* Speakers
Rethm Saadhana V3 Speakers: (New) (India) 2016
* Amplification
Triode Labs 2A3SE-FFX MKII DHT SET Amplifier (New) (Canada) 2017
First Watt F2 - Single Ended - Single Stage 5W Amplifier (New) (USA) 2006
Rethm Gaanam DHT SET Valve 16 watt Amplifier (Modified) (New) (India) 2012
* Preamplification
Triode Lab Au PRE, Hi-Game Edition - Preamp (New) (Canada) 2017
Haniwa Audio HEQA02 Phono Stage Stereophile CLASS A (New) (Japan) 2016
Decware ZSTAGE External Triode Output Stage w/Variable V-Gain (New) (USA) 2011
* NOS & New Tubes
Amp: (2) CBS JAN 5692, (1) Mullard GZ34/GZ32 & (2) Brand New JJ 2A3
Pre: (2) Mullard 6201 Gold Pin, Mullard 6CA4, Sylvania 12BH7A Black Plates
ZSTAGE: 12AT7 NOS Tubes: Telefunken, Mullard, Siemens, Sylvania Gold, Amperex
* Source
Bricasti M1SE USB/DSD DAC w/Remote & Stillpoints Feet (New) (USA) 2017
VPI Industries Prime Turntable (New) (USA) 2017
Haniwa Audio HCTR01 Cartridge Stereophile CLASS A (New) (Japan) 2016
* Digital Music Player/Server Hardware - Software
Auralic Aries Extreme w/Duel Femto Clocks (New) (South Korea) 2017
SBooster BOTW P&P ECO Linear Power Supply (New) (Netherlands) 2017
SBooster Split Ultra Filter (New) (Netherlands) 2017
Wyred 4 Sound Remedy w/Femto Clock (For Aries & TV) (New) (USA) 2017
Acoustic Revive RLI-1 LAN Isolator (For Aries) (New) (Japan) 2017
NETGEAR GS108 8-Port Gigabit Switch (For Aries & Sever) (New) (USA) 2017
NETGEAR - Nighthawk AC1900 Extender (For Aries & Sever) (New) (USA) 2017
JRiver Media Center 22 Music Software w/JRemote (USA) (New) 2017
JRiver Renderer/Dedicated Audio Server: HP Pavilion 500-214 PC
- AMD A8 6500 3.5 GHz (4.1 GHz turbo) Quad Core, 8GB Memory, 2TB HDD
iPad A9 3rd Gen. Chip 64-bit Running Lightning Server (New) (USA) 2017
JPLAY v5.2 Hi-End Digital Transport Music Software (Poland) (New) 2015
Fidelizer Pro Windows Optimizer Music Software (New) 2016
* Power Conditioning
HiDiamond HDX2 Network Distributor AC Power Conditioner (New) (Italy) 2015
(1) Furutech GTX-D(R) Outlet Rhodium Plated (New) (Japan) 2017
(2) OYAIDE RI Beryllium Outlets (New) (Japan) 2016
(5) PS Audio Noise Harvesters (New) (USA) 2016
(2) Blue Circle Yalu Balula Industrial Surge/Spike Protection (New) (USA) 2015
Anker PowerCore 20100 Battery Bank (Powers USB for M1SE) (New) (USA) 2017
iFi Audio iPower Power Supply w/ANC+ (For W4S Remedy) (New) (UK) 2017
* Cables
HiDiamond D8 Speaker Cables 3M (Italy) (New) 2016
Furutech FT-212 Rhodium Locking Banana Plugs (Japan) (New) 2016
(5) Darwin TRUTH REFERENCE Pure Silver Interconnect (New) (USA) 2016
Tellurium Q BLACK DIAMOND 1M Reference USB Cable (New) (England) 2017
Audiocadabra Ultimas3 Silver Double-Headed USB Cable (New) (India) 2017
HiDiamond P3.5 AC Power Cable 1.0M (2A3SE-FFX MKII Amp) (New) (Italy) 2016
HiDiamond P3 AC Power Cable 2.0M (HDX2) (New) (Italy) 2016
HiDiamond P3 AC Power Cable 2.0M (Saadhana Amp) (New) (Italy) 2016
HiDiamond P3 AC Power Cable 2.0M (Saadhana Amp) (New) (Italy) 2016
