Rig brag thread..

[Jbucla2005]

DAC: MHDT Labs Renaissance II with WE936A tube
interconnects: Headphile Blacksilver, White Zombie
pre-amp/headphone amp: ASL MG Head OTL MK 3 DT/OTL
tubes: Amperex D Getter EL84's, Sylvania GB-5751
amp: SI Super T-amp
speaker cables: thick silver/copper hybrid cables
speakers: Omega Speaker Systems Mini-Me's
headphones: Sennheiser HD-650's
result:

audiophilic bs summary: the MG Head is a wonderful SET design that really kicks butt with the right tubes. Using it has a headphone amp for hi-ohm Senns in OTL mode or as a pre-amp for the SI T-amp in transformer mode in combination with the high-efficiency single-driver Omega speakers (4 ohm) = audio bliss, especially with the smooth and warm sounding MHDT Labs Renaissance DAC. I don't really think it gets any better than this for a the best of the old and new worlds of hi-fi in a compact and relatively inexpensive setup! 99 thumbs up! I leave my tubes on always and turn the t-amp on as needed.

wanted list: Cardas Sennheiser cable!

 

[nikongod]

sources:
McCormack signature (moded)
rega planar3/p3 with many upgrades
mdht constantine dac/iriver ihp120.

amps:
melos sha-1 eargasmatron
singlepower EXTREME platinum/black gate output.
millet hybrid
rsa sr-71
xin supermini 3v6
stax srm-717

headfones
stax:
omega 2
gama pro
grado:
hp2
sr-200
hf-1
"upgrado" sr-125
sr-1125
akg:
k1000
k240sextet
k240df
beyerdynamic:
dt770 monitor
audio-technica:
a-55
some little clipons.
koss:
ksc75
esp-950
a-250
a-130
etymotic:
er4s
senheisser:
hd-650
hd-595 (on loan to me, i dont own these)
hd-420 (sounds very good with the hd650 cardas cable)
sony:
mdr-r10 (in the mail)
mdr-f1
e888lp&e888sp

many of my headphones are terminated with a 4-pin plug. the hp-2, upgrado-sr125, dt-770, k1000 and k-240sextets are. this allows the EASY connection to single ended or balanced amps. with the exception of amps that were made for these headphones, an adapter is required.

i am working on selling off the o2's, or something. i dunno.

 

[khbaur330162]

Is this like a "Show Pics of Your Rig!" thread, or a "Only Post if You've Spent $4K+" sort of dealie? I mean what crowd are we bragging to? Kids with KSC-75's can go to school and tear other portable 'rigs' (iPod+iBuds) apart...

 

[Jbucla2005]

Well, with my pc (E-mu 1212m) as source, this setup is roughly $2.5k these days (not including pc.)
I guess this would make this rig sort of in the "hi-end" spectrum of things? I'm not sure...

It is not something I acquired all at once, either. But I have been using it for a long time and every time I use it (speakers or headphones) it blows my mind.

I doubt there is much better out there for the money I put into this... so whether it's a sin or not, I'm, well, proud.

I'm passionate about all the details, from the the tubes to the interconnects.

I would like to do a few cable upgrades but it plays great the way it is. I don't really mind what others post, if you have a cheapie setup that is astounding for the money I think that's equally as amazing. IMO this is all about our subjective experience anyway...

what makes me the happiest about this rig is that I'd be perfectly happy never to upgrade again! The sound through speakers is the best, and the HD-650's are ideal for late night listening using the amp in OTL mode which sounds truly liquidy and beautiful.

I consider the amp to be the "heart" of the system and I definately think this is an awesome amp, price considerations aside. I have absolutely no regrets with the MG Head. It's interesting that the SET design is the oldest and simplest tube amp design out there, and in OTL mode especially it is an even more direct circuit... of course this is all taste-dependant but this is the sound for me for a lush and laid-back but very detailed and involving musical experience.

<rig brag over>

 

[Thelonious Monk]

please. bragging threads need lots of gloating and tons of glamour shots, plus a mini rave review on your system...

