Dan, you have two great cartridges there.  If it's possible, keep both.  Swapping carts is a good way to keep away the upgrade bug for me.  When I get a little bored with one and ready for a different perspective on the tunes, changing a cartridge can keep me satisfied for awhile.  The Denon DL-103 is playing now through the Altec step up transformers and into the MX110z phono stage.  I'm loving the sound, but still saving up some fun money for the AudioMusikraft shell.  

waxwaves April 16, 2018 01:10

@ astewart8944, that album is a really great one and one of my favs!  Glad to hear you got to take in such an intimate performance from old Bruce.  I'm sure it was one for the ages.  Hopefully played some of your favorites?  Maybe you took along your copy of this killer album for an autograph???

waxwaves April 16, 2018 00:57

Hey Dan, ain't it great!  These are the finer things in life buddy and I am enjoying the music.  I've gone full circle back to another MX110z and MC30 combo.  I've realized that this is where I belong and those vintage Tannoys are not going anywhere.  They are phenomenal as you know.  As a matter of fact, your knowledgeable and informative postings on this forum has reassured me on several occasions that I was making the correct decision by keeping them, so thank you.  Yes, we do have much in common.

waxwaves April 11, 2018 02:38

Back to the vintage McIntosh.  Terry DeWick't MX110z and Yves Beauvais'd  MC30 amplifiers playing 12" Tannoy's.  I have the Thorens TD-124 setup with a nice new SME M2-9 and loving the sound.  McIntosh D100 handling the digital duties and I think it sounds great too...don't really miss the Lampizator DACs too much.  Dueland DCA16GA and DCA20GA tie it all together with some PAD thrown in...just the right spots. 

waxwaves April 10, 2018 04:22

Well I've moved away from the vintage McIntosh and gone modern McIntosh integrated for awhile.  I've added StarSound Technologies stands that I'm super impressed with.  Some PAD and Fusion Audio cables were the icing on the cake for me and the results are so pleasing.  Still miss the vintage tone and soulfullness of the MC30/Mx110 combo sometimes, but this fairly maintenance free and remote controlled setup offers headroom and distortion free dynamic capabilities the vintage couldn't match.  Always music playing here.

waxwaves April 17, 2017 21:17

Thanks all for the kind words! I'm just really happy with the setup. I can listen all day long and enjoy every song. The vintage Mac has that big lifelike sound I can't get enough of. The time spent with Tannoy Monitor Royal has been so nice that it has made me very curious what a pair of 15" Monitor Red would sound like here?!

Thanks Roxy54 for the tip on the Sound Star platforms. I will definitely research them for the Tannoy. I am always looking for ways to improve and learn more about setting up a great sound system.. The speakers are resting on BDR cones, then on carpet that's been installed over a concrete floor, so there is room for improvement. I previously had them sitting on 3cm absolute black granite slab material. Using the stone seemed to leave me missing the deepest bass notes? I'll be reading about the Sound Star stuff

Next, with the help of Budburma, I'll be working on power conditioning and using an isolation transformer to power the audio system. Later, adding a second seperate transformer for the analog rig and a third isolation transformer for the digital gear. Exiting stuff!

waxwaves June 15, 2015 01:37

System edited: Added a few pics of my updated system. In the past few years, learned that I really enjoy the sound of the Vintage McIntosh tube gear mated with vintage Tannoy dual concentric monitors. Also digging the sound of the Burson modified MiniMax DAC output into Jade Audio Vermeil Gold interconnects with Bybee Technologies Gold Purifiers! Thanks to Terry DeWick for the upgrades to the C20, MC275, & MC225! Also thanks to JD at Jade Audio and Chris at Black Cat Cable for building amazing interconnect cables! Lastly, I'm really enjoying having all of my digital music WAV files playing thru JRiver media center, thanks Grey9hound!! Enjoy the tunes everybody...

waxwaves June 13, 2015 20:09

System edited: Added a great sounding VPI Scout with JMW 9 arm and Sumiko Talisman Virtuoso Boron. Dynavector DV-20x on the way with Soundsmith ruby cantilever and line contact stylus.

waxwaves August 31, 2014 18:50

System edited: Photo added...of the rack in it's present state. Who knows what may end up here? It's been rotating like the records...

waxwaves April 02, 2014 01:28

Thanks Pops and Mitch2. This really is fun stuff. I love music and cannot live without it. I tried once, didn't work, almost died!

