My objective is to duplicate the sound of a good jazz venue as best I can. I'll never match it but getting close is fine. I've had various audio components through the years and tubes particularly DHT tubes/ASSET have gotten me the closest. So this is where I will settle down and appreciate.
Balanced AC power is fantastic !! 1800va balanced isolation transformer/conditioner. All aspects of music reproduction are improved for every single component.
Tripoint Tripoint Troy.
A wonderful grounding box component. When added to my system it increased the sense of natural sound quality and emotional engagement. The Troy has a humanistic and “soulful “ quality to it.
Coincident Speaker Tech Total eclipse 2
This wonderful speaker is transparent,open and involving. It`s large yet completely disappears as the source of sound within the room. Very easy to drive,94db and 14 0hm impedance (Minimum 10 ohm). I replaced the stock Solens capacitor with the Duelund CAST in the crossover.
Coincident Statement linestage
Superb performance. In my opinion , a masterpiece by Israel Blume. As would be expected, a wonderful match with its sibling the Frankenstein MK II.
Coincident Speaker Tech Frankenstein mark 2
A terrific 300b SET amplifier that is the foundation of my system. The EML XLS 300b tubes are a superb match with this amplifier.
Acquiring these 300b SET mono blocks changed the course of my music listening experience. They elevated the emotional engagement, tactility and “breath of life “ realism.
Yamamoto YDA-01
Wonderful music lover's DAC that has a very natural/organic sound quality. Duelund CAST addition(output coupling capacitors) makes it sound even better. It has a very minimalist circuit/design that was implemented well.
Ocellia Silver Reference IC
Very natural and pure sounding with excellent tone and timbre preservation.
Ocellia Silver Reference Speaker Cable
Same qualities/ comments as the IC.
Star Sound Technologies Sistrum Apprentice component platforms..
These Star Sound platforms are mandatory in my system. Effectively managing resonance and vibration leads to a very noticeable sound improvement with every component and especially the speakers. Excellent product.
High Fidelity CT1 Ultimate Digital cable
A highly impressive digital cable that mates beautifully into my system. Contributes to the natural sound presentation.
Pro-Ject Audio Systems CD Box RS2T
This is a superb Redbook CD playback transport. It’s both high resolution and impressively natural.
. I’m using the excellent Fidelizer Nikola II LPS. Splendid pairing.
Lavricables Grand and Master series Power Cables.
Pure silver wire and unshielded power cables. These are used with all of my audio components. They are very open, transparent, high resolution with beautiful natural tone and timbre presentation.
Abbas Esoteric Audio 3.2SE
Built by renown Ukrainian Abbas Zulfugarov. NOS DAC utilizing the classic Phillips TDA 1541 multi bit chip. Two 6080 tubes in the analog stage. 5 various rectifier tubes in the power supplies.
3 separate toroidal transformers (And 2 chokes ) for the power supplies.A very serious and successful upper tier DAC implementation. Using with the Abbas SPDIF and power cable.
I haven't communicated in a while with you, so I thought I'd just say Hi! Your system hasn't changed much for quite a while, which means you have put together a system that really pleases you. Well done.
I notice you've purchased a Project RS2T, and you are really happy with it. That came as a surprise to me, I believe I will have to upgrade my perception of Project products.
Well I don't know about you, but I'm getting old. I turned 75 in February, but as my bodies machinery is aging, my audio system is at it's all-time best. It makes me very happy, and I'm very grateful for that!
Well Charles, I just thought I'd say hello, it's been a long time since we last spoke together. I'm glad to hear all is well in your system, and it's treating you right.
Same here, just a lot of enjoyment in hearing diverse types and styles of music. It doesn't matter what it is, the old system seems to do it justice.
I wish us both, long continued enjoyment in this aspect of our lives.
I used an outstanding Sonic Euphoria transformer-based passive line stage for about 10 years, and recently went to an active tubed line stage.
I'm on a limited budget, and like to build things, so I bought a preamp kit from Transcendent Sound. The kit is just $499, and some may consider it absolutely low-brow, but the way I configured mine, I like it better than the SE passive.
I used a Goldpoint stepped attenuator (with Bent Audio Remote Volume Control, Clarity caps output caps, and NOS Amperex 12AU7 tubes. It works a treat in my system, but then, maybe I'm too easy to please ( I don't really think so, but I thought I'd just throw that in).
Just a suggestion, something you may consider to get you by, until the right preamp comes along for you.
Mapman, as I noted in my own system thread, I am currently building a Class D CDA 254L amp, which I will be using as an alternative, and back-up, to the SET 300B that works so well with my HPD Tannoys.
It will be an efficient, high-power amp, that if it works out like I hope it will, will allow me to sell off my First Watt M2 (which I actually also love), but the Class D will provide a near 180 degree change in power amp topology, and much more readily reflect the difference in how my speakers respond to differences in the amount, and type, of power they are being driven with.
Rebbi, first, I am very happy for you on your successful build of the AN amp. Hearty congratulations!
I at times have similar issues, and have found a compromise that works for me. I don't recall if you have kept your Manley amps. If you have, you might consider what I have done.
If I know I'm going to listen to the demanding type of music on any given night, if you can set up your Manleys, with their own power cords, IC's, and speaker cables, you can change amps out in about two minutes, and listen to your heart's content. Until you want to listen to music more appropriate to the SET.
