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Thread: My 2019 Update Thread - My final system I think.

  1. #421
    Join Date: Oct 2008

    Location: Glasgowshire

    Posts: 9,656
    I'm Gary.

    Default

    Tonight's schennanigans....

    5A for the Meridian power amp, 1A for the Dac.

    AC POWER
    Hardwired 10kVA balanced mains powering entire system
    AMPS
    Meridian 557 power Amp (Modded) / PS Audio BHK Preamp (Modded)
    SPEAKERS
    Wharfedale Evo 4.4
    DAC
    PS Audio Directstream (Modded)
    TURNTABLE
    Pro-Ject X8 balanced output via XLR / Ortofon Quintet Blue cartridge
    PHONOSTAGE
    Pro-Ject DS3 B balanced Input (TT and Phonostage powered by Pro-Ject Power box RS2 linear psu)
    DIGITAL
    OPPO 203 (Modded: Linear PSU, i2s output to Dac) - Roon Endpoint, HDMI input used for all things Streaming/ PS5 /AppleTV ... also good for movies apparently?
    MUSIC PLAYBACK
    Tweaked AP-Linux based Roon Server into Oppo 203 as Roon endpoint
    Ipad Roon Remote.
    Apple Music/ YouTube via AppleTV, fed to Dac via Oppo HDMI input/i2s output to Dac.
    SPEAKER CABLES
    Biwired: Duelund DCA10GA (Bass) Duelund DCA16GA (mid & treble) Duelund 12DCA used as jumpers (On
    "Blackcat Cable" Chris Sommivigo's advice - yup, even with biwire it sounds better - and it does)
    INTERCONNECTS
    All Balanced: Ghost+ recording studio XLR cables

  2. #422
    Join Date: Oct 2008

    Location: Glasgowshire

    Posts: 9,656
    I'm Gary.

    Default

    New valve day.

    Input stage/ volume control on Preamp uses ECC82 signal valves as part of the design, been running stock ones from new, over 3 years now.

    Amps normally stone cold quiet, but felt one channel was a wee bit hissier than it should be, so decided to swap out the input valves.
    Have faffed about (and been stung) chasing after potentially fake/tired/unreliable NOS valves, and life's too short for that hassle.

    From the new manufactured 12AU7s, these Genalex Gold Lions seem to get consistent praise used across different amps, so went for them.

    My Preamp responds well to valve improvements, see how this goes.
    Will need a bit of time on em to bloom of course.

    All good stuff, and at 70 quid for a matched pair won't break the bank.

    AC POWER
    Hardwired 10kVA balanced mains powering entire system
    AMPS
    Meridian 557 power Amp (Modded) / PS Audio BHK Preamp (Modded)
    SPEAKERS
    Wharfedale Evo 4.4
    DAC
    PS Audio Directstream (Modded)
    TURNTABLE
    Pro-Ject X8 balanced output via XLR / Ortofon Quintet Blue cartridge
    PHONOSTAGE
    Pro-Ject DS3 B balanced Input (TT and Phonostage powered by Pro-Ject Power box RS2 linear psu)
    DIGITAL
    OPPO 203 (Modded: Linear PSU, i2s output to Dac) - Roon Endpoint, HDMI input used for all things Streaming/ PS5 /AppleTV ... also good for movies apparently?
    MUSIC PLAYBACK
    Tweaked AP-Linux based Roon Server into Oppo 203 as Roon endpoint
    Ipad Roon Remote.
    Apple Music/ YouTube via AppleTV, fed to Dac via Oppo HDMI input/i2s output to Dac.
    SPEAKER CABLES
    Biwired: Duelund DCA10GA (Bass) Duelund DCA16GA (mid & treble) Duelund 12DCA used as jumpers (On
    "Blackcat Cable" Chris Sommivigo's advice - yup, even with biwire it sounds better - and it does)
    INTERCONNECTS
    All Balanced: Ghost+ recording studio XLR cables

  3. #423
    Join Date: Oct 2008

    Location: Glasgowshire

    Posts: 9,656
    I'm Gary.

    Default

    Out with the old, In with the new.


