New system is up and running!

tratliff

As many of you know I have been working on rebuilding my system. While I attended Axpona a couple of months ago I was intrigued by the systems that were using upper end integrated amps to power them. And also had my eyes on new cables.

Well, that got me thinking. I was a bit bored with what I currently had and started to think it would be nice to trim some of the components out of the mix. I started researching integrated amps and cables. One of my concerns was the amount of power I had and how that would impact my system going to a much lower powered amp. I began to have discussions with our ol' pal DSKIP and he recommended that I give the Norma Revo IPA-140 a try. He was kind enough to lend me one for a week.

I was amazed by what I heard once installed. The speaker control, depth and width of the soundstage and micro-dynamics were on a complete different level than what I had. Within a couple of days I started to figure out how I could make a move from the McIntosh equipment over to the Norma and what else I should work into the mix.

DSKIP had already let me borrow a pair of AudioQuest Thunderbird speaker cables, to test with, prior to the Norma. I was considering adding them to the current system but had not made the decision to move forward.

I also started to think about how I would assemble all the new equipment. I was tired of my old rack and found some SolidSteel HY-3's that I really liked.

So, here is a list of everything in place. Still needs some fine touches to clean it up but it is all up and running. Now I have: Norma Revo IPA-140, Parasound Halo JC3, VPI Prime w/Soundsmith Zephyr cartridge, Denon DP-59l w/Denon DL-301ll cartridge, Marantz SA-14s1, Legacy Focus S/E's, pair of REL Carbons, AudioQuest Thunderbird speaker cables, AudioQuest Thunderbird RCA and AudioQuest Thunder power cable. I still have a couple of Pangea AC-14's in the system for power but the savings account has run dry for now. The wife has been very generous but she said enough is enough.

Here is the new setup:

VR3

Looking good!

audioluvr

Very nice!

Milito

Looks great!

Clipdat

Love the racks!

displayname

Looks much more open in there! Awesome to hear that everything worked out so nicely.

gudnoyez

Nice looks great enjoy.

tonyb

Damn, man, your really stepping up your game while pushing the wife/attorney/divorce envelope. lol

Toolfan66

Looks fantastic!!!

PSOVLSK

Great looking setup that no doubt sounds even better than it looks.

treitz3

Todd, your system is looking great!

If you can, try to get the subs up off the floor and put them at the lower mid driver level. It will help with the blending and room anomalies....plus, it will increase the aural pleasures of the soundstage. FWIW.

Tom

tratliff

Thanks everyone. Burn-in is underway. @erniejade said his Thunderbird RCA took a couple of hundred hours to settle down. I have my system running around the clock currently, unless someone is watching TV. So, I will take a good listen this weekend and see if I notice any changes.

tratliff

As of this evening I have slightly over 100 hours on the cables. Looking forward to giving it a good listen tonight. And will continue to let it play around the clock.

Emlyn

Ever tried the subwoofers outboard of the main speakers in that space? Looks like it may be around 12 feet wide?

I like everything about the system and room.

tratliff

Emlyn wrote: »

Ever tried the subwoofers outboard of the main speakers in that space? Looks like it may be around 12 feet wide?

I like everything about the system and room.

I originally had the subs on the outside. They were a bit boomy in that configuration. I’m not really lacking in bass. They just firm up the bottom.

Since I’ve gotten the new equipment I have wanted to leave most everything alone for now. Once I get use to the new house sound I plan to test out a new configuration. Wanting to pull the mains more away from the rear wall.

Room is 16 x 18. Stereo is on 16.

SIHAB

Awesome!

There is a space on one of the racks so you are not done.

newbie308

tratliff wrote: »

Emlyn wrote: »

Ever tried the subwoofers outboard of the main speakers in that space? Looks like it may be around 12 feet wide?

I like everything about the system and room.

I originally had the subs on the outside. They were a bit boomy in that configuration. I’m not really lacking in bass. They just firm up the bottom.

Since I’ve gotten the new equipment I have wanted to leave most everything alone for now. Once I get use to the new house sound I plan to test out a new configuration. Wanting to pull the mains more away from the rear wall.

Room is 16 x 18. Stereo is on 16.

Wow! Your listening room is as big as my house! Congratulations, that's a beautiful system!

tratliff

SIHAB wrote: »

Awesome!

There is a space on one of the racks so you are not done.

Correct. Not done just on hold for now.

DaveHo

Nice space. Wish my room was just a few feet wider than the 13' I have to work with.

billbillw

2 turntables? Just need a Mic to complete the package

tratliff

billbillw wrote: »

2 turntables? Just need a Mic to complete the package

I actually have 3 but only 2 in that room. Purpose is for not so great records on the left and great records on the right.

tratliff

I wanted to give praise to Skip @ AudioThesis. The other night I was having some trouble with the system. I called Skip about 8:30pm, as always he answered. I explained my situation and he was at my house helping me resolve the issue by 9:30 and its not like I'm just around the corner from him. I would estimate that I live about 25 miles from his location. I couldn't have asked for better service. If you are looking for new equipment you owe it to yourself to check in with him.

Emlyn

tratliff wrote: »

I actually have 3 but only 2 in that room. Purpose is for not so great records on the left and great records on the right.

I did that for a while with two tables. One for quality and an SL1200 MKII for rocking out to beaten up LPs from Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and the like. Take it to 11!

Clipdat

tratliff wrote: »

I wanted to give praise to Skip @ AudioThesis. The other night I was having some trouble with the system. I called Skip about 8:30pm, as always he answered. I explained my situation and he was at my house helping me resolve the issue by 9:30 and its not like I'm just around the corner from him. I would estimate that I live about 25 miles from his location. I couldn't have asked for better service. If you are looking for new equipment you owe it to yourself to check in with him.

What was the issue?

tratliff

Clipdat wrote: »

What was the issue?

It was related to grounding of the turntables.

Clipdat

Ah, ok. Hope it was a relatively easy fix. And that Skip showered before he came over.

tratliff

Clipdat wrote: »

Ah, ok. Hope it was a relatively easy fix. And that Skip showered before he came over.

Yes and yes.

displayname

tratliff wrote: »

Clipdat wrote: »

What was the issue?

It was related to grounding of the turntables.

Grounding can be a such nightmare. Now that it's fixed just never touch anything again, and only listen while your power is stable, and don't turn on any extra electronics... then you'll be good to go forever!

erniejade

Dang it, because of you I pulled the trigger on the Thunderbird Speaker cables to match my RCA's. They should be here in a week or so.

erniejade

Ok it's not totally because of you but, I needed to blame somebody The Thunderbird vs the High Fidelity RCA's once the Tbird broke in, it was no contest. It was just more of everything. Now I want the same for my speaker cable.

tratliff

You are in for a treat and will not be disappointed. My system is settling in nicely. I left the Lumin on for 4 days. I only turned it off last night because I wanted to listen to some new records. I opened the Analogue Productions Bluesey Burrell and gave it a spin. It sounded fantastic. Detail in the new system amazes me.

I'm going to get back to the digital side for a listening session soon.

Good luck with the new cables. Let us know what you think of them.