Mike Lavigne's System

by mikelavigne on All Out Assault

the big rig, where you will find me.

the big rig, where you will find me.

i prefer dim lighting for listening.

i prefer dim lighting for listening.

view from the speaker end

view from the speaker end

notice the cloth ceiling and wall treatments.....

notice the cloth ceiling and wall treatments.....

.....strategically placed over a 9 month period....

.....strategically placed over a 9 month period....

.....of trial and error.

.....of trial and error.

just simple cloth attached with thumb tacks.

just simple cloth attached with thumb tacks.

three turntables, 5 tonearms

three turntables, 5 tonearms

letting the music wash over me.

letting the music wash over me.

84" tall, 575 pound main towers and 87" tall, 600 pound bass towers.

84" tall, 575 pound main towers and 87" tall, 600 pound bass towers.

bass towers are powered and adjustable, main towers passive.

bass towers are powered and adjustable, main towers passive.

amps sitting on Taiko Tana active isolation platforms

amps sitting on Taiko Tana active isolation platforms

NHB-468 sound amazing......liquid and amazing musical flow and texture.

NHB-468 sound amazing......liquid and amazing musical flow and texture.

meters on the 468's

meters on the 468's

darTZeel NHB-18NS w/ 2 phono stages (new 2016 version)

darTZeel NHB-18NS w/ 2 phono stages (new 2016 version)

right side racks

right side racks

left side rack

left side rack

side view of turntables

side view of turntables

Ampex ATR-102's and Ampex MR 70's

Ampex ATR-102's and Ampex MR 70's

one of 4 MR 70 single channel tape repro's

one of 4 MR 70 single channel tape repro's

1/2" playback only ATR-102 hot rodded

1/2" playback only ATR-102 hot rodded

1/4" playback only ATR-102 hot rodded

1/4" playback only ATR-102 hot rodded

side view of Ampex decks and MR 70's

side view of Ampex decks and MR 70's

Esoteric T1 turntable

Esoteric T1 turntable

CS Port LFT1 turntable

CS Port LFT1 turntable

air box for CS Port tt; dead quiet.

air box for CS Port tt; dead quiet.

Wave Kinetics NVS direct drive turntable

Wave Kinetics NVS direct drive turntable

Etsuro Gold MC cartridge

Etsuro Gold MC cartridge

Etsuro Gold MC cartridge

Etsuro Gold MC cartridge

Miyajima Labs Infinity mono cartridge

Miyajima Labs Infinity mono cartridge

DaVa Reference Field Coil phono cartridge

DaVa Reference Field Coil phono cartridge

Audio Technica MC-2022 phono cartridge

Audio Technica MC-2022 phono cartridge

Koetsu Azule Platinum MC stone body

Koetsu Azule Platinum MC stone body

CS Port linear tracking tone arm with air bearing

CS Port linear tracking tone arm with air bearing

Primary Control 12" FCL tone arm

Primary Control 12" FCL tone arm

Durand gimbal bearing tone arm

Durand gimbal bearing tone arm

Durand 12" Telos wood arm wand

Durand 12" Telos wood arm wand

Durand Tosca gimbal bearing tone arm

Durand Tosca gimbal bearing tone arm

Evolution Acoustics bass tower interface and adjustments

Evolution Acoustics bass tower interface and adjustments

cables and various cable decoupling strategies.

cables and various cable decoupling strategies.

Tripoint Audio Elite grounding box for sources.

Tripoint Audio Elite grounding box for sources.

Tripoint Audio Troy Signature for amps

Tripoint Audio Troy Signature for amps

Entreq Poseidon + Atlantic Minimus + Everest knobs

Entreq Poseidon + Atlantic Minimus + Everest knobs

3 of the 5 Taiko Tana active platforms

3 of the 5 Taiko Tana active platforms

3 linear power supplies for Taiko Tana active under sources

3 linear power supplies for Taiko Tana active under sources

linear power supply for the Taiko Tana active platform under amp

linear power supply for the Taiko Tana active platform under amp

Equi=Tech 10WQ wall panel A/C transformer with door open

Equi=Tech 10WQ wall panel A/C transformer with door open

Klaudio RCM + Equi=Tech with door closed.

