My stereo system

[Brainvoyager]

Hi everyone,

I wanted to share my current system setup after some recent upgrades. I've spent a lot of time fine-tuning the synergy between components, especially around DSP and amplification.

Here is a breakdown of what I’m currently running:

• Source & Preamp: Eversolo DMP-A10 streamer/DAC/preamplifier, actively utilizing its built-in room correction.

• Power Amps: Two ARCAM PA240 stereo power amplifiers. The DMP-A10 hooks up to both via balanced XLR. I'm running them as monoblocks in dual-mono mode (vertical bi-amping).

• Cooling Mod: Since the ARCAMs run quite hot, I placed a custom rectangular frame with three variable-speed fans on top of each amp. They pull the warm air out and vent it into the room. Without them, the amps get scorching hot; with them, they stay completely cool.

• Mains & Switching: An IsoTek Aquarius power conditioner handles the juice. I'm using the 12V triggers so the Eversolo switches both ARCAMs on and off automatically.

• Speakers: Bowers & Wilkins 702 S3s running full-range (no high-pass filter on the Eversolo to make sure I get their full potential). They sit on IsoAcoustics Gaia II isolators with zero toe-in.

• Subwoofer: Bowers & Wilkins DB4S. The crossover is managed entirely in the Eversolo and dialed in at 46 Hz. I'm using the sub's LFE input, so even though the DB4S could take a full-range signal, the Eversolo only feeds it 46 Hz and below. Phase and time alignment are also handled exclusively by the Eversolo.

• Vinyl Chain: Pro-Ject Xtension 9 turntable (bought as a bare deck) fitted with an Ortofon MC X40 cartridge. The tonearm connects directly to a Pro-Ject Phono Box RS2 via balanced XLR, which then feeds the Eversolo via XLR as well.

• Digital Transport: Shanling CD Transport ET3, connected to the Eversolo via USB.

• Cables: All XLRs, interconnects, and the USB cable are from AudioQuest. Speaker cables are custom-built 11 AWG runs (1.6 meters each).

• Room & Acoustics: Set up in an L-shaped living room with plastered walls, an area rug, and curtains on the left. The speakers are spaced 2.5 meters apart.

• Listening Position & DSP: The main listening spot is a sofa 2.5 meters directly opposite the speakers. I used a miniDSP UMIK-1 measurement mic to dial in the Eversolo's room correction from this spot, and I've also run the DB4S's internal room calibration. Extensive acoustic treatments are a no-go here due to aesthetics and practical constraints.

Overall, I'm absolutely thrilled with the soundstage and clarity I'm getting now. The room correction really tied everything together, especially with the sub integration. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the setup, or if anyone else is running a similar combination of Eversolo and Arcam power.

Cheers!

 

[kemmler3D]

Welcome to ASR! Sounds like a solid system you've got.

I don't see any major gaps but if you're looking for ideas on upgrades I think most users here will mention that B&W has not targeted a neutral / linear response in recent years (decades) and would propose swapping them for speakers that do.

I personally have some B&Ws (602 S3) as well as some very neutral speakers, and while I think there's a lot to be said for neutrality, B&Ws aren't bad at all, so much as missing opportunities for refinement.

ASR as a community is very skeptical of premium cables too, so there will be suggestions to sell the AQ stuff and put it towards speakers.

All that said, I think if you're happy you can stay where you are, or add subs and Dirac ART to take bass clarity to the next level, and keep the rest.

 

[Redacted]

Glad you are happy!

But "three variable-speed fans on top of each amp" does jangle me a bit! Class-D's are currently >90% efficient, and as power-amps, should run relatively cool (and silently). My Hypex rig has played at deafening volume for hours at parties with people dancing like lunatics and only gets warm to the touch.

Speakers - it depends a lot on your room, TBH, and also, brightness tends to wane if you don't point the speakers at yourself. So, I'm sure yours are fine.

Power conditioners do nothing unless you have unique mains problems. Some, that recreate sine-wave mains can actually make things worse.

I tend to comment only where money can be saved, or to myth-bust, not about taste. I'm often not nice though.

 

[Cote Dazur]

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the setup

Looks like a nice set up, would be interesting to see a picture of the room.
You will most likely learn a thing or two at ASR, about the bits that do nothing in your set up, but from what I can see, you also cover what maters, so no surprise you are happy with what you hear.

 

[IngMishael]

Hi everyone,

I wanted to share my current system setup after some recent upgrades. I've spent a lot of time fine-tuning the synergy between components, especially around DSP and amplification.

