    • Technics RS 1500
    Nortronics Pro 1/2 tack, head wired out to external tape preamp (King/Cello NAB/IEC, 15 ips). All inferior Technics electronics are bypassed.
    • Otari MTR-10 RTR Tape Deck
    2 Channel, 1/4" tape, head wired out for use with King/Cello tape preamp.
    • King/Cello Tape Pre IEC/NAB
    adjustible Hi Freq. EQ
    • Studer A810
    2 units...one fully stock, the other with a JRF Magnetics repro head upgrade.
    • Otari MX 5050 Bll-2
    1/4" two track RTR player/recorder
    • Lamm Industries LP-1 Signature Phono
    The LP1 Signature is a vacuum tube preamplifier that employs a high current pure class A operation from input to output.  No loop feedback is employed.  Other features include:
    • Audibly neutral power supplies (one for each channel) featuring full-wave vacuum rectifiers, choke contained filters, vacuum tube high-voltage regulators, and solid-state low-voltage analogue non-switching regulators used as the heater supplies
    • Three separate inputs for MM and MC (two inputs) cartridges
    • All amplification stages utilize high transconductance super low noise high-current vacuum triodes
    • Very accurate RIAA EQ network

    Each preamplifier is carefully handcrafted of the finest materials and hand selected top quality parts like military-grade DALE metal-film resistors, RCD wire-wound resistors, BOURNS multi-turn potentiometers; ELECTROCUBE, CORNELL DUBILIER and ROEDERSTEIN film capacitors; high frequency switching grade CORNELL DUBILIER electrolytic capacitors; HAMMOND chokes; gold-plated NEUTRIC connectors; and military-grade low-noise long-life vacuum tubes.

    A custom-designed massive damping panel installed in the preamplifier unit significantly reduces all types of mechanical vibrations which, in turn, leads to a more extended, coherent and natural bass reproduction.
    The LP1 Signature features a custom-designed super-low noise power transformer.

    • Allnic H-5000 DHT Phono
    LCR. Adjustable EQ, direct heated triode phono stage. 1950-1960 RCA Miltary spec 5U4G tubes used for rectification. Voltage regulation via Takatsuki 300B tubes.
    • Allnic HA-3000 Head Amp
    Nuvistor tube based moving coil head amp.
    • SME 3012R Phono pick up arm
    1970’s NOS with knife edge bearing...not the shit gimbal bearing design that came out later.
    • Graham Engineering Phantom Elite 10 inch
    Grahams new reference arm with improved bearing, wiring, bearing house, arm tube
    • Graham Engineering Phantom II Supreme
    Fluid damped, uni-pivot design. 10 & 12 inch arm wand x 2.
    • Clearaudio Universal Tone Arm with VTA Lifter
    • Nordost Odin Supreme Reference Cabling
    2-1.25 meter DIN to RCA phono cables. 1-1.5 meter XLR for phono stage to main pre. 1-5 meter XLR for main pre to amps. 1.5 meter RCA, 4-2.5 meter Power Cords. 4 meter speaker cable.
    • Nordost Valhalla Reference DIN phono
    Used with Graham arm.
    • Koetsu Coralstone Platinum
    understated beauty of the petrified coral bodes…so rare is the material that cartridges in this guise will only be available in the US, priced at $15000 with production unlikely to exceed a couple of dozen…stunning naturalness and presence…a sense of substance and stability to the image…big and rich and vibrant…There's a rightness, an immediately convincing quality to its presentation that draws you into the music. Specifications: Body: Coral Stone Type: Moving Coil Coil Wiring: Silverplated Copper Magnet: Platinum Magnet Cantilever: Boron Cantilever Output Volts: 0.3mV Frequency Range: 20Hz to 100kHz Channel Seperation: 25db/1kHz Inner Impedance: 5 Ohm Channel Balance: 0.5db/1kHz Recommended Impednace: 30 Ohm Weight: 12g Compliance: 5 x 10-6 cm/dyne at 100 hz
    • Koetsu Tiger Eye Platinum
    Koetsu Tigereye Technical Data •Body: Tigereye •Type: moving coil •Coil wiring: silver-plated copper •Magnet: platinum •Cantilever: boron •Output: .3mV •Frequency range: 20Hz-100kHz •Channel separation: 25dB/1kHz •Inner impedance: 5 ohms •Channel balance: .5dB/1kHz •Recommended impedance: 30 ohms •Weight: 12.5 •Compliance: 5x10-6cm/dyne at 100Hz
    • Dynavector DRT XV-1t
    Urushi bamboo body. Dynavectors statement cartridge.
    • Ortofon MC A90
    Two units...One still Sealed for the future.
    • Shelter Harmony
    Shelter Phono Cartridge
    Output Voltage: 0.5 mV at 1Khz 5 cm/sec.
    Weight: 8.5 grams
    Channel Balance: within 0.8 dB at 1Khz
    Tracking Force: 1.4 to 2.2 grams
    Stylus Tip: 1.6 X 0.3 mil Line Contact Nude Diamond
    DC Resistance: 15 Ohm
    Recommended Load Impedance:
    Step Up Transformer - 10 to 30 Ohms
    Head Amplifier - within 100 Ohms
    High Gain EQ-amp - within 47K Ohms
    Compliance - 9 ìm/mN
    • Benz Micro Gullwing SLR
    MOMC
    • Lyra Olympos - Mono Phono Cartridge