Klaudio RCM + Equi=Tech with door closed.

the audio barn

the audio barn

Description

this room and system is the result of 10 years in High End audio. my system has been stable for a couple of years (except for transport and amplifier upgrades within the same brand). the room has been in the planning stage for about 18 months and i actually moved in a little over a month ago.

my audio philosphy is to have the system get out of the way of the event. i like as pure and simple a signal path as possible and, at this point, prefer passive to active gain stages. i love all the formats and enjoy having lot's of music.....vinyl is my favorite but i listen to at least 60% digital. the new room really reveals the benefits of SACD over redbook.

the system and room truely allow the event to be recreated before me. i love the way the speakers disappear and i am transported to another place/time.

i have choosen my cables, sources, amps, speakers to have as little of their own sound as possible.

recently, i upgraded my digtial transport from the modified Philips SACD 1000 to the new emmlabs CDSD.....this was a significant step upward in performance.

i have written an article in Positive Feedback regarding my room building experience.....here is a link;

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue16/lavigneroom.htm
Read more...

Room Details

Dimensions: 29’ × 21’  X large
Ceiling: 11’

Components Toggle details

    • Evolution Acoustics MM7's
    twin towers, main tower, 82
    • darTZeel NHB-468
    Mono block Amplifiers. 

    traded in my 458 amplifiers for the new version, the 468.
    • darTZeel NHB-18NS with 2 internal phono stages.
    battery powered preamp with 2 separate phono stages. uses BNC 'zeel' cables between pre and amps.
    • Evolution Acoustics 7.5 meter 'Zeel'
    7.5 meter pair of BNC cables from preamp to amps.
    • Evolution Acoustics 'System' speaker cables--10 feet
    new version of these cables, a big step over the amazing TRSC model i have used for 10 years. fantastic performance.
    • WADAX SA Reference DAC
    Wadax Reference Dac----state of the art dac with 2 separate power supplies. the best dac i have heard by a good margin. below is a link to a thread about my Wadax experience.

    https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/wadax-reference-dac-and-server-arrive.34173/#post-771357
    • WADAX SA Reference Server with Akasa optical interface
    ultimate state of the art music server using Roon. includes the Akasa optical interface.
    • CS Port LFT1 turntable w/arm
    air bearing platter and air bearing linear tracking arm; string drive with zero feedback dc motor, low pressure, low flow air system with zero noise air box.

    world class musical flow, nuance and delicacy, combined with authority and ease. serves the music completely.
    • Esoteric T1 Turntable
    magnetic drive/rim drive idler turntable with torque adjustment.

    https://www.esoteric.jp/en/product/t1/top
    • Esoteric G1X Master Clock
    Master Clock Generator for speed improvement for the T1 turntable.

    https://www.esoteric.jp/en/product/g1x/top
    • Wave Kinetics NVS
    direct drive turntable
    • Durand ---Two Tosca tonearms.
    gimbal bearing design. the finest tonearm i have heard.

    one Tosca on the Esoteric T1 turntable

    one Tosca on the Wave Kinetics NVS turntable
    • Primary Control 12" FCL tone arm
    Field Coil Loaded uni-pivot tone arm. with power supply.

    amazing natural and very high resolution tone arm. link below.

    https://www.primarycontrol.nl/Field_Coil_Loaded_Unipivot_Tonearm.html
    • Durand Tonearms 12" Telos, wood arm wand
    12" tone arm, uni pivot.
    • Experience Music/Intact Audio phono corrector + silver wound MC Trio SUT combo for three different tonearms.
    bespoke tubed phono preamplifier. silver wound, with custom dual power supplies.

    https://myemia.com/LR.html
    • LFD -3- Phono Cables DIN to RCA
    3 sets of very high performance phono cables. amazing performance. built by Dr. Richard Bews in the UK.

    one cable uses a DIN to RCA short Dongle + an RCA to RCA interconnect. the Dongle improves the performance of the DIN connection. details at the link below.

    https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/lfd-cables-phono-and-i-c-from-the-uk-cables-as-components.31243/
    • DaVa Reference cartridge
    field coil cartridge. with tube power supply.
    • two Etsuro Golds, ---a pair of Reference MC Phono Cartridges.
    duraluminim (A7075) body, 24 carat 'Kinpaku' Gold Leaf finish, diamond cantiliver. .3mv output, 4 ohms. these are both special versions of the Etsuro Gold.

    one is mounted on the CS Port linear tracker.

    one is mounted on the Primary Control FCL arm.

