Mike's system

**kzhtoo** · July 31, 2022, 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

A few changes:

- Gone is the NAIM 500 system
- Added Block Audio SE Monos/SE Pre
- Added Esoteric Grandioso K1X/PS1. Since I have hundreds of SACD’s and thousands of CD’s, and I play them and buy more every month, this was the best option for me.
- Added Aurender N30SA (in combo with Aurender ACS10)
- Added Finite Elemente Pagode Mk2 racks (2), one is HD (heavy duty for the heavy Kronos and K1X). The other is standard.
- Added Avid Pulsare II Phonostage, waiting on Esoteric E-02 (October production)
- Added Nordost QNET and QSource with Premium Lemo cable.
- All new cables. Details below.
- Changed all 5 dedicated 20 amp circuits to the Block Audio C-Lock SE2 (these have the Furutech GTX-D NCF(R) built in).

With my wife and kids away for the month of June (visiting family in Canada), I spent no less than 100 hours comparing every single cable against every other cable we had in the store, plus others and going back and forth to find the right synergy.

I found IN MY SYSTEM, the IC between the Esoteric Grandioso K1X and the Block SE Preamp to be THE MOST important. I tried AQ Dragon, Valhalla 2, Odin 2, Sigma v2 and several others. When I put the Odin 2 into the system, I had a goosebump moment - and not for exactly the right reason. It was about midnight one night and using ‘River of Tears’ from the latest Clapton Album as one of the test songs and going back and forth all night with this one cable, I put the Odin 2 XLR in and could hear someone breathing, swallowing and thought someone was in the house! I jumped out of my chair, only to realize that it was that Odin 2 cable between the K1X and the Pre bringing unprecedented transparency and resolution.
- I found the Dragon IC’s to be best between the preamp and amps. I could go into my entire findings, but sometimes I found you could end up with too much of a good thing. Getting the right balance was key.
- The Block Audio Mains Block SE power cables sounded best on the Block Audio SE amps and Block SE preamp (no surprise).
- The speaker cables I went with are the Kharma Exquisite. They narrowly beat out the Odin 2 and Dragon.
- The Shunyata Sigma NRv2 power cables won the day and were best on the phonostage, Esoteric K1X, Aurender, Clock, QSource, QB8, etc.
- I’m using the Block Audio Dog Block SE power conditioner along with a Nordost QB8 for the peripheral stuff like the turntable power supply and stuff like that. I find the locking mechanism on the power conditioner to work very well since crawling behind the rack would always find me knocking out a power cable or two. With the locking mechanism on the Block power conditioner, everything stayed put and sounded great.
- For digital, the Shunyata Omega Clock cables were tops. I’m using 50 ohm for the CyberShaft Clock (with separate PSU) and 75 ohm for the Aurender N30SA.
- For Ethernet, I found the Wireworld Platinum 8 to work best.
- I’m using COAX (SPDIF) as my main connection from the N30SA, and for that, the Nordost Odin 2 sounded best.
- As a backup from the N30SA (or for higher res DSD), I found the Wireworld Platinum 8 USB to be best in my system.
- For phonostage, Shunyata RCA sounded best.
- For Tape, the Wireworld Platinum 8 XLR sounded great from the Doshi Tape Pre.

NEXT UP: more ISOAcoustics OREA for the N30SA, preamp, etc. I do have the Nordost QPoints for all the key devices. I will get those hooked up this week. They will run off the QSource.

Suffice it to say, I didn’t go with the full loom approach.

This again is MY SYSTEM, in MY ROOM and my tastes.

YMMV.

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The most audiophile thing I read in awhile. Great job, Mike!

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**knghifi** · August 4, 2022, 09:26 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

NEXT UP: more ISOAcoustics OREA for the N30SA, preamp, etc. I do have the Nordost QPoints for all the key devices. I will get those hooked up this week. They will run off the QSource.

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Checkout Gingko Audio ARCH and Cloud22 products. In MY system, superior to ISOAcoustics and less expensive.

My review: Gingko Audio ARCH and Cloud 22 bases | What's Best Audio and Video Forum. The Best High End Audio Forum on the planet!

**dznutz** · October 23, 2022, 01:00 AM

Well, I certainly thought the Naim system would hang around a while longer. Begs the question… why did it go?

