naimnut
System details:
Dedicated 15 amp circuit
I sometimes use a GoalZero Yeti 1250 lead acid battery generator to quiet the noise floor for critical listening fun. Update 2/22/23 - the Goal Zero is now used to power my Bluesound Node 2i and my MHDT Labs Orchid DAC.
Digital - Mainly Bluesound Node 2i for streaming Qobuz and Spotify. Haven't signed up for Tidal yet. I also use an old HP laptop to stream Bandcamp and the other services that Bluesound does not support. All digital sources go through an MHDT Orchid DAC, either via a Nordost blue heaven digital cable (what the heck is it with these things?), Shunyata Venom USB or an MHDT stock red cable (they no longer apparently provide these to their customers). Tube used in the Orchid is an Amperex Bugle Boy 6DJ8 via one of those 5670 to 6DJ8 adapters. I use this setup to stream music a LOT. When I listen to this I never think "I need more detail" or "this is not resolving enough". I think "what a great tune" or "what wonderful tone".
For CD - Rotel CD 855 with TDA 1541A chip
Analog -
Garrard 401 in custom plinth. SME 12" 3009 (that's what it is labelled but it was sold to me as a 3012) tonearm. Ortofon Royal G mk 2 SPU direct into tube preamp LCR phono stage (see below). The builder of the Supratek has advised that if I used a stepup transformer my usability of my volume control would be very tiny. Recently sold the Dynavector Karat 17D3 MC phono cartridge. I've used Karat cartridges for many years and always liked them.
Sony 2251 direct drive turntable with stock Sony arm hosting a Shure M44-7, Signet 3ea MM cartridge into Plinius Jarrah phono stage (solid state). Sometimes I swap in a Stanton 681 phono cartridge.
Preamp - (the heart of my system, and I'm delighted with it) Supratek Cortese with LCR phono stage. Running vintage 6SN7 tubes and currently Philips 6922 (JAN) tubes w/ Philips SQ in the 180F position
Power amps - Quad 909 driving rebuilt Quad 2805s
Alan Eaton 45 monoblocks driving JBL 4430 studio monitors (93dB efficient) or Altec A7 Magnificents.
Listening bias - I'm a writer. I mostly listen below, say, 70dB. Sometimes I crank it and the JBLs are the go-to beasts for that. 1.5 watts drives them very very well.
I need my system to sound detailed, rich, smooth and beautiful. IMHO neither the Supratek nor the Alan Eaton 45 monoblocks introduce "tubey goodness" into the sound I'm hearing. Of course, I'm used to whatever it is I'm hearing. I just think my system sounds like music. Extremely livable. I love the MHDT Orchid DAC. After hearing mine several friends have bought them. Of course, I don't think that means anything at all.
We audiophiles tend to be malcontents, always seeking something better, that next little bit of something, whatever it is. I know I'm as guilty of this as the next person.
My view is that the most important element in enjoying a system - any system - is contentment. That's my rule of thumb in answer to the question "how good does a system have to be?" Only good enough that you stop thinking about/getting distracted by the idea that something needs to be better.
Here's from my old profile page:
69 yrs old. Former Funk & Soul Genre Director at KWUR (Washington U), Industrial Engr by profession. Previous writer for Wax Poetics magazine (you do read this, right?)
Baha'i, music, Library, funk, instrumental hip-hop, jazz, soul, Supratek Cortese with LCR phono stage/Quad 909 amplifier/Quad ESL 2805s/JBL 4430 studio monitors/Altec A7 VOTT Magnificents/Garrard 401 with Jelco 750L (12") tonearm/Ortofon SPU Royal G Mk II/Sony 2251 DD turntable/60+ linear feet of LPs/20' of CDs/many45s/some old 78s/Boss 303 sampler/Numark dj 'table for the really grubby stuff/HW 16.5RCM
Dedicated 15 amp circuit
I sometimes use a GoalZero Yeti 1250 lead acid battery generator to quiet the noise floor for critical listening fun. Update 2/22/23 - the Goal Zero is now used to power my Bluesound Node 2i and my MHDT Labs Orchid DAC.
