My reference system has changed again, not surprisingly I suppose, as I'm inclined to finding incremental improvements that make the listening experience a little more satisfying.
Inputs:
1.Fanless PC built and optimized solely for audio, Windows/JRiver player program, up sampling to 352.8 or 384 KHz, Exa U2I USB-I2S convertor into Ackodac Sabre dac, seperate tube output stage using 7788 tubes, heater bias, tube shunt regulation, Magnequest output trans.
2. Luxman PD-444 turntable , Dynavector DV-505 arm with Ortofon SPU cartridge modified with Expert Stylus cantilever and stylus. FR-64 arm with Accuphase AC-1 cartridge modified with Expert Stylus cantilever and stylus.
No CD, or spdif inputs- they are a dead end to my ears.
Pre-amplification
6SN7/71A DHT preamp with built in 12dB crossover at 220Hz, 6H30 tubes drive bass outputs.
Power-amplification
Carver Sunfire 5 channel power amp capable of greater than 1000 watts/1 ohm into all channels.
Speakers
MartinLogan Request electrostatic hybrid speakers with 12" sealed bass drivers, passive crossovers removed, crossover provided by preamp.
DSP
DSPeaker Anti-Mode 8033s Bass correction with Wharfdale 10" subwoofer.
Description:
The Exa-U2I usb to I2S convertor remains my choice of digital source , I haven't heard anything over the last 6 months that surpasses it yet. Similarly the Ackodac remains at the forefront of digital dac design, I expect something quite different and better every day, things change fast in digital land, but it will have to be audibly better for a change. I've tried some new devices but no reason to change yet.
Vinyl stays the same, why change what is very satisfying, although waiting on some Lundahl chokes to try a new LCR RIAA phono design.
The preamp is new, I've shifted the DEQX digital crossover to another system and now using a preamp with inbuilt crossover for 4 channel output, 220Hz @ 12dB . The upper frequencies come from a 6SN7/71A tube stage and 6H30's for the bass. No cathode followers in the12dB filter sections. Phono uses 6688,CCa and 6E6P tubes.
Another change is I've gone back to using a solid state high current capable power amp.
I was quite happy with the 4 monoblock tube amps, but, I listen to a diverse range of music from opera to electric blues, and usually I play everything LOUD. My listening studio is rural and private and I like the dynamics of live-like sound.
Tube amps, especially the low output impedance amps I build can drive normal speakers to these levels, but electrostatics simply need very high power levels, especially into the higher frequencies where the stats load drops dramatically.
My favorite all time solid state amp, the Carver Sunfire can deliver more than a 1000 watts into 1 ohm, from all 4 channels.
Some very distinguished hi fi critics have said the the Carver Sunfire is nearly the perfect amplifier, and as far as electrostatics go it is hard to find anything better. Super reliable too.
Speakers remain the same, Martin Logan Requests, new panels and the dynamic robbing passive crossovers removed.
The 12" bass drivers used in sealed boxes were perhaps ML's best solution to integrating bass with the stat panels and retaining deep solid bass.
These speakers are not the polite, dynamically restricted stats people used to Quads etc know. They can play at very loud concert levels with any kind of music, always exciting, never tiring. It always with a tinge of regret when its time to stop listening to the music.
The DSPeaker Anti-Mode 8033s is new- it is designed to remove bass standing waves and works in conjunction with an additional sub-woofer to clean up the bass. It doesn't really extend the bass, the ML's have quite good bass extension, but it does a great job of tightening and cleaning up the lower bass.
The systems only real flaw is that the speakers are very directional and the sweet spot is very tight- move 6" either way and the sound-staging and imaging go 2 dimensional, but I usually enjoy my music alone so no problem for me, I have a well-worn arse-groove in the perfect position. The stat panels I'm currently evaluating (see previous post) are much better in this regard and stacked panels may eventually replace the ML panels.
