Installation: hjensen@cariari.ucr.ac.cr

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CD-Transport: PSAudio Lambda
Digital/Analog Converter: Muse Model Two DAC(Replacement for PSAudio Ultralink II)

These are very well-known components, which do not need much introduction. Coming from the same manufacturer, the Lambda and the Ultralink II, which together sell for about US$4.500, make a wonderful conbination. I think they have transparency, very good soundstaging, both in depth and laterally, excellent dynamics, and a proper natural sound.

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Preampliflier: Audio Research LS3B.

A real bargain, this preamplifier, which sells for about US$2.000, has a superb soundstage, excellent tranparancy and dynamics, the sound being very neutral.

Interconnects: Groneberg quattro reference.

During a large period of time I had be using Audioquest Lapis x3 interconnects between DAC/Preamp and Preamp/Amp. The sound of these cables was very transparent, but with a tendency to thinness in bass frequencies and a little bit of edginess in the high frequencies. Recently I purchased two pairs of GRONEBERG QUATTRO REFERENCE interconnects. The difference is amazing; these interconnects are considerably less expensive, but they sound - at least in my system - much better to my ears than the Audioquests. Groneberg's bass is tighter and deeper, mid's and high's are neutral, very transparent and they lack edginess. Soundstage reproduction is lifelike and timbre of instruments is absolutely natural.

Amplifier: Symphonic Line RG1 Mk III

A gourgeous amplifier, designed by Rolf Gemein in Duisburg (Germany), the RG1 Mk III has superb transparency and excellent soundstaging; the sound is natural, being more like tubes. The sound breathes and it makes you forget you are listening to a solid-state amplifier. Bass, mid's and high's are all blended right together. You experience the true meaning of dynamics. Better than any other solid-state amplifier I have ever heard.

Loudspeaker Cables: OCOS

I am using a double-run of OCOS. But my recent experience with Groneberg interconnects has tempted me to try their speaker-cables soon. I will report on that!

In the last months I have made some changes in my system. First of all, I have wired it throughout with GRONEBERG QUATTRO REFERENCE interconnects, speaker-cables and powercords. This has confirmed my opinion that it is a high-quality product; apart from having some characteristics which are highly appreciated by audiophiles, such as smoothness, transparancy, delicacy, tight bass, grainless high´s, and very good soundstaging, Groneberg cables are outstanding in one aspect that I much seek for: timbral accuracy. Often have I made the experience that cables offering a wide and deep soundstage do not accurately reproduce the right timbre of different instruments, and tend to dissipate foremostly the difference of tessituras of the human voice, making them almost undiscernible. I mean that the tessitura of a mezzosoprano should be accurately distinguishable from the tessitura of a soprano, to mention one example. This should be a normal task, which should be easily performed by any cable. But this is not commonly the case, as my experience tells me. Cables that produce a very deep, almost cavernous soundstage tend to blurr such differential traits of instruments. The PS Audio Ultralink II D/A Converter is not a part of my system any longer. Its place has been taken by Muse´s MODEL TWO DAC (upgraded version with Bessel filter), which is much better (this is an understatement: the Model Two is simply in another league).To say it in a few words: the Muse Model Two DAC is EXCELLENT.

Loudspeakers: Symphonic Line RG5 Mk III

Also a Rolf Gemein design, these little two-way speakers deliver music without harshness; you come close to an ideal three-dimensionality. Their break-in period is very, very long, but then you are rewarded by a sound that is smooth like a feather and by excellent dynamics which do not offend your ears. The sound is just right; these speakers reproduce the recording venue in a way I did not thought possible, with every player in the place where he/she should be. Holographic sound in which the speakers disappear.

update:

In the last months I have made some changes in my system. First of all, I have wired it throughout with GRONEBERG QUATTRO REFERENCE interconnects, speaker-cables and powercords. This has confirmed my opinion that it is a high-quality product; apart from having some characteristics which are highly appreciated by audiophiles, such as smoothness, transparancy, delicacy, tight bass, grainless high´s, and very good soundstaging, Groneberg cables are outstanding in one aspect that I much seek for: timbral accuracy. Often have I made the experience that cables offering a wide and deep soundstage do not accurately reproduce the right timbre of different instruments, and tend to dissipate foremostly the difference of tessituras of the human voice, making them almost undiscernible. I mean that the tessitura of a mezzosoprano should be accurately distinguishable from the tessitura of a soprano, to mention one example. This should be a normal task, which should be easily performed by any cable. But this is not commonly the case, as my experience tells me. Cables that produce a very deep, almost cavernous soundstage tend to blurr such differential traits of instruments.

The PS Audio Ultralink II D/A Converter is not a part of my system any longer. Its place has been taken by Muse´s MODEL TWO DAC (upgraded version with Bessel filter), which is much better (this is an understatement: the Model Two is simply in another league).To say it in a few words: the Muse Model Two DAC is EXCELLENT.