What did you do to your stereo rig today?

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  • newbie308
    newbie308 Posts: 844
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    I installed the new Kimber TAK tonearm cable on my Technics SL1200MKII turntable today and I am VERY happy with the results. The original SME cable had failed a couple of months ago, so the right channel would occasionally drop out. I had some Mogami coax on hand so I built a replacement cable using that wire and the original connectors. It worked, but the high capacitance dulled what I was hearing and blurredthe sound stage. The new Kimber cable brought everything back into focus and there are significantly more details being delivered now. Listening to Pink Floyd, Money I can pinpoint each instrument and the Bass guitar is directly in front of me. It's tactile like I can reach out and grab the neck of the guitar. I installed a din connector on the SME 3009 tonearm, so I can more easily experiment with cable options in the future.
    Enjoying the journey while never attaining the destination.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 20,364
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    @michaeljhsda2 - Did you ever get a chance to listen to the Lin Lai tubes in the Silk Audio amp?

    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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  • michaeljhsda2
    michaeljhsda2 Posts: 2,219
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    Tom,
    Not yet, the tubes showed up yesterday evening, very well packaged but they sat out in the cold all day. Unboxed them to make sure there was no shipping damage and letting them get to room temp (didn't want to take a chance of condensation issues). Going to install them in the amp tonight and give them a listen. (tubes are huge btw).
    SDA SRS 2.3TL's
    Silk Audio MS-90-BT integrated tube amp
    Yaqin MS-20L integrated tube amp
    SDA 2B TL's
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,634
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    Today I bought the first component of my new 2 CH system. From my extensive journey my top 2 speakers included the Dynaudio Contour 1.3 MK II. The other? My modded MMGs (Peter Gunn mods, wood frame and crossovers). But these had a tiny sweet spot, so for my next system I decided to go with the Dyn Special 40 in ebony wave. I have to thank (Or blame?) @Clipdat for pointing me to a pair.

    And the journey starts again....I just retired so I'll have some time on my hands.

    I will initially use the Musical Fidelity M6Si for power and my trusted oppo for source. Probably some tubes and another SACD player will follow. And wires of course.

    Pretty excited to start the build.
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 20,364
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    Hey, Ricardo! Congratulations on retirement!!! Did you ever move to the Carolina's? Glad to see you back in action again.

    Thanks for the update, @michaeljhsda2

    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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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,634
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    Thanks Tom. Still in cold (ish) Ohio. Now that the time has come we find it pretty difficult to decide what to do. Both kids live close by so we'll probably stay put for now.
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 9,401
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    Congrats on your retirement Ricardo! How are you doing with it?
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,327
    edited December 2022
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    njqvvhfn4y2m.jpg


    Revelation Audio USB and Ethernet cables came in. bzv7632swmyq.jpg

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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,634
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    SCompRacer wrote: »
    Congrats on your retirement Ricardo! How are you doing with it?

    Thanks Rich. Well, it's been only a week so can't complain yet. Any tips????
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • michaeljhsda2
    michaeljhsda2 Posts: 2,219
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    Sounds great so far! They're as tall as the KT88's.

    09g90rayoc7t.jpg
    SDA SRS 2.3TL's
    Silk Audio MS-90-BT integrated tube amp
    Yaqin MS-20L integrated tube amp
    SDA 2B TL's
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  • jbreezy5
    jbreezy5 Posts: 1,141
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    michaeljhsda2 wrote: »
    Tom,
    Not yet, the tubes showed up yesterday evening, very well packaged but they sat out in the cold all day…

    Cryogenically treated; nice!
    CD Players: Sony CDP-211; Sony DVP-S9000ES; Sony UDP-X800M2 (x2); Cambridge Audio CXC

    DACs: Jolida Glass FX Tube DAC III (x2); Denafrips Ares II (x2)

    Streamers: ROKU (x3); Bluesound Node 2i and Node N130 w/LHY LPS // Receivers: Yamaha RX-V775BT; Yamaha RX-V777

    Preamps: B&K Ref 50; B&K Ref 5 S2; Classe CP-800 MkII; Audio Research SP16L (soon)

    Amps: Niles SI-275; B&K ST125.7; B&K ST125.2; Classe CA-2300; Butler Audio TDB-5150