    finest cartridge i have heard by a significant margin. WOW!
    • Audio Technica MC-2022 60th Anniversary cartridge
    uses the unified stylus cantilever design. which results in extreme lack of distortion and linearity. maybe the best i've heard at musical truth.

    mounted on the Durand Tosca tonearm on the NVS tt.

    https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/at-mc2022
    • Koetsu Azule Platinum Stone Body, boron cantilever
    .3 Mv output moving coil cartridge. mounted on the Durand Telos 12" wood arm wand tone arm and NVS turntable.
    • Miyajima Labs --2--Infinity mono cartridge's.
    one Infinity cartridge has 0.7mil stylus for modern narrow groove mono pressings.

    one Infinity cartridge has 1.0 mil stylus for early wide groove mono pressings.

    https://www.miyajima-lab.com/e-mono.html
    • DS Audio Ion 001 Vinyl Ionizer
    generates positive and negative ions to remove static charge from vinyl records. i use this with my NVS turntable.

    https://ds-audio-w.biz/products/181/
    • CS Port Static Eliminator IME1 (two of them)
    An unprecedented accessory focusing on cartridge friction. It suppresses the effects of static electricity and makes records clearer.

    one is on the CS Port tt, one on the Esoteric T1 tt.

    https://www.csport.audio/products/products-ime1-en.html
    • Stage III Concepts 1.5 meter XLR set of Gorgon interconnects.
    high performance interconnects. used from the Wadax Reference dac to the darTZeel preamp.

    http://aaudioimports.com/ShowProduct.asp?hProduct=283
    • Ampex twin ATR-102----one 1/4" and one 1/2" reel to reel master recorder
    hot rodded by ATR Service Inc----Andrew Kosobutsky. significant upgrades over stock. each interfacing with hot rodded Ampex MR-70 preamps.

    https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/ak-hot-rodded-ampex-atr-102s-w-mr-70-preamps-replaces-my-studers.36288/
    • Kosobutsky 1.5 meter set of RCA interconnects + 8 meter set of XLR interconnects.
    1.5 meter set of RCA interconnects are used between the EMIA phono corrector and the darTZeel preamp.

    8 meter set is used between the Ampex MR 70 tape preamps and the darTZeel preamp.
    • Nordost QRT QNET network switch
    Network switch, with Nordost Qsource power supply.

    https://www.nordost.com/qrt-audio-enhancers.php
    • Synology 30 Terabyte NAS (a pair = 60 TB) music file storage
    mirroring music storage for my music files.
    • Taiko Tana (5 of them) Herzan TS-150 (2) + TS-140 (3)
    active isolation under 5 separate components: (1) the NVS turntable, (2) the MSB dac, (3) the darTZeel preamp, (4 + 5) both darTZeel mono block amplifiers. custom modifications by Taiko Audio add a linear power supply plus panzerholtz top layer + Daiza platform to provide full frequency resonance attenuation to each platform.
    • Taiko Audio Daiza isolation platform--22 used in the system
    Panzerholtz Platform with spiral cutouts reducing mid and high frequency resonance while retaining life and energy and not changing tonality.

    22 Daiza platforms in the system of various sizes under every piece of the signal path.
    • Adona Zero GTX rack---3 of them--each 4 shelf.
    all three with 27" x 21" turntable top.

    solid rack for best direct floor connection.
    • Evolution Acoustics 'system' power cables
    a new version of the TRPC model i used on my darTZeel 468 mono blocks for the last 10 years. a big step up.
    • Sablon Audio King power cord
    used on the Wadax Reference Server.

