Audiophile Heaven Antwerp

by mtkhl567 on Done For Now

Description

Dear fellow audiophiles and other readers. Audiophile Heaven has successfully moved into its new home from the US. The speaker placement has now been optimized. In the end I moved them closer together and moved the listening sofa a bit forward which increased the soundstage definition and coherence.

Now the area to improve on are general acoustics of the room. To that effect I will place in due cource some furnitures (bookshelves, CD racks) against walls. Plants also help to naturally diffuse soundwaves. I will consider also some Shakti and Sound Resonator products later. I already changed the carpet from the one in the picture, to a larger one.

The installation of the GPA Monaco record player was professionally performed by my american dealer Barry Konigsberg of Transparent Music Systems, Macungie PA. I flew him over especially to ensure that I wouldn't foul things up. I have to say that the professional installation process is IMHO not something you can do right by yourself when you have NEVER done this before. Especially the unusual Dynavector arm is a high tech mechanical piece of art that has many adjustable pieces, and miniature screws, of which some are spring loaded etc. Needless to say that was a worthwhile investment in Barry's time. And I much appreciate him and his lovely wife taking the time out to come and visit us this January.

As those of you whole followed my threads since 2006 may have noticed I have taken a relatively short period to arrive at what I perceive to be one of the penultimate systems today. And at the pinnacle of that journey is the discovery of vinyl as the best experience to enjoy music reproduction. Don't get me wrong, there is much music out there on CDs that is great, most not available on vinyl, and some that is unbelievably well recorded. But none of that reaches the level of reality, palpability, and emotional connectivity as the very best vinyl does. The only caviat is that you have to be able to listen past some of the noise that comes with vinyl. And I'm such a fan of the dark inky black silence in some musical passages and great dynamic ranges! Especially on great classical recordings, but also some great female vocal recordings. Oh well, there's always a tradeoff somewhere. In any case music on this system just seems to float in my room, there is a sense of nearness to the performance. The giant speakers just "disappear" when your eyes are closed. The bass/mid/tweeter integration is seamless, the adjustability of the speaker to the room is absolutely fantastic. The base is extremely tuneful and not obtrusive, no booming. Micro detail is abundant, and as the system still keeps breaking in detail emerges that keeps your head shaking in disbelief. Micro detail that was otherwise heard before takes on a more clear defined dimension. In the next couple of months the system will be finally fully broken in and if what I am hearing now will still keep on improving... I have to come to the conclusion that I have made the best choice of components possible. And none of the choices were by contribution of ANY professional audiophile magazine/review(er), but by lengthy auditions and reading about other audiophile experiences.

Over the past two years I have amassed about 1500 CDs, now its vinyl's turn. I've started with about 300 LPs and slowly growing, some new and some handed down from the "family archives". There is so much vinyl to be discovered, and it doesn't even have to be very expensive. Of course there is the higher maintenance, but that comes with the hobby. Reminds me to get a record cleaner some time soon! Loricraft or Haenl? Later.

Long live the Audiophile hobby! May many (re)discover what it is to really sit down and listen to music as it was intended to sound like. For what would we be without that?

Constructive comments are always welcome.
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Components Toggle details

