Robert Harley's Listening Room Part 2: The Reference Equipment

[@pedrocols]

I am glad when he says "best I've ever heard" because that's just exactly what it is folks, how it sounds to his ears. Everyone's experience is different. If something sounds good or bad to him it doesn't mean it is going to sound good or bad to you.

[@dougdavis8986]

We're glad you're happy with your BestBuy system. Rock on Beavis!

[@pedrocols]

@@dougdavis8986 I don't think Best Buy sells Magnepans Speakers or Tube amps...😉😎🎶🎶

[@shadowofpain8144]

I bet there is better chance it sounds just as good to me as it does him.

[@JeffGlotzer]

Wonderful room, Robert! Here's another 35 years of you! Everything you have done and said in TAS or Stereophile have been among the most important contributions to high-performance audio! Kudos and thank you.

[@RobertHarley-dk1th]

Thank you so much for the kind comment. I greatly appreciate it.

[@adsph]

Really appreciate Mr Harley showing and describing his incredible system. Most impressive.

[@AudiophileToday]

What an amazing system and an amazing room Robert. So glad I will never get the chance to hear it since it would probably result in my never wanting to turn my own system on again.

[@jimnagel5611]

ACTUALLY PRETTY DEPRESSING AIN'T IT TO KNOW NO MATTER WHAT I DO I'LL NEVER HAVE ANYTHING CLOSE -- SHOULDNT HAVE WATCHED IT IN THE FIRST PLACE I GUESS

[@louisxiiii]

@@jimnagel5611 If you can live with used equipment, you may very well be able to afford at this level.

[@jimnagel5611]

NAH - ALREADY WASTED ENOUGH MONEY ON THAT STUFF -- PROBABLY IN MY LAST HOUSE ANYWAY -- IF I COULD BUILD MY DREAM LISTENING ROOM THEN YEAH I'D PROBABLY GO FOR MORE -- BUT IN Y EXPERIENCE -- MOST OF THAT IS PERSONAL PREFERENCE & OR A HUGE WASTE OF MONEY @@louisxiiii

[@TheDjcarlos67]

⁠@@jimnagel5611 a guaranteed outcome with such a negative outlook

[@eightrodway]

It's a tough job, but somebody's got to do it.

[@averagepainter]

hilarious. the voodoo in this room puts every haitian master to shame. personally i cracked up when i saw the power supplies for the dac.

[@johntwohy4726]

RH: all five circuits are wired with the same length of 10-gauge wire so that the ground path is identical for each AC outlet. (14:20). The speed of electricity down a wire is about 90% of the speed of light -- itself about 300,000 km/s. What possible difference would a 1 meter versus 10 meter ground path make? (Or, for that matter, 1 inch versus 10 miles?) This aside, a very impressive room build, with mind-boggling equipment. More power to you!

[@RobertHarley-dk1th]

It's not the speed, is the amount of resistance in the wire. Longer wire equals greater resistance. Unequal resistance in the ground paths result in a voltage potential across the grounds, which causes current flow in the ground.

[@johntwohy4726]

Thank you - enlightening!

[@rcmanoj]

All the various snake oils in one epic episode !!

[@joevento1170]

You obviously have no understanding of the limitations of digital source data as it pertains to music. I've heard a similar version of this technology designed and built by a retired satellite design engineer for Northrop Grumman a few yrs ago in Rockville MD. The system used the same design principles in converting high definition digital source music from CDs and streaming services; which created on amazing " enhanced vinyl record" sound experience. Don't bash technology just bcuz you probably can't afford it or bcuz you never even heard the sonic difference between a vinyl record and a digital recording. You obviously have a lot to learn.....

[@rcmanoj]

@@joevento1170lots of snake oil for lots of idiots !!

[@Michael-zg8qw]

Oooer... Handbags out mrs

[@cyclistman6358]

For some people, perhaps such as yourself a cassette boom box is sublime and anything more with greater design, engineering, performance and cost is just “snake oil”. I think you would change your mind if you had the opportunity to personally hear what Mr. Harleys system can do. As they say ignorance is bliss and defining.

[@martinbishop2966]

I have been into this hobby for over 30 years but I never seen a system like this. Mind boggling complexity with truly reference quality equipment must make this the most high end system in existence. Pity that recordings will never realise it's true potential.

[@realleescoggins]

Very nicely done Robert and Charles.

[@beyond8981]

Wonderful review - Thank you, Robert

[@DBTAudio]

Wow! Very nice and thanks for sharing!

[@rickcarlson5916]

Robert thank you for sharing your system and knowledge with us. When an incredible system!

