Virtual System edited and updated.

mattnshilp May 03, 2017 06:47

Well done Leog. They will sound wonderful. They deserve a room they can breath in. With breathing room they are world class. Please promise me you will have several large guys help you set them up. It's easy to get hurt with those massive components.

Enjoy.

mattnshilp September 30, 2015 15:23

I'm burning in the Ultimates. I'll hold final reports until they have many many hours on them.

Yes, Paragon took the trade. I swallowed a good size loss but I'm happy I got the Ultimates.

mattnshilp September 14, 2015 19:34

System edited: Speakers changed. Dynaudio Consequence Ultimate's… Just wow!

mattnshilp September 01, 2015 15:28

This is my complete listening list. It includes the speakers I put on my initial list of reference speakers that fit in my 15x18.5x9 foot room that I set out to hear, plus others that were not on my list but I was introduced to by friends or stores, or heard at shows. I did, obviously, not include the three finalists I listed above. I counted, and the list is closer to 35. Oops. And I might have forgotten a few, although I don't think so.

* - at dealer or friends house, properly set up
+ - at a show with a good setup
*+ - both

*+ Focal - Utopia Scala V2
*+ Wilson - Alexia
*+ Magico - Q3 & S5
*+ YG - Sonja 1.2 (without the bottom sub)
*+ Polymer - MKS-x
* Zellaton - Stage
+ Martin Logan - Neolith
* Peak Consult - Kepheus
* Kharma - Exquisite Midi S
*+ Rockport - Avior
* Estelon - XA
+ Kyron - Kronos complete system
*+ Kaiser - Kawero
+ Vandy - 7 mark 2
+ Von Schweikert - VR-55
+ Dynaudio- Evidence Platinum
*+ Kef - Blade
*+ Sonus Faber - Lilium/Stradavaria/Amati Futura
*+ TAD - Compact Reference
+ Scaena - The new one with the smaller woofer and 8 driver array.
+ Raidho - All of them. Don't like any but D1
*+ Lawrence Audio - Cello & Double Bass
* Joseph Audio - Pearl 3
+ Tidal - Contriva G2
+ Vivid - G1 & G2
* Stenheim - Alumine 3 way
+ Sadurni - Staccato horns
*+ Avantgarde - Duo Mezzo
+ Acapella Audio - Cellini
+ Audiomachina - Maestro S
*+ Tannoy- Kingdom Royal
+ JBL Synthesis - 1000
Heard just at shows and got enough to know "yes or no" but don't remember the model - Nola, Lansche, Eggleston, Meridian, Legacy

I have heard other speakers like : Langerton, USA Tube, Tyler, Westlake, Vapor, etc but the models I heard were too big for my room, so I didn't include them on my primary list.

I'm happy to share opinions on any of them.

mattnshilp June 07, 2015 11:26

Repeat post from my DAC thread. I think it needs to go here also, as does the next one:

My experience with the Evolution Acoustics MM3 speaker taught me that a truly statement level world class speaker can have limitations if put into a room that doesn't suit its size; like putting a big block V8 in a Porsche 911. So my search started with creating a list of every top tier speaker I could think of that would properly fit and integrate into my 15x18.5x9 foot room. I then set out a plan to hear every damn one of them. The list was long and had some really eclectic speakers on it. I slowly worked my way down.

I have been listening for a while now. All the audio stores in Manhatten now know me and I have heard probably 20 or so top speakers. A major reason I have been going to all the shows is to hear what they have to offer.

I have narrowed down to three strong contenders. Very very different in method but all create the closest thing I have heard to totally immerse me in my music. It's interesting that two of my three options were not even on my initial list. Hansen was introduced to me when I went to listen to another brand and Perfect8 was discovered at THE Newport show where they really took my breath away. Each of the 3 seams to be amazing overal performers but each does have its own special flare and signature.

1) Hansen - Dragon Legend E
2) Marten - Coltrane Tenor
3) Perfect8 - The Point

I currently have a pair of Hansen The Prince E speakers on loan in my room, and I have arranged to borrow a pair of Marten Coltrane Tenors to directly compare the two in my room at the same time. I'd love to get The Point in also and do a three way final shootout, but I don't think that's going to be possible.....

