New Additions
Technics SL-1200G
Audio Technica AT-VM740ML, AT-VM750SH, and AT-OC9XML
Pro-Ject Phono Box RS2 + Power Box RS2
Summary
This is an overview of the Main System and its operational components as of February 2025.
The main system consists of the CH Precision C1.2 DAC, L1 preamp, A1.5 power amp with the Antipodes Oladra, XACT S1, Grimm MU1, and Taiko Audio Extreme servers, and the Aqua La Diva M2 CD Transport, with 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.
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.
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 Cylindric Fuse Cartridge and ending in three GigaWatt G-044 single Schuko Wall Sockets behind the audio system. For the Network Switch and the Music Servers, I use two power distributors that started life as Pawalle TP-80 but are used for the enclosure alone, stripped of all internals, and everything replaced with selected wiring and components. The rest of the system is powered directly from a PS Audio Power Plant P20 power generator.
The power cables are a mix of brands and OEM home-made specimens. Most notable are the GigaWatt LC-2 EVO for the CH C1.2 DAC and the GigaWatt PowerSync ULTRA for the CH L1 preamp. The CH A1.5 power amp is the only component still using a Belden 19364 power cable. Most other components, including most review components, are powered by one of my two home-made variants, either the Block CUL 500 Enamelled solid core copper in PTFE tubing with OEM Rhodium-plated schuko and Oyaide C-004 IEC or the OEM tinned litze in PTFE dielectric with OEM Rhodium-plated schuko and Oyaide C-004 IEC.
Above: Aqua La Diva M2 CD Transport
Above: Aqua LinQ Network Player and Formula xHD DAC
Above: Antipodes Oladra Music Server
Above: Grimm MU1 Music Server
Above: PS Audio P20 Power Plant (a Power Regenerator, not a filter), powering the entire system except for the Network Switch and Music Servers.
Above: Silent Angel Bonn NX Network Switch and Genesis GX Clock
Above: Magico S1 Mk2
Above: Thorens TD1601 with TP160 Tonearm and TAS1600 MC cartridge
Above: Thorens TD1601 with TP92 Tonearm and TAS1500 MC cartridge
Above: Technics SL-1200G with Audio Technica AT-VM750SH MM cartridge
Above: Degritter Ultrasonic Cleaner and Clearaudio Matrix Silent Vacuum Cleaner
Above and below: SMT Diffusers
Above and below: Vicoustic VicTotem Diffuser/Bass Trap
Main System Components
This list contains only the currently operational components in the Main System. For a complete list of all HFA Reference Equipment, cables, and accessories, see Associated Equipment.
Loudspeakers
Magico S1 MkII
Pre Amplifier
Power Amplifier
Phono Stage
M2Tech Nash
Manunta EVO Phono 3
Pro-Ject Phono Box RS2 + Power Box RS2
Turntables
Thorens TD1601 (with TP-92 tonearm)
Thorens TD1601 (with TP-160 tonearm)
Technics SL-1200G
Cartridges/Stylii
Audio Technica AT-VM740ML
Audio Technica AT-VM750SH
Thorens TAS1600
Thorens TAS1500
DAC
CH Precision C1.2
Aqua Formula xHD
Music Server
Antipodes Oladra
Grimm MU1
Taiko Audio Extreme
CD Player / Transport
Network Renderer / Streaming Endpoint
Aqua LinQ Network Interface
CH Precision C1.2
Record Cleaning Machine
Clearaudio Matrix Silent
Degritter
Interlinks
Driade Flow Link Reference 808 RCA and XLR
Loudspeaker Cables
Digital Cables
Mogami 3080 Neglex
Silent Angel Bastei coax
USB Cables
Ethernet Cables
ValueLine OEM CAT6 cables
Network Switch
Silent Angel Bonn NX + Genesis GX Clock
Audio Group Power Installation
Siemens Sitor Cylindric Fuse Cartridge (standard silver-plated fuse and solid silver rod)
Standard unshielded 2,5mm solid core copper installation wire for main group
3x GigaWatt G-044 Schuko Wall Socket
Power Distributors
3x Pawalle TP-80 (very heavily modded, not recommended in standard form)
Power Conditioning
PS Audio PowerPlant P20
(Regenerated power for the entire system except for the Network Switch and Music Servers)
Power Cables
GigaWatt LC-2 EVO (for CH C1.2 DAC)
GigaWatt PowerSync ULTRA (for CH L1 preamp)
Belden 19364 with Bals schuko and Oyaide C004 IEC connectors (for A1.5 power amp)
The other components use one of the two following home-made cables:
OEM tinned litze in PTFE dielectric with OEM Rhodium-plated schuko and Oyaide 004 IEC
Block CUL 500 Enamelled solid core copper in PTFE tubing with OEM Rhodium schuko and Oyaide 004 IEC
Equipment Support
Ansuz Darkz T2
Ansuz Darkz S2T
Artesania Exoteryc Audiorack
Artesania Carbon Fiber Linear Arm Upgrade
Artesania Panzerholz Floor Interface Discs
Artesania Carbon Fiber Floor Interface Discs
Artesania Aire Floor Platform
Artesania KSH2 Krion shelves
Finite Elemente Cerapuc
HRS EXR Audio Stand
HRS EXR Floor Stands
Stillpoints Ultra SS V2
Room Treatment
R.T.F.S. SiRRAH
R.T.F.S. Big Block
R.T.F.S. Ceiling Vane
SMT Diffusers
1x Vicoustic VicTotem
Hard Wood Stiffening Bars glued onto all windows
Steel-reinforced ed much of the right speaker’s low output and ed very annoying phase
See Also
Associated Equipment
All current HFA Reference Equipment, cables, and accessories.
HFA Audio Setup Snapshots
All Snapshot summaries of operational components in HFA Systems for a specific timeframe
HFA Audio Setup History
In-depth overview of how the HFA systems have developed over the years
HFA Awards page
Ranking Order of all reviewed components and their appointed Awards
Could you provide some insight as to why the MU1 has returned into active use?
The XACT S1 was on load and had to go back to the manufacturer. I now use the Grimm as well as the Antipodes. The former with Roon, the latter with UPnP. As you may know, Roon has a certain character that is somewhat compensated for by the Grimm, but on the inherently smooth-sounding Antipodes, them sound becomes too laidback for my taste.