    https://www.sablonaudio.com/power
    • Absolute Fidelity power interfaces
    power cords specifically designed for either motors (tt and tape decks), amplifiers, and components. 11 in the system.
    • Tripoint Audio Troy Signature
    Grounding box for chassis grounding the darTZeel 458 mono block amplifiers + grounding the passive main towers of the Evolution Acoustics MM7 speaker system.
    • Tripoint Audio Elite
    Tripoint Elite grounding box. this does chassis grounding for my sources. it uses a a pair of Tripoint Thor SE Master Reference ground cables for my dart preamp and the MSB Select II dac. there are also 4 Signature Silver ground cables to the two arm boards of the NVS tt, the power supply of the NVS tt, and the SGM server.
    • Equi=tech 10WQ
    10kva balanced Isoltion transformer and distribution panel.
    • Furutech GTX-D NCF Rhodium duplex outlets
    10 in the system. used with 10 Furutech covers and frames. uses NCF (nano crystal formula) material to reduce noise by emitting negative ions.
    • Wave Kinetics A10 U8 decoupling footers
    8 sets-of-4 in the system for individual tuning of each piece of gear.
    • Auralex T-Fusor diffusers
    i use 20 of these. 6 each on the front side walls, and 4 each front ceiling and rear ceiling.
    • Klaudio Record Cleaning System
    automatic record cleaner
    • Acoustic Revive RL-30 mKIII CD-LP demagnatizer
    for demaging any disc.
    • Furutech DF-2 LP disc flattner
    will remove warps from Lps
    • Audiodharma Cable Cooker, Anniversary Ed.
    will cook any cables
    • Winds ALM-01 Stylus Force Gauge
    easy accurate, repeatable, measurments.
    • i-Tower by Koncept LED floor lamp
    (3) are used. best audio light ever. 2 'warm', 1 'cool'.
    • Quietrock THX 545 drywall
    specialized drywall with a 1/4" metal layer. used in my front sidewalls to establish proper room boundaries.
    • view...... what i look at...
    ...while listening. Rattlesnake Ridge.
    • Barn.... ......room is....
    ....most of the ground floor. 29' x 21' x 11'.

Comments 3389

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Today I’ve installed a pair of KR Audio Kronzillas DXL, and my MM3s never sounded better... TUBES RULES!!!

leog2015

Owner

I added Lamm ML3 Signature mono blocks to my system a few days ago. The ML3's are a 32 watt SET with separate tube power supplies.

My Evolution Acoustics MM7 speakers are 97db, 7 ohm and are active below 40hz so the ML3's see an easy load and also don't need to do much deep bass. as a result they really get up and boogie on anything but the most demanding music, which is why I have the darTZeel 458 mono blocks too, which i'm keeping.

I love how the ML3's work in my system. amazing sound.

I will add some new pictures in the next few weeks.

mikelavigne

Mike,

A belated Merry Christmas and wishes for a great and very Happy New Year!

These are the best photos yet of your system(!!!) by a considerable margin,...it's shows off the art of your system and each component, cable and of course the room itself better than ever before!  

Simply amazing!

zephyr24069

Hi Mike,

Great new photos!  Your system looks amazing!  Congrats!

I see that you have been using the Absolute Fidelity Power Interfaces for many years (I use one of those with my DAC). Have you compared them to other top power cables recently? 

Vicente

vn101606

Owner

more photos added including the dart pre replacing the old version last year, Tripoint Elite description, Tripoint Troy Signature and description, Entreq Silver Tellus, Entreq Poseidon, Entreq Atlantic Minimus, Sound Galleries Music (SGM) server 2015.

and updated pictures of the MM7's and dart 458's.

I still have to add more, but i'm gaining on it.

mikelavigne

Owner

updated photos and gear list, not all the way done but now shows the MSB Select II with dual power supplies, the Tripoint Elite ground box, the Tripoint Troy Signature is now behind the dart mono blocks.

other additions coming when I get the chance. added the Entreq Poseidon, added Hardpoint Trinia passive footers, added Clearaudio Goldfinger Statement cartridge......all of which I need to add to my list and photos.

sorry this took so long.

mikelavigne

Back after many years out of the hobby. Remember this system from years - but wow! Seems even more amazing...

sdatch

Great news Mike...congratulations on the new DAC!  I take it you are over being bad and will enjoy this new unit thoroughly!!

Remember....
BAD IS GOOD!!!
:-) 

zephyr24069

Mike.....nothing short of Awe Inspiring.....Magnifico!

baggs1

Owner

hello VPN,

thank you.

yes; last week I was a 'very bad boy' (as the wife says) and did buy the MSB Select II dac. it is black in color, has a single power supply, and the 33 Femto clock upgrade. I promise to try and update my system pictures as soon as I can.....along with some details about my experiences with the new dac.

the Select II is a revelation in digital performance......and it has me under it's spell fully. all the accolades this dac have received are indeed well deserved.

cheers,

Mike


mikelavigne

Hello Mike,

I understand you purchased a MSB Select II. Congrats! Great DAC!

When you have some time, please update your system and photos.

Cheers,

VPN

vn101606

Mike is among the best humans with whom you'll ever share a session.

cymbop

Many thanks, Mike, for hosting me at your wonderful listening room.

