I visited audioquattr last week and, after I swore to him that I would not say a word about this amazing new system, I had to have Tinka put duct tape over my mouth because I have been bursting at the seams wanting to tell people what I heard from this system.

From the one-of-a-kind Cessaro Zeta system we all heard in Munich this year, to the Alieno amp (which I heard at Jeroen’s over a year ago), to the Grado Epoch on the absurdly complicated looking but amazing sounding Reed 5T on a brand new TechDAS AF3 Premium sitting on a Stacore platform, to the lengthened dedicated listening room, to the in-the-wall giant subwoofer drivers this is, to my ears, one of the two or three best systems I have ever heard in my life. (Jeroen also has the world’s first client copy of the brand new Alieno line stage preamplifier.)

Now that Jeroen has posted a photo of his stunning system on the AF3 thread I can finally spill the beans. This is such a unique system, with multiple presently one-of-a-kind components, I told Jeroen that, like MikeL’s system, among the systems I have heard personally, I think this is a system of real significance in the world of high-end audio.

After I visited Jeroen I did not write a coherent, comprehensive visit report like I normally do. So my observations on this thread are going to be more stream of consciousness rather than my usual coherence.

I did not even take any photos while I was there because I almost did not trust myself not to post them. I did take a cool video, but I do not know how to upload it here. Update a photo here:

aqCesZ1.jpg
 
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Ron, a good example of the critical need for component matching in top systems, esp analog. Any idea why Audioquattr is still running the Reed arm?

Any thoughts on the Alieno? Can you isolate it's influence from total system performance?

The Reed linear-tracking tonearm is gone as result of the laser reader’s sensitivity to light which to the amazement of both of us caused the cartridge to be blasted off the record by a sunbeam through the blinds as the sun was setting.
 
We can read about analog v. digital all day on other threads. I'm more curious about this beautiful system. Ron, what kind of music does Audioquattr listen to? Does the system favor one genre over another? It looks at though the VYGER has replaced the Kronos. Did Audioquattr discuss this change with you? How about the Mayer phono and the Pass XS phono? Did he discuss the differences, or did you hear each? Thanks for your great reporting. This is an incredible looking room and system and I particularly like the gear rack behind the sofa.
On analog i mostly listen to jazz. And some classical but need to discover more. On digital i listen to everything, jazz , fusion, ECM stuff, rock, classical and lots of music to discover easy on that. The system is doing all quiet well, at least that is the goal :).
Yes the Vyger has replaced the Kronos. I very much prefer the Vyger (by far).

I still like the Pass phono, it is very flexibel. You can use it with all kind of carts. I tried some more phonos last year but most where not that flexibel and also not sounding better. The Mayer is much more transparent.
And tone is more natural, the Pass has a bit of a boost in midbass, allthough highs are very good for a SS.
The Thomas Mayer is pure and because of that not flexible. It only works for the MC's where it is designed for.
The Redsparrow and the lower output/lower impedance VdH MS works great with it.
 
On analog i mostly listen to jazz. And some classical but need to discover more. On digital i listen to everything, jazz , fusion, ECM stuff, rock, classical and lots of music to discover easy on that. The system is doing all quiet well, at least that is the goal :).
Yes the Vyger has replaced the Kronos. I very much prefer the Vyger (by far).

I still like the Pass phono, it is very flexibel. You can use it with all kind of carts. I tried some more phonos last year but most where not that flexibel and also not sounding better. The Mayer is much more transparent.
And tone is more natural, the Pass has a bit of a boost in midbass, allthough highs are very good for a SS.
The Thomas Mayer is pure and because of that not flexible. It only works for the MC's where it is designed for.
The Redsparrow and the lower output/lower impedance VdH MS works great with it.

Incredible system....congrats!!!
 
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On analog i mostly listen to jazz. And some classical but need to discover more. On digital i listen to everything, jazz , fusion, ECM stuff, rock, classical and lots of music to discover easy on that.(...)

We have completely different systems, but very similar preferences on formats - 90% of my vinyl time is jazz and some chamber music, the remaining 10% for my old recordings I only have in vinyl.

Can I ask which USB cable you are using in the Extreme?
 