[@LeonFleisherFan]

Thanks for this interesting tour! There are several components here that I've heard in several (Swiss Precision, Wadax) or many (Wilson) systems, and whose sound has never appealed to me (e.g. Wadax for its lack of dynamics, Wilson for their dryness, midrange phase issues, and boxy bass), would be curious to hear a well curated and set up system that I might find more convincing. The room and its construction sure look nice!

[@glawnow1959]

Thrilled to see Laura Dearborn's "Good Sound" in your bookshelf! This book helped me take my first baby steps into high fidelity audio.

[@dragonkabodan]

Dream system well done in taking care of the tiniest details 👌🏻

[@johns.]

Very nicely done, and thank you.

[@averagepainter]

my brother in law has a long haired cat. it really helps with room acoustics. i‘m thinking about getting one too.

[@taidee]

This is a music listening factory, amazing stuff.

[@johnnycashlesscomedy8616]

I had never heard of being able to alter the feedback settings in an amp. Would love to hear them. I'd love Robert to review the Iconoclast cables. They are reasonably priced and the best that former Belden chief engineer could design and use Belden's facilities to produce.

[@adamkrauss303]

Thanks for this tour. Putting aside the complex incredible technology inside, those Wadax components are works of art (as is the turntable),

[@jeffleigh3747]

Absolutely mind blowing. Thank you, sir 🙏

[@hesmellslikerome]

Man, I truly enjoy this video what a fantastic audio set up, especially the basis turntable all I can say is wow! I would love the opportunity to pick your brain about on your viewing or your equipment and how to get started. Anyhow, thanks for the video. God bless.

[@jeffkalina7727]

Excellent. You explain things well. Hope the Clarisys is coming soon.Thank you.

[@3dimensionsofmusic3D]

CH Precision outstanding. Basis TT gorgeous. Digital may sound great but hideous in appearance 😢. 2 outa 3 ain't bad - Meatloaf 😊

[@fredericmorris2931]

Beautifully done - thanks! Did I miss phono stage (perhaps built into preamp?) and CD/SACD transport?

[@RobertHarley-dk1th]

You're right! I neglected to include the phonostage. I had a CH Precision P1/X1 pair, but had to send it back. Now I'm using a Moon 810LP, which is a fabulous phonostage.

[@chrisl5156]

Thanks Robert, this is a great overview of a great system. You should have a shootout with Michael Fremer's systerm.

[@stimpy1226]

Does Michael framer have MBL 101 X-tremes in his Music system or is it just Jonathan Valin who has them in his system? Those are my absolute favorite speakers in the whole world.

[@rickp6731]

Really great system Robert ! Have you all heard the all new IO Design Naked RS Loudspeakers yet ? 😇 Yes they have a Dealer here in the USA now !

[@Fluterra]

Great system. The Taiko Extreme running the latest XDMS will sound better than anything with a Roon Core.

[@davidtomsett]

Superb equipment

[@MJPope3235]

Fantastic system. The issue; most studies have shown that people lose 25% of their hearing by age 60. It’s ironic, by the time we can afford truly high end systems, we’re too old to hear what makes them so special.

[@RobertHarley-dk1th]

It's a fallacy that we can't appreciate good sound as we get older. Read one of Jonathan Valin's reviews and then listen for yourself to the product he's described; he has insights that a less experienced young person would never have. Keith Johnson, the greatest classical-music recording engineer of all time, is doing his best work in his late 70s. Or think about the longevity of some orchestra conductors.

[@v0ldy54]

What makes them so special is the amount of money they cost, past a certain point (that's well below the cost of that equipment) there is no way you'd be able to pick up differences in anything that's not a speaker in a blind test

[@shadowofpain8144]

The rest of your ear hears just fine. Just because some top frequencies are gone doesn't mean no sounds are good. You say so every day when justifying mp3.

[@kramsniggah4333]

Incredible equipment and kudos to you Robert for years of reviewing. I would trust you implicitly to sit beside at the mastering desk because you clearly have 'golden ears' from years of reviewing equipment, howevera s a retired engineer I can catagogorically state that no matter how expensive/techhnical the playback equipment is it cannot create what isn't in the recording, the audiphile hyperbole of 'transparent' 'neutral' etc is't applicable to 'hi-fi'. The equipment looks fantastic (if rather ridiculous) and serves a purpose, What I simply cannot accept is the ridiculous cables, grounding boxes, plugs etc - thats where credibility becomes incredulity. Happy listening!

[@tomhirschel8524]

The Wadax design aesthetics needs a re think.

[@FOH3663]

Agreed Up very close is decent, seeing the precision millwork etc., but standing back looking at it its a visual mess, something just doesn't work to me.

