MSB + ARC + MBL + VTV + Paradigm + Artnovion

[Grimmie]

5 hours ago, Ittaku said:

Surprisingly few takers for a get together next week? Okay, if anyone else is interested in a listen next Tuesday afternoon, PM me.

 

My regular excuse for a visit to Melbourne (that would be my daughter) where I get to see Harry from SGR and see the Bleak City sights and sounds is currently living here in Perth for a year. Once she returns to her normal life back there perhaps your GTG pressure will have died a little and I could presume upon your hospitality to listen to your amazing system.

 

I followed the original thread over the last few years and have been goggle eyed at the changes and experimentation you've committed your cash to. As to the end-game system comment, just how do you think the habits of so many years will be changed so easily, (your wife just showed you the gun she's bought perhaps?) or is the itchy little mozzie looking for a place to bite again, - even now?

[Ittaku]

29 minutes ago, Grimmie said:

I followed the original thread over the last few years and have been goggle eyed at the changes and experimentation you've committed your cash to. As to the end-game system comment, just how do you think the habits of so many years will be changed so easily, (your wife just showed you the gun she's bought perhaps?) or is the itchy little mozzie looking for a place to bite again, - even now?

I was always looking for something, knowing full well the limitations of my old system, and trying to work around it by making my own speakers. Hitting the limits of that I had to look elsewhere, and have slowly chipped away at every weakness I could find. It's now better in virtually every way I could imagine, bar at disco loudness levels, which I would only play when showing off the system. I may be proven wrong, but I can see quite a few years of hifi stability ahead, especially now that I have a firm handle on just how insignificant - and ultimately useless - all those little tweaks are we waste our time on.

 

What I'd love to do from here is help others optimise their own hifi based on my experiences, but most people don't want my advice since it often comes across and blunt and may be completely contradictory with what they believe in or have been told

[Grimmie]

3 hours ago, Ittaku said:

I was always looking for something, knowing full well the limitations of my old system, and trying to work around it by making my own speakers. Hitting the limits of that I had to look elsewhere, and have slowly chipped away at every weakness I could find. It's now better in virtually every way I could imagine, bar at disco loudness levels, which I would only play when showing off the system. I may be proven wrong, but I can see quite a few years of hifi stability ahead, especially now that I have a firm handle on just how insignificant - and ultimately useless - all those little tweaks are we waste our time on.

 

What I'd love to do from here is help others optimise their own hifi based on my experiences, but most people don't want my advice since it often comes across and blunt and may be completely contradictory with what they believe in or have been told

 

Belief systems are a strange human phenomenon. Often not based in fact or evidence, indeed as likely to fly in the face of logic and science as to follow rationality or data. Many of those tweaks are the ultimate expression of illogical belief expression, even self-delusion. That's not to say they don't bring enjoyment and perceived improvement - "whatever get's you through the night" is a great rock 'n roll quote that fits. Nevertheless, bluntness and belief are not best bedfellows.

 

Experience on the other hand can be even stranger. "A man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest" (Paul Simon of course). For example deciding what one's bias and preferences are prior to attaining competent knowledge is more common than not. Though honestly it's far too difficult for the average hi-fi fan to gain that over-arching familiarity with all relevant componentry and their combinations, indeed also the same for professional reviewers to be across the multitude of new gear constantly coming to the market, so allowing interpretation to be skewed toward subjective partiality or showy extravagance is normal and those without the means will often follow their lead.

 

The flip side of that experience on the other hand is a gradual development of personal taste. Taking the time and considerable funds, and/or trading skill, to have as wide a spectrum of equipment from multiple sources as practical to personally evaluate, being aware of the limitations of each item and developing the golden ear necessary for that is surely ideal if possible.

 

Having the resolve to keep going through the set-backs and disappointments would be far too difficult for the vast majority (and me). Each component then has to be evaluated with an open mind, (and cheque-book) arduous, but does seems to me a worthy occupation if not one I personally have the patience for, nor the tolerant wife come to that. Now as much as I can appreciate that you surely have enjoyed the journey it would have ensured my hair torn out and the divorce lawyer rubbing his hands in glee.

