{"id":43102,"date":"2026-11-14T20:40:43","date_gmt":"2026-11-14T18:40:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/?p=43102"},"modified":"2026-11-14T21:40:14","modified_gmt":"2026-11-14T19:40:14","slug":"main-system-v20-november-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/hfa-audio-setups\/main-system-v20-november-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Main System v20 – November 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

Main System Overview<\/h2>\n

November 2026 \/ version 20<\/h3>\n

New Additions<\/h3>\n

Acoustic GRG Mass Spring Bass Absorber
\nGrimm Audio PA1 Mono Power Amplifiers
\nPSI Audio AVAA C214 Active Bass Trap
\nThiele TA01\/SP-10R Custom Turntable<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Main Components<\/h3>\n

The main system is always assembled and is used for private listening and most reviews. The main components are the CH Precision C1.2<\/a> DAC, L1<\/a> preamp, Grimm Audio PW1<\/a> phono stage, Grimm Audio PA1<\/a> mono power amplifiers, Aqua La Diva M2<\/a> CD Transport,\u00a0Grimm MU1<\/a> music server, Thiele TA01\/SP-10R Custom Turntable, <\/span>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<\/a>. Racks are Artesania Exoteryc<\/a>, Artesania Aire<\/a>, and HRS EXR<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The most commonly used additional reference components include the Apogee Centaur hybrid dynamic\/ribbon speakers and Driade Premium Model 9 monitors<\/a>. Antipodes Oladra Music Server<\/a>, Aqua LinQ Network Player<\/a>, Aqua Formula xHD DAC<\/a>, Thorens TD1601 turntable<\/a>, LAiV Harmony DAC 2<\/a>, LAiV HP2A preamp<\/a>, CH Precision A1.5<\/a> power amp, and LAiV GaNM Mono Power Amplifiers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Additional Components<\/h3>\n

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

Speakers<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Refoiled Apogee Duetta Signature speakers with the latest-generation Graz DSB-KLM woofer foils and KLM7 MRTW foils, installed in August 2025.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Apogee Centaur in front of Apogee Duetta Signature.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Driade Premium Model 9<\/a><\/p>\n

Amplification<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

CH Precision L1 Preamplifier<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

LAiV HP2A Preamplifier\/Headphone Amplifier<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

CH Precision A1.5 Power Amplifier<\/a>
\n(the Mola Mola Perca on top was only on a visit)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

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

\"\"<\/p>\n

Grimm Audio PA1 Mono Power Amplifiers<\/a><\/p>\n

Digital Sources and DACs<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Antipodes Oladra Music Server<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Grimm MU1 Music Server<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

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

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

CH Precision C1.2 DAC<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

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

\"\"<\/p>\n

LAiV Harmony DAC 2<\/a><\/p>\n

Analog Sources<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Thiele TA01\/SP-10R Custom Turntable with Technics Drive and Thiele TA01 Zero Tracking Error Tonearm. The\u00a0Grimm Audio PW1 Phono Stage<\/a> sits behind it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/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

Analog Cables<\/h3>\n

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

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 Cylindrical Fuse Cartridge and ending in three GigaWatt G-044 single Schuko Wall Sockets<\/a> behind the audio system.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

PS Audio P20 Power Plant<\/a> (a Power Regenerator, not a filter), powering the entire system except for the Network Switch, Music Servers, Subs, and active Bass Traps.<\/p>\n

Power Cables<\/h3>\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, and the GigaWatt PowerSync ULTRA<\/a>\u00a0is permanently used with the CH L1 preamp. 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 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.<\/p>\n

Network<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

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

\"\"<\/p>\n

Network Acoustics origin Power Supply<\/a>
\n(for the main Router)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Left side of the room<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Curved CD racks conceal cornered wall-stiffening bars and a bass trap in the hallway.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

R.T.F.S Big Block Bass Traps in the rear back corner<\/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

\"\"<\/p>\n

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)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Peter Hess phKSZ-7 Singing Bowls: one on the DAC between the speakers and two behind the listening position.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Vicoustic VicTotem Diffuser\/Bass Trap (four 3-segment pillars behind each speaker)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Floorplan<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/h2>\n

Acoustic Treatment<\/h3>\n

Orange = Acoustic GRG Mass Spring Bass Absorber tuned to 30Hz
\nGreen = Vicoustic VicTotem Ultra VMTBass Absorbers \/ Diffusers
\nRed = PSI Audio AVAA C214 Active Bass Trap
\nGrey = Artnovion Douro Diffuser (six elements total)
\nBlue = R.T.F.S. Big Block Broadband Bass Absorbers<\/p>\n

Distances<\/h3>\n

The speakers are tilted back and have zero toe-in.
\nSpeaker front top to front wall (behind speakers): 203 cm
\nSpeaker front bottom to front wall (behind speakers): 208 cm<\/p>\n

Space between sofa backside and rear wall (behind listening position): 168 cm
\nSofa backside to speaker front (vertical mid): 328 cm<\/p>\n

Ear to speaker mid-point (between MRTW Ribbon and Woofer, vertical mid): 322 cm<\/p>\n

See Also<\/h2>\n

HFA Audio Setups<\/a>
\nOverviews of all HFA Setups by date<\/p>\n

HFA Audio Setup History<\/a>
\nDetailed reports of how the HFA setups and the rooms have developed over the years<\/p>\n

Associated Equipment<\/a>
\nA listing of all current audio equipment used in the audio systems and as references for reviews<\/p>\n

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

\r\n
Related Posts<\/div>\r\n
\r\n\r\n
\r\n
\r\n \r\n\r\n \"\"\r\n\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n \r\n Main System v20 – November 2026 <\/a>\r\n\r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n
\r\n \r\n\r\n \"\"\r\n\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n \r\n Media Room v4 – Sept 2026 <\/a>\r\n\r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n
\r\n \r\n\r\n \"\"\r\n\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n \r\n Main System v19 – February 2026 <\/a>\r\n\r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n
\r\n \r\n\r\n \"\"\r\n\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n \r\n Main System v18 – Sept 2025 <\/a>\r\n\r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n
\r\n \r\n\r\n \"\"\r\n\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n \r\n Media Room v3 – Aug 2025 <\/a>\r\n\r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n
\r\n \r\n\r\n \"\"\r\n\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n \r\n Main System v17 – June 2025 <\/a>\r\n\r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n
\r\n \r\n\r\n \"\"\r\n\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n \r\n Main System v16 – February 2025 <\/a>\r\n\r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n
\r\n \r\n\r\n \"\"\r\n\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n \r\n Main System v15 – November 2024 <\/a>\r\n\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n