For the enjoyment of music. Lot's of changes over the years. I typically won't buy something unless I can listen to it in my system. Spending a lot of time recently searching out well recorded and interesting music via hi res downloads. I have a really nice vinyl collection mostly Jazz and pop. Digital I'm filling out my classical titles and more modern recordings. Jan '16
A seriously great preamp...one of the best...if you're reading this...contact me...this is that good..
DCS Vivaldi DAC, Transport, Clock & Upsampler
dCS Vivaldi DAC, Trans and Clock
Transparent Opus Gen 5 & Magnum Opus
replaced mm2 version
Transparent Audio Opus Power and Opus Power Source Gen 5
Transparent Opus Gen 5 Speaker Cable
Speaker cable
Grand Prix Silverstone F1
stand
Spiral Groove Centroid
Uni Pivot arm
Grand Prix Audio Monaco
Direct Drive Turntable s/n 40
Nagra Classic Amp
Stereo amp
Nagra VPS/MPS and VFS
Just added the Nagra MPS power supply. Really more sublime now...the Nagra VPS/VFS combo was already great, however the MPS lowers the noise...sound stage opens up and transparency increases
Grand Prix Audio Apex - Threaded footer
very finely threaded very of Apex for minute level adjustments
Keith Monks Ruby
Killer record cleaner. I've always wanted a Monks.
Shunyata Hydra Triton v2/Typhon/DPC-6 v2
Sigma HC feeding Triton & Anaconda Zitron Feeding Typhon. All front end (dCS, Nagra, and TT motor controller...
Transparent Audio Reference XL Digital
Clock cables for dCS (2) bnc to bnc and Dual AES trans to dac
That makes a lot of sense actually. In my own little way, the improvements of the Zanden have NOT been about voice...which i love...its been about speed, decay, and rhythm. With deep house, there can be multiple (7?) or more syncopated and/or contrapuntal rhythms all going on at once...and its only with absolute resolution AND ability to start/stop and deliver it spot on time...that you realize how many such musical beats are going on at the same time.
I can only imagine that the Vivaldi truly excels (and effortlessly) at delivering this level of detail, dynamics, and ability to keep all the multi-layered musical lines going at the same time...allowing you to marvel at each, one at a time...or as a cohesive whole.
In my experience, it is this latter part that some digital lost in trying to get the first part. You got loads of detail and no sense of cohesion...your brain could not re-assimilate the notes back into a musical tapestry...you just got lots of interesting threads.
Zanden went the other way and brought cohesion to a whole new level...but their detail/propulsive bass was perhaps not up there. It has only been after 5 years of constant experimenting, mass damping, isolating, rmi/efi shielding, cables, NOS tubes...i have finally managed to get the 'detail' element of the DAC up to snuff.
With the arrival of your Vivaldi, i think we got a digital system that is plug and play...and right on both the levels of cohesiveness and incredible detail beyond detail. Rare indeed! And wonderful to experience. Congrats!
Yes, agree with Peter...quite an observation when it comes to a big fan of vinyl which i believe you are, JFrech. Congrats!! That is big news. Look forward to more insights as you (doubtless) get more questions from people like Peter and me on how they compared.
Perhaps put another way...what do you think it is about the vivaldi (relative to your earlier Scarlatti) that has allowed digital to make this great leap forward to rival vinyl in your system?
Good question! I imagine they probably did, as I imagine TA would have just sold Wilson their latest cable run at that time?
Anyway, as far as Jumper cable...I think you're right...but in the end, I think I have found a 'weak link' in the stock jumper plate...which is excellent...but which I think is bettered by the TA Ref jumpers.
So naturally, the question is, do TA Ref XL jumpers shore up this weak link better? Or is it only a marginal improvement.
Given the fact that my only other option is to remove the jumper plate and bi-amp the X1s (owners swear by it, though its not authorized/recommended by Wilson)...I am trying to see how far I can take it relative to a biamp which is a big commitment (though I've heard it can be transformationally good for these speakers).
I am using some 7-year old Transp Ref Jumpers on my Wilson X1s jumper plate...I still use the stock Wilson 1/4" thick copper plate...but ADDING 2 jumpers per speaker has made some great improvements in similar ways as you describe your Scarlatti...for me, the bass has become incredibly 'nimble'...
...so inevitably my QUESTION TO YOU IS:
- would you recommend I try a newer TA jumper. They apparently have TA Ref XL jumpers and (gulp) Opus jumpers.
