The Upgrade Company - Ultra High Performance Mods & Upgrades EMM Labs McIntosh Oppo NuForce Denon Onkyo

The Journey

front whispers	whole room	RplusD
DIY amp stand	TUC - EMM - TAP	TUC - APL

The Journey

  Esoteric DV-50 by The Upgrade Company CD Player
  Sharp XV-Z10000U Video
  Krell HTS 7.1 Surround Pre
  Krell FPB-300C Amplifier
  Theta Dreadnaught Multichamp
  Legacy Audio Whisper System Speaker
  Legacy Audio Studio Monitor
  Legacy Audio Mist Monitor
  Legacy Audio Silverscreen II Monitor
  Legacy Audio LF Xtreme Subwoofer
  Argent/Rosinate Pursang S
  Shunyata Hydra - original & Hydra 2 AC filter

The Journey
Well, I accidentally erased my virtual system as I tried to update it, so now I re-did the whole thing. I probably left some stuff out, and I know I lost some good contacts/comments.

I started out as an HT nut and have evolved into a 2-channel nut. My friends [and I] joke that everything here is big, heavy, ugly, or some combination of those.

Nevertheless, it sounds great to me, and I really enjoy it.

My main goal is to enjoy this hobby both in the building of the system as well as kicking back and listening or watching anything that floats my boat at the time. I do enjoy building things and have done a lot of DIY projects, like the whole front contraption that protects the gear from my small kids. I have also built all of my own acoustic devices so far, and have plans for a lot more�in time though.

The best thing is still reaping the rewards by enjoying different blends of music. I have true success there, and getting more all the time.

Dbld (Reviews | Threads | Answers)

02-28-07

Responses

02-28-07: Dbld
I have updated some pictures. In spite of having so many different good pieces of gear come through [for demo of course�it is good to have friends in audio], I really would prefer to occupy myself with measuring and playing with my room acoustics now. I got the new version of Acoustisoft RplusD so I have a great tool to learn from. Hopefully that will keep me from spending dough on the next great piece of gear. Making sense of my measurements is a whole new challenge though.

I have also had the chance to try some pretty nice players as you can see. I am even happier now with what I have since The Upgrade Company has made my old DV-50 sounds better than them all IMO. Instead of sitting down for a listen, I sit down for an experience.

The other night I had a very dramatic experience when I played my Redbook CD version of Ray Brown�s Superbass II, and then popped in my just purchased SACD version. What a remarkable and hugely noticeable improvement. I had heard this before, but to a much lesser degree. Perhaps it is just that album�

Onto pre-amps now�I am thinking of building a Bent TVC passive, but I am still trying some other things too. I had a Bent TAP for a couple of weeks [see image] and I really liked it. I hated sending it back. There is something psychologically appealing about it because when you open it up, you really don�t see many parts. A sort of �simple is better� or �less is more� approach. It is also absolutely silent, and incredibly 3D and textured in how it lets the sound through. Whatever I do, I just can�t drop the coin for something pricey�I have to find that �giant-killer� of a preamp whatever it might be.

Anyway, everything sounds better than I could have ever imagined owning in my own home. It is very involving to listen to. I get wrapped up in 2-channel so much that I find I rarely do movies or multi-channel in spite of being well set-up to do so. I also have really enjoyed discovering new software, especially Hi-Res stuff [DVD/DVD-A/SACD]. Chesky�s version of Sara K�s Hobo is fantastic.

Well, I am sitting here in my hotel room bored out of my mind trying to kill time, but now I have to get something to eat. All the best to all -
Dbld (Reviews | Threads | Answers)

03-11-07: Mtkhl567
Dear Dbld, you have listed the upgraded Esoteric DV-50, which you are amazed by. In the picture it shows an Emmlabs CDSA-SE. Which do you really have and why?

Regards
Henry
Mtkhl567 (System | Threads | Answers)

03-11-07: Dbld
Henry,

I own the DV-50 which Dave Schulte has worked over several times. He seems to keep coming up with something new.

The EMM CDSA-SE was for trial only. I don't own it. I did a review of my DV-50 where I compared it to the EMM. I prefer the DV-50. Mind you, my DV-50 sounds nothing like the stock version.

Don't get upset though, the EMM is still a sweet player. If you are around the Philly area, you are welcome to come by for a listen.

After having the EMM here for a while, I really believe more than ever that system synergy is important. I didn't appreciate that until I started changing PCs around when I had the EMM in my system. WOW...I think PCs make a larger difference than ICs...although I have absolutely no explanation for it.

Dave
Dbld (Reviews | Threads | Answers)

03-14-07: Mtkhl567
Dave, it so happens I do live in the Philly area, I would like to take up your offer and have a listen. I agree on your PC comment, my Jena's do so much more for my system than the top Gutwires, it wasn't even a close contest. Maybe I can bring some of my PCs/ICs and you can try them in a listening session, ofcourse I would bring the Emm too, just to compare...could be fun, let me know when, send me an email!

Best regards
Henry
Mtkhl567 (System | Threads | Answers)

03-15-07: Dbld
Cool � Henry - I have emailed you, but I am super busy for a little while.

As I mentioned in my email to Henry � I have been working on my room acoustics with Terry Montlick [www.softwaredesign.com/]. Instead of redundant posting, I will write a separate review once I have completed the process. But I will say right now, this is one of the best bang-for-the-buck things I have done in audio.
Dbld (Reviews | Threads | Answers)

05-28-07: Zephyr24069
Glad to see your system with Whispers back up...please write me and let me know you like the DV-50 with TUC mods. I went a different route with the Esoteric P-03U/D-03/G-0s trio and haven't stopped being very happy with what comes out of my Legacy Focus HDs (see system posted).

I also like your room and DIY stands very much.

Enjoy!
Zephyr24069 (Threads | Answers)

06-03-07: Dbld
Zephyr - My TUC DV-50 is absolutely fantastic. No regrets what-so-ever. However, it now has a happy new home since I sold it to another AudiogoNer not too long ago. I am still in touch with him, and he has sold his TUC Ayre to get the DV-50. He seems pleased with the upgrade. I don�t think I�ll ever own a non-TUC player again.

I don�t see your Virtual system yet. Looking forward to it though. It seems as though you have a pretty sweet set-up.

I'd ultimately like to get a UX-1 or a UX-3 and send it over to TUC. I am sold on Dave Schulte's work � as I am sure you can tell. He has upgrade several pieces for me as well as providing me with a lot of other bits of advice and tweaks for my system that didn�t make him any money. All have been very worth while IMO. Things sound simply amazing to me nowadays - I never imagined I'd be able to enjoy anything like this in my own home. I know Schulte has worked on a p70/d70 set-up�it might be his own, I am not sure.
Dbld (Reviews | Threads | Answers)

06-04-07: Zephyr24069
Thanks for the reply...had to take it down for a bit as I'm contemplating rebuilding the posting. I'll send you a pic and we can chat on email.
Zephyr24069 (Threads | Answers)

"Own the very best!"