Trans-Fi Audio

Home of the Terminator Tonearm

  • What I listen to music on!
    Like the rest of you, my system has been subjected to all sorts of permutations throughout the decades. I would    say only in the last few years did I start to make progress in the right direction when I began to concentrate on synergy rather than cost.
    I have simplified the system to the nth degree & kept away from mainstream manufacturers. I feel now I am  reaping the rewards.
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Speakers_________________

A lot of speaker engineers that frequent the forums would say these speakers cannot work. Let me also say I take little heed of their 'knowledge' and prefer to use my own ears, which I trust more. I get the best bass  ever in this configuration....and plenty of it! What's more, I am not using any eq! I have also learned using a baffle.....any baffle....creates artifacts and interferes with imaging. Loading the bass with H-frames, U-frames or whatever will increase the bass, but creates room modes and more artifacts. Choosing the right woofers is the  key to going 'baffle-less'.  Discussions below: 








Active Subwoofer__________

Above is a screen-grab of the  Behringer control software showing the crossover page.

















Full Range Amplification____

Internals of the amp showing the the user replaceable input capacitor to control bass output to FR driver.   

















Front End ANALOGUE______

Front end-wise, in the analogue dept is of course the Salvation/Terminator.

Latest update of Salvation features a magnetically levitated platter & plinth. Any improvement in isolation affects analogue performance in a positive way & I (& my clients) am pleased to report the magnets have made a huge difference.















I am running an AT-150 ANV MM cartridge into a PARKS AUDIO PUFFIN Phono Stage. This is a compact  unit  with built in digital processor. All functions are done within the digital domain so is virtually transparent. Will run any cartridge, has built in rumble filter & click remover, various RIAA curves and sounds amazing. It has analogue or digital out, and is the best phono stage I have heard. Has rekindled my interest in vinyl.....say no more!

You could definitely spend lots more in the cart/phono stage dept as I have done in the past...but this simple combination does it for me & I really lust after nothing else!

New update here is the Carbon Fibre wand!

AT-150ANV Moving Magnet















Front End DIGITAL_________

Updated from Ciunas to Mojo mainly because of its versatility regarding inputs and resolutions. The Mojo has given way to the Chord Qutest (May 2019). This is like a supercharged Mojo with more detail & depth, and in a desktop format.


Been through a few combinations regarding digital transport, from Raspbury Pi, Sparky USB Bridge to Fanless PC & various softwares. Nothing compares to my latest Lindemann LimeTree dedicated streamer. Also works with HD. SPDIF and optical outs only.


Fantastic transparency hearing right into mix. Realism scary!







Summary_______________________

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October 2020: Recent update regarding speakers. Gone from traditional U-frame baffle to ladder frame to 'Scaffold Frame' ! Not to everyone's taste, admittedly, but after going baffle-less as an experiment. I was so shocked by the result, there is no going back! Please click here to see more details on loudspeaker history.


The metal scaffold transfers much less energy into the old  wooden ladder frame which I was always struggling with. Careful isolation was needed for the full range units. With this new design, the weight of the magnets (heaviest part) is now supported by a simple cable which provides the best isolation. Construction is also very simple.


Recent update to Gallo Strada 2 heads which is actually going against the OB theme. However, the units are 'baffle-less' and the chassis are totally inert. They are also very efficient @ 90db (no crossover) and go loud with few watts.  Still partnered with a pair of reversed Dayton  UM18 woofers (updated from 15"). Reversing the woofers adds directivity and reduces room modes.


The 18's allow me to play at greater volume without frying coils.

Went though a few stages to get to where I am now. The   18" AE (Acoustic Elegance) Dipole woofers were  replaced by the Dayton 15" 390s a few years back, and now UM18's. These have much heavier fiber-glass cones and a more powerful motor. Arranged in series, they give more depth and slam, take more watts and yield higher SPL's without complaining. They generally take more abuse and dont bottom out as easily as the AE's. I found I get REAL deep bass (20hz) with heavier inefficient woofers vs lighter more efficient designs.

In this F.A.S.T. configuration (FullRange Assisted Subwoofer Technology) or WAW (Woofer Assisted Wideband) there is no crossover to sap efficiency and resolution. The FR connects direct to the main amp & handles from 250Hz up to 16k.