I know this sounds exensive, but it depends on how you go about it. I built my own power cord, and bought (very reasonable, at the time), two pair of 12' Tempo Electric solid-core silver in Teflon tubing speaker cables, which were about $1600 for both then. I recommend these cables very highly, by the way, and sold Auditorium A 23 cables to make the switch, and I'm glad I did.
Anyway, it's a compromise that you might consider, another option. Going to more appropriate speakers, though, may be the best solution for you, as was previously mentioned.
I can shed no light on Wright Audio of Oregon. However, about a year or so ago, due largly to Charle's influence, I entered the SET amp fold.
Having had EL 34 tubed (push-pull) amplification, (which was very good), I wanted to try an SET 300B amp. I lucked out, and found an Assemblge Audio SET 300B on auctiion here on Audiogon, which I won.
This amp has turned out to be the best amp I've had, with unmatched musicality. My main point is, to hold out for a good buy on a well made SET 300B amp, which to my ears, is bound to sound better than an EL 34 SET.
I had factory upgrades done on the amp by Parts Connexion (the amp was made by Sonic Frontiers), it sounded so good, I sprung for EML 300B XLS tubes, which actually brought this modest-priced amp to a fairly exalted level.
My investment in this amp is under $1800, and I haven't heard anything I like better.
I'm just relating my experience, what you are looking to do can be done, with a little luck.
I'm sure Charles will help guide you in the right direction, best of luck in your search.
Brett, it never ocurred to me you might be fragile, but sensory depravation of the musical kind can have serious negative effects.
But, not to worry, it seems the folk that favor Charles' thread are of the kind and gentle persuasion.
Now, get off your butt and get your system together! That's an order! (We need Admiral Rottenclam here to reinforce these orders (does anyone else remember Admiral Clam?).
Brett, it's great to hear from you, I hope all your tribulations were minor ones, and you are well and happy.
Brett, (sorry Charles) I've tried to contact you, even sent a message through Audiogon, but you didn't reply, and my phone went through the washing machine, so I lost your phone number.
Charles, I don't know if you have Monk's "Brilliant Corners" with Sonny Rollins, Ernie Henry, and Clark Terry, but it is oustanding, the best of Monk's work I've heard.
On Pannonica, he plays Celeste with his right hand, and piano with his left.
On Bemsha Swing, a tympany along with drums is played by Max Roach, with oustanding results. This is a good one.
Roxy, your experience closely mirrors my own. A change of speakers back around 2008-2009, allowed me to indulge my curiosity regarding SET amps, going from Dynaudio Contour 5.4's to custom-built Tannoy HPD's.
There's no going back, at least for me. I am stunned by the dynamic capability of a 9 Wpc amplifier. What a joy. Charles was intrumental in helping me decide to give it a try, I had concerns there wouldn't be enough power.
Those concerns have completely dissapated, all that remamins is the enjoyment and satisfaction of the best listening I've ever had at home.
I din't hear back from Sonic Frontiers, so I went ahead and installed the new tubes. As per the instructions, after four hours of use, I will shut the amp down (in about half an hour), and let it cool before turning it on a little later tonight, when I give them a good listen.
I'll give my first impression in the morning tomorrow.
Thanks for setting me straight on the output power question. Chris Johnson passed my question to his technician, Mike Kerster. I haven't heard back from him yet. I think I will go ahead and install them, if I don't hear back pretty soon.
Charles, the EML specs page has the output in watts listed as 27 (in a class A amplifier). I know I am showing my ignorance here, but the rated power output for the amp is 9Wpc. Is there a chance these tubes will increase the power output? Or will they make the amp sound a bit more powerful?
9Wpc is working fine, but more would be a nice added bonus.
My EML 300B XLS tubes arrived today, and after reading their warnings about possible tube damage in certain amps, I am reluctant to put them in, until such time as I have confirmation of their compatibility with my Assemblage SET 300B.
To this end, I have emailed Chris Johnson of Sonic Frontiers, and am waiting to hear back from him.
I am impressed by their robust construction, and size. Can't wait to hear them!
After reading about your Yamamoto YDA-01 DAC, I went to their website, where I discovered they are offering this item in kit form.
I'm very interested in this, but could find no information re dealers, or where to order their products. Where did you get yours? If you would, please email me:
Charles, Agear, I don't know about anyone else, but I sure got a chuckle out of the "victory parade" comment. Isn't that what this pursuit is about, chasing the best music reproduction you can manage, given your own unique set of circumastances?
I'm sure, like most of us, you must have had times when things would not go your way, but that is what eventually gets us where we want to be. Some of us suffer through more "learning" than others, but with perserverance, we eventually make it to our own individual "summit of listening pleasure" spot.
I'm actually using all the tubes that came with the amp at this time. The 300B's are EH's. I have NOS replacement Tung-Sol 6BX7GT, Sylvania 6SN7, and CV 378, along with the JJ 300B's.
I'm thinking of seeing how it sounds with new tubes, but I'm letting all the new caps and resistors break in for a while first. Upgrading the output tubes is something to look forward to later, though. I'm loving this little old amp.
I'm glad to hear the new tubes are working so well for you. Whether they would be a waste of resources for my modest SET 300B is in question. I will say, though, ever since putting it in, I haven'e felt the need or desire to go back to my VAC.
I have been truly amazed by this amp, no matter what music I play. I've also experienced more goose-bumps with this amp than any I've ever had. It must be doing something right. Maybe better tubes might be worth it, after all. Only 9Wpc, such a surprise.