    • EMM Labs CDSA SE Digital Source
    CD/SACD player upsamples to 5.6Mhz thru Meitner proprietary signal processing technology, and sports the worlds first and only discrete dual differential D/A conversion circuit. Using aerospace-grade composite laminate circuit boards provide superior performance enhancing musical reproduction. I never turn the player off, so the power supply is warm at all times. The player reaches its best after being on about 48 hours. It is much more analog sounding than when switching on/off every day.
    • Playback Designs MPS-5 CD/SACD Player
    New CDP ... burning in 500 hrs (or 3 weeks non-stop) for optimum performance level. USB input, BNC 50 Ohm output (to Dartzeel pre-amp), easy SW upgrades, Esoteric transport, awesome DAC. Sleek modern design, nice metal blue backlit remote. Among the very top, if not the best, one box players around! I took off the standard feet and replaced them with GPA Apex feet with upgraded nitrate balls ... takes this CDP even higher!
    • Grand Prix Audio Apex Feet for CDP (x3)
    I have 3 of these with upgraded nitrate ball bearings under the CDP for increased space and definition. Well worth it, highly recommended.
    • Grand Prix Audio Monaco Turntable Analog Source
    Connected to the right system, with the Stealth Hyperphono cable and Dynavector's 507Mk2 arm & XV-1s cartridge this turntable will convert a diehard digital guy into analog. It did for me! This is easily the most simple component once setup. It consumes no power, doesn't need warming up, a true gem. I'm not surprised at all that HiFi+, the well respected audiphile magazine from the UK, declared the Monaco 2009 product of the year. Congrats Alvin!
    • Dynavector DV-507 Mk2 Arm
    Among a handful of the best out there. A proven design that has been around for decades. A true audiophile piece with a bit of weight. Adjustability options are easy and in extremely small steps.
    • Dynavector DV DRT XV-1s Cartridge
    Matching cartridge for the arm/tt. Many respected audiophiles and reviewers out there respect this cartridge to be among the best there is, with a superbly tracking needle combined with maximum detail and dynamics.
    • Stealth Audio Cables Hyperphono phono cable
    Superb phono cable to transport that delicate signal to the phono stage in the Dartzeel NHB 18-ns. This phono cable ranks up there among the best today.
    • DartZeel NHB-18 NS Battery Powered Pre-Amp
    Never heard before 18 no switches. This pre-amp is amazing. Michael Fremer, with regret, came to the conclusion that it smokes his recently purchased Musical Fidelity pre (see his review) and Manley Steelhead phono stage! Battery powered, extreme short signal path, revolutionary volume control that does not touch the signal path, fantastically quiet phono stage, Zeel 50 Ohm connections. An absolute marvel.
    • DartZeel NHB-108 Model One Poweramp
    Never heard before 108 model one. This is the latest B-version with auto dc compensation. I have the dc compensation turned off and manually biased the outputs. I changed the voltage myself. It is extremely transparent, fast, natural sounding power-amp I heard. It's head and shoulders above my previous reference, the ML 33h. And to top it off its a true piece of eye candy!
    • Grand Prix Audio Monaco Isolation Amp Stand
    For DartZeel NHB-108 model one power amp. Its a tri-pod and is waiting to be upgraded with the racing shelve and apex feet.
    • Evolution Acoustics MM3 Full Range Speakers
    The next step in audio. At -6db 7Hz-77Khz, reported to have hit 3Hz at a high-end show! These speakers are awesomely beautiful and massive and still have the awesome capability to disappear entirely and leaving you just with the music. 4 powered subwoofers (1000 watts) treated paper in a closed cabinet design, adjustable for x-over, volume, bass style (tight vs full), octaves, and a rumble filter for vinyl lovers. I love the bass speed of this design, and the fact that it goes extremely low. The Aurum Cantus tweeter is also adjustable by -11db. The powered subwoofer takes the sonic character of the Dartzeel poweramp exactly because its not an active subwoofer. The midranges are the well known Accuton ceramic ones that many top designs use. These replaced my beautiful SF Stradivaries ... with no regrets. And what is unbelievable they've appreciated in value since I got them!
    • Acoustic Arts Powercord Silver (x2)
    Silver powercord for the powered MM3 class D amps. Needed a sound but cheaper solution to go with the power strip.
    • Evolution Acoustics 1 Meter RCA Interconnect
    Same as internal speaker wiring. This interconnect smoked my prior reference the balanced NO Valhalla. Massive, needs room, l+r connectors cannot be too close due to the big and oh so solid terminations. Comes in a flight case.
    • Evolution Acoustics 2 x 3 Meters Double Runs
    Same as internal speaker wiring. Two dubble runs, one for the plus one for the minus. They easily creamed my Valhalla speaker cable in a direct a/b comparison before I changed from my previous system. They are resting on 8 ceramic cable elevators for improved space and clarity.
    • Jena Labs Model One Powercord (x2)
    AC filter power cord, beat my prior $3000 Gutwire handsdown! Uncompromising. One is conncting my power-amp, the other the CDP.
    • Marantz ST-17 Tuner
    Old tuner that I had lying around. You know the downside on radio frequency band etc. But when I listen to my favorite local classical music station I actually hear a lot of the originla recording, microdynamic detail that I didn't expect to hear through radio with cheap monster interconnects. Fantastic! Wonder how the Accuphase T1000 would sound with some real good interconnects...
    • Accustic Arts Silver Interconnect
    From tuner to pre-amp. Cheap solution replacing my Oehlbach XXL interconnects.
    • Finite Elemente Pagode Master Ref Isolation Rack
    5 shelve black and aluminium. I love the thought and technology that went into this rack design. The shelves are variable in height (except top and bottom) and they are resting on Cerabase feet. Will be replaced by GPA at some point in time.
    • Finite Elemente Cerabase Isolation Feet (x4)
    A must with the Pagode MR rack.
    • Acoustic Arts Active 6 Powerstrip (x2)
    As solid as they come, with net filter, digital and analog sections. Good value.
    • Acoustic System Resonators (x15)
    1 platinum, 2 special gold, 2 gold, 7 silver, 2 basic, infinitely tunable, lot's of fun and UNBELIEVABLE positive impact. No other room treatment or component could do this, ever! One silver in the kitchen fridge! Read up reviews on 6moons.com
    • Acoustic System Sugar Cubes (2x17)
    Tuning devices. 6moons review. I have two sets, also in my bedroom, we really do sleep deeper and better!
    • Acoustic System Phase Corrector (x1)
    Phase correction behind the speakers when reflected sound inverts naturally, ingenious!
    • Acoustic System Diffusor (x4)
    Diffuses resonating surfaces, three behind the speakers on the windows, one under the power-amp.
    • HannL Mera EL Record Cleaning Machine
    Modern RCM that doesn't take forever to clean, has variable speed turning left and right, variable suction helps too. Using the HannL standard X2000 cleaning fluid for now. Dustcover from HannL to fit exactly, pretty good looking if I may say so! For all vinyl lovers, this is an absolute must have!
    • IKEA Hemnes Stand
    Dedicated RCM (night!)stand with a handy storage space for cloths, fluids and other accessories, 15x15x30 (WxDxH) inches. The height is perfect, no bending forward needed as the record is cleaned at about 42 inches off the ground.
    • Ceramic Cable Elevators (x8)
    Ceramic cable elevators, four each side under the double run Evolution Acoustics speakers wires. It helps to space the double runs the recommended 2 inches apart better.