Digital - Mainly Bluesound Node 2i for streaming Qobuz and Spotify. Haven't signed up for Tidal yet. I also use an old HP laptop to stream Bandcamp and the other services that Bluesound does not support. All digital sources go through an MHDT Orchid DAC, either via a Nordost blue heaven digital cable (what the heck is it with these things?), Shunyata Venom USB or an MHDT stock red cable (they no longer apparently provide these to their customers). Tube used in the Orchid is an Amperex Bugle Boy 6DJ8 via one of those 5670 to 6DJ8 adapters. I use this setup to stream music a LOT. When I listen to this I never think "I need more detail" or "this is not resolving enough". I think "what a great tune" or "what wonderful tone".
For CD - Rotel CD 855 with TDA 1541A chip
Analog -
Garrard 401 in custom plinth. SME 12" 3009 (that's what it is labelled but it was sold to me as a 3012) tonearm. Ortofon Royal G mk 2 SPU direct into tube preamp LCR phono stage (see below). The builder of the Supratek has advised that if I used a stepup transformer my usability of my volume control would be very tiny. Recently sold the Dynavector Karat 17D3 MC phono cartridge. I've used Karat cartridges for many years and always liked them.
Sony 2251 direct drive turntable with stock Sony arm hosting a Shure M44-7, Signet 3ea MM cartridge into Plinius Jarrah phono stage (solid state). Sometimes I swap in a Stanton 681 phono cartridge.
Preamp - (the heart of my system, and I'm delighted with it) Supratek Cortese with LCR phono stage. Running vintage 6SN7 tubes and currently Philips 6922 (JAN) tubes w/ Philips SQ in the 180F position
Power amps - Quad 909 driving rebuilt Quad 2805s
Alan Eaton 45 monoblocks driving JBL 4430 studio monitors (93dB efficient) or Altec A7 Magnificents.
Listening bias - I'm a writer. I mostly listen below, say, 70dB. Sometimes I crank it and the JBLs are the go-to beasts for that. 1.5 watts drives them very very well.
I need my system to sound detailed, rich, smooth and beautiful. IMHO neither the Supratek nor the Alan Eaton 45 monoblocks introduce "tubey goodness" into the sound I'm hearing. Of course, I'm used to whatever it is I'm hearing. I just think my system sounds like music. Extremely livable. I love the MHDT Orchid DAC. After hearing mine several friends have bought them. Of course, I don't think that means anything at all.
We audiophiles tend to be malcontents, always seeking something better, that next little bit of something, whatever it is. I know I'm as guilty of this as the next person.
My view is that the most important element in enjoying a system - any system - is contentment. That's my rule of thumb in answer to the question "how good does a system have to be?" Only good enough that you stop thinking about/getting distracted by the idea that something needs to be better.
Here's from my old profile page:
69 yrs old. Former Funk & Soul Genre Director at KWUR (Washington U), Industrial Engr by profession. Previous writer for Wax Poetics magazine (you do read this, right?)
Baha'i, music, Library, funk, instrumental hip-hop, jazz, soul, Supratek Cortese with LCR phono stage/Quad 909 amplifier/Quad ESL 2805s/JBL 4430 studio monitors/Altec A7 VOTT Magnificents/Garrard 401 with Jelco 750L (12") tonearm/Ortofon SPU Royal G Mk II/Sony 2251 DD turntable/60+ linear feet of LPs/20' of CDs/many45s/some old 78s/Boss 303 sampler/Numark dj 'table for the really grubby stuff/HW 16.5RCM
- Occupation
- Retired
Signature
Markus no longer really the "Naimnut".
But I was for 30 years. Nowadays I'm more of a tubes, horns and electrostatics kind of guy.
But I was for 30 years. Nowadays I'm more of a tubes, horns and electrostatics kind of guy.