I can see the audiophile product now--"Baker's Racks"! Equipment stands with built-in heating coils above and below to cook your equipment to its optimum temperature! Deluxe model has doors which fold down (recycled ovens, of course).
The BEST system you've ever built !!!!
What is the best system that you have ever put together , from source to speakers including cables ??? After all the swaps and auditions I'm looking for the final "aahhh, that's the ticket" sound to you and what components took you to Audio Nirvana. {This is a survey of actual auditions, not what you read in a magazine} THANKS,
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Hey Guys My system for the since 1978 is a pair of Bozak Symphonies (need to find some Concert Grands and use the Sym for back-ups), Mcintosh MC2125 amp, MC-27 pre-amp, Yamaha DSP100 sound processer, Transparent Ultra speaker cables, and a Mcintosh MCD7009 CD player. System has been great but now going to upgrade to better pieces but have loved what i have had for years. Thanks for reading |
-VPI Aries w/SDS, Syrinx PU2 (rewired w/ Cardas), Benz Ruby -Marantz CD recorder w/Adcom DAC to make it listenable - used primarily for recording -Wright Sound Company WPL20 preamp -Music Reference RM-200 tube/solid-state hybrid power amp -Wilson Watt/Puppy 7 Loudspeakers -Cardas cabling throughout Its like a time machine that can transport you to the recorded event. Immensely fun. |
The best system that I ever built is still very much under construction. But, listed below is my current system w/ the future upgrade list in tow: - Levinson 390S www.marklevinson.com - Levinson 33H www.marklevinson.com - PS Audio P1000 Power Regenerator w/ 20A High Current Ultimate Outlet www.psaudio.com - Revel Ultima Salons - Piano Gloss Black w/ Aluminum Sides www.revelspeakers.com - Grand Prix Audio Monaco Modular Rack w/ Apex footers (4 shelf version) www.grandprixaudio.com - Grand Prix Audio F1 Carbon Shelf www.grandprixaudio.com - Synergistic Research Resolution Reference X-Series XLR w/ active shielding - Interconnects www.synergisticresearch.com - Synergistic Research Resolution Reference X-Series w/ active shielding - Speaker Cables www.synergisticresearch.com - Kimber SC-VU s-video cable www.kimber.com - Spike Spotters - spike/floor interface www.spikespotters.com Future upgrades: - Levinson 40 Audio/Video console - Levinson 433 (3 channel amp for center & surrounds) - 46" - 60" LCD HDTV - Revel Ultima Voice Center Channel Speaker - Revel Ultima Embrace Surround Speakers - Revel Ultima Subwoofer - PS Audio Ultimate Xstream Power Cable (for the 433) - Grand Prix Audio Monaco Modular Rack w/ Apex footers (two shelf base) - Richard Gray Substation (for the 33H's) - Synergistic Research Master Control Center My greatest fear is that my focus will change before my system is done. |
System should be complete within a month. Awaiting arrival of final pieces (RM/X cabinets now 4+ months in the making and awaiting build of the 302/4 by JRDG)... Speakers: VMPS RM-X/TRT Speaker Cables: Acoustic Zen Double Barrel Amplifier: Jeff Rowland 302/4 Interconnect: Pure Note Epsilon Reference rev4 (XLR) Source: dCs Verdi / Purcell / Edgar Plus DSD A/C: PS Audio P1000 Power Cables: Custom Audio LLC Headphone amp: Sonic Frontiers Line 3 Headphones: Joseph Grado HP-1000 Comments welcome |
Its was in the late 60s- Klipschons in the corner, TWO pairs of Bose 2201 speakers configured to be 1/4 spheres along the wall between the K horns, (Bose had their own amps) K-horns driven by Marantz 9s, 7C preamp, 10B tuner, a Crown 842 tape deck, Magenecord tape deck, Thorens 124 w/SME arm and Ortophon MC and a Thorens 224 w/Thorens arm and Ortophon cart. Most important was a big rack of 10" original tapes of recording sessions from classical venues all around the country (an engineer's private stock.) |
This is my biginers system...more to come. CD Transport: Mark Levinson 37 D/A Converter: Mark Levinson 360S D/D Converter: DCS ' Purcell ' Line Preamp: Mark Levinson 380S Power Amps : Mark Levinson 336,331,334,434 Speakers : B&W Matrix 801s SII, SCM 8, ASW 800, 805s, HTM 800 Tuner : Magnum Dynalab 'MD 102+ Magnum Dynalab 'Signal Sleuth 205' Headphone : Headroom Blockhead and Sennheiser 600 with Cardas cable Interconnects: Acoustic Zen Hologram Ref II and Silver Ref II, Transparent Ultra XL, Harmonic Technology Magic and Pro Silway II, Kimber Orchard, NBS master AES/EBU Speaker Cables: Audioquest Volcano Biwire, Kimber 8tc Power Cables: Harmonic Technology AC-10, Shunyata Black Mamba VII, NBS Monitor II, Virtual Dynamics Nite, JPS Labs Digital AC, Power Conditioner: BPT 3.5 Signature series and Tice Video Solo Projector: Sony CRT Line Doubler: Runco SC4200 Video cable: Transparent Premium SVS, Kimber RGBHV D30, Better Cables VGA, Screen: Stewart Four Way Masking Tweaks: Symposium Ultra platforms, Aurios 1.2s, Cardas caps, Symposium roller balls 2+, Polycrystal cones and spikes, and platform, Sound Anchor amp stands, Rack: Lovan |