 

Hopefully see you next year and well done.

[frankn]

19 hours ago, Ittaku said:

……….  What I'd love to do from here is help others optimise their own hifi based on my experiences, but most people don't want my advice since it often comes across and blunt and may be completely contradictory with what they believe in or have been told

A lot of how well others take “on-board” advice depends A LOT on the delivery imho .  Advice can easily be seen/heard as hectoring or presented differently as education and discussion. 
Given your journey to such a great space your experience would be a valuable asset to others. 

[Ittaku]

24 minutes ago, frankn said:

A lot of how well others take “on-board” advice depends A LOT on the delivery imho .

Absolutely agree, except for one thing - information they don't want to hear. You think a power cable/usb cable/network cable/HD cable/network switch etc. etc. believer is interested in me telling them they're wasting their money and all the so-called improvements are the power of suggestion?

[frankn]

32 minutes ago, Ittaku said:

Absolutely agree, except for one thing - information they don't want to hear. You think a power cable/usb cable/network cable/HD cable/network switch etc. etc. believer is interested in me telling them they're wasting their money and all the so-called improvements are the power of suggestion?

You win some, you you lose some. 
Let those keep those beliefs and continue to assist in the other, more impactful areas. 

[Ittaku]

1 minute ago, frankn said:

You win some, you you lose some. 
Let those keep those beliefs and continue to assist in the other, more impactful areas. 

It's a fine line that I've gotten better at. I never tell people those things unless they openly ask if there's any advantage to those tweaks, which seems to happen a lot anyway. Whether they listen or not after that is of course up to them, but usually my comment is followed by countless others extolling the virtues of doing those tweaks.

 

On the other hand, I know almost nothing about vinyl, so I mostly steer clear of those discussions as it would be presumptuous of me to advise them there.

[Ittaku]

What the heck? I just got the valves I ordered... 2 days ago... from Canada. Local orders are rarely that quick. UPS did great work during the lockdown to get stuff here in 5 days, but that is about as fast as anything's ever shipped from North America before. (Note, it was UPS, NOT USPS.)

[digoxin]

Ordered  an octet of Mullard EL34 for the Primaluna 400 from amptubes.com.au yesterday morning and I received it at 10am this morning from Qld. That is a record for Express Post. Fortunately  I stocked up on KT150s at normal prices in Jan. I had a shock looking  at the current prices for KT150s.

[Ittaku]

6 minutes ago, digoxin said:

Ordered  an octet of Mullard EL34 for the Primaluna 400 from amptubes.com.au yesterday morning and I received it at 10am this morning from Qld. That is a record for Express Post. Fortunately  I stocked up on KT150s at normal prices in Jan. I had a shock looking  at the current prices for KT150s.

Fortunately I only recently revalved my power amps so unless I have a failure I'm hoping not to need any KT150s till the craziness in Ukraine is long since over.

 

At 1000 hours on the power amps and 1100+ hours on the preamp so shouldn't need the regulator valves for at least another 1000 hours.

[digoxin]

For those coming to tomorrow’s GTG  I am offering a pass around of this new release book. Japanese American poet who has eloquently documented his audiophile journey.

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2022/03/18/memoir-family-race-poetry-stereo-systems/

 

 

[Ittaku]

1 hour ago, digoxin said:

For those coming to tomorrow’s GTG  I am offering a pass around of this new release book. Japanese American poet who has eloquently documented his audiophile journey.

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2022/03/18/memoir-family-race-poetry-stereo-systems/

Thanks. I love the not-so-subtle view of the interior of the ARC power amp right next to it.

[Ittaku]

Firing up the hifi now gents. Should be nice and warm in time for today's GTG.

 

Next GTG is Wed 20th April. Usual rules of engagement will apply.

[PKay]

6 minutes ago, Ittaku said:

Firing up the hifi now gents. Should be nice and warm in time for today's GTG.

 

Next GTG is Wed 20th April. Usual rules of engagement will apply.

Look forward to reading about the GTG.  I'm thinking some of the Melbourne group are in for a treat.

