Introducing My System

Clarisys Studio Plus running in a full-active 2-way stereo configuration, using my own tube-buffered active crossover design:

 
Are you using 4 Karan monos?
No, using the Karan monos on the bass panel and my own design (AB amp) on the tweeters. I have tried the NAT Symbiosis New on the tweeter position and preferred the matching with this AB amp. With that said, I will likely have a class A design (Pass Labs?) on the MRT as it's not very demanding in terms of power, given the high pass frequency.
 
  • Like
Reactions: morricab
First Watt SIT 3 would probably work for the midrange, but for those who like oomph, the newest SIT 5 monos have more juice with the massive SIT and MOSFET current contributor.

Don't know the efficiency of the Clarysis mid or impedance, but I run my Wisdom 75 inch mids to good effect with as little as 2-3 watts (crossover 300)@ 6 ohm impedance, but I imagine Clarysis would like some extra current.
 
One of these days I’ll do a longer write up on this speaker and learning more about it through designing this crossover. I’ve actually learned quite a bit — which is I guess the most rewarding aspect of this hobby (for me at least).
 
After several months of hard work, I’m proud to present what I think is by far (by far) the best iteration of my hi-fi system yet.



This is a fully active three-way stereo active system. The speaker config comprises of the Clarisys Studio Plus (the bipole true ribbon MRT version), augmented by the Mundorf AMT27D1.1 dipole tweeter. Even though I have the option to run the system in a 4-way stereo configuration I have elected not to use any subwoofers because the Clarisys speaker has more than enough slam and bass on its own. On the other hand, for that final touch of air and speed (and especially a more even vertical dispersion) I have chosen to use Mundorf’s dipole AMT design. The AMT27D1.1 is a dipole so while that may cause phase issues with the bipole nature of the MRT on the Clarisys, that’s not the case. I use a relatively steep 4th order slope (Linkwitz Riley 24db/oct) for the entire speaker. The bass panel and MRT low pass and high pass are set to 580hz, while the AMT crosses with the MRT at 5,500hz.

The drivers are powered by the following amps:
The bass panel: powered by the Karan Acoustics POWERa mono amps — 2,000w into 8ohms.
The MRT driver: Burmester 956 MK2 — 240w into 4ohms
Mundorf AMT: Burmester 036 — 171w into 4ohms.

Why this choice of amps? Well, the Burmester (next to Pass Labs) is one of my favorite commercially available amplifiers. They have incredible control, no capacitors in the signal path, which in turn makes them highly resolving yet supremely musical. Also, it helps that the craftsmanship is absolutely top-notch and that I consider them to be drop-dead gorgeous. Everything from 580hz upwards is handled by these great amps and I couldn’t be happier.

And what about the Karans? Is that a bit of an overkill? Sure! But I own them and they are superb. And you can never have enough power and control in the bass.

The “star” of the system though is my own creation — a tube-buffered eight channel digital active crossover, with an integrated streamer and digital volume control. This project was a massive undertaking. I have stripped the digital parts to their bare minimums while taking great care in ensuring all of the best parts are used for the analogue section — Duelund capacitors, four matched pairs of Mullard KQDD/K M8136 CV4003 tubes (pure magic), top-of-the-line linear power supplies, separate for the digital and analogue sections, EZ81 Philips Mullard 6CA4 tube rectifiers instead of solid state. Furthermore, copper cooling to keep the digital components (DSP chips, etc.) running at their optimal temperatures, network filters, and many more tricks, too many to recount here.

For the power, I use a combination of my own power generator (AB class) which powers the active crossover and the two Burmester amps, while the Shunyata Everest handles the big Karans.

Put simply, this system is a combination of engineering work and resources to spend on top-notch commercial equipment. It is a no-compromise approach to hi-fi which spares no expense but also factors in that commercially available products just don’t cut it if you are looking for the ultimate fidelity.

Finally, how does this system sound now that the work is complete?

Quite simply, in my opinion, it beats any home system I’ve heard (regardless of the type of speaker or electronics used) and it gives the super systems I’ve heard over the years in Munich (think Kharma, MBL, Aries Cerat, Clarisys room) a run for their money. It’s that good. In a home setting, aside from Marty’s system, I haven’t heard better… and I’ve heard many.
 
Last edited:
Amazing my friend!
 
  • Love
Reactions: Thundersnow
After several months of hard work, I’m proud to present what I think is by far (by far) the best iteration of my hi-fi system yet.



