An Audio Expert Comment & Another Upgrade

[Yamaki]

My 2-channel system evolution has begun.

Until an hour or so ago, here's how it looked:





My first change was to set aside my vintage ADS L880's and re-purpose my Vienna Acoustic Mozarts: (An older pic)



Here's a hint of what's next:



For now I'll stream my FLAC via the Ethernet with an older Sony BluRay that also streams. I tried it out on the main system downstairs and it doesn't do too badly.

But the big change is the McIntosh MR77 & C28 are being boxed up and these components will take their place...

A little jewel of a tuner, an Arcam T51:



and a new pre-amp:



Then I'll be on the hunt for a streamer upgrade.

[Yamaki]

Originally Posted by jr_spyder

The last email got from them says I'll have the unit no later then the end of March. So I should be testing in early April.

Can't wait to hear more about this, John!

[bachrocks]

Michael, I totally love the way you show your system. Using the drawings in this way is very cool.

[Yamaki]

Thank you, Ron.

Those drawings help me figure out the interconnect scheme and if I ever have to disconnect some or all of the gear, it helps me put it back together.

I need to upgrade that second drawing. I figured out the interconnects, added a Parasound Vtuner, I've made the power conditioner connections to each component and need to show those changes.

Something for the next rainy day.

[tweet]

Michael... This looks like a fun and interesting journey. It's pretty cool to see the connection drawings and actual photos to show how it's all coming together. Nicely done. Enjoy!

[Yamaki]

Thanks, Terry. I have quite the mess going on right now with this rig but hope to put it right soon!

omg....

[tweet]

I think it looks great and look forward to reading more as you go along. The new Arcam T51 tuner looks good - do you have a lot of good FM around Hillsboro?

[Yamaki]

You are too kind, Terry.

We have some good FM here so that's why I looked so hard for a tuner.

I decided to keep the Arcam in the main system downstairs and I added this, a Parasound ZTuner V2:

[Yamaki]

Well, in retrospect, the Parasound tuner may not have been such a good acquisition. I have a good antenna which has never failed to pull in a good signal until I hooked it up to this tuner.

Terrible reception was the result so I tried an amplified antenna and a dipole but didn't expect much.

Well, that was a Big Fail!

So I did a bit of shopping and purchased an Arcam T-61 (upgrade from the Arcam T-51) and it will go in the main system, with the T-51 pictured earlier being moved to the 2-channel system as originally planned.

Here's the T-61:





It arrived this evening so I have some configuration work ahead of me over the weekend.

[Yamaki]

My search for a streamer for the second system ended today with an accepted offer at another site for a SimAudio Moon MiND 180 streamer.





It's on the way! Soon I'll have this system wrapped up and operating as it should be operating...finally...