Author Topic: A little update  (Read 11777 times)

Offline tinpan

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A little update
« on: December 29, 2014, 10:40:02 AM »
Been a while since I updated my systems, so here’s an update


This is the main AV/listening room. I’ve been searching for 2 or 3 La Scalas finished in the raw birch lacquer finish to replace the 2 black ones and the white one. The white one doesn’t bother me aesthetically but the black ones did. Hence the trip to Morgantown.


Most of the control comes from here. On the right side of the rack is an Oppo 93, Sunfire TGIV and a Sunfire 5 x 400. The Oppo has an HDMI cable running to the TV and all the audio cables feed the sunfire. Another new toy is the Technics SL1200, I had forgotten how nice vinyl sounds on the La Scalas when played through a Sunfire. The Sunfire Signature 5 x 400 drives the La Scalas for LCR and a pair of Cornwalls for surround. There is also Rythmik 15 inch sub to the left and a Klipsch SW 12 ( I think it is) on the right. I can listen to 2.1 stereo,  2 channel or 5.1 SACD or 5.1 Dolby Digital movies.

On the right is a Dual CS5000 turntable an Oppo 981 with an HDMI cable running to the TV and the audio going to the AN L2. For power we have an Audio Note L2 preamp/phonostage and an Audio Note L2 DAC. I’m using longer than I like  rca cables to run to a pair of Audio Note Interstage Mono Blocks. These feed the Azura horn system which is comprised of a pair of Electro Voice Sentry IV bass bins, Lowther PM4a drives and Digital Pete crossovers. I cross this system over at 250 Hz. It’s kind of nice to play the Comboy Junkies Trinity Revisted on this system and watch the video going to the Sony screen and having the audio going 2 channel through the tube system.

The Audio Note preamp/phono stage and Dac give me lots of options for rolling tubes. I upgraded the power tubes with Bendix 6X5’s and there is a nice assortment of 12AX7 and 12AU7 tubes to roll.

With this set up I run a Sonos connect to provide the main staple of audio to both systems


Here’s a close up of the L2 Phono stage and DAC. You can see the tubes glowing softly through the top of the DAC.


Here’s a shot of the L2 Phono stage / preamp. It uses dual 12AU7’s for the line stage and a 12AX7 that feeds a 12AU7 for the phono stage.
My goal here was to have an inexpensive alternative for the Sunfire Tube Preamp and to keep it priced around $1,500 bucks. I kept the tin covered Audio Note caps instead of upgrading to the copper foil and adding Black Gates. One thing I learned is that you really have to have clean sounding tubes in the phono stage. You hear everything. I also like the single tube feeding both channels in the phono stage. It makes it easier to roll tubes. The L3 uses 3 12AY7’s and they have to match perfectly.


Here’s a shot under the hood of the L2 DAC. It features a pair of 6922/6DJ8 tubes and the M2 power supply, like all the AN Kits dacs and line stages/preamps. Again I used the tin covered AN caps to keep the cost below $1,500.


Here’s the Sunfire set up


An one of the Audio Note Interstage mono blocks. It takes an hour for these to warm up to playing temperature.


Here’s a shot under the hood of the Interstage Mono Blocks. This photo is from the first set Pete built. It turns out I was the guinea pig for these. I had Pete use Black gate caps and 1.5 watt Tantalum resistors for this one. After everyone heard this one, Pete built one for himself and another buddy built one with Black Gates a 2 watt Tantelum resistors. I later acquired that one as well. Anyway, nice and clean under the hood. The key to these is the Interstage Transformers. These are running 300b tubes in a Parallel Single Ended config (PSE) and they deliver 20 WPC.


Here’s a close up of the Dual. I have a Grado Gold cartridge for both of these tables but recently I also ordered a pair of Audio Technica AT440MLa cartridges and I have to say I am kind of liking them a lot.


And the Technics sporting a brand new dustcover. This table sounds amazing on the Sunfire set up and the La Scalas
« Last Edit: December 29, 2014, 10:42:41 AM by tinpan »
Tinpan

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Offline tinpan

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Re: A little update
« Reply #1 on: December 29, 2014, 10:41:33 AM »

I was hoping these La Scalas would have been lighter stained to match my furniture. Still though it is an improvement over the black ones


You can see the 47 Labs speaker wire I like to use and the crossover here


Here’s a close up of the crossover


Here’’s the back of the Lowther PM4a driver. It features a 30 LB Alnico magnet


I was really trying to get the La Scalas to match the furniture I like. They are a little darker than I like.


Still though, they are very nice


Here is probably the best sounding system in the house. It just does everything right. It features a pair of Altec Lansing A5 speakers and all Audio Note power. I have the original Interstage Mono Blocks as well as an L3 signature line stage, L3 signature DAC and L3 signature Phono stage. It just does everything right. I also use a Sonos for this system and a Sota Comet turntable with a Grado Gold cartridge. I think I may be trying some new cartridges in the future


It is really hard to beat these Altec 288 drivers. This is an old one featuring an 30 lb Alnico magnet and It’s mounted on 803 horns. That means 8 cells crossed over at 300Hz, though I am crossing this over at 500Hz


I won’t go into each of these but here is the inside of the Dac 3.1 signature version. See if you can spot the differences. The sound is amazing.


