Narrator: Stephæn
Financial interests: click
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Analogue Sources: Nottingham Analogue Studio Space Deck, Walker Audio Precision Motor Controller, String Theory™ Woody™ Tonearm from Pete Riggle Engineering and Audio. Zu Audio Denon DL 103, Dynavector 17D2MKII and Dynavector 20xl cartridges
Digital Sources: Wavelength Audio Cosecant USB DAC v3, polycarbonate shell MacBook, dual 500GB LaCie. Secondary: Tube Research Labs modified Sony SCD-2000ES
Preamps: McIntosh MX110z tuner/preamplifier, deHavilland UltraVerve; Black Pearls Audio Aquarius, self-modified Jolida JD-9 phono stages. Secondary: DSPeaker-Anti-Mode 2.0 Dual Core for bass optimization.
Amplifiers: McIntosh MC30 mono blocks, Wright Sound Company WPA 3.5 mono blocks (TFA-204 nickle air-gapped output transformers), Antique Sound Labs Typhoon DT (six Duelund CAST Copper Copper Foil caps, Bybee 2A POS Music Rail). Melody i2A3 and AudioSector integrated amps. Secondary: TubeCube|7 and MiniWatt integrated amps, Outlaw Audio RetroReceiver.
Speakers: Altec Valencia (XTC-grade oil-filled capacitors, Cardas wiring, custom stands and other tweaks). Customized REL Strata III utilizing a properly-designed outboard amp (SA1000) not compromised by the obviously under-spec'd resistors chosen by REL. Secondary: Two-way GPA 604-8H-II drivers mounted in 9.1 cubic foot enclosures strongly influenced by Jay Fisher's MLTL design (plus Dial-a-Vent, Dial-a-High, XTC-grade oil-filled capacitors and other tweaks. Office: Wharfedale Diamond 10.1. Customized REL Strata III utilizing a properly-designed outboard amp (SA1000) not compromised by the obviously under-spec'd resistors chosen by REL.
Cables: Jenving Technology Supra Classic 2.5, Cardas SE-15, DIY WM-XTC, Audience, and Zu Audio Libtec cables; Western Electric #16, Cardas Golden Cross, Audience Au24, Audience Maestro, and Bob Crump custom copper interconnects. Wireworld Ultraviolet High Performance, and Elijah Quad Braid and Isolate Cu USB cables. Secondary: Analysis Plus cables and interconnects.
Stands: Two three-tier Grand Prix Audio Monaco units on Apex footers; Secondary: Lovan Affinity Pro6 Series rack, Acoustic Dreams Dead Ball ISOLATElators; Neuance platform.
Power line conditioning: BPT 3.5 Signature; cryo'd Pass & Seymour wall outlets; Audience, T.G. Audio Lab SLVR, Analysis Plus Power Oval, Zu Audio Birth and Bok power cords. Secondary: Brick Wall PW8R15AUD.
Sundry accessories: Herbie's Way Excellent Turntable Mat, Locus Design Basic and Bren1 record clamps, VPI 16.5 record cleaner, Shun Mook valve resonators.
Music makers: Gibson J-100, Epiphone Dot (Gibson ES-335 knock-off), Chet Atkins CE (nylon-strung classical) electric guitars; Fender Blues Jr. amp; Privia PX-555 keyboard, 1906 Ellington upright piano..
Office system: Soundquest R601 Tube Hi-Fi FM/AM Classic Radio and a Gibson J-100 acoustic guitar.
Room size & treatments: 26' x 19' x 9' (a fractured 'L', nominally 16' x 19' with 12' feet of the 19-foot dimension opening to the 20-foot section of the 20' x 12' kitchen/eat-in area); concrete slab, sheet rock walls. ASC Tube Traps and Sound Planks, Echo Busters absorbers, Shakti Hallograph Soundfield Optimizers, and Acoustic Revive RR-77 ultra low-frequency pulse generator.
Review system retail: $1'020