Mike's system

**mdkim** · May 11, 2013, 04:14 PM

Mike:

Is the Synology audible at all while listening to your system? Reason I ask is I'm planning on implementing one for my music/movie storage as well and haven't decided on final placement. Thanks.

**Mike** · May 11, 2013, 05:08 PM

Originally Posted by mdkim

Mike:

Is the Synology audible at all while listening to your system? Reason I ask is I'm planning on implementing one for my music/movie storage as well and haven't decided on final placement. Thanks.

If there is dead silence and you get to within 3 feet, you MIGHT hear the fan. Once there is a little volume, then not a thing. By the way, I received the red wine ps for the CAPS. Will test soon.

**mdkim** · May 11, 2013, 05:13 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

If there is dead silence and you get to within 3 feet, you MIGHT hear the fan. Once there is a little volume, then not a thing. By the way, I received the red wine ps for the CAPS. Will test soon.

Thanks Mike. Sweet re the Red Wine PS! Anxious to hear if it makes a significant improvement.

**Mike** · May 11, 2013, 05:15 PM

Originally Posted by mdkim

Thanks Mike. Sweet re the Red Wine PS! Anxious to hear if it makes a significant improvement.

Lets say, I remain skeptical.

**mdkim** · May 11, 2013, 05:23 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Lets say, I remain skeptical.

I can't say I disagree...but, there are enough battery powered TTs to wonder why it wouldn't hold true for a digital source. I never believed power cords could make a difference on anything other than amps...now I run them on EVERYTHING

**Mike** · May 11, 2013, 06:37 PM

As I was unpacking the Red Wine Power Supply thinking of whether it had a return policy. I was so convinced it wouldn't make a damn bit of difference, I was all set to return it Monday. I already have the CAPS getting clean power from an APC S20, so what could this battery PS really do? Stupid thing. I was mad at myself for even buying it.

I nonetheless unpacked it, hooked it up, more boxes, more cables, and likely a complete waste of money. I went through a few well known songs from my normal playlist. Sounds great. Stupid thing. Waste of money. It won't make a difference. Keep the packaging neat and tidy I thought. This is going back Monday.

Switch over the battery. Start the playlist. My eyeballs just about popped out of my head as Diana Krall's voice jumped out of the blackest black background my digital has ever produced. Color me impressed. It's staying. The shipping boxes are already in the trash.

To reaffirm what I was hearing, I searched out a couple reviews. Truth be told, I did not read a single review prior to buying it (I went on the word of my friend Ted Brady).

Impressions of the Red Wine Power Supply by Chris Connaker

Enhanced Power Supply Option - Red Wine Audio, Black Lightning High-Current Battery Power Supply

The easiest component to upgrade in the CAPS v3 Lagoon design is the power supply. Lagoon is powered externally via its DC input or internally using a two-pin connector and internal PSU. Intel recommends using an external power supply and the outside DC input although doesn't give any reason for this recommendation. The SOtM tX-USBexp USB card can also be powered internally (4-pin connector) or externally (DC input). This combination of motherboard and USB card, both with external power options, is terrific for a CAPS music server.

My requirements for an enhanced CAPS v3 power supply were low noise and the ability to power both the motherboard and SOtM tX-USBexp card via the same supply. My research lead me to Vinnie Rossi of Red Wine Audio. RWA has been a leader in battery powered high end audio for years. In addition, Vinnie is one of the nicest guys in the industry. Looking at his Audio Circle forum readers will see all the dedicated RWA users and kind words about Vinnie's customer service. Both the quality of the products and integrity of the manufacturer matter greatly. Many computer audiophiles have been burned by online direct sales from companies who've since disappeared and or stopped offering customer support. CA readers should have zero hesitation working with Vinnie Rossi and Red Wine Audio.

A few months ago I asked Vinnie about his Black Lighting High-Current Battery Power Supply and its ability to power a CAPS v3 server. Vinnie responded with a few questions and a resounding certainty that there would be no problems. Vinnie has customers powering all kinds of computers, among other items such as audio components, with the Black Lighting. Vinnie recommend I measure the power consumption at peak and study state for the v3 server I wished to power. I purchased a Kill-A-Watt power strip and ran the Lagoon server for several days. The consumption never reached above 25 watts. With this information Vinnie recommended a single or double LiFePO4 (LFP) battery pack based Black Lightning depending on how long I wished to run from batteries. I selected the single battery option as a start knowing I could always upgrade to a double battery solution by simply adding a battery to the existing chassis. One great feature of the Black Lightning is its ability to power components with different input voltages. The Intel DN2800MT motherboard has an input voltage of +9V ~ +19Vdc (12V recommended) and the SOtM tX-USBexp card has an input voltage of +6.5V ~ +9Vdc. With this information Vinnie configured the Black Lightning for 12V output and crafted a power cable sporting one 12V connector and one 9V connector with a linear regulator.

