These speakers use a double tweeter array to produce the midrange. The Be tweeter between the arrays is used as the actual tweeter. Then two big ass woofers are added. Extremely well reviewed and high value speakers!
Innuos PULSE
Network Streamer internal with a RECAP2 power supply by Dr. Sean Jacobs built-in. Uses the innuOS 2.0 and Sense software. Its the best sounding streamer, OS and control software I've every used.
Audio-GD Vacuum HE 1 XLR MK2
This is Audio-GD's top-of-the-line fully balanced MK2 tube preamp with a built-in regenerative power supply. The transformers are huge and normally what you find in power amps. The sound is lush and gigantic.
Audio-GD Master 3A
Fully balanced with 50 watts of Class A power. Very well built power amp that has a very seductive yet authoritative sound with the Moabs.
Audio-GD R-7HE MK2
I've recently gone back to the world of Non-oversampling DACs. They simply sound more natural than high-resolution oversampling DACs. The Audio-GD is a very well built R2R NOS DAC with a built-in regenerative power supply. It took a couple hundred hours to fully bloom but it was worth the wait.
Network Acoustics Muon System
This is a complete digital cable system (filter, LAN cable, USB cable). This at a higher level than the famed EVO system.
I run 4 subs in a distributed bass array or "swarm". I get excellent bass because the subs are asymmetric to each other and one pair is run out-of-phase - much like Eric does with his woofers and arrays. The Synergistic Research Black Box works as a bass resonator and in-tandem with the distributed array. With my amp the Moabs are very good to about 40Hz so I crossover at that point. The crossover should be set by ear since its very dependent on your amp.
Synergistic Research Powercell 12 UEF
This is a classic power conditioner. It's UEF/EM based and compliments every component plugged in to it!
DIY speaker, interconnects and power cables
DIY speaker, interconnects and power cables. They use multi-strand copper, an open weave, cotton cord in the center and ERS cloth at both ends. It's the formula Danny Richie uses for his cables. They have an open, airy yet very solid sound. The key is to break them in for hundreds of hours and use them as a "full loom" throughout your system.
Synergistic Research Black Box
The Black Box is a Low Frequency Resonator Array that works in conjunction with the Subwoofers, Atmospheres and FEQ X4 to solve bass node issues.
Synergistic Research ART System
This is Synergistic Research's older acoustic system that's based on resonators. It works very well with their current UEF system and provides excellent results. Complete ART systems are getting hard to find.
Townshend Audio Seismic Isolation Podiums
These decouple and "float" your speakers on a spring-loaded metal base. It opens-up the sound and adds solidity to the bass but doesn't make the sound harsh like most metal speaker bases.
The UEF Panels, UEF Dots, Black Box, Risers, ECT and GCT are all types of sound resonators. I use an Atmosphere XL-4 (green ATM), Atmosphere (red ATM), FEQ X4 (2) (red ATMs) and Mini-Atmosphere (green ATM) - when used with the Synergistic Research control software they generate various frequencies of Schumann Resonances around the room. Bottom line they work: create a huge/realistic listening experience!
Synergistic Research Grounding Block
This is SR's basic grounding block but it works very well. Makes the system absolutely silent at idle and It eliminated a slight hum on a power supply. I made my own "high definition" grounding cables.
Akiko Audio Tuning Stick; Kemp QA Plug (2) and Zero One (2)
The Akiko Audio, Kemp and Zero One products treat the signal and power in my system keeping the electrons spinning around the electronic signals as uniform as possible or by adding more standard frequency Schumann Resonances. These products are excellent at making your system sound more "natural".
This company has now closed because the owner has passed away. These products work to achieve a uniform and consistent RF/EMI and electron treatment around my components which greatly helps the sonics.
Synergistic Research Tranquility Bases and Tranquility Pod
I use original MIGs under the Tranquility Bases.
Audio Magic Pulsed Electron Alignment
The PEAs are battery powered. Spintronics is the ability to control or manipulate how electrons spin. Electrons spinning around electronic signals carry audio information. The goal of the PEA devices its to get the electrons spinning as uniformly as possible. It opens up the sound and makes subtle cues in the music even more real.
Puritan 156, ADD-Powr Sorcer and ElectraClear EAU-1
The Puritan is an excellent line conditioner. The ADD-Powr and ElectraClear devices actually add electromagnetics (EM) to the AC line using an active circuit and algorithm. Contrary to popular belief not all EM is bad for sound quality in stereo systems. The proof is in the listening.
Timbernation and Bright Star Audio Platforms
Solid maple platforms stained cherry for electronics and Bright Star platforms for the subs.