I'll keep you posted

mattnshilp June 07, 2015 11:25

I am almost done with my treatment application. It's sounding better and better. I can't tell you how difficult I am finding the decision to go with diffusion vs absorption at my side wall first reflection points. But with my smaller sized room I have decided that absorption is probably a better direction. I just can't quite get far enough away from the diffusers to make them work properly. If my room were 4 or more feet wider I definitely would do diffusion. But because I can't really get further then 6-8 feet away from the closest treatment, I end up with some comb filtering. With diffusion my soundstage extends outside the speakers ever so slightly more, but absorption gives me more focus and a more defined image. I've learned so much....

For anyone considering room treatments at any level, you need to do it. The differences are not at all subtle! I'm no expert but if anyone has questions I'm glad to chat and either answer a question or guide you to someone who has the answer.

mattnshilp May 15, 2015 05:40

A big thank you to Merril of Merrill Audio for coming over to help setup my room and give his opinions. He was very informative and his experience and astute hearing helped me to identify some solutions and help me to make some decisions.

I will update the pictures shortly

mattnshilp May 07, 2015 09:12

I spent the morning moving the MM3's around a bit more. Oy my back!!

They are truly mind blowing speakers! They look huge and you would think the base would overpower the room but it just doesn't. I need to move them around more....

I have them 8'3" apart and I'm sitting about 8'6" from them. About 3'4"
From the side walls. I'm sitting 7' from my rear wall (38% of the length of the room). I need to try them a bit further apart with my seat further back. I mighty be able to get what I want out of them with more effort, which is totally worth it.

My seat being SO far out into the room is killing me. Conceptually I undestand I need to be listenimg here to avoid nulls, blah blah blah. But if I could push my couch 3' from the rear wall I feel id be able to get far enough away from the speakers. I tried it and it definitely sounds different. Like
I said, I need to play. I need to call some friends over to both help move the speakers and to get some opinions.

Paul - it's not buying from France I have an issue with. Does Totaldac have a distributor in the states?

mattnshilp April 26, 2015 07:23

Eric, it sounds like you were at Rhapsody in the city. Were you playing with Bob? I recognize that display inventory.

The Kaisers can get a bit bright when you drive them hard. And those multiple drivers on the back demand at least 5' off the front wall, which I can't do. But given the room to breath and the right music choice those Kaisers are stunning. I'm not a Raidho fan; too demanding of placement and they leave a lot to be desired. The Magico Q5 does midrange sweat and lush. Minimal low frequency extension and the highs were a tad rolled off for my tastes.

Paul, the Totaldac looks amazing but it's not available for direct sale in the US. I'm not comfortable with that right now, not with the other options available.

mattnshilp April 23, 2015 20:57

FYI - I still have Der Muzik's. If anyone wants them for a stupid good price, let me know.

mattnshilp April 23, 2015 14:49

The MM3's are too big for the room. No doubt. It was an itch I needed to scratch. The opportunity arose and I took it. I've been (quietly) searching for the perfect speaker and I have my choices narrowed down to 3 (besides the MM3). I'm still trying to hear 2 of them to make my final decision. The MM3's are sensational. I have played extensively with speaker placement, sitting position, etc. If the room were bigger I think I would have reached true nirvana. The room is 5' too narrow and 10' to short for the MM3's to explode with what they can.

I tried to push them further apart and adjust seating position. Moved the speakers and seat all over and they are at their best position where they are. I have side treatment to put up and I think that will buy me space to move them apart more. I'll keep you updated. And thanks for the advise.

Aurender and Antipodes are still my top 2 contenders....

mattnshilp April 23, 2015 14:48

Mesmerizing. But it's forcing me to push my game to the limit as far as treatments and tuning. I notice big differences with small changes.

I sit there and the performer is right there, in front of me. The orchestra is real, I'm 9th row center.