Note: CAPS v3 Carbon runs for eight hours on a single battery Black Lightning.

The positive impact of the Black Lightning High-Current Battery Power Supply could be heard immediately and without playing even one track. Powering both the SOtM tX-USBexp and Intel DN2800MT motherboard with the Black Lightning in battery mode removed very audible noise from the my system. The background of my system in an idle state, while powered on, was very noticeably blacker. Even the most casual listener could hear the difference in blackness before a single note was played. I was instantly impressed by the Black Lightning and conducted further testing to figure out how much or how little needed to be done to increase performance of one's audio system. I initially assumed that powering only the SOtM tX-USBexp card via battery, with the internal PSU disconnected, and the motherboard powered via the Seasonic PSU would yield an equal or nearly equal benefit as powering the entire server via battery. I was wrong with this assumption. Even though the clean battery power source of the Black Lightning was used to power the SOtM card that sends power to the USB receiver chip in the EMM Labs DAC2X I still heard harsh electrical noise through my speakers. Based on this test it appears that noise from the Seasonic PSU / motherboard combo is getting to the SOtM card via the PCIe slot's gold connectors. With this knowledge I thought maybe powering the motherboard from the battery supply and the SOtM card via the motherboard could clean up the noise. Wrong again. Both of these attempts cleaned about 20% of the electrical noise from what I heard through my speakers. Removing the Seasonic and powering everything with the Black Lightning once again cleaned up my system beautifully. Once the CAPS v3 Carbon and SOtM card were powered with the Black Lightning and the music started flowing the sound was stunning. This combination is far better than previous CAPS designs in all areas. Now that I've run both the CAPS v3 Lagoon and Carbon servers from the Red Wine Audio Black Lightning High-Current Battery Power Supply I can't go back to standard computer power supplies. The difference is audible, repeatable, and wonderful.

Computer Audiophile - Computer Audiophile Pocket Server C.A.P.S. v3 Carbon

**Audioseduction** · May 11, 2013, 07:37 PM

Incredible just incredible Mike! Those Aida's look massive!

**Mike** · May 11, 2013, 07:42 PM

Originally Posted by Audioseduction

Incredible just incredible Mike! Those Aida's look massive!

Thanks! They are! A couple of weeks ago, I went to the engineering company who designed our home to make sure the floors could take the 368 pounds (each) of weight. They said "no problem".

**MrAcoustat** · June 25, 2013, 08:42 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Simply an amazing system Mike

**NorthStar** · June 25, 2013, 08:52 PM

Mike, I'm totally curious: What was the last three or five movies you watched?
..On your own home theater screen of course.

...And what was roughly the time frame between them three or five flicks?
...Winter's a better season for movie time? ...But then, in Florida, when is winter time?

**sharkmouth** · August 15, 2013, 05:58 PM

Mike, are we about to see an update in a few weeks in this thread?

**Mike** · August 15, 2013, 06:47 PM

Originally Posted by bzr

Mike, are we about to see an update in a few weeks in this thread?

Oh Kev ... Things are always changing! LOL. The only constant is change.

**Petro85** · August 15, 2013, 08:00 PM

Lets see it mike!!!!!!!

**gooch** · August 15, 2013, 08:55 PM

You have a very nice setup Mike

**Orbitron** · November 3, 2013, 12:10 AM

Hey Mike, as long as your making changes, go all the way and do Dolby Atmos. (somebody has to be first)

**NorthStar** · November 3, 2013, 12:27 AM

Dolby Atmos for Dramatic Cinema Sound Experiences

**Orbitron** · November 3, 2013, 12:41 AM

From the site, "scales easily to any size theater". Hmmm, I may have to rethink my home theater.

**NorthStar** · November 3, 2013, 01:31 AM

But try to stick with 64 discrete main channels, and 8 discrete subwoofer channels.

**Big B** · November 3, 2013, 03:04 AM

Rome was not built in a day. I'm sure building is the fun part.Great work. Enjoy
Barry
PS just curios what are the dimensions of the room?

**wisnon** · November 3, 2013, 07:11 AM

Originally Posted by NorthStar

But try to stick with 64 discrete main channels, and 8 discrete subwoofer channels.

