System edited: System Edit - new pictures of my new listening room. Also added the bass traps, and they improved the quality of sound & music across the board. Can't get away from my music now :)
System edited: Just added a Shunyata Anaconda Helix Alpha to my Theta DAC, and the power cord added more resolution, spatiality and smoothness to the CD sound. Noise floor was also lowered. Good addition
System Edited - Just added the Kuzma ebony record "clamp". I was looking for a clamp for a long time, as the stock (screw-in) clamp could not accommodate the extra 3mm that the Boston Audio Mat-1 turntable added, to the platter height. This clamp is more like a weight - just drop onto the record label. Result ? - a more open and relaxed (meaning wider, deeper soundstage, while imparting more "naturalness" to the sound) presentation. I guess the "musical" qualities of the ebony did help, after all. Pix to be added soon.
System edited: Just added the fantastic Harmonix RF999MT footers - they accept my Kharma's massive spikes. The Harmonix footers are made of different layers of steel and cherry wood which are very efficient in draining vibrations from the speaker cabinets. The "sound" or improvement they impart are - increased clarity across the entire frequency spectrum; greater and more visceral impact of the bass; deeper bass too; and also a little "sweetness" to the music (very evident in vocals and violins). Yes, it's bit expensive, but IMHO, and in my current system - worth every cent
Great system my friend! We have a lot of common components in our system (sort of). I used to have Valhalla interconnects and speaker cables but changed the interconnect to a siltech G5 and kept only the speaker cable. Much more honest to music in my opinion!! Happy listening!! Regards,
Thks for your compliments, but Wow !!! yr system and room is simply fantastic.
I used to have a dedicated room - though not as nice as yours ... haha - but was booted out after we moved from a house to an apartment. No choice, got to move into the city to be nearer my kids' school.
But yes, I like my system setup currently, and was actually considering the Airline before I bought the Triplanar - just 5 months ago. My rationale was - right or wrong - that I should have a "better" turntable than my current Stabi Reference before I consider a higher-end tonearm.
I am eyeing the Stabi XL - though there are other contenders and I am in no hurry - but for sure, I will keep my Triplanar tonearm and go for a 2-tonearm solution.
Thus, the need - yes, the need - to "upgrade" my Sutherland PhD phono (only accepts 1 input) - and also considering a tube-based phono amp as I want to "increase" the bloom and get a richer midrange
Cheers, and I definitely aspire to a dedicated room again
I have not heard the JL2 Sig before; but I had a long conversation with Ken Stevens (founder, designer) a few months before.
The main difference is the change of capacitors (to Blackgate ones) and the change of the circuit board to a better one (can't remember the technical terms) - but will enable better signal transfer. Other changes will be to the transformers which will not be so major.
FWIW, most of the good reviews of the JL2, are on the Sig version, so I guess it's perhaps better that you consider this model, rather than the plain vanilla one. As for me, this plain vanilla model is already better than what I had previously, so no complain at the moment. But, I am tempted to send the amp for a Sig. MKII upgrade next summer.
Previously, I was using the Classe DR-6 pre and DR-9 High Current amp - both solid state. While the 2 units have given me sterling service for close to 14 years, the Gryphon/CAT combo absolutely "kills" it. Dynamics - especially from the CAT's triode 100W pure Class A - frequency extension at both ends, palpable soundstage, etc, etc. But, my recent purchase of the Kharma CE 1.2 (which replaced my equally old Thiel 2 2 speakers) also helped in the vast upgrade of the sound.
I am not a frequent upgrader of equipment, but I have heard numerous amps - both solid state and tubes (like Gryphon's Antilleon Signature, Ayre's MXR monos, the smaller MBLs monos, Krell Evolutions, Karan 180 watter, Jadis 200 monos, etc) - and I must say the JL2 is right up there.
Got a couple of friends over for a listening session. They say my setup is very clean, detailed, and smooth, but perhaps lacking in a little more presence. Perhaps, I still have too much transistor equipment (Gryphon Elektra, Sutherland PhD phono) in my setup; so my next project is to look for more tubes. I may start with the phono
Hi very nice set-up, do you know what the main difference is between the JL2 and JL2 Sig. amp is? the list price is substantially higher for the Sig.is it worth it? Have you ever heard the Sig. and what are your impressions between what you have currently?
Have you tried any other pre's than your Gryphon?
Reason I'm asking is I'm looking at going down the road of getting a CAT amp.
Hi Slipknot1 - thanks for the recommendation. I actually have the 180gm 45rpm 2LP reissue from Acoustic Sounds from their Fantasy 100 collection. Unfortunately, I am keeping it and others sealed so it will retain its value later. Well, time to search for an original Riverside then
Yes, Bdgregory, there is always a danger that I'll trip over the interconnects and the speaker cables. Just gotta be careful about them. I am currently restricted by my racks as I am contemplating what to get to prevent such a configuration. But, either way, don't think I can fit the CAT JL-2 amp into any rack as it is very, very big and weighs 180lbs, so likely it will still be "sticking" out.
Very nice. I love the elegant look of your setup and room. Speaking of piano music, might I suggest Bill Evans Trio "Everyone Digs Bill Evans" LP on Riverside? The cut "Peace Piece" is lovely.