    Speakers: Boston Acoustics CR55; Focal Chorus 705v; Wharfedale Diamond 10.2; Monitor Audio Silver-1; Def Tech Mythos One (x4)/Mythos Three Center (x2)/Mythos Two pr.; Martin Logan Electromotion ESL; Legacy Audio Victoria/Silverscreen Center; Gallo Acoustics Reference 3.1; SVS SB-1000 Pro; REL HT-1003; B&W ASW610; HifiMan HE400i

    Turntable: Dual 721 Direct-Drive w/Audio Technica AT-VM95e cart

    Cables: Tripp-lite 14ga. PCs, Blue Jeans Cable ICs, Philips PXT1000 ICs; Kimber Kable DV30 coaxial ICs; Canare L-4E6S XLR ICs; Kimber Kable 8PR & 8TC speaker cables.
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  • Milito
    Milito Posts: 2,003
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    Congrats Ricardo on your retirement. Now more time for your hobbies.

    I always thought time would go slower when I retired, but it goes faster.
    Yamaha RX-A2070, Musical Fidelity M6si integrated amp, Benchmark Dac1, Bluesound NODE 2i, Audiolab 6000CDT CD Transport, Parasound Zphono USB Phono Preamp, Fluance RT85, Ortofon 2M Bronze, Polk L600's, L400, L900's, RC80i's, SVS 3000 Micro, Audioquest Interconnects and Digital Cables, Nordost Silver Shadow Digital Cable, Cullen Gold and Crossover Series Power Cables, Douglas Connection Alpha 12AWG OCC Speaker Cables, Douglas Connection Alpha Analog Interconnect Cables, Douglas Connection Alpha 11 OCC Custom Power Cable, Signal Power Cable, Furman PL-8C 15 Power Conditioner, Sony 65" 900F, Sony UBP-X700, Fios, Apple TV 4K, Audioquest Chocolate HDMI Cables. SnubWay, Main Stream
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  • jbreezy5
    jbreezy5 Posts: 1,141
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    @Ricardo - would love to get my ears on those modded MMGs.

    Cool speaker selection you have!
    CD Players: Sony CDP-211; Sony DVP-S9000ES; Sony UDP-X800M2 (x2); Cambridge Audio CXC

    DACs: Jolida Glass FX Tube DAC III (x2); Denafrips Ares II (x2)

    Streamers: ROKU (x3); Bluesound Node 2i and Node N130 w/LHY LPS // Receivers: Yamaha RX-V775BT; Yamaha RX-V777

    Preamps: B&K Ref 50; B&K Ref 5 S2; Classe CP-800 MkII; Audio Research SP16L (soon)

    Amps: Niles SI-275; B&K ST125.7; B&K ST125.2; Classe CA-2300; Butler Audio TDB-5150

    Speakers: Boston Acoustics CR55; Focal Chorus 705v; Wharfedale Diamond 10.2; Monitor Audio Silver-1; Def Tech Mythos One (x4)/Mythos Three Center (x2)/Mythos Two pr.; Martin Logan Electromotion ESL; Legacy Audio Victoria/Silverscreen Center; Gallo Acoustics Reference 3.1; SVS SB-1000 Pro; REL HT-1003; B&W ASW610; HifiMan HE400i

    Turntable: Dual 721 Direct-Drive w/Audio Technica AT-VM95e cart

    Cables: Tripp-lite 14ga. PCs, Blue Jeans Cable ICs, Philips PXT1000 ICs; Kimber Kable DV30 coaxial ICs; Canare L-4E6S XLR ICs; Kimber Kable 8PR & 8TC speaker cables.
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,634
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    Milito wrote: »
    Congrats Ricardo on your retirement. Now more time for your hobbies.

    I always thought time would go slower when I retired, but it goes faster.

    Thanks Milito. Yes, I've heard that.
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,634
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    jbreezy5 wrote: »
    @Ricardo - would love to get my ears on those modded MMGs.

    Cool speaker selection you have!

    They are all gone. 10 years ago I got rid of my 2 ch gear and gave my audio room to my wife for her painting. Has worked well so far. Now it's time to rebuild.
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 9,401
    edited December 2022
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    Any tips????[/quote]
    Ricardo wrote: »

    Any tips????


    Don't get too lazy. :) Exercise the body and keep the mind sharp.
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • skipshot12
    skipshot12 Posts: 2,159
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    Hooked up a Bluesound Node 2 to the Oppo.
    Thank you Tom.

