Precious. Now for that next upgrade, another Iconoclast UPOCC RCA, possibly. With a new amp incoming I may need a longer version.
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I know those MBL speakers! If you see Rune at Gryphon tell him Paul from Chicago says hello!
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Please @lufubu also tell him that many members of this forum are anxiously waiting for Al’s new Apex, isn’t it?
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Here’s the next part. Two new Jeld-wen ProCore Quiet Door solid core doors. The progress is slow but steady. Next, the electrical rough-in - after I pull out the laminate flooring! 
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I’ve been listening without a sub for a couple of years. I thought I may try out Dynaudio sub 250 II that I stowed away with OSD’s Nero WSA. Positive results so far.
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The SME V on my Oracle Delphi has been in service for over 20 years. After rebuilding the damped cueing lever mechanism several times over the years, it has failed again and currently seems beyond a simple rebuild. I’ve decided to return the entire arm to the mothership for a rebuild and tuneup.
So I wouldn’t have to do without in the meantime, I just purchased a new-to-me Graham Phantom Supreme Mk2. The Graham was previously doing duty in reviewer Arthur Salvatore’s “reference system”. I bought a new Cardas Clear phono cable too.
I’ve read nothing but great things about the Phantom over the years and my local analog setup wiz, Don Corby, is well versed in it’s care and feeding. I may even splurge for the latest Elite arm wand. We’ll see whether the Graham stays upon the SME tonearm’s eventual return…
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I was thinking of starting a thread called your best audio purchase/deal. Mine would be my recent purchase of a MBL 1621A transport and a MBL 1611E Dac used for $12500 delivered. It became my best audio deal when I discovered that I can upgrade the MBL 1611E to the current 1611F for $1250. So for a total of $13,750 I am getting the Reference Dac and Reference Transport from MBL at current retail would be around $60,000. I know that nobody pays retail but I feel very fortunate with this recent transaction. The fact that MBL supports and upgrades their older model products is also a testament to how they support their clients. Needless to say I am a MBL fanboy.https://photos.app.goo.gl/BazX36Pvn1xCx8bm6
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I started a thread called Audio Barn finds which is similar to what you are talking about finding fantastic Audio equipment buys! The MBL deal you found definitely belongs there!
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These are interesting. I may replace our Paradigms with these.
I have been eyeing those as well. Funny you should say replace your paradigms. I know we both have Sopras, but I too did my surround and atmos in Paradigm. Wanted a metal dome that would have similar characteristics of the Focals. I went with Studio 20’s for side and rears and I forget model of 6" ceiling speakers I went with. I think the reference line. They have served well over the years even when I had VSA speakers before the Focals. My AVM70 could drive 4 more in the corners of the ceiling, but not sure I want to run more wires.
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Congratulations!
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Akiko Audio Tuning Stick AC arrived Friday and after four days of listening with and without I’ve decided I like it very much. So I’ve ordered their standard Tuning Sticks to place on my speaker cables, and the USB Tuning device for the spare USB port on the Innuos. Hopefully here in around 10 days from The Netherlands to Australia.
Arriving tomorrow are:
4 x Telos BNC caps
2 x Telos XLR caps
1 x Telos Damping mat for my iPhone/Mojo 2
1 x QSA Blue fuse for the power board
1 x QSA Yellow fuse for the Innuos
It will be a good day!
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Okay it had to happen. I have been wanting to upgrade my TT from my Thorens TD-125 for a while now, but it’s such a gamble in today’s environment. Where can I audition? If I can’t many online places don’t offer returns, etc. Finally, I took the plunge. I have read so much about Dr. Feickert and specifically the Volare I had to know how it sounded. WOW, what a nice upgrade. Even though the TD-125 had been redone a few years back by Vinyl Nirvana, the Volare with the Ortofon Black bring an immediate improvement to the sound of my records. Great upgrade!
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In the spirit of spring cleaning I made some changes. I’ve now acquired a DCS Bartók and it’s doing duty. It’s a little drier than my Waversa WVDAC but the sound is still spectacular. Break in will take a while.
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The Akiko Tuning Stick looks interesting. Do you plug it in the PSA generator (I assume you use it) or to the wall that the generator is connecting to? What kind of improvement do you hear?
You can plug it into the wall or your power distribution/regenerator. I find the latter is better. Benefits in my system are just a further calming of the presentation, without any change to the tone. However, it definitely lets imagining depth information through more easily.
I’m convinced that sorting out your power is the biggest step you can take towards removing what people don’t like about digital compared to analogue. So I’m that way there’s a lot of validity to saying the system “sounds more analogue”. EMI/RFI is a big part of sorting power. Maybe the biggest?
I don’t yet own a P20, and I won’t go there until I’m convinced I’ve done everything I can to maximise what I already have. My Tuning Stick AC is plugged into the first slot on my Isotek Polaris power board. It is easily preferable there compared to the end slot.
I’m a believer in family synergy when it comes to cable looms and power products, so I’ll extend that idea out to using a complete suite of Akiko products. Once the universal sticks and USB Stick arrive I’ll reassess as to how much the addition of products are cumulative. The next step would be the Tuning Chips on the speakers and, ultimately, a Corelli conditioner. I know two people with the Corelli who love it, one of whom thinks it did more for his system than his Isotek mains regenerator. Hence I’ll go down this path before considering a P20 - they’re $14,000 here in Australia.
Cheers
Mick
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Mick, thanks for the detailed explanation. Removing EMI/RFI is the key factor in improving system’s SQ; I totally agree with you there. The PSA generators are doing a fantastic job in that.
Akiko sells an XLR stick that intrigues me. I may try it in my preamp or DAC to see how it sounds. The USB stick plugging into the streamer should be greatly beneficial too. I burn and rip CD/DVD often, the USB plugging into computer is another place that should help.
The XLR Stick is another one I’ll purchase if the current order is positive. So far as audio cost goes I think Akiko is terrific value.
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Congratulations! It’s one of the finest streaming DACs out there. I see you have the headphone version 