Here is a breakdown of what I’m currently running:

• Source & Preamp: Eversolo DMP-A10 streamer/DAC/preamplifier, actively utilizing its built-in room correction.

• Power Amps: Two ARCAM PA240 stereo power amplifiers. The DMP-A10 hooks up to both via balanced XLR. I'm running them as monoblocks in dual-mono mode (vertical bi-amping).

• Cooling Mod: Since the ARCAMs run quite hot, I placed a custom rectangular frame with three variable-speed fans on top of each amp. They pull the warm air out and vent it into the room. Without them, the amps get scorching hot; with them, they stay completely cool.

• Mains & Switching: An IsoTek Aquarius power conditioner handles the juice. I'm using the 12V triggers so the Eversolo switches both ARCAMs on and off automatically.

• Speakers: Bowers & Wilkins 702 S3s running full-range (no high-pass filter on the Eversolo to make sure I get their full potential). They sit on IsoAcoustics Gaia II isolators with zero toe-in.

• Subwoofer: Bowers & Wilkins DB4S. The crossover is managed entirely in the Eversolo and dialed in at 46 Hz. I'm using the sub's LFE input, so even though the DB4S could take a full-range signal, the Eversolo only feeds it 46 Hz and below. Phase and time alignment are also handled exclusively by the Eversolo.

• Vinyl Chain: Pro-Ject Xtension 9 turntable (bought as a bare deck) fitted with an Ortofon MC X40 cartridge. The tonearm connects directly to a Pro-Ject Phono Box RS2 via balanced XLR, which then feeds the Eversolo via XLR as well.

• Digital Transport: Shanling CD Transport ET3, connected to the Eversolo via USB.

• Cables: All XLRs, interconnects, and the USB cable are from AudioQuest. Speaker cables are custom-built 11 AWG runs (1.6 meters each).

• Room & Acoustics: Set up in an L-shaped living room with plastered walls, an area rug, and curtains on the left. The speakers are spaced 2.5 meters apart.

• Listening Position & DSP: The main listening spot is a sofa 2.5 meters directly opposite the speakers. I used a miniDSP UMIK-1 measurement mic to dial in the Eversolo's room correction from this spot, and I've also run the DB4S's internal room calibration. Extensive acoustic treatments are a no-go here due to aesthetics and practical constraints.

Overall, I'm absolutely thrilled with the soundstage and clarity I'm getting now. The room correction really tied everything together, especially with the sub integration. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the setup, or if anyone else is running a similar combination of Eversolo and Arcam power.

Cheers!

mighty fine setup

 

[Kremmen]

Hi everyone,

I wanted to share my current system setup after some recent upgrades. I've spent a lot of time fine-tuning the synergy between components, especially around DSP and amplification.

Here is a breakdown of what I’m currently running:

• Source & Preamp: Eversolo DMP-A10 streamer/DAC/preamplifier, actively utilizing its built-in room correction.

• Power Amps: Two ARCAM PA240 stereo power amplifiers. The DMP-A10 hooks up to both via balanced XLR. I'm running them as monoblocks in dual-mono mode (vertical bi-amping).

• Cooling Mod: Since the ARCAMs run quite hot, I placed a custom rectangular frame with three variable-speed fans on top of each amp. They pull the warm air out and vent it into the room. Without them, the amps get scorching hot; with them, they stay completely cool.

• Mains & Switching: An IsoTek Aquarius power conditioner handles the juice. I'm using the 12V triggers so the Eversolo switches both ARCAMs on and off automatically.

• Speakers: Bowers & Wilkins 702 S3s running full-range (no high-pass filter on the Eversolo to make sure I get their full potential). They sit on IsoAcoustics Gaia II isolators with zero toe-in.

• Subwoofer: Bowers & Wilkins DB4S. The crossover is managed entirely in the Eversolo and dialed in at 46 Hz. I'm using the sub's LFE input, so even though the DB4S could take a full-range signal, the Eversolo only feeds it 46 Hz and below. Phase and time alignment are also handled exclusively by the Eversolo.

• Vinyl Chain: Pro-Ject Xtension 9 turntable (bought as a bare deck) fitted with an Ortofon MC X40 cartridge. The tonearm connects directly to a Pro-Ject Phono Box RS2 via balanced XLR, which then feeds the Eversolo via XLR as well.

• Digital Transport: Shanling CD Transport ET3, connected to the Eversolo via USB.

• Cables: All XLRs, interconnects, and the USB cable are from AudioQuest. Speaker cables are custom-built 11 AWG runs (1.6 meters each).

