Description

In my small dedicated listening room with vault ceilings this is the best system so far. The Sonus Faber Guarneri Homage's are some of the last pairs to be brought into the US. Jeff Rowland modded Model 8T with choke and the CAT SL1 REN BPX with rolled in tubes supply the power chores and a Linn LP12 with Radikal D and Karousel/Kore-Majik is the front end. 
Jadis JA30Mk2 with KT150's. Replaced the ARC D70Mk2...which says a lot for the Jadis!
Esoteric DV60 and Esoteric D05 DAC, Audioquest Carbon coax.

. Using Nordost Red Dawn v.11 between Jeff Rowland and SF's. Black Cat Graceline cables for digital and ss amp. Two REL T5i’s running high level off Jadis mono blocks.
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Components Toggle details

    • Linn LP-12 Radikal D
    belt, 33, no arm, mtr drive upgraded to Radikal D. Karousel/Kore/Magik sub chassis, Trampolin 2
    • well tempered wta
    wta classic updated with VDH cabling running all through and dual weighting system
    • Lyra Kleos
    Loaded at 750 ohms.
    • Sonus Faber Guarneri Homage
    New in '06. These are absolute works of art with sound to match. In my small room they are magnificent
    • Convergent Audio SL-1 Renaissance BPX
    Telefunken and Valvo tubes in the phono section
    • Jadis JA30mk2
    Mono blocks running KT 150’s. Latest edition.
    • Jeff Rowland Model 8 T
    250w x 2 upgraded top plate, original choke power supply, far superior to later dual mono unit. Jeff just upgraded the amp with new Transimpedance  modules and a grounding support. Sounds a lot more resolving now!
    • ps audio micro lab
    Micro lab used on DAC only
    • Harmonix footers
    under Transport and DAC
    • Sound Anchor rack stand rack stand
    Three leg Sound ANchor rack stand with turntable support
    • IVAC CUSTOM 1
    All gold power cable for transport.Custom made by IVAC with custom made hospital connectors
    • Grand Prix Audio Monaco amp stand
    Grand Prix monaco amp stand under the Jeff Rowland model 8T.
    • Cable elevators Plus
    Ceramic lifters to move cables off floor
    • Nordost Red Dawn v11
    Bi-wire cable used from ARC to SF's. Very fast and detailed. Great for tubes
    • Nordost Tyr
    Nordost TYr...ultra resolving and fast
    • Nordost Tyr
    Phono cable
    • Nordost Frey
    Bi-wire
    • Real Traps Mondo Traps
    Used behind speakers. Highly recommended bass trapping. Increases micro detail and bottom end transparency
    • Shakti Innovations Shakti Hallograph
    • Grand Prix Audio Monaco
    Two(2) Monaco amp stands. One for the Jadis JA30Mk2's with Apex and one for the JR Model 8T custom amp
    • Shakti Innovations Hallograph
    • Grand Prix Audio Monaco Amp stand
    Two(2) one for the ARC D70Mk2 and one with Apex footers for the JR Model 8T custom
    • REL Acoustics T5i
    Subwoofer. Two for stereo.
    • REL Acoustics T5i
    Second REL added to system with Signal cable REL Speakon link.
    • Audio Art cable SE-1
    With Furutech FR-1 connectors. Dual runs for Jadis mono blocks!
    • Esoteric Usa DV60
    SACD player
    • Esoteric D-05
    DAC.
    • Black Cat Cable Silverstar
    Power cord for JR amp.
    • Black Cat Cable Graceline 1
    Ic for digital output from Esoteric DV60
    • Zenwave Audio D2 Ultra
    ic between Esoteric and CAT preamp
    • Zenwave Audio PL11 power cord
    With Furutech NCF50's
    • Humminguru Model 1
    US LP Cleaner
    • Sablon Corona Reserva
    PC to wall from Furutech power strip
    • Audioquest Carbon

Comments 38

Owner
Hansf, I haven't used the Hales System 11 Sig for several years. However, I do not believe that when Paul changed to the round tweeter that he also changed the x-overs.Therefore, the x-over value remained the same throughout the production; sorry cannot supply you with the serial #'s of the newer tweets.

daveyf

Hales Signature System II:

DaveyF said System II changed to round MB Quart tweeters late in production.

