The BEST system you've ever built !!!!

OK, audio freaks, here's the best I've built, and it doesn't require a lot of money, either! It's all Stan Warren equipment, beginning with an upgraded and modified Onkyo CD player, interconnected to Superphon Dual Mono preamp. interconnected to Superphon 120 amp., out to Superphon crossovers in dual 6 1/2" woofer, single tweeter cabinets, specially built. All interconnects and speaker cables by Stan, who also upgraded and modified the preamp and amp. This is the most life-like reproduction I've heard in any system, including audiophile retailers systems selling for 10K or more, and all for less than $2500.

waltcertain

Mr Stark I want to explain. I didn't put this together in one fell swoop it took over 5 years. The single most important contribution were the use of the Cyber 800 tube power amps. The entire line of "Cyber" from Consonace is remarkable. I opted for these because it had the most horsepower and my friend recommended them. He knows my preference for power. For another take on that subject go to ultravioletaudio.com and read my old buddy TRELJA'S philosophy. He help me along the way. I went bezerk with the tube collecting.
I must tell you I was always struggling pretty much buying things in excess three grand. Some how I lucked into the Electras open box very good price. Never paid full retail for any of the rig except NOS tubes which there is no retail.
I should reveal that I am an old friend of the distributor of Consonance and he always has a demo or returned item etc. so I was able to get an authorized discount but as a strict rule the price is really the price they don't play games. At the retail price as I said you are getting the best amp avaible it is a steal!!!
Why Consonance never took off is because the biggest seller was a 4 tube El 34 amp which I also own. Very reliable, very musical but not a Cyber. It simply never built up a Hi end image and it could have used the economy models to get the name out there but peoplare never thinking I eill hunt down a Consonance. If they heard our mono blocks I think they would searching the Gon this minute. They simply spank almost every amp out there. I just bought a Jadis DA 60 so my loyalty is split if that is 60 watts my 40 watt amp was really 5. I cannot get over the completely unflappable nature of that integrated. It is very pretty with the tubes I used. The bill for the matched 8 re-issue GEC Sold Lion KT-88 was almost as painful as a kidney stone. The previous owner thought he had the Svetlana Flying C but they were an admixture of counterfeited Sovteks and anything but a good tube.
Iam a tube roller and I as well was about to buy an octet of gues what the JJ E34L blue glass which has a sweet midrange.When I heard these I was stunned by the authority full range still a robust midrange and bass to die for. I called the distrbutor to ask had he used other tubes. He gave me the rundown and he saidthe Electro Harmonics were the ones. He and I are Dyed in the wool JJ fans so I asked some people on AA tubnes if they knew what could explain this. The answer is that the EH are true 6CA7s a tetrode while the EL34 or the E34L a slightly larger richer ans sweet is a Beam Pentode. I cannot explain anything more but be careful if you try JJ KT-77s they are Tetrodes as well but apparently have a minor lightening storm issue if attemptempted
As for taking out the what I call the heater, or in common parlance the 5687 I don't care for the virtual broiling heat any of them I used emit. I never felt they are slow amps unless you mean have the speed of an OTL.
The CV2493 is a hyper sturdy E88CC or 6922 to us Built for the Britsh army by Mullard. This tubne is a stark tube Mr. Stark, I like it because it is super fast clean potent and I hope will last. I bought a quartet from the only known supplier of true no BS NOS real NOS ECC88-01 that is the official name. It sounds more German than British in style but it may be a bit more money than you would want. The single pair listed on e-bay is ther real deal checkj ou the cost.
Cheers on finding Nirvana I have no real desire for any more stuff High end has gotten very high. I am wondering what they take to get that way.
Cheers and do write!

Hi Mechans,

I agree
Cybers 800 are awsome, and no need to spred the news......:)
as long as you and i know what they really are , and how they sound.

I am interested in some replacement tubes for my amps but cost is a big factor . I had a good tube source but he rised his prices to the point that it is not even funny.

If you don' mind me asking.........
what is your source?

_____________________________________________________________

About Joe,

yes, his thoughts and his way of thinking is on par with mine.
I believe that his is a very good guy and I have all but respect for him as a person and as an importer of fine products to US market.

Just for the record
I don't know Joe personaly and never did any business with him. It is only my opinion.

My Cybers were the show demo (during NJ show).
I bought them right there and then and they served me well ever since.

Mechans, if you want to take your system to another level........you can have Bob Backert (he lives in PA)
perform the mod on your Cybers.

I can bet you that after Bob finish his magic , you will be amazed what was possible to squeez out of Cybers and I can tell you that it could be .....well.......your last amp(s) ever. (don't trust me.......but trust your ears)

My best friend (also an audiophile) came over the other day to listen to my new-always changing system and he was.....shocked (I am not BSing).

The only thing missing is preamp that would do them justice.
After few auditions and preamps that I bought over the last few months I have decided to give DODD AUDIO a chance and it will be arriving in a week or two. Then I will stop the crazy, expancive and long search for the best system that I can afford.
In the mid-time, I will try to put together my second(or more like 3th) system based on M&D mini speakers($1200), DECCO Peachtree($800+mod) integrated and possibly moded by Bob and Sonos wireless system($1400 multi-room setup) with power supply upgrade as the source together with my own replinthed MMF 7 turntable and Creek phono.

Take it easy and hope to hear from you ......soon :)

Mariusz

I'm pretty sure it's my current system:

McCormack RLD 1 Preamp

McCormack DNA 125 Amp

Sony DVP 9000ES DVD/SACD player

Channel Islands Audio VDA 2 DAC & VAC 1 P/S

Magnum Dynalab MD 90 Tuner

Velodyne SMS 1 Sub EQ/crossover

PSB M2 Platinum speakers

REL R-305 Subwoofer

Rega P3 TT with Ortofon OM30 cart.

NAD PP2 phono pre

Equi Tech Son of Q power conditioner

Harmony 880 remote