Description

It's easy to spend hundreds of thousands on your system. Getting it to sound good is the hard part!

Like most here, I have upgraded round in circles a few times. I now read audio magazines for entertainment only and rely on my own ears. I have built a good network of audiophile friends with a similar outlook, whose opinions I respect.

I don't believe that any particular architecture is inherently superior however I do believe that the best known brands offer the poorest value for money.

My system is very much a work in progress as I transition from solid state to SET architecture.

The Lenco is a stopgap solution (being superior to my previous Linn LP12) whilst waiting for my Galibier to be built.

Also awaiting a pair of high efficiency horns.

My goal is to have a system gets replay as close as possible to the sound of live music without artifice. I like the power and control of solid state amps on amplified music (but only in small doses before fatigue sets in). I love the SET/DHT openness on acoustic/orchestral recordings.

My next step is moving up the Dynavector cartridge range and to experiment with class D amplification.
Read more...

Components Toggle details

    • Galibier Gavia
    Black anodized base, Gavia platter and Stelvio armboard
    • Dynavector XV1s
    Amzingly neutral, dynamic and insightful.
    • Tri planar VII
    Classic, state of the art tonearm
    • Lenco L75
    Idler wheel classic re-plinthed in sold American ash. Cut out to accommodate removable armboard for easy arm changes
    • Dynavector DV 507 Mk II
    Very clever design, beautifully engineered. Probably the most resonance free arm available.
    • Fidelity Research FR64s
    Classic Japanese design, originally bought with my LP12 20+ years ago.
    • Dynavector XX-2
    Scary nude cantilever but great detail, tonality and dynamics.
    • Koetsu Black mc
    Classic cart, retipped 2005 and sounding better than ever
    • Denon DL-103
    My "beater" cartridge. Controversial in that audiophile opinion is divided on whether it's a classic or garbage. I found mine perfect for experimenting whilst teaching myself how to do analog setup.
    • Leak Troughline Stereo
    Classic British all tube design
    • Supratek Chenin
    All tube design with built in phono stage.
    • Welborne Labs DRD 300b
    Elegantly executed SET design and beautifully constructed by Ron Welborne
    • Avondale Graduation One
    Single ended, solid state line stage designed and built by British electonics genius Les Wolstenholme
    • Avondale 260Z
    Custom design based on classic RCA circuit, housed in a Naim NAP180 case.
    • Arcam Alpha 5 cd
    Modifed by Avondale
    • Benchmark DAC-1
    Pro audio component
    • Tannoy HPD 315s in custom cabinets
    Drivers rear horn loaded
    • Mordaunt Short Performance 860
    3 way design in unique resinrock cabinets for reduced cabineet resonances

Comments 6

Wonderful system. I was wondering if you listen more to the Tannoy's, or the Mordaunt-Short. I am going back to Tannoy, and have a fine pair of HPD 315's awaiting custom cabinets that are just now being built. I am wondering if you might have info on how much clean solid state power the 315's can stand up to. I have a 300wpc amp now that I've used for years on my Dynaudio's, but they love lots of power. I don't listen very loud, mostly classical and jazz, some rock thrown in for good measure. Thanks in advance for any info.

Regards,
Dan

islandmandan

What a fine system, I am 90% decided to go with a Galibier Gavia. Though Teres tables are appealing also. I know you are having great musical enjoyment with your system with a analog front end like yours.

stltrains

Owner
Roy, thanks for your comment. It was great fun building your design and I am thrilled with the outcome. They work really well with 300b amps, the bass output from the rear horn compensating for the SET's weakness.

flyingred

Hi, So glad you liked the cabinets. One or two other builders have used same cabinets with other 10" full range drivers with great success.
Home brew Hi Fi is much more fun. The passing of Sound Practices was such a shame.
Regards to all and sincere thanks to Joe Roberts

royhilsley

Owner
Thanks Rob, I built the cabinets from the design by Roy Hilsley published in Sound Practices, issue 17.

flyingred

What a fantastic system you have flyingred, i'm interested to know what cabinets you are using with the Tannoys(RHR's?).
Regards Rob.

rwjp

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