I wrote the comments below years ago. I will keep them for a while as a reminder of my newbie thinking at the time. This hobby is a series of plateaus. I have reached a new one with my current gear. Having a lot of fun.
Have made quite a few changes to this system as my fledgling knowlege of audio has begun to mature. I still have a long way to go...in the knowlege department! I probably won't change components for a while. My goal is best possible 2 channel playback with secondary theater application. Have dedicated room 24 x 17 x 11. There are 5 dedicated 20 amp circuits. My recent focus has been on minimizing negative effects from the room. I have recently added ASC tube traps behind the main speakers and in the ceiling behind the listening position. The most interesting thing I did was to cut a 50x12" hole in the double sheetrocked wall behind the main speakers. There is a large floor to ceiling enclosed cavity that I filled with fiberglass. Then we covered the opening with an ASC custom built sound plank with an open back. The other issue I have worked on feverishly is speaker placement. Getting that right really improved clarity. timbre, and air. Before there was a bit of "congestion" in the sound. Finally, the bass trapping did more for the quality of the bass than I would have expected. Now I have zero bass boom; very tuneful low frequency. Nothing is perfect, but I (with the help of many others!!), have really achieved an outstanding quality of 2 channel music reproduction. Maybe now it's time to focus on the theatre side for a while.
Replaced 1012 DAC/pre. Similar neutral sound with significantly more detail yet musical.
Goodwins Silent Server Server
Custom server for High Rez downloads. Connected to an 8Tb NAS drive
Wilson Audio watch
center channel
JL Audio Fathom F113
Pair of stereo subs. excellent quality. Integrates well with the Wilsons
Theta Digital Casablanca 3
with extreme DAC'c
Oppo BDP-95
DVD/Blu-Ray
Balanced Audio VK 250SE Mono
Center channel amplifier. Replaces BAT VK 110 mono. Sounds great and not nearly as hot.
Balanced Audio vk-220
SOLID STATE for surrounds (pair)
B&W SCM-8
side and rear channels
Transparent Audio Opus MM2 Speaker cable
12 ft pair. Great synergy with my equipment
Transparent Audio Opus MM2 Interconnect
2 ft pair from preamplifier to amplifier.
Nordost Odin
analog interconnect from Vivaldi DAC to preamp
MIT MA-X Digital Proline
3 Digital cables, Vivaldi Transport to Upsampler and Upsampler to DAC
Tara Labs Zero digital
Stereo Pair from Vivaldi Transport to Vivaldi DAC for SACD. Clearly one of the best digital cables made
Tara Labs The One XL Cobalt Power Cable
On pre-amp, and all Vivaldi components
Tara Labs 0.8
balanced 50 ft interconnect run to right and left channel preamp from Theta casablanca
Kimber Hero interconnect and speaker cable
balanced from processor to center channel amp and from amp to center
Running Springs Jaco
power conditioner on theater front end
Sound Application RLS-1
Very transparent. I used this in the past with my Maxx 2's than changed for the Audience AR6T. The Sound app is better on the alexandrias.
Sound Application Brass Alloy Power Outlets
Highly conductive modified Hubbell outlets. Remarkably better that the PS Audio. Used on 2 channel front end and amps.
PS Audio Power Port
Modified Hubbell power outlets used in 2 dedicated circuits on theater front end.
Pagoda Finite Element Master Reference
Rack for Pre amp and transport. Also master reference amplifier stand for Boulder 2060.
ASC Tube traps
This photo shows 16" full rounds behind Maxx's. Recently added a second pair of 16" super traps behind speakers. Unbelievable improvement in imaging. Can't understate the difference this made. The panel on the rear wall covers a 12" by 50" hole cut into the sheetrock which allows low frequency to pass into a floor to ceiling enclosed cavity which is filled with fiberglass. Homemade (sort of) bass trap. There are also 3 16" half rounds on the ceiling behind the listening position.
Sony SXRD
1080p projector
Room Acoustics Custom
Custom designed combination of diffusors and absorption covered in fabric on walls and ceiling.
