Uli's (Old) High End CD-only System

by uli on Opinions Please

Description

**September 2006 complete system replaced. Everything sold. New system with Wilson Audio Maxx(2) in place but I need some time before posting it.

**updated December 2003 after the addition of 4 Elrod Statement power cords

**updated October 2005: Valhalla sold, all speaker cables from David Elrod, IC from Advanced Listening, Equipment Resonance Control and Room Tuning from Shun Mook.

After 25 years of searching and improving with the last two years being very active I m currently in the seldom state of contentment. It may go away, so let me show you my system NOW.

I’m from Germany and my system is an Audio 2 channel CD-only system which sits in the living room (app. 36 m2). It therefore has to be accepted by my wife. The size and finish of the Watt/Puppy’s gives the WAF, and with the addition of the WHOW, which I got used in January 2003, I have the sound of a really BIG system with the beauty of a moderate sized system. The black piano lacquer finished WHOW is placed like a sideboard (the driver facing the wall), which works fine. People don’t even notice this piece of furniture as part of the Hifi equipment.

David Wilson designed the WHOW to perfectly integrate with the Watt/Puppy. On the other hand I simply do not like to listen to the Watt/Puppy system without the WHOW any more – it’s somewhat stressed and restricted. With the sub, music sounds relaxed, extended and beautifully natural.

This is a detailed description of my equipment:

CP-Transport Wadia 270

Power-Cable: Elrod Statement II power cord 6 ft.

Resonance Control: Shun Mook Giant Diamond Resonators (special feet replacing the standard wadia feet)

3 Shun Mook Mpingo Discs

Copulare Sial stand

Digital ST-ST Optical Cable Aural Symphonics Optimism V.1 (2 m) for Data Link

Digital ST-ST Optical Cable Aural Symphonics Optimism V 2 (2 m) for Clock Link

DAC Wadia 27ix

Power-Cable: Elrod Statement II power cord 6 ft.

Resonance Control: Shun Mook Giant Diamond Resonators

Copulare Sial stand

XLR Cable Advanced Listening Private Edition (1 m) directly connected to the power amp, no pre amp.

Power Amp Chord SPM 5000

Power-Cable: Elrod Statement 6 ft. (20 amp IEC)

Resonance Control: Shun Mook Giant Diamond Resonators

Copulare Aural stand

Speaker Cable Elrod Signature (2.4 m)

Wilson Audio Watt/Puppy 5.1 e

Speaker Cable Elrod Signature specially made as replacement of the original Puppy tail

Plus Subwoofer equipment:

From DAC:

RCA Cable Advanced Listening Private Edition (1 m)

Crossover Krell KBX

(configured for summed mono output at 52Hz @ 18db per octave

Power-Cable: Advanced Listening 1B (1.5 m).

Resonance Control: Shun Mook Giant Diamond Resonators

XLR Cable XLO Signature 2 (3.5 m mono)

Power Amp Crown K2

(configured in bridged mode, sleeper deactivated)

Power-Cable: Elrod Statement 6 ft.

Resonance Control: Shun Mook Giant Diamond Resonators

Speaker Cable Elrod Signature (1 m)

Wilson High Output Woofer (WHOW) III

Resonance Control: Pyramid Cones

3 Shun Mook Mpingo Discs

Shun Mook Octet Room Tuning

Consisting of 57 Mpingo Discs (floor level and 44.5 inch level)

You may know most of the equipment, as it’s mostly American. For the exceptions (the super fast and transparent Chord, Copulare racks,...), you may view my descriptions.

Latest improvements:

Power cords:

Power cords are a rich arena for improvements and I started to exploit this in 2002. I had tested Magnan, Audience, PAD, several Shunyata’s up to Anaconda, but with my system the clear winner were the Electraglide type designs (EG, Elrod, Advanced Listening).

Finally Elrod Statement turned out to be the very best for my amps and Statement II for my Wadia’s. Especially the bottom end and room information is stunning.

Interconnect and speaker cables:

After years (since 1996) with Magnan Signature, I switched to Valhalla IC and speaker cables in 2003, but in 2004 I replaced Valhalla with clearly superior cables:

Interconnects:

The designer of “Advanced Listening” creates very good power cables, IC and speaker cables, based on the same principles like the Electraglide and Elrod cables (ribbon cables). The Private Edition of his interconnects are much better than Nordost Valhalla. More extended top and bottom end, and significantly better flow of the music – relaxed. Valhalla in comparison sounds precise and fast but somewhat over controlled.

Speaker cables:

Motivated by the wonderful experience with his power cables I tried David Elrod’s new speaker cables. They convinced me with the same advantages as his Statement PC: natural relaxed flow of the music, strong bottom end and rich spatial information.

