New systems Finalized.

hilroy48

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Sep 13, 2020
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Well in 2 years, i have managed to put together 2 systems that i am completely happy with. I have had a couple of bumps in the road, buying and selling some gear that i tried and wasn't happy with or upgraded . I have added room treatments as well as gear, I am now at what i will call my end game systems, and will just sit and listen. No need to upgrade unless something dies and can't be repaired.

Main listening room.

Sugden SPA-4 Amp
Sugden LA-4 Pre amp
Sugden A21 phono stage
Dynaudio Contour 20i Speakers
Rega P3 TT with Goldring 2300 Cart
Michael Lim Aluminum sub platter and Acrylic Main Platter
Rega White Belt upgrade
Audiolab 6000CDT
Saturn 200 series DAC
Saturn 103C power conditioner
Wireworld/Pangea Power cables
Wireworld interconnects
Madison Audio lab E3Extreme 2 speaker cables.

Room treatments are Prime acoustic London8 Absorption kits with Vicoustic DC-2 diffusers and 2 sets of Synergistic research transducers. The room treatment was the best money spent, as it made the biggest improvements to the dynamics and soundstage presentation in my room with he above gear.

BASEMENT SYSTEM.
I am involved in the model railroad hobby as well, and have a huge layout in my basement so i wanted a great system down there as well, as i spend 80% of my time there building.

Sugden IA-4 Integrated amp
Audiolab 6000CDT
Aqua La Voce S3 DAC
Sansui D-100 Casette deck 80's vintage
Microsiki TT. 80's Vintage
capriccio continuo admonitor 311 Speakers
Furman Elite 15PFI Power conditioner
Pangea And Nordost power cables
Madison Audio lab E3Extreme 2 speaker cables.
Wireworld interconnects.

Before the final setup,

I did buy a Kinki Studios EXM-1 integrated amp, i added the Sparkos Op amp Upgrade, and i was very happy with the sound, i had that amp paired with the Dynaudio Special 40's then made some changes. I had the Aqua La voce DAC on my main system, and my dealer let me listen to his Saturn dac made here in Canada. I will be honest and say that for $4000.00 it is equal too or slightly above the Aqua dac. So both DACS are exceptional, and i moved the Aqua to the basement. My dealer called me again, and said his little Sugden IA-4 was for sale, so i jumped all over that and sold the Kinki to a fellow here in Canada. I was sad to see the Kinki amp go, as it delivered amazing sound and focus. But once you have Class A you can't go back. The last piece was to sell the Special 40 speakers, and keep the capriccio continuo admonitor 311 Speakers they are an amazing speaker that offer so much clarity and focus. I added the rest of the Vicoustic diffusers in the basement, and have achieved the sound i was looking for. I also changed out the ceiling tiles to a more reflective tile, The basement started out as a dead room, and i had to get it to the point where frequencies didnt die.
 

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hilroy48

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Sep 13, 2020
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The train set is a completely different passion. I have 2 years and $10,000.00 into it, and I am no where near done. It is a very tedious and artistic hobby, yet very rewarding. Having great audio equipment to work on it with makes it so enjoyable.
 
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RoA

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Feb 11, 2021
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As to the railway ... love it.

My dad used to have a room dedicated to his Maerklin Model Railway on a huge table. He spent a lot of time forming the Swiss Landscape (I grew up in Switzerland) which was the playground. He made most things himself. Labour of love.
 
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hilroy48

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Sep 13, 2020
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To have a nice focused and dead quiet high end audio system in the basement while i work on my railroad is a magical combination. I have 2 very precise and accurate hobbies in one room, lol.
 
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hilroy48

Well-known member
Sep 13, 2020
62
41
1,570
Visit site
As to the railway ... love it.

My dad used to have a room dedicated to his Maerklin Model Railway on a huge table. He spent a lot of time forming the Swiss Landscape (I grew up in Switzerland) which was the playground. He made most things himself. Labour of love.
I grew up in a small town, my dad worked for the railroad, and we lived in the train station 5 feet away from the tracks. I think that explains my infatuation with trains. This picture is from 1971 i was 9 yrs old. station 1971.jpg
 

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