1) Anyone know model number for round tweeters?
2) Anyone know if crossovers changed values?

Older style square double magnet MB Quarts in 8 Ohm are really hard to find (4 Ohm still available NOS). Any leads appreciated.

hansf

Hales Signature System II with Muse Model 18:

Dgad said he has a set with the personality card. I have the a set of Hales and just now bought a Model 18, but no personality card. Can Dgad (or anyone) provide the values for the personality card? Thank you for any leads.

hansf

Owner
System edited: Real Trap Mondo Traps added for bass trapping. Great improvement in bass transparency and an increase in soundstage size.

daveyf

Owner
System edited: Added ARC d-70 Mk2 as a tube alternative.. IMHO one of ARC's best amps.

daveyf

Owner
System edited: System edited

daveyf

Owner
Well the Pioneer DVD 414 transport finally gave up the ghost. Any suggestions for a new(used) transport that would work with the rest of the system?

daveyf

Owner
Igor,
Wow, if you liked the Counterpoint you have not heard anything till you try the CAT. I used to own the Counterpoint SA 3000 and replaced it with CAT. The CAT is in a totally different league and that's an understatement.
Like removing a massive veil on the music.
I will try the CAT amps and the Atmasphere's. Now very curious to hear a tube amp with the G's. The Rowland Model 8 is no slouch so this should be very interesting.
Do you use the Valhallas on your rig?
Dave

daveyf

Sorry for the delay. Yes I tried the G. with a lot of pre-amps , amps and integrated amps. Preamps: Counterpoint SA 3000(good),Ear 834L(very good),Gryphon Prelude(good-very good)Hovland HP 100(bad).Integrated amps: BAT VK 300x(bad) Unison research S2(good-very good). Amps: Electrocompaniet 100 MB (my favourite for 10 years),Ampzilla mono blocks(good),Audio research(cannot remember which model, very old,(good),Gryphon Encore(good-very good with Atmasphere MP1),
and some other stuff that I cannot remember at the moment. In my opinion tubes are the way to go,and on the Guarnieris they are a MUST. I have never tried any CAT product. They are tubed, but not every tubed amp is a good combination(BAT for example). If you alredy have a CAT preamp yust try the amp and let us know. I bet it would sound better then a SS amp.
For me, the hunting for a Pre-power combination has ended with the Atmasphere MP-1 MA-1. P.S. Try Nordost Valhalla interconnect and speaker cables too.
Brgds,
Igor

igor01

Owner
Igor,
Have you tried any other tube amps besides the Atmasphere's?
Any ss. amps?
I am also very interested in hearing the CAT amps and the Joule amps on the G's. From what I have been told the ultimate tube amps for the G's are the CAT's.
I own a CAT preamp and it is one of the best pre-amps I have ever heard. Head and shoulders above most if not all the competition IMHO.

daveyf

As you may guess I'm driving the Guarneris with the MP-1 preamplifire and the MP-1 MK2 power amplifires from Atmasphere.
You can try them with the S-30 which is a stereo amp with "yust" 30 watts, that are enought to drive the speakers at "normal" levels mantaining the Atmasphere family sound.I have had this little gem for six months in my sistem, then found a used pair of MA-1 which I simply MUST have. With Atmasphere amps the Guarneris yust sing, all the positive attributes that they alredy have are moved to a next(ultimate?) level. The micro and macro dinamics are things that you must experience, the music is yust transformed in a live session with the musicians on stage. Records are assuming the REAL message that the artist want us to hear from them. I can go in a very long message, inventing new words and so on and so on. Please yust try any amp of Atmasphere and let me know what are your feelings.

