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Post by jazzva on Jul 15, 2024 22:48:29 GMT
Hi everyone
Since I reconnected with the audiophile hobby during the lockdown days of 2020, my system has undergone a fair few changes until this point.
I am predominantly a CD/SACD listener using a pimped up version of Marantz SA7s1 as my main front end.
My valve-based pre-amp and a solid state power amp were made by a boutique audio firm, Fonos Electronics from Serbia.
The speakers I use are PMC twenty5 26i.
All power cords, interconnects and speaker cables are from VBS Audio.
I have also dabbled with streaming, mainly with Qobuz, and some local files behind Roon.
The streamer I use is Primare NP5 mk1, with the music server running on Intel NUC-based Roon Optimised Core Kit.
The aim for some foreseeable future is to somewhat reduce the performance gap between the CD playback and streaming, but I am aware that won't be easy.
I am hoping to enjoy the journey at least, as well as to share experiences with other enthusiasts in this forum.
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,262
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 15, 2024 23:25:12 GMT
Hi Jazzva
Welcome to the forum.
I haven't heard of much of your system, so I am going to enjoy researching it 😁
Looking forward to reading your experiences.
Oliver.
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Post by antonio on Jul 16, 2024 5:13:56 GMT
Welcome Jazzva, I haven't heard of VBS cables or Fonos Electronics so will have to look them up. With a large bank balance you'll have no trouble reducing the performance gap between cd and streaming, although I believe your NP5 is non too shabby, it was on my shortlist when looking for a streamer.
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optical
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BIG STAR
Be Excellent To Eachother
Posts: 1,593 
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Post by optical on Jul 16, 2024 6:55:30 GMT
Welcome! Great to have a fellow Wokingite on board! (Just for disclosure  ) I've listened this system, and a very enjoyable couple of hours it was!. Enjoy the forum sir. |
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Post by peterthebutcher on Jul 16, 2024 8:23:25 GMT
welcome to the forum sir
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Post by pete on Jul 16, 2024 9:43:05 GMT
Welcome to the forum, it is great to have you with us.
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Post by bencat on Jul 16, 2024 10:15:36 GMT
Welcome to the forum .
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Post by misterc on Jul 16, 2024 11:45:13 GMT
I say simpkins, welcolme along to a rather spiffing bunch of pleasant Ne'er-do-well's who are a very helpful & talented bunch of chaps  |
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Post by bencat on Jul 16, 2024 11:51:48 GMT
Okay Tony I give in who are you talking about ?
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Arke
Moderator
Posts: 1,153
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Post by Arke on Jul 16, 2024 12:10:18 GMT
Welcome Jazzva! Great to have you on board. Looking fwd to your findings and development of the digital front end.
Great system too - I shall be researching your boutique amps too.
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Post by lurch on Jul 16, 2024 14:16:16 GMT
Hi and welcome Jazzva, maybe you and Chris optical should take a run down to my place in Chichester for a listen to my setup as I fell my streaming and CD are pretty much on par with each other. |
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Post by jazzva on Jul 16, 2024 20:53:23 GMT
Thanks very much everyone for your warm welcome 🙌🏼 I feel obliged to volunteer a bit more information about some more exotic/obscure components in my stack starting with the preamp. It could be considered a minimalist piece, sporting a selector of one of the four available line level inputs, step attenuator, and the on/off switch. No remote or tone controls. The real fun is inside as it allows for a decent amount of customisation. The audio section is valve-based and it supports ECC81/ECC82/ECC83 variants, with the ability to adjust gain. The rectifier section offers the choice of tube-based (EZ80) or solid-state diode-based rectification. |
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,262
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 16, 2024 21:32:22 GMT
Ah, pics aren't working 🤔
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Post by jazzva on Jul 16, 2024 23:03:42 GMT
Ah, pics aren't working 🤔 Apologies, I'm posting from my mobile, and yet to figure out the best way to embed photos. Just made an edit to see if it works now. |
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Post by antonio on Jul 17, 2024 4:45:46 GMT
I can see them.
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,262
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 17, 2024 7:13:53 GMT
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Post by stevew on Jul 17, 2024 9:09:30 GMT
Hi Danilo. I can see your pics by clicking on them, which also gives us your name.. much better! An easy way of posting pics is to use Tapatalk on your phone, although there is a cost unfortunately.
Anyway, super looking system which I bet sounds great.
I am curious (current obsession!) about the feet you are using on the PMC’s. Are they Stack Audio Auva’s?
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Post by antonio on Jul 17, 2024 9:20:43 GMT
I've found a YT video which gave a link to Facebook for the VBS cables, they look to be good quality crystal copper. Unfortunately I can find nothing regarding Fonos Electronics from Serbia.