I'm fine tuning my seating position and speaker position now. Every once in a while I still get the sensation the sound is coming directly from the speaker, although it's rare. I'm almost positive it's just a byproduct of close micing the instrument in the recording but I'm not 100% positive. And I can't pull the MM3's quit far enough off of the front wall to get that limitless deep 3D soundstage I probably could if my room were longer. But it's still pretty amazing and just natural and coherent; simply real. Not musical, not accurate, not any technical term I can think of. Just real.

I have some more treatment coming this week that will help to fine tune that limitation and then it's really down to subtle tweaking.

I need a better source. I know my Mac mini isn't giving me all I could. But I'm forcing myself to wait until streamers are out another year or so. To me, the Aurender, Antipodes, Lumen and such would all be a major step up. I'm just not sure which way to go....

mattnshilp April 19, 2015 18:43

Top 3 stupid questions I get asked when I show people my wonderful new listening room:

#3 - Wow. That must play SO loud! Can you crank AC/DC for me?

#2 - How much did this all cost?

#1 - Where's the TV?

mattnshilp March 18, 2015 19:32

CSNG1 - pm me on that 911mk3......

mattnshilp March 17, 2015 21:26

Meh.....

Lol.

New cables, new amps, new pre-amp. So everything needs mucho tiempo to burn in. But wow.

I literally hooked up the new 8.5m XLR interconnects today. So I've listened for a combined 50 minutes. Things are sounding amazing, but I need time to get used to the new environment.

I'll keep you updated.

The side first reflection points still need treatments.

mattnshilp March 10, 2015 18:46

System edited: Updated photos of my new room! I'm SO excited!!!! I'm still waiting for my back ordered GIK side baffles. And I'm still waiting for my 9m xlr interconnect (also backordered). So no tunes yet. Waaahhhh!!!! But soon music will flow!

mattnshilp February 13, 2015 09:26

Room is coming along really nicely. I'll post pictures next week..

mattnshilp January 21, 2015 18:07

Painting is all done. Or so I thought.

I spent the day spackling the spaces between the Sheetrock and the outlets (wall and ceiling/lights). Grrrrrrrr. I planned on spending the day putting in outlets (utility and dedicated) and installing lights. But once I started putting in lights and putting on outlet plates, there were spaces still visible. I have one more layer of mud to put on, then I can sand and have the painters touch up tomorrow. Wasted day. I'm annoyed, as my contractor is usually way more anal then this. I think the double layer of sheetrock threw him off....

Once paint is done (really done) I can get the lights up and finish off the outlets. Currently using my PS Audio outlets until my funds renew for new upgraded outlets.

The ill start installing acoustic treatments. I have the Vickustics and Auralex treatments already. GIK are shipping on the 15th.

Carpet hopefully in later this week and then molding, door hardware and final touches next week. Maybe move in late next week or the week after next.

mattnshilp January 11, 2015 19:41

LOL. I love Shunyata cables (power and interconnect) and their power conditioners.

All of my power cables are their Zitron Alphas or Cobra and my conditioner is a Hydra AV. My interconnects are all Zitron Anaconda's.

My temporary 9m XLR interconnect from pre-amp to amp (a 9m run of Zitron Anaconda is a bit daunting $$$ wise) is their new Venom interconnect.

I have spoken with them about their Sigma and it will unquestionably be my power cords running to my amps and pre-amp eventually. I think I will upgrade my speakers first though...

SO many things to spend money on and so little money to spend....

mattnshilp January 09, 2015 12:11

Official announcement:

I have sold my beloved Rowland Criterion and will likely move along my amazing Veritas Merrill Audio amplifiers as I have replaced them with a stratospheric level of performance....

Monoblock Burmester 911mk3 amplifiers ($35k retail per amp) and a Burmester 077 preamp with built in DAC (I don't plan on using the DAC and hope to change it to an internal Phono stage, but the preamp is $50k retail and the built in DAC is $6k). I auditioned this equipment and reported about it earlier in my DAC thread and the performance was mind blowing. I couldn't go without so I found a way to make it happen.

