sbank's Austin City Within Limits

by sbank on VACAyre AcousticsAyreEver EvolvingLammVPIBATAqvoxSchitt AudioSynologySonoremicroRenduSound LabTechnicssp10SP10 mk IIShunyatakrellvintagePurist Audio DesignsnagraDynavectorSotaphoenixGetting thereCerious TechDenafripsPontusopicalRenduTel WireOyaide

Description

This is my music system which has been evolving for over 35 years.

Have had many different components of many styles. Have learned that synergy is everything and you have to trust your ears.

Also I've had had these systems in over half a dozen listening rooms. I've spent many hours working on room treatments and setup and believe the room/speaker interaction is the most important aspect of great sound that many hobbyists fail to optimize.

Vinyl is spinning about 80% of the time (Used to be 90% vinyl, but digital changes both sonically and user experience w/Roon & Qobuz have been a big improvement). After relocating to Austin, TX and getting the room optimized, I changed the analog side of the system, having sold tt, arm, carts & phono stage prior to the move. 
Most recent projects have been upgrading from microRendu and Schiit Gungnir Multibit DAC to opticalRendu, SonicTransporter as Roon core, and Denafrips Pontus II. Later I added a number of NOS cables from Tel Wire, something I've wanted to do for more than a decade.

Previous pieces & systems included:

BAT VK150SEs & Silverline LaFolias, Nola Viper Reference III (with Lamm & BAT monoblocks), Acarian Alon V mkiii , Merlin VSM-MX, Atma-Sphere MA1mkII.2, Atma-Sphere MP3, Herron VTSP1a-166

Joule Electra LA150 and Berning ZH270, Pentagon PH3, CAT SL1MkIII, Merlin VSM-MX

Cary Rocket88 & Dehaviland 845 monos/Cary SLP2002/QuadsESL63USA

Avalon Radians/SpectralDMA180 & DMC20II/Meridian508

BAT vk5i & vk60/Von Schweikert vr4.5II

Chario Academy1/Air Tight ATM1

VTL ST80/ Acarian Alon II

Thiel 3.6 / Krell KSA 50

Vandersteen 2ci / Sunfire amp

Technics SP10mkII, EPA250 arm, SH-B3 obsidian base, custom 4kg ss mat, running with Signet 111E and Goldbug Clement II cartridges, Aqvox 2CI balanced phono stage
VPI TNT6HR w/12.7 arm, van den Hul Colibri XGP,   
Nottingham Spacedeck/Spacearm, Shelter 501
Sonore microRendu w/custom linear power supply feeding Schiit Gungnir Multibit DAC
MacMini running Audirvana+ , too many CDs players & DACs to remember or care about


Read more...

Room Details

Dimensions: 21’ × 15’  Medium
Ceiling: 10’

Components Toggle details

    • Vandersteen 5A
    Loudspeakers in Cherry/Black
    5-driver, 4- way, time- and phase-accurate speaker system that incorporates a unique aperiodic, push-pull, powered sub-bass system, a battery-biased passive high-pass filter and an 11-band equalizer—in a “boxless” minimum-baffle, non-resonant enclosure system.
    • Krell FPB-300
    Solid State Class A Stereo Amp
    • VAC Renaissance Mark V Preamp with Phono
    balanced dual mono linestage and phono stage with external power supply. Running Amperex orange globes on the linestage side and a pair of Amperex NOS 60s medical grade Bugle Boys and one stock Mullard reproduction on the phono side. Planning on experimenting with NOS Mullard, Amperex and perhaps Telefunken for the single tube on the phono side.
    • Sota Nova Vacuum Series VI with Eclipse(Phoenix Engr. designed) Motor Controller
    Awaiting delivery of the new Series VI Nova table spring suspension turntable with vacuum hold down system, mag lev platter/bearing, Eclipse motor controller(designed by Phoenix Engineering) and Reflex clamp!
    • Dynavector DV-XX2 mkII
    moving coil cartridge
    • Ayre Acoustics QB-9 DSD TWENTY
    DAC
    • Sonore opticalRendu & LPS
    Audio Streamer/Renderer (Ethernet > USB) , Running Roon 's latest version, 1.8(at this time)
    • Small Green Computer sonicTransporter i5
    Roon Core, and partial library on Samsung EVO870 4TB internal SSD. Remaining library on external Samsung T7 Shield 4TB USB SSD
    • Spin Planet Custom Amp Stands
    Maple amp stands with Eden Sound brass Bear Paw radiused footers
    • DIY Slipknot1 & Sbank Maple Madness Rack
    PerfectPlank Maple 1 7/8, McMaster-Carr Brass hardware, Star Sound Audiopoints footers
    • Custom Room Treatments
    Designed and framed by Sensible Sound Solutions. Assembled and upholstered by me using Guilford of Maine acoustical cloth.
    • SpinPlanet Custom Wood Diffusors
    BBC style QRD diffusors handmade of solid pine on 24" birch plywood base. Hand made in Delaware, USA.
    • AudioQuest Aspen Bi-wire Speaker Cables
    SOLID PERFECT-SURFACE COPPER+ (PSC+)/PERFECT-SURFACE COPPER (PSC) CONDUCTORS

