Leonidas crossover. Cross-over cables have been upgraded to Verastarr Illusion Copper Foil and critical cross-over components have been upgraded to Path Audio resistors and Clarity Capacitor CSA caps.
Simon Audio CD5 CD Transport/Player
Using this as a transport only to a DAC. My one and oly input - Redbook CDs.
Mapletree Audio Line 2A SE/ PS 2 Linestage Preamp
NOS 12SN7 Tung-Sol grey T plates; separate power supply; NOS Raytheon JAN-CRP 6X5WGT rectifier; Black Gate filter capacitor. Gains: 10dB, 10dB, and 18dB. Two outputs.
Whammerdyne DGA-1
4.3 Watts stereo amp sporting a pair of NOS Sylvania 2A3 tubes.
Harmonic Technology Pro-9 Plus Speaker Cables
Copper wire, spades.
VH Audio Flavor 4 Power Cords
With Furutech FI-25 Gold connectors for amp and preamp
Brick Wall (Zero Surge) PW8R15AUD
AC Protection & Filter: 15 amp; 8 isolated by duplex receptacles (6 switched, 2 unswitched) for CDP and pre, and also non-system gear (DVD, TV, cable box). Brick Wall is a "private label" customer of Zero Surge.
Star Sound Technologies Audio Points
Points under everything. Had I the scratch I'd set each component on a Sistrum Platform, but for now the Audio Points will do.
GIK Room Treatments
(4) 244 Bass Traps on side walls at first and second reflection points; (2) pairs (double-stacked) Tri-Traps front corners; (2) 6A Alpha Pro Series Bass Trap Diffusor/Absorbers 2D(a) on front wall; (3) Evolution PolyFusors on rear wall.
Silnote Audio Morpheus Reference Classic II Series II S/PDIF Cable and Interconnects
S/PDIF cable for CD transport to DAC, and interconnects for all the rest.
Furutech FPX (Cu) AC Outlet
20 amps - one for amp and one for the Brick Wall/Zero Surge
Ugh. Regarding new ICs from Silnote when I previously stated they produced, "less grit and glasiness", I meant to say they removed grit and glasiness heard using previous ICs.
Shortly after swapping out my longtime CDP and replacing with new CDP (Simon Audio CD5, used strictly as a transport for Redbook CDs) and DAC (NewOntech DAC07) (thank you Mike Powell of 11stereo/Verastarr), I upgraded the S/PIDF cable to a Silnote Morpheus Reference Classic II Series II and surprisingly noticed an improvement in sound quality. How can that be? After all, it's only digital data being transmitted to the DAC. Whatever, however, I was so impressed I ended up swapping out all of my ICs for Silnote Morpheus Reference Classic II cables. And am very happy with the improved sound - less grit and glassiness, smoother, excellent natural tone and inner detail. I also upgraded the PC of the DAC from stock to a Nemesis, also from Mike Powell. And I built a nice little stand on which to place the DAC, utilizing some Audio Points I already had.
@lapierre.Yes I have changed out power tubes, somewhat prematurely (only 750 hrs on them) due to one tube slowly going bad (intermittent hissing, which grew progressively worse). Bought a pair of RCAs from Brent Jesse. Similar to originals I think, so no deviation from great sound. Amp easily drives the PAPs, and for my medium-sized room, distance to speakers (10'), and volume preference (75-85 dB) I am likely only pushing about 1 watt, maybe 2 at times (Led Zep).
I think SETs sound best when using only about 25% of their power, so no issue there for me. However, when I play classical music I don't push the volume to heart-stopping crashes that some people like. Otherwise, great for all genres of music.
Not familiar with non-horn models so I'm no help there, sorry. For mine, I do have to kick the volume up a bit to get satisfying sound. Not the greatest for low-level listening IMO, which is surprising to me. Maybe due to non-metallic driver in the horn? Not sure why. But again, not an issue for me as I listen in my dedicated room. Never background music. Always engaged. Good luck with your chosen path! Let me know how it works out for you.
Oh, one more thing ... I swapped out the original Mundorf caps (one per side) for Clarity CSA caps. For me, the Claritys present a more musically enjoyable experience. I thought the Mundorfs were a bit too revealing for more aggressive type music. Yet I don't feel cheated out of any detail. But again, I've got the horn model. I hope this helps.
Well done! Great power amp for the Trios. Have you had to change out any power tubes on DGA-1? Looking at ordering Trio15 with a Coaxal center driver. Let me know if you have any further insights or leanings.
It has taken me many years to reach this point, always in pursuit of better and better (to my ears/brain/preferences) sound. I am completely satisfied with this kit. It is what I have been pursuing all these years, at incremental improvements along the way. I feel I've finally reached my end game system. And I am happy!
I am very impressed and pleased for you regarding your current system. There are so many ways of getting the job done, but at 4.5 Wpc, and your large impressive-looking PAP speakers, your system looks elegant, and no doubt sounds that way as well.
Swapped out my 45-Watt SET monoblocs for a 4.3 watt Whammerdyne DGA-1 Stereo SET Amp with NOS Sylvania 2A3 tubes, NOS 6DJ8 Amperex tube, and upgraded wider bandwidth transformers.
Swapping out my beloved Eggys and subs for the PAP Trio15 Horn1 was a scary risk as I was not sure they'd be able to top my Eggys, but they have. I must say, at this point I am done looking for any more gear. My system sounds superb: clean, clear, deep, pure, true-toned, balanced, sound staged, and dynamic. Vocals will melt your heart, yet lower freqs will dig deep and go visceral with grunt power when called for. I am SO HAPPY!
Thanks shadorne. (I just today noticed your post.) Fortunately, sold the house and farm, went through some really crappy experiences, but have ended up in a home with a basement which has a decent room for my setup. All is good again!
I feel for you! Especially given your fantastic setup. Quite frankly I don't think boxing your speakers up will help sell but been there and done that with realtors (didn't work for us and professional staging costs an arm and a leg). I would not trust realtors over your own opinions or gut feelings.
It has been three months now that my system has been boxed up and stored in a locker for "staging" purposes as we await the sale of our home. Man, am I ever JONESING for some Hi-Fi !! I can hardly stand it any longer !! Time to call the waaaaaaambulance up in here !! If you at all feel sorry for me, please, you can either: a) buy my home; or b) let me crash in your dedicated listening room. Anybody?
For what it's worth as a wannabe audiophile, Egglestonworks are my most favorite speaker and have been since the Andra was first released. I dream of a system built upon them. So you must know I think you have an amazing system. Congrats and many more years of happy listening.
Rockadanny, I've been reading your progress on your system. I live in Kennesaw and have a pair of Zu Def 4s, very high efficiency speakers with a vintage Mcintosh MC60 pair of monos. After reading so much about SETs and your Audio Mirrors I was wondering if I might stop by for a listen. [email protected]
Thanks for your comments about my system too! It would be cool of someday we got to hear each other's systems.
Though I have never heard Eggleston speakers some friends whose ears I trust tell me that they like them a lot. If I didn't have my Boleros I'd be on the lookout for some Fontaines just like yours. I'm a big fan of the Esotar tweeter and can only imagine how good your system sounds.
Upgrading the crossover had a profound effect on my system. The Boleros have a first order crossover, as do the Fontaines I think. That's good as it minimizes how many parts you'll need. The Duelund CAST capacitors are without equal and your system is deserving of them. I describe my crossover on my system page so I won't go into detail here. If you decide to upgrade your crossover and want to talk about it I'll send you my email address (or can we send private emails on Audiogon again?... I need to check)... anyway, I'll be happy to visit with you about the project.