Thoughts? They are 'just' jumpers...but my old TA Ref jumpers made such a nice difference, I am curious...particularly since the one possible downside is that although treble attack is more natural...it is also just a 'touch' less powerful.
I am wondering if newer generation TA might keep what I like and improve on attack...thanks for any advice.
Congrats, Jfrech...that is great stuff. In particular:
1) ...the musicians intent... 2) better bass (what can I say? bass freak here!) 3) the density of the guitar note AND the decay...that makes a HUGE difference in understanding the music and the 'intent' as you say. It also seems to be the same 'skills' your digital has that also allows 'lesser' instruments in the background to suddenly have their own space on the stage.
Sounds like you are clearly moving the system up several notches! Great stuff...and congrats. You've certain focused my mind on Opus 2nd hand speaker cables quite a lot lately...
Fantastic news, JFrech...fantastic. I am due to hear back on some leads regarding 2nd hand TA RefMM (MM2) or Opus cables, but I think the chances are 50-50 at best. Still, sure would be fun!
JFrech - great, great feedback. Thank you. Makes a lot of sense based on my own experience with Transp Ref, RefXL and now RefMM over the last 10+ years. Perhaps will keep the lookout firmly on Opus SCs!
Just checking in on your Opus SC after about 10-14 days...how do they compare now with your old RefMM (MM2)? If you had to score XL, RefMM, Opus...on a scale of 1-100, how would you score? Thanks!!!
Hi Number 95 - that is consistent with my own experiences burning in...only 40 more hours to go or so to hear something hopefully a bit more stable. Good luck.
First of all congrats. Secondly, in terms of burn-in, I also own XL SCs and RefMM (MM2) ICs...I agree with your assessment regarding XL (MM2) vs RefMM (MM2)...I found after about 100 hours of playing time, things had settled in.
Good luck and please let us know how you get on in the next few days.
Congrats!!! You MUST tell us...how do they compare? I have both Ref XL MM2 and RefMM (MM2)...so naturally want to hear how XL to Opus compares...and I went from Ref to RefMM (MM2)...so that way, we can also 'calibrate' our respective hearing.
I am an admitted NON-techie. I have spoken with people who do their own outdoor grounding...I think both Entreq and Tripoint are aiming at grounding, as well as creating common impedance across the various components? NO idea really. Perhaps other things as well? I also think they way they create their own common ground using a variety of materials inside (presumably copper, obviously silver given the name, and likely a composite of other materials)...seems to matter in the end. Again, no techie...and imagine DIY here is very effective. So the good news is the science here seems sound...question is does the quality of execution matter to the level of extreme being demonstrated by both manufacturers? I am told yes, but I cannot say I understand the science nor have I A/B'd DIY and other common grounding vs Entreq or Tripoint. I go by comments of people I know, plus my own ears in my own system. The entreq is the real deal and equivalent in my system to removing probably 2 sets of Ultra 5s. I am waiting to learn more about Tripoint.
Hi Albert, that is very kind of you...will only be visiting the east coast. but I will be sure to let you both know if we get to TX someday. would be very pleased to visit you!
Mid-August. The Rockport family is pretty at the top of the tree for me...the real question is who is sitting at the top with them. Primarily this is because I have Gryphon electronics and Transparent cabling which I know Andy Payor uses in his own systems, plus the fact that I have heard the earlier generation of Rockports and loved them.
Mribob...i think Maxx 3 and many Wilsons for many generations have the Focal inverted titanium tweeter? Rockport and Focal both use Beryllium. Apparently the metal has different properties with higher break up characteristics so greater extension or something? cannot exactly remember.
yes, interesting about the XLF tweeter which is excellent. i have heard excellent things about Rockport's new Be tweeter relative to old soft dome...as i think you may be suggesting, many ways to greatness!
Enjoying reading all about your great new speakers...speaking of tweeters...can you make a few comparisons between Maxx3 treble and Altair 2 treble? Thanks!
Thanks Jfrech! Very kind words indeed! I just PM'd you. Meanwhile, i spoke with an engineer who worked with Arnie Nudell and Paul McGowan of Genesis Speakers back in the '90s. He is a serious audio engineer...and when we were visiting with him this weekend, he said he LOVED the Altairs when talking about his favorite speakers! I cannot wait to hear them later this summer!