[@Tacet137]

I think it's fine since you'll never own one

[@yulaswift2439]

Wadax used to make kitchen appliances by the look of their products…sheesh! 🤢

[@FOH3663]

@@yulaswift2439 That's it! Like a prosumer espresso machine!

[@MichelLinschoten]

​@@Tacet137ohh so according to your logic , you can never express your opinion about something you'll never own ?! Why are you here then... Pretty sure you have an opinion EITHERway about it isn't ?!

[@trevorlees1241]

Robert Harley -wonderful description of your superb system Best I heard in the US was Dr Hyman Kachalsky’s system in NY with the Hill Plasmatronics speakers etc etc We were up to 4-5am after one meeting at his house Now your system must be better or rather far better in many respects some 40 years later and with the items you have ,… But I think 2 things your should think about A.All that effort into a single dome tweeter of the Wilson speakers and I was the importer here of Wilson products for about 20 years and I do appreciate how good there best is !! And B limited overload of your phono stage on admittedly higher gain settings which with your cartridge you may not approach And The most fun would be to improve your system further and That would seem easiest to do at the very front end of the MC phono stage I think videos like this are really so informative for everybody in this industry I think a further idea would be to be able to prove how good your system is by producing a recording of some well known tracks One track suggestion would be Peter Paul & Mary ‘All My Trials’ People could summit their record recordings and see You should be able to easily show your system quality for that analogue part ! You got me thinking I should build another 6 chassis tube dual mono tube prepreamp !

[@robertjermantowicz-uw3iw]

Mr. Lees: I have one of your earlier tube preamps - black faceplate with a clear cover!

[@robertjermantowicz-uw3iw]

I agree about the Hill Plasmatronics speakers - amazing!

[@trevorlees1241]

Hi maybe you have the ‘Positive Vibrations’ preamp - could it be Hyman Kachalsky’s first purchase from me !!? Regards Trevor Lees

[@Hifihobby]

Highly informative video

[@robertyoung1777]

Great talk! I would like to hear about your room air conditioning and dust mitigation strategies. Airborne particulate can’t be good for equipment. Dust is a hassle to remove from components. Humidity and temperature control are important factor to prevent static and oxidation. Thanks!

[@jbsaudio]

Thanks Robert. Amazing system. I love the Basis Transcendence. I have a Basis 2200 with the Vector 4 tonearm and am upgrading to a Basis Inspiration with the Transcendence platter upgrade. You didn't cover your phono preamp. Are you also using a CH Precision?

[@RobertHarley-dk1th]

After we shot the video I remembered that I neglected to discuss the phonostage. My phonostage of choice is the CH Precision P1/X1 that I had, but that went back to the manufacturer. I returned to my longstanding Moon 810LP. It's not nearly as expensive as the other products in the system, but it is a fabulous phonostage and a great bargain. The Inspiration is a great turntable. The SuperArm 9 is also fabulous. Our reviewer Wayne Garcia just bought one (he had owned the Vector 4) and will be writing about it in a future issue.

[@MichelLinschoten]

Imagine needing all that exotic fluff , to enjoy a pink floyd record ...

[@ashvarma2486]

Wonderful video Robert and TAS. Could you please share some info on how you have configured your mains from the solar panels....I believe your house is powered by solar panels? This info will be very helpful. Many thanks for sharing

[@RobertHarley-dk1th]

I do have rooftop solar, but I haven't done anything special with regard to it powering the audio system. The solar ties into the incoming power from the utility company, so its operation is essentially transparent to me.

[@scottyo64]

Amazing to see a system like this here in New Mexico, bravo on an amazing system sir!

[@raoulk.7934]

Thank you Robert for the description of such a beautiful piece of equipment. Let's listen to all of this now, shall we ? 🐦

[@mahabkhatib9377]

Robert, a great and enjoyable videos! I was hoping to chat w/you about the room setup after the Diana Krall concert in Mesa, I was w/ my wife 4 rows behind you. We enjoyed the sound and the music in the concert, the theater is one of my favorite venues. I like very much how you set up the room and the equipment. I’ve been using Live Vibe Audio Rhythm Platforms since last year which improved the sound of my system remarkably. Upgrading room acoustics and power source also took the sound to another level for me. I’m almost giving up on digital playback after experimenting and upgrading my analogue setup. You have to spend so much money on digital to come close to playing good vinyl, so digital is frozen for now. However, I’m interested in the Spanish DAC setup, maybe I’ll listen to it when I visit Spain again in the future. I hope you had a good time during the concert and your visit in Arizona! My wife loved the show and thought it was better than the previous event few years ago at Phoenix Symphony Hall. Thanks for sharing w/ us this wonderful setup!

