My system went from caterpillar to butterfly (Or: I've Obtained Audio Nirvana Too)

billbillw

mulveling wrote:

...I've been baffled about why the Sunfire was such a poor match with the Legacys (IMO) - they seem to like lots of power after all, and the Sunfire pushes 1200 Watts /ch into 4 ohms. What the Halo does that the Sunfire doesn't is those first 8 class A watts. Also, the A21 damping factor is > 1100 - I don't know what the Sunfire's specs there were, but 1000 is pretty tough to beat. Or maybe it was something else entirely - system matching can be very unpredictable especially with the critical driver/amp pairing.

Those Sunfires and Carver amps are just too different. When an amp doesn't have massive heatsinks, it really makes you wonder. Any amp that doesn't make heat, isn't doing its job, at least in my opinion.

I'd love a Halo A21 in my system, but for now (and for quite a while!) I'm pretty happy with the Halo's crusty papa, the HCA-2200ii. The Halo is obviously a much improved design if you look at the guts. The HCA seems to be a really good match for my Mirage M3. I'm not sure if the Sony Pre is the best match for the amp though. I might be trying a few others out in the near future.

Perhaps its time to have a few Polkies over for a demo? I'd love to hear that setup.

reeltrouble1

yea, we would be happy to show up and give your home a good burn-in, the rig will sound better after we leave, really........

Georgia Boys Rock.

tonyb

reeltrouble1 wrote:

A perfect example of why watts specs dont mean much.

Looking good.

RT1

+1 Hard to drill this into so many heads.:)

mulveling

billbillw wrote:

Those Sunfires and Carver amps are just too different. When an amp doesn't have massive heatsinks, it really makes you wonder. Any amp that doesn't make heat, isn't doing its job, at least in my opinion.

I've definitely been gravitating towards the heat generating beasts. I just realized, all my previous speaker amps ran cool: Outlaw M200, Sunfire, PS Audio. None of those are even class AB. The A21 is high bias class A/AB, the first speaker amp of that topology that I've owned. With headphone amps, I definitely prefer the class A and high bias class A/AB designs. That big tube headphone amp I'm using as a preamp runs HOT. Parts of the chassis near the power supply are very hot to the touch (not to mention the tubes). It's even got a little fan in there to help cool things off (completely inaudible from a few feet away). That tube amp probably consumes more power than all my previous speaker amps combined

The A21 runs warm but not hot to the touch - that's probably due to the massive chassis and heatsinks. I know from experience the JC1s run warmer.

Perhaps its time to have a few Polkies over for a demo? I'd love to hear that setup.

Long-time/active polk forum members are welcome to drop by and sample whatever gear I've got on hand at the time. Preferrably on a weekend when the creature downstairs can't complain I've had Early B. and George Daniel over before (several system changes ago, though). George is stopping by this weekend to pick up some gear.

mulveling

OK, now I'm halfway contemplating what I could sell to fund JC1s...problem is something I really don't wanna let go of will probably have to be sacrificed (no, not the girlfriend). If I could get Tom's pair then I could also get warranty service through him, so the usual risk factor is gone...

Aughghh! Never ends.

Guys - technically I don't break the rules of declaring nirvana if I just upgrade within the same product line, right?

george daniel

Guys - technically I don't break the rules of declaring nirvana if I just upgrade within the same product line, right?[/QUOTE]



I will defer to the gentleman from Georgia,,,, my esteemed collegue,,,a man who needs no introduction,,, Mr. Brad,,, ahem,,, Early B,,:D

TN_Polk_Lover

Wow! that is a beautiful setup you have there. Where did you get the granite slabs that you have your speakers on?

I really love your stand. That rosewood is beautiful. There is just nothing like real wood.

halo

mulveling wrote:

Here's a couple quick pics of the new dedicated 2ch rig:

In my best Chris Tucker imitatation "Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaammmmmnnnnnnnn!!!"

Early B.

george daniel wrote:

Guys - technically I don't break the rules of declaring nirvana if I just upgrade within the same product line, right?

I will defer to the gentleman from Georgia,,,, my esteemed collegue,,,a man who needs no introduction,,, Mr. Brad,,, ahem,,, Early B,,:D[/QUOTE]

Thank you, George.

That's correct, Mulveling. Nirvana is the sound, not the gear. If you're upgrading to improve some aspect of the sound that you perceive to be a deficiency, then you haven't reached Nirvana. However, you gotta make a sacrifice to the audio gods. Send me a check for $300 and I'll make sure they receive it.

mulveling

Well it's crazy but it just might work....
If I sell this one pair of headphones it will easily cover the cost of Tom's JC-1's...

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=229144

Still not 100% sure I'll commit to a sale though. This is crazy stuff. If I'm gonna get the JC1, now's the time. I can get warranty service through Tom, unlike with the used pairs on agon, and shelling $6K=$7K for a new pair isn't an option.

Joey_V

Sell the R10.... the JC1 are just that much sweeter.

billbillw

mulveling wrote:

Well it's crazy but it just might work....
If I sell this one pair of headphones it will easily cover the cost of Tom's JC-1's...

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=229144

Still not 100% sure I'll commit to a sale though. This is crazy stuff. If I'm gonna get the JC1, now's the time. I can get warranty service through Tom, unlike with the used pairs on agon, and shelling $6K=$7K for a new pair isn't an option.

Its just mind-blowing to think that a single PAIR of headphones could be worth as much as a pair of JC-1 monos! Do those things have solid gold wiring in them or something?

Early B.

billbillw wrote:

Its just mind-blowing to think that a single PAIR of headphones could be worth as much as a pair of JC-1 monos! Do those things have solid gold wiring in them or something?

Don't do it, Mulveling.
Enjoy what you already have for a while.

mulveling

billbillw wrote:

Its just mind-blowing to think that a single PAIR of headphones could be worth as much as a pair of JC-1 monos! Do those things have solid gold wiring in them or something?

No, solid gold wire wouldn't be nearly that expensive
That's what happens when a rare, discontinued item gets the reputation of being the best in the world.

Wow - some of the offers I've gotten after just 1 day are pretty strong. Looks like that new camera (Nikon D40) has already paid for itself.

mulveling

Man, once again today, the system just blew me away. I listened to the Mary Chapin Carpenter "Time*Sex*Love*" SACD. Jeezus. Since last time I've added two 5" thick 4'x2' acoustic panels, and made the whole treatment setup more symmetric.

For the first time ever, I've got a speaker system that can cream my headphones in most aspects of music reproduction. Bass accuracy will never be perfect due to room modes, but the dynamics, impact, lifelike presence, soundstage, and imaging are stunning.

I'm sorry, but I can't help wonder where the JC1s will take my system. I've pretty much decided to sell the R10 headphones and I'm bringing the JC1s home no matter what. Hopefully I'll get to keep the A21 for a week's worth of comparisons. Now with my luck, watch it all fall apart before George drops by...

tonyb

You really don't realize what those speaks are capable of till you mess around alittle bit.They keep getting better and better.Can't wait to hear your thoughts on the JC1's. Clocks ticking Pal,and I am a waiting.........

When they do arive...I want to know a few things
1-How they sound of coarse

2- Do you own any guns ?

3- Do you have a dog ?

4- Do you leave the front door unlocked while at work ?

george daniel

Went over yesterday to pick up the BAT and Denon,,Mr. Mulveling is being a little modest in his posts regarding his system. Soundstage(huge) and detail (presence man,, presence) says it all,not only does it look stunning, it sounds incredible,simply amazing, I don't have the words to do justice to that system.The system is perfect,don't do a thing to it,(I know you will). Thanks- George --:)

mulveling

Thanks George - you're too kind!