I purchased from Europe so I am converting to 110. The amps are easy but I have not found formal Burmester instructions on how to convert the 077. I bought the proper 110V fuses (Synergistic SR no less) but don't know if anything else needs to be done to complete the conversion. Any assistance or advice would be appreciated.

I'm very excite to get everything up and running in my new room.

mattnshilp January 08, 2015 20:49

System edited: First coat of paint is on. Should be done by weekend. Waiting to hear from carpet guys on an install day next week. Then molding and it'l be ready to move in.

mattnshilp January 08, 2015 16:51

Thanks. That's enormously useful info!

mattnshilp January 07, 2015 13:53

Sheetrock and spackle done.

Painting starts Monday!

mattnshilp January 03, 2015 15:45

Happy holidays everyone.

The season has slowed my brisk pace to a crawl. I am hoping to have spackle and sanding done by Wednesday and painter starting Friday. Carpet maybe first week in January if possible. Then molding and done.

My Vicoustics treatments have also been delayed in transit due to the holidays. GIK order hasn't been placed just yet, even though I really want to. But the budget has been stretched very very thin and I'm forcing myself to wait until January to place my order.

I also ordered a 9 meter pair of XLR Shunyata Venom interconnects to make the long journey from side rack to front amps, replacing my 1.5m top tier XLR Zitron Anaconda interconnects currently running from pre to amps. The Venom are temporary, affordable and will still sound good. I'll replace the Venom when the rest of the room settles down.

My Shunyata Hydra AV will stay on my digital front end power circuit and the analog circuit (including pre-amp) and each of the amp circuits will run bare right now until I decide how to handle each circuit. I'm a big fan of Shunyata power cords and power filtration, so I'll likely stick with more of the same. The new Sigma power cords look awesome!

I also picked out a nice Loveseat for my listening seat. My kids join me occasionally and my trusty dog joins me regularly on my longer listening sessions.

No new photos since the room looks pretty much the same.

I'll keep you updated.

mattnshilp December 27, 2014 19:32

System edited: Sheetrock done. Spackle neck, then paint, molding and carpet. Getting very excited!!

mattnshilp December 14, 2014 19:45

The GTX is pure copper with a micro thin gold or rhodium plating. The Afterburner is a fine copper alloy.

My current Power Ports are 15 coats of high purity nickel over solid copper.

Which is better? Who knows. But I'm not auditioning outlets right now. I'll upgrade to Afterburner 8, Maestro or GTX when the time comes. I'm sure all will sound fantastic.

mattnshilp December 08, 2014 05:44

System edited: Updated pictures. Sheetrock is going up today and this week. I'll post new pics when Sheetrock is done.

mattnshilp December 07, 2014 21:43

Gold or Rhodium I think.

mattnshilp December 07, 2014 09:33

Thanks Zephyr. It is truly a labor of love!!

I currently have four PS Audio Powerport outlets; I've had them for years. I
was thinking of going all out for the Furutech GTX-D Rhodium outlets when
I eventually upgrade. They are about $250- each but are supposedly the
absolute best there is.

I think I would get more improvement for my money by adding the 2750's
now and upgrade my outlets later.

mattnshilp December 07, 2014 07:07

Zephyr - definitely going to do the EP-2750's for my 4 equipment circuits. I may not for my dedicated accessory circuit. Spending a lot now, so they will have to wait b

I have an equally expensive Eaton surge suppressor installed in the main panel already that makes no sense to replace. I would add the EP-2050 to my sub-panel as added protection to my prized gear as secondary insurance. I'll ask an electrician if it's safe to have 2 in parallel, installation is easy....

My Shunyata AV hydra has a Hydraulic electromagnetic breaker for surge suppression. But with dedicated circuits in my new room, I need one for each circuit now. Uh oh....

mattnshilp December 06, 2014 10:04

Sheetrock goes up Sunday and next week. All electrical is done. Then spakle, molding, paint, carpet, treatments, furniture and stereo in. Realistically hoping for a mid to late January move in.

If any news, I'll update you on the Burmester situation. Keep your fingers crossed.