    One of 4 mono versions ever made. SL single coil design. Output: .15mV

    Truly the Holy Grail for mono record playback.

    • Ikeda 9TT - Mono
    LOMC
    • PS Audio PerfectWave DirectStream DAC

    Stereophile Recommended Component 2015

    Class A+ Stereophile rated DirectStream DAC converts any digital input format, such as PCM or DSD to a pure DSD stream and outputs near-perfect analog directly to your power amplifier or preamplifier. Whatever the format, whatever the sample rate, DirectStream is a pure DSD based solution that fulfills the promise of a high-resolution analog performance standard the originators of CDs promised over 30 years ago. Hear what’s been missing in your music for all these years. If you know the sound of music and instruments, and want to hear what’s been missing on your discs, then this DAC is right for you.

    • PS Audio PerfectWave PWT
    Buffered Memory player. 24/192 capable
    • Pass Labs XS Preamp - Dual Chassis
    It is a large two chassis preamp built in a true dual mono arrangement. The circuit board materials are optimized for performance in each area, a power supply circuit board has different requirements
    • Pass Labs XS-150 Dual Chassis Monoblocks
    Class A solid state dual chassis mono-blocks Xs These are Pass Laboratories ultimate expression of Power Amplifiers the perfect blend of science and visceral emotion. The successor to our already lavishly praised and well regarded Supersymmetry patent. Every technical effort has been made to assure exceptional specifications, among these: Separate chassis for lower electromagnetic noise Power supplies with greatly enhanced storage capacitance Banks of redundantly parallel high speed / soft recovery rectifiers Improved high frequency noise filters Larger / quieter transformers Improved passive decoupling Lower power standby Input impedances of 200 k-ohm balanced with negligible capacitance These amplifiers will drive any load, while being driven from any source. If there’s a more emotionally satisfying amplifier anywhere, we’re not aware of it. Xs 150 / Specifications Gain (db)26 Power Output /ch (8 ohm)150 Power Output /ch (4 ohm)300 Maximum Output (Amps)30 Input Impedance,(Kohms)200k Balanced, 100k single-ended Power Consumption (W)500 Number of Chassis2 Dimensions (W x H x D)19 x 11.5 x 21.5 (each) Unit Weight (LBS)130 + 100
    • Wilson Audio Alexandria X2.2
    almandine black metallic with Black Grills
    • Table Stable TS-140
    Active Isolation table
    • Millennia Media NSEQ-4
    Profesional Level Parametric Utilized via tape loop on main pre when needed. EQ World’s first all-discrete, true differential Class-A input buffer/amplifier Selectable balanced or unbalanced input Greatly improved 3rd generation FSA-03 all-discrete EQ amplifier Improved output stage, no muting required (as with Twin Topology) True hard-wire bypass when EQ not selected Upgraded power supply leading to improved sonic performance
    • PS Audio P5 Power Plant
    Clean AC power Regenerator for source components only. Amps plugged directly into wall.
    • Stillpoints Ultra 5
    Used under Pass XS 150 amps, Wilson X-2.2 speakers and Clearaudio Master Innovation turntable.
    • Stillpoints LP1
    Used on top of all music chain components and as record weights for both turntables.
    • Stillpoints Ultra SS
    Isolation/Vibration control component footers
    • KL Audio Ultrasonic Record Cleaner
    The best ultrasonic record cleaner. Uses only distilled water.
    • Entreq Silver Tellus
    Signal grounding box. I use two...one dedicated to main preamp and the other dedicated to the phono preamp.
    • Entreq Atlantis Grounding Cables
    Two pairs for main preamp, one pair for phono stage
    • Clearaudio ACCUDRIVE
    Battery power supply for Clearaudio Master Innovation turntable.
    • Western Electric 422A Rectifiers
    Purchased NOS (1960 MFG Date)Used for rectification in the Allnic H5000 DHT phono preamp
    • Takatsuki 300B Tubes
    Hi-End 300B tube made in Japan. Used for voltage regulation in the Allnic H5000 DHT Phono preamp. These make a big difference on the performance of the tubes in the gain stage.
    • Torus Power RM-15 Plus Isolation Transformer
    2 units....one for each power amp channel.

