I've just been informed D1XSE will ship from Melbourne tomorrow....it comes by road so unlikely to arrive in Perth before the weekend. Exciting! I'm seriously considering TELOS Foundation power core to replace all my power black boxes. But it's quite a bit more expensive than the Accuphase PS-550. And it only has five outlets whereas the Accuphase has eight (I need eight). TELOS only came on my radar because Magico are using them in their demo show room so it must be good. There are no TELOS owners in Perth so impossible to do the touch/sniff/taste test before ordering. It will be a $23K leap of faith if I choose TELOS over Accuphase. The PS-550 is $17K RRP but I won't order it in Australia, I can get a new one out of the Asian market much cheaper than that.

28 minutes ago, brodricj said:

I've just been informed D1XSE will ship from Melbourne tomorrow....it comes by road so unlikely to arrive in Perth before the weekend. Exciting! I'm seriously considering TELOS Foundation power core to replace all my power black boxes. But it's quite a bit more expensive than the Accuphase PS-550. And it only has five outlets whereas the Accuphase has eight (I need eight). TELOS only came on my radar because Magico are using them in their demo show room so it must be good. There are no TELOS owners in Perth so impossible to do the touch/sniff/taste test before ordering. It will be a $23K leap of faith if I choose TELOS over Accuphase. The PS-550 is $17K RRP but I won't order it in Australia, I can get a new one out of the Asian market much cheaper than that.

I have a Telos Mini Version 5.1 here. It did improve the sound and lower noise floor, but I wonder if I was just imaging it. Funny, when it was accidentally turned off, I thought my setup sounded wrong! This Telos is only active in grounding for my power amps and turntable/phono amps. 
 

My colleagues have expressed concern about my insane observations. 

The current model TELOS Earth Grounding Monster is US$40K....that's a lot of coin to drop to ground something.

The Telos conditioning products do work. I have numerous products in my system and have all of my cables conditioned using the QBT unit. I wouldn’t have the system sound I have now without the Telos equipment.

On 27/10/2025 at 12:11 AM, AccMagi7s said:

I definitely need to get one. I was browsing the Artisan website. It doesn't come cheap. With the new cart, the bass's speed comes and goes like thunder. My little 8-year-old has been sitting in with me and he's thoroughly enjoying it. We listened to BB King's black records. The boy said, 'sounds like he is here in front but you can't see him.' That is gold from an eight-year-old boy. 

 

I bought one of the Artisan Fidelity copper mats and compared to the Micro Seiki cu180.  Artisan just a little fuller sounding, cu180 a bit faster.  I kept the cu180. Both are superb and you can't go wrong with either.

On 27/10/2025 at 12:18 AM, AccMagi7s said:

When you're here next, Sean, it might feel a bit like taking a step or two back to go back to digital! No kidding, right? I can't imagine how it would sound better if a better phono amp were in! Wow, I’m really excited and on the lookout for a chance to spend a little! 

 

Time to shop for a new phonostage. Perhaps the AudioNet PAM G2 or an equivalent.

 

@metal beat, would you be able to recommend a suitable phono for this combo? 

 

That would be the 64 dollar question.     I have not heard the Audionet.  The CH and Solution phono stages for SS seem to occupy close to the top of the tree. 

 

Tube with SUT's are also a great choice. Phasemation EA-2000 would match perfectly with your Ikeda Akiko 6ohm cartridge for a more organic sound.

 

 Depends what you are looking for in a phono stage as all the top ones will be quiet. 

Edited October 28, 2025Oct 28 by metal beat

48 minutes ago, metal beat said:

Tube with SUT's are also a great choice. Phasemation EA-2000 would match perfectly with your Ikeda Akiko 6ohm cartridge for a more organic sound.

 

 

I read the specs, it said 3ohm. 

4 minutes ago, AccMagi7s said:

I read the specs, it said 3ohm. 

 

Interesting. Even the Ikeda website says 6ohm.   3ohms is actually a better match to the Phasemation SUT.

 

 How does it sound compared to your previous cart?   It looks wonderful.

