Description

I was lucky enough to build a dedicated theater room about 4 years ago onto my house and have been enjoying its benefits tremendously. While I have dabbled in this hobby for about 20 years it has really been about the past 6 or 7 years that I have been able to experiment with different equipment. Even more recently I have had the opportunity to bring some tube gear into my setup. My current 2 channel setup shares the dedicated space with my theater gear (see my virtual home theater system listed seperately) Most of the equipment has been purchased here on Audiogon with the helpful feedback and guidance of the many great members. My 2 ch. equipment has its own dedicated 20amp circuit which feeds the PS Audio P500 Power Generator. I haven't played much with the settings on the P500. Currently set to 117v and sine wave. I am currently running Raythen VT-231 tubes in my Cary SLP98. I experimented with some different tubes and still keep a few flavors around for variety. Haven't tried the big boys (Tung Sol round plates or Sylvania 6SN7s yet) but hope to some day, the prices are just a bit prohibitive. The Cary SLP98 feeds the Wyred 4 Sound SX-500 mono amps. These amps push over 550 watts to my Martin Logan Prodigy speakers. The Martin Logans were my first experience with electrostatic speakers and I am not dissapointed (Talk about dynamics and a HUGE soundstage)The room placement with these has been critical. My listening room is 16 ft. wide by 22 ft. long with a 9ft ceiling. The room can be completely sealed off by shutting a couple doors. I built some of my own acoustic treatment panels in the front corners and plan to do some more treatment along the way. I am currently using a Denon DVD-220 for CD and SACD playback, although by mid next week I will have received my latest addition, a Raysonic CD-168 tubed output stage CD player. I have read some very good things about this player and I am anxiously awaiting its arrival. When I have the time I prefer to listen to my vinyl rig. The VPI Scout with JMW-9 tonearm and Grado Reference Sonata cartridge feeding the Graham Slee Era Gold V phono preamp. I am currently using DH Labs interconnects and PS Audio Statement Bi-wire speaker cables. At some point I will experiment with the interconnects but the DH Labs seem to do the job. The funny thing is sometimes you don't know what you are missing until you start swapping some alternatives in. The expensive addiction to this hobby of pursueing ever better sound. I am also using a Signal Cable Magic power cable to feed the PS Audio P500. I have custom built the stands myself. They are made from Maple hardwood ply and are very heavy. The turntable stand is a double layer of 3/4 inch Maple making for 1.5 inch thickness with a sand filled base and the VPI table itself sits on an isolated sand filled maple box with the stand. I am interested on thoughts or feedback from others that have tried associated equipment and upgraded, or tube rolling thoughts, tweaks, etc.. In the past 6 or 7 years I have owned and the following in my system: Pass Labs X2.5 and X250, Musical Fidelity A308, Parasound 2205AT, BAT vk-55, Marantz SA-14, Marantz SA-8260, Denon DVD-5900, Marantz TT-15s1, Project Perspective, Paradigm Studio 100 v2 and v4s, Paradigm Signature S2 V2, and JM Lab Electra 936be speakers. I am sure I am missing items but as I type this those were what popped to mind. I have also tried assorted cables from Harmonic Tech, Transparent Cable, PS Audio, and Analysis. While I have enjoyed all of the equipment I have owned I have certainly experienced different levels of enjoyment. There is much to be said about synergy of equipment. I have assembled most of my current system within the past 6 months so I am still fine tuning but overall am extremly happy and enjoying the music. I listen to a wide variety of music but primarily rock (classic and new)some pop, acoustic, R&B, blues, contemporary and a little jazz.
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Components Toggle details

    • Cary Audio Design SLP-98L
    Tubed Preamp currently running Raytheon VT-231 tubes.
    • Wyred 4 Sound SX-500 v2
    250 watt monos into 8 ohms more than doubling into 4 ohm load. ICE amp based.
    • Denon DVD-2200
    Universal Player for SACD disc
    • Raysonic CD-168
    Tubed output, top loading CD player.
    • VPI Industries Scout
    VPI scout with JMW-9 tonearm on custom built stand for isolation
    • Grado Sonata Reference
    MM Cartridge
    • Graham Slee Era Gold V
    MM based Phono Stage
    • Martin Logan Prodigy
    ML Prodigy speakers in black ash finish.
    • DH Labs BL-1
    Silver/Copper Hybrid cables
    • PS Audio Statement Bi-wire
    3meter bi-wire pair
    • PS Audio P500
    Power Regenerator with Multiwave II
    • VPI HW-16.5
    Record Cleaner

Comments 3

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Is the regenerator add on to your system good? I was thinking about getting the Cary pre to include for two channel listening in my home theater system but didn't like the Power not being on remote?  Is this an issue for you?

jumia