This is my main system. It is moved from the hall into my working room. It is a fairly small room 3x5 metres (around 10x16). Despite the 30cm woofer, the active system control well the woofer and there is no any bass overload in the room. This is a warm, detailed, very dynamic sound. This is not a modern detailed and cold sound, typical of many modern studio gear. It is really rather the sound of the eighties. Warm, inviting, natural and dynamic sound, designed in an are when still analog was the main source of the music and not only amplified music existed. Actually. save the dac, every piece of my gear is made before 1983. Philips once, before acquiring Marantz was a leading manufacturer of quality audio pieces. These well engineered old studio equipments are wonderful, close to live music, while lacking of coloration of so many high-endish product produced by small firms seeking a niche market in the sea of tastes.
I almost exclusively hear at home classical music. Very rarely rock and jazz, when my friends come over. It is not picky: 99% of cds and Lps just sound good on it. This is a system, which could play any type of music, loud or at moderate SLP level: equally good. Save the Tice powerblock I don't have any typical audiophile product to redress the balance of the system(or to colour it, if you like). Simple cheap solid core OFC cables, no powercables, nada. Still it sounds well. There are many good sounding systems are in the world. I like soundlabs, martin logans, big nautilus line of bowers, big thiels. They may provide a more exciting sound, but I think this system also gives a very good dynamic and natural sound, which is not fatiguing at all and good for long term pleasure.
Power conditioner. It works audibly and makes the sound much clearer.
Accuphase T-101
I have replaced Accuphase T-105 with a T.101 modell. Wow, what a difference. T-101 is a completly new world: more dynamism, more live, solid bass foundation, more extended highs and nicer midrange.
Magnum Dynalab Ribbon Antenna
Nice upgrade to my tuner for good reception and it made background noise to disappear.
Teac VRDS-10se
I have added TEAC VRDS10 DE as a transport. The ML 39 is a fine player,only let down by its transport. Earlier I have used Accuphase DP 80. It was a fantastic transport with very analogue like dry sound. The TEAC seems to be give a more dynamic, powerful, more open soundprint.
Apogee Rosetta 200
Oh, what a wonderful DAC. It is way better than the ML39, which served me nicely in the last 3-4 years. It has an inbuilt AD converter which I use for recording radio programs. With inbult firewire card connects to my computer also.
Pioneer PL.707
Direct Drive Turntable. Smooth, warm and dynamic sound. Just a fantastic bargain.
Technics technics 205 MM cartridge
Very nice cartridge. Good combination of openess and warmth.
Philips AH-572
The high-end preamp of Philips from the eighties.
Philips MFB 454
The biggest version of the MFB active studiomonitors with 30cm woofer and three inbuilt amplifier. 20-20.0000 hz range according to its technical specification. Warm, detailed, natural sound. The building base of my system.
Hi thanks for the ideas. The major obstacle for the speaker placement, that I have two small children, and they need some space. Currently, they are 40 cm away from the bookshelf. daytime, when they are not at home, I usually pull away the speakers to about 90 cm (3 feet) for critical listening, but then I really should push them back.
oops, another thing. I know you love those Vahallas, but seeing as you love the Harmonix Studio Masters, you might want to try their Golden Performance ICs. I know many who've traded their Vahallas in for the GPs. just a little fwiw.
I strongly agree with Sbank. Move those speakers out 3 or 4 feet and you're going to be listening to a new system. You think it sounds great now? Can't do 3 or 4? Try any distance you can visually tolerate. 'twil be wonderful. peace, warren
Ajahu, Nice system. One idea to consider, speaker placement. From your photo the WBs look awfully close to the wall behind them. Have you tried moving them forward towards your chair? The Rives.com site has nice tools online that will teach you much about room acoustics & how to get the most from your speakers in YOUR room. Cheers, Spencer
Hi Tvad, www.eupen.com, model: GNLM 05 3G1 MM2, see the discussion on this controversy over jps cables: audioasylum.com/cables. I got the idea from that discussion.
System edited: I have tried the Harmonix Studio Master powercord yesterday, and it stays. A wonderful extension of bass and midrange, realism and it gives a new insight into the layers of music. It bested the OEM JPS digital AC by Eupen by a great margin. I put the earlier one to serve between the wall and the powerplant. The Harmonix is placed between the P300 and the ML. no. 39.
System edited: Recently Ihave added the OEM version of JPS Digital Ac by Eupen, and Nordost Pulsar Points under the ML 39 and ML 331. All three addition slightly but audibly increased resolution, dynamics, bass and treble extension.
System edited: System edited: A friend of mine offered me his ML 331 (as his Thiel CS-6 required a more powerful amplifier). This allowed me to audition at home the 331 and it stayed instead of the Musical Fidelity fx2. After extensive audition the HT magic tweeter with the HT magic link one, I found that it darkens the sound the system. So, I decided to stay with the RS cables speaker cables. With some repositioning the system, I was able to cut my rs cables speaker cable (which originally was 5.5 m long into two and do from the remaining piece jumpers to bridge the triwirable Act one with jumpers made from the speaker cable. This move also saved me some bucks, while I got substantial improvement. Now I am looking for a new interconnect. I am thinking between Siltech QS-88B Gold and Nordost Valhalla.
Hi Adam, Tanks for the tipps. I have already tried the harmonic technology magic speaker cable. It seems to me that way better than the rs cables silver spirit. Compared to the HT, the rs cables seem to have a leaner and harsher sound. The HT gives more body to the music and less harsh top end, while the speed remains the same.
Nice system Ajahu, but I beleive that the Wilson Benesch Act One would really deserve a better amplifier. I think that a Mark Levinson No. 331 or 334 would be a perfect match with the rest of your system and macro dynamics would not be a problem anymore. Also, I would recommend that you should try the interconnect and speaker cables of Harmonic Technology (Magic Link One and Pro 9 or Magic Tweeter/Woofer). It would be a magical combination with the Fantasy power cords. Happy listening! Adam Parker