Comments 277

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The distributer who had it before the current distributer was so happy to get ride of it. I owned and tested a lot of MIT as well. MIT gives a wide and deep stage. But there is one very important part in sounds realism what is not that good. Instruments and voices are often too big wenn you use MIT. I call this individual focus. In real voices and instruments are very sharp focussed and bery small in dimension. Wenn you use a brand who has the same properties you will loose intimacy in sound cause of the instruments and voices which are played too big in proportion. I have these discussions with the people from Pass Labs as well. I use Pass Labs. You need extreemly sharp focussed cables. This weekend I did a presentation at a audio show in the Netherlands. With my new Audioquest Redwood I have by far the best sharp individual 3d focus I ever heard in my life. I even have the quickest and shortest speed and timing ever heard. Soon I will write a review about this cable. In a few days you can read it. I used the Purist Audio Design LE Powercables. I had a stunning sound. I will also give a link with pictures. A few distributer owners who I know well told me I had the best sound of the show.

bo1972

Owner
There are currently no Siltech cables being used in my system. I recently switched from Nordost Valhalla to MIT MA-X SHD speaker cables. Nordost are not even in the same league. Thanks for your Siltech rant though. I find it quite amusing.

rockitman

Owner
Hi Dctom,

I haven't had the Shelter on the table in a while. It Is an excellent cart and I see myself using it again down the road. Currently I am running the Ortofon A90. I like my Koetsu Coralstone best of all my carts though.

rockitman

Siltech? Are you F....kidding me. I am from Holland and I tested many of them. They only thing they do right are there digital cables. For the rest you would be a fool to use them. Even the most expensive ones I tested. I would not even want them for free. In Holland we call it slisstech. Here we know that it is not that good. At shows we were teading them. We did not take them that serious! In the past I won all the demo's I did with Nordost and Kimber wenn customers had Slisstech cables as well at home. It was that easy.

bo1972

Hi Rockitman - do you still use your Shelter harmony? how does it compare with your other cartridges?
Great system btw.

dctom

Thanks!

dave_72

Owner
What would you say the difference is between the 2 and 3 box line preamps? And between the 1 box and 2 box phono preamps?

The main difference is that the multi box units sound better. They are more refined, dynamic and quieter. It is really as simple as that.

rockitman

Rockitman, did you see my post? :D

dave_72

Rockitman,
Further break-in will smooth out the cables, especially the high frequencies - bass will improve but less dramatically. Image cohesiveness will also dramatically improve. This is what mine are doing.
If you aren't using MIT Oracle MA-X2 or SHD interconnects already, you should use them - there's a synergy with their interconnects and the speaker cables.
My dealer gets VERY good rates on these products if I can help.
Enjoy the music, TJF.

tjassoc

Owner
Hi TJF,

I am 3 days in 24/7 burn-in. These cables/networks are a revelation. I cannot see how any single wire type speaker cable can compete with what these cables offer. They are truly transformational with regard to the system sound.

rockitman

Rockitman,
I am just breaking in a pair of MA-X SHD speaker cables and, while they sound ok after 2 days, they get MUCH better after proper break in. I have them playing about 5 days now and did a serious listening session earlier today. They are really starting to impress.
I'm using MA-X2 balanced interconnects, Meridian 800 series digital front end, Pass XA-200.5's, Wilson Watt Puppies and a Sound Application conditioner.
Your system looks like it sounds life like. I believe the cables will bring you a marked step closer.
Kindest regards, TJF.

tjassoc

Owner
So the latest change...Valhalla speaker cable is out of the system. Due to it's high inductance, it turns out it is not a good match for solid state power amps. I hear it is a great match for tubed electronics. With Valhalla my system was too lean in the mid bass region and too forward in the treble. I confirmed this by switching back to my old Siltech LS-188 speakers wires. Now the mid bass is back and the treble has backed off and is more coherent with the rest of the frequencies.

