Main System Overview
November 2026 / version 20
New Additions
Acoustic GRG Mass Spring Bass Absorber
Grimm Audio PA1 Mono Power Amplifiers
PSI Audio AVAA C214 Active Bass Trap
Thiele TA01/SP-10R Custom Turntable
Main Components
The main system is always assembled and is used for private listening and most reviews. The main components are the CH Precision C1.2 DAC, L1 preamp, Grimm Audio PW1 phono stage, Grimm Audio PA1 mono power amplifiers, Aqua La Diva M2 CD Transport, Grimm MU1 music server, Thiele TA01/SP-10R Custom Turntable, and Refoiled Apogee Duetta Signature speakers with the latest-generation Graz DSB-KLM woofer foils and KLM7 MRTW foils, installed in August 2025. Power comes from a PS Audio PowerPlant P20. Racks are Artesania Exoteryc, Artesania Aire, and HRS EXR.
The most commonly used additional reference components include the Apogee Centaur hybrid dynamic/ribbon speakers and Driade Premium Model 9 monitors. Antipodes Oladra Music Server, Aqua LinQ Network Player, Aqua Formula xHD DAC, Thorens TD1601 turntable, LAiV Harmony DAC 2, LAiV HP2A preamp, CH Precision A1.5 power amp, and LAiV GaNM Mono Power Amplifiers.
Additional Components
In addition to the core components mentioned above, many other components are used for reference. For a complete listing of all current audio equipment in the HFA systems or as references for reviews, see Associated Equipment.
Speakers
Refoiled Apogee Duetta Signature speakers with the latest-generation Graz DSB-KLM woofer foils and KLM7 MRTW foils, installed in August 2025.
Apogee Centaur in front of Apogee Duetta Signature.
Amplification
LAiV HP2A Preamplifier/Headphone Amplifier
CH Precision A1.5 Power Amplifier
(the Mola Mola Perca on top was only on a visit)
LAiV GaNM Mono Power Amplifiers
Grimm Audio PA1 Mono Power Amplifiers
Digital Sources and DACs
Aqua LinQ Network Player and Formula xHD DAC
Analog Sources
Thiele TA01/SP-10R Custom Turntable with Technics Drive and Thiele TA01 Zero Tracking Error Tonearm. The Grimm Audio PW1 Phono Stage sits behind it.
Racks and Platforms
All CH Precision components are placed on an Artesania Exoteryc rack with Carbon Fiber Linear Arms. All digital sources are placed on two HRS EXR racks. Review components will be assessed on a vacant spot in one of the HRS EXR racks or on an Artesania KSH2 Krion shelf coupled via Artesania Carbon Fiber Linear arms to an Artesania Aire Floor Platform. In essence, the Aire is a lower Exoteryc rack, and it sounds identical. All racks have Artesania discs as floor interfaces, Panzerholz for Artesania, and Carbon Fiber for HRS.
Analog Cables
All analog interlinks are Driade Flow Link Reference 808, both balanced and unbalanced. The speaker cables are the Driade Flow Reference 808.
Power
The power for this system is delivered by a dedicated run of solid-core installation wire, sourced in the Breaker Box from a Siemens Sitor Cylindrical Fuse Cartridge and ending in three GigaWatt G-044 single Schuko Wall Sockets behind the audio system.
The P20 provides regenerated power for the entire system except for the Network Switch, Active Bass Traps, any Subs, and Music Servers. Power Cable used between wall outlet and P20: Home-made cable with double runs of Block CUL 500 1,5 mm enameled solid-core copper in PTFE tubing with OEM Rhodium Schuko and Oyaide 004 IEC.
For the Network Switch, Music Servers, Active Bass Traps, Subs, and some temporary equipment, I use two power distributors that started life as Pawalle TP-80s but are used only for the enclosures, stripped of all internals and everything replaced with selected wiring and components.
PS Audio P20 Power Plant (a Power Regenerator, not a filter), powering the entire system except for the Network Switch, Music Servers, Subs, and active Bass Traps.
Power Cables
The power cables are a mix of brands and OEM home-made specimens. The GigaWatt LC-2 EVO is permanently used with the CH C1.2 DAC, and the GigaWatt PowerSync ULTRA is permanently used with the CH L1 preamp. The CH A1.5 power amp is the only component still using a Belden 19364 power cable. The Network Switches and specific temporary digital components are powered using home-made cables based on Block CUL 500 enameled solid-core copper in PTFE tubing with OEM Rhodium Schuko and Oyaide 004 IEC. The other permanent components are powered using home-made cables consisting of OEM tinned litze in PTFE dielectric with OEM Rhodium-plated Schuko and Oyaide 004 IEC. Review components are assessed using the best cables for the given product.
Network
Silent Angel Bonn NX Network Switch and Genesis GX Clock
Network Acoustics origin Power Supply
(for the main Router)
Left side of the room
Curved CD racks conceal cornered wall-stiffening bars and a bass trap in the hallway.
R.T.F.S Big Block Bass Traps in the rear back corner
Steel-reinforced ed much of the right speaker’s low output and ed very annoying phase
Two GRG Mass Spring Bass Damper panels tuned to 30Hz and one PSI Audio AVAA C214 active bass trap. (This C214 has now moved to the right back corner)
Peter Hess phKSZ-7 Singing Bowls: one on the DAC between the speakers and two behind the listening position.
Vicoustic VicTotem Diffuser/Bass Trap (four 3-segment pillars behind each speaker)
Floorplan
Acoustic Treatment
Orange = Acoustic GRG Mass Spring Bass Absorber tuned to 30Hz
Green = Vicoustic VicTotem Ultra VMTBass Absorbers / Diffusers
Red = PSI Audio AVAA C214 Active Bass Trap
Grey = Artnovion Douro Diffuser (six elements total)
Blue = R.T.F.S. Big Block Broadband Bass Absorbers
Distances
The speakers are tilted back and have zero toe-in.
Speaker front top to front wall (behind speakers): 203 cm
Speaker front bottom to front wall (behind speakers): 208 cm
Space between sofa backside and rear wall (behind listening position): 168 cm
Sofa backside to speaker front (vertical mid): 328 cm
Ear to speaker mid-point (between MRTW Ribbon and Woofer, vertical mid): 322 cm
See Also
HFA Audio Setups
Overviews of all HFA Setups by date
HFA Audio Setup History
Detailed reports of how the HFA setups and the rooms have developed over the years
Associated Equipment
A listing of all current audio equipment used in the audio systems and as references for reviews
HFA Awards page
Ranking Order of all reviewed components and their appointed Awards
