Alpinist (Ken) - how is your new system?

[Alpinist]

Also posted under "The (good) old CD player" thread.

I have to admit it, I am loving the sound of the ARC Reference CD-9 player that I am borrowing. First, there is zero digital artifice on the redbook CDs I have played. The sound is truly analog-like in its presentation. Second, there is wonderful tonal density in the midrange providing tremendous body to vocals and instrumentals. Third, its provides a soundstage with amazing width and depth and holographic images. Last but not least, there is huge synergy with the ARC Reference 6 preamp and the Vandersteen M7-HPA mono amps. There is some real magic happening there. It's a shame that this component doesn't play SACDs or DSD files or I would be in in in.

Ken

 

[Duke97]

Hi Ken, after two weeks, do you have any additional comments or thoughts about the sound/synergy of the Vandersteen Model 7ii + H7-MPA combo?

Also, for your current set-up, are you using/experimenting with any power products like Audioquest Niagra, Shunyata Denali, etc.?

Thanks,
Duke

 

[Kt77]

Perfectionist indeed........., I believe I can trust your ears.

 

[Alpinist]

Hi Ken, after two weeks, do you have any additional comments or thoughts about the sound/synergy of the Vandersteen Model 7ii + H7-MPA combo?

Also, for your current set-up, are you using/experimenting with any power products like Audioquest Niagra, Shunyata Denali, etc.?

Thanks,
Duke

Hi Duke,

No changes to report. The synergy between the ARC gear (CD-9 & Ref 6), the Vandersteen M7-HPA monoblocks and the Model 7 MkII speakers is off the charts great. I'm currently plugging the M7-HPA monoblocks and the Model 7 Subwoofer monoblocks into one 20-amp dedicated line and all other components are plugged into my Audience AR6-TSSOX power conditioner, which is plugged into the other 20-amp dedicated line. Very low noise floor, ultra smooth treble and terrific dynamics. It sounds so good, I could very easily leave it "as is". However, I will eventually audition the Audioquest Niagara 7000 and Shunyata Denali 6000 in my system to see if they offer any improvement over the current setup.

Best,
Ken

 

[Alpinist]

My ARC Ref 10 preamp now has over 200 hours on it. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways! Smooth and effortless treble. Liquid midrange with terrific body and dimension. Bass that goes very deep with both weight and pace. Very linear across the entire frequency band. Huge soundstage, both wide and deep with holographic imaging. Dynamics are fast and powerful. One of the best sounding components I've ever owned, period.

Best,
Ken

 

[kzhtoo]

Hi Ken,
Have you had a chance to try Denali? I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

 

[Alpinist]

Hi Kzhtoo,

I haven't had the opportunity to try the Denali yet but I am interested in eventually adding it to my system. I'm looking to add a tube DAC and music server first before the Denali.

Best,
Ken

Hi Ken,
Have you had a chance to try Denali? I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

 

[Alpinist]

My ARC Ref 10 preamp now has over 200 hours on it. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways! Smooth and effortless treble. Liquid midrange with terrific body and dimension. Bass that goes very deep with both weight and pace. Very linear across the entire frequency band. Huge soundstage, both wide and deep with holographic imaging. Dynamics are fast and powerful. One of the best sounding components I've ever owned, period.

Best,
Ken

I'm running the ARC Reference 10 preamp with the Vandersteen M7-HPA mono amplifiers (300 watts RMS into 8 ohms; 600 watts into 4 ohms). These Vandersteen amps do have two small tubes for voltage gain in the input stage but the current gain in the output stage is achieved through solid state with bipolar transistors. The ARC-Vandersteen combination sounds absolutely wonderful with tremendous synergy. One of the main reasons is the Vandersteen amps were voiced with ARC preamps.

Best,
Ken

 

[bzr]

Pics or it didn't happen.... You know the rules Ken.

 

[Alpinist]

Bad weather day today so I stayed inside and listened to my system for the entire day. The system is sounding truly remarkable. So liquid, so lifelike and zero fatigue. All components are breaking in beautifully. The Ref 10 now has 226 hours on it and sounds better every day, if that's possible. Full break in is 600 hours. All music is being spun via CD and SACD on the Esoteric K-01X.

Best,
Ken

 

[Mike]

Ken, what a great way to spend a day: with a world class system. [emoji106]

P.S. Any thoughts about a vinyl rig addition? [emoji51]

 

[Alpinist]

Ken, what a great way to spend a day: with a world class system. [emoji106]

P.S. Any thoughts about a vinyl rig addition? [emoji51]

Thanks Mike and guys, it was a fun day indoors.

I've never been a vinyl guy since I was a kid and I don't see that changing. Besides, the latest DACs, especially the tube ones to my ears, are producing such analog-like sound with all the convenience of digital that I don't see any need to move into the vinyl realm. I'm pretty focused on getting a tube DAC, music server and new power conditioners, in that order.

All the best,
Ken

 

[EmiLiuZ]

Hi Alpinist.

What cable lifters are those? And have you compared them to any of the competitors?

Anyhow, sweet looking system. I have yet to hear the Vandersteen 7's !

 

[Alpinist]

New racks and configuration for my system.

Ken

 

[Mike]

Nice!! Are you thinking room treatments?


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[Alpinist]

Nice!! Are you thinking room treatments?


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Mike,

You’re a mind reader. I was thinking perhaps Vicoustic VicTotem on either side of the racks.

Best,
Ken

 

[Kuoppis]

New racks and configuration for my system.

Ken

Superb looking system Ken, really nice. I bet the sound is immaculate.

Also like the racks, have been considering that alternative as well.


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[Alpinist]

Superb looking system Ken, really nice. I bet the sound is immaculate.

Also like the racks, have been considering that alternative as well.


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Thanks Kuoppis! I’m really enjoying both the Esoteric Grandioso K1 and Berkeley Ref2 MQA DAC as sources. The K1 delivers a broad soundstage with terrific layering and refinement, while the Berkeley offers a tube-like presentation with wonderful texture and delicacy.

What I realized at RMAF is the Esoteric master clock significantly raises the performance of the Esoteric players in terms of realism and enhanced soundstage. So the Grandioso G1 master clock has now been added to my wishlist, along with the Aurender N10 MQA when it comes out. It never ends!

As for the Solid Tech Radius Racks, I love them. They are solid as a rock, you can order custom length columns and they are reasonably priced and don’t break the bank.

Best,
Ken

 

[Kuoppis]

I wonder how the Grandioso sounds with the separate clock, as nice as it is already without.

And I was not aware of a N10 MQA version coming out, hopefully they do that for the other models as well.


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[Alpinist]

I wonder how the Grandioso sounds with the separate clock, as nice as it is already without.

And I was not aware of a N10 MQA version coming out, hopefully they do that for the other models as well.


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I heard the Esoteric K-01X Player with and without the G-01X Master Clock at RMAF. I would say it resulted in at least a 20% improvement in sound quality, no exaggeration. It made the K-01X sound like a different component in terms of both realism and imaging.

I spoke with the Aurender representative at RMAF and he said they expect the MQA version of the N10 and W20 to be out in January 2018. They already have the MQA beta version working but still need to get approval on the MQA licensing. They expect to pass on a small charge to the customer for the MQA software upgrade of approximately $50 to cover licensing fees.

Best,
Ken