Audiophile Heaven Antwerp

by mtkhl567 on Done For Now

Description

Dear fellow audiophiles and other readers. Audiophile Heaven has successfully moved into its new home from the US. The speaker placement has now been optimized. In the end I moved them closer together and moved the listening sofa a bit forward which increased the soundstage definition and coherence.

Now the area to improve on are general acoustics of the room. To that effect I will place in due cource some furnitures (bookshelves, CD racks) against walls. Plants also help to naturally diffuse soundwaves. I will consider also some Shakti and Sound Resonator products later. I already changed the carpet from the one in the picture, to a larger one.

The installation of the GPA Monaco record player was professionally performed by my american dealer Barry Konigsberg of Transparent Music Systems, Macungie PA. I flew him over especially to ensure that I wouldn't foul things up. I have to say that the professional installation process is IMHO not something you can do right by yourself when you have NEVER done this before. Especially the unusual Dynavector arm is a high tech mechanical piece of art that has many adjustable pieces, and miniature screws, of which some are spring loaded etc. Needless to say that was a worthwhile investment in Barry's time. And I much appreciate him and his lovely wife taking the time out to come and visit us this January.

As those of you whole followed my threads since 2006 may have noticed I have taken a relatively short period to arrive at what I perceive to be one of the penultimate systems today. And at the pinnacle of that journey is the discovery of vinyl as the best experience to enjoy music reproduction. Don't get me wrong, there is much music out there on CDs that is great, most not available on vinyl, and some that is unbelievably well recorded. But none of that reaches the level of reality, palpability, and emotional connectivity as the very best vinyl does. The only caviat is that you have to be able to listen past some of the noise that comes with vinyl. And I'm such a fan of the dark inky black silence in some musical passages and great dynamic ranges! Especially on great classical recordings, but also some great female vocal recordings. Oh well, there's always a tradeoff somewhere. In any case music on this system just seems to float in my room, there is a sense of nearness to the performance. The giant speakers just "disappear" when your eyes are closed. The bass/mid/tweeter integration is seamless, the adjustability of the speaker to the room is absolutely fantastic. The base is extremely tuneful and not obtrusive, no booming. Micro detail is abundant, and as the system still keeps breaking in detail emerges that keeps your head shaking in disbelief. Micro detail that was otherwise heard before takes on a more clear defined dimension. In the next couple of months the system will be finally fully broken in and if what I am hearing now will still keep on improving... I have to come to the conclusion that I have made the best choice of components possible. And none of the choices were by contribution of ANY professional audiophile magazine/review(er), but by lengthy auditions and reading about other audiophile experiences.

Over the past two years I have amassed about 1500 CDs, now its vinyl's turn. I've started with about 300 LPs and slowly growing, some new and some handed down from the "family archives". There is so much vinyl to be discovered, and it doesn't even have to be very expensive. Of course there is the higher maintenance, but that comes with the hobby. Reminds me to get a record cleaner some time soon! Loricraft or Haenl? Later.

Long live the Audiophile hobby! May many (re)discover what it is to really sit down and listen to music as it was intended to sound like. For what would we be without that?

Constructive comments are always welcome.
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Components Toggle details

