I think it’s time to start recording my music journey. This journey is full of fun and excitement. 
 

This is my first system

Focal 1038BE 

Cary Audio SLP05 pre

Cary Audio CAD 120 amp

Ayon Dac 

Bluesound node2i streamer 

 

Edited April 6, 20214 yr by TDX

The beauty of tubes. 

????❤️

Welcome some new toys, Mcintosh MC601  they made the Focal sing. 

Impressive first system!

1 hour ago, TDX said:

I think it’s time to start recording my music journey. This journey is full of fun and excitement. 
 

This is my first system

Focal 1038BE 

Cary Audio SLP05 pre

Cary Audio CAD 120 amp

Bluesound node2i streamer 

 

One thing I must admit, I can’t believe how neat and clean my room was ?

@TDX Show us your current setup... 

 

5 minutes ago, Chanh said:

@TDX Show us your current setup... 

 

It’s a journey hey, I need to find all the old photos first ?

27 minutes ago, TDX said:

It’s a journey hey, I need to find all the old photos first ?

No worries... I will revisit this thread next few years. ??

And let’s fast forward a bit. Cary being very nice and powerful tubes, but not enough to make my focal roar. In order to retain some tube warmth and magic but have enough power, I’ve decided to jumping on the pass labs boat. They really sound heaven. Best gift during 2020 pandemic lock down.

Edited April 7, 20214 yr by TDX

When is the gtg happening?  

17 hours ago, muon* said:

Impressive first system!

Impressive tenth system says my wallet...

I'm very happy to be starting this journey with you, but like all my journeys patience is the problem.

 

"Are we there yet?" 

 

So when is the first system from? Because you have a lot of posts, but the Bluesound is not that old is it?

 

Maybe you could give us a rough time frame to the pictures.

 

Looking forward to following the thread.

1 minute ago, russell66 said:

I'm very happy to be starting this journey with you, but like all my journeys patience is the problem.

 

"Are we there yet?" 

 

So when is the first system from? Because you have a lot of posts, but the Bluesound is not that old is it?

 

Maybe you could give us a rough time frame to the pictures.

 

Looking forward to following the thread.

Easy, everything started from end of 2019 and everythings' been changed since. No we are not there yet ?

34 minutes ago, Tony B said:

When is the gtg happening?  

Hi Tony, my room is only 1/4 of Chanh's. So hard to hold a GTG. But you are welcome to come for a listen if you'd like, PM me and we can discuss this 

19 hours ago, muon* said:

Impressive first system!

And I thought they were my end game system ?

And the beautiful blue. 
 

I actually consulted Desmond from passlabs before making the purchase decision. 260.8 or 350.8?  For better sound  image I decided to go with 260.8. It also stays in class A longer. 

No rest for audiophile's pace. The next addition to my system is the Gryphon Pandora two boxes preamplifier - actullly four-chassis with total isolation of left and right channels on separate chassis and dedicated dual mono power supplies in individual chassis to protect the audio signal from any interference. At a time my system contains lots of black boxes  

 

 

Edited April 8, 20214 yr by TDX

How to not try turntable on a music journey? My choice is Clearaudio performance pack and goldnote pre. The dynamic and analogue sound easily win my digital system.  And thanks for my son, I also have a lego turntable. 

So this is the complete system back May 2020, quite some change since my first system! Happy days. 

I also started room treatments. Those setup were temporary and has been changed since. 

So the second system is

Focal 1038BE 

GAIA 1 isolating feet

Gryphon Pandora preamplifier 

Passlabs 260.8 monoblocks 

Ayon Dac 

Naim Core as a storage and player 

Clearaudio turntable 

Goldnote phonostage 
Isotek power cables

High Diamond 8 speaker cable 

 

Edited April 11, 20214 yr by TDX

Welcome for the luxman c900u visiting.  Excellent building quality and a worthy contender for the gryphon pandora.  

3 hours ago, TDX said:

Welcome for the luxman c900u visiting.  Excellent building quality and a worthy contender for the gryphon pandora.  

 

I have a c900u also and really like it, it's surprising how many are out there.

Around June 2020 I had an idea of trying CD player. “Who still play CD, it’s so obsoleted!” That’s what I thought when firstly started my journey.  Bluetooth is so much more convenient.  But hey, there is a reason CD is still among us.  I’ll revise this a bit more later about this transport. 
 

At the time I was also lucky enough to compare Accuphase integrated and two boxes design (transport + dac). Unfortunately at the time my system is not revealing enough, I can’t tell too much difference. So in the end I decided to buy a integrated CDP. I told my friend that I heard more soul in the music from Accuphase playing CD. 
 

also the other important  addition to the system is the Primacoustic bass traps, I bought four of them.  It significantly reduce the bass problem in my room.  At the time I also have some boxes underneath the ones at the front wall, I think it makes difference as they raise the height of the bass traps. The plan is buy another two traps to cover the front wall corner to ceiling. 

 

Ah, also don't forget the cable lifter, special limited edition  

Edited April 13, 20214 yr by TDX

2 hours ago, Tony B said:

I have a c900u also and really like it, it's surprising how many are out there.

Unfortunately I didn’t get a chance to hear full loom of Luxman in my system. otherwise it will be fun!