Audio System
The audio system is fairly modest. I've tried to assemble a system over the years that sounds pleasing but didn't break my limited bank account. My arms and legs are still here. These are the components:
Amplifier: Prima Luna Prologue 5 with mostly Gold Lion KT-88 tubes, but sometimes Tung Sol EL-34 tubes. The 12ax7 and the 12au7 tubes are Psvane. 36 watts per channel. More than enough for the Klipsch speakers.
Preamplifier: Schiit Freya Plus, using Linlai 6SN7. Replaced the Parasound P5.
DAC: Schiit Mimir. Replaced the Schiit Modius.
Streamer: Wiim Pro. Changed the power adapter to a 3 amp capable one.
SACD/CD: Marantz SA-8001. Haven't played a CD for several years.
Speakers: Klipsch RP-6000F or Monitor Audio Silver 8, but the Klipsch are my favorites. I know these speakers are a "weak link", but they will have to do for now. If I could afford them, the Klipsch Heresy IV's would be here.
Subwoofers: SVS SB-2000 and Klipsch R-112SW. The SVS is the better of the two.
Interconnects: WBC XLR PRO (DAC to Preamp), Primeda RCA, Preamp to EQ to Amp, and CD player to Pre-amp. DH Labs Silver Sonic (Wiim to DAC).
Speaker cable: Micca. Audioquest Boxer (SB-2000) and SVS Sound Path (R112SW) for the Subwoofers. All subwoofers use AQ RCA Y splitters.
Power: Audioquest Niagara 1000. Power cords are Audioquest NRG2, 4, Z3, Z2, and Y3.
Headphones: Hifiman HE-R10 and Sony MDR-ZX110 (for computer audio or home theater late at night).
Computer audio: Klipsch Pro Media. Excellent sounding. the woofer will do 36Hz and is only 6.5 inches.
Best deals for Mr. Cheap: Klipsch RP-6000F new at $744.12 for both. 10% off each speaker, and then 30% off the total. The Micca speaker cables. It's amazing how good they sound. It's also amazing how inexpensive they were. Mogami 75 Ohm coax with Canare RCA's for $45. It has better definition than my AQ Forest. I find no fault with it yet. Primeda RCA cables replacing the AQ Columbia. Better and much less expensive. The HE-R10 headphones for $179.00, the best I've ever owned. The Prima Luna P-5 was discontinued and on sale for $1200, so I got it. No regrets, solid tube sound with excellent definition and soundstage,
I use Tidal streaming service.
The Schiit Loki Plus equalizer arrived November 17th, 2022. AQ Columbia are the interconnects, preamp to Loki, Loki to amp. It is doing exactly what I wanted. Kicks the performance of the RP-6000F up a notch. The 400Hz a little up, giving better upper bass and lower mid-range. I can detect no noise from it.
Stop the press! New tubes installed December 21, 2024.
I put matched LinLai 6sn7 tubes in the gain stage side of the Freya, replacing the JJ's. Wow! What an improvement they made. I could hear it instantly. They now have over 100 hours on them and have become even better. I did not expect as much an improvement in sound as I got. I'll list the areas I noticed.
Clarity of vocals and instruments. Better definition between musical notes than before. Things sound more "real" than before. Decays last longer. Soundstage slightly better. Bass seems more punchy and solid. The background was always quiet, but now seems to have a "darkness" to it. The tubes were $80 a pair on Amazon. They are worth every penny to me.
I also replaced the SED 12ax7 and EH 12au7 tubes of the Prima Luna with Psvane. An improvement, maybe, but not as noticeable as the preamp tubes. The 100 bucks for all four was worth it as the older tubes had become weak and didn't match anymore. I just installed (12/30/24) two more matched LinLai 6sn7 for the preamp buffer stage. They are not anywhere near broken in, but I already hear a difference. It's not as much of one as the gain stage was. Mainly the music sound slightly fuller and has more of the sweetness of tube sound. The music also seems to flow a little more natural than before. Clarity improved just a little. It's all somewhat minor, but it's there, and it's slightly better. I can hardly wait for all the new tubes to fully break in. The Primeda RCA also improved the dynamics and soundstage over the AQ Columbia RCA. Roll Tide!