 

[Jbucla2005]

looks like you've got a good stash of toys there.

Monk: I guess I'm exaggerating... but there is a hint of the brag itch in me.

and since I'm generally not a sucker for looks (as opposed to SOUND) I don't have many glamour shots.

 

[khbaur330162]

Sweet, I'm in.

Here you can see my Sony DVP-NC555ES, Veda Audio Dynahi SA, and cetoole built crossfeed/tilt EQ.

Close up of the Dynahi and cetoole built units.

Picture of the back with all the IC's. Head-fi member cantsleep built the short black cables with Neutrik terminations. The other two sets are Blue Jeans cables with Belden wiring and, again, Neutrik terminations.

My Headphile modded CD3K's in all their Purple Heart glory.

Rig cost me about $1,600 altogether. I'm happy with the sound and have many "revelations" of "I've never heard that before!" while listening to the rig; I feel like I'm still just getting to know some of the music I've owned for a couple years. Very wide and detailed sound. Reaches (from what I can tell) super low and has some really nice sparkle. The headphones are so comfy I sometimes just wear them to wear them.

Can't wait to hear the pair of modded K340's I have headed my way.

 

[Fitz]

I do not have impressive amps and sources, but I do have a couple headphones.

AKG K12
AKG K85
AKG K135 Studio
AKG K240 Sextet
AKG K240 Sextet
AKG K240 Sextet
AKG K240 Sextet
AKG K240 Monitor
AKG K240 Monitor
AKG K240 Monitor
AKG K240 DF
AKG K240 DF
AKG K240 Studio
AKG K270 Studio
AKG K300
AKG K340
AKG K340
AKG K400
AKG K401
AKG K401
AKG K401
AKG K500
AKG K501
Beyerdynamic DT831
Beyerdynamic DT931
Sennheiser HD570

 

[Jbucla2005]

AKG... does that stand for Anstappable Kravings Gruvy (headphones)?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fitz /img/forum/go_quote.gif I do not have impressive amps and sources, but I do have a couple headphones. AKG K12 AKG K85 AKG K135 Studio AKG K240 Sextet AKG K240 Sextet AKG K240 Sextet AKG K240 Sextet AKG K240 Monitor AKG K240 Monitor AKG K240 Monitor AKG K240 DF AKG K240 DF AKG K240 Studio AKG K270 Studio AKG K300 AKG K340 AKG K340 AKG K400 AKG K401 AKG K401 AKG K401 AKG K500 AKG K501 Beyerdynamic DT831 Beyerdynamic DT931 Sennheiser HD570

 

[Fitz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jbucla2005 /img/forum/go_quote.gif AKG... does that stand for Anstappable Kravings (for) Groovy (AKG headphones)?

You are the first person I've met who knows the real meaning of AKG.

 

[Jbucla2005]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fitz /img/forum/go_quote.gif You are the first person I've met who knows the real meaning of AKG.

My astrologer told me I'm psychic.
(I've never heard an AKG phone, but I want to!)

 

[Fitz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jbucla2005 /img/forum/go_quote.gif My astrologer told me I'm psychic. (I've never heard an AKG phone, but I want to!)

Don't bother, they're not very good.

 

[Computerpro3]

I have two Melos Maestrobators (well one is undergoing it shortly)

/thread

 

[Jbucla2005]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fitz /img/forum/go_quote.gif Don't bother, they're not very good.

If I think about trying new stuff I'll be ruined forever.

so that's probably good.

 

[Walie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jbucla2005 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Well, with my pc (E-mu 1212m) as source, this setup is roughly $2.5k these days (not including pc.) I guess this would make this rig sort of in the "hi-end" spectrum of things? I'm not sure... <rig brag over>

Well, seeing how there are headphones and amps that are each more than 2.5 grand i'm not sure about the "hi-end" thing...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jbucla2005 /img/forum/go_quote.gif what makes me the happiest about this rig is that I'd be perfectly happy never to upgrade again!

Heh, you say you're from California? Go to the international meet, and if you can leave there and still say the same thing, you're stronger willed than most of us here!