I also started making custom length inter connects so i don’t have cables hanging all over the place. I’m using 47 labs for speaker cables here as well.
« Last Edit: December 29, 2014, 10:46:12 AM by tinpan »
Tinpan

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Offline tinpan

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Re: A little update
« Reply #2 on: December 29, 2014, 10:42:26 AM »

Since I have 3 systems here, I wanted to find furniture that would match the stereo gear and not soak up all the sound. It was important to me to have seats and couches with low backs so it doesn’t interfere withe sound. I can also position it so the sweet spot is centered to the sofa or the chairs. The moved the bar behind the sofa but I don’t like it there so I will be moving it back out. This sofa is perfectly centered for the Altec VOTT system


Whilst the chairs are perfectly centered fore Azura Horns and the Sunfire set up. See the Cornwalls lurking in the background? They provide the surround for movies and 5.1 SACD listening.





In the bedroom I have an Audio Note Kit 1 300b tube amp with a AN Dac 2.1. These are a pair of JBL bass bins with Altec N501 crossovers, a pair of 288 drivers and Jabo Horns, It’s hard to beat the sound of a 1 inch compression driver


A little dusty but here’s the Kit 1


In the fan room, we have the Khorns on display. I did a lot of ABing gear here and the best sounding amp on this set up was the Carver Baby Black Beauty or the Carver Cherry 260’s


I’m using a Sonos here and a home brew Line stage. You can roll the caps on this line stage. I was built using the line card from and AN L2 line stage.


I believe these are 1954 vintage.

Anyway, that’s it a tour of the house.
« Last Edit: December 29, 2014, 10:46:34 AM by tinpan »
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Offline RuralTom

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Re: A little update
« Reply #3 on: December 29, 2014, 11:00:28 AM »
Wow, Tinpan, I'm left speechless!

I love the white horns aethetically, betcha they sound amazing....
preamp: BAT VK-5
amp: Altec 944sa
DAC:  Bel Canto 2.5
CDP: Pioneer Elite DV-47a
Intel NUC server / iFi micro iUSB3.0 / Roon
Spendor FL9

Offline StephenWVU

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Re: A little update
« Reply #4 on: December 29, 2014, 11:13:39 AM »
Looks beautiful!  ;D
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 Sir Thrift-a-Lot

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Re: A little update
« Reply #5 on: December 29, 2014, 11:14:31 AM »
30 lb ALNICO!?!

So, where did the black LaScalas end up?

OldiesButGoodies

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Re: A little update
« Reply #6 on: December 29, 2014, 11:21:55 AM »
Same here - amazing setups,  true audio porn  :-*.  The photography is excellent too -are you using a DSLR?

OBG

bearjew

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Re: A little update
« Reply #7 on: December 29, 2014, 11:31:44 AM »
such beautiful horns.

question though, the jabo horns.  how do you find those things?  apparently they're german, but the internet doesn't have a whole lot of info that i have found, and i can't find a website anywhere.

Offline tinpan

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Re: A little update
« Reply #8 on: December 29, 2014, 11:45:22 AM »
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bT0kJfit_oU&list=UUN3lqZczgXHO2Ox9qjA2BhA
I had a chance to re-introduce my son to vinyl with a song he is familiar with

Thank you for the compliments on the photography, I am using a DLSR. It took me a while to keep remembering to set my white points before shooting.


The black Lascalas are in the garage awaiting the Phase Linear return.


They seem to have caused some disarray in my garage. They have messed up the seating area


For these
Tinpan

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Offline Reverend

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Re: A little update
« Reply #9 on: December 29, 2014, 12:13:30 PM »
Awesome Tinpin!  I need to take a road trip down your way sometime.

Offline Kingman

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Re: A little update
« Reply #10 on: December 29, 2014, 01:04:01 PM »
That is a "BIG BOY" playground if I ever saw one!
IN REALITY IT ONLY MATTERS WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE TO YOU!!!!!

Offline scorpio333

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Re: A little update
« Reply #11 on: December 29, 2014, 01:31:28 PM »
Holy moly! Are you looking to adopt??? I'm potty trained.

Offline AdamG

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Re: A little update
« Reply #12 on: December 29, 2014, 01:55:15 PM »
God damn! That's quite a collection.

bearjew

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Re: A little update
« Reply #13 on: December 29, 2014, 02:15:35 PM »
I'm potty trained.

as far as we know, this statement is just hearsay  >:D

Offline non-prophet

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Re: A little update
« Reply #14 on: December 29, 2014, 02:36:52 PM »
I like all the Heywood wakefield furniture, and that audio stuff isn't bad.
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