Author Topic: My stereo...It's been too long  (Read 5104 times)

Offline non-prophet

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My stereo...It's been too long
« on: July 20, 2013, 01:06:32 PM »
The rundown:

Adcom GCD-700 cd player
Audio Research EC-4 tube crossover
Melos Max-1 DAC with separate tube output stage (2 piece)
Elan D-401 (2) Digital amplifiers
Magnavox tube amplifier (Mike's creation)
VMPS ST/R custom speakers

Fantastic setup, just not exactly what I am looking for.  Amazing sound field, Unbelievable highs, full lows.  Mids could be better.  Extremely detailed music, almost too detailed, a little fatiguing.  An equalizer is probably needed but I hate cutting out music to make it sound better...I am not Dr Bose.  Thank you for looking and I am planning a get together sometime later this year when I have my office and home stereos set up.  Nick
Duntech PCL-400 (Black Knight), KEF 105/3, Snell Type b
Aloia PST 11.1, Terra Song ss-1, Luxman c-1000, Melos MA333
Llano Phoenix CA-300, White Audio Labs A100, (2) Luxman M4000
McIntosh MA230

Offline StephenWVU

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Re: My stereo...It's been too long
« Reply #1 on: July 20, 2013, 01:22:35 PM »
Very neat system. How hot does your tube gear get not being on the top of the rack? What type of rack is that?
Speakers: Nearfield Acoustics Pipedreams Reference 18
Amplifier:
Mark Levinson ML3 (subs)
Phison A2.120SE (towers)
Preamplifier/DAC/Phono: Phison PD2SE
Server: Pi & NUC
Turntable: VPI HR-X, VdH Colibri XGW

Offline Kingman

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Re: My stereo...It's been too long
« Reply #2 on: July 20, 2013, 04:54:18 PM »
Nice system!!! The amp looks familiar..... ???
IN REALITY IT ONLY MATTERS WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE TO YOU!!!!!

Offline non-prophet

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Re: My stereo...It's been too long
« Reply #3 on: July 20, 2013, 04:56:09 PM »
The amp is only a 3.5 watt X 2, it can get hot but rarely does.  The Melos tubes only get warm.  And sorry I forgot...

The rundown part 2 (the stuff us audio guys waste money on):

AudioPrism Foundation iii power conditioner
MIT z power cables
Theta digital cable
Discovery Cable AES/EBU between the Melos components
Signet rca's
Solid Steel audio rack with 3/4" tempered glass isolated shelves
Monster speaker wire, too cheap to buy six matching cables for this set up
Duntech PCL-400 (Black Knight), KEF 105/3, Snell Type b
Aloia PST 11.1, Terra Song ss-1, Luxman c-1000, Melos MA333
Llano Phoenix CA-300, White Audio Labs A100, (2) Luxman M4000
McIntosh MA230

OldiesButGoodies

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Re: My stereo...It's been too long
« Reply #4 on: July 20, 2013, 07:38:21 PM »
Looks great Nick!

I guess a tri-amped system like that really tests your belief in high end speaker cables*.

Pepe

* River Current cables, of course are worth every penny  :police:

Anders

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Re: My stereo...It's been too long
« Reply #5 on: July 20, 2013, 07:55:54 PM »
No speaker cables in my system.
Custom Electrostatic amps hook right up to the panels.
There are of course interconnect cables which are Livewire Double Braid Litz.
A 20 foot run from my Audio Research SP6 with my mods.
A modded Thorens PPA-990 Head Amp and a modded Dual 731Q with Supex 1000 cartridge also modded.

Offline schwarcw

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Re: My stereo...It's been too long
« Reply #6 on: July 20, 2013, 10:09:14 PM »
Very nice Nick!  I'm not big on multiple amplifiers.  I think it complicates "balancing" the speakers range..  I know it can be done but it is something I would not personally take on.  I prefer a single amp setup.  Some real nice equipment!!
Carl

Offline non-prophet

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Re: My stereo...It's been too long
« Reply #7 on: July 20, 2013, 10:33:06 PM »
I agree, I cant wait to sell off the VMPS and simply bi-amp or single amp a pair of Snell Type b's.
Duntech PCL-400 (Black Knight), KEF 105/3, Snell Type b
Aloia PST 11.1, Terra Song ss-1, Luxman c-1000, Melos MA333
Llano Phoenix CA-300, White Audio Labs A100, (2) Luxman M4000
McIntosh MA230

Offline MacGeek

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Re: My stereo...It's been too long
« Reply #8 on: July 20, 2013, 10:39:47 PM »
Nice rig.  Does the little tube amp run out of gas?  I am a believer in multiple amps and believe they can help reduce compression at louder listening levels
Mac stuff, Sony HDR-F1HD AM/FM/HD tuner, Denon DRS 810 cassette, Denon CDR-W1500 CD recorder, Music Hall MMF-9 w/B&O MMC2, B & O 4002 w/B & O 20 CL, Revox A-77

Offline Falcon

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Re: My stereo...It's been too long
« Reply #9 on: July 21, 2013, 05:16:46 AM »
Nice!!!  Those Elan amps are bad ass! Are those the same as the Sunfire amps?   Obviously I love the little tube amp.

Offline Reverend

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Re: My stereo...It's been too long
« Reply #10 on: July 21, 2013, 10:54:36 AM »
Nice, which room is this system in?

Offline non-prophet

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Re: My stereo...It's been too long
« Reply #11 on: July 21, 2013, 02:10:22 PM »
My listening/living room, until I finish my real living room, then dedicated listening room.  About the little tube amp, never, I actually have to turn down the gain at the crossover, the horns its driving are rated at somewhere around 105 db, so 3.5 watts goes a long way.  OBG, the speaker wires are a big investment (3 pairs) for a pair of speakers I do not plan on keeping, but I feel it could be a major improvement, especially with the mids.  Either way, someone buy these speakers or the whole setup minus the Melos ,of course.
Duntech PCL-400 (Black Knight), KEF 105/3, Snell Type b
Aloia PST 11.1, Terra Song ss-1, Luxman c-1000, Melos MA333
Llano Phoenix CA-300, White Audio Labs A100, (2) Luxman M4000
McIntosh MA230