My main system-Rotel Rcd 951 cd player Denon PMA 2000r integrated amp B&W Cdm1 nt speakers comes in second to the best system I have built- Musical Fidelity X-can V2 headphone amplifier Sennheiser Hd 600 headphones Rotel Rcd 951 cd player Neither comes all that close to real life, but both are satisfying and the best I have had. I think the headphone set up has greater presense and has a more natural sound, or so it seems. At the very least, it has an ease to it that I find very appealing. The Denon is huge and heavy and a bit squat, and somehow I have become fond of it. I would like to see what becomes of it given a "better" cd player than the 951- would like to go full circle before I consider replacing it, even as I suspect it is the weakest link in this combination. |
Jim -- wow! You STILL have that speaker system, right? Please don't say you've sold it... it'll take $50+ grand for a commercial sonic equivalent (if not more). (IF you still have it, why not go for 2x15" spkrlabs per channel in an W open baffle -- as per Linkwitz. Should give you tremendous authority down to ~30Hz with some equalisation). |
Three systems come to mind. I'm from the old school.the first two I heard in stores. The last I owned. Infinty rs1b( I hope that is right. it was the four box system which was succeeded by the IRS beta) Mirror Image ss amps(4) Mirror image preamp SOTA cosmos turntable SME V Madrigal Carnegie one Mit shotgun cable under $20K circa 1988 Heard at the now defunct Excalibur in Fairfax, Va. Setup by the guys from Mirror image. Martin Logan Statement Spectral amp(several)and preamp Basis debut turnable and graham arm Spectral cartridge Mit cable built for spectral set up approved by galye sanders of M/L who was present for demo ~$100k circa 2000 Overure Audio, Wilmingotn Deleware My own Martin Logan ClS one NYAL moscode 150 SOTA Star, Sumiko ARM, Carnegie Model One Conrad Johnson PV5 Janis W3 subwoofer, interphase/amp crossover monster cables ~7k circa 1987 |
If "best" means enjoyed the most, then it was .... a/d/s L1230 Yamaha C2a McIntosh MC2155 Micro-Seiki BL51 with Signet XK50 & TK7e Nakamichi ZX7 Yamaha T2 I put this system together BEFORE I got serious about equipment, back when it was all about listening to the music, not how the system was playing the music. Ah.... those were the days. Dean. |
My current one: Cary V12 R Amp Cary SL98P Pre VPI Scoutmaster w/JMW-10 and Grado Reference Statement Kimber Hero interconnects/8TC speaker wires (on Dennis Had's recomendation) VPI HW-19 Mk III w/Benz-Micro for my old punk records Cary 308T Tube CD Player Sony RCD-W5000C CD Player/Recorder Audioquest Power cords on everything Cary Silver Oak III or Celestion SL600s or sometimes I move my Vandy 2CEs in from the home theater for a change I hit it pretty hard last year, really spent a lot of money (for me) for my first whole-system upgrade in 19 years! I'm so pleased I may never change again! |
I've been searching for a long time, at the beginig I used Acurus electronics and B&W speakers, cabling was by nordost. That system was my firt hi-fi entry and it gave my years of listening pleasure. I've then upgrated my electronics to Sonic Frontiers and a new journey began, the neutral and soulfull sound of the Line 1/Power 1 combo maxed the capabilities of my Matrix B&W's. I upgrated to Martin Logan Ascents and found myself rediscovering the joys of audio nirvana. A teac esoteric fron end put the icing on the cake. Cables continue to be Nordost blue Heaven |
My current rig is by far the best system I've ever assembled. I've had a few costly systems in the past, but this one simply obliterates all the others. It's taken quite a few stumbles and a small fortune to get here, unfortunately. But I guess the end justifies the means. My system: Von Schweikert VR-9 EMM Labs CDSD/DCC2 DarTZeel NHB-108 Jena Labs ICs and power cords I'll soon be adding the DartZeel battery-powered preamp to the mix and using the DCC2 strictly as a processor. I heard a prototype of the pre at CES, and it's mind-altering. |
speakers:......merlin...................................... amp:...........simaudios w-5............................... preamp:........simaudio p-5................................ phonoamp:......ear834p..................................... cartridge:.....sumiko blue point........................... tt:............vpi tnt mark1 and mark5 mixed............... roomtreatment:.acoustical ceiling tiles on one side wall... ...............records on other side wall.................. ...............bookcase filled with books on wall behind me ...............more acous. ceiling tile on wall behind sp.. ...............cotton batting wrapped in fabric on ceiling |