**XV-1** · October 23, 2022, 01:40 AM

Originally Posted by dznutz

Well, I certainly thought the Naim system would hang around a while longer. Begs the question… why did it go?

sold it I would say.

**Mike** · October 23, 2022, 01:51 AM

Originally Posted by dznutz

Well, I certainly thought the Naim system would hang around a while longer. Begs the question… why did it go?

Had a customer who wanted a full 500 system and didn’t want to wait current crazy wait times.

Same thing happened with my MBL system (currently a 12+ month wait for a new one). A lady called and wanted a full 101 MBL ref system and didn’t want to wait.

So, I ended up bringing home the Block Audio amps/pre from the store which I’m really loving. They do everything I could dream of in an amp.

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**nc42acc** · October 23, 2022, 12:42 PM

If I don’t want to wait on a pair of Kharma Midis I can get yours?

Originally Posted by Mike

Had a customer who wanted a full 500 system and didn’t want to wait current crazy wait times.

Same thing happened with my MBL system (currently a 12+ month wait for a new one). A lady called and wanted a full 101 MBL ref system and didn’t want to wait.

So, I ended up bringing home the Block Audio amps/pre from the store which I’m really loving. They do everything I could dream of in an amp.

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**Mike** · October 23, 2022, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by nc42acc

If I don’t want to wait on a pair of Kharma Midis I can get yours?

Yup! Ready?

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**Barry** · October 23, 2022, 01:16 PM

Sounds like your having fun. No reason the cobbler's kids shouldn't have new shoes! Oh, liked the recent interview you did on YouTube too.

**Glareskin** · October 23, 2022, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by Mordante

I was always a bit embarrassed I heard they have Dutch roots.

Why would you be embarrassed? Hey, it ain't much if it ain't Dutch!

By my knowledge still based in Breda.

**Mike** · October 23, 2022, 01:35 PM

Originally Posted by Barry

Sounds like your having fun. No reason the cobbler's kids shouldn't have new shoes! Oh, liked the recent interview you did on YouTube too.

Thank you Barry.

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**nc42acc** · October 23, 2022, 03:29 PM

Oh no! What in the world would you replace them with?

Originally Posted by Mike

Yup! Ready?

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**Mike** · October 23, 2022, 03:44 PM

Originally Posted by nc42acc

Oh no! What in the world would you replace them with?

You honestly think I haven’t already got that figured out?

EV4D.

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**nc42acc** · October 23, 2022, 10:05 PM

I thought for sure you were going to say B&W 801D4

Originally Posted by Mike

You honestly think I haven’t already got that figured out?

EV4D.

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**Mike** · October 23, 2022, 10:13 PM

Originally Posted by nc42acc

I thought for sure you were going to say B&W 801D4

Hmmmm….that’s another great option.

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**Bart001** · October 24, 2022, 08:27 AM

Originally Posted by nc42acc

If I don’t want to wait on a pair of Kharma Midis I can get yours?

Never dare a hi fi dealer to sell you hi fi!

**Ritmo** · October 24, 2022, 01:13 PM

Kharma EV4D should be the ticket.

**MusicLover** · April 9, 2023, 07:20 AM

Mike, are you still using the Critical Mass Center Stage 2Ms in your system / Store? I‘m asking because I got the 1.5s under my Taiko and the 0.8 under my DAC.
Under the dual chassis Tube Pre-amp and my Bryston monos I have the Oreas and was wondering if an upgrade makes sense… What‘s your take?

**SCAudiophile** · April 9, 2023, 08:21 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

A few changes:

- Gone is the NAIM 500 system
- Added Block Audio SE Monos/SE Pre
- Added Esoteric Grandioso K1X/PS1. Since I have hundreds of SACD’s and thousands of CD’s, and I play them and buy more every month, this was the best option for me.
- Added Aurender N30SA (in combo with Aurender ACS10)
- Added Finite Elemente Pagode Mk2 racks (2), one is HD (heavy duty for the heavy Kronos and K1X). The other is standard.
- Added Avid Pulsare II Phonostage, waiting on Esoteric E-02 (October production)
- Added Nordost QNET and QSource with Premium Lemo cable.
- All new cables. Details below.
- Changed all 5 dedicated 20 amp circuits to the Block Audio C-Lock SE2 (these have the Furutech GTX-D NCF(R) built in).