    Gold Lions are replacing the stock Psvane's.
    Should be an interesting weekend of listening.

  4. #424
    Join Date: May 2018

    Location: Woking

    Posts: 803
    I'm Chris.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Gazjam View Post
    Out with the old, In with the new.


    Gold Lions are replacing the stock Psvane's.
    Should be an interesting weekend of listening.
    I snapped a pin on the Psvane's I had in a phono stage and replaced them with Gold Lion's. I preferred the Gold Lions no doubt.

    They're the thinking man's tube for me. As in don't actually have to 'think' about it too much as all their models perform very well. Yes you can get so called 'better' tubes but the ball ache of sourcing NOS and genuine tubes (especially well matched) is just getting a bit tedious if you ask me.

    They're the best new production tube I've heard.

    Enjoy.
    System 1: - Amp - Musical Paradise MP-701 mk2 - Neurochrome 686
    - Source: Audio Technica LP-5 - Custom 6V6 stage - Novafidelity X30 - Soekris 1421 (LPSU) - Custom TDA1541 C3G DAC -
    - Speakers: Martin Logan Prodigy's - Subs: - REL T3's -

    System 2 - Amp: Musical Paradise MP 303/Custom 300B SET - Custom 6SL7 Pre -
    - Source: Pioneer N-30K - SONCOZ SGD1 -
    - Speakers: Loth X BS1's - Sub: REL T3 -

  5. #425
    Join Date: Oct 2008

    Location: Glasgowshire

    Posts: 9,656
    I'm Gary.

    Default

    Cheers Chris,
    that’s good to know.

    Your thinkings the same as mine I think,
    been down that NOS rabbit hole, just not a chase I can be arsed with any more.
    AC POWER
    Hardwired 10kVA balanced mains powering entire system
    AMPS
    Meridian 557 power Amp (Modded) / PS Audio BHK Preamp (Modded)
    SPEAKERS
    Wharfedale Evo 4.4
    DAC
    PS Audio Directstream (Modded)
    TURNTABLE
    Pro-Ject X8 balanced output via XLR / Ortofon Quintet Blue cartridge
    PHONOSTAGE
    Pro-Ject DS3 B balanced Input (TT and Phonostage powered by Pro-Ject Power box RS2 linear psu)
    DIGITAL
    OPPO 203 (Modded: Linear PSU, i2s output to Dac) - Roon Endpoint, HDMI input used for all things Streaming/ PS5 /AppleTV ... also good for movies apparently?
    MUSIC PLAYBACK
    Tweaked AP-Linux based Roon Server into Oppo 203 as Roon endpoint
    Ipad Roon Remote.
    Apple Music/ YouTube via AppleTV, fed to Dac via Oppo HDMI input/i2s output to Dac.
    SPEAKER CABLES
    Biwired: Duelund DCA10GA (Bass) Duelund DCA16GA (mid & treble) Duelund 12DCA used as jumpers (On
    "Blackcat Cable" Chris Sommivigo's advice - yup, even with biwire it sounds better - and it does)
    INTERCONNECTS
    All Balanced: Ghost+ recording studio XLR cables

  6. #426
    Join Date: Mar 2008

    Location: Galashiels

    Posts: 13,669
    I'm inthescottishmafia.

    Default

    Yep know what you mean mate, it's a real minefield nowadays, and just getting worse. Just glad I've already got all the small valves I'll likely need.
    “Music has always been a matter of energy to me, a question of fuel. Sentimental people call it inspiration, but what they really mean is fuel. I have always needed fuel. I am a serious consumer. On some nights I still believe that a car with the gas needle on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio”

    Hunter S Thompson

  7. #427
    Join Date: Oct 2008

    Location: Glasgowshire

    Posts: 9,656
    I'm Gary.

    Default

    Last Christmas present to myself, and last round of tweak level upgrades for 2021.
    Better isolation feet for Pre and Power amps, as well as my Dac.

    POWER AMP
    Had previously just plonked the big Meridian 557 down on stock rubber feet onto glass top shelf of my rack, would get around to something different at some point?
    Its a bit of a beast at 60lbs, with a heckin’ big and heavy transformer, so knew directly onto glass wasn’t the best way to sit it.

