Recent external build

audioluvr

Does that matter when they are in series? Other than giving it 33% more power handling?

VR3

They are wired in parallel, so his actually has less resistance in that position slightly. Given ours are a few years apart, mine is slightly newer so they must have adjusted the schematic.

BlueFox

jdjohn wrote: »

That mounting bracket will attach to the bottom of the cabinet, and the exposed 'guts' will lay up along the back of the loudspeaker.

Comprendo. Gracias.

halo

Wow. Amazing project. Congrats Jody on the new additions. Outstanding work Trey. Thanks for documenting the progress!

VR3

Gracias senor!

VR3

All I can say about this, two nights ago something just clicked and the space ship has landed at Casa Trey.

Last time I had weight, depth and spatial imaging like this has been a long time.

Well worth the effort!

Side side note the parts in my crossovers have about 100 more hours on them than Jody's.

VR3

Side note, as someone who has stayed away from bypass caps... The duelund caps as a bypass do add a sound to the cmr that makes it lean more towards the warmer side, where as the CMR is extremely neutral. I would hate to use the word organic, but they do indeed have a warmer timbre to them I haven't heard a cap possess.

Now I wouldn't go as far to say it makes it +2 a better cap to whatever you pair it with like humble hifi says, but it definitely adds a flavor to the sound.

jdjohn

Thanks @halo A few more install pics.

Per instructions from the Master, I routed a recess out of the back panel in which to install the plates:

How do you like my 'Ezzo Utopia' speakers with 'ndwich Technology'? I had tunnel vision on getting the plate centered, and later realized I only needed to move it a half-inch to the left. Color me embarrassed.

Got the driver wires routed through the cabinet:

Each driver is within its own enclosure, so you have to snake the wires through inner-channels on the sides.

Ready to connect the last driver:

The tweeters had more wire length to work with. The woofers and mids were more of a challenge!

Now need to mount the big, heavy external network via the L-brackets.

Clipdat

Good job!

jdjohn

Mounted and ready!

Early impressions are VERY good. Of course it's difficult to remember exactly how they sounded before, but I figure when I'm hearing new musical queues in very familiar tracks, that's a good sign Looking forward to seeing hearing how they sound after more burn-in

BlueBirdMusic

Those really look special!!!

jdjohn

Thanks! I definitely feel like the "cool kid on the block" right now

@VR3 Trey provided the genius and artistry...I was just the brawn to get it installed Even still, I sent him numerous emails seeking advice and guidance. He was very responsive and helpful during every step along the way.

VR3

Looking sweet. You will know when they are fully burned in, it's like a light switch goes on

jdjohn

Having spent some time now with the upgraded external crossover networks, I can convey a few observations. These are all via vinyl playback.

With Steely Dan's, Aja, which I have heard numerous times, I heard new musical energy which I had not heard before. This is actually quite an achievement since I have grown a bit tired of this (over-produced) album.

With Muddy Waters, Folk Singer, the almost unavoidable glare of his shouts were tamed in a way I hadn't experienced before. This allowed me to listen with new attention to the album without concern for distortion/clipping as experienced before.

Next was Talking Heads, Speaking in Tongues, actually starting on side two with 'Swamp'. That is a solid bass-heavy track (but not to extreme), so it is a good test for me. I actually enjoyed the overall balanced sound of the entire album.

I think the overall theme was more musical content in the mid-range, with authoritative, yet controlled, bass, and a smoother high-frequency playback.

Associated analog equipment:
- Technics SP-25 turntable with Micro Seiki MA-707 tonearm, and Technics EPC-205/IIC cartridge
- PS Audio Stellar Gain Phonostage
- Benchmark DAC3/Pre
- McCormack DNA-225 power amp

Clipdat

Nice initial impressions! Looking forward to hearing how they progress as you log more time on them.

Are you using any sort of expedited break-in method(s), like playing a FM station to them all day?

jdjohn

No real strategy for break-in. With my wife and I working from home, we have phone calls throughout the day, so for the most part only listening at night.

VR3

Excellent Jody! Really playing any signal even at low volumes will help!

Clipdat

Yeah that was my understanding as well, that even running quiet background-level music to them will help speed things along.

VR3

Designed one for the Mezzo (velcro is in the wrong spot, I was using a smaller ring one before)

F1nut

something just clicked and the space ship has landed at Casa Trey.

Tom disputes that notion.

ken brydson

F1nut wrote: »

something just clicked and the space ship has landed at Casa Trey.

Tom disputes that notion.

Who?

VR3

Redid the velcro! I like the look and it's easy to take on and off when I have to put the covers back on after listening.

Clipdat

Listening impressions when you have a sec

VR3

So I listened a few hours tonight and a little bit yesterday with them on, I have a very lively room that can cause the treble to excite, especially at higher volumes. My old system, I had a huge area rug and curtains at all windows, now its basically bare floors and blinds so it has been an interesting challenge to say the least to find a balance! I do bring out 4 acoustic panels when I listen.

So over the past month, I have removed all of my silver cables in the chain, those duelund rca interconnects seem to dial back the treble without sacrificing any detail, not to mention they have a very interesting texture. The duelund power cables do not seem to make as much of a difference, but they didn't take anything away either. I also removed all of the no rez I had in the midrange cabinets and most all of what was in the bass cabinet and went to felt where removed. Halfway through tonight I added that fourth resistor that was in the original utopia design for giggles... Based off my modeling software and listening test, the removal of that resistor definitely was in response to the stereophile article, has to be. The bass is leaner without it, with it, the bass driver is boosted 2 to 3db, you can see what that looks like in the chart I posted on the thread mantis stated about 2 channel systems. Not really sure at this point what I prefer, still tinkering.

Anyways, the anti diffraction pads definitely clean up a "splash" in my system that I attribute to the room, if you could imagine a very slight echo that is tamed, it seems to really focus the sound.

I was listening to a few tracks of Billie eilish which have great imaging. I would listen for about a minute then take the pad off, listen again, start the song over. The pads retain all details, the imaging is the same for the most part, but there's almost none of that splash that smears the image with them off. This splash adds a perceived air that is semi attractive, but that comes at the cost of cohesion.

Now the caveat to that is that they do sound a hint brighter with them off, but definitely not as refined as I feel my room starts to play more of a role with them off.

This has been a long road with the utopias to getting them dialed in to my new space, ever since the space ship landed, that was when I got rid of the no rez, things have been fantastic. I had lined the midrange cabinet completely with no rez, and what a sound suck that was. Definitely can over do it with that stuff.

I will most likely try the silver cables again shortly with the diffraction pads to see what that sounds like! Easily the most fun I have had in this hobby in a while.

VR3

So I did some more listening test tonight and revised my design a little bit, I enlarged the tweeter cut out and made it oval. So far I believe this is an excellent middle of the road, controlling the highs, adding more air, amazing imaging.



Also am 90% sure I will solder that fourth resistor in place, even if it is a little colored.

jdjohn

I await your final judgement

VR3

Final revision I will test tonight before shipping a pair out to Jody!

xschop

Snazzy