With my wife and kids away for the month of June (visiting family in Canada), I spent no less than 100 hours comparing every single cable against every other cable we had in the store, plus others and going back and forth to find the right synergy.

I found IN MY SYSTEM, the IC between the Esoteric Grandioso K1X and the Block SE Preamp to be THE MOST important. I tried AQ Dragon, Valhalla 2, Odin 2, Sigma v2 and several others. When I put the Odin 2 into the system, I had a goosebump moment - and not for exactly the right reason. It was about midnight one night and using ‘River of Tears’ from the latest Clapton Album as one of the test songs and going back and forth all night with this one cable, I put the Odin 2 XLR in and could hear someone breathing, swallowing and thought someone was in the house! I jumped out of my chair, only to realize that it was that Odin 2 cable between the K1X and the Pre bringing unprecedented transparency and resolution.
- I found the Dragon IC’s to be best between the preamp and amps. I could go into my entire findings, but sometimes I found you could end up with too much of a good thing. Getting the right balance was key.
- The Block Audio Mains Block SE power cables sounded best on the Block Audio SE amps and Block SE preamp (no surprise).
- The speaker cables I went with are the Kharma Exquisite. They narrowly beat out the Odin 2 and Dragon.
- The Shunyata Sigma NRv2 power cables won the day and were best on the phonostage, Esoteric K1X, Aurender, Clock, QSource, QB8, etc.
- I’m using the Block Audio Dog Block SE power conditioner along with a Nordost QB8 for the peripheral stuff like the turntable power supply and stuff like that. I find the locking mechanism on the power conditioner to work very well since crawling behind the rack would always find me knocking out a power cable or two. With the locking mechanism on the Block power conditioner, everything stayed put and sounded great.
- For digital, the Shunyata Omega Clock cables were tops. I’m using 50 ohm for the CyberShaft Clock (with separate PSU) and 75 ohm for the Aurender N30SA.
- For Ethernet, I found the Wireworld Platinum 8 to work best.
- I’m using COAX (SPDIF) as my main connection from the N30SA, and for that, the Nordost Odin 2 sounded best.
- As a backup from the N30SA (or for higher res DSD), I found the Wireworld Platinum 8 USB to be best in my system.
- For phonostage, Shunyata RCA sounded best.
- For Tape, the Wireworld Platinum 8 XLR sounded great from the Doshi Tape Pre.

NEXT UP: more ISOAcoustics OREA for the N30SA, preamp, etc. I do have the Nordost QPoints for all the key devices. I will get those hooked up this week. They will run off the QSource.

Suffice it to say, I didn’t go with the full loom approach.

This again is MY SYSTEM, in MY ROOM and my tastes.

YMMV.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Fantastic...what a beautiful and well thought out system! Congratulations Mike!!!

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**Mike** · April 9, 2023, 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by SCAudiophile

Fantastic...what a beautiful and well thought out system! Congratulations Mike!!!

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Thank you!

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**Mike** · April 9, 2023, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by MusicLover

Mike, are you still using the Critical Mass Center Stage 2Ms in your system / Store? I‘m asking because I got the 1.5s under my Taiko and the 0.8 under my DAC.
Under the dual chassis Tube Pre-amp and my Bryston monos I have the Oreas and was wondering if an upgrade makes sense… What‘s your take?

We use them in the store, but at home I have all ISOAcoustics.

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**MusicLover** · April 9, 2023, 11:32 AM

Any particular recommendation of one over the other or a classic case of try for yourself and see which you prefer?!
The 2M are about 5-10x the price of the OREAs, but if the improvement is worthy I‘d happy to give them a try.

**Mike** · April 9, 2023, 11:53 AM

Originally Posted by MusicLover

Any particular recommendation of one over the other or a classic case of try for yourself and see which you prefer?!
The 2M are about 5-10x the price of the OREAs, but if the improvement is worthy I‘d happy to give them a try.

You’ll really have to try both and see. For me, I have a lot of boxes, and knowing the ISOAcoustics do exactly what they say, I decided it came down to a smart financial decision. I have some new turntable aspirations, so, I’d rather focus my Pennie’s on that.