Igor

igor01

Owner
Igor,
Several people have suggested the MA-60's or the MA-1's. I will try and do a demo with these amps if possible. The Rowland with choke is the best ss. amp I have heard. But,I am sure that a great tube amp would be magical on the G's.
Curious what amp you use to drive your G's?

daveyf

Great system, as an owner of SF Guarneri I can't say anything but good about your components. I would suggest you to try the Atmasphere amps MA-60 or better yet the MA-1 with the Guarneri loudspeakers as they sound fabulous with them.I have tried recently the Gryphon Encore with the Guarneris and was not bad at all, but the OTL Atmasphere amps are from another planet in comparison with EVERY solid state amps I have heard to date. Brgds,
Igor

igor01

Thanks Dave! I have got to hear a pair then...

joey_v

Owner
Chipman, once you have heard the M's, I suspect that you like I will be glad you own the Hommage's.
Joey, I also listened to the Cremona's. IMHO they are not really in the same league as the G's. The Cremonas do have more bass and can probably play louder ( although this is not something I really tested) However, compared to the G's in my room they were no contest in any other area you care to mention.

daveyf

Have been a fan of Sonus Faber for many years starting from my first pair the Electa Amators then switching over to the Guarneri Hommage which I have had for a number of years now. You can guess this from the serial number I mentioned previously no. 13!

I have heard most SF speakers as they have been progressively introduced, including the Cremona (light brigher sound), Amati Hommage (which was like my Guarneri but fuller +deeper), and Stradivari which was amazing in all respects.

Have not heard any other newer versions but I must say I prefer the look of my Guarneri compared to the Momento.
Will have to track down a dealer to take a listen!

chipman

Owner
Palasr, the knobs on top of the plinth are called Sound Cat's that are unfortunately no longer available. Basically they are a rubber based dampener with a inner concentric ring made of brass that lift the cover about 1 1/2". They were sold to owners like myself that mounted WTA arms, since these arms are too tall to allow the cover to sit on the table with that arm installed.
The Sound Cat's can be removed from the plinth when the cover is not being used.

daveyf

Nice system. Question: What is on the top of your LP12 plinth? I see what appear to be knobs at the four corners - just curious. Cheers.

palasr

Owner
Chipman, have you heard the two as I have or are you just going by the hype?

daveyf

Good choice from a slightly biased owner of lucky no.13 !

chipman

Wow... good to hear Davey! Good choice on the Homage then! I have yet to hear any of the Homage series... wonder how the Cremona will stack up.

Any opinions, buddy?

Joey

joey_v

Owner
Joey,
That is a good question,the new Memento's have the ring radiator. Sourced from Scanspeak I believe. IMHO, the Dynaudio Esotar in the Guarneri Hommage ( which are my version) sounds smoother and is more extended than the radiator in the Memento.( Having heard both)
Also, the Hommage uses the Audio Technologie mid/bass driver( which I also feel is a superior mid/bass driver to the Memento's ( a 150mm doped paper unit I suspect sourced from Dynaudio) and has the ability to be bi-wired which the Memento does not. ( This is again IMHO a major drawback, since I am a very strong believer in bi-wiring).Lastly, the Memento's cabinet are made solely from Maple and again appear inferior to the Hommage's. The Memento's are also far more expensive. I still would have considered them if I thought they were actually superior, however, like many things in audio, the latest sometimes can be a marketing gimmick and actually I believe they are inferior.

daveyf

Which Gs have the new Ring radiator tweeter? Looking at yours, you have the soft domes... why didnt you get the ones with the Ring?

Just curious.

Joey

joey_v

Owner
John,
I have a very small dedicated room for the system... appx 10X11 with a vault ceiling that extends to 15'. I doubt any speaker could reproduce bass in this room. The Hales I had previously were very good for their time, but the Guarneri's are in a different league.
I have heard many speakers in the last 25 years since I started in this hobby and the G's are my current reference. Incredible ability to portray lifelike imaging ( given room size of course) great depth and tremendous high freq air. I play small ensemble, solo string instruments and blues. I also like voice and intimate recordings with great warmth. Nothing I have ever heard is better than the G's in this regard. When I move to a larger room ( If I do) then I might use a sub. It will be a major issue to get one that will work with the G's though.

daveyf

I am a SF fan (both the city and the company), I am sort of waiting for a used paif of Amati's to come up that i can afford.

How did you take the reduction in bass when you dropped (gently) the SFG's into your system? I suspect that are much to refined to be able to integrate a sub to..

Thoughts?

Thanks, John

jb8312

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