Acousti treatment have been settled upon:
-GIK soffit base traps in front corners
-GIK Tri-traps in rear corners
-GIK Monster base trap in center rear wall
-Auralex WavePrism diffusors left/right straddling Monster trap on rear wall
-GIK Q7D qrd 1 dimensional diffusers on side walls (76")
-Vicoustics Wave Wood above Q7D diffusers on side walls (72")
-Vicoustics Multifuser 64 and Auralex WavePrism in center front wall
-Vicoustics WaveWood left/right straddling MF64&WP on front wall
-Vicoustics Multifuser DC2 as ceiling diffusion cloud

Mostly diffusion. Corner absorption plus a little bit here and there. It sounds like a lot but it's actually not. I'm going to install each section and then listen for improvements...

Basically treating corners, first reflection points and slap echo. Should sound awesome and look great as well.

mattnshilp December 06, 2014 07:59

Zephyr- why not double up and put a power surge protection unit in my sub-panel? I'm American, isn't more always better?

mattnshilp December 04, 2014 21:04

Opinions on type of diffuser for 1st reflection on side walls? RPG skyline type omnidirectional diffusion vs Vertical Slot diffusion like the GIK Q7D style which only diffuses horizontally? I have read that vertical slot diffusion is ideal for the side walls and the skyline type diffusion is best for front wall, ceiling and rear wall to reduce slap echo.

thoughts?

mattnshilp December 02, 2014 11:04

Room is framed, wired and insulated. I just wired the sub panel into the main today. I ran 4/3 Romex from sub to main. Did I complain about working with 10/2??? Once working with 4/3, 10/2 is cake!

The sub panel is a 125 amp, 20 breaker Square D panel running through the 4/3 with a 70 amp double breaker in my main commercial grade GE box. The Square D panel has 5 dedicated 20 amp circuits all from the same Line to maintain phase. I wired my 5 PS Audio outlets into their dedicated 20 amp circuits, labeled them accordingly and tested the entire room; utility outlets (running from the main panel), overhead lights (running from the main panel) and my dedicated circuits all functioning and no arcing seen. Phew!

I left the top 4 spots (2 on each side) to put a surge protection device in Line as the first circuits after the tie in off the main. The main panel has a whole house SPD, but I'm putting a second on on my sub-panel to be totally safe. This way I feel super comfortable running my amps straight into the outlet with no power conditioner/surge protection needed other then my Shunyata power cords.

I know its not DAC related, but I have learned a TON doing this and am more then happy to share my newly learned knowledge with any who have questions. It's not hard, you just need to be super meticulous.

Sheetrock next. Picking colors and carpet next week.

Trying to decide what treatments I'm doing now and later. Definitely corner base traps and first reflection diffusers. Probably something subtle on front and back to reduce slap echo.

mattnshilp November 29, 2014 19:00

I ran 4 20amp dedicated lines. 10 gauge wire.
2 up front - 1 for each amp
2 into a double gang behind the rack.
Analog and digital as far my thoughts go....

That 10 gauge wire is a major PITA to work with!

I am doing all of my electrical myself...

mattnshilp November 12, 2014 17:27

Is there any point to running 2 dedicated lines to the rack? One for analog/one for digital?

Amps get their own circuit.

Or am I just asking for ground loop issues?

mattnshilp November 12, 2014 06:31

It's a basement room. Not concerned about isolation.
The room acoustics, size and shape were designed by Rives Audio, I trust them. Any corners will be address with treatments. Thanks.

I'll definitely look into the wiring suggestions, and I ran cat6. It's the same price, although everything is wireless these days....

I also ran a 3 wire thermostat lead to the center of the ceiling if I ever decide to put low voltage LED's behind my ceiling treatments.

Acoustic insulation is a bit heavier/more dense to reduce airflow and subsequent sound transmission.

Thanks guys!

