Jadis Eurythmie II pic
VTL MB 450 Signature
Jadis JF-1 pic
Jadis JP 80 pic
EMM CDSD pic
EMM DCC2
ZYX Artisan pic
Micro Seiki SX-8000 pic
Triplanar VII
ZYX UNIverse S
Micro Seiki Max-237 pic
Denon DN-308F pic
Denon DP-100 Turntable
Exclusive P3 pic
Exclusive P3 - The Innards Turntable pic
Sony PS-X9 pic
Kenwood L-07D pic
Nakamichi Dragon CT pic
Yamaha PX-1 pic
Diatone LT-1 pic
Sony TTS-8000 pic
Denon DP-80 pic
Pioneer PL-7L pic
Rek-O-Kut Rondine Deluxe B-12H - PROJECT pic
Denon 103R
Microseiki LC-80w Cartridge
Fidelity Research FR-7 Cartridge
Fidelity Research FR-7f Cartridge
Technics 100CMk3 Cartridge
Technics 100CMk4 Cartridge
Grace F9 Ruby Cartridge
Garrott P77 Cartridge
Sony XL55mono Cartridge
Sony XL55Pro Cartridge
Horns, Tubes, and a 60lb Platter
The system has been cobbled together over several years. Everything listed has been bought used over time with the exception of the carts, the phono stage, and some Jade Audio interconnects (but perhaps surprisingly, only a few pieces were acquired through an Audiogon intro). I am very happy with the system as it is. Without having delved into Audiogon early on, I doubt I would have gone down the road for used components this far. Without the collective input and gathered wisdom of fellow Audiogoners who freely offer their expertise and insight, getting to this point would have taken me longer than it has. For this, I thank Audiogon's forum members.
Jadis Eurythmie speakers:
Large horns (see the picture above) with wonderful, liquid sound. While the mid-range horns are wonderful, the beautiful bass reproduction and super-tweeters make the mids sound so much better than I thought they could. I bought these in a store where I could compare them against megadollar speakers at the time (2003) and these lacked nothing. Anyone who has listened to and loved big mid-range horns will know what I mean when I say it will be tough making me go back to box speakers.
The Jadis JP 80 pre-amp came before the EMM combo or else I might have skipped it and just gone with the pre-amp section in the DCC2, which works extremely well as a linestage on its own. The JP80 is slightly euphonic but I have, for now, come to the conclusion that the coloration pleases me far more than it displeases me so I stick with it. I am considering some modifications to improve low-level detail retrieval. I am using a ZYX Artisan as a phono stage, and the EMM Labs CDSD/DCC2 as a digital source. The generally glowing reviews on the 'gon of the CDSD/DCC2 are really well-deserved. I have yet to hear a digital source I'd rather use.
The amps are holdovers from my first real system, which had speakers which required more power than the Eurythmies do. I have always appreciated these amps, whether with box speakers, electrostats, or now horns. They provide great reserves of power and control the Eurythmies extremely well - 300Bs are OK for Mozart piano sonatas but leave one wondering where the bass went when moving to anything which goes below 180Hz. I have generally read that conventional wisdom calls the big VTL amps "dark" and I guess I can see where that comes from, but they work wonders for me. The VTLs are not "sweet" the way my EAR 859 integrated (now used as a headphone amp) can be at the top end, but I have yet to find a tube amp I prefer overall.
The Micro Seiki turntable is a recent-ish acquisition which I am working on bringing back to life. I hope to have it up and running in a few weeks/months (the whole thing weighs a short ton and takes up rack space I don't have so I am having a new rack/table built for it). I will update as I get this done. In the meantime...
UPDATE
The TT set-up currently in use is a late 1970s Yamaha PX-1 linear-tracking DD table, the precursor to the better-known (in the US) PX-2. For a DD turntable, it weighs a short ton. The speed appears to be quite stable, adjustments are very easy, and the fact that it is automatic makes life very easy sometimes. The PX-1 is currently running with a Denon DL103R (and a DL102 mono cart) through the ZYX Artisan phono stage. I am extremely happy with the Artisan. The Artisan is extremely quiet and in my experience, as neutral as can be ("despite" the fact it is solid state); one wek in I was a fan, and months later, there is no change to my fanhood and no complaints whatsoever). It may be my lack of expertise in set-up, but the ZYX shows that the cart isn't the strong link in this particular analog chain.
Update 10/31/06: An upcoming move will allow me more space (and better ergonomics for using the system) and will probably allow me some ability to treat the room. This is something I am looking forward to because the room now is by far the weakest part of the system. Wish me luck!
Update 03/06/07: Moved finally but a 2+ month business trip in the interim has left me with boxes still to unpack, a living room to tweak (because as is it sounds terrible), and a new rack to acquire. But... it has also led to the purchase of some Purist Dominus Rev B PCs (used), and a couple of pair of Jade Audio interconnects. I happened to run across a Jadis JF-1 crossover as well in the interim, which sorely tempted me. How could I turn down the chance to get the crossover specifically designed to power my speakers? The answer is I couldn't, so it's there too. Now I have to get another two channels of amplification somewhere!
Update: In the last 2-3yrs, I have been playing with DD turntables, including some of the great ones from the 1970s and 80s. They are shockingly good in some cases, and represent surprisingly good value. After listening to a few of the "lower" priced tables (PL-7L, Diatone LT-1) and the Yamaha PX-1 intensively, I went out to stereo stores to listen to newer setups, specifically listening to them with Denon 103R because it was going to be frowned upon by dealers as a lesser cart. I found nothing them wanting for nothing when compared to new table+arm setups until multiples of the older DDs' market price. The Yamaha PX-1 loses to the Micro Seiki in noise floor, but not by a lot. The P3 is a monster, where the torque difference is readily apparent. It sounds quieter than its specs. The Denon DP80 I also have a few unplinthed TTs I have been waiting to plinth before actually doing my own shoot-out review. Not sure if I am ever going to get there, and at this point, I think I should probably let some go. I really only "need" 1 or 2 per system. (heh-heh).
Update 10/19/09: it has been ages since I updated the system to mention some of the other tables which make it on to the main shelves from time to time. They are included in the system description (with pics in most cases). Maybe I'll add commentary here sometime. The newest addition is a Denon DP-100 with SME 3012R Pro arm. It is super-quiet and super speed-stable. I have only used it a few days so far but it is fantastic. It deserves its reputation. |