Bflowers, Your room looks amazing and I'm sure sounds incredible! I've read that your using a pair of JL Audio f113 subwoofers. Do you use them for 2 channel as well as for home theater? I also own a pair of f113 subs. I have them connected (individually as opposed to master/slave) to my surround processor and with movies they are awesome. How did you connect the subs to your 2 channel preamp and your surround processor? I'm have a hard time understanding how to optimize the subs for 2 channel listening when the parameters of the subs are being controlled by the surround processor. The ARC Ref 3 preamp has a theater pass through feature but I have not yet connected the subs for 2 channel yet. Would love your input as to the optimal way to connect. Perhaps your using an external crossover? Thanks. Vito
I got a chance to listen to Brian's system. I liked it a lot. I definitely understand why he went with that set up. The clarity is incredible particularly Norah Jones' voice.
System edited: Hven't updated things in a while. Of note, I recently had an extensive demo with the new Tara Omega Gold speaker cables. They were wonderful at many things, soundstaging, detail retrieval, image separation, but ultimately I found them to be too forward in the upper midrange and treble for my taste and system. I love the Tara cables as I think they are detailed like Valhalla, but more full bodied and musical. These cables will go well for someone who is searching for more detail, but find Valhalla to be too thin for their taste.
Oneobgyn, It all makes a difference, as I have heard you say before. I get your point, however. Spent some time at Marty's the other day, and he has his system the best it's been...and that's saying something! You may have talked to him already.
The Omegas have a cotton based shield, while the Omega golds are pure teflon. The Omega golds are supposed to be a bit more dynamic but also not as "warm" as the Omega Onyx from what I was told. If you purchased them from Tara or a dealer they will work w. you and maybe give you the increased amount of conductors in a cotton core. I know someone w. Maxx IIs who has this setup & prefers the teflon though. So it all depends on the system. You can't go wrong asking. I am in the "anti" power conditioner camp. I just don't want to go there unless it is for surge protection. I have heard slight differences but nothing major. Mind you the units you mention have been reported to me to be beyond excellent so I am just being stubborn, but these days I am much more careful as the economy has taken a toll on me.
Brian, IMO these little tweaks such as cables and power cords aren't going to make a violin sound like a violin. There is something amiss with your components and/or possible incorrect imaging on the upper modules
I have had 150 plus hours on the Tara Omega Gold speaker cables. In summary they are somewhere between the original Omegas and Valhalla. Much more detail, air, hall ambience, etc versus the original Omegas. Right now they are a bit edgy on strings. My system was tuned for the original Omegas, so I will try some modifications to see if I can get rid of that. A few months ago I went through some power conditioner demos. I had the Audience AR6-T on the Maxx's and loved it. It wasn't the best on the Alexandrias. The sound was a bit "woolen". The audience seemed to lack extension. I tried the Synergistic Tesla, which I also liked. VERY black background, but seemed to not quite deliver the music with dynamics and ease. I also tried the Running Springs D'Mitri. This one was in second place for me. It was nearly a toss up between that and the Sound Application. I have had many Running Springs pieces in the past and loved then. They are very organic, but could be overly so blurring the images. The D'Mitri improves on these characteristics materially, but I picked the Sound Application because it seemed more precise at detail retrieval and image localization and seperation. I may have made the wrong choice as it relates to the new Omega Golds. I will get another D'Mitri next week and see if that makes the difference.
I think you are right about the X2.2. I wonder how close the Maxx 3's are. The top end is sooo different. I have mentioned these in previous posts. As far as new equipment is concerned, I'm on hold for now.
I don't like your answer about the Golds. That is not what i wanted to hear in this economy. I am sure they are that good. On a different note, I am a firm believer in software over hardware. Where vinyl wins is that there is more excellent vinyl out there than high res downloads (yet) and where SACD wins is when it is done right (only about 10% of my collection) CD is left in the dust. The remainder is better the CD on the EMM but on the new PC Audio rig is yet to be determined. I would suggest your decision is a combination of convenience and what music is out there. You are commited to a great brand for vinyl (Boulder phono is amazing) so the incentive is there. If you need to come & compare one day you are welcome in Sunny Aruba. Just no X2.2s for you to listen to here. And honestly, I would rather save my shekels for the 2.2s and skip to Golds for now. I think the return on the $ is probably more than any move besides a move that gets you more access to music.
