What did you do to your stereo rig today?

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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 20,359
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    Not yet. Initial impressions are that it is good. My ears are currently buggered by some kind of infection, of which I am treating, but I cannot evaluate as I normally do.

    The neighbors say it sounds great but they are not into the sound/hobby like I am and they didn't hear the system before/after.

    So, with that said, I cannot comment on things, other than the lower registers have even more texture, as well as a saxophone.

    Sorry, but it is what it is...

    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. ~
  • TEAforONE
    TEAforONE Posts: 1,101
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    Wow! I hope your ears clear up soon! What a bummer.

    Ray
    See my profile for list of gear.
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 20,359
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    Thanks. It's a PIA to not hear like I normally do

    That said, I had a little bit of audio fun today. A friend of mine (Ron Cook) stopped by today to listen to the advancements I have made in the rig, test out some things and listen.

    The last time he heard the rig was when we first set up the Woodmere's in the room. So, it has been almost a year since he last heard it. There have been a plethora of changes since he was last here, so I quickly refreshed him on the system changes and got down to listening.

    Part of the fun was listening to two Novum PVR's in the room and experiment a bit with the placement of the two.

    f5fb07755h2e.jpg

    We tried them in front of the system and with one on the marble table and one back in the L corner and listened to various tracks, taking them in and out of play and playing with the direction they were pointed at.

    We both agreed that the system/room sounded better with two over one. That was one of the things we wanted to test today.

    So, we found the optimum location for both of the "bells", as people call them and listened to more selections, just having a great musical jam session.

    He just so happened to bring a QSR black and red fuse with him to try out. We went ahead and installed it in the Musical Fidelity KW-750 amplifier's power supply.

    At first, I was thinking this is outta here. The lower regions tightened up but lost a bit of weight, the depth had for the most part, disappeared and the singers seemed like they were in your face.

    For the next hour, the sounds were all over the place and their would be attributes and deficiencies that would come and go. You could clearly tell that this was something that needed to be acclimated to the system before it performed the way it should.

    We still listened and made observations on the varying changes. I'm still on the fence with this fuse. There are many aspects that flat out sound incredible but there are other aspects that I'm not fond of. Of course, the sounds are changing (much like breaking in a new power cord or tube) and things are still all over the place.

    After about 4 or 5 hours had passed us by, Ron went his merry way. I'll bring my "bell" to his place and do the same thing we did today over there next time we meet up in a couple of weeks.

    He left the fuse with me and I'll do some more listening before I make a decision to make it a permanent part of the rig. Some things, it does really well! We also picked up sounds and placements that we're not really detectable when we had listened earlier on in the day.

    I'll put it to you this way. It does not sound like the same amplifier. It does not perform like the same amplifier and it definitely has more "air". You also do not need to strain to hear ANYTHING.

    I am on the fence because while I am impressed at many of the things it does, I am not yet convinced that this is a good pairing. I'll know more when it settles down and stabilizes.

    All in all, a fun time and tunes all day long! No complaints.

    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. ~
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,748
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    Is this a $3,000 fuse? Lol
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 20,359
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    Yup. Ron and I both spoke to Clement Perry today at Stereo Times. This is who wrote this article.

    https://v2.stereotimes.com/post/quantum-science-audio-series-fuses/

    I gotta admit, I didn't think a simple fuse would hold THAT much information back. I'm still on the fence but leaning towards making it a permanent addition. I fear of what would be missing after it is removed.

    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. ~
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,748
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    What position are you using it in? The kw750 has like 8 fuses
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,748
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    4 internal 3 external

    hxzbp3gnc8up.jpg
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 20,359
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    The main one going into the power supply (external).

    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. ~
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,748
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    The smaller one?

    vj2zd34j4rbb.jpg
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 20,359
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    Yes.