Zephyr- my house already has a whole house surge protection system installed in the main panel. Do I need to install the one you suggested on my dedicated sub panel?
Where did you get your AC supplies from ? Sub-panel? Outlets? Etc?

mattnshilp November 11, 2014 10:28

Thanks Goose. I'm concerned about that with a primary duct in my ceiling. But on the upside, it's a very wide conduit so resistance should be low. I'm insulating the crap out of that area.

mattnshilp November 10, 2014 14:50

System edited: Just posted early construction pictures. Room is in basement. I marked out my utility outlets and dedicated circuit outlets. 5 dedicated 20 amp circuits: 2 dedicated 20 amp outlets in a Double gang box behind the rack on the side (next to the listening chair). 1 for analog and 1 for digital. 2 dedicated 20 amp outlets on the front wall, each for a monoblock 1 dedicated 20 amp circuit on the opposite wall to the rack just in case... Dedicated circuits running to a separate sub-panel that will eventually be converted to an Equitech balanced sub-panel. All dedicated lines are 10/2 and are pre-measured to the exact same length. There are also utility outlets for code and for anything else I may need (up lights, led lights, accessories, etc). They are totally separate and run at least 12" away from the dedicated circuit wire for their entire home run, to the house circuit box on their own 20 amp circuit. I am also putting a wired cat5/Ethernet cable behind the rack on the side. I don't think there is a need for any more (unless someone thinks I should put one on the front wall). There will be 4 small pendant lights hanging from the 9' ceiling down to 7.5'' and 2 LED high hats in the lower rear soffit. The room is framed with 2x4's and the rock will be glued and screwed (Green Visco-elastic glue). Double layer 5/8" rock with glue between. Walls with standard house insulation, ceiling with acoustic insulation. Thin glued down basement carpet will be replaced with nice padding and a comfortable berber. Acoustic treatments will be a combo of GIK and Vicoustics. I am waiting for final suggestions from both. Please offer suggestions and criticism ASAP as I have 2 weeks to run my wire and do anything else behind the rock before it's rocked and buried.

mattnshilp November 09, 2014 19:31

Hi all

Construction to begin this Friday
final sizing:
15' x 18.5' x 9'
The last 4'8" of ceiling will have to drop 18" to accommodate HVAC and a support structure in the ceiling. No side soffits, just the back ceiling drop.

My room will use a combination of GIK treatments and Vicoustics treatments. I am waiting for final recommendations from both companies to decide how I will proceed.

I am still currently enjoying the Burmester loaners (077 and 911). They are leaving next Thursday and I will be very sad to see them go, although I am in now way suffering with the Veritas mono blocks and Rowland Criterion pre-amp. But my Ferrari (Veritas/Criterion combo) has been outclassed by a Bugatti (Burmester gear).

The K-01 is in its last days of break in and I will post a formal comparison next week on my DAC thread.

I also finally got the built in DAC in the Burmester working, so I'll try that out as well…

All for now. I'll post some pics when I can of the room going up.

mattnshilp November 03, 2014 10:03

15' x 18.5' x 9' room with soffit around ceiling.

deciding if I want to go full court press with Rives Audio's design which includes fully treated walls, baffles and radiused diffusors (all custom built) or go with a more simple room with bass traps, pre-made diffusors and baffles.

Im actually leaning to wards the latter. I have heard more then once that Rives rooms can be overdone... And its always easy to add more later if I need...

Best quote ever - "My greatest fear is that I die and my wife sells my stuff for what I told her I paid for it..."

mattnshilp October 07, 2014 09:16

Decision to move to basement dedicated room has been made and approved by the wife.

Working with Rives Audio
18.5' x 15' x 9' with a soffit in the ceiling edge
simple acoustic treatments to start and add as needed

Also auditioning some new amps while I'm listening to dacs.

Narrowed down to:
Burmester 911 mk3
Rowland 825 or 925
Audionet Max monoblocks
or keep my Veritas

I have the Burmester 911mk3 in my listening room right now, and am picking up a loaner Audionet Max pair monday

I'll post results, but it will be a tough comparison since they are all reference level.

fun fun fun!

mattnshilp September 21, 2014 12:26

System edited: Still working. Never ending quest. Just added an Esoteric K-01

mattnshilp September 06, 2014 11:50

Just finished my DAC shoutout. Chose the Empirical Audio OverDrive SE. It's truly amazing.

