my system is so much better than i ever dreamed when i started this journey about 30 years ago.never did i think i would be possible to achieve the sound, i currently hear, in my listening room.My amps are superb...the speakers are amazing...the network player sounds better than the SACD player that preceeded it.I have 2 Silent Source 'Music Reference' power cords.My new Silversmith 'Fidelium' speaker cables are truly amazing.The addition of the Uptown Audio 'EtheREGEN has significantly improved the sound.The addition of the Salon ethernet cable has improved the sonics.I changed my previous modem/router setup to a single Actiontec product.Have just added 2 REL 212 SE subwoofers. The addition has significantly improved the soundstage and midrange....as well as the bass.I have recently replaced the Symposium Platforms that were under my speakers..Tidal and RELs, with AV RoomServive EVP HDR isolation devices that have significantly improved the sound.Upgrading my Lumin to X1 level was a great idea.....Have replaced the Psvane WE 300B tubes with Psvane ACME 300B tubes.My 845s are Psvane WEs.Have also added a LessLoss Entropic C-MARC power cord to my Lumin X1.Have also added a LessLoss C-MARC RCA interconnect..Stay tuned..
David, let's plan on that. It should be a lot of fun. We just have to time it correctly for the bambinos sake. I will let you know more specifics when we have our travel times worked out.
Charles, I am an audio anthropologist of sorts and watch these guys on their forums. They have zeal indeed that surpasses us IMO. The pattern here is to buy some gucci name brand equipment, start a system thread which is invariably "an all out assault" and hold court while others fawn over our shine new stuff. They, on the other hand, despite having systems some of which approach 1,000,000, keep pushing and pushing and pushing. The grounding game (Tripoint) is just one of many examples. They seem to keep an open and curious mind and keep moving forward. For us, an all out assault is a state of mind like a movie. For them, it is an actual battle. I tip my hat to them. I am unworthy.
As one of my most astute and golden eared audiophile friends (Joe Tucker) said, you have to stay humble in this hobby to get good sound. Keep an open mind and never stop learning....
Dave and Charles, thank you. Kids are a gift from heaven. I will indeed bring pics, and I would be honored to meet Tom. We will be making a family trip to C'ville in the spring.....
Dave, as an aside, I told Miguel at Tripoint Audio about your amps, and he is intrigued. He shares Tom's fanatical attention to detail. His stuff (external grounding boxes and power conditioners) is SOTA and he moves a lot of product in Asia. Chalice Audio would do well there although there are obvious hurdles and logistical headaches. On the flip side, the Asian audio community has a zeal that many of us lack and are willing to spend serious cash to get there if necessary....
Hi Dave. I am a new Daddy as of Nov 8th! Julia Mae, 21 inches and 8.9 lbs. Thanks for asking. Hannah is having some slight adjustment issues, but everyone is doing well. Thanks for the data on the 300Bs. I will have to roll away. One L7 owner likes the Carbon Sophias and another is looking at the Psvane WE replicas. Time will tell.
So there is one other lucky Grail owner out there? I think I remember hearing that. A year for the upgrade? Most philes would have a seizure, but I would gladly wait for that kind of sound. Believe it or not, I have waited longer for stuff, and it was worth the wait. People would spend less time in audio purgatory if they were more patient. Any time I dart off to Charlottesville, expect a visit.... :)
Dave, what are your favorite 300Bs? I am starting to tube roll for the sake of my dac. I currently own EML 45 solid plates, and am looking at 300Bs along with 2A3/6A3s as the Lampizator 7 can use 45s, 2A3s, 300Bs and even 845s!
Charles, they remind me of Tripoint equipment in terms of fit and finish and performance. I know that a high profile dealer in the DC area who sold the most expensive tube amps in the world at the time said they were the best he had personally heard. Its not jus little old me who has that perception.
Dave, you you for the marvelous hospitality. Your system is splendid and those amps the best I have heard to date in terms of complete and utter naturalness, purity of tone, etc, etc. We need to resurrect Chalice Audio!
Calloway, your amps are one of the few out there that give me audio envy! I noticed Chalice Audio's website gets linked to some Chinese site? What is their story?
FYI, I did fart around with high powered SETs (Kora Stereo) on my previous speakers (91 dB, ohm) and loved them. They were just a pain to bias and not safe around toddlers. If I had the cash (really if the wife allowed me), I would take a long look at Chalice. Total sweetness....
I will take you up on that. Where are you located exactly? I grew in Charlottesville and went to school there. My wife and I live in Charlotte now but still visit the folks from time to time (pop is a retired prof).
It is my understanding that your amps are actually made in Virginia? Very kool.
Calloway, I have had multiple seasoned philes and manufacturers alike provide that counsel to me. I am not certain of the physics involved, but it makes some intuitive sense with potential disruption of the soundstage and the reflective/absorptive capacities of glass. Its academic since a formal A/B test would be ridiculous and you are happy.
Your amps look spectacular. I have worked extensively with Starsound on room and equipment grounding schemes, and Robert commented that the Chalice guys knew what they were doing simply by looking at the way the tube sockets were designed. Most tube manufacturers DO NOT attend to that level of detail.
Calloway, great system. Those amps look enticing. Room treatments? I know people go back and forth about room issues, but what do you think about having that big, honking piece of furniture between your speakers?
