The BEST system you've ever built !!!!

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

I just had to post here my new discovery. I switched out my simaudio p-5 preamp which is excellent by the way to my new pre audio experience a2se, which made a huge difference. The rest of the system is from source to speakers: heavily modified vpi tt (450 pounds), graham arm, zu 103r cartridge, jlti phono, audio experience a2se pre, sim audio w-5 amp, suspended merlin vsm speakers with bal. bam, martin logan depth sub, various cables purchased from audiogon, room treated on all surfaces including ceiling.

I found this thead as I was just looking to see if I could find the very first post here on gon, the earliest I could find was 1-23-99 on setup for linn lp12. Anycase in response to this thread the best system I have ever assembled is the one I have now which consists of: Vpi classic, 10.5 Vpi arm, Denon 103r cartridge, JLTI phono stage, Calypso Aesthetix preamp, Simaudio w-5 amp, Merlin speakers. I can't recommend this system any higher than I am, the whole system together that is, finally the speakers disappear so well and timbre is natural sounding I am done upgrading until I hit the lotto.