    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. ~
  • invalid
    invalid Posts: 1,559
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    I have noticed that a lot of the very high end amplifier manufacturers have eliminated the rail fuses, I'm sure it is for a reason other than expense, seeing how it costs more to eliminate it than keep it in the circuit.
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,748
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    I swapped the fuses in that position in my tri Vista and other positions and heard virtually no differences, mileages will vary, all that
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 20,359
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    Well, that's good to know. This one, the changes are pretty dramatic. Weren't the fuses you put in a relabeled SR that was basically just a standard fuse that was cryo'd?

    Or did you end up trying other ones as well?

    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. ~
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,748
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    I used the high end hifi tuning fuses that uses a solid silver filament. It was the only fuse on the market that was built from the ground up versus a cheap fuse that was modified
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
  • TEAforONE
    TEAforONE Posts: 1,101
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    Beautiful system Tom. What subs are you running? Also, I find the “bells” very intriguing. How would you say they affect the sound? I’ve seen folks use the smaller “bowls”, do the larger ones do something different?
    See my profile for list of gear.
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 20,359
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    VR3 wrote: »
    I used the high end hifi tuning fuses that uses a solid silver filament. It was the only fuse on the market that was built from the ground up versus a cheap fuse that was modified

    Ah, now I remember you talking about these. These still made no discernible change, eh? They may not be as outrageously expensive as the QSR but when you factor in 8 of them, that adds up quickly. Quick question...Were they the silver or gold and silver ones, Trey?

    I have recently been eyeing the Masterpiece Series M1 fuse https://jaguaraudio.com/product/audio-magic-beeswax-fuses/ but I haven't pulled the trigger, as other expenses have come up. Your observations now put me in a little doubt on how much of a difference they will make, especially given the amount needed and cost.

    The QSR, you will have to hear it in and out of the system. This one, it is clear (at least the Red and Black one) is unmistakable that it is in the system. The palpability of each musician/singer is put way more into focus.

    My issue with it (at least until it's done settling in) is that the lower registers overexcite the room very quickly and that some notes are reverbing/resonating within the room to a degree that they become annoying. That and the lead singers are closer (with regards to a couple of selections) to you and that becomes something that is a characteristic that I do not like at all. If there is one thing I do not like, that's "in your face" music. BACK OFF!

    That's the one reason I got rid of the Rega Apollo way back in the day. Some people prefer a more forward sound stage, I do not.

    But, then there are the attributes as well. When listening to James Taylor's, "Gaia" and the real low passage came in, it felt like the house was going to fall down. You actually felt it more than you heard it. That was a killer aspect and it held through with complete authority and crystal clear note/frequency delineation. Please note, I have not changed any of the settings on the subs, so this all came from the Woodmere's themself.

    There are more changes but with my ears still buggered up at the moment, I will decline writing down/sharing anything until I "truly" hear what this thing does.

    TEAforONE wrote: »
    Beautiful system Tom. What subs are you running? Also, I find the “bells” very intriguing. How would you say they affect the sound? I’ve seen folks use the smaller “bowls”, do the larger ones do something different?

    Thanks for the kind words, Ray. The subs I have are Stereo set of Rythmik F-25 800w Direct Servo sub's sitting on spiked Target MR Maximum Rigidity Speaker stands. They are set to where they blend in to the mains and from the mains to the room. They are there pretty much for reinforcement, as the Woodmere's are (for the most part) a full range speaker (22-25K)

    The "bells" are something that I really enjoy. They are 100% passive and what they do is add a sense of air, enhance singers and instruments to where the presentation, as a whole, is enhanced in a way that is definitely not SS or tube. It makes things more "organic" and natural sounding. Ron brought this "bell" over to the house the day I got my Woodmere's and I instantly fell in love with it.

    It is, IMO, definitely not a waste of money but the "bang for the buck"? Well, you don't get as much as you could with that money spent elsewhere within the system. This is just for that final enhancement that makes everything more palpable and frankly, "real sounding", instead of just a playback system reproducing music. It is wonderful when you hear what it is that they actually do.

