Systems Showcase

Gallery

My first SDA's, and actually my first two channel speakers. These 1B's opened my eyes (ears?) on what I had been missing, and were the start of this crazy race.

Harman Kardon HK-3480 stereo receiver; I got this refurb for my two channel system, but returned it to get into separates. This is a great integrated for starters.

The SDA 1B's sharing frontstage with the RTi8's. The Sub is the SVS PB10, my first contact with real bass......

1B's were soon replaced with SRS's; here's a naked front stage; I didn't like having my 2 channel and HT together, so I soon moved the 2 channel speakers to a different spot on that same wall.

SRS's were replaced with 1.2 TL's, here in the new 2 channel spot.

Another shot of the 1.2 TL's; with the RDO tweeters and upgraded crossovers, they really are awesome speakers. They stayed with me close to a year, which places them in a record high.....

Adcom GFA-555; great amp.

Dared SL2000 tube pre and Cambridge 500 SE; this pre was my introduction to tubes. Have had a few since then....

An attempt to build a second rig; the Dared pre shown with the AES Sixpacs.

Another shot of the second rig including the Monitor Audio speakers. This was a great sounding rig......didn't last much, since I sold it to fund other interests.

Jolida JD-100 tube CD player on top of the Dodd MLP. Great combo, also sold to fund other interests. Fingerprints anyone?

Top to bottom: -DPA "the little bit three" DAC; used it for some time in my two channel before I got into tubed CDP's. Now used to feed XM-radio and CD-changer into the Denon receiver. -Adcom GFA-535, powering the Atriums in the backyard. -JBL Urei SR6630; pro amp that replaced the Adcom GFA-555. Huge improvement.

AES DJH Signature preamp that replaced the Dared. A nice step up.

The speakers that made me sell the 1.2 TL's; Carver ALIII ribbons. Beautiful sound, and my wife preferred the way these look.

Couldn't live too long without SDA's, and got the 3.1TL's; These have nothing to envy from the big boys unless you live in a stadium.

Another shot of the 3.1's

Von Schweikert VR1's. Played with them for a while; amazing bass for a bookshelf, great imaging.

Denon DVD-1910, replaced with an Oppo, and now with a Toshiba HD A-35. Also the Denon DCM-280 CD changer that feeds the backyard.

Polk XM tuner and the Denon 3803; now replaced with a 3808 ci

Back surrounds

Left side surrounds

Right side surrounds

Belles 350a before the upgrade to reference.

A shot of a 3.1TL and a TAD monitor; in the rack the AES AE-3, a pair of ASL-20 monoblocks. BADA H-22 Tubed CD player, and the Belles.

3.1 TL now with a Von Schweikert VR1

Audio Research SP16 L tube pre; I liked the low gain (11.5 db). Very good pre.

No.....I never owned these, but when I win the lottery this is what I'm getting. MBL.

Two TAD-60 tube amps also visited for a while.

The Belles after being upgraded to Reference. I call it "the smooth beast".

I had to have a pair of these; Monitor 7B's with peerless. Right now in a closet...but have big plans for them. Yes, they sound amazing for a 30 years old speaker.

Dedicated room ready. Tyler Acoustics Linbrook Signature System bi-amped by two TAD-60's. These are great sounding speakers. They sounded very good in my small room. Big speakers with sweet sound.

Here you can see the Raysonic CD-128. Very nice redbook player.

Beautiful finish

Swapped the Tylers for these Thiel CS 3.6's. A little more detailed and musical.

Bel Canto Pre2.

Bel Canto's nice universal remote.

I tried this Musical Fidelity A3-34 DAC and sounded as good as the Raysonic, so it stayed (mainly for the price difference). In this picture with a Rotel RCD-02 as transport. This CD player sounds very good on its own with HDCD's.

Setup showing the Belles 28A Reference preamp and the Dynaudio Contour 1.3 Mk II. These "little" speakers throw an incredible amount of tight bass. Mid 30's in my room.

Got into SACD with this Sony DVP NS9100 ES modded by Matt at SACDMODS dot com.

A closer look of the Belles 28A

A few changes; these MMG's eventually replaced the Danes. Gone is the Belles family....moved to the Marsh P200B and A200s. Running balanced all the way from source to amp. Clearaudio Champion and Jolida JD9 phono pre also shown. Love the dark side :)

I played with these Opera Seconda's for a while. Beautiful finish. Sealed towers that have amazingly tight bass. Just a tad too bright for me.

Marantz SA-11S1. Great SACD and redbook player. Sounds more analog than the previous modded Sony.

Here playing with the Monitor 7B's. Hard to believe that a speaker that can be found for $100 sounds soooooo good for 2 channel.

Marsh P200B replaced by the Audio Experience Balanced A2 "SE". Back to a tubed pre. The A200s was replaced by the A400s.

Decided to move the bulk of the gear to a side wall. Amazing what this little tweak can do to the soundstage.

No remote needed now.....

Last addition, the Pass Labs X250. I think I found my last amp. Who needs tubes??????

The X250 guts. Impressive to look at.

The Gallo's (I know, need to clean up the cave.....)

New (to me) preamp. BAT VK-5i

The guts. Retubing this baby can cost more than what I paid for the pre...

Loving the digital age. Lossless FLAC files streamed wireless to my Squeezebox Touch. Digital to Analog conversion taken care by a Stello DA 100 Signature

Belles 20A preamp. Very nice sounding pre using 4 12AU7's. The best I've heard for the price...or twice the price.

I think I'm finally staying put. Modded MMG's with stereo Micropro 3000's. I just need a nice pair of monitors. I miss my Danes so much.

And here's where I relax enjoying my music.