I must admit fellows that I have been lured by the sound of a McIntosh MC225 and a great sounding McIntosh C20. Lured by TUBES once again. I took them both to Terry DeWick for a good going thru. Terry worked his magic, and they sound incredible to my ears. I haven't gone to bed at a decent hour since I got them back! LOL!

I love my upgraded McCormack gear too! There are qualities that it provides that the tubes just can't. Like ultimate transparency and that SS bass slam. The upgraded McCormack gear matches the multidimensional presentation typical of the tube gear I have had. Mitch2, I enjoyed my TLC-1 Deluxe and miss it often. Used it in passive mode with the Gold Edition DNA-1 Dlx and occasionally a DNA 0.5 Dlx...pushing those Hales Rev. 3s...Pure music! The gent that bought my old TLC-1 Dlx sent it to Steve for the full upgrade treatment. He wrote back to tell me that it is SO amazing now and thanks a lot...hehe! My audio journey has taken me off course more than once, lol. Mitch, I will bet the house that you will adore your DNA-2 Signature Edition when Steve is finished, it will surely be completely mind blowing...Good sound decision sending it in to SMcAudio....;)

But, as I listen to my copy of Bloomfield, Stills, & Cooper...I am amazed by what the old Mac tube gear can do! Yes, people were making great sounding audio equipment in 1959! One thing the Mac certainly does better is presenting a full-bodied, harmonically rich sound at low volume. Its quite delicious IMHO. Either way, I am extremely lucky to be able to experience some of the best of both tubes and solid state. Extremely thankful to have both to enjoy.

Pops, do you think an SEC team will WIN this basketball tournament? I do. The media hype has effected peoples minds once again...and the SEC was underrated this time too, with FL being the exception. Might be an 8 seed that wins it all?

waxwaves April 01, 2014 03:28

Where are you located Shubert? I will keep an eye out for you.

waxwaves February 25, 2014 02:22

Hey Schubert check out this add carefully. A pair of Rev 2 and my goodness...low and behold...a pair of Rev 3 also, both with black finish. Though you might like to know. Located smack dab in the middle of this great country. It seems they may still be available? I would buy them just for replacement drivers, but don't have the funds at present...boohoo!!

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/ele/4265143815.html

waxwaves February 19, 2014 00:13

Schubert, I wish I could deliver a pair to you.

As far as drivers losing tone with age goes, I have not noticed any degradation taking place yet. Knocking on wood... Maybe I am slowly becoming accustom to it, but they are still knocking my socks off. Wonder if it would help to turn the drivers 180*?

waxwaves February 18, 2014 02:02

Don't cry Schubert! Dry those tears buddy. You may find a nice pair in the used market someday! I have seen them listed for under a grand. If it makes you feel any better...I enjoy mine daily! All the while worrying about whether I will be able to find proper replacement drivers if the time ever comes. .

Check out Paul Hales interview with Scott Wilkinson. They discuss the science of the listening room among other things.
http://www.avsforum.com/t/1478854/the-science-of-the-room-with-paul-hales

I am also sad that Hales Design Group is no longer, but Paul is still working on other projects. Maybe there will be a Hales Revelation Three Reissue loudspeaker in production one day?? Who knows? If it happens, I think Paul should raise the retail price just a little bit next time around. Selling them for $2300 may be the reason the doors closed in the first place IMHO.

waxwaves February 17, 2014 01:35

Schubert I once had an ADC XLM Mk III and I thought it was a phenomenal cartridge! When setup properly, it could really make music come to life. The sound was well balanced and full-bodied. The Bottlehead Seduction has a similar sonic signature and favors high output cartridges like the great sounding ADC XLM moving iron carts. Do you have the improved stylus on yours?

