Your "World's Best Audio System" . . . 2012 Edition

[microstrip]

The astute among you will now know . . .

Jeff,

Did I guess the remaining specifications?

Sensitivity 94dB
Driver Complement:
1 x 1” Tweeter
1 x 6” Midrange
1 x 10” Midbass
2 x 12” Bass
Impedance: 4 Ohms
Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 50 kHz
Recommended Power: 50 – 1200 Watts
Dimensions: 60”H x 32”D x 15”W (152cm x 81cm x 38cm)
Weight: 750 lbs. (340 kg)

 

[flez007]

I most list two versions, sorry

1.- Gryphon Mephisto/Sonatta Allegro as a solid state option
2.- Jadis JA200/JP80 for the valve route

Sources:
Turntable - Clearaudio Master Reference/Triplanar/Koetsu Blue/FM Acoustics ps
CDP - Accuphase DP900/DC901
RtR - Nagra T / King Cello preamp

Speakers - Avalon Isis

 

[LL21]

I most list two versions, sorry

1.- Gryphon Mephisto/Sonatta Allegro as a solid state option
2.- Jadis JA200/JP80 for the valve route

Sources:
Turntable - Clearaudio Master Reference/Triplanar/Koetsu Blue/FM Acoustics ps
CDP - Accuphase DP900/DC901
RtR - Nagra T / King Cello preamp

Speakers - Avalon Isis

Hi Flez,

I agree with Gryphon for sure! i think Jeff knows Gryphon extremely well having reviewed and owned by the Antileon Signature and the Colosseum, as well as the Allegro preamp.

Have you ever yeard the Mephisto? I have heard from one dealer (and one owner of Colosseum monos) it is supposedly not better sounding than existing Gryphon amplification...just a little more powerful, and built mainly to attract the extremely wealthy Asian market seeking rare, expensive audio equipment.

I have read good things about Accuphase digital...how does the new CD Transport/DAC you mention above compare to other digital you've heard?

 

[flez007]

Hi Lloyd - I have not heard the Mephisto, just dreaming about it based on my experience I had with the S100, DM100 and Anthileon

I have had three different Accuphase digital sources, my current units are vintage but very musical ( good enough for my digital source aspirations I must say ), their liniearization design makes digital more analog-like, golden sounding and not overly explosive or pyrotechnic as some other digital gear sounds to my ears.

Have not heard this last iteration yet, but I assume again that based on my experience they should sound just fantastic!

 

[JackD201]

I looked up the Mephisto after Lloyd's post, It's specs show it wasn't what Jeff alludes to. The Q7 is a shoe in for the loudspeaker. My left nut gets wagered once again.

Totally in the dark as far as sources and amps go, especially the cables. I'm rather hoping the cables are the ones I'm using now. Those fit the profile but in this world of a million and one cable manufacturers, I'm not betting my other nut.

I do like the amplification approach. Personally, I'm running 110w pure Class A 0 GNFB into 8 ohms for my 8 ohm Mid and treble modules, 440w class A/AB into 4 ohms for my 4 ohm bass units, albeit I have 1000wpc into my built in subwoofers. Pretty close approach. My speakers are also 94dB sensitive but cost $75,000 less and weigh 300lbs per side less.

 

[LL21]

I looked up the Mephisto after Lloyd's post, It's specs show it wasn't what Jeff alludes to. The Q7 is a shoe in for the loudspeaker. My left nut gets wagered once again.

Totally in the dark as far as sources and amps go, especially the cables. I'm rather hoping the cables are the ones I'm using now. Those fit the profile but in this world of a million and one cable manufacturers, I'm not betting my other nut.

I do like the amplification approach. Personally, I'm running 110w pure Class A 0 GNFB into 8 ohms for my 8 ohm Mid and treble modules, 440w class A/AB into 4 ohms for my 4 ohm bass units, albeit I have 1000wpc into my built in subwoofers. Pretty close approach. My speakers are also 94dB sensitive but cost $75,000 less and weigh 300lbs per side less.

Hi Jack...sorry if my post misled you...Flez and i were just talking about Gryphon, but i knew Jeff's TWBAS amp was not the Mephisto which is just straight 175 watts per channel pure Class A...doubling all the way down to 0.5ohms and doubling again for peak wattage.

BTW, i just refreshed myself of your system and room...incredible...world-class.

 

[Jeff Fritz]

Great update and this is what I love about TWBAS; it is not just about the products but the experience and factors that many of us as consumers may not be aware of.
Hope there are more project-analysis-thought provoking based articles still to come, along with the products of course

Thanks
Orb

I was thinking about Orb's post and he's so right: For the really crazy audiophiles like us, there is no final audio destination -- thank goodness! That would take the fun out of it. The journey and sense of "what's next" is so important to the enjoyment.

 

[LL21]

Let me see if i can ask this leading question and get a sneak preview out of you...are TBWAS 2012 digital sources based on servers or transports?

 

[Jeff Fritz]

Let me see if i can ask this leading question and get a sneak preview out of you...are TBWAS 2012 digital sources based on servers or transports?

Happy to oblige:

Yes.

 

[JackD201]

Hi Jack...sorry if my post misled you...Flez and i were just talking about Gryphon, but i knew Jeff's TWBAS amp was not the Mephisto which is just straight 175 watts per channel pure Class A...doubling all the way down to 0.5ohms and doubling again for peak wattage.

