Thanks very much Glenhifi. I am very pleased with the results. The Maggiores were a significant step-up in performance and these speakers have also made me a firm believer in speaker break in. Very noticeable improvements as I put more hours on the speakers and particularly as the ceramic midrange drivers soften.

I also recently replaced my interconnects with the Ocellia reference line which again, to my ears, produced noticeable improvements.

I am awaiting the arrival of the direct drive Wave Kinetics NVS turntable which will be used with a Talea arm and Ortofon A90 cartridge. I will report back on the differences between this and my current TW Acustic Raven AC which is coupled with the Raven 10.5 arm - a wonderful combination.

On the digital side I have made the decision to move to Alex Peychev's latest two box digital offering - which consists of the Esoteric X-01 which is modified to act purely as a transport and the separate APL DAC-M. This decision has been driven in part by my desire to move to a server to store all my CDs and sacds.

vicks7 June 23, 2012 01:13

Outstanding system would love to hear it.

glenfihi June 21, 2012 21:51

Hi Opus88, yes, fixed. You can search my posts and you will find it.

kdl June 14, 2012 14:13

Kdl...On your March 8th post above you indicated you had some issues with the TW Acustic 10.5's anti-skating waiting to be fixed. What were they, and have you had them corrected?

opus88 June 14, 2012 01:58

Hello Vicks,
You have a system that I`m sure provides 'ultra' resolution and can reveal the most subtle information and detail(but not analytical I`ll assume). Your intial impressions of the Ocellia cable is what I experienced.

The ASI Liveline is a top notch product and out performed many highly regarded cables(most of them were more expensive). The unique quality of the Ocellia is that it`s even more resolved yet at the same time more organic/natural. Some how it`s able to be very dynamic and energetic yet remain fluid with a superb sense of ease and musical flow. Tonality is true and just plain right.

I`m certain this excellent cable is a wonderful addition to your system. You must listen to your music often and very happily.
Regards,

charles1dad June 10, 2012 12:12

Thanks for the kind words Vicente.

Today I installed my new Ocellia Reference interconnects that I received earlier in the week - they have replaced ASI Liveline and Tara Labs interconnects and on first impressions, I am very pleased with the decision. Even more organic sounding and to my ears even more detail than the ASI Livelines without sacrificing musicality. More to follow after cables have broken in.

vicks7 June 09, 2012 23:12

Hello Vicks,

Congratulations for your system. Great choices!!

I am sure the sound is amazing. I heard the Audiopax Maggione in a show and they are great. I am sure that with the Evolution MM2 that have powered 15" drivers the lower frequency extension is even better than in the show. I also heard the Audiopax Model 5 SE in my system and they are great.

Cheers,

Vicente

vn101606 May 06, 2012 13:14

Thanks Mike. The amps are indeed stunning.

For anyone who is interested, I have included below more information on these amplifiers from Audiopax:

The Maggiore M100 monoblocks utilize a revolutionary topology to become the world's first Class A1 single-ended tube amplifier with over 100 Watts of power per channel. Audiopax has combined several Audiopax proprietary technologies such as ATMA and IDS to obtain the best of both worlds: single-ended magic with high power output and strong control of the loudspeakers.

ATMA: Asymmetrical Topology of Multiple Amplifiers enabled us to develop a high power amplifier, using six asymmetrical single-ended amplifiers, connected only at the loudspeaker output.

IDS: Through our development of an updated Ideal Device Simulation we have been able to model a very powerful, high-efficiency virtual triode made of six KT-88 or six KT-120 tubes, avoiding any sound quality issues associated with Parallel single-ended amplifiers (PSE).

The Maggiore M100 uses a further development of our Timbre Lock Technology that allows fine-tuning of sound quality. Timbre Lock also enables the user to monitor each tube's condition / strength, therefore extending useful tube life. The KT88 and KT120 tubes are current production, widely available and each power tube is individually protected.

Due to its unique combination of musicality and power, the Maggiore M100 is truly a "Gentle Giant".

Specification:

Max. Power Output (at clipping):
100 W RMS at 1kHz/8 ohms
(with KT-88 tubes)
130 W RMS at 1kHz/8 ohms
(with KT-120 tubes)
Frequency response:
15Hz to 80kHz (-3dB)
Signal to noise ratio:
> 100 dB (A-weighted) ref. 100 W
Gain:
23 dB
Input impedance:
100K ohms
Dimensions:
60 x 28 x 55 cm (H x W x D)
Weight:
45 Kg each

vicks7 April 22, 2012 18:38

James,

congrats on the amps, they look stunning! and i'll bet they sound stunning too.

best regards,

mikelavigne April 22, 2012 14:08

System edited: Updated system photo with the arrival of the Audiopax Maggiore M100 amplifiers.

vicks7 April 21, 2012 14:17

Thank you for the info.
I tried to keep up with Mike Lavigne's posts re: the NVS turntable but stopped after its price knocked me back to reality.I guess my Kuzma Stabi Reference will have to suffice.(At least for now)
I wish you all the best with your new additions.
Enjoy
Ed

goldeneraguy April 18, 2012 19:04

Thanks Goldeneraguy. Your kind comments much appreciated.

At the moment my amplifiers are plugged into the Purepower but Audiopax have recommended I have two dedicated lines installed - one for each amp - as they draw a huge amount - and that these lines are run directly from the mains box in my apartment. I will give it some thought. I like the Purepower very much particularly as the power supply in Sao Paulo is not the best.