It's the one I am listening to right now. It has two changes to go before I am done, I still have not found the one box SACD/redbook player I want yet. I want to upgrade the BAT VK-31SE preamp to the VK-51SE. VPI Super Scoutmaster w/signature arm Dynavector XX2 cartridge VPI SDS BAT VK-P10SE phonostage BAT VK-31SE preamp Parasound JC-1 monoblocks Thiel CS7.2 speakers Consonance Droplet 5.0 CDP All cables are Bogdan Gold/Silver ref. All power cords are LAT AC2 speaker cables are LAT SS1000 Audio Magic mini Stealth used for the digital. Huge, deep, solid soundstage. Transparent. Lots of detail, but very relaxed and smooth. As soon as I get my digital source worked out and the better BAT preamp, I am done for a long, long, time. |
This is the best I have to date, but far from what is to come. That is because this journey is neverending. Too bad the money seems to be. Here it is... B&W 800d speakers, Transparent Ultra MM bi-wired speaker cable, Pass Labs X-600 monos , Purist Dominus interconnects, Meridian 861 V4.2, Transparent reference digital interconnect, Shunyata Hydra 8 ac conditioneer and the weakest link in the chain(due to lack of money) is the Arcam DV27 cd. I will soon be purchasing the Meridian 800(I hope). |
hi. i have recently inherited a pair of bose 2201 speakers, which from what i understand are extremely rare. i am trying to determine how to value them but am having extreme diffuclty. can anyone help? is there a price source like a blue book for stereo equipment? is there a stereo musuem? is there another forum that may have this information? thanks. |
I have it now. Nirvana at last- 800 Consonance monoblocks (lest you think I jest check the Blue moon award,) these amps are incredible . I never met an EH I ever liked. These are incredible, with the stock of four EH 6CA7s true tetrode each. Drivers are Mullard CV2943s and Tung Sol 5687s . The sources are a Concosonance CD player an older sacd capable model I forget but it has volume control number 2.xx going into the best darn preamp I ever heard a simple AE-3 I got for $300. My friend an engineer said let me mod it . Why we both said he said I can make it a DJH signature. OK . We both agree it didn't change the sonics much. I immediately put in my best 6SN7s in I used TS RPs but Sylvania GTs sound almost as good, not W s. Finally without going into cabeling the sound eminates from JM lab 936 Electras. People remark how well my speakers sound now. I chukle they were broken as well some 4 years ago. They don't notice the Tube Power Amps or discount them. The pre is a speck in my audio room a vast wasteland of products tried and abandoned. No it is not the speakers guys it's the rig. Nivana at last Nirvana at last Thank God almighty Nirvana at last. I have found what I have been lookin for now for 6 years. Except my pre has no phono but I think I stick with AES. I was happy with the system that I aquired as a young audiophile of 17. Following a path laid down by my Father. I wanted to get the best I could afford. Then after 25 years of service the integrated died. Enter,.... what? What's that site .... Audio--- what... where are the stores ? HIgh End? what's that???! (I don't wish to cast any aspirtions about Dr. King's final quotation and crescendo phrasing of the 1963 address in front of the Lincoln Memorial, please take no affront) |
Hello Mechans & congrats on your rig. Glad to hear that you've accomplished what most of us tried but failed. Some of us were not fortunate enough to have the mean$, selection, know-how and some ( I might be one-hope not ) just enjoy the feel of self- inflicted pain of torture. Enjoy it (while it lasts). I also share your feelings & enthusiasm towards one of my favorite all around amplifiers - Consonance Cyber 800 monos (& other from that series). I am not sure about their popularity these days but few years back there was very little information/reviews or feedback from the Press or users. This seems to change. Build like a tank, industrial looking and sounding on par with the best. It is very good out of the box, however like everything in life it can be improved. Some tube rolling, PC/IC choice, isolation etc. I've had my Cybers modify, tube rolled with Ampx. 6922 nos, JJ blue El34 (5687 was taken out of the circuit and bypassed with custom-design board to increase speed, transparency and effortless transition between notes. I might try Mullard's CV2943 ( what is your thoughts on those ) in the near future to replace JJs. Power cord is Morrow Audio MAP 2 ref. cable. Right now I am also building solid wood platforms for them to seat on. My source is also Consonance - gorgeouse, curved, at 40lbs+ dedicated stand Droplet cdp 5.0. Turntables - Lenco (naked), MMF-7 replinthed with Moarch up4 arm and Denon103R cartridge and not yet finished TT "X" belt drive ( you can check out the progress in my system ). Speakers at the moment are Vandersteen Quatro (but I keep my options open to Quads, upcoming ML, some horns, 3A Great Veena or Emerald Physics CS-2). Preamp is Granite Audio 770fp with phono section. Like you said It is the RIG! And there are no two rigs alike. It should tell you something. Our systems are as individual and different as we are. Regards Enjoy the music M.Stark |