    It was worth everything I spent on it and it was worth the 8 months or so that I had to scour the web everyday to find one actually come up on the used market. I would never buy one new at the retail asking price. They are asking waaaay too much for one (IMO). But, in audio, there are a lot of things that cost too much. I guess this is just one of them.

    After yesterday's experimenting with two of them in the room, both Ron and I are in the hunt for another one. Two are most definitely better than one in a room and we had a blast yesterday playing around with the placement and evaluating what they did. 2 of them in the front didn't do much than one but when we moved his "bell" toward the back L corner and pointed it back toward the system and cocked a little bit more toward the L speaker? That was an eye opener, or shall I say, "ear" opener. It gave you the sense that you were really "there, at the performance with the musicians".

    As far as the smaller "bells" go? I cannot comment, as the two HighEnd Novum PMR Premium Mk.II's ("bells") that I had in the room yesterday are the only two "bells" I have ever heard. Prior to hearing and eventually obtaining one, I had always wondered what they did.

    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. ~
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 20,359
    edited September 2023
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    I need to make a separate thread for this fuse. While I simply HATED it when it was first introduced (very similar to the Muon Pro)?

    It is a transforming component.

    The sounds are still changing, which is something that for the life of me, I cannot figure out but is still happening.

    To sum things up? This fuse is a keeper.

    It hasn't even stopped changing at all. It just keeps getting better and better on so many aspects.....I am simply going to STFU until it is done doing whatever in the F it does.

    My hat is off to whomever did what they did to make a simple fuse do what this does. I am in awe at what I am listening too. Serious awe and mad F'n respect.

    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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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 13,104
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    Hell yeah! I'd say you should always go for a crossover upgrade for a pair of speakers that will never be leaving your collection.

    Especially with a model like this where there's been numerous other members who have done it to great result.
  • michaeljhsda2
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    Agree. I bought the Gimpod boards years ago so I'll finally be using those. The 1.2 TL's are fantastic no doubt but I need to downsize so I'll probably be selling them at some point.
    SDA SRS 2.3TL's
    Silk Audio MS-90-BT integrated tube amp
    Yaqin MS-20L integrated tube amp
    SDA 2B TL's
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 20,359
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    Very nice, Ken! Very nice!

    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. ~
  • SeleniumFalcon
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    Thanks, Tom.
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  • SeleniumFalcon
    SeleniumFalcon Posts: 4,384
    edited September 2023
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    I'm going to use this as a playback deck and had a new "butterfly" play head installed. The "butterfly" part refers to the shape of the laminations, this type of head has a slightly longer head gap which improves playback performance.


    9e0i0d3kzodk.png

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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 9,395
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    Awesome deck! Does it need refurb?
    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 *
  • SeleniumFalcon
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    We're picking it up tomorrow from Myriad Magnetics in Philadelphia, Dan Labrie is the owner and technician. Dan has a sterling reputation and worked at ATR in York, Pa. for several years. The Studer has 12k hours on it so some work will need to be done I'm sure. Dan has replaced the top plate with a new one and checked out the spooling motors. I'm working on getting a service book so I can begin understanding how everything works. Dan's partner is Steve Smith who handles the business end of the partnership and is located in Delaware, his company is Two-Track Analog.
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 20,359
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    I might have some connections for you as well, Ken. Just ping me if you are interested. I know folks that have plenty of experience/and or multiples of rebuilt Studers.

    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. ~
  • OldCrow
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    Interesting experience today. Youtube has a variety of audio test tones. There's a slow tone sweep from 20 HZ to 150 HZ over 36 seconds. As it climbs, various buzzes and ringing sounds appear from very specific locations around the room. Spots on the wall, picture frames, 2 lamps, etc. Each one chiming in with its resonant frequency. Time to get out glues, screws, and coasters!
    Current system: SDA-SRS, Carver Crimson 275 amp, 10 Octave LP-1R preamp
    Previous system: SDA-1, Carver M-1.5t amp, Adcom GFP-1A preamp
    I listen better than I used to, but I don't hear as well.