10.1.04 I've finally reached that point where all things swing pretty well. Great front to back balance where things are out there beyond the speaker plane, but not too forward. Excellent separation - though things were a bit bright for the first few days till it settled in. Pretty endless power, great control over the speakers, but engaging music at most any volume. I find myself involved in the music so much more than I've been since the now 2 year long upgrade search hit. Dire Straits, Sade, Nick Drake, Low, Davis - it's all good. Viva la ebay and audiogon & thanks to all the rich guys & gals (and understanding spouses) who keep such wonderful care of equipment. I hope to do my part funding the trickle down some day.
Picked up on audigon, this 306.200 has so far resolved my concerns with the Gamut bass with minimal compromise in mid-range performance - plus now I can hear the HDCD on my Dire Straits reissues!
Bel Canto Design Pre2P
2 Channel preamp with Phono option and dual preamp outputs to support bi-amp or sub. outputs.
Bel Canto Design EVO4 Gen II
400wpc RMS bridged.
Sonus Faber Grand Piano
Home edition and the only thing that wasn't bought used. It's a sad life - but it all sounds soo sweet thanks to these gems.
Velodyne F-1500r
Simple sub - rarely employed, and only for those lowest notes. Adds that Live whomp.
Audioquest Cheetah
12volt xlr. From Pre to Amp.
Accoustic Zen Matrix Ref II
XLR cables used to replace AQ Cheetah. Servicable, though doesn't have the air of a Cheetah.
Kimber 8TC
10ft. Great value cords.
PS Audio Statement SC
Using on CD, Amp, and Power conditioner. Decent cords - strong value and totally reliable.
PS Audio P-500
The best of a P300 and a good surge protector. I feel comfortable using with my eVo amp., Pre, and CD - running only up to 110 watts max.
System edited: Oye, how pathetic am I? All those adds about having a child and not listening much. I sooooo thought I was going to avoid that compromise, and I was sooooo wrong about that reality. example... Month 8 - tasted a little bit of Eric Dolphy jazz, 3min. 40seconds. That ought to keep me goin another week. Ordered new Knopfler - hoping to hear it all before Christmas.
Added a PS Audio P500 a bit ago as life just hasn't been the same since the P300 exited. Also switched out the AQ Mammoth for Kimber 8tc, and am working with exchanging AQ Cheetahs for Acoustic Zen Matrix Refs. So far, I'm missing the Cheetahs - not the warmth that I thought I would gain from the Silver to Copper switch. Through digital transparent amps, I figured the difference would be easily heard. Letting them break in a bit more. Currently playing with power cords - sold all JPS, moving to PS Audio Statement/Plus mix.
System edited: 1.2.06 Switched from Pre1 and 200.4 to new GenII models. Found the pre to be extremely transparent - incredible how some products can have such an impact on the overall sound. Adding the GenII Evo amp. lowered the noise floor a bit.
System edited: 2005 saw changes to source components and fooling around with cables. Meridian (with MSB DAC) and Gamut played roles but couldn't keep us locked in like we wanted. The Gamut is great with mid and highs - excellent resolution and very good staging. Low bass wasn't 'present' enough though. PS300 power cond. exited after a fun upgrade on dedicated circuits, and JPS PCs have been added. Good stuff.
System edited: Added new CD player. Very high res. Got a little hot on the bright/white side of neutral. Switched from Audioquest GR8 speaker cable to Analysis Plus and got back some of the warmth without edge. Looking to upgraded the PC and switch out interconnects.