BTW, i just refreshed myself of your system and room...incredible...world-class.

I'm flattered Lloyd, thanks

The Mephisto is one juicy looking amp that's for sure. I wonder if the production delay due to parts has something to do with the tragedy at Fukushima. Wavac and Accuphase are experiencing similar parts shortages as the tsunami took out some specialty parts factories.

I'm really curious about the source configuration now. Particularly if the transport and server will be sharing the same DAC via a master clock. Jeff is one naughty dude. I wouldn't want to be at the same Poker table.

 

[fas42]

For the really crazy audiophiles like us, there is no final audio destination -- thank goodness! That would take the fun out of it. The journey and sense of "what's next" is so important to the enjoyment.

I'm a really deranged audio nutter -- I do have a final audio destination: every recording can give of its best, without deficiencies of the playback system getting in the way. I agree the sense of "what's next" is crucial, but in my case that's all about pinpointing the "next" system weakness and then eradicating it ...

Sorry, sorry, back to the main program, yes, umm, the "world's best audio ...", okaaay, ...

Frank

 

[Orb]

Jeff,

Did I guess the remaining specifications?

Sensitivity 94dB
Driver Complement:
1 x 1” Tweeter
1 x 6” Midrange
1 x 10” Midbass
2 x 12” Bass
Impedance: 4 Ohms
Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 50 kHz
Recommended Power: 50 – 1200 Watts
Dimensions: 60”H x 32”D x 15”W (152cm x 81cm x 38cm)
Weight: 750 lbs. (340 kg)

I am wondering if it is the rather special new Wilson Audio high end speaker that is about to be or has completed development (sorry if that is the one you are hinting at), no idea how off this speaker is meant to be for listening (prototype or pre-development stage/etc).

Cheers
Orb

 

[Orb]

I was thinking about Orb's post and he's so right: For the really crazy audiophiles like us, there is no final audio destination -- thank goodness! That would take the fun out of it. The journey and sense of "what's next" is so important to the enjoyment.

Indeed, and maybe this is one of the reasons TWBAS is so popular and engages with every kind of audiophile, it is so much more than just a review of a product.

Thanks
Orb

 

[JackD201]

I enjoy reading it just to see the torture Jeff has to go through each time. LOL. I think making holes in the floor ranks waaaaaaaaaaaaaay up there if not at the very top. Well call me crazy too. I had a darned cargo lift installed to get my speakers down into my basement. It waits silently for the next time a behemoth comes a knockin'.

 

[hiroshige]

I am wondering if it is the rather special new Wilson Audio high end speaker that is about to be or has completed development (sorry if that is the one you are hinting at), no idea how off this speaker is meant to be for listening (prototype or pre-development stage/etc).

Cheers
Orb

Hi Orb

I believe the speaker is the Magico Q7.

 

[Orb]

Hiroshige,
thanks, missed hearing about that one somehow doh.
Cheers
Orb

 

[microstrip]

Hi Orb

I believe the speaker is the Magico Q7.

Yes, I took the specifications from the avguide.com forum thread:

http://www.avguide.com/article/magico-q7-cost-no-object-loudspeaker-limitless-dynamics

 

[Roysen]

Yes, the speakers Jeff has chosen must certainly be the Magico Q7, but what amplifiers at USD $160K with the unique configuration is his choice?

Earlier in the thread there were some discussions about what approach should be used when assembling a system. Mike Lavigne and some others argued that selecting a speaker which is an easy load for any amplifier should be the way to go because it would let you change amplifiers over time with sound as only priority and without regard for output power. Mike used his Evolution Acoustics speakers with active bass as an example.

I can't say that I agree to this approach. In my opinion the room and the loudspeaker should be the main interaction of concern. The first choice should be the speakers. The choice should be made based on how it is suited to the room and of course if you like its sound or not. Then you choose an amplifier which is suited to drive the speaker. It is the room/speaker interaction and the speakers sonic signature which influences the sound of any system most. So this should also be the main priority. If you choose a speaker based on its load on the amplifier, the amplifiers become the most influential factor and the amplifier has not the same impact on the sound of the system as the speaker/room.

If you choose a speaker with an active bass section to be able to use low powered amplifiers, you will normaly learn that the internal amplifiers in the bass section of the speakers are a compromise of sound vs cost. The bass amplifier will normaly not be of the same quality as what you choose as your main amplifiers. This is the reason why Wilson's top subwoofers XS and Thor's Hammer are built without internal amplification.

I would like to add that my comments here is made in the context of assembling a system like TWBAS where the absolute best sound quality is the goal.

I think Jeff's choice of Magico Q7 is interesting and probably a better choice for his room than the Rockport Arrakis. I do however hope Jeff has been given the chance to hear the Q7 before he made his choice because if the Arrakis in the last TWBAS was chosen based on sonic preferance, the Magico speakers sound quite different.

 

[wizard]

In this case, I think so. Has to do with the disadvantages of using two separate amps. The company will explain.

Prelim specs: 100Wpc class A for mids/highs, 500Wpc for bass section. More details to come . . .

I think I know which amp this is.
Yes this amp is really something special.

 

[JackD201]

You're one of the quickest draws around Wizard, I wouldn't be surprised if you do know what it is.

I'm still absolutely CLUELESS.