Today I ordered MIT Oracle MA-X Super HD speakers interfaces. I suspect they will elevate the sound to where it should be given my component mix.

rockitman

I see. I just wanted to let you know that again, the XA 160.5 and XA 200.5 uses more high quality and bigger caps + transformers. The XA 100.5 uses the small caps and a smaller less quality transformer. It's no surprise that the XA 100.5 and below are less money. So, anyway, thanks for your words here. I think I'll go for at least the XA 160.5.

What would you say the difference is between the 2 and 3 box line preamps? And between the 1 box and 2 box phono preamps?

dave_72

Owner
The XA series all have a similar sonic signature. When you go up in watts so does your headroom. I had XA 100.5's previous to my XS 150's. The were more than adequate for powering my Alexandria's at 94 dB sensitivity. It's all about how efficient your speakers are and how big the room is that dictates optimal amp power selection, IMO...

rockitman

Very nice system. How is that Pass Labs stuff.
I'm considering going with them for my next upgrade.
The XP-20 preamp and either the XA-160.5 or XA-200.5 (both have the big capacitors and transformers) The 100.5 uses the little capacitors.
What is the difference between the 2 amps?

dave_72

Owner
Hi bigpond,

I have not heard the continuum....would love to someday. I am immensely happy with the master innovation. It is so quiet, resolving and speed accurate. I use a laser tachometer to measure speed and this table oscillates only a few hundreth's of a rpm at 33.333 or 45.000. I never heard the master reference so I cannot offer an opinion. It's a shame this table hasn't been reviewed yet.

rockitman

Hi Rockitman, I am considering upgrading my Turntable from Master Reference with Graham Arm to Master Innovation but I can get the top of range Continuum for a really good price did you ever listen to one? How is your Turntable going it certainly looks the part but I have not read much about it's performance, by the way great system you have put together!! Kind Regards Bigpond

bigpond

I come from Holland like Siltech. I tested many of them. The only good thing what I tested was there digital cables. Speakercable and interconnect are not that good. Most people in Holland call is Slisssssstech. What most of there cables do is that you get more high and more low, but less mid. The balance of the cable is not that good. You find it in most of there cables. The former distributer called Siltech a poor product. And wanted to get rid of it. And I understand why. In the past I always won with my cables wenn a client borrowed Slissstech cables as well. Very easy to win.

bo1972

Owner
02-04-13: Bo1972
I hope you can arrange to borrow a pure silver interconnect like the More expensive Kimber or Audioquest.

I already own Siltech Classic Anniversay 770i. They are pure silver. Very nice presentation. I'm sure their Royal Signature line is even better. I won't spend that much money on wires. It is not necessary. I like the Valhalla's better in "my" system as such the Siltech collect dust.

rockitman

Owner
02-04-13: Peterayer
Christian, Now that you have had the XS in your system for a while, could you elaborate on the difference between them and your old XA100.5? Did you ever go back and forth between them or did you sell one when the other arrived?

I did not do a/b switching between the XA's and the XS. The XA went back to my dealer when the XS's were delivered. The change was obvious. Anything the XA does the XS does much better. The bass grip, midrange and treble performance excels over the XA series. The presentation is smooth and seemless and is more liquid sounding (like tubes) than the XA. The depth and width of the soundfield is significantly increased. Is it worth 4 times as much money as the XA ? Only you can decide. It was for me. I could not be happier with my amps.

rockitman

I hope you can arrange to borrow a pure silver interconnect like the More expensive Kimber or Audioquest. Use some acoustic small recordings. Then maybe you understand. Which powercords do you use? I was wondering how much depth here is with your set? I listened to the Alexandria 2 with my own music for a few hours a few years ago. That was with Wadia and the most expensive Ayre mono's and pre. Wired with the most expensive Transparent. Then voices were too big and there was almost no depth. I think with Pass this should be a lot better.

bo1972

Christian, Now that you have had the XS in your system for a while, could you elaborate on the difference between them and your old XA100.5? Did you ever go back and forth between them or did you sell one when the other arrived?

peterayer

Owner
02-02-13: Dave_72
Very cool system. Do the Pass Labs amps run hot?

yes they do (pretty warm) as they are Class A biased.

rockitman

Owner
Thanks for sharing your experiences Bo1972. I don't have that sound issue with Valhalla in my system. I love the tonal balance I have. The sames wires in different system "WILL" sound different. Better for some, worse for others.

rockitman

Very cool system. Do the Pass Labs amps run hot?

dave_72

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