 

I see they have a new uber exxy cart released - KOHAKU😊

Just now, metal beat said:

 

Interesting. Even the Ikeda website says 6ohm.   3ohms is actually a better match to the Phasemation SUT.

 

 How does it sound compared to your previous cart?   It looks wonderful.

 

I see they have a new uber exxy cart released - KOHAKU😊

It is day and night difference straight out of the box compared to the previous fitted Accuphase AC5. We listened thoroughly before swapping it. It is getting better on the second day. The clarity and resolution of densities intensified, like many layers are lifted. The sound is so lightning fast compared to AC5. In a nutshell, I like it very much. Quite exciting about this purchase.

 

I saw the new one has just been released this year! Ouch, US$27k! That is $45k!!? 

I've received shipping notification from DHL. D1XSE will be delivered next Tuesday!

For those of us seeking a more straightforward network streaming option, Teac has just launched the NT-507T. 

 

More info here. 

https://teac.jp/int/product/nt-507t/feature

You can see similarities between the TEAC network module G4 and the Esoteric network module G4.

19 minutes ago, brodricj said:

You can see similarities between the TEAC network module G4 and the Esoteric network module G4.

While I notice a similarity, the contrasting asking prices also catch my attention, making the comparison intriguing.

 

This Teac will put many others' performance for value to the test. 

Yeah, dunno what the TEAC will sell for here, at a hunch $5K RRP. Compared to $45K for its Esoteric brother.

11 hours ago, AccMagi7s said:

For those of us seeking a more straightforward network streaming option, Teac has just launched the NT-507T. 

 

More info here. 

https://teac.jp/int/product/nt-507t/feature

And it is today SNA news. 

https://stereonet.com/news/teac-expands-reference-500-series-with-nt-507t-network-transport

Interestingly, SNA posted the review of the Waversa WLAN reference filter today. We have done this comparison on many other occasions here in my setup, and it is nice to read that our ears aren't that cloth yet. 😊

https://stereonet.com/reviews/waversa-wlan-reference-noise-isolator-review

The Waversa is the best value tweak in the whole audiophile universe. What I want to discover is how a Waversa enhanced ethernet streaming connection compares to SFP.

1 minute ago, brodricj said:

The Waversa is the best value tweak in the whole audiophile universe. What I want to discover is how a Waversa enhanced ethernet streaming connection compares to SFP.

This is a new can of worms, and because of you, I am exploring an optical cable from the house to my outer building dedicated to my audio refuge.

 

This one hooks into the NBN box inside the house. 

Cloud Gateway Fiber - Ubiquiti Store United States

 

This one is at the audio room. 

Switch Enterprise 8 PoE - Ubiquiti Store United States

 

SFP opens another can of worms. There is reporting in some audio forums that different SFP modules sound different. I didn't want to go to the extent of trialing different SFP modules in this way, I just want to make a course assessment of the Waversa enhanced ethernet compared to my bog standard 1G fiber module. What that Waversa does for streaming ethernet just blows me away. Differences in SFP modules will be minuscule. But having said that the Waversa is a big investment compared to a $20 SFP module.

I experimented with repositioning my speakers, and the results blew me away! Moving them just 50-100mm forward completely transformed the soundstage. It was so stunning that it silenced me in amazement—like upgrading to new, expensive power or speaker cables. The whole movement didn't take long, but the impact was absolutely worth it. It may be a small move, but the reward is incredible with minimal financial cost. 

 

1 hour ago, AccMagi7s said:

I experimented with repositioning my speakers, and the results blew me away! Moving them just 50-100mm forward completely transformed the soundstage. It was so stunning that it silenced me in amazement—like upgrading to new, expensive power or speaker cables. The whole movement didn't take long, but the impact was absolutely worth it. It may be a small move, but the reward is incredible with minimal financial cost. 

I think you are here on the right path. Both bass and improved imaging can be achieved by placement changes. Software modelling (desktop study) can help to some degree but it can never be as good as real thing.