waxwaves February 15, 2014 19:01

Hey thanks Schubert, glad you are still doing well and enjoying the hobby! Ye ol' Systemdek is a little dusty but I her a lot! Been enjoying this tt for 7 years now. The mods do make a huge difference & it does it's job well IMHO. I'll post a better pic soon. The Seduction is the best phono stage I have heard with a good MM cart, so I am pleased with its performance as well. Ortofon M20FL Super is where the fun begins tho! I think the Seduction and Amperex BugleBoy 6dj8 mated with the VTL TL2.5 and Mullard CV4003 took my vinyl listening experience up a notch or two. Enjoying Howard Roberts Quintet, Roy Buchanon, Roger Miller, Dan Hicks & His Hot Licks, Riverside pressing of "Monk's Music", and an album called Dillard Hartford Dillard today!

waxwaves February 15, 2014 15:09

The TARA Labs the One power cable is the clear winner with the Kaplan Cable H.E. power cable coming in second. The TARA Labs was smoother overall with a higher level of refinement, and exhibited a lifelike presentation of music with my equipment. It is definately a heavy hitter! Both power cables are capable of multidimensional sound with the right gear, but the Kaplan is not as balanced as the One power cable. In my experience, the Kaplan Cable H.E is more pronounced at the ends of the frequency range, top and bottom. The TARA Labs the One does it all and with class.

The Kaplan H.E. is extremely good for the cost IMO, and seems to fit in best with the preamp in my system. The One works great on both, And I use it with the amplifier. I was impressed by the performance of my gear with Kaplan Cable in place, but I was even more impressed by the smooth lifelike presentation that the TARA Labs the One pc imparts. The Audience PowerChord "e" is not in the same class as either of the other cables IMHO, not in my system anyway...

Thanks Kevin for reminding me to post my impressions!

waxwaves February 08, 2014 22:49

System edited: Just put a VTL TL 2.5 into my system and I am extremely impressed with it. This is really good sound for the money and VTL has my respect! In my quest for budget greatness this nice little VTL preamp has been a highlight for sure. Added some pics of the new rack to my system page as well. Hope everyone here is enjoying the music too.

waxwaves February 05, 2014 04:40

System edited: Just picked up a Kaplan Cable H.E. power cable. Gonna do a A/B shootout with the Audience PowerChord "e" and Tara Labs "the One" power cable over several days, using the McCormack DNA-1 Deluxe with Gold upgrades from SMcAudio. Heard many good things about Paul Kaplan's power cables and am very exitied to put this into the system and listen.

waxwaves November 22, 2013 02:18

System edited: Added some new photos...

waxwaves November 10, 2013 23:28

Me too, there has been a lot going on here as well. If you're ever visiting the area, I promise to give you a demonstration! Thanks for the input on my thread. FYI, I've decided to hold onto the RLD-1 for a while. It grows on me each day. Of course I wonder what an SMcAudio upgrade would do, but for now I'm satisfied with it. I may take your advice and upgrade the DAC-1 to Ultra first. I love the sound of the DAC-1 Rev. A, and everyday I listen to the Wadia 170 iTransport. It sounds good and it's so easy to use. The two components work great together IMO! Digital sounds good with the DAC-1! On the other hand, a good clean pressing of a good recording on my turntable setup will better it most times, but it is great at what it does for me and my setup here.
So, LMK when your TLC-1 Deluxe makes it back from Steve and Kris. I'd love to hear impressions after it's break in.

waxwaves October 10, 2013 00:54

@Ig316b, I would be happy to show you what the Hales sound like with McCormack gear! Where do you live? I am in east TN on the border of NC in the mountains. Welcome to drop by for an audition if you are ever in the area! I love my Hales Revelation Three. Also, What Vandy's are you using? I once owned and enjoyed a pair of 2ce and a pair of original model 2s.