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**puroagave** · April 9, 2023, 11:55 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

You’ll really have to try both and see. For me, I have a lot of boxes, and knowing the ISOAcoustics do exactly what they say, I decided it came down to a smart financial decision. I have some new turntable aspirations, so, I’d rather focus my Pennie’s on that.

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lemme guess...the Esoteric?

**Mike** · April 9, 2023, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by puroagave

lemme guess...the Esoteric?

Yup.

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**MusicLover** · April 9, 2023, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

You’ll really have to try both and see. For me, I have a lot of boxes, and knowing the ISOAcoustics do exactly what they say, I decided it came down to a smart financial decision. I have some new turntable aspirations, so, I’d rather focus my Pennie’s on that.

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Alright, that was my plan, too. Since I already have the OREAs under these components I got the proper baseline and can easily do a comparison.

Thanks as always for your input, Mike!

**Mike** · April 9, 2023, 01:34 PM

Originally Posted by MusicLover

Alright, that was my plan, too. Since I already have the OREAs under these components I got the proper baseline and can easily do a comparison.

Thanks as always for your input, Mike!

Good luck. Keep us posted on your findings.

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**MusicLover** · April 9, 2023, 01:46 PM

Will do. What is your turntable is for me the Taiko BPS/switch/router and those Shunyata Omega XLRs. Undecided which to do first though.

**Mike** · April 9, 2023, 01:55 PM

Originally Posted by MusicLover

Will do. What is your turntable is for me the Taiko BPS/switch/router and those Shunyata Omega XLRs. Undecided which to do first though.

I currently have a Kronos Pro and a Avid Acutus DARK (which I will be selling). Tough call….but the OMEGA XLR’s are outstanding. Just ordered two more pairs for myself and the speaker cables. Also have the Taiko switch and waiting on the new NIC.

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**MusicLover** · April 9, 2023, 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

I currently have a Kronos Pro and a Avid Acutus DARK (which I will be selling). Tough call….but the OMEGA XLR’s are outstanding. Just ordered two more pairs for myself and the speaker cables. Also have the Taiko switch and waiting on the new NIC.

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Yes… I can only image what those XLRs will do. Have a Sigma v2 from DAC to pre and a Chord Shawline between pre amp and amp. Plan it to replace the Sigma with the Omega and move the signs between DAC and pre.

Btw the Altaira is just out of this world!! Use two and some Omegas and I never heard my system being anything like this musically and from a natural and engaging perspective. A REAL game changer!!

**Mike** · April 9, 2023, 03:15 PM

Originally Posted by MusicLover

Yes… I can only image what those XLRs will do. Have a Sigma v2 from DAC to pre and a Chord Shawline between pre amp and amp. Plan it to replace the Sigma with the Omega and move the signs between DAC and pre.

Btw the Altaira is just out of this world!! Use two and some Omegas and I never heard my system being anything like this musically and from a natural and engaging perspective. A REAL game changer!!

Agreed!! All my devices have ground lugs, so I’m going to get two.

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**MusicLover** · April 9, 2023, 03:18 PM

… and my feeling is you‘ll be pretty close to audiophile Nirvana.

**Mike** · April 9, 2023, 03:23 PM

Originally Posted by MusicLover

… and my feeling is you‘ll be pretty close to audiophile Nirvana.

True true! I’ve had so many great systems. It’s difficult to talk about them all because people always want a “what’s better?” They demand a winner and a loser. But there are often just too many factors and if I was to say, “the Omega speaker cables beat the AQ Dragon speaker cables in every system we’ve tried”, there would be a lot of bellyaching. Like Jay mentioned in his video, it’s disappointing we can’t be more like the car industry. But for now, there are no ugly babies and every baby is the most beautiful in the world.

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**MusicLover** · April 9, 2023, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

True true! I’ve had so many great systems. It’s difficult to talk about them all because people always want a “what’s better?” They demand a winner and a loser. But there are often just too many factors and if I was to say, “the Omega speaker cables beat the AQ Dragon speaker cables in every system we’ve tried”, there would be a lot of bellyaching. Like Jay mentioned in his video, it’s disappointing we can’t be more like the car industry. But for now, there are no ugly babies and every baby is the most beautiful in the world.

