{"id":40389,"date":"2025-05-31T09:41:30","date_gmt":"2025-05-31T07:41:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/?p=40389"},"modified":"2026-03-29T17:26:39","modified_gmt":"2026-03-29T15:26:39","slug":"main-system-17-june-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/hfa-audio-setup-snapshots\/main-system-17-june-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Main System 17 – June 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

New Additions<\/h3>\n

2x VicTotem behind the speakers
\nLarge LP cabinet (Ikea Kallax) on rear wall
\nNetwork Acoustics muon2 Balanced Digital Cable<\/a>
\nLAiV HP2A<\/a> and GaNM<\/a> as secondary amplification
\nGoldring Ethos MC Cartridge<\/a><\/p>\n

Description<\/h3>\n

This is an overview of the Main System and its operational components as of May 2025.<\/p>\n

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Magico S1 MkII flanked by Apogee Centaurs<\/em><\/p>\n

The core of the main system<\/a> consists of the CH Precision C1.2<\/a> DAC, L1<\/a> preamp, A1.5<\/a> power amp with the Antipodes Oladra<\/a>, Grimm MU1<\/a>, and Taiko Audio Extreme servers, and the Aqua La Diva M2<\/a> CD Transport.<\/p>\n

Loudspeakers<\/h3>\n

Magico S1 MkII, Apogee Duetta Signature, and Apogee Centaur speakers are alternately used.<\/p>\n

Cables<\/h3>\n

The main digital AES\/EBU interlink is the Network Acoustics muon2 Balanced Digital Cable<\/a>. All analog interlinks are Driade Flow Link Reference 808<\/a>, both balanced and unbalanced. The speaker cables are the Driade Flow Reference 808<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Racks and Platforms<\/h3>\n

All CH Precision components are placed on an Artesania Exoteryc<\/a> rack with Carbon Fiber Linear Arms<\/a>. All digital sources are placed on two HRS EXR<\/a> racks. Review components will be assessed on a vacant spot in one of the HRS EXR racks or on\u00a0an Artesania KSH2 Krion shelf<\/a> coupled via Artesania Carbon Fiber Linear arms<\/a> to an Artesania Aire<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

Power<\/h3>\n

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<\/a> 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<\/a> power generator.<\/p>\n

The power cables are a mix of brands and OEM home-made specimens. The GigaWatt LC-2 EVO<\/a> is permanently used with the CH C1.2 DAC. The CH A1.5 power amp is the only component still using a Belden 19364<\/a> power cable. The Network Switches and specific temporary digital components are powered using home-made cables based on Block CUL 500 Enamelled 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.<\/p>\n

A complete list with links to reviews of all active components can be found further below.<\/p>\n

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Above: Aqua La Diva M2 CD Transport<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

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Above: Aqua LinQ Network Player<\/a> and Formula xHD DAC<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

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Above: Antipodes Oladra Music Server<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

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Above: Grimm MU1 Music Server<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

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Above: PS Audio P20 Power Plant<\/a> (a Power Regenerator, not a filter)<\/em><\/p>\n

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Above: Silent Angel Bonn NX Network Switch and Genesis GX Clock<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

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Above: LAiV uDDC<\/a> and Harmony DAC<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

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Above: LAiV HP2A preamp<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

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LaiV HP2A preamp and GaNM Mono Power Amplifiers<\/em><\/p>\n

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Above: LAiV GaNM Mono Power Amplifiers<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

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Above: Apogee Centaur, Magico S1 MkII, and Apogee Duetta Signature in the back<\/em><\/p>\n

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Above: Apogee Duetta Signature<\/em><\/p>\n

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Above: Magico S1 MkII<\/em><\/p>\n

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Above: Thorens TD1601 with TP160 Tonearm<\/a> and TAS1600 MC cartridge<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

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Above: Thorens TD1601 with TP92 Tonearm<\/a> and TAS1500 MC cartridge<\/a> <\/em><\/p>\n

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Above: Technics SL-1200G<\/a> with Audio Technica AT-VM750SH MM cartridge<\/a> <\/em><\/p>\n

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Above and below<\/em>: Degritter Ultrasonic Cleaner<\/a> and Clearaudio Matrix Silent Vacuum Cleaner<\/em><\/p>\n

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R.T.F.S Big Block Bass Traps in the rear corner<\/em><\/p>\n

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SMT Diffusers<\/em><\/p>\n

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Vicoustic VicTotem Diffuser\/Bass Trap<\/em><\/p>\n

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<\/h3>\n

Main System Components<\/h2>\n

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<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Loudspeakers<\/h3>\n

Magico S1 MkII
\nApogee Duetta Signature (currently original, but to be refurbished to the latest Graz insights)
\nApogee Centaur (original)<\/p>\n

Pre Amplifier<\/h3>\n

CH Precision L1<\/a>
\nLAiV HP2A<\/a><\/p>\n

Power Amplifier<\/h3>\n

CH Precision A1.5<\/a>
\nLAiV GaNM<\/a><\/p>\n

Phono Stage<\/h3>\n

M2Tech Nash<\/a>
\nManunta EVO Phono 3<\/a><\/p>\n

Turntables<\/h3>\n

Thorens TD1601 (with TP-92 tonearm)<\/a>
\nThorens TD1601 (with TP-160 tonearm)<\/a>
\nTechnics SL-1200G<\/a><\/p>\n