[Ittaku]

Whew, great get together. Biggest I've ever held. Great music, great wine, disappointed by there being cheese left over despite the numbers, but most people seemed to enjoy themselves. I played half of my reference tracks and then we queued up a few interesting and great recordings that others had provided. Brian AKA @Lansche plasma guy provided some reel to reel digital transfers which were outstanding and memorable as well. Thanks all for your input and kind words, and more importantly, your wine. I thoroughly enjoyed the day. Taking applications for next Wednesday 20th now. Feel free to PM me if you're interested.

[digoxin]

Con,

 

That was such a memorable experience. It was great to catch up and put faces to other members and hear about each other’s audio journey. All I can say is that even though every part of @Ittaku system is top shelf material(even the power and usb cables ) the synergy between the  source, amplification, speakers, bass and room treatment is probably what impressed me the most. 

 

I am still coming down from the high that is Fanfare for the Common Man played with the  volume dialed up to 100(actually 103 in @Ittaku’s system). Will take days  to process how good that performance was.

 

Thanks again for being so generous with  opening up your home and listening room.

 

Peter

[sir sanders zingmore]

I wish I could have stayed longer. Thanks so much Con, what a treat to hear a system that has been thought through at every stage.

 

I think too often we are seduced by a shiny new thing and lose sight of the overall goal. It feels as if @Ittaku has kept his goal firmly in mind at every step of the way and has arrived at a place that many people have spent a lot more money on and not got to. 
 

It’s bloody annoying I tell you

(seriously though, if you get a chance to listen, take it. You won’t regret it)
 

Also really nice to catch up with some people I haven’t seen for ages 

[davm]

Con's get together was my first time attending an SNA gathering.

 

Talk about starting in the rarefied air of the highest of high end!

 

Stand-outs for me were:

• Incredible room. Comfortable and welcoming plus great size which gave the speakers all the room they need, and truly sorted from a sound treatment perspective.
• The MBL speakers really don't care where you sit -- the sound staging and depth was almost immune to where you were in the room.
• Startling realism! In one recording, two drum sticks were being hit together. This may not sound like much, but they didn't sound like a recording -- they had the leading attack and rapid finish of real percussion. Other times, a recording of a Rachmaninov Symphony was completely convincing, with a stage and depth that gave me a jaw-dropping sense of hearing a real orchestra play.
• Brian's digital rips of 15ips dual track reel to reel recordings were stunning. One recording of a classical trio piece left me completely gob-smacked at the effortlessly accurate and musical sounds I was hearing. The instruments seemed to be present in the room in a way that seemed almost spooky. I don't think I've heard anything quite like it from a hi-fi system before.
• Saint-Saen's Symphony No. 3. The organ part was visceral at times as the lowest notes were played and went below hearing range and into being felt in the gut.

A huge thanks to Con for hosting such a memorable event and it was great to meet some charming and fascinating fellow members of SNA.

 

Thanks so much Con.

 

[joz]

After my visit in the early days it’s great to see the direction it has moved  too.

Excellent components in a well thought out and treated room which just happens to feel so very comfortable.

I’m looking forward to another visit one day soon if at all possible? But I  think others need to experience it first before I go back for seconds

Amazing work Con.

[Ittaku]

If anyone can remember way back, I submitted code to xiph.org to allow flac to support sample rates up to 1MHz instead of being limited to 640k. Their development process is exceptionally conservative, but it finally got merged into the master code today almost 2 years later, so it should be in their next flac release.

https://github.com/xiph/flac/pull/219

[Ittaku]

Get together for the 20th now pretty much packed. Might be a break before the next one; we'll see if I've had too much to drink by then or enjoy the GTGs too much to skip a week or two.

[Ittaku]

Had a dropout, could probably take one or maybe even two more people if anyone's interested this Wed 20th afternoon.

Full house.

Edited April 18, 2022 by Ittaku

[Stereophilus]

The view right now

[PKay]

Stunning. I’ll bet it sounds great. 

[STROP]

51 minutes ago, Stereophilus said:

The view right now

 

Nice view, but the glass is empty...