The Grande Utopia Project

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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,610
    https://youtu.be/JcKSNars9JA?si=SBEyrRDS6xulTOQv
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 5,000
    Piano in the dark is lovely. Sounds great playing thru the desktop rig here too. Great work in progress there as always.
    Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,610
    Thank you good sir! I appreciate it. One day I will do the whole speaker haha
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,004
    Could you "guestimate" what sound (Db level) that was recorded at?

    Please advise and thanks.

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,610
    edited December 2023
    The last one?

    Vocals were probably 95db peaks, possibly louder
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,610
    Part of the next stage has arrived! 5 of these per speaker

    imtfvx9bsgfv.jpg
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,578
    VR3 wrote: »
    Part of the next stage has arrived! 5 of these per speaker

    imtfvx9bsgfv.jpg

    What performance gain do you get with the bic lighters?
    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
    Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)

    There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,610
    Really adds the fire on the high notes
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,933
    What are you lighting with that lighter?
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,412
    Those are monsters, too bad they don't make 200v versions
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  • honestaquarian
    honestaquarian Posts: 3,186
    audioluvr wrote: »
    VR3 wrote: »
    Part of the next stage has arrived! 5 of these per speaker

    imtfvx9bsgfv.jpg

    What performance gain do you get with the bic lighters?

    OOOOH FLAMES HONEY YAAAAASSS QUEEN YAAAAASSS!!! >:):p
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  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,578
    I'm kind of disappointed @pitdogg2 didn't reference something with a high THC content. Always makes audio more epic.
    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
    Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)

    There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,610
    So in my resistor shoot out, I have tried all three and have reached a conclusion.

    Top choice, path audio. This resistor just has it all, soundstage, bloom, detail, musicality, it is just a great sounding resistor.

    Second choice, mundorf 30 watt ultra. This is the new hifi sound. Super detailed, super analytical... When it's on... Man it's on. Poor recording? Definitely won't bring out the musicality you may otherwise experience. I really enjoyed this sound for a few weeks but after a while it started to develop a hard characteristic as I don't just listen to Dianna Krall every track. haha. Lesser quality recordings it really holds nothing back.

    Duelund cast, not gonna lie. I was incredibly disappointed in these in my system with my speakers. I have used these before with much success but I just didn't experience that in my system, pointing to system synergy. Very 2 dimensional, veiled and just did not compete with the other resistors in any category for my setup.

    All resistor values were confirmed before and after installation and during change outs.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,610
    edited December 2023
    Same track as above with path audio

    https://youtu.be/xw7dqhFOVnw?si=8zR0bMb2Llo_nFGX
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 3,144
    Thank goodness. I was beginning to wonder if the Mezzo Utopia crossovers you did for me were going to need some updating, but luckily, they have Path resistors B)
    "This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
    "Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
    Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,610
    The mundorfs are very, VERY, good but they simply don't provide the musicality of the paths... The paths sound very good on any music I throw at it where as the mundorfs craved the perfect recording. But like I said, man when it's on, it's on like donkey kong. Super fast detailed
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,004
    Did you ground the Path?

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,610
    edited December 2023
    I did not, I removed the ground wire since I wanted the tweeter and midrange network circuit separate. Using the ground wire would have joined the circuits thru the heat sink

    Edit, I did install all resistors on the heat sink using a thermal compound
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,412
    I'd love a set of those Path resistors for my 2.3tl's !! Bummer they do not come in my ohm value.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,610
    I thought you did the group buy a while back? They require quantity 20 for special order
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,412
    VR3 wrote: »
    I thought you did the group buy a while back? They require quantity 20 for special order

    No I had just finished my boards and spent my wad. I missed that.
    I do know someone here who is sitting on some....😁😉
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,610
    Yeah Jesse may install them in the year 2030
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,412
    LoL
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  • ZLTFUL
    ZLTFUL Posts: 5,648
    VR3 wrote: »
    Yeah Jesse may install them in the year 2030

    Do vampires recognize a human timekeeping scale like a calendar?
    "Some people find it easier to be conceited rather than correct."