I now use his speaker cables throughout my system (incl. subwoofer cable and Puppy tail

Resonance Control:

In 2005 I’ve learned about one old but very well hidden secret in High End Audio: Shun Mook

Shun Mook Diamond Resonators indeed are very old, and have not changed for more than 10 years. Nevertheless they are the best – by far. I’ve compared with the current top of the line Harmonix products – these are good but Shun Mook is a class of its own. I’m finally fully equipped with Shun Mook Giant Diamond Resonators (5 sets!) and each single set was worth it. Much more bass detail and energy, great 3D image, image objects are like solid, very natural sound and soundstage.

Room tuning:

I started with lots of Mpingo Discs for further equipment resonance control and for Shun Mook room tuning. Very interesting subject, but it’s too early to report about.

Room for improvement – next steps?

In 2002 I both bought the Wadia’s and the Chord. With all the tuning mentioned above, the Wadia combo is a final statement for CD. The Chord is a wonderful amp. I don’t see a need for improvement.

Provided that funds are restricted and WAF is important, speaker upgrade to the wonderful Maxx or even Maxx2 is desirable but no option. I may consider Watt/Puppy 7 to replace my 5.1.
Read more...

Components Toggle details

    • Copulare Sial
    Copulare racks are world class, made in Bavaria (Germany). My Copulare Sial has two platforms for my Wadia's. You may visit the Copulare site on the web (www.copulare.com) it's multilingual. Excellent resonance control, extremely stable and beautiful. Support frame steal and filled with quartz-sand. Shelves quartz sand filled.
    • Elrod Statement II
    This power cord combines everything that I ever wished to hear: Fast, detailed, great colors, huge and precise soundstage, yet warm and musical sounding. It gives each instrument it's own 3D-space. I have 2 Statement II's, one for the Wadia 270 and one for the Wadia 27ix. The cable is huge and heavy, but flexible. Needs "stress relief" for use with both my Wadia's, in order to keep the connection to the units.
    • Wadia 270
    Transport placed on Shun Mook Giant Diamond Resonators and a shelf of my Copulare Sial Rack.
    • Aural Symphonics Optimism V2
    The V2 (green cable) is even better than the older V1 (red cable). It is more open, precise and clean. This is better for both data link and clock link. Especially for clock link the difference is huge!
    • Wadia 27ix
    The Wadia 27ix is placed on Shun Mook Giant Diamond Resonators and a shelf of a Copulare Sial Rack.
    • Advanced Listening Private Edition XLR 1m
    Replaced Nordost Valhalla. More extended top and bottom end, and significantly better flow of the music – relaxed.
    • Copulare Aural
    Copulare racks are world class, made in Bavaria (Germany). My Copulare Aural is a separate amp stand. You may visit the Copulare site on the web (www.copulare.com) it's multilingual. Excellent resonance control, extremely stable and beautiful. Support frame steal and filled with quartz-sand. Shelves quartz sand filled.
    • Elrod Statement
    Best power cords for amps period. Unbelievable natural and musical. Extended and controlled bass. The cable is huge and heavy, but flexible. Difficult to use for components not close to the floor. I have 2 Statements, one for my Chord power amp (20Amp IEC) and one for the Crown K2 bass amp.
    • Chord Electronics SPM-5000
    Wonderful amp with switching power supplys.

    This amp replaced a Krell FPB 300 in my system with much much better results - it's extremely fast and transparent.
    • Elrod speaker cables 8 ft.
    This cable replaced my Nordost Valhalla, a great cable and something like a "high end standard". This new Elrod sounds much better - relaxed and engaging, spacious and precise, extended with great body, in one word NATURAL. Elrod is my new high end standard.
    • Wilson Audio Watt+Puppy 5.1
    Black. Combined with the subwoofer WHOW this is not only a very precise and fast but also a very profound and musical speaker system.
    • Advanced Listening Private Edition RCA 1m
    not well known, but excellent cable see Advanced Listening XLR cable
    • Advanced Listening Power 1B
    This design started from the Electraglide Mini Khan. Physically it's still as flexible as the Mini Khan but sonically it now is significantly improved.
    I use it for the Krell KBX crossover, where it improves musicality, bass blackness and control.
    • Krell KBX
    Crossover which comes with the WHOW III. The "Low section" is set up as a Low pass with a summed mono output set at 52Hz @ 18db per octave and the "High section" set up as a stereo all pass out. I use it for the low pass only.
    • Crown International K-2
    1600 Watt @ 8 Ohms in bridged mode.
    Damping factor greater 3000 up to 400Hz.
    In my system it is used for lowest bass only. For this application it's hard to beat. You easily hear it's supreme control and power.
    • Wilson Audio Whow mkIII
    This sub makes the Watt/Puppy sing! 450 pounds heavy. It greatly improves ambience retrieval (3D-soundstage) and obviously LFE. It's efficient but benefits greatly from a high power and high control amp (see Crown K-2).
    • Shun Mook Giant Diamond Resonators
    The ultimate equipment feet. I use them everywhere in my system, they enable each component to perform at its best. They give - a lower background noise floor - more bass detail and energy - better separation and inner micro details Image objects are like solid, each is a 3D sound object and you can hear the spatial relation between these objects. Very impressive!
    • Furutech RD-2
    De-magnetizer for CD's (...and other audio stuff, as cables...) Handling is much more pleasant than the noisy Bedini and the effect on CD's is more significant. It not only enhances resolution but it also gives a warmer sound.

