One Amigo Visits South East Asia and Hears Some Amazing Systems

[LL21]

A (much) better clock does wonders. The same applies to (i) proper isolation - in my case Halcyonics/Accurion active magnetic devices -, (ii) top of the line pc (in my case the Tidal pc's I wrote about elsewhere on WBF) and (iii) (of course) three Shun Mook feet. With all this the Zanden combo is a 'killer' player, Ked.

That has been my experience as well. i have changed all the power supply tubes to Mullards from Brent Jessee at his specific recommendation (1950/60s vintage is what he sent). And Amperex 7308 signal tube. My isolation is that each box is in its own 'isolation sandwich' with HRS/Stillpoints underneath and HRS, Artesania and Stillpoints on top...plus mass damping on the transport. Each one also has some Entreq Wraps as well around digital and power cables and umbilicals.

A Distributor who came to visit and had heard a reviewer's 4-box Zanden had said there was a significant improvement with these changes, in particular to bass power, snap and transient speed. It does house music well now, whereas when i first got it, it was quite a softish sounding bass/snap. And yet these changes have only allowed the organic, sweet intensity of the Zanden to come forth stronger. changing that was an absolutely 'no go' for me, and it took months to setup the Zanden the way it is today.

And i have not changed my clock to a special one the way some have.

I think the one area where the Zanden is better than most, comparable to some, but not leading is in absolute detail retrieval of every last iota. I [think] the DCS Vivaldi is superior in this regard.

 

[jadis]

Steve,

We have now a lot of of details about the room and system. Considering the average time of vinyl and tape, in 9 hours you probably listened to more than 15 recordings. Do you (and the other lucky listeners) want to give us some details about the recordings, particularly in classical (my main interest ...)?

I was the first to arrive so I got the initial salvo.

I requested for a Nimbus Supercut remastering of Dave Grusin's Mountain Dance. Played thru Side 2 last cut which is my favorite - Either Way.

As Dafos mentioned, we played Cantate Domino, the JVC half speed pressing.

Another was Duke Ellington's Jazz Party on Columbia 6 eye Stereo deep groove original.

Then towards the night we played the Decca Wide Band La Fille Mal Gardee, ending with Brother's Four Lennon Songbook. There were some classical pieces played in the afternoon but I can only remember Brahm's Violin Concerto.

 

[microstrip]

I was the first to arrive so I got the initial salvo.

I requested for a Nimbus Supercut remastering of Dave Grusin's Mountain Dance. Played thru Side 2 last cut which is my favorite - Either Way.

As Dafos mentioned, we played Cantate Domino, the JVC half speed pressing.

Another was Duke Ellington's Jazz Party on Columbia 6 eye Stereo deep groove original.

Then towards the night we played the Decca Wide Band La Fille Mal Gardee, ending with Brother's Four Lennon Songbook. There were some classical pieces played in the afternoon but I can only remember Brahm's Violin Concerto.

Thanks.
It seems digital had a chance in this listening session -wasn't Mountain Dance the first all digital recording of Dave Grusin GRP label? Was there any backup reel to reel recording also being run?

 

[Steve williams]

we played Cantate Domino as well

 

[jadis]

Thanks.
It seems digital had a chance in this listening session -wasn't Mountain Dance the first all digital recording of Dave Grusin GRP label? Was there any backup reel to reel recording also being run?

That's right, it was a digital recording, first released under Arista, then as a Japanese JVC, then as G R P.. What we listened to was a Nimbus Super cut remaster. There were a total of 5 reels, so 4 must be back ups.

 

[microstrip]

As you know I am very detail oriented in this hobby - I will add one more question. I could see a EMT JPA-66 MkII in the photos. Were you using it in all your vinyl auditions with the included step up transformers?

 

[Steve williams]

The phono stage??

Yes both Jim and Jack have one. I don't recall any external step up transformers being used

Jack did tell me that the EMT phono stage uses 3 pair of 12AX7 tubes which in both their cases involves the sacred NOS Telefunken ECC 803S tubes

 

[ddk]

Hi Steve,
Just noticed the columns behind you in this picture, are they speakers?

david

 

[Steve williams]

Those are indeed a special pair of speakers that Sam commissioned to be built for himself. Beyond that I don't know that much about them as I was mesmerized by the stacked Quads

 

[microstrip]

The phono stage??