Dgad I am debating PC audio versus Vinyl as my next move. One is much cheaper than the other. However, my current CD set-up is really fantastic. I have heard SACD on world class systems and wouldn't expect it to be head and shoulders above what I currently have. Analog possibly could be. I would be interested in your thoughts on the PC audio once you get it going. The Golds aren't broken in yet, and I have not had any prolonged listening sessions so far, but from what I have heard so far they are more than a small improvement.
I was thinking about the Golds for a while but I changed my priorities recently and am getting close the a PC Audio setup. Basically the price of a cable upgrade. From what I understand they are just more of what the Onyx do. You should love them. Especially with high power amps.
Just plugged in the new Tara Labs Omega Gold speaker cables (unterminated). Anxious to see how they compare to the originals after break in. The first 10 minutes was pretty good:-)
I am using a pair of Tara Cobalts myself. Very good, but the Elrod was just as good but different. The Cobalts are in my system "more dynamic" the Elrods more musical. I love both. Having the Tara on tubes adds a bit more punch in the low end, but the highs were more euphonic w. the Elrods. More detail w. the Taras but less warmth. I find it a lot of money for small changes, when I should save and do what you did. I need to learn to be patient for the big move.
A deal showed up that I couldn't resist...I guess that's impulse! The thing is, everything is better. The top end is more relaxed, without giving up any detail. The midrange is warm and realistic. The bass is just...right. I thought I had room issues with bass that could barely be tamed with traps. In retrospect, it was the speaker. Also, the Maxx II treble is hot by comparison to the Alexandria. Much like the Watt Puppy (7 anyway) is hot compared to the Maxx II. It's easy to mistake that for detail, and I tended to favor conditioning/cables that brought that down a bit (may not be as noticeable with tubes). From what I have heard, I think you may get much of the same top end benefits with the Maxx 3 but I presume the bass improvement requires the Alexandria. Finally, the ability to adjust the time delay on the drivers is a HUGE benefit. It's almost like being able to EQ the speaker. For example, I recently added a Tara Cobalt 20 amp cable to my power conditioner. It is an incredibly organic cable. Much the way the Zero provides an organic sound, without losing detail, but to a greater effect in my opinion. After the change, I loved everything except the midrange was a bit "too" present. No problem, just move the midrange driver one detent back and voila, perfect.
Beautiful system. Besides impulse, what tempted you to upgrade from Maxx IIs to X2.2s? Did you compare them side by side to Maxx IIIs or was it just the deal?
I myself am tempted by the upgrade but got a few different plans for this year. In the quest for amplification alternatives for my Maxx IIs it is difficult for me to find one amplifier that does it all. For me the ideal is the VTL 750s for now. But on the Maxx IIs they could use even more power. The Alexandrias or Maxx IIIs would be fine w. the 750s. In the Solid State world, my short list includes Boulder, MBL 9008a's (a little warmer than most SS), Pass XA100.5s, and finally Spectral. Something special about Spectral (and for the price it is a true steal even at list) but you need to do the entire system & it would shut me down from playing around. (good or bad?). I read about your attempt of the Lamms. From what I have heard from different people, in some systems it is fine and in others it is not enough power.
Enjoy!!!
What is nice about the 2.2s is you can actually get away with less power. And even in Solid State less power can be better.
The tweaking continues. Of note, I have become a believer in Wilson's "group delay" concept. This is likely not news to some, but the effect was quite interesting to me. I would love to hear other's comments on this. In short, some of the Wilson models allow the user to position each driver (forward or back) in relation to one another. They provide a standard guide based on ear height and distance from the speaker. Mine was set at the recommended points, but minor adjustments forward and back had a significant effect on the sound. e.g. If it sounds a little thin, move the midrange driver one detent closer and now it's lush and full. It was surprising to me how much effect this has. Almost like an EQ. It makes one think that fixed designs have potential limitations. I suspect that many of the cable and power conditioner changes I (and likely many others) have made, reflect which frequencies are being reinforced or diminished by said product.
That is correct. The interconnects from the theater processor are connected to the preamp and those outputs are set to unity gain/theater mode. That's all you need to do.
I found the same issue with the Lamm ML 2.1 and my Wilson X-2, series 1 speakers. With the right preamp they really sang...the ARC Ref 3 and the humble, but a wonderful fit of the Lamm LL2. However, unfortunately the synergy disappeared with my CJ ART 3... As Oneobgyn stated, it is the fit that you love is the only thing that really matters...Congratulations!