HiDiamond P3 AC Power Cable 1.5M (VPI Prime) (New) (Italy) 2016
HiDiamond P3 AC Power Cable 1.0M (Auralic Aries/SBooster) (New) (Italy) 2016
HiDiamond P3 AC Power Cable 1.0M (Haniwa Audio HEQA02) (New) (Italy) 2016
AudioQuest RJ/E Vodka CAT-7 Ethernet Cable (New) (USA) 2017
(3) AudioQuest RJ/E Forrest CAT-7 Ethernet Cables (New) (USA) 2017
(2) Nordost Blue Haven BNC Digital Cable (For W4S Remedy) (New) (USA) 2017
MIT Terminator-3 Silver 1M Digital RCA Cable (USA) (New) 2012
Tara Labs Prism 100dx-1 1M Optical Digital Cable (USA) (New) 2015
AudioQuest OPTINK-G 5M Optical Digital Cable (USA) (New) 2008
(2) DH Labs Silver Sonic D-75 RCA Digital Cable (USA) (New) 2015
AudioQuest GO-4 72v DBS 8FT Speaker Cables (USA) (New) 2015
* Stands/Racks/Footers
(1) Michigan Maple Isolation Platform AUD19163 19"x17"x3" (New) (USA) 2017
(4) BRIGHT STAR - IsoNodes Component Footers (USA) (New) 2017
(1) Custom Oak & Steel 3 Unit Wide Audio Rack (USA) (New) 2017
(4) Audio Selections - Large Cone (1.25") Component Footers (USA) (New) 2017
(4) Audio Selections - Support Disc Component Footers (USA) (New) 2017
(2) Salamander Amplifier Stands (USA) (New) 2015
(14) Sets of 4 - Audio Isolation Footers - Cork/Sorbane (USA) (New) 2016
(2) Neutrik NA2FPM XLR Transformers (USA) (New) 2015
(2) Pasternack 6dB Attenuators (USA) (New) 2015
(2) Canare BCJ-XJ-TRB Balun AES to BNC Female Converters (USA) (New) 2015
(2) 12V Filtered Power Supplies (South Korea) (New) 2015
* Video/Audio
Video: Samsung UN65KS8000F ‑ 65" LED Smart TV ‑ 4k (South Korea) 2017
Video: Pioneer Elite SC-57 9.1 Channel 1260 Watt Network AVR (Japan) 2014
Video: Denon 2910 SACD/DVD, Apple TV, Boxee Box, iPad Air, iPad Mini, ChromeCast
The class-leading VPI Prime turntable does the award-winning Scout line proud and comes complete with everything you need to get incredible sonic presentations from your vinyl collection. Enhancing the original Scout chassis, Prime includes an updated ten-inch 3D-printed tonearm with on-the-fly adjustability. A new cylindrical motor housing, platter/bearing with high tolerance, two-inch album platter that can accept the VPI Outer Ring Clamp (sold separately), and set of high-tech aluminum feet featuring an upgraded cone cup with ball bearings complete this savvy design. All told, Prime epitomizes high-end value. Backed by our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee!
"Mat Weisfeld has taken VPI to the next level on so many fronts... Prime takes advantage of all this, offering an 20-pound platter, with one of their new 3D printed tonearms and a proven upgrade path with VPI accessories to take the performance of this table even further, once you get in the groove with it."
– TONEAudio, Publisher's Choice Award
"You get the 'table, with its high mass aluminum alloy platter and a ten inch 3D printed arm makes the VPI Prime a difficult-to-beat turntable/arm at the $4000 price point. Why? Because the Prime does everything well, it's that good!"