Well, now several bass traps later, I think I've got enough acoustic treatments for the time being. System is still sounding great. The R10 headphones are sold; I won't miss them 'cause I think I prefer my Qualia 010 headphones for classical and rock anyways. I've sealed a deal with Tom on the JC-1 monoblocks; unfortunately he recently sent them in to Parasound to fix a minor LED brightness issue. Soon as they get back I'll go pick them up and then life will be really great

Next, for the future...I'm eyeing source and/or preamp. Ideally, what I'd want is a universal source (SACD/CD), remote volume control, fully balanced signal path, sweet-looking silver chassi, and performance that exceeds that of the Denon 3910 & Sugden Headmaster. Unfortuately I'm probably going to have to concede some of those to avoid breaking the bank. Might also consider a source with passive volume control. Stuff that makes me curious is the Audio Aero Prima DAC, all those nice Cary preamps, Cary source, BAT preamps like the VK-32se (maybe too pricey tho) etc.

tonyb

Man,for someone who was downsizeing,you sure are building up nicely:D

mulveling

tonyb wrote:

Man,for someone who was downsizeing,you sure are building up nicely:D

Funny how that works out. First I sold a bunch of gear, raising a lot of funds...then I made a few small, inexpensive changes that unexpectedly yielded good benefits...then a some more changes that (also unexpectedly) yielded really excellent improvements...then the bonus check came in and I sold the MDR-R10...now I'm really thirsting for that last batch of improvements that will push things outside the stratosphere...and here I am

Joey_V

Mulveling,

I've been following your setup for quite some time... now with this new set of monoblocks... I think you have truly reached another level. Good job and great choice of components.

I, for one, am jealous.

Joey

mulveling

Got a new lens, too. It's like Christmas every day of the year, here. This needs to stop soon Wish I had the JC1's in hand to take pics of. The A21 will have to do for now.

tonyb

Be carefull buddy.....don't want to see those JC-1'S on the chopping
block in 6-months.Can't wait to hear your thoughts on those puppy's.
Congrats again,and....um....buy the lady something nice too.:)

Early B.

tonyb wrote:

Congrats again,and....um....buy the lady something nice too.:)

Good advice. Hell, buy her a ring. Any woman that tolerates your audio habit is worth marrying.

halo

Those are some fine shots of really beautiful gear. Congrats on both purchases. The two hobbies compliment each other very well IMO.

engtaz

Your pics make dreams come true. But for others it just a dream.

Very nice pics,
engtaz

mulveling

While waiting for the JC1's I've already made another addition. Ordered a refurbished TacT RCS 2.0 room correction processor/DAC/digital preamp. Not just a simple equalizer, supposedly it takes into account room interactions and the time domain. The hope is, that combined with room treatments, it'll smooth out the worst of the remaining room aberrations. Comes with the microphone & software, user supplies the PC (used to formulate the room correction program, which is then uploaded into the TacT unit).

The TacT stuff seems to be a more audiophile friendly approach to digital processing what with the reported quality of the DAC and attenuation done in the digital domain, etc - which is what made it appeal to me along with the sophistication of the processing.

http://www.tactlab.com/Products/RCS20/index.html

http://www.tactlabs.com/webshop/product_info.php?products_id=29&osCsid=088bddbedf103adb6053d1aee8231034

Guess I gotta sell another pair of headphones Don't worry; the L3000 and Qualia 010 headphones are expempt and will never be sold

Systems

A fellow Mayretta resident. How nice! I thought I was the only person in here from the home of The Big Chicken. Nice rig!!

billbillw

stereo_luver wrote:

A fellow Mayretta resident. How nice! I thought I was the only person in here from the home of The Big Chicken. Nice rig!!

Dude, I'm just down the road. You'd be surprised how many ATL metro polkies there are.

Systems

Well howdy BillW...seen Dr. Bob lately?...just kidding unless you know who Dr. Bob is....LOL. Glad to meet ya and can't wait to get back home and maybe catch up with a few Polkies when I'm home. I've got 3 weeks vacation coming as soon as I finish down here in Pensacola, FL.