I really wish I still had the TLC-1 DLX, I enjoyed it's well balanced and transparent sound, bass was incredible too. I'm certain that you will be pleased with your upgrade. Thanks for the tip on the LDR! I love Steve's gear, but I am also considering a nice tube preamp for this setup. I am looking and listening for suggesions from others. Whatever preamp I end up with, the output impedance will have to match well impedance wise with my DNA-1 DLX Gold Edition.

waxwaves September 20, 2013 00:24

Hey Ig316b! Thanks for the friendly comments and praise! Also, thank you for the tip on upgrading the McCormack DAC-1 Rev. A up to Ultra status. The 6Moons review by the fellow with "perfect pitch" sold me. It was easy because I hear silimar qualities in the Rev A DAC-1. I don't care to hear any high priced, modified, tube rectified, hi rez, super tubed disc players after living with my DAC-1 either! I can listen for hours. I love my upgraded McCormack gear! The performance after upgrade is amazing for the $$$ IMO.

I had the TLC-1 DLX as well Ig316b, and then sold it earlier this year. Maybe because I am lazy and wanted remote control, LOL! I really enjoyed it's sound too, and of course, I wish I would have kept it. I know you are anxiously awaiting the package from SMcAudio. Would love to hear your impressions after burn in!!!

waxwaves September 17, 2013 20:25

System edited: Just added a new preamp and power cable to the system. A McCormack RLD-1 and a Synergistic Research AC Master Coupler. The addition brought a full bodied and slightly more dynamic sound to my system. IMO it was lacking a bit in these areas. I need to hear tonal correct sound and the "harmonic richness" of natural music being played. These two can really help convey it. Some might say these items are on the warmer side, I tend to agree. I'm very impressed with both in this system. The RLD-1 would be a good candidate for SMcAudio upgrades! I liked the AC Master coupler so much... I bought another for my DAC-1.

waxwaves July 22, 2013 04:35

System edited: A McCormack DNA-1 Deluxe with SMcAudio Gold Edition upgrades fell into my lap yesterday and boys she was heavy...;) She sounds incredible and I'm pretty sure I have fallen in love! I love her so much, I may just skip out of work tomorrow(Monday)... lay around with my new honey and do nothing but listen to tunes!!!

waxwaves May 19, 2013 16:44

System edited: Added Tara Labs RSC Air 1 speaker cable to the mix over the weekend with really excellent results! Now I am experiencing a fully fleshed out, much more vivid presentation of the music. Timing and pace is dead on, make you wanna tap your toes. Never heard bass go so deep and still be so well controlled. There is a busy soundstage with serious texture that somehow keeps the music polite and easy to listen to for hours at a time. And finally my system now sounds even better at low volume. Highly recommend this great cable!

waxwaves April 14, 2013 17:43

System edited: Just added a 1 meter pair of Tara Labs Air 2 rca interconnect between McCormack DAC-1 Rev. A and TLC-1 Deluxe. Extremely impressive sound!

waxwaves April 11, 2013 18:33

System edited: Added a better photo of the room.

waxwaves April 07, 2013 17:45

Hey Pops, thanks for the compliments!

I noticed you prefer vinyl also! I've been collecting lps for about 20 years now. Most of what I have is pretty clean sounding and enjoyable to listen to. Trying to archive as many classic albums as I can. Jazz, R&B, Blues, Bluegrass, Country, Rock, Indie, Reggae, Folk, Funk and anything else that sounds good. I listen to vinyl on a daily basis, like taking vitamins. Also listen to the local radio WNCW, check em out on the web for some good new music ideas. And finally I have amassed a large cache of digital files, most very enjoyable.

I plan on doing some research on Rives Audio, I am amazed with your ceiling design. Awesome... and just seems a logical way to do it when you think about it...louvers! I assume this took the height of your soundstage to new levels? I am interested, very interested. Bet you are getting some wrap around your head holographic imagery with your setup in that room... My cheap diffusion/absorbsion is from Partsexpress and what I can round up here and there. Lots of stuff will work, but what I have is just ok nothing special. Always interested to learn more about listening rooms, that's for sure!