Puron AC Line Conditioner
I've added two of these line conditioners into the same outlet that feeds my Puritan 156 line conditioner. They open the sound soundstage, give a more realistic presentation of vocals and reveal a little more texture and impact to the bass. Highly recommended!
Stein H2 Harmonizer system
I have 4 Stein H2s in my system.I went with one in each of corner of the room with a Stein stone at each and a Stein diamond on the ceiling in the center of the room. They add layers and layers of depth with each vocalist/instrument being in their own separate but integrated spaces.
I've added QSA fuses to all my components. They are excellent straight out of the box but I used some PPT Total Contact on them which add another level of realism. I'm going to keep messing with the QSA products.
Someone was asking about my sub setup with the Moabs so I thought I'd post my response here as well: I run 4 subs in a distributed bass array or "swarm". I get excellent bass because the subs are asymmetric to each other and one pair is run out-of-phase - much like Eric does with his woofers and arrays. The Synergistic Research Black Box works as a bass resonator and in-tandem with the distributed array. With my Purifi amp the Moabs are very good to about 40Hz so I crossover at that point. The crossover should be set by ear since its very dependent on your amp.
Hi Chuck - No, I'm in North Carolina. I was trying to workout going to your place while Krissy is there but it isn't going to happen. I need to contact her. If you are ever in my area let me know.
Good to know. Krissy made me something like that, several in fact. You should come hear- or have me over to hear yours? Hint, hint? Meantime I ordered the QSA Blue fuse, it should be coming soon. With all the stuff you have, and Moabs, man would I love to hear it! I forget, aren't you out here in the PNW?
I've been reading about the new QSA fuses that a number of StereoTimes reviewers are raving about. They seem to be the best fuses currently available but, of course, the ones with the greatest effect are VERY expensive - running thousands of dollars for just one fuse. When I saw QSA is selling "stones" with similar technology, but for a fraction of the price, I decided to try some. I placed one in my fuse box that feeds my listening room and one on the top of my amp. Well.......they are amazing! More to come.
I added pictures of the FOZ SS-X and the SR Grounding Block. Had lots of positive responses on the Tekton forum about the FOZ. I guess a lot of people have been using one. I had no idea.
I added a Black Ice (Jolida) - Foz SS-X to the system. The thing has a cult following and after talking to a couple owners I decided to try one out. Its a tube buffer, a Jim Fosgate patented speaker crosstalk circuit and a bass enhancer that adds up to 9db of output. The sound it produces with the Moabs is amazing! I also added a very cheap CD transport to the system. The Acoustic Zen digital cable I use with it cost more than the transport! Overall, the sound is pretty good and it lets me play some of my more rare CDs I still have.
Over the years I've owned some high-end turntables (Shindo, Garrard 301, Thorens TD-124 etc) and consequently built-up a very nice vinyl collection which I still have. A local audiophile was selling a very low cost Pro-Ject RPM-1 Carbon with an Ortofon Red cartridge so I went ahead and bought it just to have analog available. After getting it home, I was underwhelmed - it sounded like low quality digital. But it was dead quiet and the bass was fairly good. I added MagicHexa footers, Herbies' grungebuster dots under the motor, a Herbies' turntable mat and most importantly I did away with the ground cable and used PS Audio Transcendent silver cables. Holy cow! I'm shocked by the improvement these tweeks brought to this budget analog system! The soundstage is wide open, the highs just float and the bass is even more tight, authoritative. I'll keep listening but as this point its kind of remarkable.
I added some Nobsound spring-based footers under my amp and preamp. These are very cheap - especially as compared to the Townshend footers that are much higher quality but are also based on floating your components with springs. Unfortunately, they add a slight glare or sibilance that I just can't listen past. I think they are making the cases of the equipment ring. I went down to just one spring in each footer which sounded slightly better but the whole thing became unstable. So, I moved them to my subwoofers and used 3 springs. On first listen, I think they sound much better there - maybe because of the added weight of the subs pushing down on the springs and the cabinets not ringing? I'll keep messing around with these before "springing"(haha) for the Townshend footers.
Based on a number of recommendations I purchased a set of Townshend Audio Seismic Isolation Podiums for my Tekton Moabs. They decouple and "float" the speakers on a spring-loaded metal base. It opens-up the sound and adds solidity to the bass but doesn't make the sound harsh like most most metal speaker bases. Pictures added.
