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

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For a person who has not tried to achieve great sound inexpensivley you certainly are precocious. It would have been my final destination but I am caught up in the upgaditis cycle. Congrats on selecting components that make that system the envy of even seasoned audiophiles.

mechans