– Michael Fremer, Stereophile/Analog Planet
Hand-Built in the U.S.A., Includes Updated 3D-Printed Tonearm and VTA Mounting Base
Prime includes a VPI 300RPM motor inside an 8-pound steel-machined chassis. This powerful motor drives the 20-pound VPI Classic platter with inverted bearing, producing a level of speed stability unmatched at this price. Wow and flutter, as well as rumble, are well below audible levels. Prime's tonearm happens to be a brand-new incarnation of VPI's ingenious 10-Inch JMW Classic 3D tonearm. The arm is shaped like that of the Classic 3 , and includes large stabilizing side weights, an adjustable counterweight, and copper-shielded internal wiring. It also comes with VPI's calibrated "Adjustable VTA-on-the-Fly" mounting base. The sensual chassis is painted with an anti-resonant paint and is a composite of MDF and 10-gauge steel for added rigidity, mass, and damping.
"It's like putting you in the control room where the master tape is playing. Tiny, nuanced gestures normally lost in the mix are resolved easily here – not in a surgical strike on all things audio, but like an honest, blameless reference point that we should ultimately strive to achieve."
– Alan Sircom, Hi-Fi+
Future-Proofed With Modification Options, All You Need Is a Cartridge (Which We'll Mount for Free)
Over the course of the past decade, VPI's Scout Series has helped countless music lovers get more from the grooves of their vinyl collections. Prime enhances every aspect of the venerable Scout. The best part is this wonderful 'table will have options for further modification in the future. At present, VPI's Outer Ring Clamp and ADS speed control drive-system can be added anytime. So you can rest assured Prime will never suffer from obsolescence. Call us to discuss the cartridge of your choice (we will happily mount it for free). And as always, we guarantee your satisfaction.
"The VPI Prime is an incredible turntable for $3,999. It looks great, sounds great, feels substantial when you set it up, and is easily upgraded for even more performance."
– Jeff Dorgay, TONEAudio
To paraphrase the great American inventor, Homer J. Simpson; “3D Printers…is there anything they can’t do?” The 3D printer may eventually become as common as the personal computer, but for now they remain relegated to those with deep pockets and/or plenty of venture capital.
The entrepreneurial few who have taken the leap and invested or borrowed hundreds of thousands of dollars for a 3D printer are certainly on the leading edge of manufacturing, and it’s encouraging to see that people are thinking outside the box in regard to what a 3D printer can make. Everything from toys to printed exoskeletons for children with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita have been printed so far, which will hopefully inspire others to develop even more exciting products to better the human experience.
But where we would really like to see some movement on the 3D printing front is in the consumer electronics category. We can’t wait to print our own loudspeaker cabinets. And imagine printing your own headphones one day – they could be customized to the exact measurements of your head and adorned with your own artwork.
Well, one CE manufacturer isn’t waiting for the future. VPI Industries, best known for its record cleaning machines and award-winning turntables, decided last year to start development of its first direct drive turntable, due to debut at the New York Audio Show on April 12. VPI already manufactures its own aluminum tonearms for its tables, but for its new statement piece, VPI turned to a design firm in Pennsylvania to develop the world’s first synthetic 10-inch tonearm, created by a 3D printer.
The tonearm is a one-piece structure, from its head shell to its counterweight stub. It’s manufactured from an epoxy-plastic that is incredibly lightweight and rigid. VPI hopes to make the tonearm available in 9-inch, 10-inch, and 12-inch lengths for its own tables and those of others.
We were invited for a private listening session at VPI where the 3D printed tonearm was installed on the company’s new Classic Direct turntable with a $220 Grado Gold phono cartridge. For comparison purposes, VPI CEO, Harry Weisfeld, played the same five records on a VPI Classic 3 turntable using one of its standard metal tonearms paired with an $8,000 cartridge from German manufacturer, Clearaudio. A monster three-channel amplifier from McIntosh and a pair of 40 year-old JBL loudspeakers large enough to house a small family rounded out the test system.
The 3D printed tonearm with the $220 cartridge punched out some of the German’s teeth before ultimately losing on points, but it made us think long and hard about spending more on a phono cartridge if that much performance can be dragged out of something as entry-level as the Grado Gold. The tonearm/table combination certainly made a huge impact on the overall sound quality; the new table/arm combination may cost close to $20,000 in the end, but the impact of the 3D printed tonearm was profound.
The $220 Grado, which we’ve heard on far more affordable tables such as the Pro-Ject RPM5.1, Rega RP3, and VPI Traveler, sounded quicker, more detailed, and the soundstage sounded like it grew by a few feet in each direction. The difference in vocal reproducton between the Grado and crazy-expensive Clearaudio cartridge narrowed by a considerable margin with the 3D printed arm factored in.