I went ahead and added a complete Synergistic Research ART acoustic system. It's based on resonators and even though its SR's "old" acoustic system it integrates very well and compliments the overall sound that you can achieve with their current UEF acoustic items. Synergistic Research realizes this, of course, and is re-releasing the Vibratron which is the large multi-resonator in the middle/upper part of the wall between the speakers. Pictures added.
ksnel331 - The tweeters are the Satori TW29B-B. It fits the opening exactly and comes in 4 ohm which is what I needed. It uses a regular ferrite magnet and costs less than the TW29BN-B which uses a neodymium magnet. You can even get a silver flange on these but I decided against that. Madisound is the US distributor for Satori but if you want to take a chance I've seen them on EBay at a decent discount. I wouldn't say the upgrade was "easy". I had to do a little cutting to get the terminals to fit and redrill the screw holes. Also, you really should solder the wire back into place. The main problem is getting the old tweeter out without chipping the paint so you have to take your time. Thanks for checking out my system and good luck with the tweeter upgrade if you decide to do it.
I was checking out your system. Specifically the Moabs because I also have them. Curious about your tweeter upgrade. Was it easy to do and where did you get them from? Thanks and your system looks great and I am sure sounds even better.
Man I would love to hear this setup. You have a lot of voodoo going on there and I bet it’s sublime. I don’t know how I can have so many favorites here but yours is one of them! That SR stuff is awesome as are your speakers. I’d get moabs spec’d exactly like you did yours. Super sweet set-up!
I now use 3 different Atmospheres in my system. The original Atmosphere, FEQ x4 and the Mini x4 so that I have complete coverage of the room. It's a lot like what SR is doing with their Infinity setups. I use Red ATMs. The sound is HUGE. I've updated the system pics.
I installed beryllium Sartori TW29B-B tweeters in the Moabs. As far as I can tell its the same tweeter that Tekton uses for it's upgrades. It was pretty much a direct fit. It adds micro detail and open-ups the soundstage but it's not harsh. In fact, I think it's smoother than the tweeter it replaced. Well worth the expense and effort.
I finally finished making my own "high definition" grounding cables for my Synergistic Research Grounding block. Very nice improvement across the board in micro-detail. The biggest improvement (this was a surprise) is when I grounded the chassis of the Powercell 12 UEF!
The last piece of the overhaul (for awhile at least) is the Synergistic Research Powercell 12 UEF. It's obviously UEF based and uses EM in its conditioning. The sound is immediate and clear yet delicate and settle. It's a study in contrasts at this level of stereo performance. Amazing, sit and listen for hours type of sound.
I've also gradually moved to a full-loom of Synergistic Research Foundation power cables, interconnects and speaker cables. I was using very high value Western Electric cables before but, as should be expected, the Synergistic Research are a clear step up - especially in the quality of the bass.
Massive overhaul of my system. I changed pretty much everything except for the Moabs. The biggest change was to my amp. I had an excellent Melody AN845 integrated that gave glorious sound but I wanted to at least try the new Purifi amp modules. I ended up with the Apollon which has dual power supplies and the Sparkos Pro input buffer. WOW - everything that people have said about these amps is true! Absolute control of the bass, the mids are clear/very realistic, the highs are never hot, they just sound natural and the soundstage is huge. I hated to see it go but I sold the Melody.
The next big change was to my preamp, DAC, streamer. Previously, I had a LUMIN D2 which was excellent. I wanted to try dual powered subs with the Moabs so I needed something like the NAD C 658 that gives you total control over your subs and includes an excellent streamer and DAC.
The subs I added are Earthquake SuperNova MKIVs. I only use them at 30Hz and below which they are excellent for. Really fills-out the bottom end with the Moabs plus they are easy to find on the used market and are reasonably priced.
Finally, based on my reading and understanding about EM in our stereo systems, I went ahead and purchased an ADD-Powr Wizard which actually adds EM to the AC. Bottom-line it works very well by making the music sound more natural. Something you have to hear to completely appreciate.
Like I've discussed many times before the key to getting good sound is to manipulate the power feeding our system and the audio signal itself. Science shows electronic signals (which obviously include audio and power) are affected by electromagnetic fields (EM). If we manipulate EM (by either adding or subtracting it) in our systems we can getter better sound. Ever since alternating current was adopted as the choice for power distribution we have manipulated EM in transformers, phono cartridges and, of course, speakers via their magnets or powered field coils. For the last 10 years or more companies have been manipulating specific types of EM to make stereo systems sound better. Here is a list of companies I know do this: Nordost, Furutech, High Fidelity, Synergistic Research, Kemp Electronics, Shunyata Research, Virtual Dynamics, Akiko Audio, Audio Magic, Audioquest, Acoustic Revive, ADD-Powr, Bybee and Perfect Path Technologies. They are many different techniques to manipulate EM such as using normal magnets, magnets painted with graphene, crystals, schumann resonance generators (which are nothing more than low-frequency EM fields) and active circuits. Old-school electrical engineers, who claim to be audiophiles, don't seem to understand this, or admit it's possible, even when it's explained to them. Oh well, it's their loss for being closed-minded, stubborn and arrogant.
