Sony SCD-1 pic
Harman Kardon Citation 14 pic
Oracle Audio Technologies Delphi MKV SE pic
Graham Engineering Phantom B44 Picture pic
Lyra Kleos Cartridge
Lyra Helikon
Audio Research PH-2 pic
Audio Research LS-25 pic
Marchand Electronic Tube X-over XM-126s pic
Audio Research VT-100 mkII pic
Kenwood L0-7M pic
Magnepan MG-20.1 Speaker
Magnepan MG-3.5r pic
Sunfire Sunfire Signature pic
Revelation Audio Labs Paradise Cryo-Silver™ Reference
Transparent Ultra XL Interconnect
Analysis Plus Oval Crystal 8 (Balanced)
Mogami Neglex 2534
Monster MSeries M35I SW HT
XLO Signature Type 2 Interconnect
Analysis Plus Crystal Oval 8
Elrod EPS 3
Elrod EPS 3 Signature
NBS Master III Power cord
NBS Monitor II Power cord
Shunyata Python Helix Alpha
Revelation Audio Precept II
Shunyata Sidewinder
Shunyata Hydra 8
Triplite LC-1800 pic
Finite Element Ceraball
Finite Element Ceraball Universal
Richard Grey 400S
Corcom EMI/RFI Filter AC filter
BDR Cones Tweak
Shakti Stones
Walker Extreme SST
Craig Survival Kit Tweak
Research Labs LP9 Tweak
Research Labs Record cleaner Tweak
VPI 16.5 pic
Target Amp Stand
Soundesign Amp Stand
Target AER5t pic
Target 3r Stand
Echo Busters Bass Busters
Echo Busters Absorption Panels
Room Tunes Half Round
Auralex Venus Bass Traps
Auralex Mega Lnards Bass traps
Auralex Corner Cubes
Auralex Corner Rectangles
Auralex Gramma
Hickok Tube Tester 6000A Tweak pic
Mullard NOS 12AT7 M8162 CV4024 (1983) Tweak
Mullard Tubes 12AX7 (1960’s) Tweak
VPI DB-5
Townsend 2HD
Ceramic Cable Elevators
Radio Shack Tape Eraser
Hi-Fi Tuning Fuses Supreme Tweak
Hi-Fi Tuning Silverstar Tweak
Hi-Fi Tuning Classic Gold Tweak
Magnepan 20.1 Haven
My relatively modest system was carefully assembled over many years (I have been in the so-called high-end for over 30 years). I am a tweaker who works at optimizing the performance of each component. I do not believe that spending MEGA$$ is necessary for creating a musical sounding system. To wit: I have listened to some super expensive systems that were great in Hi-Fi sound reproduction but missed the mark in terms of musical satisfaction. Careful selection and matching of components can optimize the synergy and performance of the total system. My system has wideband response from about 16Hz up to beyond the upper limits of my hearing capability. The sound is very smooth, robust, balanced and detailed with a see-through huge soundstage. Bass is very defined and tuneful. The overall sound is very musical and engaging. My dedicated listening room is 26x16x8.5 (ft)
Recently, I replaced my Magenpan 3.5s with the magnificent 20.1s, my last speaker purchase. These are massive compared to the 3.x series, and required 2 persons for the installation. The 20.1s are a music lover’s dream. They are musical, smooth, dynamic and very revealing coupled with panoramic sound staging. The bass is full and fast.
I am actively bi-amping the 20.1s, as I did the 3.5s, using the Marchand XM-126s with ARC VT100 MKII for the treble/midrange and Kenwood L07M mono-blocks on the bass of my 20.1s. The xover points replicates the crossover settings utilized by Magnepan for the 20.1 internal xover: Low pass 18dB/Octave @ 108hz (Buterworth) and High pass 6dB/Octave @330hz. I am also using a stereo pair of Sunfire Signature subwoofers that are driven directly from my ARC LS25 preamp. Setting up of the system still required much experimentation, although it was made easier due to my previous experience with the 3.5s. But the final results are very satisfying as the integration and blending of the system is now virtually seamless. |
