Description

This is my first high end system. I first have to thank this community without which most of this equipment would be out of my range. So thanks!!

EDIT: Hi there. This is the second rendition. Had to send the Focal back to Canada for repairs. The woofer was off-center thus the rattle. I must say though customer service was great, with a quick turn around, no charge for shipping to and from, and no charge for the repair. A++ to Focal for that!!

Isolated the speakers on great maple stands. This definately brought out the best of the Focals. Deeper bass, nice tingly highs. Mids might be lacking a little for this mini-monitors though.

Changed CD players as well. Went from the marantz/bel canto combo to the audio aero prestige. As expected from an upgrade like this I was blown away. The detail, sheer musicality, and functionality of this player are just astounding. Really for the first couple of weeks I had this player I was just floored. And that feeling continues. Ultimately what I am looking for is a system that just makes me want to get up and dance, sing, keep my feet tapping and fingers snapping each time i listen. The prestige does this in spades.

Also upgraded power cords in the shunyata line. 20amp pythons now power the conditioners. I think big improvement in floor noise and my system just seems more extended.

Finally, with the recommendations of many fine audiogon folks, I stepped into vinyl. Man I love it. I love the sound, I love getting back into records and finding recordings that peak my interest. Just great. The Scoutmaster as is well known is a fine entry turn table. The Dynavector matches well. The tube based minimax gives me a nice touch of that tube beauty. Just lovely.

Thanks again for looking. Any comments suggestions appreciated. I am currently working on building a maple isolation platform for the table.

Cheers,

Peter
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Components Toggle details

    • Jeff Rowland 501s
    these monblocks are real beauties that fits well into my limited space
    • JM Labs Electra 1007 Be
    Nice Monitors. Unfortunately on arrived and upon playing it sounds broke. Bummer.
    • Acoustic Zen Silver Reference
    Nice used pair
    • Aural Symphonics Digital Echelon
    No longer using due to built in DAC in the prestige
    • Kimber Kable 3035 Select
    Kimber's copper silver mix.
    • Audience Power Chord
    These two run the marantz and the bel canto.
    • Purist Audio Opus
    Nice cords but still burning them in
    • Shunyata Hydra 6
    Powers my front end dac and transport
    • Shunyata Guardian 2
    This one powers the Jeff Rowlands
    • Audio Aero Prestige
    A fine player. Also acts as my preamp, plugs diretly into my Rowlands (balanced) and runs my phono pre
    • VPI Industries VPI Scoutmaster
    This is the one with the signature tone arm and Valhalla wiring
    • Eastern Electric Minmax phono
    This is a stylish tubed phono. has a bit of background noise , not dead quite but for my first definately worth it.

Comments 36

Showing all comments by lapierre.

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Thanks Peter.

Helicons are awesome! I cannot believe the sound that comes out of this speaker..."a pocket fullrange speaker that is full-bodied and refined." I believe matching components is really the key. Similar to you incorporating Rowland monos to maximize the Focals. I auditioned both the Focal 1007 Be and Helicons300. I would be happy with the Be 1007s... who wouldn't with that gorgeous Beryllium tweeter technology. But the Helicons ribbon tweeter, driver units, and cabinet design (woodworking is another hobby of mine)won me over.

The EMM CDSA SE player is also another good decision for my listening experience. I listened to a lot of gear in two years during my travels. My research led me to CD players that where designed with innovation either in hardware or software design. Then I listen to the players that could really separated complex music passages and the musicians instruments. I waited and took my time and selected the EMM CDSA SE player...I refused to buy a CD player that borrowed other components from OEM manufacturers without an ounce of innovation. EMM CDSA SE still has a ways to break-in but it sounds wonderful and provides a good match for the Helicons detail presentation.

The next change for me is ordering a new tube preamp by this Thursday. And then I have to determine power cables for my amps and preamp.

I should be auditioning several cables next week from the http://www.thecableco.com Synergistic Research Telsa 2 and Telsa 3 and maybe a power conditioner.

Keep in touch,
Pierre



lapierre

Great system!!!

The JM Lab Electra 1007 Be Monitors... one my favorite monitors. I love seeing great components matched with well-designed monitors and your setup is a reminder of what you can accomplish in a small listening environment.

Couple of questions on you setup...

What did you notice in your system after the Shunyata 6 was introduced to your front-end?

What's the next tweak?

Love the Scoutmaster.

Pierre

lapierre