Here is the link to the thread:

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?ddgtl&1398132150&openflup&511&4#511

mattnshilp July 13, 2014 04:35

I totally agree. A well designed and treated room with clean AC and good support makes differences that can't be compensated by better gear.
But, I don't have a dedicated room nor will I any time soon. My goal is to get the best gear I can and the best sound I can in the room I have, with the restrictions I have.

When I eventually move my gear to a dedicated room, I expect it to explode with Musicy Goodness!

mattnshilp June 09, 2014 16:29

In another thread, Agear asked me why I went from an all tube system to an all solid state system now. It was an excellent question. I think my answer should be reproduced in my system thread since it gives a lot of my audio history to date….

Here's my answer:
My previous reference system was very tube-centric.
Musical Fidelity Tri-Vista, Vac Ref Sig pre-amp with phono, Tenor (hydrid, tubed/SS amp). It was stunning. Musical and magical.

When I got back into it I went straight to an inexpensive tubed system I passed through on my way to tubed reference nirvana many years ago; Cary Audio SLP-98p and BAT VK60SE. It was a magic combo and gave performance way above it's cost, so I went straight to it again. Then the upgrade big bit!

I decided to try some solid state gear I had been intrigued by when I started years ago, just to avoid the tube replacement/rolling neurosis I suffered with my first go round. Krell and Levinson were very solid state sounding, I stayed with my tube gear. But I heard a well put together AR and McIntosh system and began to realize that there is SS equipment that can give me the music. I eventually found Jeff Rowland and decided to "upgrade" to a Capri S2 pre-amp. I looked for a solid state amp to try out and brought several in. I like smaller manufacturers as I think you get better quality and more reasonable prices for what you get; so I heard about and started looking into Merrill Audio's Veritas. As first I was skeptical. But the manufacturer happens to live about 10 minutes from my house and he offered me an audition that utterly blew me away. I read up on it, and that's where I found Guido's review and met him. He is a card carrying Rowland lover, and doesn't hide it. But he was as impressed as I was with the Veritas amps and confirmed that the Vertias amps would work well with a Rowland pre-amp. So the tube gear went and I went all solid state.

I don't remember when, but I picked up the PS Audio PW2 in there somewhere to tide me over until the rest of my system was set, and then I would start a crazy thread and upgrade my DAC. ;)

Eventually I decided that I liked the Rowland pre-amp and wanted to move up the line. Guido coincidentally decided to sell his Criterion reference Rowland pre-amp as he decided to run his Aeris direct to his uber expensive Rowland amps. Obviously the Aeris was impressive if he was willing to not only use it, but give up his prized Criterion...

I bought the Criterion from him.

I auditioned 5 pairs of speakers. Guido had suggested I listen to The Music but it was low on my list. I auditioned Revel Salon II's, Kef 207/2, Sonus Faber Amati Futura, TAD Evolution One and Vienna Acoustics The Music. I am happy to give details of this comparison (its a few pages worth), but I decided that the Kef 207/2 was the best value, The Amati was amazing but didn't rock, i didn't like the TAD, the Salon II's were bright and The Music's were staggeringly good in every conceivable way…

It was at that point that I learned that Guido and I have similar taste; hence our similar systems… I don't know if I would call it imprinting (although I'm not sure what, exactly, that means).

The Veritas amps are stunning. Musical and magical (like my Tenor was). and I think my Criterion is equal to, if not better, then my Vac Ren Sig II pre-amp was.

SO, I'm where I was from an emotional standpoint. My The Music speakers are better then my Talon Firebird Diamond's were. My amps and pre-amp get me to the same place, just with SS gear instead of tubes. My system is musical, and warm, and engaging as it was with tubes. I don't think that tube vs SS really excises anymore. I think there are solid state rigs that sound like they have tubes and there are tube rigs that sound like they are all solid state; the designer tubes the gear to the way he thinks it should sound…

I think thats why I'm having such a difficult time with my DAC choices. Many of you are looking at this as the tube gear versus the solid state gear, or tube and tube and solid state against solid state. I'm just listening for the best unit for my system and my ears.

mattnshilp June 07, 2014 20:08

Medicine.

