California Cool 2016

by boy_lah on Done For NowOpinions PleaseTom EvansLinear A Mk2TortugaLDRxLDRBastanisMandalaModwrightOppo 83SEAlan Maher DesignsNanotecOyaide

Description

My NorCal system is finally singing late 2016...very pleased. Had to progressively convert all my gear from 240v to 110v throughout last year. Then I got the new LDR pre-amp and finally had my Tom Evans Linear A (hybrid SE 2xquad EL84s) fully upgraded to Mk2 specs.

With a dedicated room and the space for it, my Bastanis open baffle speakers are just 
singing. These are the CHRYSTAL versions (violin lacquer applied) of this wonderful high efficiency (110db) speakers. Qualities of horn without the issues! Panels are ply from Finland.  http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews2/bastanis2/1.html

I've always liked the transparency of TVC (Transformer Volume Control e.g. Music First) but missed the drive of a good active and I also wanted a remote! With my more efficient speakers, drive is no longer an issue, and with the LDR I found a affordable remote based option. Transparency, as expected is amazing!

Alan Maher power treatment means the sound is dead quiet with ever so 'real' nuances and tactility of live performance coming through.

Room still needs work, some dampening/diffusing here and there and my grounding needs to be upgraded. Need to experiment speaker placement more - it can sound a touch laid back at the moment. 
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Room Details

Dimensions: 24’ × 17’  Large
Ceiling: 10’

Components Toggle details

    • Bastanis Speakers Mandala
    Top of the line CHRYSTAL versions (violin lacquer applied) of this wonderful open baffle, high efficiency (110db) speakers. Qualities of horn without the issues! Panels are ply from Finland!  http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews2/bastanis2/1.html
    • Tom Evans Audio Design Linear A mk2
    Fully upgraded to MK2 status in summer 2016...including new boards and pure copper (not brass plated) speaker binding posts. Even more quiet and thus natural / dynamic than before!  http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/tomevans/lineara.html

    Linear A is a hybrid, single ended, Class A, ultra-linear stereo amp with 25WPC. Four EL84 tubes per side, in parallel, create a composite tube with characteristics almost identical to the legendary Japanese No.10 tube.
    • Tortuga Audio LDRx
    Remote controlled 'passive' LDR (light dependent resistor) pre-amp that lets everything through uncoloured. Very similar to a TVC sound wish, perhaps a tad more transparent but a tad more finicky when it comes to matching. http://www.tortugaaudio.com/product/ldrx-passive-preamp/
    • ModWright LLC Oppo 83SE
    Fully tricked out Oppo 83SE by Modwright including external power supply with rectifier (5R4GY) and tube output stage (6SN7). http://www.modwright.com/modifications/oppo-95-truth-tube-mod.php
    • Alan Maher Designs Various
    Various Alan Maher power factor correction products including Pressure Plate 2.0, EMI wrap 2.0, QPI, RF Antenna, Tricell Active platforms, Engerizer Ground, Energizer PLC, QDS, QStation.  http://www.alanmaherdesigns.net/shop
    • Nanotech Systems Cables
    Interconnect: Nanotec Golden Strada #201
    Speaker cables: Nanotec SP#9 Special Nanotec SP#79 SR
    http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/nanotec6/2.html
    • Symposium Acoustics Ultra, Svelte, Rollerballs
    These platforms help drop my noise floor without the downsides of using power conditioning ie. losing PRAT/being coloured.
    • Finite Elemente Signature Rack

    • Balanced Power Technologies PPC
    Superb - direct sound without any edge. Oyaide plugs, litz cables, Alan Maher power upgrades.

Comments 16

Showing all comments by jeff1225.

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GIK was great to deal with for me. The diffusor panels on the ceiling really opened up the sound stage in my playback. I have diffusor panels on the ceiling, 242 panels behind the speakers and a 244 panel on the first side reflection on the left. 

Have a friend help you experiment, you don't want to make the mistake I did at first when I overdamped the sound. 

jeff1225

Congratulations on a very well thought out system. I love the layout of the room.

jeff1225

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