This brought the single greatest improvement in my system.
AppleTV 160GB internal
Hard Drive based music server dishing up Apple Lossless files. Controlled with my iPhone
Pass Labs Aleph P
With remote.
Pass Labs Aleph 3
My first love. Hearing this was like eating premium vanilla ice cream after having been raised on the store brand. I didn't know it could be so good. This component has been in my system longer than any other.
Great looking room and system, but your'e busted! I recognize your equipment rack. I have my microwave on top of one just like it, but there is also 2 drawers; one for potatoes and one for onions. From Bed, Bath and Beyond I think.
Very nice system! I'm sure you're already looking into getting a DAC for your Apple TV. The HRT Music Streamer II USB DAC is a real bargain. It recently replaced my Fubar II and either one was a dramatic improvement over the internal Apple DAC. Highly recommended and affordable upgrade.
I live in LA (so cal) too. I don't think there is a better place in the world for used record shopping!
Tobuns...I must be missing something but where it the digital-to-analog conversion happening? Your BAT pre- does not have an onboard DAC, right? Is there an on-board DAC in the Apple TV? Thx
System edited: I added an AppleTV with 160GB internal drive and connected it to the pre-amp with some old MIT cables. I tucked the unit behind a piece of furniture and I can't even see it. I loaded it full of apple lossless files and I'm controlling it with my iPhone over wi-fi (works anywhere in the apartment). This has changed the way I listen to music. I wish I had done this years ago!
Thanks for the compliments. Thiel and Pass are a classic combination. Tremendous transparency, excellent timber, great cohesion. The soundstage never comes forward from the plane of the speakers but expands in height, width, and especially depth beyond the boundaries of the room. When you sit in the sweet spot, it's very much a "you are there" experience.
The 90dB efficiency and 4 Ohm load of the CS1.6 make the Aleph 3 a pretty good match, although I could easily see myself being happier with the 100 watt Aleph 2 monoblocks. For now, the limited power and bandwidth help keep me in check; I have a lot of shared walls in my small apartment and want to be a good neighbor.
Great looking system there. How do the Thiels sound with the Pass amp? I owned those speakers for a while and did like them. Love your albums on the wall. You have one of my favorites, "Post," along with one that I keep trying to like, "In The Aeroplane Over The Sea." Maybe NMH sounds better on vinyl as the last time I listened to it on cd it actually made my ears hurt.
I also have a set of ultrathin interconnects. Generally I think the wire has a nice clear, open sound. I think the soudstage is a little flat, and the bass is a little lean compared to the transparent musicwave super cables that they replaced, but for going from a $1400 cable to a $60 cable, the trade off is slight. I love how the cable retains it's shape or can be made to take any shape. I also like the delicate, tweaky look as opposed to a big hose laid across the floor.
Beautiful system! I am struggling with set up and keeping my 1.5 yr old from knocking over speakers etc. which is a challange in itself. I also have the mapleshade golden helix and am very happy with them. What are your thoughts on the wires?
