My schedule does not allow me to go this year, but you can be sure I'll be keeping tabs on you...! ;)

FYI, I have decided that the VR-4 SR MKII's will be my new reference speakers, and I hope to have new pics up soon.

douglas_schroeder April 05, 2007 14:56

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh Yeahhhhhh tread lightly my friend!
So anyway my dealer is steering my towards the Rega player but I am still on the fence, how much dif is there between the two models and is that extra cash worth it?

Are you gonna go to the NYC audio show in May?, Any real dedicated reviewer will be there....as will I. Give me a call when you have time, its been awhile.

chadnliz April 02, 2007 21:31

Chad, Thanks for the compliment; yes, I am enjoying reviewing, but it is more time/work than most realize. My goal is to keep it real and honest, and a bit entertaining. So, God AND YOU are watching?! That's serious pressure! ;)

douglas_schroeder April 02, 2007 19:47

Do you enjoy the whole review gig? I hope it doesnt clash with your Christian values, keep it real and honest, both God and I are watching :)
PS your reviews look like an old pro so far.

chadnliz April 01, 2007 02:11

System edited: Just finished review of Von Schweikert VR-4 SR MkII which will appear on Dagogo.com, I believe in April.

douglas_schroeder March 29, 2007 03:34

Sanwanlanman, and Midwest_Modem,
Greetings,
Wow, that's a mouthful of a moniker! So, I take it you're in San Francisco and working on networks? The ET's are excellent speakers at the price point. There are several options for pre/amps/integrateds with ET's. They are fairly inefficient, so an amp with more robust power will definitely get you more "jump" factor when listening to them. You might enjoy the nearly limitless "ooomph" of a class D amp with the right cdp. You should also try to have a listen to the new Rega players (Apollo and Saturn).

Midwest_Modem, you're timing is impeccable; you can watch for my Saturn review on Dagogo.com (sorry, I don't know the exact timing of when it will appear).

douglas_schroeder November 06, 2006 15:04

Hi Doug: Please review the Rega Saturn for us. Thanks!

midwest_modern November 05, 2006 16:07

I am very interested in the ET's since I sold my Maggies a few years ago. I need help with amp/preamp/digital source combo that will work well with the ET's. I was going to get Usher, Tyler, or the new Nuforce speakers. If the ET's sound better than the 1.6's that I owned then I am all for it. Thanks

[email protected] October 03, 2006 16:59

OOOPS! Something went wrong. I meant I moved to the SATURN cdp. My pic of it didn't seem to "take" online here either. I'll try again...

douglas_schroeder September 04, 2006 12:32

System edited: Recently moved to the Rega Apollo cdp, a very good move, I might add. If you heard and liked the Apollo, the Saturn will take your breath away! For those without budget constraints, this is a player you should go hear.

douglas_schroeder September 04, 2006 12:28

System edited: Wow! Been a busy, productive time in past six months for my HT! Added the Apollo cdp, went from a single Pathos Classic One MkII in stereo to dual units in bridged mode! WONDERFUL improvement! And now, a dream come true, flagship custom Chapman T-77 speakers handmade by my friend Stuart Jones of Chapman Audio Systems in Vashon, Washington! I put an extended review of them on audioasylum.com for all interested in these magnificent speakers. I would love to hear a showdown between the Vandersteen 5's and this setup with the T-77's and twin Vandy 2W subs! I have been trying MIT Magnum Shotgun 750 S3 speaker cables, but will switch back again to the Tice Audio cables to compare. I adored the sound of the Tice speaker cables in the system and will be anxious to hear what they do for the 77's! I cannot urge audiophiles moving on up in their price category to try the components I've assembled. The two channel system represents the pinnacle of what I've worked for in sound for over two decades. Finally, the dream is reality - every listening session is fantastic! THIS is what audio is supposed to be like! I must be doing something right, the Apollo and Pathos amp have each garnered several enthusiastic reviews by professional reviewers. And the speakers? Well, just read the review.

douglas_schroeder May 23, 2006 03:28

Doug ,

Congrats on the Chapman T77's. Your den looks awesome. Do you use any bass management EQ for all that low end power? Are those the new T77's or you previous T 7's?

shadorne May 22, 2006 12:09

Gmoodl, Yes, there are times I now wish I had that pair of ET's back again, just to swap them in and out of the system. I can only imagine how they'd sound with my current amplification.