    MULTI-LAYER CARBON-BASED NOISE- AND CROSSTALK-DISSIPATION SYSTEM: 
    DOUBLE COUNTER-SPIRAL GEOMETRY

    FOAMED-POLYETHYLENE INSULATION (FOR ALL POSITIVE CONDUCTORS)

    DIELECTRIC-BIAS SYSTEM WITH RADIO FREQUENCY TRAP
    • Tel Wire Power Cables HC Cord & Cord
    HC Cord - large 9 gauge OCC single crystal, ultra pure copper. Terminated with genuine Oyaide 004 series with Beryllium copper bases and platinum & palladium plating. HC with 20amp connector on Krell amp connected to 20amp dedicated circuit

    Cord - OCC single crystal, ultra pure copper. Terminated with genuine Oyaide 004 series with Beryllium copper bases and platinum & palladium plating
    • Tel Wire Connect XLR
    OCC (Ohno Continuous Cast) single crystal copper of the highest purity available. Terminations are Xhadow Silver RCA’s that are hand-picked by Chris Kline, Jacketed cotton

    (phono stage to preamp)
    • Mogami 2534 Interconnects
    Mogami Neglex 2534 quad cable w/ Neutrik XLRs 20' pair amps-to-preamp
    • Inakustic Reference USB Cable
    German USB cable used between opticalRendu and Denafrips Pontus II DAC
    • Audioquest Niagara 1200 & NRG-Y PC
    Power conditioner & cable for front end of the system.
    • Vinyl Stack Ultrasonic Record Cleaner
    Paired with a 10L 40hz Ultrasonic tank and following the formulas and process suggested in @rushton's thread and www.positive-feedback.com  article.
    • Eden Sound Terrastone Footers
    Terrastone Bearing Isolation Footers under preamp and DAC.
    • PS Audio Juice Bar
    6 outlet power strip for networking accessories
    • Walker Audio Valid Points
    resonance control devices
    • ERS Paper RFI/EMI Control
    ERS paper to fight airborne RFI/EMI
    • Hart Big Willy MK3 Record Cleaning Brush
    Described in detail in M.Fremer's Analog Planet Shootout video and review video. It's a brush that cleans dust off records. Way more effective than the Acoustech grounded large brush that it replaced

Comments 267

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Owner
System edited: Updated system description, and added recent tweaks. New photos to come shortly.

sbank

Owner
System edited: Well, big changes now almost completed. Picked up a Musical Fidelity TriVista 21 DAC and Stereovox XV2 digital cable, which I'll try with both the modded Sony and the Pioneer Elite as transports. I might actually start sitting in the room when CDs are playing. Will be picking up a power cable for use with the dac soon. The Merlins have been sold, and I'll be silent for a week or so, while I await Grover's tri-wire cables to hook up the Alon V's. The bi-wire Cardas Golden Ref will have to be sold. If anyone is wondering, the speaker change was driven by economics, as I've been very happy with the Merlins and the continue to recommend them to many.

