Description

After adding a large attached garage to our country home, I decided to turn the existing 25 x 23.5 x 10 two stall garage into my audio/video/writing getaway. After all, my space in the family room was getting crowded.

What an education in acoustics! Going from a 7 foot ceiling with lots of soft surfaces to admittedly challenging dimensions and a painted concrete floor, my system’s debut in the new room was inauspicious. All sorts of echo, which mushed the high frequencies. Whereas the previous location had lent itself to a very precise presentation, this was a big disappointment. Not anymore.

After adding furniture and Auralex absorption and diffusion tiles, a couple of rugs and other diffusion panels in the back of the room, the system snapped back into focus while retaining a livliness that is a joy to listen to. Bass is solid and tight. The system also includes 5.1 surround sound and a projector. The 6 x 10’ screen on one wall seemed to play a part in settling down the echo issue.

To be honest, I had been disappointed in my Wilson Sophia’s in the previous location. Though they bested my beloved Meadowlark Hot Rod Herons, I still felt they were overrated. Now, I get it. There are times when the soundstage is so deep, it become hypnotic. It has never been clearer to me that environment is the biggest factor in any set-up.

The system:

• Wilson Sophia Speakers. Very particular about placement but well worth the effort!

• Symphonic Line Kraft 250 Monoblocks (250 watts of Class A power per side). There may be as few as a dozen pair in the U.S. but simply the most transparent, unflappable, beautiful sounding amps I have ever heard.

• Symphonic Line Die Erleuchtung Tube preamplifier. I’ve measured this against some awfully heady competition, but there is a tube magic in this preamp that keeps me coming back.

• Symphonic Line Reference CD Player. Headturning sound. Massive capacitors inside and large outboard power supply (like the preamp) make this a very special player. Bested my Wadia 850. It sounds like a tube player but it is solid state.

• Bix Turntable, Rega 250 arm and NOS Adcom MM cartridge. I’ve experimented with MC cartridges but have not found anything I liked better—yet. The delivery is very fat and bold but lacks the delicate top end shimmer the CD player delivers. I am sure there is an upgrade in my future.

• Camelot Lancelot Phono Preamp. DC powered. The best fit so far. Under-rated unit.

• Otari 5050 Reel to Reel player/recorder. Well recorded tape still sounds awesome at 15 IPS. Plus, as an old radio guy, I just couldn’t live without one.

• Speaker Cables: Speaker cables are the last Music Metre cables ever made. Brilliant design. They are very open and revealing. Cymbal decay seems eternal. I have tried all sorts of cables including pricey Purist Audio Cables, but these were just the best fit in this system.

• ICs: Music Metre Bel Canto. Open without being shrill. Also using Morrow MA2 ICs to the amps. Minimalist design. Solid core.

• AC Cables: Variety of PS Audio Statement, Voodo Mojo, Eichman Express, Tributaries 10 gauge Silver Series. The Tributaries are a great inexpensive performer. Looking to upgrade to PS Audio Premier or similar AC cables.

• Power: Direct line from the pole to PS Audio Soloist Wall outlet. PS Audio 300 Regenerator powering components. I will be adding individual 20 amp lines for each amplifier.

• Stands. Audio Elegance custom built stands. These are gorgeous and they really enhanced the performance when I got them. I had them put wheels on the racks to make it easier to get to cables.

Other Misc. Gear:

• Carver M500T amp powering Paradigm CC370 and CC570 center speakers. Makes dialogue sound very natural. I like using outboard amps on the center channel since it contains the dialogue and I like the way the Carver punches out the voices.

• Oppo 980 DVD. No Blueray, yet. I own two Oppo players. Very reliable. They do everything well.

• JVC G10 Projector. The used to use these at NASA and for medical imaging. Very high resolution and a super picture that rivals HD.

• Yamaha RXV-995 Receiver. Bought it new and I’m not up to figuring out a new one. Works great as a preamp. It is powering my rear Arcam speakers. It still sounds very good. Just a good solid machine I will probably never give up.

• Velodyne ULD 15 Servo controlled sub. Great, great sub. Almost a waste for HT! Best I have ever owned by far. Very tight, fast and controlled.

The HT system is also connected to satellite television but we use it mostly for movies. I bought the material for the screen and had the local lumberyard frame it. It’s a budget HT system comprised of components I owned with the exception of the screen and projector, but the performance is very pleasing.

My first love is audio, but since I had the space, the projection system makes movies much more of an adventure and a family event.

