Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2015 0:37:20 GMT
OK, so here's my 'current' rig. I highlight the word current, because I've used the same head-amp system for around 5 years now, and have no nagging feelings of "upgrade-itis". I have modded and fettled all of my components over the years to the extent that I am totally happy with the sound, and enjoy just listening to the music.
If I'm going to do this, I'll do it right, so I'll take the opportunity to describe the rig in full and complete detail including everything up-stream of the actual amps.
OK, so my source files are mainly 16/44 flac, self-ripped from my own retail CD's, using EAC. I do also have some internet-sourced MP3-320 (Oh,the horror!), and also some HD-Tracks 24/96 and 24/192 files.
The files live in a pair of Western Digital 'RED' 3TB hard drives in Raid 1 configuration, housed in anti-vibration mounts, in a Synology DS213J NAS drive. The NAS drive sits on a small granite slab under which sits 4 Deflex Foculpods arranged at each corner with another identically-sized granite base underneath.
The Synology NAS streams the files wirelessly to my Cambridge Audio Stream-Magic 6 via a standard Sky SR102 Skyhub. I tried streaming using 10 metres of CAT6, but I honestly could not hear any difference between wired and wireless, even with 24/96 files, so I kept the wireless configuration.
When the file reaches my Cambridge Audio Stream-Magic 6, it is up-sampled to 24/384 using an Anagram Technologies ATF DAC. It's passed out via the balanced outputs using DNM Stereo Solid Core Interconnects.
The Stream-Magic sits on 4 Michell Engineering 'Tenderfeet', which locate into 4 Michell Engineering 'Tendercups'. The Tendercups have a thin sorbothane membrane underneath, which couple with a custom-manufactured 10mm Plexi-glass base. Underneath the plexi-glass base are 4 Deflex Foculpods, which couple the base to the top shelf of my old Sound Organisation Z545 audio table. The Z545 rack is coupled to the MDF top-plate of the base-unit by spikes and shoes.
The signal arrives at my Musical Fidelity X-10D. This has been heavily RG-modded, and uses Western Electric 396A valves.
The signal then passes to my Musical Fidelity X-Cans V2 using a very short run of DNM Stereo Solid Core Interconnect. The X-Cans V2 has also been heavily RG-modded, and uses JAN6922 valves.
Both the X-10D and the X-Cans V2 are powered by a 30VA toroidal (soon to changed to a 60VA toroidal), with twin secondaries, in a Hammond case. The toroidal gets its power from a Belkin PureAV PF30 power console/filter. The Belkin sits on 4 Deflex Foculpods, which couple to a home-made MDF/sand/air-suspension base. The X-10D, Hammond toroidal, and X-Cans V-2 all sit on an 8mm custom-manufactured Plexi-glass base. The plexi-glass base again sits on 4 Deflex Foculpods, which couple the base to the second shelf of my Sound Organisation Z545 rack.
Everything is controlled by a Google Nexus 7 tablet, powered by one of the rear USB's on the Stream Magic, and running the brilliant Bubblesoft control app.
This all sounds very complicated, but is easily understood when looking at a pic of the set-up.
BTW, don't bother telling me that I'm a bit obsessive about vibration-control - I know. I think it stems from marksmanship training. My streamer doesn't really need vibration-control, but I just plunked it down on the same shelf where my CDP sat, and I used the same feet out of habit.
My modestly-priced headphone armoury consists of the following cans :-
01. AKG K-240 Sextett (K-240 velours)
02. Beyerdynamic DT-150/250 (DT-100 velours, straight cable)
03. Beyerdynamic DT-250/250 (stock)
04. Beyerdynamic DT-990/250 (stock)
05. B & W P-3 (stock)
06. Grado SR-80 (Very heavily modded)
07. Grado I-Grado (stock)
08. Goldring DR 150 (stock)
09. Fostex T-40 RP Mk.2 (Heavily modded)
10. Sennheiser HD-600 (stock, but with 650 cable)
11. Sennheiser RS-160 ('Kleer' wireless system)
12. Sennheiser HD-595 (stock - my first 'real' headphone)
13. Skullcandy Aviator MK.1
14. Sony ZX-1000 (stock)
15. Superlux HD 681 (K-240 velours, RG-modded, Mick's rings, Frans filtered, Christian's headband, a wonderful and totally unique headphone with great sentimental value)
16. Superlux HD 330 (Stock)
17. Superlux HD 668B (Christian's headband mod)
18. TDK WR700 ('Kleer' wireless system)
19. Panasonic RPHJE Ergo-fit 450W (IEM's)
Anyway, that's my set-up. Here's a couple of pics . . .