sbank

Owner
Goldeneraguy,

Thanks for your comments. Yes, the Aries 845G is a beautiful sounding amp. You'd think it is much more powerful than 30w, and it drives the Merlins well, even in my large room. Wish I could keep them.
Kara has been very helpful with my questions, no doubt. Take care,
Spencer

sbank

Hi Spencer , Glad to read of your purchase of the Aries 845G
I own and love this amp and to find that a very knowledgeable
member (you) selects this amp for his system makes me realize my old ears are still working.Not only have I found this amp to be superb,I find Kara to be first rate,top notch and always available.
Sorry to see your Merlin's up for sale.In reading your posts I know how you enjoyed them.
Well have fun with the amp its really special.

goldeneraguy

Owner
Alfa,

Sorry, I haven't responded to your question until now. Although I like the Belles amps, haven't heard his preamps. As for the Dodd, it continues to impress greatly. Just the quietest blackest background ever. It really lets the other gear shine through. Easy to live with, and looks great. I can't imagine anything close in price beating it.

sbank

Give Gregg Straley Reality Cables a try. They're truly outstanding, and inexpensive. They replaced $2000 Purist Audio Venustas in my system.

I tried bi-wire and single wire with jumpers in my system, and settled on jumpers sounding best. Never thought it would happen.

Anyway, try the Straley's. They're available with a home trial period.

tvad

Owner
System edited: Just added Dehavilland Aries 845G monoblock amps to the system. At first listen, they are very impressive, and sound great with the Merlins. Unfortunately, I have to sell the Merlins for financial reasons, and will be going to Alon V's which at their price, should be hard to beat. Need to buy tri-wire speaker cable and power cables for the amps, thinking about JPS AC+ PCs, and GroverHuffman speaker cables or Nola Blue Thunder. Suggestions appreciated.

sbank

Owner
Alfa,

So far, I am very impressed w/the Dodd preamp. It's the quietest tube pre I've ever heard. Jet black backgrounds, and not subject to the EMI/RFI hash that plagues many others in my environment near huge radio tower. It's beautiful and well-constructed. Wish I had the $ to try rolling all the top tubes that I've heard elsewhere and read about.
Honestly, at its asking price, I think it has no real competition. I'm done thinking about preamps for a long time. In my system, the Herron is the only one that comes close. Cheers,
Spencer

sbank

I am very interested in the Dodd preamp.

Do you have any additional comments you may wish to share?

I am currently using a Belles 28a Reference with a JLTI phono preamp.

The Belles is silent in its operation and provides excellent sound and features (remote and a HT bypass).

Let me know, I am tempted to try the Dodd

alfa_lover

Owner
System edited: Added some new photos...

sbank

Spencer
Trust me on this one.

I also used Cardas Golden Reference speaker wire and Cardas Neutral Reference interconnects.Exceptional wire,however.
There is definitly something to using more Nordost wire this far up the signal chain. You won't have to go any further with it.

Once I take delivery of my record player and choose a cartridge I'll hit the pavement for some speakers.

Mark

stiltskin

Owner
Hi Gary,

The Dodd & Herron are very similar in nature, they both pretty much disappear. I don't have very many hours of listening yet on the Dodd, so take my comments w/grain of salt, but so far...
jet black background, very good at dynamic contrasts, good tonality. Soundstage might not be as deep with the Dodd, but definitely as wide with equally good imaging.
The Dodd wins hands down as far as looks; the woodworking is beautiful. The Herron has good fit/finish, but is sort of plain looking, nothing fancy or eyecatching.
If it matters, the Dodd has a nice matching remote that mechanically rotates the volume knob. The Herron has no remote.
I have heard & like the Dehavilland Mercury2, but be sure to check impedance match compatibility before you buy one. Cheers,
Spencer

sbank

Owner
Mark,

Thanks for your comments and suggestion. I will be happy to try some Nordost if I get a chance. I agree that the Valhalla took quite some time to break in and did sound bright at first, but now I'm really liking the improvment in the tonearm and wiring.
Congrats on your new amp. Curious to hear what speakers you choose. I heard ASR amps in many rooms at CES a few years ago, and they were run w/quite a variety of speakers.
Cheers,
Spencer

sbank

Spencer,

I am looking at different preamps and have the Herron VTPH-1 with a 300B Audio Note and saw you sold your Herron 166a and bought the Dodd. Can you share some of the strenghts of the Dodd over the Herron?