Opticaltee, "someday" can really happen! Three years ago if someone would have said to me that I would have my own dedicated room and that I would build it, I would have told them they were crazy. But, we moved, I faced my fears of never having worked in the trades, went at it...and there you see, anyone with determination CAN do it!

I would say, having a dedicated room CAN take a lot of the acoustic problems out. The room needs to be proper dimensions and built properly to give the best advantage for being more acoustically perfect.

One of the most helpful things for me was to get a subscription to "Home Theater Builder" magazine! Wonderful resource! It opened up hundreds of questions in my mind, which at times was burdensome to wade through in finalizing the room, but in the end, it moved me to truly design a great sounding room! I obtained as many back issues as I could. Every single issue had something critical in it to assist my project.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of the room was playing interior designer. I had fun selecting carpeting, paint, sconces, etc. Just adds to the gratification.

Stay tuned; I SOON will receive my custom Chapman T-7 speakers and will post new pics of them. For time being, I'm enjoying messing with a newly acquired vintage system with some Nikko gear and a gorgeous pair of Mission Argonaut speakers from about early 80's.
Soon I will post yet another system; I'm putting together a Naim Nait 5i along with the Chapman T-7's. I'm tempted to use the Mission speakers there instead and go for the "flat earth" sound.

douglas_schroeder May 01, 2006 03:09

Love your room. Someday I would like to have a dedicated room, but for now I have taken over the formal living room. Having a dedicated room takes a lot of the room acoustic problems out is that not right? Especially if you get to start right at the studs! The finished product looks nice too!

opticaltee April 30, 2006 22:33

Hey Doug I went back and listened to my buddies Eminent speakers on Classe 300 again..very disappointing the first go around. He changed the tubes in the preamp over to Australian tubes. WOW!! at the difference. The system sounded stunning!! Very good transparency and air... the bass blended very well with the panels. The wrong tubes sure can make a system sound like crap.
The Eminents are back being one of my favorite speakers again.LOL

Take care,
Gymane

gmood1 April 30, 2006 12:30

System edited: Most recently added second Pathos Classic One MkII allowing me to bridge them to mono. Stunning improvement! I've posted review on Audio Asylum.

douglas_schroeder April 02, 2006 22:00

Terrific system Doug!!! Hope to hear it one day. The pathos are beautiful.

ATB,
Gymane

gmood1 March 27, 2006 12:52

System edited: It's been a wonderful experience moving from the huge soundstage of the Stacked Eminent Technology speakers to the amazing imaging of the current rig! Now running the sweetest and most simple 2 chanel setup ever. I never dreamed a hybrid tube integrated w. 70wpc would outperform separates, but the Pathos is incredible! I love everything about this system! Every listening session is pure pleasure. The Apollo and the Pathos have launched the system into orbit! Very soon, the Chapman T-77's custom built by Stuart Jones will be here. I can't imagine how good this sytem will sound then! It's not recommended, but I took the Vandersteen crossovers out of the signal path. WOW! Unreal improvement! I don't care what anyone says, they're not going back in. I do not run my system at higher levels, so I'm not concerned about damage to them. This is not an endorsement for you to do same, but I'm shocked at how much better the low end is without the crossovers. I know R. Vandersteen didn't design them to run that way; I don't care. They're not going back in. I'll likely post a proper review of the Pathos Classic One MkII on the Asylum soon. Finally, the biggest headache has been swapping out several sets of spkr, IC, pwr cables. Entire system's worth compared head to head. I went through Audioquest, then Harmonic Technology, and now have settled for the moment on Tice TPT wires. I didn't even know they existed. It's NOS from about 5-7 years ago. I'm terribly happy with it. However, I did discover that the spare XLO power cord I had laying around brought just the right touch of detail to the 2 chanel system if used on the Apollo rather than another Tice power cord. A stunning difference in realism with the swapping out of one cord on the cdp! My resolution and detail (but without harshness of any kind) is so good that I can easily hear the difference between a change in one set of IC's or one power cord. I have dreamed of this sound for many years, and am blessed now to be enjoying it.

