Hey Charles, just wanted to say I decided to use your system as a blueprint and the switchover to Coincident has been everything you so politely advertised. The SEIIIs and Franks are really just loads ahead of the Thiel/Pass Labs (INT-30A) combo I had before. Unlike many others in the hobby, I listen to a lot of pop-rap, R&B, and electronica inspired dance stuff, and the Coincident gear is most certainly not just for jazz and classical.

Also, during the switch, I did demo the First Watt SIT-2. It imaged very spookily, but as I'm sure you expected, simply didn't recreate instruments as naturally as the Franks.

And I know it is a pain in the ass, but I suspect others would benefit from you re-filling in the system details.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the Coincident gear, not a single regret for me.

- Chris

P.S. I did not know about how differently tube amps operated vs SS, and I am so lucky I did not destroy these Franks by leaving them on without a speaker load while I was switching back and forth during amp auditioning. Probably should have read the manual...

cal3713 July 12, 2015 22:27

Spirit,
You're very pleased with the state of your system and justifiably so. This suggests that the NAT SET 211 mono blocks were the right direction/choice for you (I'm not the least bit surprised).
Charles,

charles1dad July 02, 2015 01:36

Hi Spirit,
Nice to hear from you. I am very happy for your successful results given that 4K isn't a trivial amount of money especially when spent on capacitors. I happen to believe that the Duelund CAST are a superior quality product and justify their cost. I feel that you would agree with with the high esteem I have for them. They have been stellar additions in my speakers and DAC and epitomizes natural sound reproduction and increasedmusical/emotional involvement. You'll forever appreciate this decision every time you listen to your music. I certainly do.
Charles,

charles1dad July 02, 2015 01:30

Charles, just installed Duelund caps on my Zu Def 4s tweeter filter network and Lundahl Hypex sub bass amps.
A true Eureka moment, and these special spkrs have taken yet another leap fwd, the biggest yet, and maybe the last save for a few power related changes.
First the mids and highs were a lot sweeter than I expected, since the fear w/Duelunds is that they can be pretty meh out of the box. What a bonus, and now so much to look fwd to over the next 500 hrs of break in.
But it's the sub bass that is most spectacular. First the new modules have cleared up some persistent hum/noise the original amp modules were prone to. Second, the bass is just a quantum leap better in all respects - cleaner, punchier, more extended, just the right amount of warmth, and behaving like true sub bass for the first time, agile, sledgehammer, but w/zero overhang. My $4k has been really well spent, what an understatement!

spiritofmusic July 01, 2015 23:22

OK I can rest at night now.

jwm June 23, 2015 17:34

Jeff, don't fret. As long as it has more artistic merit than an ER polaroid, you are safe from me....

agear June 20, 2015 20:43

LOL!

lak June 20, 2015 19:44

Jeff,
Be aware that by posting pictures you'll be subject to harsh critical analysis of photography quality. It's a cruel world.
Charles,

charles1dad June 20, 2015 00:21

Agear, I know I'm so bad with those pictures.

jwm June 20, 2015 00:15

Thanks Jeff. I just need to chat with Viva about the voltage issues.

The Absolare is a dream amp along with the Chalice stuff. Still looking forward to those pictures....:)

agear June 19, 2015 18:47

Charles is right the 845 Elrog is way way way better than any other 845 I had and by a wide margin.

jwm June 19, 2015 17:11

Agear,
I feel much more comfortable making recommendations regarding the 300b tube as opposed to the 845 tubes. My 845 experience is based on listening to Jwm's Absolare PSET amp. The Pavane W.E. Replica was clearly better than the cheaper Chinse tubes and his NOS RCAs. The results could be different with other brands of 845 amplifiers but it was certainly easy to hear with Jeff's amplifier.
Charles,

charles1dad June 17, 2015 19:32

Charles, the single word descriptor under your system intro page describes precisely how I feel inside about the photographs of your system.

