Hi Jeff... To be honest is probably to soon to say... BUT I feel like they are belonging really to the next level. The music comes to you more effortlessy but at the same time with much more energy on all the spectrum... I have never been so happy even the speakers are barely 20 hrs on them... I am sure, based on the experience with the Violon that 6 months from now all the fluidity will be there and the bass will become deeper and less rubbery... But it is aleady extremely good... I will work hard to take the best out of them. But I know they are great.
System edited: Recently upgraded in several aspects: 1) Atlas Speakers took Violon place 2) Viola amplifier 3) 3 arms on the AC Raven 4) Dynavector and MiYajima cartridges 5) 3 motors and heavy platter on the Raven ( now is Black Night configured 6) Air suspension foot Still working on the set up, but already very happy for what i hear
Edit: Change to the system: Changed Arm to Ikeda 407 Changed Cartridges: Now Miyajima Kansui; Shindo SPU; Jan Allaerts Boron Added step-up Miyajima Added Einstein The turntable choice Balanced
HI, yes I am working on the 12" SCHICK arm and is coming in few weeks. My first plan are to have the ZYX on the TW arm and the Zu audio 103 on the Schick. I will work as next step on upgrading the cartridges. The first thing however is to learn about the arms with Cartridges I know the behaviour of. I am planning fo MiYajima Kansui but also thinkong of Orofon.. The problem is that the new Anna costs a lot!
Nice system! I see you also have a Raven AC with the TW arm. Any plans for more arms and cartridges in the future? I have found that the TW arm has a great synergy with Ortofon cartridges.
Alan, I couldn't agree more..The recording is for me the number one variable... AND I was fortunate enought to work as studio sound engineer 20 years past... And so your point is well taken and shared.. You inspire me to pubblish my expereience with great recordings as well... Just wanted to let you know that I was bit boried with D. Krall, but I just bought the LP you recommended... I will tell you how it sounds in my listening room... Say more... suggest more...
System edited: Sound Laboratory here.... Happy to share my experience over the last 12 months.. Levinson 333 has been replaced by OTL GRAAF MONOS... Basis changed with TW acoustics Raven and EMT 950... Other changes coming.. Stay tuned
thanks for your comments. The system has evolved a lot..To your point Alan, I agree. I have been working in the 80's in recording studio... and Yes I agree.. Records quality is probably the most important variable into the chain... I will pubblish my list of records og great sound (less than 10% of my collection. I will also update you on where is my system now... In brief everythng has changed...Einstein Preamp, TW acoustics Turntable and in a few days Einstein Phono coming... I will come back and update the team here... After one year with Acapella... I can really say they are fantastic...!
Marco Have you ever been in a Professional Recording Studio at a Record Label like A&M Records? Or worked with very well know Composers,like Ray & Marc Ellis/Billie Holiday, Jim Helms/Kung Fu T.V, Series etc..etc..etc.. Engineers like Bill Lazerius&Chris Houston? And even had a Song Published? Well my friend there's a lot of great RECORDINDS and REAL BAD ONES. So when putting together any system one must take this in account.I've had many many types of equipment over the years, and to hear recordings that I've really been there at, and on the mixing too. The Theil CS6 with the real right equipment, will tell you all the great recordings, and all the VERY bad ones. Here is a great recording and everything he's done is in perfection to the art....DIANA KRALL "Love Scenses" Jazz AND HILARY HAHN/Elgar Vilon Concerto. Great Recordings.. If you live by the reviews.. You'll die by the reviews! Enjoy
Update: Quite significant changes over the last months. The Acapella forced me to change many things to get the best out of them. 1) I did change the Premaplifier: from ARC Ref3 to Einstein the Preamp 2) The cables from Pre and amp is now Acapella la Musika 3) The cables to the speakers is now Acapella la Musika I hope to have the time to descibe you the several things I discovered through those changes.
One think I want to anticipate: In case of you will decide to go for the Einstein Preamp, please be aware that Stock tubes are penalizing the pre A LOT. Make sure you change the input tubes with serios nos. The changes are HUGE (beyond what I thought).
I loved the Thiel quite much... Throught the experience with JBL I discovered however they were too mkuch on HIFi sound and that for my taste I was looking for something more bold and close to the live music.. The Acapella is the answear I found.. Yes they are very different and much closer to the real sound I have as my goal.. The Esoteric was bought for the SACD and DVD audio, but I think I will sell it soon since I probably have less that 30 hrs on it..
I love the look of your Acapella speakers! Such classy looking things. I've read that they have an incredible tweeter . . . Are they much better than your prior Thiel speakers?
Why do you have both Esoteric and Wadia CD players? Does one play a format that the other doesn't? Just curious.
Nice setup, I wish I could have a space in the attic. Yes the JBL Everest is a very nice pair of speaker to have which I have a pair and a mad collection of vintage JBL Hartsfield,JBL Paragon and Klipschorn. Been driven by vintage Mcintosh and Marantz. You could listen as well to a pair of Klipschorn as I find them value for money the dynamics are much better than the JBL. Joseph Lazaro Singapore.
system edited: small tweak I want to share: I have put wood base under the speakers. Great results. The Speakers look like matching better the room resonances now. Bass is more deep and solid and mid-high sweeter!
on 5ar4, try mullard gz-34 large base. 6l6, try GEC KT-66 or W.E 350b, will give you surprise! email me direct if you can, I have more tips for you. Cheer! Hill