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Yes, I agree. I don‘t have anywhere the experience with such a broad range of systems like you. Still I learned a lot the past 3-4 years by listening to a lot of systems at my dealer in Munich and upgrading my own system step by step. I think a big part of the is X better than Y or Z discussion is due to the fact that people (except the very very few with totally unlimited funds … and those often care about other things more than their hifi system) want to make sure they buy „the best“ value for their hard earned money. As you often mention a good dealer can point you in the right direction (which is worth a lot!). Still those that really like to fine tune their system even more to their liking, will need to bite the bullet and learn for themselves what they prefer, read online, study magazines, talk to friends AND TRY FOR THEMSELVES at home and train their hearing (which also might change their Taste over time). I personally find that a system needs a certain quality to be engaging, like a threshold when it „clicks“. After that it‘s more a nice to have and enjoy the ride kind of thing and one needs to be careful not to lose some of the magic, just because there is a more expensive upgrade around the corner. Especially at those levels it‘s all about synergy … and what‘s engaging for one person might be totally different for somebody else. So the bad news is, the eager audiophile person needs to develop his own taste. That good thing: there are sooo many beautiful components, cables, speakers out there these days that there is plenty to choose from and to enjoy!

**BobK** · April 14, 2023, 12:02 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

You’ll really have to try both and see. For me, I have a lot of boxes, and knowing the ISOAcoustics do exactly what they say, I decided it came down to a smart financial decision. I have some new turntable aspirations, so, I’d rather focus my Pennie’s on that.

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Hi Mike,

I thought that the Finite Elemente racks didn't require any additional isolation under components? Are you using the ISOAcoustics between the components and the FE shelf? Thanks

**Mike** · April 14, 2023, 01:12 PM

Originally Posted by BobK

Hi Mike,

I thought that the Finite Elemente racks didn't require any additional isolation under components? Are you using the ISOAcoustics between the components and the FE shelf? Thanks

They don’t say that, but I heard an improvement especially with my digital.

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**u-sound** · April 14, 2023, 09:18 PM

Originally Posted by BobK

Hi Mike,

I thought that the Finite Elemente racks didn't require any additional isolation under components? Are you using the ISOAcoustics between the components and the FE shelf? Thanks

i had a FE rack and amp stands both with theyr top footers and it was disapointing.
they look good but brought nothing soundwise. look at the construction....the board is a thin marple board sitting on a funny knob. science from the eighties and never improved since. (true!!)
that said, my 2 amp stand got bent severe over the years and also the boards from the main rack werent flat anymore.
completely overrated product. that said, it was very easy to sell. very well known and many people want it.

**BobK** · April 15, 2023, 01:30 PM

Originally Posted by u-sound

i had a FE rack and amp stands both with theyr top footers and it was disapointing.
they look good but brought nothing soundwise. look at the construction....the board is a thin marple board sitting on a funny knob. science from the eighties and never improved since. (true!!)
that said, my 2 amp stand got bent severe over the years and also the boards from the main rack werent flat anymore.
completely overrated product. that said, it was very easy to sell. very well known and many people want it.

So sorry to hear that, u-sound. The FE racks are not inexpensive...no excuse for that to happen. Perhaps that is why they have moved to a honeywcomb laminate construction. But more worrisome is they brought nothing to the sound.

I'm looking for a high quality, isolation wise, wood or wood clad rack because this will be in my living room. I also need adjustable shelves...don't want to custom build a fixed shelf rack again specific for my equipment at that point in time. I seriously considered the Artesania rack but that is a little too industrial. What rack did you replace the FE with?

Thank you for your feedback. I may need to reconsider my decision...darn!

**mdp632** · April 15, 2023, 02:01 PM

Originally Posted by BobK

I seriously considered the Artesania rack but that is a little too industrial.

Have you checked out the organic line from Artesania? Less industrial, but I believe it's their flagship so, probably really expensive.

ABSOLUTE RACK - Artesania Audio

It's a shame that Iso Acoustics doesn't made a rack.

**Mike** · April 15, 2023, 02:40 PM

FE under new ownership is a great company now. I love mine!

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