Comments 207

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Henry, Can I ask you a question about the Dynavector tone arm. I am researching turn tables for myself. The Monaco will be out of my reach unfortunitly, but I am looking very hard at the Nottingham 294. Now, that has a 14in platter so it needs a 12in tone arm. How big is the platter of the GP. Do you think the Dynavector can be used on a platter of that size?
Thanks

mikeduke

Owner
Hi Underdog, thanks for your nice comment. I like the simplicity of your room/setup very much too. Nice balance of room/components/source.
I only heard the Evidence Master powered by the big Chord amps at a dealer, very impressive! I guess with the DZ in a smaller room it must be out of this world. Nice to see that you're getting into vinyl, I have as well and I don't regret it a bit ... if your really serious about listening to music its a must. Thanks for the Z sleeve recommendation, is this something DZ sells or where do you recommend me getting some?

mtkhl567

Hi, system looks great. I heard the EA recently with the Dartzeel and they sound incredible. My only recommendation would be that you should try the Z sleeves near the connections of the "Zeel" cable at the amp and preamp. For a couple of hundred bucks, one step closer to nirvana.

underdog

Thanks Barry. Looking forward to getting the racks and these treatments to really help out my system. And Barry, looking forward to explore what we talked about :).

mikeduke

Hi Mike / Henry,
Correct. I suggested starting with the front wall as Mike stated above. I also mentioned to do the back wall with at least one Silver on top. That opens up the stage and gives a better sense of space. You can progress from there. If funds are tight, then you start with the front wall first.

bkonig

Yea, Barry is confident that the setup he is suggesting will be pretty dramatic. I think I mentioned it on page one.
But here it is again

1 basic
1 Gold or gold special as your primary
1 Silver on top
the phase corrector and diffuser
I will get this setup. I am not sure what he will bring, but it will be interesting.
Can't wait.

mikeduke

Owner
Mikeduke, you can start with a basic between the speakers against the front wall by the floor, and a silver 12 inches above the tweeter on between the speakers on the front wall. That's the minimum, then you can put a diffusor just below the silver and a phase corrector in front of the basic. Then you can take it from there... every step up though you can never go back, that's what they say! Read up on the 6moons reviews, if you haven't done already.

mtkhl567

Barry said he will bring a few resonators with the GP just to see how they act in my room. If I like it, I will get just a few to start and add if needed. Looking forward to your views on them

mikeduke

Owner
You know the room dimensions are significantly different from before. Going from 220 sqft to 1000+ sqft naturally requires a different spacing between the speakers. The whole acoustic property of this room vs my old one is very different, and that is very audible. In this room the soundstage is much larger than before, the spacing of the speakers help in that as well as the large open space behind the listening position. Also being 6 feet from the front wall helps. On the other hand this room echoes more than the room before. The resonators should take care of that, and more...

A full set of resonators is equivalent of taking my systems performance up by 30-40%, more than any component switch I could make. So they should arrive this week.

mtkhl567

Compared to your other room, in this one it seems that the speakers are spaced further apart from each other. Did that make a noticeable positive impact?

mikeduke

Sorry,
Your system is a whole other level then mine. I am no way near where your are in my system. You can check my system tag to see what I meant. I have an integrated system i.e HT/2ch because I lack the space for 2 systems. The non critical components are my VCR, Cable Box, sub EQ and a Monster Power HTPS7000. I really don't think any one of those components needs anything fancy for isolation. The important ones in my mind are my Halo C2(preamp/processor) my Bryston 4b-ST/Bryston 5b-st(amps) and my Esoteric DV50s(universal player).

mikeduke

Owner
You're going to be in for a treat at in Macungie ...