    • EMM Labs CDSA SE Digital Source
    CD/SACD player upsamples to 5.6Mhz thru Meitner proprietary signal processing technology, and sports the worlds first and only discrete dual differential D/A conversion circuit. Using aerospace-grade composite laminate circuit boards provide superior performance enhancing musical reproduction. I never turn the player off, so the power supply is warm at all times. The player reaches its best after being on about 48 hours. It is much more analog sounding than when switching on/off every day.
    • Playback Designs MPS-5 CD/SACD Player
    New CDP ... burning in 500 hrs (or 3 weeks non-stop) for optimum performance level. USB input, BNC 50 Ohm output (to Dartzeel pre-amp), easy SW upgrades, Esoteric transport, awesome DAC. Sleek modern design, nice metal blue backlit remote. Among the very top, if not the best, one box players around! I took off the standard feet and replaced them with GPA Apex feet with upgraded nitrate balls ... takes this CDP even higher!
    • Grand Prix Audio Apex Feet for CDP (x3)
    I have 3 of these with upgraded nitrate ball bearings under the CDP for increased space and definition. Well worth it, highly recommended.
    • Grand Prix Audio Monaco Turntable Analog Source
    Connected to the right system, with the Stealth Hyperphono cable and Dynavector's 507Mk2 arm & XV-1s cartridge this turntable will convert a diehard digital guy into analog. It did for me! This is easily the most simple component once setup. It consumes no power, doesn't need warming up, a true gem. I'm not surprised at all that HiFi+, the well respected audiphile magazine from the UK, declared the Monaco 2009 product of the year. Congrats Alvin!
    • Dynavector DV-507 Mk2 Arm
    Among a handful of the best out there. A proven design that has been around for decades. A true audiophile piece with a bit of weight. Adjustability options are easy and in extremely small steps.
    • Dynavector DV DRT XV-1s Cartridge
    Matching cartridge for the arm/tt. Many respected audiophiles and reviewers out there respect this cartridge to be among the best there is, with a superbly tracking needle combined with maximum detail and dynamics.
    • Stealth Audio Cables Hyperphono phono cable
    Superb phono cable to transport that delicate signal to the phono stage in the Dartzeel NHB 18-ns. This phono cable ranks up there among the best today.
    • DartZeel NHB-18 NS Battery Powered Pre-Amp
    Never heard before 18 no switches. This pre-amp is amazing. Michael Fremer, with regret, came to the conclusion that it smokes his recently purchased Musical Fidelity pre (see his review) and Manley Steelhead phono stage! Battery powered, extreme short signal path, revolutionary volume control that does not touch the signal path, fantastically quiet phono stage, Zeel 50 Ohm connections. An absolute marvel.
    • DartZeel NHB-108 Model One Poweramp
    Never heard before 108 model one. This is the latest B-version with auto dc compensation. I have the dc compensation turned off and manually biased the outputs. I changed the voltage myself. It is extremely transparent, fast, natural sounding power-amp I heard. It's head and shoulders above my previous reference, the ML 33h. And to top it off its a true piece of eye candy!
    • Grand Prix Audio Monaco Isolation Amp Stand
    For DartZeel NHB-108 model one power amp. Its a tri-pod and is waiting to be upgraded with the racing shelve and apex feet.
    • Evolution Acoustics MM3 Full Range Speakers
    The next step in audio. At -6db 7Hz-77Khz, reported to have hit 3Hz at a high-end show! These speakers are awesomely beautiful and massive and still have the awesome capability to disappear entirely and leaving you just with the music. 4 powered subwoofers (1000 watts) treated paper in a closed cabinet design, adjustable for x-over, volume, bass style (tight vs full), octaves, and a rumble filter for vinyl lovers. I love the bass speed of this design, and the fact that it goes extremely low. The Aurum Cantus tweeter is also adjustable by -11db. The powered subwoofer takes the sonic character of the Dartzeel poweramp exactly because its not an active subwoofer. The midranges are the well known Accuton ceramic ones that many top designs use. These replaced my beautiful SF Stradivaries ... with no regrets. And what is unbelievable they've appreciated in value since I got them!
    • Acoustic Arts Powercord Silver (x2)
    Silver powercord for the powered MM3 class D amps. Needed a sound but cheaper solution to go with the power strip.
    • Evolution Acoustics 1 Meter RCA Interconnect
    Same as internal speaker wiring. This interconnect smoked my prior reference the balanced NO Valhalla. Massive, needs room, l+r connectors cannot be too close due to the big and oh so solid terminations. Comes in a flight case.
    • Evolution Acoustics 2 x 3 Meters Double Runs
    Same as internal speaker wiring. Two dubble runs, one for the plus one for the minus. They easily creamed my Valhalla speaker cable in a direct a/b comparison before I changed from my previous system. They are resting on 8 ceramic cable elevators for improved space and clarity.
    • Jena Labs Model One Powercord (x2)
    AC filter power cord, beat my prior $3000 Gutwire handsdown! Uncompromising. One is conncting my power-amp, the other the CDP.
    • Marantz ST-17 Tuner
    Old tuner that I had lying around. You know the downside on radio frequency band etc. But when I listen to my favorite local classical music station I actually hear a lot of the originla recording, microdynamic detail that I didn't expect to hear through radio with cheap monster interconnects. Fantastic! Wonder how the Accuphase T1000 would sound with some real good interconnects...
    • Accustic Arts Silver Interconnect
    From tuner to pre-amp. Cheap solution replacing my Oehlbach XXL interconnects.
    • Finite Elemente Pagode Master Ref Isolation Rack
    5 shelve black and aluminium. I love the thought and technology that went into this rack design. The shelves are variable in height (except top and bottom) and they are resting on Cerabase feet. Will be replaced by GPA at some point in time.
    • Finite Elemente Cerabase Isolation Feet (x4)
    A must with the Pagode MR rack.
    • Acoustic Arts Active 6 Powerstrip (x2)
    As solid as they come, with net filter, digital and analog sections. Good value.
    • Acoustic System Resonators (x15)
    1 platinum, 2 special gold, 2 gold, 7 silver, 2 basic, infinitely tunable, lot's of fun and UNBELIEVABLE positive impact. No other room treatment or component could do this, ever! One silver in the kitchen fridge! Read up reviews on 6moons.com
    • Acoustic System Sugar Cubes (2x17)
    Tuning devices. 6moons review. I have two sets, also in my bedroom, we really do sleep deeper and better!
    • Acoustic System Phase Corrector (x1)
    Phase correction behind the speakers when reflected sound inverts naturally, ingenious!
    • Acoustic System Diffusor (x4)
    Diffuses resonating surfaces, three behind the speakers on the windows, one under the power-amp.
    • HannL Mera EL Record Cleaning Machine
    Modern RCM that doesn't take forever to clean, has variable speed turning left and right, variable suction helps too. Using the HannL standard X2000 cleaning fluid for now. Dustcover from HannL to fit exactly, pretty good looking if I may say so! For all vinyl lovers, this is an absolute must have!
    • IKEA Hemnes Stand
    Dedicated RCM (night!)stand with a handy storage space for cloths, fluids and other accessories, 15x15x30 (WxDxH) inches. The height is perfect, no bending forward needed as the record is cleaned at about 42 inches off the ground.
    • Ceramic Cable Elevators (x8)
    Ceramic cable elevators, four each side under the double run Evolution Acoustics speakers wires. It helps to space the double runs the recommended 2 inches apart better.

