Treat Me Right

by sbonamo on VividJL audioEcholeAudionet

Description

I've been into audio gear on and off for the better part of 30 years. Always tinkering with something and for the past several years more so with room treatment. Almost all treatments are DIY and mostly diffusion.

September 2023 update: It's been a long time since updating, many changes. Upgraded to the top of the line Vivid Audio Giya speaker, the Spirit in Porsche midnight blue with external crossovers and completely upgraded sources - Digital: TotalDAC D1 Twelve Mk II with the Mk II streamer and Live power supply. Added an analog source - VPI Aries 3 with the SDS speed control, Koetsu Rosewood Reference cartridge, Pass Labs XP-15 phonostage. Other upgrades late to add. The system is levels above the last update IMO. 

January 2022 update: Moved to the matching Audionet max amplifiers' Pre G2 preamp. If synergy was in doubt, this combination refutes it. Upgraded Music PC - newer Intel processor, motherboard and memory. upgraded to M.2 NVRAM SSD for the OS and 5GB Samsing SSDs for music. Also added EMI/RFI shielding to music SSDs, copper shielding to the OS SSD, added copper plates to the internal base under the motherboard, added neoprene absorption to the chassis, further shielded the top cover with EMI/ RFI 3M shielding. Due to the added weight of the music server upgraded to the larger Isoacoustics Orea feet. I expected minimal if any sonic gains but I was wrong, just incredible. Blacker blacks, and more details with a bit more body. All digital cables are now Shunyata Venom ethernet. Upgraded sub cables and F113 power cables to Audioquest. Upgraded monoblock amps, preamp, streamer and DAC footers to Critical Mass CS2 footers.


May 2021 update: Moved to Echole speaker cables. Upgraded the preamp to a Shunyata Anaconda Alpha PC. Added an Etherregen network switch + an external clock both powered by an HDPlex HD100 LPSU. Upgraded to a Shunyata ethernet cable from switch to the LinQ streamer. 
March 2021 update: Moved to Audionet Max amps with Shunyata Python CX PCs and Echole ICs. Changed power conditioning to the Audioquest Niagara. Paired the Aqua DAC (now with Shunyata Ztron Digital PC) with the Aqua LinQ streamer (now with a Shunyata Black Mamba PC). The Max amps + Echole cables + Giya G2S2s are a magical combination IMO.
July 2019 update: Switched from Usher BE20D speakers to Vivid Audio Giya G2 S2s.
November 2019 update: Added 2 JLA F110 subwoofers now a total of 4
January 2020 update: Switched amplifier for the bass from a MF A308CR to my Wells Audio Innamorata and added a Wells Audio Innamorata Signature for the mids and highs.
Read more...

Room Details

Dimensions: 19’ × 18’  Large
Ceiling: 9’

Components Toggle details

    • DIY Custom music server
    Custom music server.

    Power: LPS - HDPlex HD500, JCAT Femto ethernet card powered by Paul Hynes SR4T LPSU
    512MB SSD for OS, 5TB HDD for music storage powered by an Acopian LPSU
    Software: OS: Win Server 2019 highly optimized, ROON, HQPlayer, Tidal, Qobuz
    • Echole Obsession Speaker Cables
    Obsession speaker cables.
    • Echole Obsession interconnects
    interconnect cables
    • Cullen Circuits 12AWG power cable
    Power cable for Music server
    • Nordost Blue Heaven
    Power cable for Music PC HD500 LPSU
    • HDPlex HD500
    Linear PSU for Music PC
    • JL Audio F113, F110
    2 Fathom F113 subs and 2 F1110 subs ran in dual mono
    • Audionet Max
    mono block amplifiers
    • IsoAcoustics OREA
    Isolation footers under subwoofers, Music server and Music server external power supplies
    • Shunyata Research Black Mamba CX
    LinQ streamer power cable
    • Audionet Pre g2
    Matching preamp for the Audionet max monoblocks
    • System - Sept. 2023 Total System