    "Unwad those panties and have a good time man. We're all here to help each other, no matter how it might appear." DSkip
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,610
    I mean.. When you live forever?? 🚀😁
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,610
    edited December 2023
    Guess it's time for my yearly update on how I'm done yet have changed everything!

    Optical in from road
    3 x Dedicated 20 amp circuits

    Provider provided ont
    >Audiolund true silver Ethernet Cat8 and audiolund reference DC power cable

    Netgear MK83 Tri Band Mesh router hub
    >Audiolund true silver Ethernet Cat8 and audiolund reference DC power cable
    > Netagear devices powered by Teradak W200 linear power supply with Audiolund Reference PC

    Netgear s8000 switch
    Network acoustics muon filter and cable
    > Netagear devices powered by Teradak W200 linear power supply with Audiolund Reference PC

    Mini dsp sdh
    >s booster linear power supply
    >Audiolund Signature PC
    >Audiolund Xtreme 1.5M Digital Cable with BNC ends

    Abbas 2.4se dac, 6sn7
    >stock tubes
    >Audiolund Signature PC
    > Audiolund Xtreme RCA Cables, 1m

    Mark levinson 335, fully rebuilt
    >Audiolund Xtreme Power Cable, High Powered Version
    > Audiolund Xtreme 6 wire version speaker cables with Furutech ends

    1998 Jm Lab Grande Utopia with partially modded crossovers
    VR3 wrote: »
    So funny to return back to this thread and see this comment from April and how different the system is now... I am very close to doing everything I can think of sans replacing stuff inside the components... lol

    Setup now...

    RG11 belden, 14 awg OFC copper from outdoor cable box to modem direct wired
    3 x Dedicated 20 amp circuits
    >
    Netgear CM2000 modem
    >Audiolund Reference Ethernet Cat8 and DC power cable
    >
    Netgear MK83 Tri Band Mesh router hub
    >Audiolund Reference Ethernet Cat8 and DC power cable
    > Netagear devices powered by Teradak W200 linear power supply with Audiolund Reference PC
    >
    Lumin U1
    >Lumin X1 Power supply, stock umbilical
    >Audiolund Signature PC
    >Audiolund Xtreme 1.5M Digital Cable with BNC ends
    >
    ANK PRO5.1 DAC
    >Emission Labs Mesh 5u4g rectifier tube, Tung Sol 12au7, JJ Ecc99
    >Audiolund Signature PC
    > Audiolund Xtreme RCA Cables, 1m
    >
    Musical Fidelity KW750
    >Revelation Audio umbilical cables
    >Audiolund Xtreme Power Cable, High Powered Version
    > Audiolund Xtreme 6 wire version speaker cables with Furutech ends
    >
    >1998 Jm Lab Grande Utopia with partially modded crossovers

    VR3 wrote: »
    I believe the rig is where it needs to be.

    Lumin U1 with Kenneth Lau umbilical using LEEDH processing volume
    >
    Wireworld Starlight BNC
    >
    ANK DAC 5.1 Pro with Quad C Cores
    >
    Duelund Dca 16 awg ICs
    >
    Musical fidelity kw750 amplifier with revelation audio umbilical cables
    >
    Duelund dca 12 speaker cabling
    >
    JM Lab Grande Utopia with the band aid mod
    -
    Duelund Dca 12 600v power cabling thru out

    All network components have linear power supplies, supra ethernet. Nighthawk mesh system and modem.

    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,004
    Surprised to see Silver in the mix, Trey. Kudos.

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,610
    I've found it to work well in the source part of the chain but once it leaves the amplifier I like to keep silver away from the titanium domes. The Focals really like tin plated copper
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,004
    Same here (in the signal chain). I never in a million years would have thought you would have tried it though. Anywhere in the system. I kinda reared my head back when I read that, TBT.

    Of course, you know I use silver elsewhere but placed in strategic positions and mixed with different metalurgies. As you already know, silver can be a double edged sword, if you will. It can make or break a system.

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,610
    Oh for sure, I use to run all silver many moons ago... Solid silver dh labs interconnects and silver plated copper speaker cables... But they just don't mix with the focals

    Now the ethernet cables on the other hand edged out a little more detailing and clarity over the tin plated copper in the system, not night and day but definitely a shimmer, if that makes sense.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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