Yes both Jim and Jack have one. I don't recall any external step up transformers being used

Jack did tell me that the EMT phono stage uses 3 pair of 12AX7 tubes which in both their cases involves the sacred NOS Telefunken ECC 803S tubes

Probably Jim was using the the internal step up transformers. I was not remembering Jack also uses it, probably he will tell us something about the EMT step up.

I could never get any information on the differences between the EMT JPA-66 mkI and mkII - very little is known about this unit. I know it is based technically in the old dual mono EMT 139B, but little else.

 

[bonzo75]

How does the EMT line stage compare to top of the line pre amps, or is it preferred mainly for its phono with the line stage being another one?

 

[JackD201]

How does the EMT line stage compare to top of the line pre amps, or is it preferred mainly for its phono with the line stage being another one?

I still prefer to use a preamp after my EMT. There's something about the Lamm L2 Reference gain staging with the Lamm M2.2s as well as the CH Precision L1/X1 and the M1 monos.

 

[bonzo75]

Thanks, so you believe in the synergy. You don't use the Lamm pre with CH monos?

 

[JackD201]

I did but I prefer to go either all balanced or all single ended whenever I can.

 

[ddk]

Those are indeed a special pair of speakers that Sam commissioned to be built for himself. Beyond that I don't know that much about them as I was mesmerized by the stacked Quads

Maybe Sam can chime in.

david

 

[c1ferrari]

Steve, Jim, Jack, Phil, and Sam (apologies if I've omitted anyone),

What an exquisite experience in many more ways than audio!
Thank all of you for including us in the journey.

 

[mullard88]

On post #236, it was pure pleasure for me to meet a gentleman such as Steve. Steve was absolutely game for anything. He was the perfect guest. When we went to lunch, he told me to order anything. It was only after he left that I knew he could not eat pigeon. Steve should take the credit here. He braved himself and Cathy to make the trip in spite of his apprehension of the bullet planting scam in the airport here. Steve took all the pictures posted here, wrote about each one of us, wrote about our equipment, and our shared time outside of audio. It was a Herculean effort by Steve.

The person you forget to mention is Jerry.

And Steve, I enjoyed every moment that day from the time you arrived at my home to the end of Jack's perfect dinner. Take care and keep enjoying our hobby.

And a big thank you to Jack for getting everyone together.

 

[mullard88]

Hi David,

On post #235, the towers behind us are a pair of stacked Metaphor 2s. I have two pairs of Metaphor 2s as I intended to stack them up similar to how other hobbyists stack their Vandersteen speakers. It had remained an intended project for more than 10 years. Sadly, super mario, who takes care of my equipment, was diagnosed with terminal cancer last December and was only given 6 to 12 months. This pushed us to immediately start on stacking the Metaphor 2s. The stacking contraption was designed by the same person who took responsibility on the aesthetics of my listening room. This pair of stacked Metaphor 2s will rotate into my listening room by the middle of next month.

sam

 

[ddk]

Hi David,

On post #235, the towers behind us are a pair of stacked Metaphor 2s. I have two pairs of Metaphor 2s as I intended to stack them up similar to how other hobbyists stack their Vandersteen speakers. It had remained an intended project for more than 10 years. Sadly, super mario, who takes care of my equipment, was diagnosed with terminal cancer last December and was only given 6 to 12 months. This pushed us to immediately start on stacking the Metaphor 2s. The stacking contraption was designed by the same person who took responsibility on the aesthetics of my listening room. This pair of stacked Metaphor 2s will rotate into my listening room by the middle of next month.

sam

Hi Sam,

Looks like me you also have a thing for vintage speakers ! I barely remember the Metaphors from years ago they had a nice reputation for musicality and neutrality. Keep us posted when move the speakers in the main room, stacking full range speakers is very different than stacking Quads but it will be interesting for sure.

Edit- Now that I know what I'm looking at I see that we have a side view in the picture, your friend has done a beautiful job with the stand!

david

 

[mullard88]

Hi David,

I'll remember to post the stacked Metaphor 2s when they take their turn to play. I will pass your comment to the designer. I think it will make her very happy.

Sam