Comments 16

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Owner
I'm not running anything like Lasso for process prioritization, only using Windows. Also, yes, it is an aviator chair with rivets, very comfortable IMO.

sbonamo

Nice!
What software are you using to control the number of background processes? Btw, very nice system. And I have seen a similar chair in some audiophile room. Is it the one that has metal covers with rivetts running on the side?

milpai

Owner
yes, it is. I'm running Win Server 2019  and ROON server, OS fully optimized running about 40 processes total. USB disabled in BIOS as it feeds a TotalDAC streamer via ethernet. PCs are Tornado for now going to the 2 PSUs on top off the Streacom which definitely improved versus the Cullen mostly in clarity and bass heft.

sbonamo

@sbonamo ,
Is that a Streacom FC10 Alpha case with CD drive? What is the config of your music server build? I have similar case, but without the CD drive. Would like to know what config/software you have. My build is https://www.audiogon.com/systems/10374
Did you replace all the power cords with Audioquest Hurricanes? Please let me know the improvements that these made over your Cullens.

milpai

Owner
March 2024 updates: Upgraded my analog source to an Acoustic Signature Ascona turntable (upgrade feet and power supply), upgraded phono preamp to an Allnic H7000V, upgraded power cables to AQ Hurricanes. 

On the digital side, upgraded digital AEs cables to Nordost Valhalla I and II. 

sbonamo

Owner
Thanks Jeff. The Giyas are amongst the most effortless, seamless and most natural speakers I've heard (and in my search I listened to Vandersteen, Evolution Acoustics, Magico S series, Rockport, Wilson, YG acoustics and more). The Ushers are quite good speakers and once modified with GR Research Xovers and wiring they were substantially better (more clear sounding, more detail, tighter more articulate bass). However, the Giyas are several leagues better, there really is no comparison. The Ushers like most speakers are drivers in a box, the Vivids incorporate significant technological advances and it's plain to hear IMO.

sbonamo

Beautiful system & room;

How was the change in sound when going from Ushers to Giya?

Wells amps have a great reputation for a natural sound 

Jeff

frozentundra

Owner
Thanks Sebrof. Your system took a nice leap recently also.

@Arnie - Thanks, there is simply no comparison WRT Giyas versus Ushers. I am biamping them and eventually need to get better amps or a better stereo amp.

sbonamo

Very nice system, very nice indeed. Thanks for sharing!

sebrof

Hi Steve,

Congratulations on the new speakers. I would imagine that the Giya’s are a nice upgrade sonically. Are you bi amping them?
Arnie

babybear

Owner
Update: Moved from the usher BE20Ds to Vivid Audio Giya G2 S2 in June 2019.

sbonamo

Owner
Thanks for the tip cerrot, I'll remove the feet.

sbonamo

Nice rig.  You should remove the feet from the ko3 as you have the still points (they vibrate w/o weight on them).  You will hear it.

cerrot

Owner
@babybear - Hope you liked it Arnie, slowly getting better. The pre really helped IMO. 

@tboooe - I liked the Usher sound very much but decided to upgrade the xovers, internal wiring and binding posts via a GR Research kit - made a world of difference. Not only better components/wiring but completely redesigned xovers. Stock the Ushers are warm sounding with the woofers gently sloping off at ~400Hz. With the GR kit it's more like ~200Hz, so the sound in many ways is quite different. You gain bass speed and detail and mid range and tweeter clarity.   IMO for the $ Ushers are exceptional speakers.

sbonamo

Nice to see another Usher user. I used to own the BE-10 and the Esoteric gear.  I had to go to smaller speakers when I moved my system into a much smaller room in the house.  Details of the Usher system can be found in my Virtual System.  Anyway, would love to hear your thoughts on the strengths and weaknesses of the big Ushers.

tboooe

Looking good Steve. I'll need to come by and hear it with your new preamp.

babybear

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