• Room & Acoustics: Set up in an L-shaped living room with plastered walls, an area rug, and curtains on the left. The speakers are spaced 2.5 meters apart.

• Listening Position & DSP: The main listening spot is a sofa 2.5 meters directly opposite the speakers. I used a miniDSP UMIK-1 measurement mic to dial in the Eversolo's room correction from this spot, and I've also run the DB4S's internal room calibration. Extensive acoustic treatments are a no-go here due to aesthetics and practical constraints.

Overall, I'm absolutely thrilled with the soundstage and clarity I'm getting now. The room correction really tied everything together, especially with the sub integration. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the setup, or if anyone else is running a similar combination of Eversolo and Arcam power.

Cheers!

Yes, this is indeed a very nice system. Would you mind sending me a private message detailing where you live and when the house will be vacated? You're welcome.

 

[Brainvoyager]

Welcome to ASR! Sounds like a solid system you've got.

I don't see any major gaps but if you're looking for ideas on upgrades I think most users here will mention that B&W has not targeted a neutral / linear response in recent years (decades) and would propose swapping them for speakers that do.

I personally have some B&Ws (602 S3) as well as some very neutral speakers, and while I think there's a lot to be said for neutrality, B&Ws aren't bad at all, so much as missing opportunities for refinement.

ASR as a community is very skeptical of premium cables too, so there will be suggestions to sell the AQ stuff and put it towards speakers.

All that said, I think if you're happy you can stay where you are, or add subs and Dirac ART to take bass clarity to the next level, and keep the rest.

Welcome to ASR! Sounds like a solid system you've got.

I don't see any major gaps but if you're looking for ideas on upgrades I think most users here will mention that B&W has not targeted a neutral / linear response in recent years (decades) and would propose swapping them for speakers that do.

I personally have some B&Ws (602 S3) as well as some very neutral speakers, and while I think there's a lot to be said for neutrality, B&Ws aren't bad at all, so much as missing opportunities for refinement.

ASR as a community is very skeptical of premium cables too, so there will be suggestions to sell the AQ stuff and put it towards speakers.

All that said, I think if you're happy you can stay where you are, or add subs and Dirac ART to take bass clarity to the next level, and keep the rest.

Thanks for your comment!

As far as the loudspeakers, the 702 S3 are in another league than the loudspeakers from the 6 series of B&W.

Adding a second sub is something I am thinking about but I have put the wife's approval to the test already. Chances are real that I will have to stick with "only" one sub...

As far as the AQ cabling concerns, I didn't buy their really expensive stuff.

Dirac ART is a good one! I will check that out.

 

[Brainvoyager]

Yes, this is indeed a very nice system. Would you mind sending me a private message detailing where you live and when the house will be vacated? You're welcome.

Thanks, but I don't think that would be a wise idea... Lol...

 

[Brainvoyager]

Glad you are happy!

But "three variable-speed fans on top of each amp" does jangle me a bit! Class-D's are currently >90% efficient, and as power-amps, should run relatively cool (and silently). My Hypex rig has played at deafening volume for hours at parties with people dancing like lunatics and only gets warm to the touch.

Speakers - it depends a lot on your room, TBH, and also, brightness tends wane if you don't point the speakers at yourself. So, I'm sure yours are fine.

Power conditioners do nothing unless you have unique mains problems. Some, that recreate sine-wave mains can actually make things worse.

I tend to comment only where money can be saved, or to myth-bust, not about taste. I'm often not nice though.

My two ARCAMs are not class D but class G amplifiers with 2 times 225W at 8 Ohm and 50W of class A operation. They run very hot without the cooling I added, even when they don't play at all. Using the cooling fans keeps them really cool.

I am aware of the fact that class D amplifiers do not run hot and have less weight...

 

[Redacted]

My two ARCAMs are not class D but class G amplifiers with 2 times 225W at 8 Ohm and 50W of class A operation. They run very hot without the cooling I added, even when they don't play at all. Using the cooling fans keeps them really cool.

I am aware of the fact that class D amplifiers do not run hot and have less weight...

Yup, I know they are, and what class G is - it's really just bumping up the voltage on the power rails, more than it is a fundamental mode of operation.

Class A mode is as inefficient as you can usually get! Bound to be hot. Hot is not necessarily good for longevity, so the fans are a good idea. Especially Noctua.

 

[Chrispy]

That word synergy makes me cringe, usually refers to things that aren't.

Nice gear, I'd spend less on electronics/accessories and more on speakers (less on sub, tho). Fraudioquest even at their lower levels are still overpriced.