[@RobertHarley-dk1th]

Thanks for the note, and it was quite a coincidence that we sat near each other at the concert last week. I had not been to the Mesa Arts Center before. It was a great performance in a wonderful venue. Incidentally, I saw Diana Krall in a Marriott ballroom in 1997, part of the Vail Jazz Party co-sponsored by Genesis loudspeakers. Thanks for your comments about the room and system.

[@andershammer9307]

People who can afford it can and should own equipment like this. I have owned a high-end stereo system for 40 years. Personally I prefer the sound of electrostatic speakers and tubes and vinyl records. I have heard a few new high-end systems but have yet to hear one I think sounds better than mine.

[@ptg01]

And that is all that really matters... My understanding is electrostatic speakers can be hard to drive as the impedance can dip below 1 ohm for certain electrostatic speakers. I may be confusing electrostatic with ribbon though... Not sure how tubes work with impedances all over the map... Perhaps David Bernings legendary amps ? Regardless it's fantastic that you've found something that you truly enjoy and has the best sound for you ! Bravo !

[@robertjermantowicz-uw3iw]

I have two pairs of Quad 57's and two Futterman OTL amps - a stereo Harvard Music and a pair of H3aa monos. Yes, I still listen to LP's on a Linn Sondek.

[@andershammer9307]

@@robertjermantowicz-uw3iw I have never heard Quad 57's and I would like to. I remember the Futterman OTL amps but never really listened to them. I also listen to LP's on a Linn LP12 and almost never play a CD or stream digital. My speakers are Acoustat model X with their custom hybrid direct drive servo amps. My preamp is an old SP6 Audio Research. No conventional speaker has bass as clean and tight and deep as my electrostatic speakers. Wilson speakers with their ported design can sound very colored in comparison. My speakers do everything else well also.

[@societyofhighendaudio]

Greeting from far east. Presentation well done. Thank

[@gavinhadley7672]

..one pr of speakers that should be on your audition short list are the VSA Ultra 7s…they will give your Wilsons at the very least a run for the $$

[@clivewilliams9460]

This is where Robert Harley has got the Upper hand on Jays Audio Lab , the Analog Science. Science of Analog. But not taking anything away from Jay. He is Awesome in his own way as Mr Harley is in his way. I see Robert is using the Wadax Digital. Jay will be playing with that soon. The CH Precision gear is supposed to be World class.

[@JoãoCarlos-72]

Well There is a big difference, Jay pays for all his equipment ! This system shown in this video is certainly almost entirely borrowed long term from manufactures in exchange for exposure and good reviews, being an TAS chef-editor opens many doors and gives the opportunity to excess and experience the best hifi gear for free. People needs to stop being naive.

[@oneemotiva4975]

Amazing equipment, I have my self a good setup, my like to replace and move on from McIntosh and Audioquest cables. I have a VPI direct and a EAT Fortis turntables and I just got 2 the Black Ice Fusion F360. Any recommendations in equipment from processor to amps and so on. Looking to acquire the new Altaira as well and move on from Furman conditioner/ power supplies. I do use the dragon cables as well. fantastic cables.

[@jmhodge12755]

Have you had a chance to review or hear the Alex v if so what did you think

[@RobertHarley-dk1th]

Only at a show. Our reviewer Matt Clott reviewed the Alexx V and bought the review samples. I've just finished reviewing the Alexia V (review in the October issue).

[@edbrumbaugh9202]

Thanks for the look at Roberts high-end million dollar system, always interesting to see and hear their opinions of each of their components. But .... as a career engineer and lifetime music lover I find these high end systems and "engineering" explanations of how much difference each piece/tweak makes to their listening experience to be entertaining at best. One needs look no further than the Möbius Cable Suspension System one what is probably audio quest Dragon speaker cables to see and understand that much like most articles in The Absolute Sound, from a technical perspective, is nothing more than a long winded piece of technical obfuscation and a continuation of subjective opinion. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the video, and I subscribe to The Absolute Sound, but I always marvel at the claims many of these high end companies make, without providing any technical/objective testing results to back them up ... if they had it they'd show it, it would be better marketing for them ... outside of that, it's nothing more than subjective group think. Ultimately, its your money, or the sponsors money for the long term loaners many of these reviewers have, so buy what you like, and enjoy your gear!

[@user-ex9zm7bg3x]

So if you could hear it, but not see it on paper, it's not there?

[@DANVIIL]

Invest in a dictionaryy and look up the word, "subjective". @@user-ex9zm7bg3x

[@fluim0102]

I absolutely doubt he could hear a big difference with the rack or with the type of connection for the DAC. Unless he has much better ears than most people, which could be the case. And I have definitely heard some really good systems. But at some point these people really start to believe in themself a little too much. On the channel of the Sibelius loudspeaker this guy did a blind test with some very cheap and expensive cd players on a quite resolving high end system and the listeners (all professional musicians) didn't hear nearly as much difference as you would perhaps expect. @@user-ex9zm7bg3x

[@robertjermantowicz-uw3iw]

I agree! A bunch of rich guys bragging about their latest cable purchases to their clueless buddies!

[@robertjermantowicz-uw3iw]

I take nothing I read in TAS seriously!

[@hubertzawadzki9490]

Mr. Harley, you have all those cd’s on your shelves so what cd transport do you use ?

[@RobertHarley-dk1th]

I don't have a disc transport at the moment, but I'm looking to add one.

[@LivingmusicRomania]

Wonderful and majestic system....George Romania Europe

[@Rafa-mp5mi]

That Wadax DAC looks amazing product

[@stimpy1226]

Only very few people can own a music system like yours and build a listening room like you did… Very few.

[@glennpower1962]

Anybody know what those silver metal tubes are sticking out of the XLR's and BNC on the Wadax Dac !

[@ofir5000]

Love this channel is Please show speaekrs as much as possible (:

[@IamtheLordofDoom]

At 7:25 he claims the Wadax can change the shape of the digital waveform *without changing the digital values * (ie 1s or 0s) and that this changes the sound output of the DAC. Does he not understand anything about digital audio? The sound is entirely encoded *logically* in the 1s and 0s - DACs and other digital circuits simply don't care about the 'shape of the waveform' as long as certain threshold values are kept to. For a guy who says he's followed digital audio since the late 80s (only a decade late...) this level of ignorance is disappointing.

[@warpspeed9877]

These CH precision amps should be an inch closer. The grounding boxes' position makes me nervous...

[@tzed2509]

Fantastic stuff, thanks for sharing. Can you play any record that isn't 12" in diameter and round and still use the vacuum hold-down with some kind of adapter?

[@RobertHarley-dk1th]

You must play a 12" record to use the vacuum hold-down.

[@tzed2509]

thanks for the kind reply@@RobertHarley-dk1th

[@sam-qp7np]

if every addition to the system makes such a difference in audio quality how bad was the initial sound. since I built a room based on the design principles I can say that the difference in audio quality is way less significant than the changes that you get with the right room.

[@johnmalenchek6597]

Absolutely correct in my experience. Room acoustic improvements provide much bigger bang for the buck

[@ZERO-CAPACITANCE]

Excellent

[@stateniland]

Bob? have you an opinion of W/A Sasha DAW vs. Sasha V? I own the DAW's and was wondering if the upgrade to the V is a mass improvement in sound quality? Is it easier to drive or about the same? Is the new tweeter and midrange a noticeable improvement? TY joe

[@RobertHarley-dk1th]

I have not heard the Sasha V, but can tell you that all the "V" versions of their other speakers (Alexia V, Alexx V) have been significantly better than the earlier generation. Still, the Sasha DAW is a magical speaker.

[@wouterkolkman]

Impressive system; just surprised about the positioning of the power amps immediately on top of the power supply, as the PSU is likely to produce some vibrations.

[@RobertHarley-dk1th]

CH Precision designed it to be operated that way. They have a footer system between the chassis.

[@wouterkolkman]

@@RobertHarley-dk1th Thank you for your prompt and welcome explanation.

[@twostepped999]

Forgive the troll comment since the ‘net is full of them. I have no doubts that the room treatment discussed in the last video, transformed the sound of music in this room/system in a way that any person with decent hearing would notice. Can only imagine the expense and thought that went in. However all of these doo-dads in this video/ system (grounding schemes, particular wires, knobs on the streamer that adjust this or that) I have a hard time it improves the sound in a proveable/measurable noticeable way. Perhaps in the aggregate it is “better.” (Read, different and preferred by this listener). But at what cost? It seems one is dealing in the last 1% of the system’s sound. But I guess that’s the name of the game in audio world

[@ptg01]

Nicely done !!!! Wish I had the $$$ to afford it... Would be nice to have an idea what the costs would be to have a true reference system. My guess would be $2M USD for us mortals or $500K for those in the trade ?

[@jerrybdlben231]

Hi Robert Very very impressive. Can you delineate between the components, loom, etc. that you have purchased versus those that you have on long term loan?

