Below is a summary of the Main System and its operational components in July 2023. For a full list of all HFA Reference equipment and accessories, see Associated Equipment.
The main change from the last incarnation is the addition of the Aqua La Diva M2 CD Transport.
The core of the main system consists of the CH Precision C1.2 DAC, L1 preamp, A1.5 power amp with the Grimm MU1, Antipodes Oladra, and Taiko Audio Extreme servers as main sources, and Magico S1 MkII speakers. All interlinks are Driade Flow Link Reference 808, both balanced and unbalanced. The speaker cables are the Driade Flow Reference 808.
The core components are placed on Artesania Exoteryc racks with Carbon Fiber Linear Arms. The MU1, as well as most review components, are placed on an Artesania KSH2 Krion shelf that couples via Artesania Carbon Fiber Linear arms to an Artesania Aire Floor Platform. The Aire is basically a lower Exoteryc rack and it sounds identical.
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 Cylindric Fuse Cartridge, and ending in three GigaWatt G-044 single Schuko Wall Sockets behind the audio system. I use three metal-cased power distributors, one for the main system, one for analog, and one for review components. The power distributors have a shielded metal case and use simple linear brass strip conductors but they work predictably and provide solid connections.
Loudspeakers
Magico S1 MkII
Pre Amplifier
Power Amplifier
DAC
CH Precision C1.2
Aqua Formula xHD
Music Server
Antipodes Oladra
Grimm Audio MU1
Taiko Audio Extreme
CD Player / Transport
Network Renderer / Streaming Endpoint
Record Cleaning Machine
Clearaudio Matrix Silent
Degritter
Interlinks
Driade Flow Link Reference 808 RCA and XLR
Jorma Design Unity
Loudspeaker Cables
Driade Flow Reference 808
Jorma Design Unity
Mad Scientist Black Magic
Digital Cables
Jorma AES/EBU
Jorma BNC
USB Cables
Final Touch Audio Sinope
Vermouth Reference
Ethernet Cables
ValueLine OEM CAT6 cables
Audio Group Power Installation
Siemens Sitor Cylindric Fuse Cartridge with standard silver-plated fuse for live and solid silver rod for neutral
GigaWatt G-044 Schuko Wall Socket (three in use)
Standard unshielded 2,5mm solid core copper installation wire
Power Distributors
Pawalle TP-80 (very heavily modded, not recommended in standard form)
Power Cables
GigaWatt LC-2 EVO (CH C1 DAC and Aqua LinQ)
GigaWatt PowerSync ULTRA (CH L1)
Final Touch Audio Elara (Aqua Diva M2)
Belden 19364 with Bals schuko and Oyaide 004 connectors (Remaining components)
Equipment Support
Ansuz Darkz T2S
Ansuz Darkz T2
Ansuz Darkz S2T
Ansuz Darkz C2T
Artesania Exoteryc Audiorack
Artesania Carbon Fiber Linear Arm Upgrade
Artesania Aire Floor Platform
Artesania Organic Line Modular Rack
Artesania Organic Line Modular Floor Platform
Artesania ISDIWB Beech Wood Isolation Discs
Artesania Digital Server Platform
Artesania KSH2 Krion shelves
Ansuz Darkz T2S
Finite Elemente Cerapuc and Ceraball Universal
Stillpoints Ultra SS V2
Room Treatment
R.T.F.S. SiRRAH
R.T.F.S. Big Block
R.T.F.S. Ceiling Vane
GiK 244 Broadband Bass Trap
Hard Wood Stiffening Bars glued onto the windows
The story of my most recent room acoustics improvements is intended for a new installment in the HFA Setup History. Alas, I have yet to find the time to write it as I have to prioritize regular reviews. In short: each of the 8 ceiling-to-floor glass window sections has 4 horizontal hardwood bars glued on using Bison Polymax kit. These bars are then stabilized using thick wood bars that are screwed into the left and right frames. What this achieved is a strong reduction of the glass panels’ 40Hz resonance that killed much of the right speaker’s low output and also introduced very annoying phase effects at higher bass frequencies.
See Also
All HFA Reference equipment and accessories frequently used for reviews: Associated Equipment
Overview of all Audio Setup Snapshots
In-depth overview of how the HFA systems developed over the years: HFA Audio Setup History
Ranking Order of reviewed components with appointed Awards: HFA Awards page
Really beautiful installation in a confortable/ cosy environment. We can also feel and see the attention to details which adds value to the quality of your reviews Christiaan
Professionalism & passion !
Thanks for the nice feedback, Stephane!
I was not able to post this comment in the section where I read it, because it was missing ” post comment” I stumbled upon YOUR site by accident Also congratulations very much for the hifi system careful to all ngli elements including supports etc.
Very very very interesting, however I don’t understand pr why after this interesting dissertation we stopped, at connections, cables, positions and didn’t go to the gotha of transports and clocks that are in the end the ones that produce the final sound. By the gotha I am referring to the Accuphase DP90 and the Teac P36, connected to the dCS Delius,Purcell,Verona triptych the two machines show such different characteristics as sound quality and we are talking 176kh that one compared to the other seems to be spoiled. I will not say which one I own them both,and they are both Made in Japan HI END. I would like to have YOUR thoughts on this, if you happened to listen to them.
Hi Luigi, if you search the site, I think you’ll find that I have done plenty of experiments with CD transports, players, upsamplers, cables, converters, etc.
You may be interested in the following articles:
https://www.hifi-advice.com/blog/category/audiophile-insights/digital-insights/
https://www.hifi-advice.com/blog/category/classics/digital-classics/