I have Wilson X1/Grand Slamms. Got them in a good deal and love them. But Rockport is one name i would consider an upgrade...and nearly sprung for Rockport Arrakis that came up on AGon...but it still cost too much for me, particularly at that time.
I like Genesis 1.1 but not convinced it would work in my room...and would love to hear Gryphon Pendragon. But I know i could be happy with the top Rockport stuff.
That said, i am extremely happy with X1s, particularly having done some custom tweaks to it recently.
Hi Thesaint519...a very old model. Merak Sheritan IIs...for the money this speaker was incredible. Using the same expensive resin mould technology used in the Arrakis and Altair...the last one to use it in the 'not reference level' speakers of Rockport. Solid, solid unflappable bass...done so easily, its like "how come other speakers cannot just produce this kind of bass?"...and the detail, mids were remarkably easy, natural and detailed. Far and away my fav speaker at that price point which was 25K i believe.
I can see why (like Shindo or Zanden, sometimes CJ), you just buy it and forget about upgrading or searching for the next anything in equipment. You just keep listening to music.
I wish i could share more recent experience, but i will...in a few months when i hear the Altair. ;)
I will wait for Jfrech's answer since he is the star of this show...however, i will post afterwards my own 2 cents being a Wilson owner (X1/Grand Slamms) who considers the X1s one of my all time favorite speakers...but who also has heard Rockports and also has a 'very short list' of speakers to which i would change (which includes Rockport).
You've a world class speaker that almost never comes on the market...some speakers people just keep and keep. Good luck and let us know when they've arrived...sound like they're beautiful to look at too. Congrats!
Dctom - I have heard the Massetto in my system in direct shoot out with my [then] CJ ACT 2. I have since moved to CJ GAT.
The Massetto was magic...plain and simple. I can see why so few people move away from Shindo...and many actually just keep buying within Shindo family.
Eric Clapton's voice was just plain mezmerizing. In the end, I also found the slight 'prod' of the mids forward were part of this magic...which to me is no big deal...who knows how it was recorded? But on orchestral...the violins also always seemed to be pushed forward...which intuitively i did not think was quite right. In the end, the dealer admitted he could see why i would not move from ACT 2 to Massetto. But that said, there are more levels above it for sure. My 2 cents.
Let us know if you get in touch with Sound Practice. Good luck!
Dctom - there is a Shindo dealer in UK i believe...low key, very helpful. Perhaps you've spoken already...the soundpractice, i believe. James is at [email protected] Good luck.
I have heard nothing but superlatives about this one...purity of tonality being a huge strength. Marc Michelson, Tone Audio and Mono & Stereo have also done reviews of this. Martin Colloms has done the Takumi K70 amp...not sure about the K10 preamp though if he has not already done so...it seems logical he would given his praise of the K70.
Enjoy and look forward to your decision. Suspect i know what it will be...
Thanks JFrech! Good to know...i am very inclined to trial the tranport at home...but given the price of one of the matching transport...i kinda hesitate every time i think about actually pulling the trigger. Though i suspect at some point...i probably will.
Wow! Great pics! Like the Rives diagram...not seen one before. neat.
BTW, how does the Mac/Amarra set up compare to playing the track off the Scarlatti transport? Just curious how close you feel the 2 are. If Scarlatti is an aribtrary score of '100'...where does the Mac source into your Scarlatti score? tahnks!!!
Thanks, Jfrech...with Gryphon and Transp XLMM2 in my system...sounds like if i am ever going to seriously consider Rockport someday...i may also want to investigate MSB a bit further. I suspect Rockport has access to whatever digital they want.
Arnie! Just the man...i was going to email you to say that i just read that Rockport uses the MSB in their listening rooms. Yet another important point for me as i consider my digital options beyond Zanden! Do you know which MSB they use and do they still use it?
Thanks Jfrech. You are now the 5th person (of 5) i have spoken to who has heard both and also has no affiliation (that i am aware of) with either company...if anything you are a Wilson guy by virtue of owning Wilsons. And all 5 people have preferred the Altair and Arrakis to our Wilsons. (Arrakis being 2 Altairs...one basically on top of the other.) I have only heard the Merak Sheritan IIs...very, very old...and for the money was tremendously impressed. Let me know what you decide to do. Me? I have decided, barring the steal of the century, not to upgrade further within Wilsons from my X1...and to wait until i can find a second hand pair of big Rockports. Might take years, but that's ok by me.
hopefully your amp is fine...sometimes the fuse blows, or there is a protection circuit that shuts the amp down. and you either need to unplug and let it cool off before switching back on...or there is a switch (like a circuit breaker) that needs to be flipped back. Hopefully, your worse case is you inspect the fuses directly, and they've blown to protect your amp...and you just replace them?