Comments 207

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Henry, let me ask you about the Evolution cables. I have decided that I will get these at some point down the line. I will probably get the single run due to price :). Based on your little blurb about them in the equipment section, I guess you like them. Right now I have older Transparent Audio plus level cables. Can you just explain a little bit on the changes you experienced? Thanks

mikeduke

Owner
Thanks Gary for the advice, like Skamok, its very very hard not to listen to the player before 250 hours are there. Unlike some, I haven't got a long trip planned to help me out with my impatience :-))

Shamok, like Gary said, things will dramatically improve further from what you are experiencing now ... its mindboggling, that's all I can say!

mtkhl567

Henry,
At the 250 hr point is where you will finally hear what this player is all about. The changes are hard to believe strictly as a result of burn-in. Of all the players I have owned or heard this one is the closest to analog.
Well worth the wait.

grr6001

Well, I've got 5 hours on it now. I can't believe how much it has changed! All for the better. Bass is deep and rock solid, dynamic range is insane, cymbals shimmer to infinity and beyond, female vocals make me want to cry. In other words, it is starting to sound just the way I thought it would. Gonna go listen some more-I can't wait for tomorrow.

skamok

Owner
Put in a CD, turn off the display, and forget about it for a day at least ... then some of the magic starts coming through ... 36 hrs for me now! Sorry, there's no way to speed up time :-)))

mtkhl567

Hey Henry, I auditioned the players at Dale's, Jonathan was kind enough to set this up for me. I don't know how you were able to wait that long!
This is a huge purchase for me, there is no way I can afford this, but I did it anyway. I just have this idea of how it will sound here when burned in. Right out of the box it sounds kind of nasty, but I can hear it getting better after just a few minutes of play. Thanks for the tip about alternating cd's and sacd's.

skamok

Owner
I know what you're going through, mine sat in customs for 6 days ... what a pain or rather agony that was. You'll get it today if its planned. OK so you auditioned at Kevin's? My player is indeed on repeat with one day an SACD the other XRCD, complex classic stuff (Mahler, Mendelsohn)

You know its worth the wait! Enjoy...

mtkhl567

It's here, now I don't have to explode!

skamok

If that truck doesn't show up pretty soon I'm going to explode! I'm really getting excited about this.
Henry, the system was quite similar to yours, the speakers were the prototype of yours with a DartZeel amp, I'm not sure about the pre. Are you putting the player on repeat, or just leaving it on? We also just used the PD remote for both players. I hope that truck gets here soon.

skamok

Owner
Thanks Dan for sharing that, in what system did you listen to the PD? I've stopped listening for the moment, the hour to hour improvements drive me mad! I'll have a good listen to it again after 96 hours (4 days makes that Sunday afternoon), its 34 hours so far and burning...

Just noticed today that the PD remote also triggers the Emm CDSA (!), now I can play two of the same discs and a/b very easily :-)))

mtkhl567

Mike, I also have a Esoteric, mine is a DV-50 modded by TRL twice. I took it to Portland when I listened to the other players as a baseline. It was similar to the EMM, but the Playback was a lot different.
Henry, I didn't get a chance to listen to the players in my own home,but I have an idea about how it will sound here. Soundstage wasn't the only thing I noticed, but I have never felt the sensation of vertigo in audio before! This player just did everything better than the other two.
The rest of my system is Bat VK 51se, 55se and Avantgarde Duo 3.2's
I just got an email saying that I will get delivery today, this is going to be interesting!
Dan

skamok

Owner
System edited: Updated some of the pics

mtkhl567

Owner
Thanks Bob, with less than a day on it ~21 hours its already starting to open up nicely. You do immediately notice the larger and deeper soundstage compared to what I was used to. But also some more microdetail is starting to emerge, as well as a increased natural tonality that I noticed at first. Did you burn in CD and SACD separately?