I do enjoy the sound of the McCormack components, and using them together has made for a cohesive sound. They just go together, simple as that. I really love the DAC-1, and you can imagine my exitement when I opened up the DAC-1 and found it upgraded to Revision A. I haven't told Keith yet, but I just purchased Tara Labs Air 2 Rev 2 1meter ic to go between DAC-1 and TLC-1 DLX. Thinking this will really kick things up a notch...

waxwaves April 03, 2013 18:56

System edited: Switched back to the Oval 9, must have been high when I took these out, great cables! Also, another new addition and the best one in awhile...Tara Labs Air 1 Revision 2 RCA interconnect between DNA-0.5 Dlx and TLC-1 Dlx. Simply stated, this was a huge improvement and has taken this system up a notch sonically.

waxwaves April 02, 2013 04:51

System edited: After reading a few cable threads here, I decided to trade the Solo Crystal Oval that was between the DAC-1 and the TLC-1 to Discovery Essence with Cardas Silver RCAs. This was done in order to hear if the system would present a less "forward" sound. I did experience a less forward sounding and more "laid back" sound. I probably don't have to tell you what a good sound system sounds like, hehe. I won't use all of the adjectives frequently used to describe them. You have to take my word for it that the cable change made music sound even "better" than before. Really enjoying it...

waxwaves March 15, 2013 01:43

The AP Oval 12 are definately better in this system, sounds just right. I thought maybe the Hales Revelation 3 were designed around 12 ga speaker wire? But, I'm not sure that conclusion has any validity. You are probably correct about the amp. It is driving difficult load in the 86.5 db 4 ohm Hales. Maybe the amp peters out just a bit with the bigger gauge Analysis Plus cabling and inefficient speakers? It certainly is an interesting topic. Thanks again for your input sir!

waxwaves March 08, 2013 05:37

Hey Schubert, appreciate your input sir. I wish you good luck with the Hales search! A fine choice of loudspeaker IMO...;) I think they sound so good. Others seem to really enjoy them as well, some even say so. I agree that shipping these is sketchy at best. I got lucky...drove to Hickory, NC and picked mine up.

Funny you mentioned upgrading the APs. Here's the situation. I have sitting here now, a 6ft pair of Oval 9 with T1s. I have used Oval 9 for the last 6 years. On the other hand, I have this really nice looking pair of Oval 12 with basic spade connectors. What I mean by "nice looking" is the copper appears exceptionally bright and clean. Anyway, sold my 8 ft pair of Oval 9 in order to "upgrade" to a 6ft pair, and that's when I inserted the Oval 12 into the system while waiting for the new cable. I was suprised to find the 12 sounded better to me in this system. This phenomenon I can not explain. I know some members might laugh at that statement, but it's true. These 12s have such an amazing quality. I always really enjoyed the 9s, and most agree they are the better cable. Maybe I should put them back in and try again?

waxwaves March 08, 2013 02:34

Hello Schubert
Wow, near perfect...that's big words man! Thanks a lot! First of all, I can say that since I have had this system up and running, I've experienced my favorite music sounding better than ever. Secondly, I have been a McCormack fan since spending some time with a stock DNA-1 a few years back. I realized quick that the more McCormack gear I added, the better the music began to sound. I think the Hales have allowed me to hear recordings just a notch or two closer to perfect as well. It took some time to place these speakers properly in the room, but when correct they are amazing. Finally, after auditioning many cables and configurations of cable in this system, the Solo Crystal Oval ics and Oval 12 speaker cable really made an impression on me. Best cable for the $$ that I have heard so far. Hey BTW Schubert, my parents were both teachers who are now also enjoying retirement! All the best to you buddy -Adam

waxwaves March 07, 2013 00:51

Thank you very much Dan, I appreciate your kind words! I'm glad you like the setup, it is the source of much enjoyment around here. I had to eat a lot of peanut butter sandwiches but it was worth it. Nowadays, I am much more obsessed with listening to music than with all the great audio gear out there. I'm still itching for those SMcAudio upgrades though...;)

waxwaves March 06, 2013 23:36