As for hum...i wonder if it is related to the fact that it blew. Was there a problem with 250se that created a short?
X1/Grand Slamms...if there were one 'dream' speaker i would probably upgrade to...it would be Arrakis. Plus, my electronics (Gryphon) are the ones Andy Payor uses most often with his speakers.
Please post your impressions after you've heard them...and enjoy!!!
As for your room, that is going to be sensational without doubt...enjoy!
Hi Sanji and Jfrech. AGree with Jfrech...Transparent MM2 works well with my Wilsons as well. Just got a cashless upgrade on my 10-yr old TA Ref speaker cables to Tranp Ref XL MM2...wow...great stuff.
good luck...this is a great hobby that I am fortunate to enjoy every day...evenings working, and generally throughout the weekends as well.
Perhaps your kids will grow up with an appreciation for music too. In the end, the pursuit of perfection is fun, but the enjoyment of music is also the point. You have a great system...enjoy!
If you like tubes, how about a tubed pre and make sure the tubes are within the 'cage' or enclosure (ie, for family/child safety)?
Tube pre/SS amp is not the same as big tubed amp...but it is a well-traveled path that many (including myself) enjoy. Plus, generally lower maintenance as you end up with fewer tubes (unless you end up with an old CJ ART preamp...20 tubes).
Whoa...i did not realize my comment might possibly lead to an audition.
Speak with Bigpond...he runs Alexandrias with their Mephisto monos. I use their former reference, the Colosseum with my X1/Slamms.
They have endless, and i mean endless reserves of power...particularly for a your speakers. They have a sweetness of tonality that is pure, clean and three-dimensionally shaped.
There is no perfection, as you well know...but when even tube 'philes like Downunder (here) have superlatives for Colosseum (read his comments here)...i think that says something. For you, i would say Colosseum or Mephisto (probably not Antileon Signature given your obvious likeing for Ayre MXRs which are supremely good with a clear light in the treble...Antileon treble is beautiful but a touch dark.)
I have not heard its equal to my ears (Boulder 2060, Krell Evo 1, ARC Ref 210, MBL 9011 monos). The only one that i was intrigued by is the D'Agostino Momentum which was stunningly beautiful though different than Gryphon.
I hear you on Class A...i will say, though, when i came across Gryphon...160 watts/channel 8 ohms...but 5400 watts peak into 0.5ohm load...it changed my opinion (a lot). i have yet to hear 1000 watts into 8 ohms which i am told is quite special (Bryston 28BSST2, Classe Ref monos, ARC Ref 750)...but this amp is my personal fav so far.
for some reason, i have consistently gravitated toward Class A SS amps. Forte 4, older Krell, Gryphon, Boulder...Gryphon being by far my favorite. have heard good things about Vitus as well.
Jfrech- Congrats!!! i am only just getting back onto the forums here after all the problems with AGon...and i went thru the posts...ended up looking thru here...saw your photos and immediately thought...hang on!...is that a DCS? i didn't think he had one of those! Nice one!!!
I will say, after all the years of owning Zanden, the DCS SCarlatti set up is the first that made me plainly realize digital at this level has far surpassed the zanden in noise floor, detail retreival, composure...serious composure...and natural tonality. I was super tempted with the DCS to trade when one came in second-hand...i held off. but it is only 1 of 2 that have ever made me go and set up a special audition and really think about it.
I walked out confident in the right system, DCS Scarlatti could keep me happy for years and years to come...enjoy!!!
Jfrech...thanks!!! that is really helpful. given where my system is now...i think transport are cables are left for upgrades. mm2 sounds very very interesting! will give a listen. thanks again...and enjoy!
Nice cable, Jfrech! i also own Wilsons (the older X1/Grand Slamms), PAD Dominus/Ann Contego PCs...and have been using older Transparent Ref and Ref XL (pre mm1). Do you have any ability to offer some guidance as to how older Ref/Ref XL and MM2 compare? Thanks!!! and Enjoy!!!