    Isoacoustics to the rescue.
    Patented design, and used around the world in top recording Studio’s, that’ll work for me.
    Use some of their Orea feet under my turntable to good effect, and had their studio monitor stands in the past, so know from experience these work really well.
    Each foot takes up to 20Lbs, so 4 under the amp is perfect.







    PREAMP AND DAC

    These isolation pucks have an operating performance window, based on weight of what you sit on them?
    Unlike the Meridian, my Preamp and Dac are much lighter at 22lbs each,
    so different products were needed.

    Again,
    Isoacoustics to the rescue.
    you match the product to the weight, so got a set of the 8 smaller Isopuck Mini’s, each takes 6 lbs, so 4 under each bit of kit.





    So that’s all that done then, what was the result?
    Noticeable change in two areas:

    Good improvements to soundstage and bass definition.
    The system gets out the way better, overall a nice step up.
    At £65 and £77 for both sets, didn’t break the bank, and great bang for buck for what they cost.

    Highly recommended.
    AC POWER
    Hardwired 10kVA balanced mains powering entire system
    AMPS
    Meridian 557 power Amp (Modded) / PS Audio BHK Preamp (Modded)
    SPEAKERS
    Wharfedale Evo 4.4
    DAC
    PS Audio Directstream (Modded)
    TURNTABLE
    Pro-Ject X8 balanced output via XLR / Ortofon Quintet Blue cartridge
    PHONOSTAGE
    Pro-Ject DS3 B balanced Input (TT and Phonostage powered by Pro-Ject Power box RS2 linear psu)
    DIGITAL
    OPPO 203 (Modded: Linear PSU, i2s output to Dac) - Roon Endpoint, HDMI input used for all things Streaming/ PS5 /AppleTV ... also good for movies apparently?
    MUSIC PLAYBACK
    Tweaked AP-Linux based Roon Server into Oppo 203 as Roon endpoint
    Ipad Roon Remote.
    Apple Music/ YouTube via AppleTV, fed to Dac via Oppo HDMI input/i2s output to Dac.
    SPEAKER CABLES
    Biwired: Duelund DCA10GA (Bass) Duelund DCA16GA (mid & treble) Duelund 12DCA used as jumpers (On
    "Blackcat Cable" Chris Sommivigo's advice - yup, even with biwire it sounds better - and it does)
    INTERCONNECTS
    All Balanced: Ghost+ recording studio XLR cables

  8. #428
    Join Date: Feb 2016

    Location: London

    Posts: 876
    I'm Don.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Gazjam View Post
    Last Christmas present to myself, and last round of tweak level upgrades for 2021.
    Better isolation feet for Pre and Power amps, as well as my Dac.

    POWER AMP
    Had previously just plonked the big Meridian 557 down on stock rubber feet onto glass top shelf of my rack, would get around to something different at some point?
    Its a bit of a beast at 60lbs, with a heckin’ big and heavy transformer, so knew directly onto glass wasn’t the best way to sit it.

    Isoacoustics to the rescue.
    Patented design, and used around the world in top recording Studio’s, that’ll work for me.
    Use some of their Orea feet under my turntable to good effect, and had their studio monitor stands in the past, so know from experience these work really well.
    Each foot takes up to 20Lbs, so 4 under the amp is perfect.







    PREAMP AND DAC

    These isolation pucks have an operating performance window, based on weight of what you sit on them?
    Unlike the Meridian, my Preamp and Dac are much lighter at 22lbs each,
    so different products were needed.

    Again,
    Isoacoustics to the rescue.
    you match the product to the weight, so got a set of the 8 smaller Isopuck Mini’s, each takes 6 lbs, so 4 under each bit of kit.





    So that’s all that done then, what was the result?
    Noticeable change in two areas:

    Good improvements to soundstage and bass definition.
    The system gets out the way better, overall a nice step up.
    At £65 and £77 for both sets, didn’t break the bank, and great bang for buck for what they cost.

    Highly recommended.
    I was banging on about these beauties in 2018
    https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/top...ink_source=app
    Was advised by Mark Westley of Tresham fame about these supports ... predominantly used to support studio monitors on the edge of mixing desks....


    Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

  9. #429
    Join Date: Oct 2008

    Location: Glasgowshire

    Posts: 9,656
    I'm Gary.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by donmarrese View Post
    I was banging on about these beauties in 2018
    https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/top...ink_source=app
    Was advised by Mark Westley of Tresham fame about these supports ... predominantly used to support studio monitors on the edge of mixing desks....


    Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk
    Hi Don.

    Yup,
    very impressed with these.
    Mark Westley, that's the Tannoy Head Production Engineer?

    Be picking up another set of the 8 Mini pucks for under my Oppo 203 and Audiolab 6000CDT.

    Highly recommended Peeps.
    Last edited by Gazjam; 27-12-2021 at 17:22.
    AC POWER
    Hardwired 10kVA balanced mains powering entire system
    AMPS
    Meridian 557 power Amp (Modded) / PS Audio BHK Preamp (Modded)
    SPEAKERS
    Wharfedale Evo 4.4
    DAC
    PS Audio Directstream (Modded)
    TURNTABLE
    Pro-Ject X8 balanced output via XLR / Ortofon Quintet Blue cartridge
    PHONOSTAGE
    Pro-Ject DS3 B balanced Input (TT and Phonostage powered by Pro-Ject Power box RS2 linear psu)
    DIGITAL
    OPPO 203 (Modded: Linear PSU, i2s output to Dac) - Roon Endpoint, HDMI input used for all things Streaming/ PS5 /AppleTV ... also good for movies apparently?
    MUSIC PLAYBACK
    Tweaked AP-Linux based Roon Server into Oppo 203 as Roon endpoint
    Ipad Roon Remote.
    Apple Music/ YouTube via AppleTV, fed to Dac via Oppo HDMI input/i2s output to Dac.
    SPEAKER CABLES
    Biwired: Duelund DCA10GA (Bass) Duelund DCA16GA (mid & treble) Duelund 12DCA used as jumpers (On
    "Blackcat Cable" Chris Sommivigo's advice - yup, even with biwire it sounds better - and it does)
    INTERCONNECTS
    All Balanced: Ghost+ recording studio XLR cables

  10. #430
    Join Date: Oct 2008

    Location: Glasgowshire

    Posts: 9,656
    I'm Gary.

    Default

    Let the 2022 shenanigans commence

    Where I'm coming from nowadays, System wise...
    is to make the most of what I have.
    Who knows what financial pressures are round the corner, right?

    Last major upgrade i did was better speakers, a big jump for sure and now hearing more of what the rest of the kit is capable of.
    With that in mind...and having enjoyed modding my Oppo bluray player..going forward to '22 I'm looking at Mods for my system.

    In what way can I improve on what I have?

    UP TO THIS POINT:
    AC Power and all cables are a done deal.
    and I've already looked at better isolation feet: (Previous post)
    The Isoacoustics footers really did the business, improved things for my Poweramp, Pre and Dac.
    Getting another set for the Audiolab CD Transport and Oppo 203 soon.

    One additional isolation thing I want to do is for my speakers,
    and replace the supplied spike feet with better.
    Speaker/floor interaction can be a big deal and getting this right will make a difference.
    Current setup:


    I had the speakers sitting on a big heavy ceramic floor tile, sat on carpet before - my Impulse H2's had bass that went through the floor and the slabs helped.
    Never thought to remove them for the Wharfedales, but tried it and with the spikes sitting on Sound Damped Steel isolation plates (black discs on carpet) the Evo 4.4's bass and soundstaging improved.

    Had initially thought about IsoAcoustic's own GAIA replacement speaker feet,
    but these are quite large, would raise the tweeter height too much and kinda ruin the aesthetic of the speaker.
    Painfully expensive too, not Stillpoints money but still too salty.

    Read a lot of the American hifi forums and the guys over at Herbies Labs in the US are highly thought of?
    Be picking up a set of their speaker isolation feet, and sitting my speaker spikes in those to replace stock Wharfedale spike pads.
    Well priced too.


    After this I'll call speakers DONE.
    Last edited by Gazjam; 14-01-2022 at 11:02.

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