 

I am trying - for some years now - to get someone to fund a build of remotely controlled speakers platforms which would enable to find the optimum speaker placement in a given room. I was originally thinking of a 50kg per speaker max load, which would not be any good for your huge things.

I know a guy who said who can build a non-pretty, prototype version of it for about $2k, but so far there are no investors. People would rather spend that kind of money on some cable.

Maybe the thinking is that a signal and power cable has more impact than speaker placement? Or maybe that it would not come with big brand name bragging rights. One way or another, I am going to do it when I really retire in couple of years. I plan to hire it to Hi-Fi shops during the week and fellow audiophiles on weekends.

8 hours ago, rockeater said:

I think you are here on the right path. Both bass and improved imaging can be achieved by placement changes. Software modelling (desktop study) can help to some degree but it can never be as good as real thing.

 

I am trying - for some years now - to get someone to fund a build of remotely controlled speakers platforms which would enable to find the optimum speaker placement in a given room. I was originally thinking of a 50kg per speaker max load, which would not be any good for your huge things.

I know a guy who said who can build a non-pretty, prototype version of it for about $2k, but so far there are no investors. People would rather spend that kind of money on some cable.

Maybe the thinking is that a signal and power cable has more impact than speaker placement? Or maybe that it would not come with big brand name bragging rights. One way or another, I am going to do it when I really retire in couple of years. I plan to hire it to Hi-Fi shops during the week and fellow audiophiles on weekends.

This is great news! With only a $2,000 investment, you may not attract serious high-end audiophiles. To really catch their eye and make it stand out, think about applying a bold mark-up—such as 100x—and creating a description as poetic and detailed as a masterpiece, targeting the deep appreciation and refined taste of true audiophile enthusiasts. This strategy will boost its appeal and transform it into a sought-after gem within the audiophile community.

8 hours ago, rockeater said:

I think you are here on the right path. Both bass and improved imaging can be achieved by placement changes. Software modelling (desktop study) can help to some degree but it can never be as good as real thing.

 

I am trying - for some years now - to get someone to fund a build of remotely controlled speakers platforms which would enable to find the optimum speaker placement in a given room. I was originally thinking of a 50kg per speaker max load, which would not be any good for your huge things.

I know a guy who said who can build a non-pretty, prototype version of it for about $2k, but so far there are no investors. People would rather spend that kind of money on some cable.

Maybe the thinking is that a signal and power cable has more impact than speaker placement? Or maybe that it would not come with big brand name bragging rights. One way or another, I am going to do it when I really retire in couple of years. I plan to hire it to Hi-Fi shops during the week and fellow audiophiles on weekends.

https://herbiesaudiolab.com/products/threaded-stud-glider?variant=12651505745975

 

A manual way to move speakers around and fine tune sound, people have been aware of these benefits.

Just get some friends over to move the speakers while you sit in the sweet spot sipping on a red wine 😉👌🍷

Edited November 1, 2025Nov 1 by Mendes
.

3 minutes ago, Mendes said:

https://herbiesaudiolab.com/products/threaded-stud-glider?variant=12651505745975

 

A manual way to move speakers around and fine tune sound, people have been aware of these benefits.

Just get some friends over to move the speakers while you sit in the sweet spot sipping on a red wine 😉👌🍷

Great info Steve. 👍
Not sure if these would be strong enough for 300kg speakers though? 

3 hours ago, AccMagi7s said:

To really catch their eye and make it stand out, think about applying a bold mark-up—such as 100x—and creating a description as poetic and detailed as a masterpiece, targeting the deep appreciation and refined taste of true audiophile enthusiasts.

This is after itis developed. It would then cost $2000 per hour to hire it 😉

3 hours ago, Mendes said:

Just get some friends over to move the speakers while you sit in the sweet spot sipping on a red wine

You can't achieve the same result.

I remember adjusting VTA with an Audio Technica tonearm some decades ago. It was the first arm that allowed adjusting VTA while playing the record and you could really find a perfect spot which was not quite where it was expected. Sound stage just opened up unbelievably. You would never find that spot doing it step by step.