Lugnut's room

by lugnut on Done For Now

Description

The equipment speaks for itself. It's musical and very enjoyable and that's what matters to me. I do prefer it with a tube preamp and have used a Supratek Syrah to great benefit. That preamp is now off for repair but I've recently purchased a Wright WPL 10 V here at Audiogon and eagerly await its arrival. If and when the Syrah returns fixed I'll put it back in. Using it is like putting a turbo charger on this system. It kicks it up several notches.

The room, Purple Haze, was remodeled by Steve Dobbins (Vetterone) as a surprise gift to me while my wife and I were out of town for a few days. This room was so ugly that I was ashamed to be in it alone with the lights out. The worlds ugliest paneling adorned the walls and the smoke stained ceiling was fitted with a cheesy ceiling fan and an offset flourescent light. Not only did Steve wallpaper, paint and install new light fixtures, he cleaned my carpet and furniture too. He's a very special and caring guy. Oh yeah, he named the room and the name is going to stay.

I don't want to be too long winded here about the system since it's not exotic at all. Other than saying again how much the Linn gear responds to a reasonable tube preamp I'd also like to mention how much my system has benefitted from interconnects and cones. The Ridge Street line of cabling is incredible! As my system is now configured and being all solid state the conventional wisdom is that silver would be a harsh material to use. Not so. It's a smooth as silk and lets the details come through better than anything I've ever auditioned. The Audio Points cones are used at the speakers and the amps. In each case the overall sound tightened up and imaging much improved. The bass detail improvements were much more than I expected.

This is a fun and relaxed room that I spend a lot of time in. Although some acoustic treatments are forthcoming it is very musical as is.

I would like to once again express my deepest gratitude to all of the folks that have been so generous in helping me take this system and room to completion. Many of you know what I'm talking about and the contributors know who they are. Thank you all
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Components Toggle details

    • Linn LP-12 Sondek Ittok
    Purchased in 1984 with the Vahalla. Upgraded to the Cirkus bearing and replaced the Valhalla once due to failure. Regardless of the criticisms heaped on this table it is a solid performer and the best "bang for the buck" piece I've ever bought. I have no compelling reason to replace it.
    • Linn Wakonda phono
    I love the features this preamp provides but much prefer my system with a tube preamp. I recently purchased a Wright WPL 10 V but it is yet to arrive.
    • Linn LK-100
    Aktiv internal stero crossover for treble.
    • Linn LK-100
    Aktiv internal stereo crossover for mid/bass.
    • Linn Keilidh
    Bi-amped Aktiv.
    • Ridge Street Audio Design MSE Gen.II
    Used for preamp to mid/bass Aktiv amp.
    • Ridge Street Audio Design Poiema!!
    Used from preamp to Aktiv treble amp.
    • Ridge Street Audio Design Poiema!!
    Eight foot pair to tweeters.
    • Ridge Street Audio Designs Poiema!!
    Eight foot pair to mid/bass.
    • Lugnut made LP-12 Friendly
    Made by yours truly to accomodate my LP-12 and a couple of electronics.
    • Lugnut made Amp stands
    Layered 3/4" MDF lead filled.
    • Porter Ports Wall outlets
    Cryo'd. Three of them
    • Audio Points Various
    I use Still Points on my speakers and both amplifiers.
    • Sumiko Bluepoint Special
    I have liked this cartridge a lot. I'm either going to install a Shelter 901 or a Sumiko Blackbird in the near future.

Comments 51

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Owner
Simon,

Thanks for your comments. My Airy III Silver SB is nearing break in. I love it. I also just installed the Linn Silver tonearm cable after sending it to Cello for burn in. I like it a lot too.

I've got a lot of 6SN7's and surprisingly the best pair I have are Radio Shack Lifetime Gold Pins that were NOS and made in Japan. I honestly don't have a clue who made them but boy are they quiet and sound very nice. My phono stage tubes are noisier than I like but very nice. The noise isn't an issue really in my system with my speakers but would be using other speakers of higher efficiency. I'm happy enough to just stay with what I have.

The Scots can go ahead and try me for Heresey. LOL. I suppose they wouldn't approve of my cabling either but the cables and preamp make this modest system compete with high dollar systems. It really is like the amps and speakers have been set free. Their loss if they are too stubborn to give it a try.

I'm very happy with the LP 12 having owned this one since 1984. It's a solid performer IMO. If I were to upgrade it would likely be a Teres. For what I'd get out of my table and pay for a new Teres whatever improvements I'd get just aren't worth it at this time. The differences are very minor. I've had a 265 in my system and compared the two. I love the simplicity of the Teres and having a concrete floor in my music room, either work very well in my environment. Linn has been very good about parts availability and an upgrade path which I've taken advantage of. Still, doing business here with most Linn retailers is not enjoyable. Linn USA sucks. The last two sentences are the reason I'd replace my gear with something else. Not because of performance. Is it the same in the UK?

lugnut

Hi Pat,
love your room and admire a man who'll stick a Syrah into a Linn system !I live in Scotland and you would be tried for Heresey here.
I've had dealings with Steve and he's a nice guy - wish he lived closer, I've just spent months remodelling my lounge to lose the hifi to the dining room.
Anyway - I do sub-contract work setting up Linns,
was never a fan but I had to try one after 30 years and lo & behold my Linn now holds a special place in my heart.
I have lots of Linns and have to say my own with the Airy 11 thru my Syrah, compares favourably to my heavily modded Xerxes and who knows how my latest ( a broken Oracle Delphi Mk 11) will fare.

On the valve front my thoughts, remembering I've only had the Syrah a month :
I've tried various rectifiers : Sovtek fine, supplied nos Mullard terrible(Steve told me it must be 'goosed'), new nos Mullard/Mazda - an improvement over the Sovtek but not commensurate with the money paid.
The BIG valves - fancy red base Tungsols - left well alone.
The 6SN7s - supplied fancy Sylvanias - really nice but one is noisy
CBS Hystrons I bought ($$$$)- warmer/fuller - but one is noisy
Supplied Sylvania 6GK5s - nice but one noisy
Back up set of same($$$$$) - nice but one noisy
Supplied Raytheon 5842s - a bit speaker bound
Replacement WE 5842s($$$$) - much better but - one of the pair is noisy

Cutting to the chase, the Syrah was a revelation to me and can sound better with nos tubes. Given the money I have spent in the last month I'm tempted to go with Mick and just fill it full of new & modern tubes.
The reduction in sound is minimal compared to the reduction in my wallet all these noisy nos tubes are making !
Listening to a bit better sound full of hisses/chugging & crackling is a pain - not enough to return to ss, but a pain.

Much power to your elbow - I bought a Yamaha FG 180 nearly 36 years ago and have always regretted selling it in spite of having cupboards full of guitars.
Take care,
Best Si

simon74

Hey Pat,I really like the LP display!!!Lookin good,,,

raytheprinter

Nice room you have there, looks like a cool place to hang out and listen to some good tunes.
Love the Linn gear.

A big Shout out to your friend, a true friend indeed.

eddiemc

Owner
Well, sometime in the future I'll get around to updating this system. To answer Nrchy's question, I have installed my second ZYX cartridge. It's a ZYX Airy 3 Silver SB. It's a low output design using 5 nines cryo'd silver wire with some of the internals being cryo'd prior to assembly. The SB feature is an integral silver mounting plate. Right out of the box it is much smoother, more refined with greater detail than the Yatra. It's a perfect match for my system as far as I can tell at this point. I haven't even begun to tweak it for best performance. Whenever I get around 50 hours on it I will set the VTF to what I know is proper for this cartridge and later change the VTA some but I know it's all very close now. At the 100 hour mark I'll reset the overhang and make some very fine adjustments from there. IMO, this is one of the best cartridges I've ever heard. Of course, the UNIverse is better but then it is a lot mroe money. The Yatra is an incredible bargain.

