Description

I've been into hi-fi as a hobbyist for more years than I care to remember..During this time I cannot even remember how many different pieces of equipment have graced (and occasionally spoiled) my listening rooms, from the budget sector of the market to the truly esoteric one. Funnily enough, even as my equipment changed at an alarmingly fast rate, the one thing that remained constant in my mind was my indifference to one make systems. I always appreciated their visual uniformity and "default" synergy but somehow I always used to believe that better results can be achieved by mixing and matching different components. If anything it gave me the chance to further indulge into my favourite past time and to listen to tons of different stuff regardless of whether I could afford them or not (the real perks)!

From the looks of my current set up, it is rather obvious that my one make system preconceptions have pretty much disappeared by now. To be honest, I have fallen in love with Audio Analogue; I really enjoy the effortless musicality, the lucid and smooth presentation, that silky top end, the tube-like qualities and the wide and open sound stage that my new system gives me. I have really come to appreciate how enjoyable my listening sessions have become. So, bottom line, it's good times all around. My perennial and insatiable desire for continuous upgrades has now subsided and I can now sit back and enjoy the music! Cheers everyone!
Read more...

Room Details

Dimensions: 24’ × 16’  Large
Ceiling: 18’


Components Toggle details

    • VYGER Timor Gen. II
     Latest Gen. II version.
    • Goldnote U-39
    Uni-pivot tonearm with upgraded cabling.
    • Bluelectric Virus
    Based on the Denon 103 - upgraded by Roberto Torlai in Italy.
    • Audio Analogue Maestro 24/192
    REV. 2.0
    • Audio Analogue Vivace DAC
    • Audio Analogue Maestro Line Reference
    Replaced my earlier Bellini Virtual Battery
    • Goldnote PH-7 & PSU-7 Phono Amp
    Two box, half width phono stage with separate power supply.
    • Audio Analogue Maestro mono amps
    Big, heavy and beautiful sounding amplifiers.
    • Audio Analogue Cherubini VT
    Vacuum Tube tuner with USB/DAC section.
    • Rosso Fiorentino Volterra
    Replaced my Rosso Fiorentino Fiesole standmounts - sublime finish with a very musical and engaging sound.
    • BCD Low Group Delay
    Audio Analogue's own - XLR and RCA - 5 pairs in total.
    • BCD SPC-2
    Audio Analogue's own speaker cables. Great VFM.
    • BCD Power cables
    Good power cables in their own right
    • Nexus Acoustics S4 racks
    2x High mass solid oak rack
    • Goldnote Arno
    2 x Power strip/conditioner
    • HiDiamond Power
    From mains to power strip

Comments 21

Hi, that looks like a beautiful system. The Vivace DAC (of which I have no experience) seems a classical music lover's dream...

I am intrigued by the R.F. Volterra speakers. When you changed to Rosso Fiorentino, what did you gain (or lose) sonically over your old Chario Ursa Major? I'd be very interested to hear your views on that, especially in terms of sonic character of each, low frequency tonality and extension. Trying to figure out which might work best for me (20 ft x 15 x 9 room). Have read extensively on both previously.
Thanks :)

pawn_hearts

Owner
System finally coming into place: added the Audio Analogue Maestro Monoblock amps, the Audio Analogue Cherubini Tuner and Vivace USB/DAC; a new pair of speakers, in the shape of the Rosso Fiorentino Volterra, have now replaced their smaller siblings, the Fiesole.

jnk

Owner
Four main changes to report: Rosso Fiorentino Fiesole stand mounts replaced the Chario Ursa Major; new tonearm, in the form of the Goldnote U-39, replacing a modded Rega 300, followed by a new cartridge, the Bluelectric Virus. Upgraded my pre-amp, from the AA Bellini to the Maestro Reference line - next upgrade will be the AA Maestro mono amplifiers.

jnk

Owner
System edited: Replaced my Ortofon Kontrapunkt with a Phasemation P3G.

jnk

Congrats, love the V.Y.G.E.R. turntables, the Atlantis is simply superb, and te Timor is really nice. Enjoy !

noncondition

Owner
System edited: Christmas presents: Vyger Timor t/t - Siltech LS 88 speaker cables throughout.

jnk

Owner
System edited: Changed my short lived and accident prone Benz Glider S to an Ortofon Kontrapunkt C cartridge.

jnk

Owner
System edited: Changed speaker cables to a Fadel Art Stream Duo/Stream Special combination, driving the low and mid/high frequencies respectively. Detailed, transparent and very natural sounding cables.

jnk

Owner
System edited: Changed all cabling to Siltech SQ-28 (Classic MK2); they sound wonderful! Now contemplating an upgrade to the speaker cables, with Acoustic Zen Satori, Van den Hul Revelation and Inspiration and Chord Signature/Epic as candidates.

jnk

Owner
To my ears, the Verdi Cento outperformed both the Verdi Settanta and the Puccini Settanta; when I listened to them, they all had the same "signature sound", but the Cento had more grip, a better lower end and a very silky mid and top end. Perhaps is had to do with the increased power and the obvious advantages of the solid state/valve pre/power sections. There is now a Special edition version of it, which sounds quite tempting.
With all AA products, I find that there is a family sound that is shared within all products, starting with the Primo and going up to their hi-end series; If you liked the primo you will be really satisfied with any of their composer series.

jnk

I looked up the AA line and see there is the Verdi Cento and Settanta v2. Are you saying he Cento is better or the Settanta v2?

Where do the Primo and Puccini perform, compared to the Verdi in your opinion?

Years ago I owned the entry Primo and still distinctly remember its captivating sound.

Thanks

mjcmt

Owner
Dritchey,
So sorry about the delay in the reply; been in the wilderness for far too long.
A friend of mine recently tried out the Verdi Settanta vs the new Verdi Cento and the latter sounded better all around; punchier,sharper, rounder, better defined and with better driving abilities. I would definitely recommend it with the Paganini.
The Bellini VB is one hell of a preamp; works great with the AA power amps but I heard it with a number of other power combos(including Audia,Ayre and even Pathos) and it made some really sweet music. I do think it is the star of the AA line up and not that far behind the Maestro pre-amp which costs three times as much. If you can get your hands on one, go for it.,

jnk

JNK, very nice system. Have you ever heard the Verdi Settanata hybrid amp.Also interested in the AA preamps.Any input would help.P.S. I have the Pagannini cd player and love it.

dritchey

Owner
System edited: New interconnects all around: Replaced my previous Looking Glass/Alpha Sterling combination with SR's Tesla Magnetic Tricon and AU-79 cables, all in balanced configuration. It took some really serious time for them to burn in and show their qualities but now I'm definitely hooked.

jnk

Owner
Hey guys, thanks for your kind comments! The Chario's are indeed great speakers and I will be keeping them for some time to come. They sound really good with my current AA gear and they really sang when paired with AA's high end Maestro power amps (which I auditioned just for the fun of it, I can't afford them right now...). A recent change in the interconnect line up will be my last upgrade for the foreseeable future.

jnk

Love you AA lineup. I understand the pleasure you are describing, because I owned the Primo entry integrated and it was musical enjoyment all the way. Looked into the next step up and got sidetracked to other brands.

I know what you are talking about when you say "how enjoyable my listening sessions has become".

mjcmt

Hi Juk,

what amazing speakers, I own a pair too, I bet you'll never replace it !

noncondition

Owner
System edited: Added a van den Hul MC One cartridge.

jnk

Owner
System edited: Added a Solidsteel H6 stand. Worth the wait!

jnk

Owner
Will be coming up very shortly!!

jnk

Photos of your system and room would be nice.

mjcmt

Displaying all 21 posts