This is a real treat indeed!

mtkhl567

Henry, just wait until that new CDP has about 250 hours on it. If your experience is consistent with mine, you will hear the performance of your new player take a dramatic turn for the better somewhere between 100 and 250 hours. I can't be more precise than that, because the improvement in the sound of my player occurred while I was traveling one week with the player burning in 24/7 while I was away. When I returned home at the end of that week, it was as if someone had snuck into my house and switched out the CD player.

You're in for a real treat...

cincy_bob

Owner
Dan, I hope you listened to both in your own system/room, there is more to music than a large sound stage ... what strikes me most is its natural tonality

But yes, you should be getting very excited, because for me too, after about 10 hours or so going back to the CDSA is just not likely ... it was like going from the Accuphase DP77 to the Emm CDSA all over again ...

... anyone out there interested in a 2nd hand CDSA (230V)?

mtkhl567

Driving you crazy? At least you are getting one :). All I have is my Esoteric DV50s. I kid of course. What I heard was very impressive. To me, the only way I can explain it is that it did not sound like a cd player. It sounded totally natural. Really the first time that it has ever happened.

mikeduke

You guys are driving me crazy! I'm getting mine tomorrow or the next day and I'm really getting excited!! I also listened to the CDSA SE and the MPS-5 at the same time and to my ears there was no choice for me. The soundstage of the MPS-5 is LARGE, I can't wait.
Dan

skamok

Owner
Mike, its been burning in since I received it this morning 11am CET, and believe me after about 8 hours now its already putting a BIG FAT SMILE on my face :-)))

Briefly I did an a/b after 3 hours with Friday Night In San Francisco (Di Meola, McLaughlin, De Lucia) live recording from 1980 CD vs vinyl. I know its not fair, and the MPS-5 couldn't get anywhere close to vinyl ... BUT ... what I heard through the MPS-5 wasn't bad at all, surely too thin and closed by comparison. I hope to redo this comparison when there are a couple of hundred hours on the MPS-5.

The MPS-5 will only get better from here ... I have the unique opportunity to a/b the PD MPS-5 against the Emmlabs CDSA SE too over a longer period ... since I own both and maybe more relevant.

Maybe I should start a seperate thread...

mtkhl567

That's great Henry.
When I heard it at Barry's place, I really liked it a lot. I am sure that over time, as it it "settles" in, you will get the same sound that Barry has, which is a great sounding player.

mikeduke

Owner
... ofcourse I'm referring to the Playback Designs MPS-5 CDP, and yes it's powercord is my active Jena Labs Model One. 2 hours into the burn-in its starting to get much better already, highs are opening up, speed has improved, the three dimensional soundstage is huge. It can't get near my GPA tt yet, but its not a fair comparison at this stage ...

mtkhl567

Owner
System edited: CDP arrived today, after spending some time with customs authorities, who eventually decided it was kosher to have it delivered to me. Out of the box it sounds extremely promising, highs are still closed, base is a bit wooly, slightly slow at the start, but already promising midrange bloom against a black background. Diana Krall, Thad Jones, John Coltrane will do the losening up today. I'm using the massive Evolution Acoustics interconnect and 3 GPA Apex feet. Will update my view later...

mtkhl567

Hi Henry,
Nice Media storage. Any words on the Playback Design Player?

grr6001

Owner
System edited: Well I finally got a dedicated RCM stand at IKEA with a lamp. Waiting for the RCM cover from HannL to finish it off. Nice little storage cabinet for all kinds of stuff beneath. While I was at IKEA I saw the Benno CD rack solution, at 13 ct/CD stored it doesn't get much cheaper than that! Took me half a day to put the whole thing together, but it was time well spend. Actually need more CD storage space, what you see there is about 1300 of my some 2000 CDs.

mtkhl567

Owner
System edited: Record cleaning machine that rotates left and right, with variable torque and suction. Same the the $3600 Acoustic Sounds Ultra, except 40% cheaper in Europe, for a change! Initial impressions, static build up is gone and yes vinyl is much quieter. Now I have to experiment with fluids. Anyone with suggestions, please come forward.

mtkhl567

On my system, the result was not subtle. I started hearing vocals, and music that I never heard before. On your system, with your gear, the results would be quite pleasing I am sure.

mikeduke

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