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  #1  
Old 10-18-2017, 02:37 PM
cleeds cleeds is offline
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Default A visit with Ivan

One of my best friends - who is also a bit of an audiophile - lives up on the Cape, and it had been years since I last visited Steve. So last week, he and I spent some time with Ivan.

Here's the bad news: It was a short trip, so we only had two hours with Ivan. As Ivan noted, that's like spending two hours at Disneyland.

But - what a visit! First, as many of you know, Ivan is very accommodating, applies absolutely no pressure, and really has a passion for what he does. That passion shows in every little itty-bitty tiny miniscule microscopic thing he does with audio. You've probably seen the photos others have posted here of Ivan's systems but - please trust me on this - even the very best of them don't really do them justice. Ivan's systems are things you need to see and hear for yourself.

I've been in many of the best audio salons. None of them can top what Ivan does.

Because so many others have posted photos of Ivan's place, and because I absent-mindedly forgot my camera (Hey! I was on vacation!), I only took a few pics with my phone. I chose Ivan's Sonus Faber / Burmester / Esoteric Grandioso system, because it was my favorite-sounding of the bunch.

Here's a brutal fact: That system is the best digital I have ever heard ... anywhere. To be honest, I was not aware that digital could sound this freakin' good. (I'm using the polite F-word there.) He played Edgar Winter Group's Frankenstein and it was a trip. No, really, it was a real trip - it took me to another place.

So kudos to Ivan for executing such extraordinary audio installs and maximizing every detail - both visually and audibly. And thank you Ivan for such a wonderful time! The only thing that could have made it better would have been if we'd had more time - but that's my fault.

Now, as Paul Harvey used to proclaim - here's the rest of the story:

I've been into audio and hi-fi since I was a kid. I had good hi-fi gear when Steve and I met back in the late '70s: Pioneer SA-9100 integrated, Rectilinear III speakers, Scott 433 tuner, Sony PS-X6 turntable (my nephew is still using it) AKG P8ES phono cartridge ... you get the idea. But it was Steve who introduced me to the high-end when he bought a used ARC D-76A amplifier for what was then the whopping total of $600. I though that was nutso-bucks for a 60-watter ... until I heard it in my system. And the rest, as Ivan would say, is history, and I've been into the high end ever since.

And now, I've returned the favor to Steve, who has been bitten by Ivan's high-end video install.

So, payback is a bear. (I used the polite B-word there.)

Thank you again, Ivan! We had a great time!






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File Type: jpg IMG_20171013_114049400.jpg (93.4 KB, 286 views)
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Primary sources: VPI TNT III/SDS turntable, SME-V arm; Bryston BDP-3 digital player; Bryston BDA-3 DAC; McIntosh MVP-881 disc player; McIntosh MR-80 tuner. Preamplifier Audio Research Ref 5SE; Audio Research Ref Phono 2SE; Moon 430 HA. Amplifiers Conrad Johnson Premier 1B; Audio Research D-300; Bryston 4B. Speakers Infinity IRS Beta. Recorders Tandberg TD20A; Crown SX-822; Nakamichi 670ZX; Alesis Masterlink ML-9600. Power Tice Power Block/Titan (x2); McIntosh MPC1500; API Ultra II-20; multiple 20A derated dedicated lines.

Last edited by Masterlu; 10-18-2017 at 06:02 PM. Reason: enlarge photo
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  #2  
Old 10-18-2017, 02:44 PM
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jdandy jdandy is offline
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Curtis.......Sounds like a good time was had by all. Thanks for sharing the event.
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STUDIO - McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MR88, Aurender N10, Esoteric K-01X, Shunyata Sigma spdif digital cable, Sonos Connect, PurePower 2000, Stillpoints, Furutech Flux 50, Michell Gyro SE, Michell HR Power Supply, SME 309, Ortofon Cadenza Black, Wireworld, Sonus faber Amati Anniversario
LIVING ROOM - McIntosh C2300, MC75 (2), MR85, Magnum Dynalab 205, Simaudio MOON Neo 260D-T, Schiit Audio Yggdrasil, Aurender N100H, Shunyata Sigma USB cable, Micro Seiki DD40, Ortofon Cadenza Blue, Nakamichi BX-300, Sony 60ES DAT, PS Audio P10, Furutech Flux 50, Sonos Connect, Stillpoints, Wireworld, Kimber, PMC EB1i, JL Audio f113
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Old 10-18-2017, 02:46 PM
cleeds cleeds is offline
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You are welcome! It was a fabulous time! It's really making me rethink digital ...
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Old 10-18-2017, 02:54 PM
SL1800 SL1800 is offline
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That is one beautiful system!!
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Old 10-18-2017, 03:33 PM
2fastdriving 2fastdriving is offline
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Ah... Frankenstein. I heard it on the non grandioso setup 3 years ago. Sounded great then, must be even better now!
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Old 10-18-2017, 04:37 PM
PHC1 PHC1 is offline
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Very true, I’ve been to many audio stores but Ivan’s rooms, systems and the meticulous setup and tidiness just can’t be beat. Always a treat to visit Ivan.
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Old 10-18-2017, 06:00 PM
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Curtis... thanks for visiting, and your super kind words. Ya’ all come back soon!
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FLORIDA
MX136, MC1.2KW(10) MC2KW(2), MCD1100, MS750(2) MVP881, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, HT-2 SUBS(2) HT3F(2) WS350(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) XCS350(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" MOTORIZED SCREEN, CINEMA-TECH SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Reference System: ACCUPHASE A300 AMPS, C3900 PRE-AMP, DP1000 CD/SACD TRANSPORT, DC1000 DIGITAL PROCESSOR, DG-68 DIGITAL EQUALIZER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, PS1230 POWER SUPPLY, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, WW PLATINUM CABLES
CAPE COD

