matt, loved the article. As someone who has had many “shape shifting” systems over the past 50 years, I’m looking forward to your future articles. My only question at this point is what system are you currently running? Thanks
Thank you! I am actually planning a post breaking down my entire audio system in detail in the near future, including progress photos and detailed upgrades/modifications.
However, here's a short summary:
Turntable: Mitchell Orbe SE with Graham 2.2 tonearm and Hana ML cartridge
Phono pre-amp: ModWright PH 9.0 with both X & T upgrades, upgraded umbilical, and various NOS tube upgrades
Streamer/Server: Innuos Zen MK3
DAC: Allnic D-5000 DHT DAC
Preamp: Aric Audio Super 6SN7 with various tube upgrades.
Amplifier: Aric Audio Super 2A3 SET with various tube upgrades.
Speakers: Coherent Audio The 18 in Santos Rosewood (custom)
Nice choices! Can't really ever go wrong with a good Technics. I briefly had an Arcam Diva CD72 way back when I thought about getting CDs, but ended up deciding to stick with analog only at the time and quickly flipped it. Still no CDs for me, but ended up going the streamer route.
Don't be overly nice. You've got a Michell (not Mitchell) Orbe belt drive turntable. Direct drive turntables suck. Speed of a typical direct drive table is frequency modulated at about 400hz. It's audible as distortion, not as a speed problem.
There are good, reasonably priced belt-drive TTs available from companies like Pro-Ject.
Catching up with previous articles Matt. It would be great to see "packages" or recommended groupings of good audio components with associated price ranges, assuming new purchase costs, since used costs are a variable. So as an example, set X would cost $750, set Y is $1500, etc.
Second, familiarizing readers with the next tier of brands beyond the more well known (Sony, Technics) would be helpful as many of us don't live in metros with good audio/hi-fi shops in which to browse in person.
Third, any lessons in components that don't work well together (i.e. avoid this).
For 'packages,' once I give a rundown of component basics with some more articles, I do plan on putting together a few examples of 'entry level,' 'mid-tier,' and 'higher end' systems just as examples. Beyond entry level, choices are very subject and depend on personal preferences, room, etc.
The other notes I was planning on detailing out some examples in each post as I go over various components, so stay tuned!
Your comment reminded me that I am due for another post in this series...time to get working!
One other thing... a hi-fi system is much more interesting focal point for a living space than yet another giant flat screen TV.
matt, loved the article. As someone who has had many “shape shifting” systems over the past 50 years, I’m looking forward to your future articles. My only question at this point is what system are you currently running? Thanks
I just wrapped up my system summary post: https://avantcrap.substack.com/p/evolution-of-an-audiophile-lite
Thank you! I am actually planning a post breaking down my entire audio system in detail in the near future, including progress photos and detailed upgrades/modifications.
However, here's a short summary:
Turntable: Mitchell Orbe SE with Graham 2.2 tonearm and Hana ML cartridge
Phono pre-amp: ModWright PH 9.0 with both X & T upgrades, upgraded umbilical, and various NOS tube upgrades
Streamer/Server: Innuos Zen MK3
DAC: Allnic D-5000 DHT DAC
Preamp: Aric Audio Super 6SN7 with various tube upgrades.
Amplifier: Aric Audio Super 2A3 SET with various tube upgrades.
Speakers: Coherent Audio The 18 in Santos Rosewood (custom)
Power Filter: Saturn Audio 103c mkII
Cables: Triode Wire Labs
Custom solid walnut Audio Rack
Wow!
Turntable: Technics SL 1500c
Cartridges: Nagaoka JT1200 & MP110, AT12Sa (with new Shibata stylus, AT14S (with new Vivid line stylus)
Amplifier: Arcam cx Alpha plus6
Speakers: PSB Imagine B50
CD player: old Panasonic 24 bit DVD player 🙂
Nice choices! Can't really ever go wrong with a good Technics. I briefly had an Arcam Diva CD72 way back when I thought about getting CDs, but ended up deciding to stick with analog only at the time and quickly flipped it. Still no CDs for me, but ended up going the streamer route.
Don't be overly nice. You've got a Michell (not Mitchell) Orbe belt drive turntable. Direct drive turntables suck. Speed of a typical direct drive table is frequency modulated at about 400hz. It's audible as distortion, not as a speed problem.
There are good, reasonably priced belt-drive TTs available from companies like Pro-Ject.
Catching up with previous articles Matt. It would be great to see "packages" or recommended groupings of good audio components with associated price ranges, assuming new purchase costs, since used costs are a variable. So as an example, set X would cost $750, set Y is $1500, etc.
Second, familiarizing readers with the next tier of brands beyond the more well known (Sony, Technics) would be helpful as many of us don't live in metros with good audio/hi-fi shops in which to browse in person.
Third, any lessons in components that don't work well together (i.e. avoid this).
Thanks!
Thanks for the note and suggestions!
For 'packages,' once I give a rundown of component basics with some more articles, I do plan on putting together a few examples of 'entry level,' 'mid-tier,' and 'higher end' systems just as examples. Beyond entry level, choices are very subject and depend on personal preferences, room, etc.
The other notes I was planning on detailing out some examples in each post as I go over various components, so stay tuned!
Your comment reminded me that I am due for another post in this series...time to get working!
Absolutely loved this piece!
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed!