My goal is for my system to reproduce music as close to possible to "being there"...within some budget constraints. My listening tastes are somewhat eclectic, and it is a must that my system sound good with all types of music. It also must ROCK-OUT on demand!
Accurate, detailed, organic sounding speaker in a beautiful cherry finish. Just a gem of a speaker!
Unison Research Unico Integrated
80 watt hybrid integrated amp with 2 12AU7 tubes in the output stage. Replaced stock caps with Hovland Musicaps. Replaced stock Philips tubes with JJ tubes from Slovak Rep. Improvement is NOT subtle.
Arcam 73T
A GREAT budget front end. Vibrapods under feet.
Harman Kardon TU-610
Old school tuner.
Synergistic Research Kaleidoscope Phase 2 X2
1-meter SR Kaleidoscope Phase 2 X2 (RCA) active interconnects w/MPC.
Analysis Plus Oval 9
8 ft. run of Analysis Oval 9 shotgun bi-wire speaker cables terminated with bananas.
Nordost Shiva
Tried Synergistic, PS Audio & Zu before finding the Nordost.
Synergistic Research A/C Master Coupler
Great cable for amplifiers. Plugged straight into wall outlet.
Monster HTPS-7000
Great power conditioner with many useful isolation, protection and conditioning features. Only drawback is that it limits current from amp, so I plug the amp directly into wall.
System edited: I started this system out with an Acurus A150 amp, B&K Pro-10Mc pre, NAD C521BEE cdp, NHT 2.5 speakers, Kimber PBJ ic, and Audioquest Type 4 speaker cable. It made for a very nice, somewhat rockin' system. I eventually replaced the Acurus/B&K combo with a McIntosh MC-162 amp and Pass Labs X2 pre-amp. The combo was silky smooth, and highly detailed. The Mcintosh was definitely on the soft side, and somewhat lacking in dynamics, though lush and often glorious sounding. Soon after, I replaced the NAD with an Arcam CD73. I was actually auditioning a Musical Fidelity A5 cdp, but in a head-to-head, the Arcam was so close to the A5, that I bought it and saved $1,800. Next I replaced the PBJs with Audience Au24 ics. I also bought a used pair of SR Phase 2 X2 Kaleidoscope ics. I alternate back and forth between them, and love them both. The Audience cable is very natural sounding & musical, while the Synergistics are very detailed with great imaging. Analysis Plus Oval 9s then replaced the AQ 4. The change in cabling resulted in further adding resolution and detail and a dose of refinement, as well. I'm looking for a nice balance of power and finesse. Replacing my McIntosh MC-162 amp/Pass Labs X2 pre combo with the Unico was a huge step up in dynamics, while sacrificing little, if any in the detail department.