The Supratek Syrah is a great preamp. I do need to determine the best nine tube combinations and decide which I'll use. That "preamp deal of the century" thread just takes too long to read and requires one to extract this information piecemeal. I wish that one of the regular posters to that thread would condense it and post that information for those of us too lazy or busy to do it ourselves.

I've added some acoustic treatments, replaced the area rug, installed drapes, added some plants and reduced the amount of furniture. I will post the updated photos as soon as time allows. Thanks for all the positive feedback from everyone.

lugnut

Pat, you know you're causing your brothers to stumble, and give in to lust! Please post your thoughts on the Airy 3, as soon as you have some.

Great looking room and system!

nrchy

Owner
Stuart,

I purchased a ZYX R100H Yatra Mk II. Where do they get these names??? Anyway, I consider it to be an audio best buy. Detailed beyond anything I dreamed of and as smooth as silk after about 40 hours of break in. The total lack of surface noise is astounding too. Stage width, depth and height is perfect. It has a quality that no other line of cartridges has ever produced and I cannot for the life of me explain it. It's just a realness. I'm certain that the designer has incorporated design features, which he has patented, that eliminate time smear and it works.

I now own a Supratek Syrah. I'll be updating with new photos sometime in the near future. I'll also be writing a review of the cartridge once its fully broken in.

lugnut

Hi Pat. Glad to finally see your room. Beautiful. I love the stands! Let us know what cartridge you decide on.

stuartbranson

Owner
Artg,

Thanks for your thoughtful and very wise words. Digital can be very rewarding and Steve's Meitner front end is incredible. My belief is that he has the best of both worlds and can spend his time pursuing the best software regardless of source. It can't get any better than that!!!

lugnut

Supportive loving friends are worth their weight in gold, not to mention far more improtant than any hobby, no matter how pationately we pursue them!

Hmmmmmm, Im glad your not my friend becasue I'm trying hard NOT to become an "analog monster," and am terrified of the extra expense and energy - I'd be consumed with acquiring that gear and those LP's. {Of course there would be a reason to do all that - namely than no matter how good digital is done, it's clearly second-best, but I'm continually supressing and denying that knowledge....}

artg

Owner
Good question Artg. Steve is a great guy but then, so am I. I built his equipment rack and did it with the goal of perfection much like a work of art. Custom fabrication of that type is something that Steve is aware costs huge sums when done by others. My total charge was much less than buying some standard, reasonably well made piece. Not to brag but it works splendidly too. When we first met Steve was digitally based and I took my turntable, preamp and favorite records over and left them for better than a week hoping he would hear the magic. He did and I am personally responsible for creating the analog monster within him. Still, I fully understand that as busy as he is and as much work as it was, remodeling my room at a time when I was psychologically devastated due to being diagnosed as having terminal cancer was the lift I needed. The man has a big heart and is a tresured friend. I would have done the same for him if the situation were reversed.

Take note guys! I now own a Supratek Syrah and a ZYX cartridge. I'll be updating this system post when time allows. For a modest system the sound is incredible.

lugnut

Aside from the obvious: that your room is awsome, I have a question:

How/where do i get a friend like vetterone?

artg

Owner
Aggielaw,

It just takes a few woodworking skills, not many. I cut two identical squares of 3/4" MDF to the desired size. I then made a "picture frame" out of the same material with the same outside dimensions. The picture frame is sandwiched between the two solid pieces, glued and screwed from beneath. (I kind of like that term "glued and screwed"). Radius the top and edges with a router and sand it. I drilled a hole about 1/2" diameter in the bottom of the wood and with a funnel filled the hollow core with #9 lead shot. I decided to use silicon to seal the hole only because it's way easy. It took about one 25# bag for each stand. The hardware for spikes was bought from an Audiogon vendor. That process only required drilling four holes in the corners. The paint job was a quick one of basecoat/clearcoat left over from an automotive paint job. Lucky for me I have a friend that did that part for free. You need access to a table saw, router, power miter box and willing accomplices. Total cost for both stands was less than $100. While you and I both call these amp stands, I planned on using them for a tube preamp and power supply from the get go. I just ordered a new preamp and cartridge. Whenever I get them installed and am happy I'll update this with new photos and maybe get lucky with some additional comments.