Cartridges\/Stylii<\/h3>\n

Audio Technica AT-VM740ML<\/a>
\nAudio Technica AT-VM750SH<\/a>
\nThorens TAS1600<\/a>
\nThorens TAS1500<\/a>
\nGoldring Ethos<\/a>
\nGoldring Ethos SE<\/a><\/p>\n

DAC<\/h3>\n

CH Precision C1.2<\/a>
\nAqua Formula xHD<\/a>
\nLAiV Harmony DAC<\/a><\/p>\n

Music Server<\/h3>\n

Antipodes Oladra<\/a>
\nGrimm MU1<\/a>
\nTaiko Audio Extreme<\/p>\n

CD Player \/ Transport<\/h3>\n

Aqua La Diva M2<\/a><\/p>\n

Network Renderer \/ Streaming Endpoint<\/h3>\n

Aqua LinQ Network Interface<\/a>
\nCH Precision C1.2<\/a><\/p>\n

Record Cleaning Machine<\/h3>\n

Clearaudio Matrix Silent<\/a>
\nDegritter<\/a><\/p>\n

Interlinks<\/h3>\n

Driade Flow Link Reference 808 RCA and XLR<\/a><\/p>\n

Loudspeaker Cables<\/h3>\n

Driade Flow Reference 808<\/a><\/p>\n

Digital Cables<\/h3>\n

Network Acoustics muon2 Balanced Digital Cable<\/a>
\n<\/em>Mogami 3080 Neglex<\/a>
\nSilent Angel Bastei coax<\/p>\n

USB Cables<\/h3>\n

Vermouth Reference<\/a><\/p>\n

Ethernet Cables<\/h3>\n

ValueLine OEM CAT6 cables<\/p>\n

Network Switch<\/h3>\n

Silent Angel Bonn NX <\/a>+ Genesis GX Clock<\/a><\/p>\n

Audio Group Power Installation<\/h3>\n

Siemens Sitor Cylindric Fuse Cartridge (standard silver-plated fuse and solid silver rod)
\nStandard unshielded 2,5mm solid core copper installation wire for main group
\n3x GigaWatt G-044 Schuko Wall Socket<\/a><\/p>\n

Power Distributors<\/h3>\n

3x Pawalle TP-80 (very heavily modded, not recommended in standard form)<\/p>\n

Power Conditioning<\/h3>\n

PS Audio PowerPlant P20<\/a>
\n(Regenerated power for the entire system except for the Network Switch and Music Servers)<\/p>\n

Power Cables<\/h3>\n

CH C1.2 DAC:
\nGigaWatt LC-2 EVO (for CH C1.2 DAC)<\/a>
\nCH A1.5 power amp:
\nBelden 19364 with Bals schuko and Oyaide C004 IEC connectors<\/a>
\nNetwork Switches:
\nHome-made Block CUL 500 Enamelled solid core copper in PTFE tubing with OEM Rhodium schuko and Oyaide 004 IEC
\nOther components:
\nHome-made OEM tinned litze in PTFE dielectric with OEM Rhodium-plated schuko and Oyaide 004 IEC<\/p>\n

Equipment Support<\/h3>\n

Ansuz Darkz T2<\/a>
\nAnsuz Darkz S2T<\/a>
\nArtesania Exoteryc Audiorack<\/a>
\nArtesania Carbon Fiber Linear Arm Upgrade<\/a>
\nArtesania Panzerholz Floor Interface Discs<\/a>
\nArtesania Carbon Fiber Floor Interface Discs<\/a>
\nArtesania Aire Floor Platform<\/a>
\nArtesania KSH2 Krion shelves<\/a>
\nFinite Elemente Cerapuc<\/a>
\nHRS EXR Audio Stand<\/a>
\nHRS EXR Floor Stands
\nStillpoints Ultra SS V2<\/p>\n

Room Treatment<\/h3>\n

R.T.F.S. SiRRAH<\/a>
\nR.T.F.S. Ceiling Carreau<\/a>
\nR.T.F.S. Big Block<\/a>
\nR.T.F.S. Ceiling Vane<\/a>
\nSMT Diffusers
\n3x Vicoustic VicTotem<\/p>\n

Steel<\/span>-reinforced\u00a0<\/span>hardwood stiffening bars were glued onto the windows using Bison Polymax kit to effectively reduce the glass panels\u2019 40Hz resonance, which weaken<\/span><\/span><\/span>ed<\/span>\u00a0much of the right speaker\u2019s low output and\u00a0<\/span>caus<\/span><\/span><\/span>ed<\/span>\u00a0very annoying phase\u00a0<\/span>issues effects at higher bass frequencies.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

See Also<\/h2>\n

Associated Equipment<\/a>
\nAll current HFA Reference Equipment, cables, and accessories.<\/p>\n

HFA Audio Setup Snapshots<\/a>
\nAll Snapshot summaries of operational components in HFA Systems for a specific timeframe<\/p>\n

HFA Audio Setup History<\/a>
\nIn-depth overview of how the HFA systems have developed over the years<\/p>\n

HFA Awards page<\/a>
\nRanking Order of all reviewed components and their appointed Awards<\/p>\n

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