If I'm going to do this, I'll do it right, so I'll take the opportunity to describe the rig in full and complete detail including everything up-stream of the actual amps.
OK, so my source files are mainly 16/44 flac, self-ripped from my own retail CD's, using EAC. I do also have some internet-sourced MP3-320 (Oh,the horror!), and also some HD-Tracks 24/96 and 24/192 files.
The files live in a pair of Western Digital 'RED' 3TB hard drives in Raid 1 configuration, housed in anti-vibration mounts, in a Synology DS213J NAS drive. The NAS drive sits on a small granite slab under which sits 4 Deflex Foculpods arranged at each corner with another identically-sized granite base underneath.
The Synology NAS streams the files wirelessly to my Cambridge Audio Stream-Magic 6 via a standard Sky SR102 Skyhub. I tried streaming using 10 metres of CAT6, but I honestly could not hear any difference between wired and wireless, even with 24/96 files, so I kept the wireless configuration.
When the file reaches my Cambridge Audio Stream-Magic 6, it is up-sampled to 24/384 using an Anagram Technologies ATF DAC. It's passed out via the balanced outputs using DNM Stereo Solid Core Interconnects.
The Stream-Magic sits on 4 Michell Engineering 'Tenderfeet', which locate into 4 Michell Engineering 'Tendercups'. The Tendercups have a thin sorbothane membrane underneath, which couple with a custom-manufactured 10mm Plexi-glass base. Underneath the plexi-glass base are 4 Deflex Foculpods, which couple the base to the top shelf of my old Sound Organisation Z545 audio table. The Z545 rack is coupled to the MDF top-plate of the base-unit by spikes and shoes.
The signal arrives at my Musical Fidelity X-10D. This has been heavily RG-modded, and uses Western Electric 396A valves.
The signal then passes to my Musical Fidelity X-Cans V2 using a very short run of DNM Stereo Solid Core Interconnect. The X-Cans V2 has also been heavily RG-modded, and uses JAN6922 valves.
Both the X-10D and the X-Cans V2 are powered by a 30VA toroidal (soon to changed to a 60VA toroidal), with twin secondaries, in a Hammond case. The toroidal gets its power from a Belkin PureAV PF30 power console/filter. The Belkin sits on 4 Deflex Foculpods, which couple to a home-made MDF/sand/air-suspension base. The X-10D, Hammond toroidal, and X-Cans V-2 all sit on an 8mm custom-manufactured Plexi-glass base. The plexi-glass base again sits on 4 Deflex Foculpods, which couple the base to the second shelf of my Sound Organisation Z545 rack.
Everything is controlled by a Google Nexus 7 tablet, powered by one of the rear USB's on the Stream Magic, and running the brilliant Bubblesoft control app.
This all sounds very complicated, but is easily understood when looking at a pic of the set-up.
BTW, don't bother telling me that I'm a bit obsessive about vibration-control - I know. I think it stems from marksmanship training. My streamer doesn't really need vibration-control, but I just plunked it down on the same shelf where my CDP sat, and I used the same feet out of habit.
My modestly-priced headphone armoury consists of the following cans :-
01. AKG K-240 Sextett (K-240 velours)
02. Beyerdynamic DT-150/250 (DT-100 velours, straight cable)
03. Beyerdynamic DT-250/250 (stock)
04. Beyerdynamic DT-990/250 (stock)
05. B & W P-3 (stock)
06. Grado SR-80 (Very heavily modded)
07. Grado I-Grado (stock)
08. Goldring DR 150 (stock)
09. Fostex T-40 RP Mk.2 (Heavily modded)
10. Sennheiser HD-600 (stock, but with 650 cable)
11. Sennheiser RS-160 ('Kleer' wireless system)
12. Sennheiser HD-595 (stock - my first 'real' headphone)
13. Skullcandy Aviator MK.1
14. Sony ZX-1000 (stock)
15. Superlux HD 681 (K-240 velours, RG-modded, Mick's rings, Frans filtered, Christian's headband, a wonderful and totally unique headphone with great sentimental value)
16. Superlux HD 330 (Stock)
17. Superlux HD 668B (Christian's headband mod)
18. TDK WR700 ('Kleer' wireless system)
19. Panasonic RPHJE Ergo-fit 450W (IEM's)
Anyway, that's my set-up. Here's a couple of pics . . .