AudioAficionado.org - lotus's Raven/Rega/CJ/Avalon system

AudioAficionado.org (https://www.audioaficionado.org/index.php)

- Member System Forum (https://www.audioaficionado.org/forumdisplay.php?f=138)

- - lotus's Raven/Rega/CJ/Avalon system (https://www.audioaficionado.org/showthread.php?t=17181)

I recently heard the Avalon Transcendants at my Dealer's showroom. Firstly the timber & cabinet finish looks beautiful. As Rich commented, the Ascendant/Transcendant aren't the most extended speakers at the extremes, but the sound is wonderfullly natural and coherent and these speakers throw a wide and even sound stage and create a believable image. The Avalons disappear in the room very well. That experience certainly wet my apetite to hear the higher end models. My Dealer is getting in the Times at some point which i'm quite keen to hear. They should sound brilliant with the twin 11" nomex bass drivers, ceramic mid & diamond tweeter. They remind me of a higher end version of the Infnity RS-2B.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lotus340r (Post 392937)

Hi Guys, this is my current main system and test/demo rig. Valves pretty much everywhere including the CD player. It's a system that's very much built for acoustic, jazz & vocals. Room treatments from Gik Acoustics complete the whole picture.

Strong points include tone, texture, saturation, density, holography, soundstage, layering and smooth delicious liquid musicality. I am more than happy with it for now although inevitably I will upgrade pieces if a good deal comes my way ... a GAT, ART monos perhaps and some Eidolons diamonds or Time, they are all on the wish list somewhere. I also plan to permanently run an FR66/koetsu as a second arm, something romantic for those late evenings when the wine and beer is flowing. :)

The rega isis valve cd player is possibly the surprise of the lot. I have had lots of digital sources come through these walls but nothing has yet toppled the english made Isis. It will never top the tables in any particular sound quality parameter but for out and out enjoyment and involvement it is quite a staggering source. It has a distinctly un-british sound with amazing tone/texture and 3d space and the CJ/avalon really exposes what it can do. Believe it or not it took the addition of the big Allnic 3000 to get the turntable up to the same level of enjoyment in terms of a palpable dense 3d sound with that strong sense of 'here and now' presence.

TW Acustic Raven AC
Reed 3p 10.5 Cocobolla
Allnic Puritas
Rega Isis Valve
Allnic H3000V
Conrad Johnson Atc 2 series 2
Conrad Johnson Premier 350
Avalon Ascendant
Cardas interconnets
Pro Bono Audio racks/isolation plaftorm
Running Springs Elgar
Mogami cable

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8484/8...c943120c_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7250/8...2ef202c6_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8055/8...65a200b0_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8179/8...e81ae929_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7075/7...87690d58_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8148/7...e81193b4_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8481/8...99451deb_c.jpg

Nice! :eek2:

Nice setup you got! Those racks are awesome. Which brand/model are these? I never saw these before.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lotus340r (Post 393445)

Thanks again guys. The cats are pretty good for hair as they are all shorthair types. I do get lot sof dust in my room though. Someone should make a machine that gets rid of it all automatically as its a pin dusting it every week.

@Puma, i just use a 5d. I dopped all my leica gear earlier this year, sold the whole lot off and just hire what I need job by job.

Thanks, Rich, thought those looked like 5D images...I can spot 'em a mile away...(needless to say, they are very lovely).

I just picked up the new Fuji X-Pro1 and am amazed by it's capabilities. It's image quality reminds me a lot of the original 5D.

Noted you were selling the ACT2 S2? Are you sticking with C-J for a preamp?

WOW! This is one beautiful system. Must sound amazing. Your turntable and tonearm are to die for!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puma Cat (Post 395850)

Are you sticking with C-J for a preamp?

Oh yes. :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parabellum (Post 395845)

Nice setup you got! Those racks are awesome. Which brand/model are these? I never saw these before.

hi Serge, they are from Pro Bono Audio

Pro Audio Bono

You are a photographer audiophile! Great photos and system.

Rich.......I don't knw how I failed to comment on your fabulous system before now. Simply gorgeous. I am certain the sound is the same. Thanks for letting us peek in the window.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8484/8...c943120c_b.jpg

Rich this looks like a great system and not to mention you are a great photographer! Congrats!!