Main System

by no_regrets on Done For Now

Description

This is my main system where I do my serious listening. I have tried to assemble a system that best replicates the sound of the live music that I am blest to hear weekly, from the likes of small classical works to large symphonic works, small jazz combos to big band swing. This system allows me to hear the harmonic structure of acoustic instruments, the nuances of the musician's interpretations, realistic micro and macro dynamics as well as the acoustic space of the performance. What I like best about it is that it allows me to focus on the music rather the equipment.
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Components Toggle details

    • Linn LP-12 Sondek
    Linn LP-12, DC Motor & Power Supply/Naim Aro tonearm/Benz S-Class Zebrawood Ruby ZH MC cartridge,
    • Naim Audio ARO
    Naim Aro tonearm.
    • Benz Micro Ruby ZH
    S-Class ZebraWood bodied moving coil with .7mV output
    • Naim Audio CDSII/XPS/Super Burndy
    This was at the time Naim's reference CD Player.
    • First Sound Presence Deluxe
    Dual Mono All Tubed Line Stage with Shallco Stepped Ladder Attenuators and external power supply.
    • Artemis Labs Ph-1 Phono Stage
    3 Stage all tube phono stage giving about 52dB of gain without the use of step up transformers.
    • Bel Canto Design SET-40
    Stereo Tube amplifier using a single ended triode 845 transmitting tube.
    • Dunlavy Audio Labs SCIV's Signature SC-IV
    My primary speakers
    • Wavelength Audio Cardinal X1 20th Anniversay 300B
    These are the 20th Anniversary Special Edition 300B Monoblocks which use the 6C45PI triode driving the grid choke loaded Western Electric 300B and is tube rectified by Mullard GZ34's.
    • Tannoy Monitor Gold lsu/hf/12/8 12
    Vintage 12" Monitor Golds with the doped paper surrounds, mounted in custom cabinets with updated crossovers, hardwired in bypassing the compensation controls. My secondary Speakers
    • FMS Zero
    1 meter RCA's
    • Acoustic Zen Absolute Copper RCA Interconnects and Satori Shotgun Speaker Cables
    Absolute Copper RCA Interconnects and Satori Shotgun speaker cables
    • McIntosh MR-67
    All tubed tuner
    • VPI Record Cleaner
    Wet/Dry record cleaner
    • NOS Vacuum Tubes Mullards,Telefunkens, Western Elec.
    Nos tubes used in all of my equipment.
    • Wavestream Kinetics Deluxe Level 5.1 Reference Phono Amp with Outboard Power Supply PhonoStage
    This is an amazing all tube phono amp designed by the famed Scott Frankland, that provides 62 dB of extremely low noise gain, without the use of step up devices, transformers or input FET's.  The tube compliment consists of 2 x 12AX7 and 4 x 6DJ8.  The RIAA response is accurate to within .1dB and is not affected by the load on the output.

    It has 3 inputs (two Moving Coil inputs providing 62 dB of very low noise gain that can handle cartridges with outputs ranging from .2mV to 1.2mV and also has one Moving Magnet input with 42 dB of gain.)  There is a selector on the front panel enabling you to choose which input you would like to use.  

    On the back panel, there are RCA jacks to utilize loading plugs giving you the ultimate in flexibility.  It also has both balanced and RCA inputs and outputs.  This Level 5.1 Reference version also has an outboard power supply reducing it's already ultra low noise.




    • Hirata Tango SUT Step Up Transformer
    Vintage Hirata Tango Step Up Transformers with 1:66 and 1:10.8 step up ratios.

Comments 8

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Owner
@sbank 

Hello Spencer,

It's nice of you to drop by my system page.

The Wavestream is incredible!  Quiet with my ears right up to my drivers of my Dunlavy SCIV Signatures that have 91dB sensitivity!  Naturally, quality tubes are required, but when doing so the Wavestream is as quiet if not even quieter than any solid state phono I've heard.  Plus, this design has great dynamics, tone, etc.

The Wavestream did displace my Artemis phono from my reference system, but I still own the Artemis, as it is still a very great phono stage.

Wavestream is still in business and doing very well!  I think that most owners of the Wavestream components are more interested in listening to music than frequenting the various forums.  Also, they tend to keep this gear... it's not often you ever see Wavestream being peddled on the used market.  Great designs, built like a tank, and engineered and built by the genius and great gentleman, Scott Frankland.

I finally figured out how to post pics on this forum, so I just added some from my various systems that I have throughout my home.

Wishing you all the very best!
Don

no_regrets

Hi @no_regrets, popped over here after reading your post about the Wavestream. Did that replace the Artemis? I have heard so little about Wavestream in the last decade or more, didn't even know they were still around. 
I've long lingered on going back to a tubed phono stage, but noise has always been an issue for me vs. ss phono stages. Perhaps the Wavestream would fit the bill.
How about some pics? Cheers,
Spencer

sbank

Owner
Hi Cpg9,

Sorry for the late reply, but I seldom look at this page and just now realized you had made a post. I have sent you a private message.

Best wishes,
No Regrets

no_regrets

No-Regrets - did you ever set up your second system in your 11 x 11 room (per your 2013 post on this topic)? I don't see that system listed here. I ask as i have exactly the same delema ( 9 x 11 room). I too have tried Harbeths and ATC and Fritz are on my short list. btw - I also used to own Dunlavy's (SC1).

cpg9

Owner
System edited: I just ordered the Benz Ruby ZH cartridge. The Ruby ZH has been upgraded to the full S Class status and uses a Zebra Wood body. The ZH has a .7mV output that will work nicely with my all tubed Artemis Labs PH-1 phono stage that has roughly 52dB of gain without the use of step up transformers.

no_regrets

Very nice system! I agree completely with your stated priorities and objectives, natural(realistic) music reproduction rather than obsession with the sound.

charles1dad

Owner
Thank you Pryso for your nice words and your suggestion of trying a direct drive table. I know what you mean about how some tables lacking the constant speed and how that affects the pitch stability and agree that can easily be heard on piano music. My Linn however has been greatly modified by not only replacing the AC motor with a DC motor, but also moving it to the roughly 7:30 position on the top plate and also has an elaborate DC Battery Powered supply. The pitch definition is outstanding, much better than the Valhala or Lingo's. Also, the music has much more musical detail coming from a blacker background. I've been very happy with this vinyl rig for many years, but someday when I am in the market for another table I will definately check out some various DD's.

Although I've never had the pleasure to hear the Duntech line of speakers, I can imagine how great they must have sounded. John Dunlavy really knew how to design a loudspeaker. I'm sorry that you no longer have yours and can understand why you miss them. Even after having mine for so many years, I still get goosebumps when listening to music through them. They really are capable of conveying the musical message and connecting with my emotions.

Best wishes.

no_regrets

Hi N_r,

Congrats on putting together what I assume must be a wonderful system. As you may have read in a couple of my DAL thread replies, I owned Duntech Princesses for 19 years. I loved them for all the reasons you list (although not from a musician's ear) and I miss them. Unfortunately the need to downsize is why I no longer own them.

There is one suggestion I might offer, especially if you listen to much piano music. Try a good direct drive table (Technics, Denon, Kenwood, etc.). Over the years I've owned several good belt drive tables, including Well Tempered, Oracle, SOTA, and Kuzma, and none compare to my SP-10 Mk 2. Piano music is the most obvious but everything benefits from the constant speed and drive of a good quality DD -- just forget the cheap ones that gave DD a bad name.

I'm sure your Linn is enjoyable but you may find it is not a neutral source if you make a comparison.

At any rate, happy listening.

pryso

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