I still like the Pass phono, it is very flexibel. You can use it with all kind of carts. I tried some more phonos last year but most where not that flexibel and also not sounding better. The Mayer is much more transparent.
And tone is more natural, the Pass has a bit of a boost in midbass, allthough highs are very good for a SS.
The Thomas Mayer is pure and because of that not flexible. It only works for the MC's where it is designed for.
The Redsparrow and the lower output/lower impedance VdH MS works great with it.

Audioquattr, you should give the brand new Lampizator Phono MC pre a listen. It is REALLY something special :eek:
M and I compared it yesterday to his NVO phono and to his DS Audio W2 System and we were completely bowled over by the Lampi phono pre :cool:
 
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Audioquattr, you should give the brand new Lampizator Phono MC pre a listen. It is REALLY something special :eek:
M and I compared it yesterday to his NVO phono and to his DS Audio W2 System and we were completely bowled over by the Lampi phono pre :cool:
Do you mind creating a thread for the Lampi Phono expanding on your experience? I am in the market for a phono and this one is in my budget. Thanks!
 
We have completely different systems, but very similar preferences on formats - 90% of my vinyl time is jazz and some chamber music, the remaining 10% for my old recordings I only have in vinyl.

Can I ask which USB cable you are using in the Extreme?

I use the FTA USB cable. I forgot the type, i hope @christoph or Golum knows.
I tried and own several , top AQ, Total-dac, Sablon, but much prefer this FTA. Not a small difference.
Soundstage and tone is incredible with it.
 
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Audioquattr, you should give the brand new Lampizator Phono MC pre a listen. It is REALLY something special :eek:
M and I compared it yesterday to his NVO phono and to his DS Audio W2 System and we were completely bowled over by the Lampi phono pre :cool:
That's good to know!
I have asked for it but waiting for an answer for some time now..
 
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We heard some tracks through the Pass and some tracks through the Mayer. I hope Audioquattr weighs in with his answers to your questions.

My impression is that Audioquattr listens mostly to jazz and classical but he also likes some vocals and some popular and electronic-type music.

I think Audioquattr prefers the build quality of the TechDAS over the build quality of the Kronos, but I defer to him for elaboration.

The Epoch was not pulling the sonic weight it pulled last year when I was mesmerized by the Epoch on the Reed linear tracker. Jeroen thinks this may be because the Pass phono is not as transparent as the Mayer phono. This time the Epoch sounded a bit dull and lifeless and overly smooth. I was very confused about this.

I would point to the phonostage for what you reported on the Epoch...the phonostage is VERY important to the overall SQ of analog.
 
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On analog i mostly listen to jazz. And some classical but need to discover more. On digital i listen to everything, jazz , fusion, ECM stuff, rock, classical and lots of music to discover easy on that. The system is doing all quiet well, at least that is the goal :).
Yes the Vyger has replaced the Kronos. I very much prefer the Vyger (by far).

I still like the Pass phono, it is very flexibel. You can use it with all kind of carts. I tried some more phonos last year but most where not that flexibel and also not sounding better. The Mayer is much more transparent.
And tone is more natural, the Pass has a bit of a boost in midbass, allthough highs are very good for a SS.
The Thomas Mayer is pure and because of that not flexible. It only works for the MC's where it is designed for.
The Redsparrow and the lower output/lower impedance VdH MS works great with it.
ECM on vinyl is awesome...try Ralph Towner's Solstice as a top example.
 
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I can do that but not before tomorrow, I'm busy tonight...

Be interested too. Not from the point of view of buying at the moment but I am planning on a vinyl resurrection to play those albums I grew up with that haven't seen any action for a good few years. Much of it doesn't seem to exist in the digital domain that feels right. They keep messing around with what is on classic albums to the extent it becomes abhorrent to me. At least in terms of what is available on the digital streaming services.

Any pricing details would be good too.
 
Haha, Justin. You need to delete all those sniffy vinyl comments you've left over time Lol.

Don't worry, we're v happy to have you back on the straight and narrow. There's always a place w us for those who left the one true and straight path.
 
Be interested too. Not from the point of view of buying at the moment but I am planning on a vinyl resurrection to play those albums I grew up with that haven't seen any action for a good few years. Much of it doesn't seem to exist in the digital domain that feels right. They keep messing around with what is on classic albums to the extent it becomes abhorrent to me. At least in terms of what is available on the digital streaming services.

Any pricing details would be good too.
This digital apostasy will not stand!
 

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