I don't understand your non-critical components comment, ALL my components are isolated in some way or another on decent racks/stands. I couldn't think of any electronic component that would not benefit from isolation. I heard the Sound Anchor racks are really good too though.

mtkhl567

I might ask my friend to see if he plans on going. If he does, then I might really think about it. I am planing on going up to see Barry June 28th. Then I can hear his system. I think he has the MM2's so I should get a good idea on how great they are. He told me that he no longer has access to Nobility racks. That was going to be the other one I was getting along with the GP. I know he sells Sound Anchor so if I go with him for both I have to get that. I am thinking that since there wont be any critical components on it, I may just see if I can get something cheaper somewhere else. We shall see.

mikeduke

Owner
Vegas, yeah, planning for it already ... hope to meet lots of great people, fellow audiophiles, and of course fun products & superb music. Maybe some entertainment on the side, we'll see!

mtkhl567

I went to CES 2 years ago. It was great. I will see if the guy I went with last time wants to go. If he does then I will really think about going. I know there is going to be a Home and Entertainment show in Nov. It may be in N.Y. If it is, I will go to that for sure. I am in P.A. Maybe they would have some gear there as well. Are you going to Vegas as well?

mikeduke

Owner
Patience is good, especially in this hobby :-))

May see you in Vegas then? Looking forward!

mtkhl567

Yea. They have some basic specs on the main Evo website. They sound like they will be pretty cool. I may have to try and make it out to CES then. I first need to get the rack and those room treatments. Then I can sloooowly start to save for that integrated. Barry sent me the prices on the first two models. Cheaper then the MM models but still a chunk of change for me. As far as the amp goes, I really am in no hurry. I have a good deal of patience.

mikeduke

Owner
If its automatic and outside the signal path, fantastic! Saves fiddling about with it. I should ask Herve if my amp can be upgraded with that feature ... although now I've figured it out it really doesn't need any adjustment anymore. The only thing is that the eyes blink for the first 5-10 minutes when you turn on the amp from cold. So you are putting in for the integrated? Should be a nice value too. I heard they will pair it up with the new smaller Evolution Acoustics speakers at the next CES 2009. That should be a great performer!

mtkhl567

I hope the Rack turns out as nice as I have been told. As far as the DC Comp, maybe I mis-spoke. In the pdf about the integrated it says "All dc drift is now entirely compensated by digital means allowing the compensation to be completely out side of the signal path, a world premier for audio!" So I guess this means that the person does not have to do it any more. Not that it is does not have to be done.

mikeduke

Owner
Hi Mike, you'll love the GPA Monaco racks ... light and stunning, both visually and sonically. On the DC compensation, when its on it biases both left and right channel automatically, when off, you have to manually find the best setting that when you turn if off for the night the next day it reaches an acceptable level for DC voltage after the amp warms up, typically -300mW to -400mW. When there is no DC compensation there are sonic benefits to be had, like what I described above, I'm sure that would be similar with the integrated Dart amp. Worth asking Herve though...

mtkhl567

I have also heard that turning the DC comp switch off makes a big difference also. The integrated amp(what I am looking at) does that biasing automatically so the switch is not needed.

mikeduke

Thanks for the reply. No Barry will bring them over when he installs the Grand Prix. I am going to visit Barry hopefully in June and give the deposit for the racks and hear his system. Hopefully in July I can have the GP delivered.

mikeduke

Owner
Hi Bart, good to hear from you! Thanks for your nice comments, I'm glad you like the pics. Its worth a day-trip, my invitation to you still stands. Just send me an email.

mtkhl567

I realy love the new picture's you took it houners your your system as it shoud

bart_nl

Owner
Update: DC voltage drift compensation circuit turned off. Whoaw, what an improvement in the performance of the power amp. Its a bit of a pain getting the toggles such that you stabalize each channel between -300mV and -400mV. They are so sensitive, that it took me the good part of this morning! But at least I didn't electrocute myself. Nor did I blow a fuse, not difficult, but a pain to replace for those of you who know :-)

But once you've done it the benefits are fantastic. The signal to noise ratio must have improved by at least another 10db. Soundstage has increased, noise floor dropped further making microdetail more apparent, more articulate. I think that the dynamics have improved too due to the higher s/n ratio. I should have done this ages ago. Thanks Herve for the perfect instructions in the manual!

mtkhl567

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