Bottlehead Forum

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: bjorgens on April 04, 2013, 01:17:20 PM

Title: Done for a while
Post by: bjorgens on April 04, 2013, 01:17:20 PM

Finally have everything pieced together...

VPI traveler turntable
Coffman labs preamp/ phono stage
300B paramounts on blumenstein bases
Blumenstein orcas on their stands
Sennheiser 600's
DIY rack


I still have to assemble the BH power cords for the paramounts, but am in no hurry as I want to experiment a bit with layout as obviously my space isn't ideal acoustically (two small kids limits my options :)

I am frankly stunned by how good everything sounds.  The preamp has several hundred hours on it already, but the paramounts and orcas are essentially brand new.  Listening to Miles Davis kind of blue just makes me smile... Being able to place the instruments on the soundstage, picking up the airy sound of a stiff reed on Coltrane's sax... Cool stuff.  I played part of Beck's sea change album... Lush... Awesome.

So thanks to all the bottlehead folks for making such cool kit... Remarkable quality and fantastic documentation that make it a joy to build.  Thanks as well for your responsiveness and help in addressing my debug questions.  You guys are a class act.

Thanks to Molly and Clark Blumenstein for building some really beautiful products that sound fantastic even out of the box. 

I'll let this stuff settle in a bit, then will be lining up for a BH DAC kit and a blumenstein sub. :)

Cheers
Bryan

Ps apologies for crappy phone photos

Title: Re: Done for a while
Post by: Jim R. on April 04, 2013, 03:35:14 PM

Bryan,

Congratulations on gettingit all done and running.  You're got the right idea -- just kick back, listen and let everything find it's final sound and I'm sure you'll be even more elated when it all settles in.

-- Jim

Title: Re: Done for a while
Post by: bjorgens on April 04, 2013, 06:29:44 PM

Thanks Jim
That's the plan !
B

Title: Re: Done for a while
Post by: tubenerd on April 12, 2013, 12:20:16 PM

Nice job...would love info on your rack.  Looks like butcher block and all-thread make it up.  Can you elaborate (unless you already have, then please point me a link)

Title: Re: Done for a while
Post by: Paul Birkeland on April 12, 2013, 12:41:50 PM

Those are some excellent looking Paramounts, and I'd be willing to wager that the build quality is equally top notch! ;)

Title: Re: Done for a while
Post by: bjorgens on April 12, 2013, 01:58:35 PM

Paul,
Well for at least one of them anyway. :)


Tubenerd
You're right, the rack is made from butcher blocks I got off of amazon and some 1" x 48" all-thread and hardware from a local fastener supply shop.  Herbie's Audio lab supplied grunge buster washers for each shelf (sandwiched between shelf and metal washers top and bottom).  I got the brass feet and top caps turned by Dan at Eden Sound audio out of Vermont.  Finish on the shelves is from Land Ark... All natural linseed/tung oil & wax based stuff.  I'm happy with the way it turned out (as is my wife thankfully), but one could certainly build something similar for less work and $... 

So much for being done for a while... Now patiently awaiting my BA sub and amp... Bad Bryan.

Title: Re: Done for a while
Post by: johnsonad on April 12, 2013, 01:59:32 PM

Looking good!  I wish you luck on not changing things around for a while ;)