    Wife was so happy dancing to her music on her iPhone….
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  • Mike Reeter
    Mike Reeter Posts: 4,315
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    Ricardo wrote: »

    And the journey starts again....I just retired so I'll have some time on my hands.

    CONGRATULATIONS on retirement Ricardo B) Life is good :)

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  • guyincognito
    guyincognito Posts: 129
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    ddjuz5g3axbt.jpg

    I traded in the Arcam SR250 for a proper preamp. The Benchmark LA4 is great!
    Rega Planar 8, Apheta 3 MC , Aria mk2 Phono
    Aurender n100h, Benchmark DAC2 HGC
    Arcam SR250, Parasound JC5
    Revel F208, SVS SB-4000
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 13,104
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    Congratulations fellow LA4 owner!

    Loved mine so much that I also bought the HPA4 for my desktop setup.
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  • guyincognito
    guyincognito Posts: 129
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    The only problem is my digital side is so quite I'm having trouble wanting to listen to vinyl now. I think I need to swap out the Rega Aria for a better phono stage. Any suggestions?
    Rega Planar 8, Apheta 3 MC , Aria mk2 Phono
    Aurender n100h, Benchmark DAC2 HGC
    Arcam SR250, Parasound JC5
    Revel F208, SVS SB-4000
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 20,364
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    Yes. Appreciate the fact that there are deficiencies and attributes with both formats.

    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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  • dromunds
    dromunds Posts: 10,174
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    guyincognito, it may be the photo above but is your VTA correct?
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  • xsmi
    xsmi Posts: 1,812
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    smartie_panta wrote: »
    xsmi wrote: »
    en04ffdh14hr.jpeg
    Early Christmas gift to myself. I bought 25-30 used records last month that I’ve yet to listen to, because the first one I pulled out was really dirty. Found out that Project lowered the price on these by $250, so I pulled the trigger at my local dealer. VC-S2ALU.

    Curious to hear what you think. I'm sure it works well, but is it "well worth" the discounted price, as the sale makes it much more tempting.

    This is my first machine. However, I can say that there is less snap crackle pop.
    2-channel Yaqin B2-T Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Denon DP-59L Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
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  • guyincognito
    guyincognito Posts: 129
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    @dromunds

    The Rega tables don't have much in the way of adjustment. I have replaced the felt mat with a Teac washi paper mat that is slightly thinner but otherwise it's all Rega (table, cart, phonostage).

    It sounds great and truthfully isn't loud at all. It's just the Benchmark pre and dac have zero noise. Pitch black background when streaming digital music. Now I notice the subtle background noise when the phono stage is on, even before I drop the needle. Has me thinking a upgraded phono stage might even the playing field again.
    Rega Planar 8, Apheta 3 MC , Aria mk2 Phono
    Aurender n100h, Benchmark DAC2 HGC
    Arcam SR250, Parasound JC5
    Revel F208, SVS SB-4000
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  • skipshot12
    skipshot12 Posts: 2,159
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    xsmi wrote: »
    smartie_panta wrote: »
    xsmi wrote: »
    en04ffdh14hr.jpeg
    Early Christmas gift to myself. I bought 25-30 used records last month that I’ve yet to listen to, because the first one I pulled out was really dirty. Found out that Project lowered the price on these by $250, so I pulled the trigger at my local dealer. VC-S2ALU.

    Curious to hear what you think. I'm sure it works well, but is it "well worth" the discounted price, as the sale makes it much more tempting.

    This is my first machine. However, I can say that there is less snap crackle pop.

    Excellent,
    I have an old VPI 16.5 and it does a great job at reducing the clicks, pops and vinyl rush.
    One thing I found was I needed one of those anti-stat guns before removing the lp from the RCM. Helps a shart ton...
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  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 3,446
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    guyincognito wrote: »
    It's just the Benchmark pre and dac have zero noise. Pitch black background when streaming digital music. Now I notice the subtle background noise when the phono stage is on, even before I drop the needle. Has me thinking a upgraded phono stage might even the playing field again.
    I have a Benchmark HPA4, and understand what you mean. Utilizing the XLR/balanced connections might help reduce noise, so consider a phono preamp with those outputs. I use a Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista Vinyl, and it is very quiet.
    "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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  • zarrdoss
    zarrdoss Posts: 2,562
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    I tried out a set of Martin Logan's and am asking myself why I did not try them sooner?
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 20,364
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    Wow...welcome back to the forum. Long time, no hear from!

    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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