douglas_schroeder March 20, 2006 04:47

Wow, there's been a LOT of changes in the past six months! Now, I am running Tice Audio cables for power, IC and speakers. They are lovely in my current setup.
The most recent upgrade is highly significant; Rega Apollo cdp. OHMYGOODNESS!!!! THIS is a seriously fabulous cdp! Huge leap in reproduction on every level above the Rega Planet 2000 I had. No comparison. I put a review on Audio Assylum for interested persons. Here's the link:

http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/digital/messages/113988.html

Keep an eye on this player, it's very special!

douglas_schroeder January 26, 2006 17:31

Andy,
The Chapman speakers are excellent! The T-7 has an amazing amount of bottom end for a speaker of its size. I am having a custom pair of T-77's made for me by Stuart Jones, the owner of Chapman Audio Systems. He has a genuine passion for good audio. Currently he's testing my Harmonic Technology Pro-9 cables to see how they sound, and can take that into consideration in the manufacture of the T-77's.
Champman speakers are primo quality; the drivers are calibrated to +/- .5db; the crossover components are matched ; the Air core coil has +/- 1% tolerance, time aligned similar to Vandersteens (However, having owned Vandy 2CE's in two different systems, I much prefer the Chapman sound. I understand that Vandersteen also matches drivers, but I do not know to what point they match other components like caps and coils)...
In the end, all this perfectionist work on the speakers yields a stunning result. I am guessing that anyone who has heard them will concur.
I first heard the T-7 more than ten years ago, and I remembered its sound for more than a decade. Truly a work of art in electronics. The Eminent Technology LFT-8A's are wonderful planars, and the Chapman T-7's are wonderful box speakers. Both give the buyer WAY more than expected for the price point. I have really struggled with selling my last set of E.T.'s since they are so good. But, in order to pursue my quest for the absolute best imaging I can afford, I'm letting go of them. In a word, the E.T's are awesome at soundstage, and the T-7's are awesome at imaging.

I used to say that if someone could combine the best qualities of the Vandersteen 2CE and the Magnepan 1.6 (both of which I've owned) it would make a great speaker. Well, personally in my systems, I feel that the ET-8 and the Chapman T-7 are clearly superior products to the aforementioned speakers. If someone could combine the best attributes of the ET and chapman, WOW! That would be a mind-blowing speaker for the price level! I am hoping that the T-77 approaches that goal.

I can't say enough about men like Bruce Thigpen at E.T. and Stuart Jones at Chapman! They make quality products and are genuinely personable businessmen!

douglas_schroeder November 21, 2005 14:20

Doug,
What are your impressions so far with the Chapman speakers. I am anxious to hear you opinions on these compared to the ET that you loved.
They look nice, but how is the sound?

Andy

brownsanandy November 19, 2005 02:04

System edited: System update: Changed electronics to PS Audio for two channel. Speakers are updated to Chapman Audio T-7's.

