I’ve wanted to post this for a while. It’s the “third anniversary” of my system and I am grateful to the members of this site for posting and helping me, decide. Earlier on, I had often used Stereophile and the Absolute Sound as starting points, but they do NOT exist the way they did way back when.
Previously I had Mark Levenson and Krell components, but those original companies are gone. At different times, both companies told me that they did not have the parts or the experienced personal to repair or upgrade their previous products.
For that reason, I tried to buy components from companies that have sustained their production and products for many years.
Processor: McIntosh 170:
I went to Mac because they have been around for quite some time and even with new owners, over the years, they maintained their original quality control and customer support.
After research, I had a choice between the Trinnov and Mac. Because 50% of it’s use would be in two channel stereo for music, I chose the Mac. It had more analog Balanced inputs, a phono input. Also, a “poster” from a previous site invited me over to hear music on his Mac. I loved it. (And, compared to my old Krell 707, it seemed easier to use!)
Amplifiers: Right/Left Mac: MC 1.25K; Center Mac MC-611; Surrounds/
Back/ceiling: Krell S-1500.
I really enjoy music with the Mac amps, they sound great. The multi-channel Krell, needed repairs and I got the very last replacement modules from them. It’s living on borrowed time, but really sounds great.
Speakers: Revel Ultima Salon 2; Voice 2; Rear & Back W 990; Atmos C763L
I have had the front Revels for at least and decade and I love them, really. I believed that in a surround sound room, the speakers should match as much as possible. So when I added rear and Atmos I stuck with Revel. I feel that I am in a balloon surrounded by sound, rather than hearing sound for individual speakers. But I listen to music, mostly, with jus the gtwo fronts.
Sub-Woofers: SVS SB-13 Ultras, with 4000 amps!
I love these subs, they blend in perfectly, thanks to customer support. Last year the amps went and got upgraded them with the amps from their 4000 unit. And at half price!!!! They sound great and the room shakes! Great customer support.
Projector: JVC 4100
Another great unit. I got into projectors, years ago, because I did NOT want to place a big TV between my front speakers. Now I feel Like I am in the movies. Chris Deutsch, ko JVC actually came to my house and help and helped me set up my previous JVC 3000. He then helped me here too.
Video Disc Player: Panasonic UB9000
While at my house, Chris suggested that replace my Oppo 205 with the Panasonic. I moved the Oppo to our upstairs room and got the Panasonic. He was right! The imaging is better. (But not the CD audio, but I have a separate CD player.)
Screen: Stuart StudioTek130
You can’t sample screens. So many suggested the Stuarts and I got it. Also, great customer support, they really helped me choose.
Video streaming:
I recent replaced the Apple with the Roku deluxe. Much better remote control and audio.
TV Reception:
While my Verizon 4k gives good cable reception, people are always surprised how great over the air TV broadcasting is. I have the Mediasonic HW-150PVR and get a great picture and sound. Better than cable.
Turntable: VPI 19 Mark 4
I still listen to two channel music, it’s 50% of what we use the system for. The Turntable is over 30 yeas old and still sounds great. The Tonearm is the SME 309; It has the VPI Synchronous Drive System and as a stylus a recent Ortofon 2M Black
CD/SACD Player and DAC: Esoteric K-01XD
This is a dream unit. It sound wonderful and is easy to use. But you can also use it, and I do, as a DAC.
Audio Streaming: Sonos
Audio Streaming: Aurender N100H
The Sonos is an older unit that gives me streaming FM stations, XM Sirus and Pandora. When directly hooked up to the old Krell 707 it gave a nice sound. However, hooked through the Esoteric CD/DAC, it gives a surprising very wonderful sound.
The Aurender N100H turns out to be a mistake. Sigh. I did want better sound from streaming and a few other functions. But this does NOT get Pandora or XM and it’s FM reception (again through the Esoteric) is not better than the Sonos. I still use CD/SACD discs. I just don’t use it much. Maybe down the road.
FM Tuner: Day Sequerra FM Reference
I saved the saddest for next to last!
This is a great, great, tuner. Great sound, great reception, easy to use. I remember saving up for it, thirty years ago and even updating it a few years ago. BUT, there are no longer stations in my location that I listen to. Gone are the Jazz, Classical music, American Songbook stations. They are all gone. I now stream the FM stations (and use Pandora) to get the music I like. So a unit that was on so often, it rarely used. And I cannot bear to sell it.
Wiring: Shunyata
If you want to start a civil war on an A/V site, you bring up wiring. Initially, I had Straight Wire, which I really liked. When my newer equipment was put in, about ten years ago, the dealer (now out of business) suggested and I used Audioquest. I found the sound from them rough and not as smooth, especially on the high sounds. My current dealer suggested Shunyata, saying I can return them if I don’t like them (and he matched Straight wires pricing, including trade ins.) The sound is wonderful, I really like them.
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