My phono stage is an Electrocompaniet and my cartridge is a Denon.
I haven't really compared them. My table doesn't get that much use really. The digital source is so much more convenient. When I want that tactile sensation and have the time, I pull out an LP.

mattnshilp May 30, 2014 08:04

If you are willing to get one to me, then I would be happy to add it to the audition process. I will report my findings honestly and openly to the group (which seams to be growing by the minute - I'm actually getting a bit nervous about all these people counting on my opinion).

private message me and I can provide shipping details.

mattnshilp May 29, 2014 13:09

Sorry, I'm not familiar with that product line.
What is pricing on the DSD-M and DSD-S?

The other units are in the $6k to $10k price range.

mattnshilp May 28, 2014 19:53

I'm loving my system more and more with each step.
The Criterion is a different reality.

Once I settle on a DAC I think I am obligated to try a good USB to spdif converter. Just need to do it!

I am also auditioning the Merrill Audio interconnects.

Need to sell the Capri S2.

Fun fun fun!!!

mattnshilp May 27, 2014 20:27

Thanks all!

I love the synergy of the system. I could have been very happy with the Kef 207/2, the Revel's or the Faber's. The Revels would have sounded awesome with my electronics, the Kef and Faber would have needed other gear. I auditioned the Revel Salon 2's with all Levinson gear, which is a poor choice for the Salon's; they were overly bright and analytical. But Rowland gear would make the Salon's shine.

The Merrill amps are truly special. They do everything exceedingly well and satisfy every amplifier need I have. In my opinion, they provide performance on a scale far exceeding their price; it is a transcendental product.

I am unpacking the Rowland Criterion pre-amp tomorrow. I will do a comparison between my current Capri S2 and the Criterion just for kicks, and then settle down with one of the best pre-amps ever made. To me, Rowland makes the best tube sounding solid state gear out there. It gets me where I want to be. And Rowland is a magical combo with the Veritas amps and Vienna Acoustics Muzik speakers.

I found Shunyata power cords and interconnects work with my tastes and my needs. Are there others that work? I'm sure. But for the money I have not found anything that gives me a Shunyata performance. BUT, I prefer my Audience AU24SE speaker wire. It's thin, flexible and sounds amazing!

I just picked up the Shunyata Hydra AV but haven't hooked it in yet because I need a 20amp connector power cord. I've got an old PS Audio Duet conditioner I am using, and it actually sounds pretty good. But the Hydra AV is in a different level. I'm saving up to order a Shunyata 20amp Alpha High Current power cord for the Hydra AV.

My current obsession is a DAC. I'm deciding between a solid state masterpiece like the Rowland Aeris or Empirical Audio Overdrive SE (I have a PS Audio DirectStream on order with a trade up using my PerfectWave II) or a non-upsampling tube DAC like Accustic Arts Tube DAC mark II or Concert Fidelity DAC040. I'm waiting for my DirectStream to arrive in early June and trying to arrange some gear auditions then to make a direct comparison.

I live in central'ish Jersey. I would love to have some extra ears over when that shoutout happens.

And FYI to all who are reading. I have to give credit to the hardworking couple that is Adona racks! Their product is top tier and flat out cheap for what you get. They customized to my needs and the rack provided excellent isolation and convenience. And their turnaround/production time is within reason. If you need a rack, call them.

mattnshilp April 27, 2014 22:00

System edited: Working on DAC now. I forgot how great this hobby is. So glad I'm back.

mattnshilp April 25, 2014 15:25

19' x 14.5' with 9 foot ceilings

just updated my photos
system has been up and running for one week. I am running an iPod on shuffle 12 hours a day through it to breack in the amps and pre-amp. I'm starting with the Levinson pre-amp. I have heard the Veritas amps need upwards of 1000 hours to really get the most out of them…

I won't even sit for any real listening until I hit 500 hours…

But what I have heard thus far sounds quit promising...

mattnshilp February 11, 2014 20:47