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| Oct 2005 system | Dec 2005 system | Feb 2006 system | Nov 2006 system | Aug 2007 system | Mar 2008 system |
JonL's System : Oct 2005
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Previous System Configuration |
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| Turntable |
Scheu Premier MK3 turntable - 80mm platter, black
Living Voice Mystic Mat turntable mat |
| Tonearm | Scheu Classic MK2 tonearm - 12" version, with Cardas wiring |
| Phono Cartridge | Audio-Technica AT-33 PTG Prestige Model |
| Phono Stage | EAR 834P Deluxe |
| CD player/transport / DAC | Philips SACD player/ Benchmark DAC1 |
| Loudspeakers | Kharma Ceramique 3.2FE |
| Preamplifier | Leben RS28C (photo not yet available) |
| Amplifier | Gryphon Callisto 2100 |
| Room Treatment |
Eighth Nerve (black) - 4 Corners, 2 Seams at wall-wall intersection behind speakers, 1 seam at ceiling wall intersection behind listening position.
Onix Diffusors |
| HiFi Rack | Schroer & Schroer |
| Power Conditioner | Hydra 6 |
| Cables | Goertz speaker cables, Analysis Plus Solo Crystal Oval interconnect, Shunyata Copperhead, Shunyata DiamondBack, Purist Audio Design Museaus |
| Others | SID CD mat |
| Music Genre | Most, except heavy metal |
First, we took out the VPI Scout turntable from its perch to test out the Leben CS300 integrated amplifier. JL and I agreed, it's time to change the current amplifier, the Leben was obviously a better match, even on dynamic and demanding tracks. As every good audiophile knows, matching plays a key role, and in this case, the cheaper amplifier was better. Next on cue was to test out the Naim CD5X CD player. Once again, it's time to change the current digital source, it was obvious to JL what he was missing. However, hooking up the Analysis Plus Solo Crystal interconnects (which was used previously between the previous turntable and phono stage) between transport and DAC improved the sound.
After setting up the Scheu Premier MK3 turntable and listening, this is the best Kharma-based system we've heard so far to date. We now understand more what these S$30k speakers are about. We added in moderate treatment from Eighth Nerve to dial in on the acoustics, and in an instant, voila, the echoes of the rather bare small room are fixed, with sonics now having much better bass definition, coherence, and balance. All in the right amount, with the room still retaining a lively sound and the vitality in the music, without the major room pressure zone issues.
On the reissue LP Janos Starker "Suites for Unaccompanied Cello Complete", a magnificent reissue album, the system presented the cello sound superbly, sonically and emotionally. The strings were great on this system, with first-rate highs, and the cartridge hasn't even burned in yet, as well as the speakers. The soundscape was expansive as well, with imaging size in the right proportions. On Ray Brown's "Soular Energy" reissue by Pure Audiophile, dynamics and transients were rendered well and with excellent bass definition, just as we know they should be from this excellent album. The bass was allowed by mastering engineer Stan Ricker to run with less restraint compared to the more EQ'ed original. The pairing of Stan Ricker, also a bassist, with Ray Brown was intentional - a treat to vinylphiles only, not on CD, not on SACD. Both LPs can be heard at our showroom if interested, not for sale however.
On to Holly Cole, Steely Dan, Jennifer Warnes ... JL will surely have longer nights listening now :)
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The System on test with Leben and Naim
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