douglas_schroeder November 16, 2005 03:58

System Update: Radical Transformation under way. I mean everything concerning the two channel rig is going to change, except possibly the cabling. Preamp, amp, speakers all moving in completely opposite direction.
I spent months assembling the "stacked Eminent Technology LFT-8A system. It has been terrific. I have never heard soundstage done like this. You sit down to an event, not just some music.
In the meantime, having procured a set of Chapman T-7 speakers, a favorite from over ten years ago, I have become friends with Stuart Jones, the owner. I thought the company was defunct; not so. He's involved in custom installs, but is going to make me a pair of his flagship model, the T-77's.
No more need for 8 channels of amplification, four sets of speaker/interconnect cables, two pair of speakers, etc. These all are being divested. Instead, I'm going to see how good utterly simple two channel can be. I'm reducing to one set of speakers, a single two channel amp, left and right speaker/interconnect cables, and stereo preamp (which, ironically is swinging back again to solid state as opposed to tube).
Will I prefer this? THAT is the difficult question to answer at this point. I have considered keeping a set of Eminents, however in order to do this switch properly at the same level of investment as I had in the system, I need to plow the same $ into it. So, everyting with two channel is going.
This is an entire "sea change" for me. I have only done this one other time in 20 years. It's exciting, but also a bit unnerving, since I do passionately love the sound I have now. However, I want to see what the other side is like, the side that says "Get the best streamlined system you can.."

I expect that the greatest feature will be awesome imaging. I know I will lose enormously on soundstage. No way a box speaker is going to produce the hugeness of the stacked Eminents. But therein lies the question. Which, in the end will I choose as most important to me? Will I find my holy grail of audio in imaging? With this sytem I have found half of it - soundstage. Now, I will focus on the other half - imaging. Hopefully, I won't lose too much soundstage. If I do, you may see me rebuilding the very system I'm disassembling. Insane? Yes, but I'm a compulsive tweaker anyway, so this is, frankly, as much fun to me as the actual listening sessions!
More to come, including pics.

douglas_schroeder October 22, 2005 11:50

Edit: I was going to say, "...I would not recommend matching ss amps of differing power, even if from same company." It worked, and was fun in the time I searched for an identical amp, but you should strive to obtain a perfect pair, or else you're results will not be as good as can be obtained.

douglas_schroeder July 29, 2005 17:15

System edited: Finally secured the second Outlaw 755 amp! Now system is in perfect symmetry. I didn't realize how much coherence was missing by not running identical amps! It was great before, now it is mind-melting! Last trip to St. Louis, I listened to a stack of T&A components (German; stands for Technology & Application)along with the new Martin Logans at $10k/pr. So, about a $40-50K setup, oh, and that's not counting the fancy, extremely high end cables. It's got nothing on my stacked Eminents. I was exceptionally pleased to think, "Man, my system sounds better than this, and at a fraction of the price!" I especially noticed that I have much more clarity, and the treble is much clearer than was on the $10k Logans. The use of not just related amps, but the actual identical amp has made the stacked Eminents blend into one. They sound now not just like two extremely close speakers, or one with rows of drivers. They now sound like one speaker with incredibly big drivers/soundstage. I play some music that if I didn't know was in two chanel, I'd bet I had the surround on! They are throwing such a wide soundstage and with such depth that the ENTIRE front of my room is full of their sound! There is no sweet spot, everywhere on the sofa is great. It's amazing. By upping the power on the bass it has gotten even clearer/cleaner, so that now the midrange is more easily heard. The bass was strong before, but now I realize it was too strong, covering up some of the nuances of the midrange. Now that the bass is more controlled and deeper, yet cleaner, the midrange dances. Having done this experiment, I would definitely not recommend, unless you have no choice or you intentionally want to combine tube amp with ss amp. If you are running all ss I would say the differences even between amps of same family are great enough to merit holding out for two identical amps. Also, because of speaker cable lengths and issues with using two amps of differing power, I had used four chanels of the 755 to biamp left/right mid/highs. I used four chanels of the 750 to biamp the bass of left/right. Now, with perfect synchronicity, the system is in perfect mirror configuration, all signals are sent to dedicated left/right amps, and then on to cables and l/r speakers. I'm sure this has a beneficial effect, but I'm not sure to what degree. All I know is, it sounds terrific!

douglas_schroeder July 29, 2005 17:10