MX150, MC501(2) MC1.2KW(10) MC2301(2) MR88, MVP881, MCD1100, MDA1000, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, ESOTERIC K-01X 30th ANNIVERSARY (BLACK) SACD/CD PLAYER, G02-X CLOCK, HT3F(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(4) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) KALEIDESCAPE STRATO & TERRA SERVERS 80-TB, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" SCREEN, SONUS FABER STRADIVARI, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, FORTRESS SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Analog Rig: CLEARAUDIO INNOVATION WOOD, UNIVERSAL ARM w/ Da VINCI' CART, 2nd UNIVERSAL ARM w/ GOLDFINGER STATEMENT CART, HRS-MXR REFERENCE RACK-GLOSS BLACK w/ M3X SHELVES, AESTHETIX RHEA SIG PHONO-PRE, BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Reference System: BURMESTER 911MK3 AMP(3), 088 PRE-AMP, 089 CD PLAYER, 100 PHONO PRE-AMP, 948 POWER CONDITIONER, ACCUPHASE DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, AVID ACUTUS REFERENCE SP TT, GRAHAM PHANTOM II SUPREME ARM, BENZ MICRO LP-S CART, GRANDIOSO P1X/D1X STACK, G1X RUBIDIUM MASTER CLOCK, N05 NETWORK PLAYER, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, SONUS FABER AIDA SPEAKERS, JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(2) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) WW PLATINUM CABLES

Library System: GRANDIOSO M1 MONOBLOCK AMPS, C1 LINESTAGE PRE-AMP, K1X CD/SACD PLAYER, G1 MASTER RUBIDIUM CLOCK, E02 PHONO-PRE, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, AERIAL ACOUSTICS 20T V2, AERIAL SW12 SUBS(2), CANTON REF K1’s, VPI HRX TT w/ SDS POWER SUPPLY, ORTOFON CADENZA BLACK CART, KLAUDIO RCM, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2, SHUNYATA OMEGA QR’s, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Esoteric/Bryston System: ESOTERIC C02-X PRE-AMP, P-02X TRANSPORT, D02-X DAC, G02-X CLOCK, BRYSTON 28B3 CUBED MONOBLOCK AMPS(4), BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2(2) EVEREST 8000 POWER CONDITIONER(2) ALTAIRA CG & SG HUBS, AMR-DP777-SE DAC, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, QUADRASPIRE RACK, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Accuphase/Canton System: ACCUPHASE E800 INTEGRATED, DP570 CD/SACD PLAYER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, PS530 POWER SUPPLY, CANTON REF K3’s, CANTON REF K5’s, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS MXR REFERENCE MAHOGHANY RACK w/ M3X2 SHELVES, WW GOLD CABLES
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  #8  
Old 10-19-2017, 02:21 PM
cleeds cleeds is offline
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Thanks, Ivan!
To paraphrase Gen. Douglas MacArthur: "I shall return."
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Old 10-19-2017, 03:46 PM
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Brilliant stuff guys. Ivan looks a real entertainer, and definitely someone with a super-human sense of attention to detail -like, get-some-treatment kind of meticulous!

I'm sure you and Steve had a phenomenal time no matter the duration. Keep asking my bosses (my club has American owners) to summon me to a meeting real soon. Nearest to the Cape as possible

All the best,
Fernando
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  #10  
Old 10-20-2017, 09:34 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cleeds View Post
Thanks, Ivan!
To paraphrase Gen. Douglas MacArthur: "I shall return."
Or Ah-Nold "I'll be back"

Sounds like you had a great time which is not surprising knowing Ivan. It's Disneyland for audiophiles.
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