As much as I like the system, I appreciate your friendship and hospitality.

I enjoyed listening to your spectacular system. The speakers are so coherent and powerful and their  audio rendering was absolutely superb.

gallant_diva

Hi Mike, What interconnects and speaker wires are you using? Have you heard or tried any High fidelity products?  We, me and a couple friends,  had the good fortune to visit you some, maybe 7,  years ago.    Regards Charles

charleskz

Hi Mike,

   Congratulations on your achievement. After reading your blog and comments on WBF we share the same vision in system/room designing. If you get a chance please add the Tripoint Thor SE grounding cable that Is on the DartZeel to the list of components.
Worked very hard in this concept wire. Thanks and enjoy your beautiful system.

himiguel

Hi Mike,

   Congratulations on your achievement. After reading your blog and comments on WBF we share the same vision in system/room designing. If you get a chance please add the Tripoint Thor SE grounding cable that Is on the DartZeel to the list of components.
Worked very hard in this concept wire. Thanks and enjoy your beautiful system.

himiguel

Owner

hi Guys, sorry I'm way behind in responding here and have not updated my room info for a year or so, I will try to do better.

audiogon member 'Bonzo75' recently traveled from the UK to visit my room and wrote up his experience on a blog he created. I thought it might be a good way to let you know what is doing on my system currently. here is a link;

http://zero-distortion.org/mike-lavignepuget-studiosjazdoc-evolution-acoustic-mm7/

mikelavigne

Still the most amazing system and room/total experience ever seen! Hope you are doing well Mike; any changes recently or in the plan?

zephyr24069

Mike,

Quick question; did you run subtle light in the ceiling above the diffusors?  I just got a quote from my electrian to run rope LED's around the perimeter of raised trey's.  Expensive!

stickman451

Mike,

I have finally retired and relocated to Castle Rock, CO.  Our new home is approx. 1/2 complete.  We're hoping to move in around Feb or March of next year.  My new dedicated room is framed and the elecrical has been started.  The finished dimensions will be 29 L x 21'-10" w x 11 h at the soffit with the six individual treys another 18" higher.  I will hang the diffusors similar to your setup in the raised treys.  After Much thought I have decided to go all hardwood on the floor and then use nice heavy throw rugs to fine tune the balance between liveness and absorption.  

Thanks very much for your insights and advice on room setup.  This will be my third dedicated room and it is going to be my best!  Excited and very anxious to get started on setting up and using the room.

BTW,  I picked up a Audio Desk Systeme Vinyl Pro Record Cleaner at the RMAF this weekend; this thing is awesome!  Highly recommended!

StickMan451 (Howard Strader)

stickman451

Mike,...thanks for jumping on the phone late this past week and talking through various topics concerning speakers, cables, etc....the help is very much appreciated!

zephyr24069

Hi there stranger!

Long time no speak Mike!!

Seriously Michael, after fourteen years you have GOT to get a hobby...:-)

Things look beautiful at the Barn these days... You seem to have dived in the DEEP end of the analog pool!
When did you get even more turntable's???
The room acoustics you put together seem to have served you well both cosmetically and sonically and with all you have it is a wonder you ever leave that room!

...And to those nasty early posts you received...Let them gaze upon your THREE ROWS of seating!...:-)

Seriously, i hope all is well with you and the family and when you get a minute to write PLEASE tell me about that EMT 948 and custom plinth...She's a beauty!

Best regards,
Jake [Azjake]

azjake

Hi Mike - love to hear what all this wonderful equipment sounds like. Some serious audiophile. With all these turntables keeping them dust free must be a problem. Not sure if you go around cleaning the platter on a regular basis but there is another option. Take a look at dust-o-disc on amazon and the .com website. It may help. Of course the acrylic needs cleaning but is effective for dust free platter. Of course there may be no dust in your room. If so don't bother.

rainteaut

Hello Mike, I've been long time absent from here ... and WBF - just came across your last comments on current status of system, and, sounds like it has entered the "good zone". Congrats on reaching this point, it can be a hard journey but it is a remarkable place to stumble upon - once experienced, never forgotten ...

Still fiddling with ordinary gear at my end - experimenting with quite decent NAD components at the moment, which now have been tweaked to the point of being able to project that "convincing" sound you speak of.

Cheers,
Frank

fas42

Dear Mike: Happy New Year !!. My best wishes for you and your dearest family.

R.

rauliruegas

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