I made a video of the room for some room acoustics people and I've posted it here.  The video shows the Audio Note M6 Phono with the cover removed (I've been tube rolling) and the CEC TL5 CD transport out of the system -- as it sits on top of the M6.

exlibris February 17, 2017 12:41

Test Test Test

sarahkendall December 06, 2016 09:49

Added: 

Audio Note UK DAC 0.1x

exlibris August 10, 2016 08:11

System edited: 2 of the 6 Stein Harmonizers have received the "Signature" upgrades.

exlibris May 10, 2016 10:39

I switched back to the idler/friction drive on the Reed Muse 3C table.

I immediately noticed that the bass tightened up and there was better definition in the bottom end.  I could more easily follow bass lines.  Because the bass was less dominant and bloated, more information from other frequencies came through.  It was as if the soundfield was 'cleaned' and each image had more room to breathe.  Pitch definition and was much better - especially noticeable on piano.  All of these improvements led to a much more natural sense of space and timing. 

So, was anything lost by going away from the belt?  Well, the belt is more 'romantic' sounding.  The pace is more languid and notes hang around and take longer to decay.  The midrange is warmer and the overall soundscape is darker.  With the idler everything is simply more there and matter-of-fact -- there is less editorializing. 

It's nice to have the choice between the two but for now I'll be staying with the idler wheels.

Why did I prefer the belt to the idler before but now I prefer the idler to the belt?  The two idler wheels were in the wrong position the first time.  The two wheels are of slightly different diameter and the bigger one has to go on the left motor.

exlibris February 24, 2016 11:10

I've removed the Minus K 150BM-1 Vibration Isolation Platform.  Now that I live in a condo with an 8" concrete floor, even jumping up and down beside the turntable has no effect on stylus tracking. 

exlibris December 21, 2015 08:10

Added a CEC TL5 belt-drive CD transport and I've ordered a budget DAC to go with it.  These will replace my ancient CD player that I'm tired of repairing.

exlibris December 18, 2015 07:38

removed the Grado cartridge and the CD player.

exlibris November 30, 2015 07:55

System edited: Updates on the Reed turntable. -new power supply.

exlibris August 28, 2015 10:14

System edited: New system picture showing Reed turntable.

exlibris July 21, 2015 04:28

One of the things that drew me to the Reed Muse 3C table was the fact that it had a rim-drive (idler drive; friction drive). In my old setup, I replaced the belt drive that came with my table with a Teres Verus rim drive and the sound was greatly improved. When I decided to upgrade my table I was looking for either an idler or direct drive, but had pretty much ruled out belt drives based on past experience and the experience of some folks whose ears I trust.

After listening to the Reed table for a few weeks now using the friction drive, I switched over to belt drive to see how it compared. The switch over was pretty easy and going back and forth between the two drive systems only takes about 5 minutes.

I’m not sure what to say other than; I much prefer the belt drive. Needless to say, I was very surprised by this. There is so much more tonal information with the belt. As notes decay you hear all the overtones and nuances of the instrument – everything just sounds so much more real and this is especially true of instruments made of wood. The belt drive is also more musical. One can follow the line of the music and get what the musicians were intending and feeling, with ease. The belt drive presents better separation between images and the images ‘pop’ with more weight and density. I was expecting a smooth, blended, and homogenous presentation with the belt but with this table (and my arm and cartridge) there is plenty of drive and specificity.

I’d have to go back to the idler wheels to see if there is anything at all I like better about what I hear when they are in the system. Maybe there is greater drive and authority at the absolute bottom end, maybe? As I play with different tonearm and cartridge combinations I will be sure to keep trying the belt vs. friction drive in the table.

exlibris July 13, 2015 05:27

System edited: Added a new turntable: Reed Muse 3C.

exlibris June 15, 2015 05:50

Antslappy,
I know what you're saying and that was always my goal as well. That's great too. What I like about transporting the players to my room is the immediacy, palpability, and the fact that the music projects out to me. Sometimes (not always) with an "I am there" presentation it feels a bit 'other-worldly' as if I am 'watching' the musicians in their space but I'm not really there with them and my room doesn't really turn into their space. In any case, "I am there" and "they are here" are both pretty great. :)

exlibris May 02, 2015 13:54

Do you REALLY want the players "in your room"??? I like to be transported to the original recording site and be placed at the main mic position.

antslappy May 02, 2015 08:02

System edited: System picture changed.

exlibris April 28, 2015 11:04

System edited: Replaced the Entreq grounding wires with four Siltech Zero Ohm Link grounding wires. (9 AWG)

exlibris April 28, 2015 06:45

Thank you for the feedback. Can I know the finish of your speakers as I am in the process of buying Audio Note speaker. Also researching for a power conditioner and after reading about the experience of members thinking of taking the isolation transformer route. Have anyone tried Isoclean isolation transformers.

mattam April 26, 2015 09:07

It exceeded my expectations at the outset but as I made changes to my system afterward I found myself preffering the sound of my system plugged straight into the wall.

exlibris April 26, 2015 08:18

Hi, can i have your feedback on Blue Circle PLC FX2 XOe 6 outlet Thingee. Did it meet your expectations and fufilled
the requirement.

mattam April 24, 2015 15:24

System edited: SteinMusic Super Naturals replace the spikes in the Audio Note speaker stands.

exlibris March 30, 2015 12:32

System edited: Added: Grado Statement cartridge. It is still breaking in and I'm enjoying the sound. Added: Stein Music E-Pads to treat a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows.

exlibris March 23, 2015 07:34

System edited: I put the Harmonix record mat and clamp back in the system.

exlibris March 04, 2015 05:56

System edited: Added • Blue Circle PLC FX2 XOe 6 outlet Thingee and Blue Circle BC61 Power Cord.

exlibris March 02, 2015 11:22

Arthursmuck,
I was doing some shipping the other day and I remembered shipping a pair of Manley monoblocks somewhere in the Carribean. That got me thinking about the amplifiers that I've had in the past and I remembered you asking about them. Here is a bit more info:

Simaudio's Moon W-10 Monoblocks: I tried driving SoundLab A1s with these without much luck.

Manley 250 monoblocks: I really liked these amps when run in triode mode at 125 watts. They didn't sound as 'right' as the Mastersound 300B monoblocks or the Thomas Mayer 45 that followed but they were probably my favourites amps prior to going to a SET.

Atma-Sphere MA-2 monoblocks. The service and responsiveness from this company is second-to-none.

After that it was the Mastersound 300B monoblocks and now the Thomas Mayer 45.

exlibris February 26, 2015 13:14

I often wonder if people are using the term "dedicated lines" to mean different things.

I live in a condominium and I have one "line" that comes into my unit to my one breaker panel. On the panel I have one breaker, or slot, that is dedicated to my stereo.

I'm imagining that you are suggesting that I somehow get a second line coming into my unit and I install a second panel for it? I have no idea if this is allowed in my building.

I should also note that the worst problem AC comes from *outside* my unit -- from all the appliances used in other units in the building (or the grid in general). A second line wouldn't do anything to stop this problem.

exlibris February 25, 2015 12:11