stesom
Well-known member
It all started a few months ago when I decided I needed a new cartridge for my record playing machine. I figured that would make me happy for awhile, but just like any addict it awoke the beast in me and the chase was on.
I figured maybe I just need a new phono stage to go with my cartridge and then I would be ok. Then I thought that maybe a new pre-amp would bring things to an end, but it only got worse.
So I figured new amps and that would surely calm the beast. Well after that it seemed that my CD source was not up at the same level as everything else, so new CD source.
Finally I thought I was done and realized that my Monster Power Strip just was not good enough so in came new power conditioning.
After seeing the doctor we agreed that the only thing left to do is move onto Wilson MAXX IIs but my insurance does not cover them.
I am now in a 12 step program and my life has become manageable again. But relapse is never far away.
So the results are:
Shelter 9000 replaces Benz H2 Cartridge
ARC PH7 replaces Melos Phono Pre
ARC REF-3 replaces Classe CP-60 Pre-Amp
ARC REF-CD7 replaces Wadia 22 Trasport into Classe DAC-1 DAC
AYRE MX-R Mono Blocks replaces Classe CA-400 Amplifier
Richard Gray’s 1200 Custom and 400 Pro replace Monster Power Strip
The sonic results are startling. I have transient speed that I never thought possible. Dynamics that knock me out of my seat. Transparency that I have never experienced, where remarkably subtle details all of a sudden are so obviously revealed.
I can look around the soundstage and listen to each performer clearly without any congestion or confusion. I never thought that CDs could portray drums and cymbals as well as vinyl, but I have been proven wrong. In addition, the recreation of the venue and the ambiance of the space is uncanny.
I had thought that I had very come close to the law of diminishing returns with my prior system, but it is almost as if I went from mid-fi to high-fi all over again.
I still need to do room treatment and clean up the mess of wires so still some work to do. I am hoping to do a 65" Plasma on the wall so that I can get the components down lower and spread across the room so that they are not behind the left speaker as well as remove the interference caused by the big assed projection TV.
The Summits really can resolve whatever you put behind them and have proven to be a world class performer. I expect that I will have to spend 4 times the money to really better them. So I am taking it one day at a time hoping that this round is over. My wife is at the end of her rope and I can’t afford to replace her anytime soon. So the madness must stop for now……..Steve
I figured maybe I just need a new phono stage to go with my cartridge and then I would be ok. Then I thought that maybe a new pre-amp would bring things to an end, but it only got worse.
So I figured new amps and that would surely calm the beast. Well after that it seemed that my CD source was not up at the same level as everything else, so new CD source.
Finally I thought I was done and realized that my Monster Power Strip just was not good enough so in came new power conditioning.
After seeing the doctor we agreed that the only thing left to do is move onto Wilson MAXX IIs but my insurance does not cover them.
I am now in a 12 step program and my life has become manageable again. But relapse is never far away.
So the results are:
Shelter 9000 replaces Benz H2 Cartridge
ARC PH7 replaces Melos Phono Pre
ARC REF-3 replaces Classe CP-60 Pre-Amp
ARC REF-CD7 replaces Wadia 22 Trasport into Classe DAC-1 DAC
AYRE MX-R Mono Blocks replaces Classe CA-400 Amplifier
Richard Gray’s 1200 Custom and 400 Pro replace Monster Power Strip
The sonic results are startling. I have transient speed that I never thought possible. Dynamics that knock me out of my seat. Transparency that I have never experienced, where remarkably subtle details all of a sudden are so obviously revealed.
I can look around the soundstage and listen to each performer clearly without any congestion or confusion. I never thought that CDs could portray drums and cymbals as well as vinyl, but I have been proven wrong. In addition, the recreation of the venue and the ambiance of the space is uncanny.
I had thought that I had very come close to the law of diminishing returns with my prior system, but it is almost as if I went from mid-fi to high-fi all over again.
I still need to do room treatment and clean up the mess of wires so still some work to do. I am hoping to do a 65" Plasma on the wall so that I can get the components down lower and spread across the room so that they are not behind the left speaker as well as remove the interference caused by the big assed projection TV.
The Summits really can resolve whatever you put behind them and have proven to be a world class performer. I expect that I will have to spend 4 times the money to really better them. So I am taking it one day at a time hoping that this round is over. My wife is at the end of her rope and I can’t afford to replace her anytime soon. So the madness must stop for now……..Steve
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