Description

My system has been evolving over a period of over 10 years but I have been interested in hi-fi since the 70's.

This is foremost an analog system and I see my records as an integral part of the system. I have about 3000 records, mostly classical from the 50's and 60's. I have most of the sought after Decca's, EMI's, Living Stereos and Mercury Living Presence of that era.

This is a very dynamic system and the dynamics (both micro- and macro), is the same over the whole frequency spectrum which gives an uncanny feeling of "being there". The plasmatweeter is fantastic but visitors are usually mostly impressed by the solidity and weight of the bass. This version of the Acapella Violon (mk II) uses a bassreflex with an opening below the iontweeter.

Cables, Powercord and Powerconditioner are under investigation....at the moment all cables are custom made in Switzerland.
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Components Toggle details

    • Simon Yorke Designs Zarathustra S4
    Simon Yorke Designs Zarathustra S4 with external powersupply. The external powersupply has been modified and the original recordweight has been replaced by a customdesigned record clamp (c.f. figure)
    • Eminent Technology ET-2.5
    It is an air-bearing, straight-line tracking tonearm. Its operated by an airbrush compressor with a constant pressure 2.5 bar (36psi). The counterweight is redesigned and the tube reinforced for the higher pressure. A monochrystaline silvercable is soldered directly into the stepup-transformer
    • Lyra Clavis (prototype)
    It's naked
    • Primare DVD30
    A multinorm DVD player that plays CD, SACD and DVD-Audo as well as DVD's
    • Convergent Audio SL-1 Ultimate mk II
    The preamplifier includes phono. I'm using a stepup transformer "The Head" TX4 by high end audio devices, i.e. Tim dePavaricini
    • Jadis JA-80
    60 W class A monoblocks with KT90 tubes
    • Acapella Audio Arts Violon
    Hornloaded loudspeaker with plasmatweeter
    • Dillenhöfer Sound Systems NL-5
    Powerbar
    • Harmonix X-DC Studio Master
    I'm using this powercord for the Jadis JA80 power amps as well as for the CAT Ultimate preamp.
    • Acapella Audio Arts Fondato Silenzio Base
    Isolation Platform The resonances are diverted to the aluminum surface via three "new" improved LaMusika Pucks. From this surface, the resonances go immediately into layers of plumb and felt and will finally be eliminated within a layer of finest quartz sand.
    • VPI db-5
    The VPI Brick is best placed over the transformer in order to suppress RF and EMI. I'm using it on top of the CAT powersupply. It's quite heavy and weighs about 3kg. It's not made anymore - similar devices are the "HiFi News Fluxdumper" and the Shakti Stone.
    • Shakti Innovations Shakti Electromagnetic Stabilizer
    By addressing the problems of electromagnetic interference (EMI), the Shakti Stone uses ferrous and non-ferrous materials and quartz crystal oscillators in combination with a low-level magnetic field to absorb EMI energy and dissipate that energy as heat.
    Shakti stones are put on top of the transformer of the monoblock amplifier
    • The Original Cable Jacket The Kable Jacket
    8 pieces wrapped around powercords and loudspeaker cords
    • Audiotop Stylus
    Special Cleaner For Diamond Cartridges
    • Audiotop Vinyl
    Record Cleaning Kit / 3 step o Vinyl 1: Special purpose record cleaning detergent for use with vacuuming record cleaning machine / 1000 ml. o Vinyl 2: Fluid for relaxation of record surface-tension / 50 ml. o Stylus: Special cleaner for diamond cartridges / 10 ml.
    • Audiotop Connect Workstation
    A three stage cleaning set (workstation) used to improve the conductivity of electrical contacts, accessories included.
    • Audiotop Digital
    Special cleaner for CD, SACD and DVD Cleaning with Audiotop Digital, the laser scanning is optimised, substantially improving the resolution and the dynamics of the Audio and Video signals.
    • Shunyata Research Model-2
    Powerdistribution (2 outlets) connected with Shunyata Taipan Alpha Powercord to the walloutlet

Comments 24

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Hi. Just one question. Are you satisfied with the CAT? I´m thinking of buying a tube pre with integrated phono stage. Any other recommendations?

frankpiet