The Ayon CD-35 establishes a new benchmark in SE-Triode vacuum-tube CD/SACD-Player performance by combining a fully balanced PCM-DSD DAC. The CD-35 is also prepared for computer playback and general DSD professional audio use.
Top loading player with very solid construction and build.
McIntosh C22
A cool 1960s retro design, the C22 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier has been updated to modern standards to deliver a performance on par with any other McIntosh preamplifier. Electromagnetic input switching provides reliable, noiseless and distortion-free operation. Low distortion levels of all types are less than 0.08%, allowing music to be presented with total transparency and accuracy.
Aurender Aurender A100
A100 is, at its foundation, a streamer with support for both TIDAL and Qobuz subscription-based high-resolution streaming services and internet radio. The A100’s MQA Full-Encoder DAC provides optimal performance for streaming 10,000+ MQA albums on TIDAL.
Pure Audio Project Trio15 Coaxal
Trio15 design is an open baffle design.
The Coax10 driver features a high-end 10′′ mid-woofer with a light-paper cone and a 1/4′′ Horn tweeter with a Polymer dome (similar to our Horn1), but differently from typical configurations, both are mounted on the same axis, aka Coaxial design.
McIntosh MC275 MkVI
Power Output per Channel75W @ 4, 8 or 16 Ohms
Number of Channels2
Total Harmonic Distortion0.5% maximum harmonic distortion at any power level from 250 milliwatts to rated power, 20Hz to 20,000Hz (≤ 0.25% harmonic distortion at 1kHz)
S/N below rated output105dB
Dynamic Headroom1.2dB
Damping Factor>22
Rated Power Band20Hz to 20kHz
Frequency Response+0, -0.5dB from 20Hz to 20,000Hz +0, -3.0dB from 10Hz to 100,000Hz
Even better yet, use the Element Tungsten on your Rel B2 subwoofer and get an Element Copper/Tungsten for your PowerCell 6 SE later when you want to upgrade. ;-)
If you can, get a Element Copper/Tungsten power cord for the PowerCell 6 SE. Big upgrade and worth the extra $$. And def. get the Teslaplex SE for the outlet as well. Then I think you will have the best power set up for your application.
Did you try the silver bullets? I preferred mostly silver and maybe one or two gray ones in the mix. The black one was too dark, slow and sounded like murky waters in my system.
If you can, try a Element Copper/Tungsten on the PowerCell 6. Element Tungsten on the Source and Element Copper on the amplifier and pre-amp. Use all silver and a gray on the source or amp (Try em both). This combo will bring you a lot more of what you like.
Definitely improved the overall sound of my system. Midrange and highs really improved significantly with resolution and details. Heard more details from the instruments being played. The power cords Elements used during testing:
PreAmp - Copper Element w/Gray Bullet Amps - Tungsten Element w/ Black Bullet PowerCell 6 SE - Tungsten Element w/Gray Bullet Source -Copper Element w/Gray Bullet
I changed cords on my source and preamp and thought the highs sounded a bit harsh so what I have listed sounded the best in my system.
Most of the music I tested focused on instrumental and some vocals from Sting and Steve Winwood. A couple of David Sanbord CDs sounded really good. The Alto Sax and percussion really jumped out with incredible depth and soundstage. That was really surprising. Depending on the recording Piano, Vibes & Marimba, Drums & Timbales all had better weight and resolution.
Last track that I played was on The Police Synchronicity CD..."Tea in the Sahara." Drums and bass were very dynamic. No REL B2 just the Helicon 300s.
Steve Winwood "About Time" vocals and organ are just on cue the entire CD. Lot's of air and separation of drums and congas along with sax. Another CD The Caribbean Jazz Project "The Gathering" is fast and complex. You can hear much more details and authority with percussion and piano.
The room treatments are on hold. I've got a couple of other things to finish- nothing major. I should order them and get it over with... but I'm making notes so I can get this right. For example, the right corner has an outlet and may not fit bass corner trap may have to go with tri-panel bass trap instead.
The room is shaping up. Spouse is shopping for rugs and new chairs. Nice to have space and them some.
Finished my second day of testing PowerCell 6 and various power cords:
MC275 Element Tungsten MC500 Element Copper Emm Labs Element Copper
Mostly listened to instrumental jazz: Pat Metheny, Dave Grusin, and Yellowjackets and just touch of Steely Dan. Still getting use to my new room which is much larger than previous rooms.
What Stood Out: Extension of the highs and low frequency. Depending on instrument and recording the piano and guitar definitely where extended and not by a small margin. HIGHER much higher details especially on cymbals and percussion. Low level bass was also clearer on several tracks. That was a big surprise because I could hear more subtle bass notes in several songs I was very familiar with.
Soundstage: More holographic space with more separation of instruments. Soundstage has more depth not width.
Low Noise Floor: The bottom line is the PowerCell and power cords seems to clean up noise so the details come through.
Tuesday through Friday will focus on vocals and switching out grey and silver bullets.
All of the testing done without the use of REL B2 subwoofer.
Lapierre, just wondering if you've started listening to the Synergistic powercell and power cords you mentioned. I'm curious of your findings and how they compare to other products you may have heard.
Looking into new design that is more like a floating platform than a rack for my components. I remember reading about the root diffusors. I was thinking of doing something a bit different using smaller pegs.
Great news! New house means new dedicated music room.
I like how your components are close to the floor. Being out of the way of the soundfield. Also the isolation blocks are a great idea for the amps.One of the largest improvements to the system that I made was to add primitive root diffusors. Happy listeneing Lapiere.
Just stumbled into your post, and I'm also sorry about your misfortunes. My Brother leaves in South Florida, and lost his house back in 91, courtesy Andrew.
Wishing you all the luck with your new venture, and hoping that you'll soon be back in your comfort chair, soaking up some tunes.
By the way, impressive looking set up you got there.
Lapierre, Wow, also sorry to hear about that but hey, It could've been worse. I also made some adjustments. I just changed my system completely...again. I just posted pictures of the new system but since posting them, I've moved the speakers on either side of the tv. It actually sounds better the way it is now. I think the side wall reflections are out of the equation more. I'll post a new pic of the speakers soon. Well, best of luck in wherever you decide to move. I'm in South Jersey now but grew up not far from North Jersey....in Mercer County.
Lapierre, So sorry to read about your misfortunes. But good to know you and family are fine. I wish you well and good luck in your search for a new home. Music will eventually follow. Take care.