Comments 25

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Owner
Well, this is long ago ---
at that time the Chord replaced a Krell FPB300 in my system
with much much better results - it's extremely fast
and transparent. On the other hand it should be superior - at a much higher price point.
The switching power supply enables high output at low temertures and low power comsumption.

I had replaced the Chord with a Schnerzinger tuned tube amp, today I have a Schnerzinger tuned solid state amp. It's amazing what this company can do to your equipment.
The Chord proved to be a great starting point for Schnerzinger tuning, the result was amazing - unfortunately I could not afford to buy it back, as this tuning ist very sophisticated and very expensive, although well worth the investment.

I never heard the small Chord, but I'd expect the SPM 600 to sound fast and detailed.

uli

Owner
Hi Hillyau,

once I was lucky to spend 5 weeks in L.A. (in 1989). I was working for an L.A. based company at that time. Now it's unlikely the I come over from Germany within the next years.
If you ever plan to go to Germany, drop me a mail.
Shun Mook and Bill Ying are great!

uli

Owner
Hi Alan,
you have a beautiful setup.

But I had problems with the sub so close to the listening position and so far away from the speakers. I also contacted wilson and got good support (although I bought an old sub at the used market!). I also had no manual. I ended up placing the sub close to one of the speakers (within 1 meter distance) as recommended by Wilson.

The original wilson crossover is not the best option. I was lucky to have the Krell crossover which was better. Cabling was relevant - even the power cord for the Crown amp made a significant difference.
The Elrod signature speaker cable is unknown, but great - especially for the sub.
My setup is described detailled in my virtual system above. From the crossover to the crown amp (highly recommended) to the WHOW. The Watt/Puppy were full range, not thru the crossover, only the WHOW using the crossover, adding the lowest octave.

uli

Owner
System edited: I bought a Wilson Audio Maxx (2), and in an attempt to match the very qualities of this speaker, I bought better CD player, amplifier and cables. Nearly everything which is listed here is already sold. I stay with Shun Mook, expecially Mpingo Discs, PTR's and room tuning. I will move end of the year and may publish my new system next year.

uli

Owner
Hi Outlier,

I very much like the Elrod Speaker cables. Their sonic signature is comparable to the power cords.
I had Valhalla before and the Elrod is more relaxed and natural sounding with a very strong but detailed natural bottom end. And it's much cheaper so this is an easy decision.
Only downside: Elrod speaker cables are robust, but you should not step upon the Elrods when they are not flat on the floor. Valhallas you simply can't destroy. To me this was a comsideration, because of my 2 years old daugther.
Well - the Elrods survived...

uli

Owner
Thanks El34eh,
it's really nice to read your words. Shun Mook is wonderful!

Loxodrome,
as you can see on my cable picture I have an outlet box which I positioned so that the cables fit. Elrod Statements are relatively flexible. My major problem was the weight of the cables. I had to build a stress relief, so that the IEC does not loose its contact to the equipment.

Best regards - Uli

uli

Owner
Lak,
I'm sorry but I just noticed your comment, after I edited a significant upgrade to my virtual system.
I listen to all kinds of music, mostly pop, rock and classic, very few jazz.
I parted from vinyl some 15 years ago. Going back would be very costly and would increase the size of my system which is located in the family's living room. Also it's too risky with my 2 year old daughter...

Robertje,
I've never tried a tube amp mainly because I like easy to use and trouble free equipment. Also I'm very happy that my Chord amp does not heat the room - the switching power supplys run cold.
Sonically my system is very different from what you expect from Watt/Puppy's. Now - after years of tuning and adjusting it's very much on the warm and musical side - thanks to David Elrod and Shun Mook.
Regarding Shun Mook resonators I send you a mail.

uli

Owner
Jack,
I bought the Elrod Statement II used (it was 3 month old), so it already was fully broken in.
I'm sure David Elrod is the best person to answer your question.

uli

Owner
Hey what has happened to all the line breaks that I had included to make my text readable?
After I changed my virtual system to include the Furutech RD-2, these line breaks have gone.
Sorry...

uli

Owner
Gajgmusic,
Thanks and I agree. Room tuning is important, but we will do some major furniture changes (including curtains) in the next month, so I wait until this is done. The big and heavy carpet which you can see on the "complete system" picture made a relevant improvement.
I forgot to mention that I'm glad to have a Furutech RD-2 for CD treatment, and I may test other CD treatments as well.
The new Watt/Puppy 7 is out of reach (to expensive), and I may also need a Watchdog or get my crossover modified to accomodate the different bass response characteristic of the W/P7. I don't think that a W/P6 will help much, because one major improvement over the 5 is deep bass response and this is not relevant for me because of the WHOW.

I'm very happy with my system!

uli

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