Audio
My CD player is an Ayre CX-7. The CD player sounds very rich and dynamic, and is of better quality than the DIY DAC I’ve used before.
[Ayre, 2005]
My amplifier is an Ayre AX-7. The amplifier is a bit towards the “clean/analytical” side (I’m used to tube equipment). Its dynamic performance, both in large as well small scale is outrageous. Depending on the source material used, it has wide and deep 3D imaging. Close-miked recordings sound like they come from the speakers, recordings which also captured the diffuse field sound deep and wide. The amplifier is a zero-feedback design, and has a 0.4 Ohm series output impedance that will affect the speaker design a minor bit. For some measurements of the Ayre, see the review of Stereophile.
[Ayre, 2005]
A Dutch review of both can be seen at hifi.nl.
The audio cables are Kimber 4PR for connecting the speakers, and van den Hul Integration balanced cable for connecting the CD player to the amplifier. Though I know there are some (relevant!) audible differences between cables, I don’t understand why people spend thousands of euros to a cable in order to for instance “eliminate sibilance”, where the same result can be achieved for a few euros by a small resistor or capacitor in the crossover network of a loudspeaker.
[Van de Hull, Kimber, 2005]
I've recently applied plain installation wire, with rubber isolation, from a brand called Elettro Brescia, imported in the Netherlands by Cable Partners. It outperforms the Kimber cable by multiple orders of magnitude!
As the purpose of this website is not to discuss my equipment, please search for reviews on the web. I consider this equipment to be good enough for development of the loudspeakers.
Previous Equipment
1999 - 2005
- TEAC VDRS-10 CD player
- DIY-DAC
1998-2005
- Audio Note E DIY speakers (see review on Stereophile)
1993-2005
- Audio Innovations Classic 25 tube amplifier
1991-1998
- Translator Impact 40 speakers
1986-1993
- Marantz PM-54 amplifier
1984-1991
- KEF C20 loudspeakers
- Philips CD-850 CD player
Other equipment
Just for my reference, some equipment that I often refer to
- Ensemble PA1
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