my (not quite modest) system

[jonathanb]

My electronics are Merrill Audio's Thor monoblock amps and Cara preamp. Speakers are Evolution Audio's MicroOne w/dedicated cast-iron stands.

My analog listening is done on a VPI Prime Signature turntable using a Transfiguration Phoenix S cartridge into a Aurorasound Vida phono preamp. (I have a spare JMW 10 3D armwand upon which a VdH Grasshopper--acquired many years ago from Jonathan Scull and just retipped by Soundsmith--currently resides. I'll probably swap that out shortly to compare the VdH to the VAS Nova Signature that's currently unused.)

For digital, I use a YFS-modded Mac mini with a YFS PS-12M external power supply into an Exogal Comet DAC. I mostly use Amara Symphony and sometimes Roon for my computer listening. In the rare instance when I actually want to play a CD, I use a PS Audio PWT. I use a PS Audio NPC for digitizing LP's.

I use a Granite Audio Ground Zero to help with the grounding issues that arose due to the really crappy wiring of the place I'm currently renting. I use a PS Audio PS-5 to regenerate power for all components other than the amplifiers and the power supply for the Vida phono preamp.

Interconnects are from Morrow Audio except for the XLO Signature phono cable. Speaker cables are Gryphon PSC-1 Guidelines.

Accessories include a Fozgometer, Flux Hifi sonic and Zerodust stylus cleaners, VPI HW-17 and KL Audio LP-200 record cleaners, an Air Tight Record Flatter (that's what they call/ed it) and a Furutech D-stat II.

My listening room is on the lower floor of a duplex condo I rent. The floor is a combo kitchen/dining room/living room space. I've setup the system in the living room for near-field listening. The space is far from sonically ideal but it's the space I've got.

[JCOConnell]

nice system

[Johnny Vinyl]

Very nice Jonathan! I've always wanted to hear Evolution speakers, but I've had no luck so far. Guess I need to get out more!

[jonathanb]

I had to work to hear them as there's basically no dealer network for Evolution, at least not in the NY/NJ area. Turns out that the brother of the guy behind Evolution lives in NJ about 20 minutes away. He brought a pair over and set them up for me to audition. Once I heard them, I had to buy them.

[JCOConnell]

those speakers look similar to my focal 905's that I use on my secondary system.

[RoadDawgWest]

Thank you for sharing Jonathan.
Nice system. Always wanted to hear a VdH cartridge, but never had an opportunity.

[Gusf]

Wonderful system. I have listened to 3 models of the Evolution One speakers and have been very impressed. I am hoping to join you this year in owning the VPI Prime Signature table. Thanks for sharing.

[Per Sundell]

That looks like a very nice system. We dont get neither Merrill nor Evolution Audio on this side of the Atlantic (I think). Would be nice to hear them sometime.

[jonathanb]

Evolution Acoustics is distributed by Dartzeel in Switzerland and Epectaz in France. Merrill Audio is distributed by Hear Everything in the Netherlands. (Both apparently quietly and discreetly distributed.)

[Per Sundell]

Aha well maybe they will turn up on High-End in München this spring.

[Alrainbow]

Very nice

[JCOConnell]

what are those white boxes on the speaker stand bases? just curious....

[JCOConnell]

nevermind, I zoomed in on the big photos and can see that those are the monobloc amps

[jonathanb]

To answer the question you didn't ask, the reason the amps are on the speaker stand base is that the base is cast iron and is easily the most stable place I've got to locate the amps. (And the amps just happen to be tiny enough to fit there.)

[JCOConnell]

are they class D amps?

[jonathanb]

Yes.

[JCOConnell]

I guessed because of their small size plus no heat sinks.

[MylesBAstor]

The Evolution Acoustic/Merrill electronics should be a great match! I don't think many would identify them as Class D amplifiers. Nice midrange presence and soulful. Not thin, dimensionally flat and washed out like many Class D amplifiers.

Did you just get your Prime Signature? Love the looks. So reminiscent of the old HRX. What turntable did the new VPI table replace?

[jonathanb]

The Evolution speaker/Merrill electronics combo is, to my ear, a superb match. The Merrill gear is definitely not thin and provides both good depth and width. They'd probably provide excellent depth and width if placed in a more suitable listening space.

I got the Prime Signature last month. It was the first one delivered to a customer. It replaced a Classic Signature.

[jonathanb]

To answer a question on one asked: the Classis Signature replaced a Prime, which replaced a Rega RP-8. I've still have the RP-8 and just set it up along side the Prime Sig. It's a nice sounding table but it can't hold a candle to any of the VPI tables.