Harman Kardon HK990 Question

Yes, thank you. Been busy, a spring cleaning with comprehensive system update is long overdue. An unexpected and very pleasant benefit of taking pictures and documenting the system is being able to view and study. One might think that with the system being right there in the room this couldn't really happen. But what I found is the angles needed to show what is going on are quite a bit different than one normally views things from. One reason I hate taking pictures is the odd angles are hard to get right, get lit, and so on.

But then once this is done the pictures are a lot easier to study than the real thing. I notice details that I never did before. It is a lot easier to plan changes studying pictures this way.

So over time a lot of changes have been made. Everything still pretty much where it was, but those few details that have changed are a world of difference. 

Mainly though, in terms of components, it is now Soundsmith Straing Gauge, Rens Heijnis 24V DC modified gain stage, Soundsmith Allegri Reference, Pass XA25, Tekton Moab with Millercarbon crossover upgrades. Wires are Townshend F1 interconnects and speaker cables, M101 Supernova power cord, and a couple Synergistic power cords, all spring isolated on Cable Cradles, Pods, and Podiums.

At this point, if I may channel Ron Swanson, then I would say, "I worry that you think I said "a lot". lol.    

@millercarbon so what ever happened to the Raven Blackhawk you endorsed and well obsessed over? 

It was everything I said it was. Every night after about 90 minutes something would happen and it would just be magical. Pretty good until then too. And for years I have been a huge proponent of integrated amps. But there came a chance to try a really good preamp, and once I heard the Allegri Reference (or rather didn’t hear, it is so transparent) I decided it was time to make the move to separates. Wanted to hear Decware ZMA for some time, and they are 16 months out. So meantime found a Pass XA25 and it is so good the Decware really has its work cut out. 

Enjoy it @millercarbon btw you are a dealer for Townshend no? 

Honestly, that’s a good question. Townshend doesn’t really have dealers. At one point they called me their US distributor, but that’s not right either they never have had a distributor they ship direct. 
But Max was a huge fan of my writing, we talked and I have gotten to know the family. It really is a family business, you have no idea, like some time from out of the past that frankly is missing today. No way to know how much we are missing until you experience it for yourself. So after Max passed I found myself rewriting the website to say what they already were saying only better in my inimitable style. Well sort of. Business version anyway. 
 

Helped them out with a few other things and to repay me even though I never asked for that but like I said family, I am a dealer but an odd one, because I still routinely refer people to John Hannant. 
 

What’s really going on here is very much clear and out in the open, it’s there’s so many in high end out for the money it’s hard to believe. Read through my posting history, it’s been covered many times. 

Back in the 90’s I was mentored by a great audiophile Stewart Marcantoni. He was really just a very advanced audiophile enthusiast who had so much experience that when he retired his wife said you love it, do it as a dealer. He ran a boutique audio salon out of his home in Bremerton. He only sold what he personally liked and made little but didn’t care he was set it was something fun to do in retirement. 
 

So now here I am following in his footsteps. There’s differences, but things are progressing along to where maybe next year I do a few shows and open my room, which to be honest I sort of already have. Several have auditioned Moab here, and I hosted Chuxpona21. The dream from here is add Origin Live, Tetrault Audio, maybe make enough to cover travel expenses and shipping costs to shows. Maybe even make enough to pay for ads here. The minute you go into business everyone  wants a piece of you. 

Sorry for the long answer. Aw heck who’m I kidding I always go for the long answer.