[@vaneast411]

fascinating and thanks for sharing... hard not to look at equipment like this from a cost perspective... I find all of the tech working at play behind the music to be utterly (to use that word again) fascinating!

[@SL1800]

Amazing system Robert, thanks so much for sharing. I’m making an assumption that you have a CH P10 on the way since you didn’t have a P1 phono stage in the rack?

[@colanitower]

Very interesting. This is the first time I saw WADAX gear in a real system. It looks impressive. Does it sound just as good as the turntable playing the same tracks?

[@nobelstone9714]

Awesome system. I just have one critical comment. Robert uses my biggest audio hate word, Musicality. It's really an undefined term and means different things to different listeners, Usually 'sounds good to me'.

[@stratenboek]

Robert's system is like an F1 sports car!

[@borisbobowski628]

Exactly, its a blast for one round but you cant enjoy it on a daily basis.

[@IamtheLordofDoom]

At 12:58 ... I could just about buy that racks might make a difference to cheap asian electronics with 'biscuit tin' build quality, but those milled-from-solid components? No. It's a shame. If he'd just said he liked the look of them that would have been fine, but apparently we have it on his word that his 'state of the art' components all suffer from audible microphony... what a damning indictment of CH Precision, Wadax, etc... :(

[@roadcykler62]

So much woo. I like when he said manufacturers have been ignoring the so-called noise that actually embedded in the music (but of course no description of how) but Shunyata addresses that. What Shunyata did was find yet another way to get people to spend a lot of money on something that has no objective way to determine. But yeah, that's a nice system. Lastly, if a speaker is rated from 20hZ and up, why have a subwoofer? Oh wait, I answered that with the first three words.

[@lmff620]

Of course noise is embedded in the music signal; what happens when you shut down the recording? No music and no noise. It’s self-evident. What bothered me is the notion that Shunyata are the only company that thought about this way to increase profits. It’s been done before. Also, I fail to see how inserting a box in the ground path would reduce ground resistance more effectively than just using heavy gauge ground wire. But I’m not an EE.

[@robertjermantowicz-uw3iw]

Blacker blacks when using cables made from 17th Century Japanese silver ingots!

[@klaustheduck7703]

I don't know if I missed it but what do you use for the phono-stage preamplifier? Also I love Robert's 'The Complete Guide to High End Audio'. It's been my bible for many years.

[@kevinsoutham]

Can you list the music particularly the last piece playing at the end.

[@TASmagazine]

Smokey Mountain Blues by Tony Petersen The Lonesome Cowboy by JuliusH The Fallen Cowboy by Andrew Faid

[@scottstrang1583]

This makes wish I’d been born rich instead of ugly.

[@musamusashi]

😂

[@steveschwall6101]

What are the "plugs" in the empty outputs or inputs ?

[@RobertHarley-dk1th]

Those are the GroundArray devices from Chord. I should have mentioned them in the video. They are small cylindrical devices that plug into unused inputs or outputs and lower the noise floor. They are available with a variety of terminations.

[@raynewcomb337]

Is the phono stage CH also?

[@joe_v]

Wow! What a Setup! Every five years or so, I remember being an overly committed Audiophile in the early days and then I do some surfing to find out what's happening in the hobby. Today was one of those days, and sadly, videos like this make it obvious that the high-end audio hobby is just another dying baby boomer hobby. Funny to see these guys now touting decoupled listening room walls, magnetic door seals, sonic differences after replacing 10 feet of aluminum service wire, and equipment that .01% of audiophiles in .01% of the population would buy - that they likely did not pay for in full. Then, pass it off as a reference system that helps you decide if the component you will never buy is good or not. Well, the beginning of the end has already passed. My evidence to those that don't agree - a lousy 27K subscribers to what was the font of audio information and knowledge for an enlightened generation. These guys would have more of an impact if they had a reference iPhone system and made videos comparing audio accessories. The rest is just self-aggrandization that suckers who give them money support.

[@robertjermantowicz-uw3iw]

This level of gear is for the filthy rich who brag about it to their clueless buddies.

[@pyntzer]

Hello Robert, thank you so much to give us te opportunity to see something like your system, that I consider superb. So I just have a doubt, which speaker is your reference speaker?

[@RobertHarley-dk1th]

My reference speaker is the Wilson Audio Chronosonic XVX with a pair of Wilson SubSonic subwoofers.

[@recboilable]

Great system but curious if you paid for all this equipment yourself or are they on loan from the company/builder/distributor?

[@shdr55]

He is promoting the equipment and with full disclosure

[@wavetouch107]

Can you upload live recorded videos of your beautiful audio system? I love to hear your system.

