Which components produce a convincing 3-D image?


Hi. Like many of us I've been through entirely too many pieces of quality gear and I've managed to get close to what I think I should be hearing. However, I've read some comments on Audiogon by folks who claim they feel like they can "reach out and touch" the performer, their systems being so convincing. Keeping in mind that one's listening room can can make or break a system's ability to produce a convincing image I would like to know which components, whether they be amps, preamps, speakers, CDPs, cables, whatever, have contributed the most to your system's ability to provide that illusion of being there with the performers.

I'm currently running two sytems:

For two-channel A/V: PMC FB-1 speakers, Sim Audio Moon I-5 integrated, Sony DVP-S9000es, Silver Audio Bullet 4.0s, Analysis Plus Oval 12 shotgun bi-wired 8' speaker cables.

For two-channel stereo: Tyler Linbrook Monitors, McCormack DNA-125 amp, Marantz SA-14 SACD, Creek OBH-11 volume control, 2 pairs Homegrown Audio .5M Silver Lace interconnects, AudioQuest AQ-8 bi-wired 8' speaker cables.

Thank you.
beemerrider
I'm a big believer it tweaks. Every time I find a new tweak that works with my system I'm simply amazed that there was another level of detail or clarity or pace or what-ever.

Tweaks I've found to work include:

Power:
Dedicated power line
Audio grade outlet
Audio Prism "Quite Line" filters
Power conditioners
Power cords

Footers; "E-A-R"
"Orchard Bay" titanium cones and pucks
Black Diamond Racing cones and pucks
Aurios "Pro" isolation bearings.

Shelves:
"Neuance" by Greater Ranges
"Bubble Wrap"
Black Diamond Racing "Shelf"

Speakers:
Walker "High Definition Links"
Aurios "Pro" Isolation Bearings
Black Diamond Racing "Cones and Pucks"

Power cords
Interconnects
Speaker cable

Room Acoustics
Corners tunes
Corner bass traps
Side wall reflection panels

Misc.
Cardas "Caps"
"Cable Elevators Plus" cable isolators
Marigo "40mm Window Tune Kit"
Walker Audio "Vibration Control Disks"
CD disk cleaner
Bedini "Clarifier

Those are the ones I can think of that I'm using. EACH ONE MADE AN IMPROVEMENT! I've tried countless others that made a change, but not always for the good. It's important that you have the right speaker placement and room issues resolved before going to this level.

Just for fun a few weeks ago I removed all the tweaks I could to see if it was really making a difference. WOW! It's amazing how far my system has come from the standard components.
my room is a far cry from optimal, a corner of the basement that makes me feel like a mutant red-headed step child with the plague, but i have just inserted a pair of tyler linbrook monitors with the cardas wire/posts into my system and ... wow
jesus christ, the imaging ability of the linbrooks is several orders of magnitude better than with my previous loudspeakers, see my system post for new and old.
soundstaging is excellent as is, but must be fabulous when the linbrooks are set further apart than my current space allows. also, my linbrooks would probably like to enter the room another foot from the rear wall, but i have little choice in this matter now.
before anyone asks, i could not pass up the opportunity to own these babies. currently i am extremely satisfied with the imaging, soundstaging and lack of cabinet artifact in my less than optimal setup. i feel like homer simpson thinking about beer when i consider a proper room and setup for the linbrooks.
they are breaking in right now, about half done by ty's measure. so far i am impressed with the prat and accuracy that has been evolving as breakin continues.
upon full breakin, i expect an extremely fast and accurate speaker free from a box sound, capable of casting a 3d image and large soundstage while maintaining very well-defined separation of instruments. about theonly thing i do not expect from the linbrooks is the very lowest and deepest bass found on music i honestly don't listen to very much at all. this is not to say bass response is weak, hardly. so far it sounds tight and focused with plenty of ooomph for me.

prior to the linbrooks, the most dramatic change in the imaging capability of my system came when i introduced the rogue 99 magnum linestage. that change was in no way subtle.

i should say i expected very good things from the linbrooks based upon my conversations and emails with ty and threads i had read, but hell... i got a lot more than i expected and it seems like more everyday as the break-in continues

btw, jadem6, how long have you lived with your linbrooks and what have been your impressions and experiences? as stated, mine have been here about 1 week, and im really not one to rush to judgements/opinions in such a short period of time, but i cannot deny my observations and reflections so far nor my sense of things to come

ok folks take it from here
thats my 2 cents