I need to update my system photo as my Audiopax Model 88 have been replaced with the new flagship Maggiore M100 monoblocks. These monoblocks now sit between the speakers and the two racks have been moved to the side of the room. The Maggiore I have is a demo and I await the final version which will also have balanced inputs. I will then covert my preamplifier to balanced outs as I now need an interconnect of about 9 metres and don't want to run the risk of impairing the sound by using a long single ended interconnect.

The Maggiores are incredible sounding amplifiers. 100W Class A. I have not heard anything that comes close in terms of soundstage and tonal accuracy - as close to the live event as I could hope for.

My final piece - a Wave Kinetics NVS turntable and Talea II arm are on their way and should be with me in a month or so - I will then move my system to "done for now"! Aka no money left!

vicks7 April 15, 2012 21:48

WOW,beautiful system and i'm sure it sounds even better then it looks.
Question,do you plug your amps into the Purepower 2000 or only your front end components.

goldeneraguy April 10, 2012 18:47

That's right - no armboard for the Talea I although I was in the process of acquiring one for the Raven until I decided on the direct drive turntable and swapping the Talea I for the II.
It would be an interesting comparison though.

vicks7 March 08, 2012 19:52

Hi Vick, I can only imagine that you don't have an armboard/insert handy for Talea I to mount on AC. I heard an AC armboard/insert for Tri-Planar will work for Talea with 2 screws fit into place. So far I haven't seen a direct comparison between Raven 10.5 & Talea. I have Raven 10.5, it has some issues with anti-skate waiting to be fixed. I will mount A90 on it soon. Sounds like you are getting NVS. Have you tried timeline?

kdl March 08, 2012 18:35

Hi Kdl,

I have not mounted the Talea I on the Raven AC - the Raven remains with the TW 10.5 arm and Ortofon Black Credenza which I am very happy with.

However, I will be acquiring a direct drive turntable shortly which I intend to use with a Talea II and an Ortofon A90.

vicks7 March 08, 2012 17:48

Hi Vick,

Looks like you have Talea I for some time. Did you mount it on your Raven AC? How is the sound compared with TW 10.5? Curious to know since you might be the only person to have both arms on Raven TT. Thanks.

kdl March 07, 2012 15:36

System edited: I received Audiopax's new flagship tube amplifier over the weekend to replace my existing Audiopax Model 88 monoblocks. 100W in Class A1 triode. Each monoblock amplifier runs 6 KT-88 tubes and three 12AT7 drivers. Pictures and review to follow. Stupendous sounding amplifiers.

vicks7 March 06, 2012 18:52

I compared very briefly the Bent and the Lightspeed when the Lightspeed arrived several months ago but because I was making a number of other changes to the system I did not follow through. To make it a fair contest I also need to better understand the conditions to optimise the Lightspeed (low capacitance cables for example). At the time I found there was simply "more" with the Bent - more presence, deeper soundstage - both equally uncoloured and transparent. When I have some time I will do a proper a/b test using the same cables and post my thoughts for what they are worth.

vicks7 December 28, 2011 00:50

Vicks7 - it gets even more interesting then ! Pls let us know how the TAP-X compares to the Lightspeed.

elberoth2 December 27, 2011 18:44

Thanks Kevinzoe - I have the Lightspeed as well and agree that it is excellent. I intend to experiment with it further in the future.

I will let you know on Rives.

vicks7 December 27, 2011 03:07

Vick,
If you think the Bent TAP~X represents great quality and value, have you heard of the other giant killer of a passive preamp, the Lightspeed? It's hand made in Australia, costs about $400 and I can vouch first hand for its quality. I used to have a First Sound preamp and the Audio Aero Capitole which I compared with and without the First Sound in the signal path. Like you said, the active preamp added dynamics and bass weight compared to the CD/Pre going straight to the amp. The Lightspeed is extremely transparent. There is a very long thread of it where some have compared it to the Bent products, FYI.

Please let us know what Rives recommends. I for one would be interested.

kevinzoe December 27, 2011 01:52

Hi Elberoth2.

Good question. My Audiopax 5SE is still breaking in but initial impressions are that whilst both are very transparent the Bent has the edge on this front as one would probably expect. Audiopax overall has a better grip on the music and I think produces a wider dynamic range and deeper bass. But I remain in two minds as to what is the best approach. I will re-evaluate the direct approach (APL direct to amp) or with the Bent as opposed to the Model 5 once I have the more powerful and superior 100W Maggiores in my listening room. I think I could be very happy with either particularly with the Evolutions with the powered subwoofer units. However, the Tap-X, purely on a cost benefit view, remains one of the best components that I have ever purchased.

vicks7 December 27, 2011 01:22

Vicks7 - how does the TAP-X compare to your new Audiopax preamp ?

elberoth2 December 27, 2011 00:13

Purchased some good vinyl recently including Traneing In - John Coltrane with the Red Garland Trio (Prestige LP - Analogue Productions 45 rpm), Like Minds - Burton, Corea, Metheny, Haynes Holland (Pure Audiophile Records 33rpm), Muddy Waters folk singer (Quality Record Pressings 45 rpm) and some good CDs - Keith Jarrett - Rio, Charles Lloyd Maria Farantouri - Athens Concert, Rodrigo y Gabriela - Live in Japan.

Remain delighted with the APL modded Esoteric player and continuing to enjoy the vinyl on the TW Acustic Raven AC. MMtwos continue to amaze me in the sound they deliver and still less than 100 hours. I have contacted Rives and will be exploring ways to improve the acoustics - cannot go all out as currently in rented accommodation which is a frustration.

Happy holidays to all.

vicks7 December 26, 2011 20:46