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Post by jazzva on Jul 17, 2024 9:59:19 GMT
Hi Danilo. I can see your pics by clicking on them, which also gives us your name.. much better! An easy way of posting pics is to use Tapatalk on your phone, although there is a cost unfortunately. Anyway, super looking system which I bet sounds great. I am curious (current obsession!) about the feet you are using on the PMC’s. Are they Stack Audio Auva’s? Thanks Steve. Yes, the speaker feet are indeed Stack Audio AUVA 70. They are the most recent addition to the system, and I can attest that they make dramatic improvements to speaker performance. Much more so than I had initially anticipated. |
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Post by jazzva on Jul 17, 2024 10:57:01 GMT
I've found a YT video which gave a link to Facebook for the VBS cables, they look to be good quality crystal copper. Unfortunately I can find nothing regarding Fonos Electronics from Serbia. It'll be tough to find much about Fonos, as that is a small operation, trading in Serbia only. Unlike their more commercially successful compatriots, such as Dayens, and Acoustic Invader, the owner of Fonos is content with building his two developed products (convertible pre-amp and Aery RS-100 power amp products) on order for people from the audiophile circles in Serbia. It's a small operation, with low overhead,and high quality craftsmanship. Mainly spread through word of mouth, which is how I heard of it. And I am very happy I did, as ever since I got these two components in my system I have stopped eyeing other preamps or amps 😊 |
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Post by mayebaza on Jul 17, 2024 16:37:14 GMT
Welcome Jazzva, prey tell what valves are your currently using and do you have other flavours you whish to try?
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,262
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 17, 2024 17:37:48 GMT
I've found a YT video which gave a link to Facebook for the VBS cables, they look to be good quality crystal copper. Unfortunately I can find nothing regarding Fonos Electronics from Serbia. It'll be tough to find much about Fonos, as that is a small operation, trading in Serbia only. Unlike their more commercially successful compatriots, such as Dayens, and Acoustic Invader, the owner of Fonos is content with building his two developed products (convertible pre-amp and Aery RS-100 power amp products) on order for people from the audiophile circles in Serbia. It's a small operation, with low overhead,and high quality craftsmanship. Mainly spread through word of mouth, which is how I heard of it. And I am very happy I did, as ever since I got these two components in my system I have stopped eyeing other preamps or amps 😊 I am in total agreement here. Those little guys can really offer a price Vs performance level beyond the ridiculous in my experience. I am also in total agreement that once you start to assemble the kind of equipment that starts to tick your boxes, you simply stop looking. It sounds like this Serbian outfit might have a nice array of kit for valve inclined folks to investigate. He is welcome to join here and peddle his wares, if he wishes. Please feel free to extend our invitation to him. Pop the lid on that amp and delight us with pics. We love that sort of thing here |
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Post by jazzva on Jul 17, 2024 23:17:28 GMT
Welcome Jazzva, prey tell what valves are your currently using and do you have other flavours you whish to try? Thanks Mayebaza I predominantly use the ECC82 variant - swapping between JJ Tesla Gold Pin, Apos Ray Tube and RCA. In the rectification section (EZ80) I alternate between Philips Miniwatts and Mullards from the early 60s. I'm always open to try new flavours in this space. Do let me know if you have any recommendations based on your firsthand experience. |
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Post by jazzva on Jul 18, 2024 13:13:40 GMT
It'll be tough to find much about Fonos, as that is a small operation, trading in Serbia only. Unlike their more commercially successful compatriots, such as Dayens, and Acoustic Invader, the owner of Fonos is content with building his two developed products (convertible pre-amp and Aery RS-100 power amp products) on order for people from the audiophile circles in Serbia. It's a small operation, with low overhead,and high quality craftsmanship. Mainly spread through word of mouth, which is how I heard of it. And I am very happy I did, as ever since I got these two components in my system I have stopped eyeing other preamps or amps 😊 I am in total agreement here. Those little guys can really offer a price Vs performance level beyond the ridiculous in my experience. I am also in total agreement that once you start to assemble the kind of equipment that starts to tick your boxes, you simply stop looking. It sounds like this Serbian outfit might have a nice array of kit for valve inclined folks to investigate. He is welcome to join here and peddle his wares, if he wishes. Please feel free to extend our invitation to him. Pop the lid on that amp and delight us with pics. We love that sort of thing here Due to popular demand here are the photos showing the aforementioned power amp internals: photos.app.goo.gl/BLeZMLoQwq9jbsF2AOne of the photos show a side by side comparison with D'Agostino Momentum, in which Aery RS-100 came on top 😊 |
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Post by jazzva on Jul 18, 2024 19:25:06 GMT
I've found a YT video which gave a link to Facebook for the VBS cables, they look to be good quality crystal copper. Unfortunately I can find nothing regarding Fonos Electronics from Serbia. Last, but by no means not least, VBS Audio is another small operation. I met the owner, and he has managed to come up with something special. He is a metallurgy engineer who developed a unique formula how to consistently produce high quality monocrystalline copper. VBS Audio offer all sorts of analogue and digital interconnects, power cables, speaker cables, and binding posts. More recently they launched a high end power block product. Again, most of these are built to order, so they are pretty expensive, and there are lead times, but on the other hand the products could be considered end-game, as they are truly exceptional. |
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) I've listened this system, and a very enjoyable couple of hours it was!.