A very good audio buddy and personal friend "Vetterone" aka Steve Dobbins remodeled this room for me as a surprise between Christmas and New Years while my wife and I were visiting friends in the Midwest. I mean, I didn't have a clue he was going to do it. I walked in, looked for about ten seconds and sat down and balled like a baby. He had to work his ass off getting it done in four days. Do yourself a favor and check out his room/system here. It's amazing.

lugnut

No doubt - along with the "Man Cave" this is the coolest room I've seen for audio. Nice setup, too.

Lugnut, do you have a "recipe" for your amp stands?

aggielaw

Pat, really cool room!!!!!!!

raytheprinter

Dwight, the Audiopoints would work fine in that application.
It would be recommended to also use the Audiopoints under the base of the stand too, for overall best results.

You can email me if you have particular questions.

Great looking system Pat!!!

twl

Owner
Dwight,

I'm not sure. I think I'll ask Twl to post a response to this question. I would just be guessing.

lugnut

Looks good!

I have a question regarding the Audio Points that you use. I currently have my Bryston 9B SST on a custom made stand designed to hold my Vandersteen VCC5 center channel. The amp sits on the base of the stand. The stand itself is on spikes, but was wodering how much the systm would benefit from putting the amp on Audio Points where it presently sits. Would the center channel and the sub which is right next to it, have much of a negative impact on the sound as it sits?

Thanks,

Dwight

redsierra

Owner
Dean,

The record storage racks were also built by Vetterone but are my design. The actual shelves are MDF pieces for stair risers and are incredibly strong. The shelves are 12" deep and the front edge is raised 1 1/2". Of course, the actual shelf bottom and backs are at 90° to one another. I find this type of storage to be very convenient. Steve likes the design well enough that he's building some for his own dedicated room.

Kid,

Keep practicing. After ahwile you will find that the way you embrace the guitar neck and the placement of your fingers will allow a minimum of pressure to be exerted on your fingertips. Callouses are a permanent fixture on the fingers of even a very casual player. I've been playing since I was a kid. There have been times when my guitar was great therapy and a good friend. Keeping it handy like on the stand mine is on allows you to pick it up and play for just a couple of minutes any old time the opportunity arises. Those few minutes add up and make you a better player.

Everyone,

I guess I should have taken a photo of my spare bedroom where the rest of my vinyl is. I have similar racks in there too. I'm not sure but I think I may have too much software.

lugnut

Pat,

Your room looks awesome! I especially like the way you have your LPs arranged. Did you build the cabinets?

Dean

gunbei

Patrick,

Very Nice! I am actually taking guitar lessons presently with my daughter. I am enjoying it but my hands are sore. Maybe one day I will be able to play something. Again great room and system..

BTW: Sorry bout the TyPO. I know it is spelled LINN..

Best,

Chris

the_kid

Patrick,
It looks really great! What a nice comfortable spot for listening to music. Enjoy!!!

slipknot1

Pat nice to see your room at last and as pointed out always nice to see a great collection of music,some nice albums there.
You know what I didn't give up on vinyl till about '95/'96 and I'm kinda sorry I did.
Keep enjoying the music.

ben_campbell

Owner
Thanks for the compliments guys. Chris, the guitar is a Yamaha FG-60 from the 60's. It's a real guitar that didn't cost much.

lugnut

Wow!!

here is a man with his priorities straight....vinyl, vinyl and more vinyl.

Congrats to all who contributed to your room....it looks about perfect. may you have many happy times there.

mikelavigne

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