Yes the Will Vincent is wired in triode. I actually don't use it that often. I seem to prefer the McCormick DNA-125 SS amp. The DNA is upgraded with better caps though, maybe that's why. I also really like the JPS labs wires. They made a nice improvement over the wires I was using before which included MIT, Signal cable and upper end Monster cables. I bought all the cables used, so that saved quite a bit of money. Thanks for the compliment.
I finally started adding some room treatments. So far I have some ATS 4 inch panels at the first reflection points on the side walls. GIK sofitt bass traps and 244 full range panels on the back wall. The panels have made a positive improvement. I will add more as budget allows.
Changed a few components. Added some JPS labs power cables, changed some of the tubes and added a McCormick DNA-125 power amp. So now I can switch between a SS power amp or tube power amp depending on my mood. Set up sounds really good. Next step is adding some room treatments.
Thanks for the kind words Mjcmt. I have mostly been able to change the sound of the system by the tubes I use in the preamp. Currently i'm using CBS 5692's, this seems to give me a little more detail without being too warm. To my taste anyway, it is def a warm sounding system at this point. But there is still enough detail to not sound boring. Some other 6ns7 tubes I have used can put the system on either side of the fence.
The room is painted and we put up some shelving. I haven't decided on what room treatments to go with yet. Also the new sectional we bought was too big to fit down the stairs. So that ended up in the living room. I have the old love seat and recliner down there for now.
System edited: I added a Project Speedbox II. It does make the turntable sound quite a bit better. My next move will probably be a phono stage. Although my pre-amp is tube, the phono section is solid state. So if I use an external phono stage, i'll be running thru the tube section of my pre-amp. This seems like the better way to go to me.
System edited: Well I found a turn table locally. For $150 i couldn't pass it up. I also added the Juicebar and Statement power cable. The Dungeon is coming along nicely.
Well Blind jim. I went from a Leviton hospital grade that i got from Home Depot to the Porter Port. I found that the port gave me a much blacker backround and a smoother overall sound if that makes sense. Plus it holds the plugs much tighter than the Leviton. I think for the price you can't go wrong. Hope that helps.
System edited: Well i've added a Porter Port, dedicated line, Solidsteel rack and JPS Labs superconnector Q interconnects. The system has never sounded better. I think i'm done for now;)
Your system looks great and most likely sounds better. By the way i love your hardwood floors. Since i took the pictures i've moved the speakers about a foot closer together. For now i've kept the toe in the same. If i can ask, what amount of toe in have you found to give the best soundstage and imaging?
Thanks for your kind words. This is my dedicated room. Not exactly perfect, but at least it's not in the living room. I've been moving the speakers around since setting it up. In and out from the wall. Wider and narrower. Toed in toed out. You may have noticed the tape on the floor. I needed to have a way to remember where i've had them from day to day. As always your comments and suggestions are welcome.
Right now the plane of the speakers is around six feet from my ears. Each speaker is about seven feet from my ears. They speakers are 8 feet apart center to center, 27 inches from the wall measured from the back of the cabinet. It is still in the set up faze. I had them toed in more, but wanted to try it this way. I'm trying to get the speakers to dissappear more. I sit against the back wall, so i'm limited that way.