OK, audio freaks, here's the best I've built, and it doesn't require a lot of money, either! It's all Stan Warren equipment, beginning with an upgraded and modified Onkyo CD player, interconnected to Superphon Dual Mono preamp. interconnected to Superphon 120 amp., out to Superphon crossovers in dual 6 1/2" woofer, single tweeter cabinets, specially built. All interconnects and speaker cables by Stan, who also upgraded and modified the preamp and amp. This is the most life-like reproduction I've heard in any system, including audiophile retailers systems selling for 10K or more, and all for less than $2500. waltcertain |
Mr Stark I want to explain. I didn't put this together in one fell swoop it took over 5 years. The single most important contribution were the use of the Cyber 800 tube power amps. The entire line of "Cyber" from Consonace is remarkable. I opted for these because it had the most horsepower and my friend recommended them. He knows my preference for power. For another take on that subject go to ultravioletaudio.com and read my old buddy TRELJA'S philosophy. He help me along the way. I went bezerk with the tube collecting. I must tell you I was always struggling pretty much buying things in excess three grand. Some how I lucked into the Electras open box very good price. Never paid full retail for any of the rig except NOS tubes which there is no retail. I should reveal that I am an old friend of the distributor of Consonance and he always has a demo or returned item etc. so I was able to get an authorized discount but as a strict rule the price is really the price they don't play games. At the retail price as I said you are getting the best amp avaible it is a steal!!! Why Consonance never took off is because the biggest seller was a 4 tube El 34 amp which I also own. Very reliable, very musical but not a Cyber. It simply never built up a Hi end image and it could have used the economy models to get the name out there but peoplare never thinking I eill hunt down a Consonance. If they heard our mono blocks I think they would searching the Gon this minute. They simply spank almost every amp out there. I just bought a Jadis DA 60 so my loyalty is split if that is 60 watts my 40 watt amp was really 5. I cannot get over the completely unflappable nature of that integrated. It is very pretty with the tubes I used. The bill for the matched 8 re-issue GEC Sold Lion KT-88 was almost as painful as a kidney stone. The previous owner thought he had the Svetlana Flying C but they were an admixture of counterfeited Sovteks and anything but a good tube. Iam a tube roller and I as well was about to buy an octet of gues what the JJ E34L blue glass which has a sweet midrange.When I heard these I was stunned by the authority full range still a robust midrange and bass to die for. I called the distrbutor to ask had he used other tubes. He gave me the rundown and he saidthe Electro Harmonics were the ones. He and I are Dyed in the wool JJ fans so I asked some people on AA tubnes if they knew what could explain this. The answer is that the EH are true 6CA7s a tetrode while the EL34 or the E34L a slightly larger richer ans sweet is a Beam Pentode. I cannot explain anything more but be careful if you try JJ KT-77s they are Tetrodes as well but apparently have a minor lightening storm issue if attemptempted As for taking out the what I call the heater, or in common parlance the 5687 I don't care for the virtual broiling heat any of them I used emit. I never felt they are slow amps unless you mean have the speed of an OTL. The CV2493 is a hyper sturdy E88CC or 6922 to us Built for the Britsh army by Mullard. This tubne is a stark tube Mr. Stark, I like it because it is super fast clean potent and I hope will last. I bought a quartet from the only known supplier of true no BS NOS real NOS ECC88-01 that is the official name. It sounds more German than British in style but it may be a bit more money than you would want. The single pair listed on e-bay is ther real deal checkj ou the cost. Cheers on finding Nirvana I have no real desire for any more stuff High end has gotten very high. I am wondering what they take to get that way. Cheers and do write! |
