Saying goodbye to the 1990's
 

The inevitable has arrived. I'm in process of changing out all my MIT power cords Z-Centers/Stabilizers/ISO Duo and installing Audioquest power cords and Niagra power conditioners. It's amazing what this new Alexx loudspeaker has caused me to do. The difference between my old KK copper select and the Wel Signatures is truly incredible and I have just realized how antiquated my power is. I'll be going with 2 Niagra 5000's and 1 Niagra 7000. I'll be going with 8 dragon pc's (5 HC and 3 source) and one HC Thunder (I already have one that I'm not using). I have an admonition: Don't buy an Alexx and pair it with substandard equipment because it clearly shows up every improvement you make to your system.

I will take pics and post. It will probably take about 4 weeks to get it all installed. I am looking forward to getting my pc's and conditioners upgraded. It has been a long time in coming.

There has been an update. It seems the pc's and conditioners are going to arrive much sooner than 4 weeks, probably closer to 2 weeks and one of the 2m Thunder pc's will instead be a 1m Hurricane. I am keeping my subwoofer system all copper. However, I have upgraded the new pc going from the new Niagra 7000 to the Watch Controller from a Thunder to the Hurricane. I will have a Thunder 2m going to the new MR87 tuner (still on back order). All other pc's will be Audioquest Dragons. This will end my upgrades for the time being. I will post pics and listening impressions. Audioquest says the Dragon pc's are dynamite.

Good advice.

I have always been perplexed with the idea held by some that "audio" is the only area where technology doesn't continue to improve over time.

My Audioquest Niagara 7000 has arrived at the dealer. Also my Diamond optical cable for my MR87 tuner. Tuner arriving next week. I just picked up my Marantz LV510 Quick Turn LD player yeaterday from repair shop. Connected it into Optical 2 of my Mac D1100 via its digital optical out using AQ Diamond optical cable. Sound is gorgeous. I plan on keeping my MIT Iso Duo for my computer and the LV510. I am awaiting 8 Dragons, 1 Hurricane, and 2 Niagara 5000's. I understand it won't be long. All including tuner will be installed at same time by the dealer. Finally, my cables and power (essentially all silver and all Audioquest) will be as good as the quality of my Alexx and my upgrade process will be finished. I will post some pics when it happens.

Interestingly, in talking with AQ, the pc coming from the wall going into the Niagara is more important than the pc leaving the Niagara going to device. I would have thought the opposite. I was hoping to save money by using Hurricanes coming out of the wall. So my only Hurricane is going to WC and I will have a Thunder going to the tuner. I listen to a tuner maybe 6 weeks out of the year and I understand it's a really good pc. All my selections are the recommendations of AQ including leaving the subwoofer system high quality copper with KK Palladian PK-10 pc.

I never thought laser discs could sound this good. The lack of grain and increased clarity going through my Diamond optical cable into my D1100 and the Wel speaker cables and Wel IC's is amazing, especially when compared to using the old cheap copper 100 dollar single ended analog IC and the LV510's DAC. I wonder what the power improvements will bring? So far the Alexx has proved up to the task of clearly showing the benefits of improved connections per top line Audioquest.

Charles , it really sounds like an amazing upgrade journey :) i can only say i myself was amazed what power cords can do , and also speaker cables.

And looking forward to see the pictures.

Charles, what kind of music do you typically listen to with your fine upgraded system?

Thank you so much. Your are right. It has been an expensive journey.

Thank you for asking. Paul Simon is my favorite artist, by far. Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, James Taylor, Allison Krauss, Jennifer Warnes, Beatles, Elton John, Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt to name a few more. Also a variety of classical music but I somehow can't get into Mahler no matter how hard I try. Obviously, I like the organ and have many recordings. Also gospel and bluegrass and Gilbert & Sullivan.

The completion of this long and expensive project is growing closer. I am awaiting 3 Source Dragons , 1 Hurricane, and the tuner. The 5000's are in as are the 5 HC Dragons, also the 7000 and the final Diamond optical. I wish this were over.

My single favorite recording is "Paul Simon's Concert in the Park" which is available only on LD. My LD collection has been reborn through my D1100.

You might like an album titled 'Trio'. It features Emmy Lou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, and Dolly Parton. The combination of the three voices singing together is gorgeous. Folk - Country with a hint of Gospel.

Thank you. I have the CD "Trio". Installation day is July 18th. Firm. Done by dealer because this stuff is too expensive for me to mess with. I never touched the Wel solid silver balanced 24' IC's or the Wel solid silver 8' speaker cables either. Way too expensive for me to handle. Tuner arrived several days ago. I will post extensive pics. To say that I am looking forward to this is an understatement.