Probably Illusonic is cheaper at a mere $20K and its immersive stereo only goes to 16 speakers, but apparently their algorithm is very special.

http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showth...ight=illusonic

The stakes:

http://www.techradar.com/news/audio/...-sound-1088428

**Mike** · November 3, 2013, 10:04 AM

I checked out Atmos. Crazy. I have 9.2 and thought that was good! I'm one of the few that really likes what the height speakers do. But as usual, the home theater part of my system is behind the times!

**Big B** · November 3, 2013, 11:12 AM

Investigation is required. There is a theater in midtown.
Barry

**NorthStar** · November 3, 2013, 04:50 PM

Originally Posted by wisnon

Probably Illusonic is cheaper at a mere $20K and its immersive stereo only goes to 16 speakers, but apparently their algorithm is very special.

Illusonic Immersive Processing

The stakes:

Is Dolby Atmos the future of cinema sound? | News | TechRadar

I luv it! I so much appreciate the surround sound explorers!

We'll be all dead, and the world of tomorrow's entertainment will be one of holographic cinema, and complete surround sound immersion.
Entertainment will be so good that many people will find it boring to go out in real life!
If you live in a city, I won't blame them, but if you live in the countryside, nothing will ever replace the mountains, the forests, the trees, the rivers, the cascades, the lakes, the oceans, the wildlife, the bright sunny day in that blue sky of autumn leaves ... and making love in that vast valley of spring flowers.

**Big B** · November 4, 2013, 07:43 AM

I asked my HT guy. He new all about it. Says 9.2 is still the way to go in my room. What a relief I thought I had to go back to the drawing board. Dolby Atmos is pin point sound and yes it moves but this can be achieved with 9.2 not as accurately but fuller. This was the explanation I got from him. I will still go to that theater to check it out for myself.
Barry

Originally Posted by Mike

I checked out Atmos. Crazy. I have 9.2 and thought that was good! I'm one of the few that really likes what the height speakers do. But as usual, the home theater part of my system is behind the times!

**wisnon** · November 4, 2013, 07:55 AM

Originally Posted by Big B

I asked my HT guy. He new all about it. Says 9.2 is still the way to go in my room. What a relief I thought I had to go back to the drawing board. Dolby Atmos is pin point sound and yes it moves but this can be achieved with 9.2 not as accurately but fuller. This was the explanation I got from him. I will still go to that theater to check it out for myself.
Barry

Let us know what you think when you experience what the mid-town TO cinema has to offer!

**Mike** · August 26, 2014, 01:27 PM

So here's what I'm thinking......now that I have my Sonus Faber Stradivaris (Strads) back in place (should NEVER have sold them in the first place), I have been trying different amp combinations. The Hegel H30 is terrific and the stereo version is a keeper, the Cary 805AE's are the unanimous choice by visitors. With all the upgrades done by Cary combined with the 1940 GE 211's, WE300b's and MELZ 1578's, this 50 watt SET is a world beater. But I can't leave it on and forget it during the day for occasional listening. The Pass XA60.5's are wonderful - I think I want more of that!

But the heat from the big boys! The Mc275's and VAC phi200's are good, but are going to be sold.

The good news is that no matter what amp I put on the Strads, they offer varying degrees of good. NOTHING sounds "bad". I LOVE these speakers! Did I mention that? No bass issues!!

Given this, I want to find a world class amp/preamp combo now that will work well with the Strads. I'm looking at Pass XS150/XS Preamp, Allnic A-6000/L-5000, Accuphase A-200/3800 or back to the tried and true Mc2301/ARC REF10 combo.

Concerns:

Pass - the HEAT!
Allnic - the TUBES!
Accuphase - $20,000 in Japan, $70,000 in America. Really?
Mc2301/REF10 - owned them before. The 2301's can be sluggish. Will some 6550 tubes change that?

I've ruled out Soulution (despite it being a great SS amp, just don't see it as a good match), Constellation (just not a fan), Spectral (don't want to have to buy MIT cables, don't see it as a fit), Boulder (pricing has reached new levels of insanity), Audio Note UK (just not seeing a good fit), etc.

Thoughts?

**highEndguy** · August 26, 2014, 01:45 PM

ARC:

Preamp REF10
Phono REF10
Amp REF75
or GS150

And be happy for life !!

**Mike** · August 26, 2014, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by highEndguy

ARC:

Preamp REF10
Phono REF10
Amp REF75
or GS150

And be happy for life !!

I see a trend here. Looks like ARC.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

**psjl** · August 26, 2014, 02:10 PM

Mike.....you might want to consider BSC Audio's 5 Series tiered class A bias amps.

**Mike** · August 26, 2014, 02:37 PM

Originally Posted by psjl

Mike.....you might want to consider BSC Audio's 5 Series tiered class A bias amps.

