Description

This is the system I have worked for 25 years to build. It is still going through changes although I'm finished for now. My room is 20x22ft and the roof slants up from 9ft to 12ft. There have been some challenges due to the fireplace and the windows but have been worked out. The real challenge has been compromises that my spouse can live with. That and the fact that stereo geeks like to change things. Am I right? My wife hates that!
Read more...

Components Toggle details

    • Wells Audio Innamorata SE
    unique solid state amp that sounds like tubes but none of the drawbacks and all of the benefits of solid state and tubes. S - mod and reground scheme and shielding. This without a doubt is the best sounding amp I have ever heard by a long shot. I've heard most of them.
    • Jolida Fusion preamp
    Highly modified preamp with bybee power rails, time line, cryo'd transformer, furutech IEC, and GEC 12at7's, and bugle boy 12ax7's. Balanced input and output. Dueland caps swapped to take the place of clarity esa caps
    • Tannoy TS-10
    A pair of fully balanced 10" 300 watts/ch subwoofers with fully adjustable settings for phase, crossover point, gain, and high and low pass filters. Fast and dynamic. the foundation that good bass gives cannot be overstated.
    • VPI Industries TNT HR-X
    State of the art turntable with the 12.6 inch arm and the SDS speed control. Adjust on-the-fly VTA. New airless suspension. New main bearing and warp ring. I have modified this table and has resulted in a much better sound. I insulated the warp ring from the platter I also put an insulator on the bottom of the record weight. The result has been DRAMATIC!!!
    • VPI Industries JMW Memorial 12.7
    Two arms, 12.6 and 12.7 one with original wire and 12.7 with Valhalla wire
    • Benz Micro MC Reference
    Benz Micro Ref S
    giant midrange
    Holographic
    Smooooth
    • Tom Evans Audio Design Microgroove plus - X
    solid state phono stage that is absolutely silent. with loading adjustment.fantastic performance
    • Bybee integrated power charger power cord
    You won't believe the increase in resolution on front end components and amplification.
    • JPS Labs Superconductor 3 - 7 meter
    Excellent interconnect. XLR or RCA The best I've heard.
    • UltraSonic Amp stand
    Acrylic amp stand beautifully made with awesome brass and stainless steel spikes.
    • Ultrasonic Acrylic 28 X 21 X 1 platform
    Acrylic platform made for my HRX wide enough for my mono arm on the back of the table.
    • JPS Labs Superconductor 3
    The best I have used. They get out of the way of the music.
    • harmonic technology AC-11
    great sounding cord. reasonable price.
    • Black Diamond Racing cones
    Goes under source components and preamps to calm the vibrations.
    • stillpoints risers
    isolation cones
    • JPS labs superconductor Q
    I could not believe the quality of the sound. From this unassuming speaker cable.
    • audioquest power cord
    The synergy thing just makes a huge difference. How much it costs, sometimes, doesn't make a difference. This thing made a huge difference on my CDP. All my other power cords cost over $1000.00. It didn't have that effect on anything else.
    • apple Ipod classic 160gig
    fourth generation
    • Wadia I-transport
    ipod transport- enables me to play hours of any music I want,
    uninterrupted. This music is competetive to anything out there.
    • Wells Audio Milo
    Best headphone amp I've had and heard.
    • Arion Audio Pon-tuns
    Isolation devices that had an instant benefit increasing resolution and slam to my amps. A+++
    • Advanced Cable Tech ACT
    Very Good power cable at a reasonable price.sourced from wells audio
    • Electric Bamboo power conditioner
    passive device that made a HUGE difference in my system. It solved so many problems that I can't explain it here.
    • High End sourced from wells audio power strip
    a reasonably priced extremely well made power strip with filtering and phase protection . 6 filtered plugs and 4 direct plugs.
    • music hall 25.3
    beat out my cary 306 D/A capabilities. highly modified with jps wire hard soldered connections, bybee devices and power rails, nos sylvania gold pin 6922 tube
    • Mr Speakers Ether C headphones
    planar magnetic , closed back FANTASTIC sounding. the best I have ever owned!

Comments 170

Showing all comments by kkennymacc.

View all comments

Hello there, Buddy......I'm Ken. Remember me? I'm the guy who bought the Omega's from Jeff. How are you? I'm well. I see that you've added a couple subs to your systm. Interesting. Do you think the Omega's might benefit from me running a couple subs, as well? Sounds like an awesome idea! What subs are you using, and how much do they cost per sub?
Take care,
Ken

kkennymacc

Thanks a million for all of your wonderful advise, Sir. You're a true assest to the hobby/passion. I'll be in touch.
Ken

kkennymacc

Hello Sir,
I always enjoy viewing your system and reading your comments about your system.

Since last we spoke, I've made some important changes in my system, as well. First of all, I downsized my speakers from the Amphitryons to the Omegas. Although I beleive that the Amphitryons are the best speakers in the "whole wide world," ultimately, these speakers need a room large enough to allow them to breath. My room just isn't large enough so, I went with the Omegas.

Secondly, I just sold my old tubed monoblocks (Manley Labs Neo Classic 500's) and replacing them with the a pair of Spectron Musician III MK2 monoblocks. Heard them at Jeff's place and, that was it. I "NEVER" heard amps like these in all my 30 years in this wonderful hobby.

My next move will be, because I'd like to go all balanced as well, to replace my wonderful ASL flora preamp with the Audio Experience A2 SE.

All of these changes are currently in progress. I believe that this will be my ultimate system that will launch me into retirement in 4 1/2 years, and beyond.

Where can the upgraded tubes you mentioned for the Audio Experience preamp be found at a reasonable price?

You take care,

Ken

kkennymacc

Hello Sir,

I currently own the ASL Flora preamp (with all the latest upgrades). I read what you said about the Audio Experience A2 SE and I am serious considering ordering one and rolling the tubes, as you did, and giving it a go. We have similar audio tastes, me owning Analysis Audio Amphitryon speakers. I trust your tip on the Audio experience preamp. We both like good-value components. Could you please tell me more of your experience of the over-seas purchase, and, in what ways this preamp (with the non-stock tubes) out performes the Flora?

Thanks a million,

Ken

kkennymacc

Hello,

Didn't you have the ASL Flora preamp? If so, What replaces it, and why?

Thanks a million,

Ken

kkennymacc

Hello,

What an "AWESOME" system you have there. I know exacty how awesome your system really is because I have the Amphitrons driven by a pair of Manley Labs Neo Classic-500 monoblocks (KT-88 tubes). I also use the latest version, with the new caps and high/low Phase switch, new remote, with the upgraded Sylvania VT-231 tubes, ASL Flora preamp, as well. I brought home and auditioned the VTL 7.5 V1, and the BAT VK51se, and I ended up selling them and kept the flora. I've heard the latest version Nuforce, top-of-the-line monoblocks drive a pair of Epsilons at Audible Arts, in San Jose, CA., and it's a great combo.

Well, you take care,

Kenny

kkennymacc