[@MichelLinschoten]

On what a phone recording ....dude lol😂

[@wavetouch107]

@@MichelLinschoten RH voice is great on this video. They can use same recording machine to record the sound of audio system. They spend so much time for this video. I am sure they recorded the sound of audio system.

[@IamtheLordofDoom]

At 11:30 he claims the CH Precision line stage's power supply is in the signal path 'because the electrons that come out of it come from the PS'. LOL. No. Time to bone up on basic AC electrical theory. Really, no-one who doesn't understand the basics of electricity and electronics (and, for that matter, digital electronics) should be reviewing audio gear.

[@peterklop9015]

Sorry to bring it to you, but you didn’t think this through or don’t know how amplifiers work. He’s right. As seen from the perspective of electrons; not a single electron that goes into an amp comes ever out of it again. All electrons that come out of the amp, come from the power supply of the amp. The signal that you put in doesn’t travel through the amplifier. Thinking that it does is a misconception. If i would try to think of an analogy it could be something like this; think of a large water-pipe with a rad in it, one end sits in a lake. If the rad rotates a big column of water would start flowing from the lake through this pipe. This pipe represents the amplifier. Next, think of a small water hose attached to a water tap and the other end that drives (rotates) the rad (this represents the signal coming from a dac or cd player or something like that, or from a pre-amp into a poweramp). The water of the hose never combines with the water of the big pipe, it just drives the rad. So you put a little bit of water in the garden hose, and out comes a big flow of water through the big water pipe. The water comes from the lake (from the power supply), not from the water tap (the original signal). Does this analogy make any sense? I just made it up 😉 (i mean the analogy, not the inner working of amps) Kind regards.

[@hilde45]

When you say you hear differences at various points - between this rack or another, this power supply or another - it would be interesting to get a description of those audible differences. Often, when I make subtle changes in my system, I have a very hard time finding the words to pinpoint the difference - and to be sure that there really is a difference -- in other words that I am not projecting it with my imagination. I admit that when I put in a new (supposedly better) product, I am biased to hear differences. It would be nice if you could teach viewers some methodology to eliminate bias or at least refine perception (and perceptual vocabulary) so that our home evaluations would be on firmer footing.

[@RobertHarley-dk1th]

In my book The Complete Guide to High-End Audio (now in a sixth edition), I include a long and detailed chapter on critical listening, explaining the language of critical listening, how to set up an evaluation, avoiding bias, what to listen for, and other factors that go into evaluating a product.

[@hilde45]

@@RobertHarley-dk1th Thank you very much. I think it would be helpful if you at least mentioned this in the videos. That might forestall some skepticism about subjective bias. Just a thought.

[@RobertHarley-dk1th]

@@hilde45 Thanks for the suggestion. A video on critical listening set up and methods may be helpful. Incidentally, I wrote a 15,000 word paper that I presented at the 1991 New York Audio Engineering Society convention called "The Role of Critical Listening in Evaluating Audio Equipment Quality."

[@hilde45]

@@RobertHarley-dk1th I'll look for that. I created a video presentation about philosophical issues in high end audio (objective vs. subjective, gear vs. room, etc.) and it's on my channel. [kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYizhIyCe92ohtE&ab_channel=DH] It was presented at an international philosophy of technology conference in 2021. I had some interest from Stereophile to publish something derived from it, but they dropped the ball and I've not heard back from them again. Paul McGowan posted about it, too. I did presentation with the Colorado Audio Society on the topic, too. In my view, the phenomenology of sound is incredibly rich area which bears on a lot of what audiophiles care about, but the technical language can be a barrier.

[@shdr55]

He can't do it because that will ruin his business

[@Chenxi_love_music_fairy]

CH Precision pre and power amplifier are the most perfect hifi systems that I have encountered. The only drawback is the price.

[@davidtomsett]

The Audioquest speaker cables have been proven to add capacitance with their battery gizmo not reduce it, and the battery wire introduces RMF, not want you really want Robert.

[@mikelautermilch8939]

generally speaking, which do you prefer the sound of: the digital system or the analog system? if analog generally, are there exceptions -- i.e., occasional recordings you prefer via digital? if so, how often does that happen? one out of 10 recordings? one out of a 100? please no politically correct answers :) (the reason i ask is because we non-wealthy can't afford both high-end digital and high-end analog; we have to make a choice; and i for one would like to know whether my long-term aim should be high-end digital or vinyl, if sound quality is the main priority.)

[@matthieuf.t.2456]

Passion is something but I don't understand how one can afford such a system, incl. the custom built room. Did you win the lottery? used to be the CEO of a major corporatrion? sold a succesful; business? Will there be a part 3 with some financial advices on how to get there? :)

[@mikef5659]

Wow, another long time reviewer saying " these racks provide fabulous sonic performance". I realize you're not going to have a walmart equip rack with $200K+ equip, but c'mon man. Makes you wonder if these guys actually enjoy music or just their equipment.

[@Z4d0k]

Everyone knows that audiophiles only buy music so that they can listen to their equipment.

[@Z4d0k]

I also much prefer to look at a good rack than listen to one...

[@pilotxerau]

The DAC/Streamer alone is more than 200k 😂

[@scottwallace1]

Sounds like another guy who hasn’t heard what a stellar equipment stand can do, so is taking cheap shots at the reviewer. Maybe learn and listen first. I realize that would spoil the fun you derive from making fun of people. #wheredidalltheadultsgo

[@aniruddhaiyer9331]

Racks matter. Cables matter. Grounding matters. Power matters. These are all every bit as vital as the amps, pre amps , sources and speakers . Sure you possibly won't realise it on a budget $5k system but with any decently specced system they will all make a massive difference. An audiophile isn't just a person with high end equipment. It's just someone who enjoys music. I'm sure a lot of people who don't know any better or cannot afford any better will swear by the quality of their little powered speakers with bluetooth but music is analogue. Its physical. Tangible. So no littel 6 " all in one speaker can ever come close to a proper system. And for all the naysayers who dismiss the value of a rack or cables or power supplies, first listen to it then talk. And when I say listen I mean actually listen. Not watch a video about it or with it on KZbin and then comment about how inconsequential it is. Actually go to a dealer or demo room and experience it. Then talk.

[@dipi71]

11:35 »The power supply is actually in the signal path.« Does this man know how transformers work? Has he ever heard of induction? Does he think electrons jump over air gaps or other isolation?

[@jeffreythurston1822]

Thank you for sharing this, especially the approach to power supply and grounding. I don’t think you shared your phono preamp with that impressive turntable.

[@user-ex9zm7bg3x]

Yeah we missed a rack

[@EdoDijkgraaf]

I had never heard of AJ (turntables). I googled it. What do you think Google showed after two AJ turntables? A Crosley. As if I can't realize myself that I will never be able to own an AJ myself. Thanks Google!

[@delkat123]

A.J. Conti, was the owner and chief designer of Basis turntables until he passed away a couple of years ago. Now it’s run by wife and son.

[@brikaf6001]

Awesome vid, is the simaudio your current phono preamp

[@RobertHarley-dk1th]

Yes, it's the Simaudio Moon 810LP. Great phonostage.

[@dougg1075]

Yeah , but does it sound good:) A dream system in a dream room.

[@philipgardiner2003]

I'm guessing this system price, all included, is a quarter million dollars. How close am I?

[@LeftyStratPlayer]

Not even close. From what I found on the internet, he has $161,000 sunk into the turntable ($127,000), tonearm ($19,000), and cartridge ($15,000) alone.

[@philipgardiner2003]

@@LeftyStratPlayer Not surprising how far off I was. This "hobby" of ours...

[@LeftyStratPlayer]

@@philipgardiner2003 Yeah, no joke! And to think my wife put me into the doghouse for a month because I bought a Pioneer PLX-1000 and an Ortofon 2M Bronze Cartridge! 😆

[@robertjermantowicz-uw3iw]

​@@LeftyStratPlayerI have the same Pioneer PLX1000 ($700) with a Denon 103R mc cartridge ($340). Good stuff!

[@robertjermantowicz-uw3iw]

​@@LeftyStratPlayerHarley's reference speakers are the Wilson Chronosonic XVX's ($365,000).

[@MrBumrah123]

I heard these in a system then we swapped them over for a pair of Quadral Chromium Style 8. Circa 80k apeakers vs 2k. The Quadrals were preffered all round. More coherent and fun.

[@MegaM563]

It's a funky way to store a fragile 3600 dollars like the tower bridge.

[@jamiesmith8307]

Price for all of this? Million plus?

[@robertjermantowicz-uw3iw]

More like 3 Million!

[@williamcampbell3868]

Ur...um...Gee Mr. Harley Sir, that turntable is "bling" in and of itself that it doesn't need any!! You rock, jazz and swing on man! Your system does all that and more. Thank goodness for high end audio.

[@themaskedsingercucucachu8225]

the racks have fabulous sonic performance, whew, that is a relief! how do the chairs sound in your room? what about all that drywall, is it boomy? Get real brother.

[@theformerbuttler]

the suction is cool, but I can easily hear it in the video. seems like that would be distracting