Charles, the lead engineer at Viva recommends basic Sino 845s for the Solista. I have not tube rolled yet, but the stumbling block (apparently) is the high voltage. I am supposed to use 845s that can support it (845A or B?). Any recommendations? The US distro for Viva (Bob Clark) and other end users all recommend the basic Sinos and say the sonic differences of Gucci tubes are minimal.

Bill, you need to resurrect your system thread. How did the surgery go?

agear June 17, 2015 13:42

I also love reading your system page and look forward to your latest findings Jet.

grannyring June 06, 2015 18:04

Hi Jet,
I've enjoyed following your system thread and explorations concerning your custom 300b SET amplifier. So I look forward to your impressions of the Audio Note power supply capacitors. I am very curious to see how they affect the sound compared to the oil and also the polypropylene capacitors.

charles1dad June 06, 2015 11:08

Bill, I was thinking the same thing about your amp. It is sounding so good, its in the sweet spot -:) I wouldn't upset the apple cart by changing parts at this time.

Pretty soon I'll have something to say about the new AN Kaisei power supply caps, but so far every time I've got home from work this week the sound of these caps change and I have no idea how long the break in takes.

Regards to all of you SET guys and here's to a great weekend!

jetrexpro June 05, 2015 23:32

Bill,
Wow! A person with your experience/talent not modifying your amplifier is a significant occurrence and speaks to your satisfaction with it. I would have thought that the temptation/opportunity is too great for you to resist. Just as Joe said, it's so nice to be at a point where you can't wait to turn on your system and just enjoy music. Joe you nailed it.
Charles,

charles1dad June 05, 2015 21:06

Joe, this is indeed a great place to be. Hard, so hard, to get here. Fun all along the way and so much learning.

grannyring June 05, 2015 20:45

Charles, I am leaving it alone. I decided to not mod the amp at all. It just sounds so good that I don't care about some electrolytic caps inside.

I will buy gear that needs work and mod, then sell to keep my DIY side happy!

grannyring June 05, 2015 20:42

Bill,
It's nice to get to a point after all these years where we are finally content with our system. I'm happy for you.
I'm at that point also, and every time I turn on my system it puts a smile on my face. No more analyzing the sound just sitting back and thoroughly enjoying the music.

Joe

snopro June 05, 2015 18:04

Bill,
I get your point, it is a matter of getting the right mix of components. This does require some trial and error effort but is worth the time. Given where you are at this point in time, there's no logical reason to upset this terrific balance you have.Is your personality that of one who can't leave well enough alone?
Charles,

charles1dad June 05, 2015 17:52

I agree Charles. What is interesting is the fact that I have owned several very good 2a3, 45, and 300b SET amps over the years. Amps with James, Magnequest,and ElectraPrint transforms and very good power supplies. SET amps that were paired with SET appropriate speakers like Cain & Cain single driver horn speakers and Silverline.

But never have I heard the kind of natural realism I know have.I have arrived at a grouping of components that have a special synergy it seems.

I will go on record right here, right now, and say I will not break this system up for at least 6-8 years. Ha! Need to make myself accountable :)

grannyring June 05, 2015 17:07

Bill,
In my opinion one very important factor in your success is choosing a serious, well designed and well implemented SET amplifier. Your Larry Moore amplifier is far superior to your past SET(P) Dennis Had amp.which IMO is just a decent budget type of amplifier(small,cheap transformers/power supply). YourMonaco 845 resides in a much higher tier and complements the rest of your system.
Charles,

charles1dad June 05, 2015 03:55

Hi Bill,
I am very happy that venturing down that pathway has been so sucessful for you. It completely changed my perspective and significantly increase my enjoyment of listening to music six years ago. So of course I know The joy and complete satisfaction you are experiencing at this point. DHT SET is a superb foundation to achieve fully emotionally satisfying music in the home as far as I'm concerned. And yes the of Yamamoto DAC is the ideal partner for this type of presentation. I am utterly pleased with this type of system.
Charles,

charles1dad June 05, 2015 03:16

Thanks Jeff!

grannyring June 05, 2015 02:29