Hi Mechans, I agree Cybers 800 are awsome, and no need to spred the news......:) as long as you and i know what they really are , and how they sound. I am interested in some replacement tubes for my amps but cost is a big factor . I had a good tube source but he rised his prices to the point that it is not even funny. If you don' mind me asking......... what is your source? _____________________________________________________________ About Joe, yes, his thoughts and his way of thinking is on par with mine. I believe that his is a very good guy and I have all but respect for him as a person and as an importer of fine products to US market. Just for the record I don't know Joe personaly and never did any business with him. It is only my opinion. My Cybers were the show demo (during NJ show). I bought them right there and then and they served me well ever since. Mechans, if you want to take your system to another level........you can have Bob Backert (he lives in PA) perform the mod on your Cybers. I can bet you that after Bob finish his magic , you will be amazed what was possible to squeez out of Cybers and I can tell you that it could be .....well.......your last amp(s) ever. (don't trust me.......but trust your ears) My best friend (also an audiophile) came over the other day to listen to my new-always changing system and he was.....shocked (I am not BSing). The only thing missing is preamp that would do them justice. After few auditions and preamps that I bought over the last few months I have decided to give DODD AUDIO a chance and it will be arriving in a week or two. Then I will stop the crazy, expancive and long search for the best system that I can afford. In the mid-time, I will try to put together my second(or more like 3th) system based on M&D mini speakers($1200), DECCO Peachtree($800+mod) integrated and possibly moded by Bob and Sonos wireless system($1400 multi-room setup) with power supply upgrade as the source together with my own replinthed MMF 7 turntable and Creek phono. Take it easy and hope to hear from you ......soon :) Mariusz |
I'm pretty sure it's my current system: McCormack RLD 1 Preamp McCormack DNA 125 Amp Sony DVP 9000ES DVD/SACD player Channel Islands Audio VDA 2 DAC & VAC 1 P/S Magnum Dynalab MD 90 Tuner Velodyne SMS 1 Sub EQ/crossover PSB M2 Platinum speakers REL R-305 Subwoofer Rega P3 TT with Ortofon OM30 cart. NAD PP2 phono pre Equi Tech Son of Q power conditioner Harmony 880 remote |
I will say the source is another APL Denon 3910, the speakers are Silverline Sonata III (which have been SOBs to find proper amplification), and the amps are Pass Labs XA-60.5. The speakers disappear in a manner the Von Scheikerts never did, and the sound is balanced from top to bottom. Slowly, I'm finding the combination of gear and wiring that gets the bass correctly (which I've found to be the trickiest aspect of the Sonata III). I'm also using a KAB Technics Sl1210 MK II turntable with several mods. My LP collection is small, so this is not a primary source...but it sounds very good. |
ARC Ref 2 Preamp ARC 300w monoblocks Lector CD Player (2 piece system) McIntosh MR 78 with Modefferi Upgrade McIntosh MPI-4 Magneplaner Tympani 1Ds Valhalla interconnects and speaker cables Square D 300 amp service... Wiring from main house electric service with 3 separate 20 amp lines ( #10 wire) to audio system Square D Power Surge protection and line conditioner on each of 3 lines Linn Sondec with supplied arm and Koetsu Onyx It's what I built over the years...I cannot part with the 1978 Tympani 1Ds...my wife prefers these to the 20.1s and most important component..the 16 by 20 Cathedral ceiling room with sprung wood 3/4 inch oak floors. |
Mr Stark its a bit late to answer your question. In the sacred "Joe's Tube lore" they are described briefly. Anpther militasry Mullard only midrange and rolled of at the extremes probably only for systems that are harsh and would require taming. I honestly was shocked by these comments. The only reason I have them is my tube Guru in England said stop messing aroud with the 6922s to me they all sound poorly and sonically their is not anything that really sounds different tube. I thought my old friend had lost it I could easily hear differences poor lousy crappy and please don't go near me with tube again. He said there is one tube in the whole family worth anything it sound different nd is just bettter . This CV2943 he had none to sell but tubemonger had several sub variants It was not muddied and rolled off. Absolutekluy it fell into the clean deatailed category. Finding a matched quad of NOS these were NIB and still had cihgar rolls around them. I had to get them from Sweden. The price was not my idea of a good time but I saw everything in a 6922 with a good reputation cost the same and even a lot more. These tested stronger than new nominal but was only pretty certain they were True NOS. I saw them I said if that isn't as pristine as I had ever seen then their is no NOS. My 6SN7 guy Len had since eclipsed the perfect period box packing and yes the tubes. You can find them at Kevin Deal's store in mediocre comdition but if you got the moola it is a must try |