We have tube based systems in three other places in the home with a variety of components, but this one is my baby.
Read more...

Components Toggle details

    • Symphonic Line CD Reference
    Headturning sound. Massive capacitors inside and large outboard power supply (like the preamp) make this a very special player. Bested my Wadia 850. It sounds like a tube player but it is solid state. German made.
    • Symphonic Line Die Erleuchtung
    I’ve measured this against some awfully heady competition, but there is a tube magic in this preamp that keeps me coming back. While the SL amps are very clean, the preamp has a touch of warmth and sweetness that makes for great synergy.
    • Symphonic Line Kraft 250
    250 watts of Class A power per side. There may be as few as a dozen pair in the U.S. but simply the most transparent, unflappable, beautiful sounding amps I have ever heard.
    • Wilson Audio Sophia
    When in a more confined area, I had a hard time deciding between these and my Meadowlark Hot Rod Herons. I'm glad I decided on the Herons. In my new larger room on concrete, the bass is taut and deep as is the soundstage. It does everything superbly. Very transparent. Fussy about placement and environment. Best with room to breathe. In a dead room could sound sterile. I picked these up used. They had been scuffed. A previous owner hauled them in the back of his Hummer. My body shop repainted them. From black to red. Awesome paint job.
    • Otari 5050
    Studio quality Reel to Reel. I spent many years in radio and always appreciated the quality and cool factor of a good machine. I like to record new vinyl to tape.
    • Bix Original
    Good, solid performer. Susceptible to speed change with temperature change. Basic nylon fishing line works as a belt. Bettered some of well-regarded TTs, Thorens, Pro-Ject, Music Hall, NAD, AR. Seems to swing best with MM cartridge. Had a Shure V15 that was a great match. What a dummy I was for selling it!
    • Audio Elegance Frontier
    Custom built to my specs. Awesome workmanship and yes, they do improve the sound.
    • Macintosh G4 imac 800
    I'm in a graphics based business and we update every few years. What a wonderful audio transport. Max out the RAM, Airport card, add a 2TB Fantom external drive, and you've got a serious audiophile machine. Itunes connected to a Wavelength V3 24/96 is a serious rival for my SL CDP. Cool looking, easy to use. Tiger OSX. Cheap on Ebay. Quiet machines. I find that power conditioning seems to give me blacker backgrounds.
    • Wavelength Audio Brick v3
    Proof that the even the best CD players are destined to go the way of the turntable. Great, but no longer the best. Error-free files, 24/96, hours of of continuous music. Quality better than most of the best CDPs out there.
    • Soundsilver Silver/Copper
    Tremendous cables. Wide open, articulate. Great design. One pair from CD to Preamp. Another pair from preamp to monoblocks.
    • Tributaries Silver Series
    AC Cables. While I have other cables, I find these the best value around—if you can find them. Audible improvement and great looks. I have these connected to virtually everything.
    • Morrow MA-1
    Hard to believe this is the entry level cable. Great detail but delicate and smooth. They sound great from my Wavelength Brick to my preamp.
    • Music Metre Bel Canto
    A superb connection my Camelot Phono Preamp and my SL preamp. Vastly underrated cable maker. I bought the last of his stock. Never regretted that move!
    • MAC Velvet
    Good, solid ICs. Nothing fancy, but they are an excellent sonic match for my analog rig. I have used many much more expensive ICs in my system, but have discovered some real diamonds in the rough that cost less and perform better.
    • ACR Silver Reference II
    Yes, the USB cable does make a difference. HAND MADE USB CABLE, LITZ BRAIDING TECHNIQUE, PURE SILVER CONDUCTOR, CRYOGENCALLY TREATED, TRIPLE SHIELDING This cable made in instant, audible difference.
    • Burley Speaker Cables
    Made for Pass Labs; huge bargain. They just do everything right.
    • NA Pure Copper/Maple Platforms
    One pound Pure Copper Ingots serve as vibration control on 2
    • Velodyne ULD-15 mkII
    As others have discovered, the subwoofer seemingly enhances upper registers as much as adding a bit more bottom to the already formidable low end of the Sophias.
    • Onix ERT Supertweeters
    Seem to firm up bass and and create more air around notes.

Comments 7

Showing all comments by glenfihi.

View all comments

Cool indeed, enjoyed reading your comments and seeing your pictures. Always loved the reel to reel format. Nice touch with the old style mics.

glenfihi