Dispensing with the baffle has resulted in a clearer more open sound. I guess the baffle was contributing to some muddying. Also imaging has improved, and the bass couples better with the room creating fewer modes. As as a result I was able to push the speakers back closer to the rear wall.


I have found the UM18's need no eq to compensate for for bass baffle losses. This was a surprise to me as these units seem to deliver bass down to 20hz with amazing slam!


The disadvantage  of using inefficient woofers is they need a lot of power, but watts come cheap  with the Behringer NX6000D's. The built in Digital Signal Processor makes setting the crossover point a breeze & also iron out room modes.

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A pair of Behringer NX6000D's power the 18" woofers. This is primarily  PA concert venue Class D full range amp. Not sure what it sounds like full range, but  from 20 - 300Hz & it sounds great! Delivers effortless distortion free power, control & resolution..........everything you want in a sub amp.

The DSP section just plugs into a laptop via USB & uses software available from the Behringer site. All relevant parameters can be adjusted in real time from your listening position. The crossover page allows seamless integration with the full range unit. There is a choice of 4 variable slopes, plus crossover point & gain. There is also an 8 filter Parametric EQ page to set compensation for room modes & baffle deficiencies.

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The Strada 2's  by  the new Temple Audio Mono amps housed in custom case. I had the opportunity to purchase a DEQX second hand, and could not refuse the offer. For those who are unfamiliar with this unit, it is a sophisticated DSP designed to correct room and speaker/timing anomalies automatically, but requires a certain amount of know-how to use. This replaces my passive pre.

Power supplies are new Temple Audio Superchargers. This amp is so good I replaced my longstanding 300B monoblock Signature Lady Day valves years ago and haven't looked back. Review here says it all!

I have not figured how to use the DEQX for speaker/room correction. The only duty it performs at the moment  is a selectable high pass filter stopping unecessary low frequencies (already handled by the woofer) from reaching the arrays. This has a dramatic effect of cleaning up the sound, I think mainly because the amp isn't having to work so hard reproducing the lower frequencies. The DEQX is converting the analogue signal to digital so all the processing can be done in the digital domain. I had a 6 month offer to return the amp if I didnt like it, but within a few hours I decided it was a keeper. It was giving more dynamics and detail than my passive Bent Audio pre, but also, sounded sweeter. I could hear no digital artifacts whatsoever ....and I have not even brought the DEQX into play yet....so it is only acting as a regular preamp at the the moment with no eq or correction.

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Chord Qutest / Limetree combo is the latest upgrade. Music filed stored on Hard Drive hard wired to unit via USB connector. Easy to setup & control  with its own app via wifi.


The Qutest unit is bullet-proof playing all formats reliably. Here it benefits from sitting on its own isolation platform. Sound really on a par or better than vinyl, so this has become my main go-to for playing music.

Also realise now the importance of the power supplies and digital equipment. Been through a few of these as well, and settled on the Temple Supercaps supplies as one of the best with a solid, detailed and dynamic presentation, but no harshness. Both Qutest & Limetree have their own dedicated Supercharger power supply.

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I would describe the sound from this system as dynamic, musical, but full of detail. 


The Gallos are cheating a bit as they are a multi-driver sealed unit and tend to sound good with even poor recordings.....something I couldn't get away with using full rangers. As a result I am not using any eq. The small carbon cones are very light & fast, especially with percussive instruments. The tweeter has a 180 degree horizontal dispersion using only a high pass filter cap, no crossover. The unit delivers a huge soundstage which is behind the speakers and very Open Baffle-like in its presentation .....perhaps because they lack a baffle.


The Gallos  have improved efficiency, dynamics, image focus and detail devoid of nasty peaks or troughs.

The woofers driven by the Behringers integrate seamlessly with the Gallos. They go floor-shakingly deep when the signal is present but there is no boom from room resonances such is the control from the PEQ. For serious bass I believe the woofer needs to be actively driven with  PEQ. Control of the room modes is a necessity.

I can play a wide range of music on this system from softer accoustic jazz material to pumped up Level 42 playing at realistic levels. Modern electronic music which I was never too keen on makes sense now that I can hear/feel that  bottom octave. Kraftwerk, Depeche mode never sounded so good not to mention the more modern Junior Boys and London Grammar. The system delivers it all in a musical, fatigue-free fashion.