I'm looking!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**veindoc** · August 26, 2014, 02:49 PM

might want to wait for Statements to arrive and break in so new amp can play with strads and Spatials. any consideration for Naim statements. I believe I remember an amp shootout and I thought Naim shocked everyone how good it sounded compared to some serious competition.

Nick

**asindc** · August 26, 2014, 03:04 PM

Have you considered the Ayre 20 combo or D'Ag combo?

**MikeCh** · August 26, 2014, 03:06 PM

After hearing them at RMAF last year and if I had Mike-Money, these would be my choice:

Concept?TAD-M600?TAD

-plus-

Concept?TAD-C600?TAD

**the professor** · August 26, 2014, 03:11 PM

About how much SS power do you need for the Strads in your room? Obviously the 50w Cary works for tubes.

**Mike** · August 26, 2014, 03:13 PM

Originally Posted by asindc

Have you considered the Ayre 20 combo or D'Ag combo?

Ayre 20 has me intrigued. The Dag combo I owned and loved....but not sure of a fit for Strads. Maybe.

Everyone thinks the Strads are full and lush and warm, they really aren't. They are way more neutral to be honest.

They sound best with Class A or tubes IMO.

Franco Serblin liked an OTL tube amp on them.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**Mike** · August 26, 2014, 03:13 PM

Originally Posted by the professor

About how much SS power do you need for the Strads in your room? Obviously the 50w Cary works for tubes.

I would say 120. 30 min is the rating I believe.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**Mike** · August 26, 2014, 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by MikeCh

After hearing them at RMAF last year and if I had Mike-Money, these would be my choice:

Concept?TAD-M600?TAD

-plus-

Concept?TAD-C600?TAD

Now that's a cool looking amp.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**wisnon** · August 26, 2014, 03:23 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

So here's what I'm thinking......now that I have my Sonus Faber Stradivaris (Strads) back in place (should NEVER have sold them in the first place), I have been trying different amp combinations. The Hegel H30 is terrific and the stereo version is a keeper, the Cary 805AE's are the unanimous choice by visitors. With all the upgrades done by Cary combined with the 1940 GE 211's, WE300b's and MELZ 1578's, this 50 watt SET is a world beater. But I can't leave it on and forget it during the day for occasional listening. The Pass XA60.5's are wonderful - I think I want more of that!

But the heat from the big boys! The Mc275's and VAC phi200's are good, but are going to be sold.

The good news is that no matter what amp I put on the Strads, they offer varying degrees of good. NOTHING sounds "bad". I LOVE these speakers! Did I mention that? No bass issues!!

Given this, I want to find a world class amp/preamp combo now that will work well with the Strads. I'm looking at Pass XS150/XS Preamp, Allnic A-6000/L-5000, Accuphase A-200/3800 or back to the tried and true Mc2301/ARC REF10 combo.

Concerns:

Pass - the HEAT!
Allnic - the TUBES!
Accuphase - $20,000 in Japan, $70,000 in America. Really?
Mc2301/REF10 - owned them before. The 2301's can be sluggish. Will some 6550 tubes change that?

I've ruled out Soulution (despite it being a great SS amp, just don't see it as a good match), Constellation (just not a fan), Spectral (don't want to have to buy MIT cables, don't see it as a fit), Boulder (pricing has reached new levels of insanity), Audio Note UK (just not seeing a good fit), etc.

Thoughts?

CH?

Now that the M1s are out, maybe the A1s are going cheap on the used market?

**Mike** · August 26, 2014, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by wisnon

CH?

Now that the M1s are out, maybe the A1s are going cheap on the used market?

Thanks Norman. I just can't get into the Swiss gear. I know its good....but yowser, so pricey.

**Mike** · August 26, 2014, 03:28 PM

Originally Posted by veindoc

might want to wait for Statements to arrive and break in so new amp can play with strads and Spatials. any consideration for Naim statements. I believe I remember an amp shootout and I thought Naim shocked everyone how good it sounded compared to some serious competition.

Nick

I may die waiting. "Two more weeks".

Have you seen this Nick? 6moons audio industry features: Delays...

**wisnon** · August 26, 2014, 03:34 PM

That is why I say USED. LoL

The fully adjustable local and global feedback ability of the CH amps make them special IMO. This means they can fit any speaker like a glove.

**veindoc** · August 26, 2014, 03:37 PM

I guess your wait seems rather tame. If tubes are a consideration I always miss my Jadis gear. Their monoblocks were outstanding.
Nick

**the professor** · August 26, 2014, 04:02 PM

I love Jadis gear.

Always lusted after their 300B mono blocks, but that's a different thread.