Cost and manufacturing time will certainly limit how many 3-D printed tonearms VPI can sell at this point. The first arm took more than 24 hours to print, but as 3D printing technology evolves and printing costs drop, it may become possible for VPI and other turntable manufacturers to offer state of the art products like this for a lot less money.
The world’s first 3D printed turntable? Possibly just around the corner.
:: Super Low Impedance MC Cartridge ::
With MC Cartridge, if the coil turn is made less to reduce its impedance, the output voltage also becomes lower. We have overcome this problem by adopting the special high-μ material SH-μX for its core, the thick oxygen-less copper of 0.5μm for its coil, and the powerful Neodymium magnet for its magnetic circuit. The result is the unprecedented super low impedance of 0.8Ω with the high output of 0.35mV. With its pure Boron cantilever, the highest tracking fidelity is obtained to pick up whole of the music signals cut into the record groove.
The inductance of cartridge is as important as its impedance. The lower inductance, realized by reducing the coil turns, improves the phase characteristics of cartridge. By this, the peak of pulse response gets higher, and the trangent response sharper. This sharpness of sound creates the natural presence of music, as if players are performing just in front of you.
It is finished with the dignity to match its high performances, having aluminum alloy body with japan-like surface.
NOTE :
It is recommended to reduce the wiring impedance inside the player system, so that you can enjoy the best of HCTR01.
:: Phase Variance less than ±1º ::
The cartridge and the phono equalizer are inseparable to perform at their best. HEQA01 provides HCTR01 the additional electromagnetic damping, so that the cantilever is controlled its jumpy motion even under the needle pressure of less than 1g.
When you use HEQA01 and HCTR01 together, we recommend to set the needle pressure at 0.6g - 1.0g. By this set up, you can enjoy the best performance of HCTR01, and the sharpest trangent response.
The circuit of HEQA02 is successfully suppressing the phase shift while realizing the precise equalization.
This is an an ideal partner for HCTR01 mkII (ultra low inductance MC cartridge), with its special input stage circuit designed specifically to match the extraordinary low inductance and impedance.
The equalizing circuit is NF+CR type, adjusting the lower frequency range to RIAA curve by NF low boost circuit, and then rolling off the high frequency range by CR circuit.
Due to the phase sensitive design policy, the output from the RIAA equalization has, flat gain and phase curves over full range of audio bandwidth, boosting less than ±1° phase deviation over 20Hz through 20kHz, and RIAA deviation of less than ±0.2dB.
This beautiful amp was hand built custom by Frank at Triode Labs with all of the very best Premium Boutique Parts offered for this amp. The goal was build the very best this great little company can offer and its sounds Glorious. Here is the information:
Triode Lab 2A3SE-FFX Amplifier (9/2016)
- Mundorf Silver in Oil Caps for the 2A3s
- Mundorf EVO Oil Caps for the Input
- Mundorf M Lytics HV Power Supply E Cap
- Cardas Rhodium Premium RCA Posts
- Cardas Pure Copper Speaker Terminal Binding Post 4-8-16 Ohms
- Furutech Rhodium IEC Inlet and corresponding Power Hardware
- Audio Consulting Pure Silver Input Signal Wires
- AmTrans Gold Signal Wires in all Critical Areas
- Soundcoat Premium Damping Sheet (bottom plate)
- Upgraded Machined Aluminum Vibration Control Footers
- Custom Automotive Paint Finish - Outsourced - Mclaren SLR Orange - Powder Coat Baked - Premium Gloss
- Full Suite of Upgraded Exotic Hashimoto Output Transformers and Chokes (The finest from Tokyo, Japan)
- Hashimoto Power Transformers (The finest from Tokyo, Japan)
- NOS tubes 2x CBS JAN 5692, 2x Ken Rad VT-231, 2x RCA VT-231 Gray Glass, 2x RCA Coin Base 6SN7GTA, 1 x Mullard GZ34) plus another half dozen of 6SL7GT and others.
- Brand New Output Tubes 2x 2A3C's and KR Audio 2A3 tube