My three preamps I am looking at ae the DeHavilland UV 2,Herron 166a and the Dodd.

Thanks,
Gary

glory

Hi Spencer,
You have had your Valhalla wired 12.7 in your system for afew months, how do you like it?

I found the bright signature will completely vanish once the wire is burnt in.
The wire also seams to vanish out of way of the signal.

Try this and see what you think.
Borrow a burnt in pair of Nordost interconnects to go to your phonostage.
Either the Frey, Tyr or the Valhalla will do.

Cheers

Mark

stiltskin

Owner
System edited: Just picked up a Dodd Battery-Powered preamp and sold my Herron VTSP1/166a. After all the RFI/EMI noise issues here, the opportunity to use a battery preamp has much appeal. Upon initial listen, it is very promising. I the the review on 10audio.com is pretty much spot on. The Herron is an amazing preamp, especially in its price range, but I have been wanting to try the Dodd since its introduction, and I figured its a good time to make the move.

sbank

Owner
Pantherdude,

I did get mine from McMaster-Carr. Seems like brass pricing has increased significantly lately.

sbank

Owner
System edited: Added two sets of Symposium Rollerblock 2 isolation devices for use under the Vendetta phono stage and the Herron line stage. Thanks to member, Cello for turning me on to these! They bring a noticeable improvement.

sbank

it's 1/2" brass Threaded rod & 1.5" Butcher block? where did u find Brass Threaded Rod? It's 2-3 times more than Stainless Steel which is 10 times of the price of Galvanized.

I'm making my own with 5/8-11 48" stainless Steel found on ebay for $15 per rod. Very hard to find in 48" costs $45 from Bradley and unavailable from McMaster-car

pantherdude

Spencer

Nice upgrade...let us know how it comes along!

Chad

chadlesko

Owner
System edited: Just upgraded to a JMW 12.7 tonearm w/Valhalla wiring and adjustable fluid damping. I'm wondering if I should expect a break-in period for the wiring. It sounds great right out of the box, and I've barely begun tweaking VTA, VTF etc. Also have on its way the Hovland Music Groove 2 phono cables, which I'll compare to the Cardas Golden Reference.

sbank

Owner
System edited: Just picked up an Audience Power Cable to try on the Herron line stage in place of the VH Flavor 2. Initial listening (CD only) reveals a very lively, dynamic sound with perhaps more bottom end emphasis. It really grabs your attention. Will try this cable for next few weeks and then try the VH again to decide what's the best fit.

sbank

Owner
Hi Sdatch,

It's pretty impressive.
While it's looks are sort of, um...plain, and nothing sexy about it, the sound is hard to knock. It calls little attention to itself. In fact, I have a hard time describing its sonic character. It just seems to quietly get out of the way. I can't say I'm in love just yet, but she's got potential. With most of my listening to it via the Vendetta phono that's still breaking in the new teflon caps, I really shouldn't be judging much for a couple of hundred hours of playing time.
I've used it so far just w/the stock tubes, which Keith swears are the best bet. Most everyone who's rolled, has gone back to the Sovteks, which counters my personal experiences with Sovteks in other applications.
For the price, I think the Herrons are a pretty great value. Fit, finish, and internal build quality all appear first rate.
Come have a listen anytime. Cheers,
Spencer

sbank

What are your thoughts on the Herron linestage? Having the monoblocks, I have been pondering a move to one of the matching preamps.

sdatch

Owner
System edited: Recently received my Vendetta phono stage back from John Curl after updating to latest version including teflon caps. Had to sell the Atma-Sphere MP3, as I couldn't afford to keep everything. Using the Herron line stage with the Vendetta. Still breaking in, but so far very promising. I think I've finally licked the intensive RFI problems that I've been battling for years now. It sucks living next to a radio tower!

sbank

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