Description

This system started 20 years ago. Only remnants at this point are some cables. Everything else has been upgraded once or twice. Originally purchased all Rogue stuff 20+ years ago and and initally grew in their line very happily but then wanted more. Same with vandersteen, originally had 2CEs but upgraded 4 or so years ago. Most recent additions are the Atma-sphere MA-1s and the ModWright both of which were significant upgrades. Prior to that a lot of time was spent on the analog side. The Rogers came first and it was so amazing that I felt it deserved a more substantial turntable setup, thus, the Brinkmann Bardo.

Update November 2023:
So I had by first major snafu. I bumped my cartridge and knocked the cantilever right off. Found Steven at VAS to fix it. My wife was quite upset though as we have a lot of Christmas records and no working turntable. She suggested I get a new cartridge to have the one I'm getting fixed as a backup. Found a screaming deal on an Ortofon Windfeld Ti. That's now on the Brinkmann arm sounding quite amazing.

Update January 2024:
Decided that rather than having a backup cartridge let's have a 2 tonearm setup. Had read a lot about the Wand and got in touch with Bob at Profundo, their new US importer and got a Wand plus 10.3 with a pedistal since my Bardo can only have 1 arm. Moved the Windfeld to that and WOW! What an amazing piece. Soundstage is popping. Singers sound 3 dimensionally in the room. Better pairing for the cartridge for certain. Waiting on custom wood bodies cartridge from Steve at VAS to put ony Brinkmann arm. 
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Room Details

Dimensions: 20’ × 14’  Medium
Ceiling: 8’


Components Toggle details

    • Brinkmann Audio Bardo Performance Edition
    This is the version with the 10.5 Tonearm and upgraded solid state power supply. Comes standard with crystal glass platter and clamp
    • Ortofon Windfeld Ti
    Purchased used from a fellow goner. It's definitely an upgrade from the Cadenza Black I had
    • HRS R1 MK2
    Red weight classification
    • Rogers High Fidelity PA-2
    Was purchased as PA-1A but factory upgraded. Has all Telefunken 12ax7s
    • Atma-Sphere MA-1 mkII.2
    I recently got these used from a local dealer and holy cow! They're amazing. I'd hoped for improvement but didn't see this level of improvement coming. Will likely upgrade them to the most current version when financially feasible.
    • Vandersteen Quatro Wood
    • Schiit Audio Yggdrasil Analog 2
    Does not have upgraded USB but run coax from node
    • Bluesound Node 2
    • AudioQuest Emerald interconnects
    • Acoustic BBQ Full Rack interconnects
    • Acoustic BBQ Full Rack power cables
    • Transparent Audio 200 phono interconnect
    • ModWright LS-100
    Recent change after falling out of love with the RP-7 and I love with a Don Sachs. This is the perfect balance of the clarity of the former and the musicality and warmth of the latter. Curre rly running it with NOS RCA 6SN7
    • AudioQuest Niagara 1200
    • Richard Gray RGPC 600s
    • The Wand Plus 10.3
    2nd tonearm currently housing Ortofon Windfeld Ti
    • Bellari Audio MT502 mu
    Step up transformer

Comments 6

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Dang! What a beautiful system. I'd love to here a system of this caliber some day.

mjcmt