Originally Posted by veindoc

I guess your wait seems rather tame. If tubes are a consideration I always miss my Jadis gear. Their monoblocks were outstanding.
Nick

**socfan12** · August 26, 2014, 04:20 PM

Originally Posted by wisnon

CH?

Now that the M1s are out, maybe the A1s are going cheap on the used market?

There was a pair of A1 monos that just sold on Agon.

Would second the CH nomination. But after hearing Allnic gear this weekend, Allnic gets a thumbs up from me!

**cmalak** · August 26, 2014, 09:57 PM

Mike...if you are worried about the heat from the Pass amps, you will have the same issue with all "true" class A amps, so if you consider the Pass, Accuphase, and BSC amps, then you may want to consider putting in an extra quiet split AC unit in there to cool that room down when the amps are in use.

The list of world class SS pre/amp combos have largely been enumerated: Ayre KX-R/MX-R Twenty, D'Ag combo, Constellation, Soulution, Naim, Hegel, etc...

The ones I would add to that list: Vitus (Class A and Class A/B for the amps and their pre and phono pres have gotten stellar reviews), Simaudio Moon Evolution series (line and phono pres and stereo/mono amps in the 800 series models), and Luxman (pre and Class A amps are phenomenal).

I have not heard the Vitus but I have heard the Simaudio and Luxman gear (various models) and they are awesome. Some pics/links for your perusal....

Simaudio:

850 Pre: Preamplifiers MOON Evolution | Simaudio

Reviews:
Simaudio Moon Evolution 850P line preamplifier | Stereophile.com
Simaudio MOON 850P Evolution Preamplifier ? Reviews | TONEAudio MAGAZINE
Simaudio MOON 850P Evolution Preamplifier ? Reviews | TONEAudio MAGAZINE

Pics:

880M Mono Amps: Power Amplifiers MOON Evolution | Simaudio

Reviews:
Simaudio Moon Evolution 880M monoblock power amplifier | Stereophile.com

Pics:

I won't go over the 810P phono because I am presuming you are going to stick with the Ref 2SE but the 810P was positively reviewed by Fremer.

Luxman:

C-800F: On a Higher Note :: C-800f Control Amplifier
M-800A Class A Mono Amps: On a Higher Note :: M-800A Pure A Stereo Amplifier (heard these with C-800F...scary good!

Reviews:

luxman 800

Pics:

Hope I have provided you with a few additional things to think about. I have not gone down the road of providing you links/reviews/pics for Vitus because I havenot heard personally but everything I have read suggests excellent gear as well. Of course the Simaudio is Class AB and the Luxman is Class A. Enjoy.

**Mike** · August 26, 2014, 10:46 PM

Thanks Cyril. Luxman is another brand I'm looking at. I would think Vitus would be great, but their prices have gotten crazy expensive too. Sim....hmmm....that's one I didn't consider.

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**Petro85** · August 26, 2014, 10:46 PM

wow mike tough choices, i dont even have to tell you what i think. you already know.
but to be realistic, you have the carys and love them. get some big s/s amps to make you satisfied with having different types of sound in your room(cant believe i just said that.lmao). then get some 10w a5000's for your spatials.
call it a day.

you need to try the h5000 phonostage before you buy any other. and i was also wondering if you have heard the big vac phonostage?? i have not but my good friend loves it to death.

**Jack** · August 26, 2014, 10:54 PM

He already has a great "big SS amp" in the Hegel and the Cary's for the Strad's, plus the Music Reference OTL's for the Spatial's and a perfect match for the Tannoy's with the LM. To me I think he is set already, but Mike just likes to keep surfing through gear. Keep it up Mike!

**cmalak** · August 26, 2014, 10:55 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Thanks Cyril. Luxman is another brand I'm looking at. I would think Vitus would be great, but their prices have gotten crazy expensive too. Sim....hmmm....that's one I didn't consider.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Mike if you have a local dealer, seek them out for a demo hopefully with a Strad or better yet if they a free take them home for a demo. I think you will be very surprised by what you hear. Some of the most resolving, neutral, and musical SS gear I have heard. I think you will be positively surprised. They need a min of one hour of warm up time but will really come into their own after being on for 24 hours so if you demo them at a store, ask them to keep them on for you from the day before so they are at their optimal steady state operating temperature. By the way, the 800 series is not cheap as you can see from the pricing info in the reviews posted.

**Dpod4** · August 26, 2014, 10:57 PM

I am becoming a fan of simple architecture. Anything point to point wiring by hand no PCBs. Simple signal paths with hand selected parts. Tubes in any type of preamp. My ears hear electronic haze in most anything else. Although I haven't heard everything. The more I listen the more I become sensitive to anything artificial sounding.

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