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System Configuration |
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| Loudspeakers | Cain & Cain Abby in dark guitar finish, normal version |
| Turntable |
Thorens TD150 - heavily modified it no longer is recognizable, further supported on a sand box
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| Tonearm | Mayware Formula IV unipivot tonearm |
| Phono Cartridge |
Stanton MKV |
| Phono Stage |
Audible Illusions - built-in |
| Preamplifier | Audible Illusions Modulus 3A - heavily modified by Zenn Audio, a Singapore tube amp manufacturer |
| Power Amplifier | DIY'er Straits 300B monoblocks - another Singapore manufacturer |
| Music Genre | Vocals, jazz, blues, rock |
The Cain & Cain Abbys comes into the system to replace Lowther-based horn speakers. After some listening, re-positioning, and more listening, well, one word from Jafar sums it all up - "Passed !".
Replacing a RingMat on the Thorens, the Living Voice Mystic Mat brings out a more natural timbral truth to the sonics, more substance to instruments, and is synonymous to our own experience with it. It also results in a quieter background on the already heavily supported Thorens.
Overall sound is very open and lively, and devoid of the artificial sweetness that accompanies most 300B amplification. The room acoustics where musicians were recorded could easily be detected on one album, resulting in a more "you-are-there" feeling. Bass was tight and defined. In this system, one can really appreciate why a crossoverless, single-driver design attracts many enthusiasts - no colourations, just music, "live" at that.
Most of the components are DIY'ed or heavily modified, and unequivocally serve as a showcase of how a good DIY system can be. One shouldn't be deceived by the looks, they truly perform. And the icing on the cake ? A $25 phono cartridge ! Ouch, sounds great, must try it one day on a Hadcock. The whole combination is a revelation.
Thanks to Jafar for introducing a very good German blues album, Wolfgang Bernreuther's "I Wonder Why", under the Clearaudio label, original 140g pressing.
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Photos |
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The System
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