1978 vintage horn speaker with rebuilt drivers from Great Plains Audio and Werner Jagusch crossovers. Replaced Harbeth M-40.2 Anni's. Big sound, very dynamic and very rewarding.
Quicksilver KT Mono
New KT Mono's with KT150 tubes, generating 100 wpc. Added Telefunken ribbed plate 12AX7's for refined tone, clarity and space.
deHavilland Electric Ultraverve 3
Most enjoyable and complimentary preamp I've owned, by a large margin. Responds well to tube rolling. Currently loaded with NOS Tung Sol's in all positions. Exceptional value.
Weiss Engineering DAC 202
Replaced an outstanding Audio Aero Capitole Reference DAC/CDP/PRE. I can't say the Weiss is better than the Audio Aero, but it's more neutral, which is a better fit for the rest of my system that leans to the warm/romantic side of neutral. This DAC is a bargain on the used market.
Roon Labs Nucleus
Roon Nucleus server paired with IFi Zen Stream as a Roon end-point, connected via Black Cat Silverstar SPDIF cable to Weiss 202 DAC. Streaming Qobuz. Surprisingly nice step up in sound quality and enjoyability from my previous Aurender N10 at 1/4th the cost.
KCI Silkworm RCA Interconnect
Gold based RCA interconnect cable. Outperforms the Purist Venustas it replaced by a large margin.
Silent Running Audio VR-2 & 3 isolation platforms
I tired of messing with the various footers on the market. These are the real deal... excellent construction, visually appealing and effective.
Salamander Synergy Triple 20
Cherry Finish
GIK Room Treatments Tri Traps, 244 panels and Alpha 4 diffusion panels
This is the 2nd room I've treated with GIK products. Highly recommended, especially 244 panels.
Acoustic BBQ 12 gage Dueland speaker cables
I've had significantly more expensive speaker cables from Stealth and Auditorium, but prefer these. I also use ja pair of these in my secondary system. Great bang for the buck.
iFi Audio Zen Stream
Acting as a Roon endpoint centered between a Roon Nucleus server and my DAC.
@smortega I use the IFi Zen Stream as my Roon endpoint, in part, because my DAC is not USB compatible. Also, I have read multiple user posts stating the Nucleus by itself is not a great streamer... but in my case, when paired with the Zen Streamer to handle the streaming duties, this combination exceeded the sound quality and connectivity vs. my previous Aurender N10 streamer at a fraction of the expense.
Thanks for the compliment on my post. I strongly considered Harbeths back when I was putting together my setup. The equipment and environment (your room functions as a speaker optimized for sound) is one I'd love to hear as a reference level for sound quality. Q's though,- does the iFi streamer sound or work better than the Nucleus for streaming? Was the iFi needed because the Nucleus is in a different room?
@tomstruck I'm using the DAC in my Audio Aero Capitol Reference CDP. It's 10 years old, but I've always liked the way it sounds and it also serves as a preamp.
That's exactly what I've done for years w/my RM10 MkII...direct into an aging Cary 303/300....still need to hear a rig like yours the robust RM9 and big Harbeths must be fantastic. The MR amps are amps for a lifetime.
Thanks Pehare. I need to update my system as my source has changed to an Audio Aero Capitol Reference CDP/DAC going straight into my Music Reference RM9 MK2 amp. Gone are the VAC 30/30, Aesthetix Calypso Signature preamp and Luxman DAC. So much simpler having only a source straight into an amp.
now that's a setup I'd love to hear.....VAC 30/30 & then Music Ref RM 9 w/one of the best speakers on the planet to date.....my taste all the way enjoY!
Your Vac amp is beautiful! Heaven match with your Harbeth 40 speakers. Just something you want to consider. I recommend swapping out the drives and input tubes to a different 6sn7. Even the 6f8g with adaptor works best in this spot. From my experiences i usually do not recommend using all 4 tubes with the same brand & structure for the drivers and input. Drivers use a different 6sn7 and input use a different 6sn7. You will not have a coherent sounds; You should try it, makes the music more transient, feet tapping and better dynamics.
Sadly, I've only put about 20 hours on them as my system is down awaiting a minor repair. Despite them not being fully broken in, I immediately noticed a fuller response in bass and midrange. The LFD's are no slouch in their price range, but the Auditorium's are classics that exude a look and feel of quality construction. They are a destination speaker cable for me.
Sorry for the delayed response. It's been quite some time since I've owned the C4's... but going on memory, the Harbeth's are much more organic sounding, have better bass and midrange, and are not fatiguing. I've owned the 40.1's twice, but have no interest in owning Dyn C series again. To my ears, the Harbeth's are far superior to the Dyn's.
Congrats on going back to the 40.1, one of my favorite speakers. Music just simple flows through them. I'm also using GIK treatments, they have taken my system to the next level.
Glad to got back to the sound you like . I had the M40.1s in Rosewood but really prefer the lighter Eucalyptus you have. Only sold mine to fund an non audio project.
Have recently bought a pair of Active Gradient Revolutions which fit my requirments just a little better and are also VERY good.
But in an ideal world ( ie: dedicated room, no pets etc etc) I'd probably go back to the M40.1s ( althogh I'd first compare them side by side to the Gradients as it would be a close call I think).
System edited: Have gone back to the big Harbeth M-40.1's. I regrettably sold my previous pair of M-40.1's about four years ago to change things up, but after trying two other decent speakers over those years, I realized the big M-40.1's are the speaker that just do it for me. Last time I used Skylan stands, but this time opted for the rock solid Sound Anchor's. Also replaced the reputable Modwright Sony 5400ES cdp with EAR's Acute II... a great piece that will be with me a long time. The addition of the big Harbeth's and the Acute CDP have successfully reinvigorated my interest in in this hobby. Next up... more experimentation with 6922 tubes for the Acute and I have some GIK Tri Traps on order.
