This is my third iteration of a system for my home office. It is my main system.
I started with lots of easy to get flashy, inexpensive amps, cables, sources and such.
Over the last 3 years it has evolved to the system here. I think the journey was very educational! I spent a ton of money chasing the wrong things and really not knowing what I wanted to hear or should hear for that matter.
This system now is very open and musical and can reproduce almost any genre of music. It is quiet and articulate.
I mostly listen to vinyl and the DAC via the Mac Mini.
All the tubes have been replaced with NOS or Newer high end tubes.
The cables made a change that I did not expect. The Anti cables opened up all the sources. It is shocking. I kept my old cables so I can show people the difference so they don't think I am insane.
The Soundsmith re-tip not he Dynavector made another huge leap in the sound quality and reproduction.
It is a system that is easy to listen to now with out thinking that improvement needs to be made during every track.
Speakers are next and I plan to go up quite a bit and find a pair that I will keep for a long time and evolve the rest of the system.
Thanks for looking! Questions and comments are very welcome.
The Phonomena II is a remarkable phonostage for twice the price. Not only is this the most adjustable phono preamp in its price range, allowing you to fine-tune your set-up, but the Phonomena II is extremely accurate and rich sounding.
Canary Audio CA-301 mkII
Highly regarded 300B push and pull Triode tube amplifier, handcrafted in California, MADE IN USA. 22 watts per channel.
Canary Audio CA 630
2015 CA 630 Tube Preamp
Pioneer PD-65 elite
I very rarely listen to CD's, but when I do I use this. I am the original owner of this player and it is in like new condition. I play it via the coax and the analog outputs depending on the music.
Nakamichi RX-202
So.... Since vinyl has made a come back... I figured I would get ahead of the crowd and pull out my old tape deck. Original owner from 1988. Works perfectly.
Audiosource Inc. EQ-1
This is the EQ from Ferris Buehler's day off. (not the actual one, i think?) I also owned this in the 80's. The EQ is not in the signal path, it is connected to a tape out on the Canary. It is just for show and lights.
Musical Fidelity V90-DAC
Connects Mac Mini, DirecTv and appleTV. The V90 DAC is the perfect way to upgrade the performance of a wide range of music sources. Housed in a solid yet discreet case, it unites sleek design and technical excellence to offer unrivalled musical enjoyment.
Dynavector DV-20X2H
This cart has had the tip replaced by Soundsmith with the Ruby Cantilever and nude diamond. (4 year old destroyed the original) The improvement is something you have to hear to believe.
Kimber PBJ
Kimber PBJ for all connection except Phono and Phono Amp. (Bobs Devices cables for those)
Bob's Devices Silver Clad Copper
For the VPI and the Phono amp to the Pre.
Klipsch RF-7
The horns and high sensitivity match very well with low watts and tubes.
Paul Speltz Level 2 Performance Series Bi-Wired
Bi-Wired: Two sets of the award winning Anti-Cable Speaker Wires that are joined together at the amplifier end, and with all four wires woven together. This provides a pair of very nice cable looking wire runs with two spades (or bananas) on each amplifier end and four spades (or bananas) at each speaker end for a pair of Bi-wireable speakers.
Akai GX-620
So Reel to Reel is awesome. This was a gift from a friend cleaning out his garage.
Very nice combo of old and new. Love the Nakamichi.
BTW-- Is the azimuth on the cartridge off axis or is that just the way the tonearm is strapped in the cradle? The photo makes it look like there is a strong inward tilt of the arm. Of course, it could also be an optical illusion.
Frank, the tube amp is the Canary 300B with 4 JJ 300B's - The Preamp (BAT) is also tubed.
I have tried the grey mat that comes with the VPI, and I have found it to flatten out the dynamics a bit. Even VPI recommends not using a mat. It does help with static, but I have had it off for a bit now and really like the sound better without it.
Yes Viridian, scotch is always served when listening!
Hi... looks like a nice system. I have just a couple questions.
What tube amp are you using?
And secondly, is there no platter mat for the VPI aluminum platter? If not, I would try a mat with damping properties. It might surprise you. If you do try it, shoot me an e-mail and let me know which mat(s) you try and the results. Keep in mind that you will have to readjust the VTA of the cartridge for the added thickness of the mat.
