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Stereopal Home Visit:         Ken's 2nd system (Markham, Canada) 1st Visit: Oct 11, 2005
  2nd Visit: March 3, 2006

                                    

 

                                       

                

 

 

 

While most people use BOSE WAVE RADIOs in their offices for background music, Ken uses a full fledged VAC 300B, Hovland, JM Lab combo.  

 

Ken's second system is placed in his Study room.   The room is fairly small and he sits 4 feet from the speakers.

He mostly listens to his system while working (talk about a true audiophile).

 

Because of the proximity to the speaker, and the inherent room limitations, there's not much sound stage to speak of, it is as good as it gets.    Just when I about to complain about....... he puts on a female vocal, and my God it was totally seductive !  How can he work and not be distracted ??

 

 

System Components:

 

Source: Eurolab Turntable
Tonearm: Graham 2.2
Cartridge: Transfiguration Esprit Cartridge
Step Up for Phono: Daton Wright DW535
CD Source: Sonic Frontier SFT 1 Transport
D/A Converter: MSB Tech D/A 24 Bit
Preamp: Hovland HP 100
Power Amplifier: VAC Renaissance 70/70 300B Amplifier
Tubes: 8 Matched Western Electric 300B Original Version, WOW !!!
Speaker: Focal JMlabs Electra
Tweaks: Solid Tech "Feet of Silence" placed under the CD Player.

 

 

 

 

Ken's Comments:

 

General Comments:

"I recently replaced the Manley Neo-Classic 300B with the VAC 70/70.    The Manley were great amps, sweet sounding and seductive.   But the VAC were a whole lot better.  I believe its mainly due to the increased power output, and the WE 300B tubes.

 

The WE 300B tubes were a huge improvement over the Electro Harmonix.   You cannot even compare it, they are a lot more open, airy, and musical.    They are THAT GOOD.

 

Even though the amps have 70Ws output, and is fairly powerful for a 300B amplifier, this system is still not well matched for huge orchestral performances.    I still prefer the AR/Dynaudio system for those.    But for female vocals or chamber music, there's no match with the 300Bs"

 

The Feet of Silence is made by a medical device maker.    Apparently, they are good enough for medical instruments.

 

Future Changes:

 

I change my equipments very very often.   I am sure something will be different on your next visit.

 

 

 

Stunning VAC Renaissance Seventy Seventy Amplifier.  The WE300B tubes glow blue.

Beautiful Hovland Preamp..........with plenty of finger prints on it ! Yikes !

 

Below: Sonic Frontier CD Player & Hovland preamp top view.

 

 

Lets get undressed and see whats inside.

Step up attenuator, Hovland Caps.   Teflon circuit board.
 

 

Euronab turntable.

Below: Graham 2.2 Tonearm, one of the BEST tonearm on the market today.  The Sonic Frontier CD is no match for the good old turntable, its not even close.

 

                            

  Focal JMlabs Electra Speakers, and lets have a closer look.

                                     

 

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