 

[PristineSound]

Search here for power conditioners and expensive cable reviews, you will quickly learn that it does nothing but bias and placebo.

Many people have fallen for that trap.

 

[dualazmak]

Yes, looks you have very nice audio setup!

If it would be acceptable and interested at your end, you are very much welcome, with your system diagrams and photos, to my hosting thread "Let's share diagrams (and photos) of our total physical audio system and the whole signal path, with a few words and/or links".

 

[kemmler3D]

As far as the loudspeakers, the 702 S3 are in another league than the loudspeakers from the 6 series of B&W.

I think that is very likely true. My comment was more on the design philosophy of B&W in general. Looking at the frequency response plots from any of their speakers in recent years, they seem to intentionally go for a moderately non-flat frequency response, paired with what you might call clever tricks in the treble region off-axis. The orthodoxy at ASR says that on-axis should be flat and off-axis should be smooth. This is based largely on the Harman research. So from that POV most B&W designs could be superseded by others. If you read enough speaker reviews by Amir or Erin you'll see this POV expressed pretty consistently.

Then there's the more practical POV that if you like your speakers, don't worry about other speakers.

Subjectively I personally think the B&W voicing is a bit "juiced" or "zippy" compared to a neutral speaker. I don't mind it for casual listening, otherwise I'd sell em.

Dirac ART is truly next-gen / high-tech but I don't think it works well with fewer than 2 subs. Maybe you can secretly get another DB4S and... uh... act like it was always there.

 

[Mr. Widget]

I am aware of the fact that class D amplifiers do not run hot and have less weight...

Class D will also noticeably lower your power bill if you leave your amps on for many hours a day.

 

[Mr. Widget]

Subjectively I personally think the B&W voicing is a bit "juiced" or "zippy" compared to a neutral speaker. I don't mind it for casual listening, otherwise I'd sell em.

"zippy" I guess that's the technical term.

 

[kemmler3D]

"zippy" I guess that's the technical term.

Yeah, you know, like guacamole with a little too much lime juice in it. At first you're like "whoa!" but after a while you're like "no, it's just kinda sour."

Definitely giving OP the wrong idea about ASR with this comment

 

[Brainvoyager]

Search here for power conditioners and expensive cable reviews, you will quickly learn that it does nothing but bias and placebo.

Many people have fallen for that trap.

I am getting better and better educated in this respect. I have never been a big believer in the bla bla of the manufacturers. They never backup their chit chat with test results.

Also, I have seen most of the reviews of Amir on YouTube and not only they are extremely informative, they are very entertaining.

Last week I saw the video on Jay's Audio Lab I which he reviewed Siltech loudspeaker cables that cost $ 105,000(!!!!) He wasn't satisfied and he read out loud the insane response of the manufacturer. I couldn't stop laughing.

 

[Brainvoyager]

I think that is very likely true. My comment was more on the design philosophy of B&W in general. Looking at the frequency response plots from any of their speakers in recent years, they seem to intentionally go for a moderately non-flat frequency response, paired with what you might call clever tricks in the treble region off-axis. The orthodoxy at ASR says that on-axis should be flat and off-axis should be smooth. This is based largely on the Harman research. So from that POV most B&W designs could be superseded by others. If you read enough speaker reviews by Amir or Erin you'll see this POV expressed pretty consistently.

Then there's the more practical POV that if you like your speakers, don't worry about other speakers.

Subjectively I personally think the B&W voicing is a bit "juiced" or "zippy" compared to a neutral speaker. I don't mind it for casual listening, otherwise I'd sell em.

Dirac ART is truly next-gen / high-tech but I don't think it works well with fewer than 2 subs. Maybe you can secretly get another DB4S and... uh... act like it was always there.

Thanks for your comment. I'm pretty satisfied with my speakers. I'm a pensionar of 64 years old now and as someone with a moderate income, I'm pretty proud of the system I managed to achieve.

Of course I know and see that the world of audio is much bigger than the universe ...

I like to read about audio on forums and watch videos about audio on YouTube, also these of Amir. It's a great hobby and I know my limitations as to placement (and my wallet). I always envy people who have a dedicated listening room that they have acoustically treated.

Life is complicated...

 

[Brainvoyager]

Yeah, you know, like guacamole with a little too much lime juice in it. At first you're like "whoa!" but after a while you're like "no, it's just kinda sour."

Definitely giving OP the wrong idea about ASR with this comment

Lol... It's also a matter of taste. I use the parametric EQ in the DMP-A10 to finetune the sound to my liking since the room contributes to the end result as well.