This is a fully active three-way stereo active system. The speaker config comprises of the Clarisys Studio Plus (the bipole true ribbon MRT version), augmented by the Mundorf AMT27D1.1 dipole tweeter. Even though I have the option to run the system in a 4-way stereo configuration I have elected not to use any subwoofers because the Clarisys speaker has more than enough slam and bass on its own. On the other hand, for that final touch of air and speed (and especially a more even vertical dispersion) I have chosen to use Mundorf’s dipole AMT design. The AMT27D1.1 is a dipole so while that may cause phase issues with the bipole nature of the MRT on the Clarisys, that’s not the case. I use a relatively steep 4th order slope (Linkwitz Riley 24db/oct) for the entire speaker. The bass panel and MRT low pass and high pass are set to 580hz, while the AMT crosses with the MRT at 5,500hz.

The drivers are powered by the following amps:
The bass panel: powered by the Karan Acoustics POWERa mono amps — 2,000w into 8ohms.
The MRT driver: Burmester 956 MK2 — 240w into 4ohms
Mundorf AMT: Burmester 036 — 171w into 4ohms.

Why this choice of amps? Well, the Burmester (next to Pass Labs) is one of my favorite commercially available amplifiers. They have incredible control, no capacitors in the signal path, which in turn makes them highly resolving yet supremely musical. Also, it helps that the craftsmanship is absolutely top-notch and that I consider them to be drop-dead gorgeous. Everything from 580hz upwards is handled by these great amps and I couldn’t be happier.

And what about the Karans? Is that a bit of an overkill? Sure! But I own them and they are superb. And you can never have enough power and control in the bass.

The “star” of the system though is my own creation — a tube-buffered eight channel digital active crossover, with an integrated streamer and digital volume control. This project was a massive undertaking. I have stripped the digital parts to their bare minimums while taking great care in ensuring all of the best parts are used for the analogue section — Duelund capacitors, four matched pairs of Mullard KQDD/K M8136 CV4003 tubes (pure magic), top-of-the-line linear power supplies, separate for the digital and analogue sections, EZ81 Philips Mullard 6CA4 tube rectifiers instead of solid state. Furthermore, copper cooling to keep the digital components (DSP chips, etc.) running at their optimal temperatures, network filters, and many more tricks, too many to recount here.

For the power, I use a combination of my own power generator (AB class) which powers the active crossover and the two Burmester amps, while the Shunyata Everest handles the big Karans.

Put simply, this system is a combination of engineering work and resources to spend on top-notch commercial equipment. It is a no-compromise approach to hi-fi which spares no expense but also factors in that commercially available products just don’t cut it if you are looking for the ultimate fidelity.

Finally, how does this system sound now that the work is complete?

Quite simply, in my opinion, it beats any home system I’ve heard (regardless of the type of speaker or electronics used) and it gives the super systems I’ve heard over the years in Munich (think Kharma, MBL, Aries Cerat, Clarisys room) a run for their money. It’s that good. In a home setting, aside from Marty’s system, I haven’t heard better… and I’ve heard many.
Congratulations on putting this complex but fascinating system together!

Are you woofer-cooking?
 
  • Love
Reactions: Thundersnow
After several months of hard work, I’m proud to present what I think is by far (by far) the best iteration of my hi-fi system yet.



This is a fully active three-way stereo active system. The speaker config comprises of the Clarisys Studio Plus (the bipole true ribbon MRT version), augmented by the Mundorf AMT27D1.1 dipole tweeter. Even though I have the option to run the system in a 4-way stereo configuration I have elected not to use any subwoofers because the Clarisys speaker has more than enough slam and bass on its own. On the other hand, for that final touch of air and speed (and especially a more even vertical dispersion) I have chosen to use Mundorf’s dipole AMT design. The AMT27D1.1 is a dipole so while that may cause phase issues with the bipole nature of the MRT on the Clarisys, that’s not the case. I use a relatively steep 4th order slope (Linkwitz Riley 24db/oct) for the entire speaker. The bass panel and MRT low pass and high pass are set to 580hz, while the AMT crosses with the MRT at 5,500hz.

The drivers are powered by the following amps:
The bass panel: powered by the Karan Acoustics POWERa mono amps — 2,000w into 8ohms.
The MRT driver: Burmester 956 MK2 — 240w into 4ohms
Mundorf AMT: Burmester 036 — 171w into 4ohms.

Why this choice of amps? Well, the Burmester (next to Pass Labs) is one of my favorite commercially available amplifiers. They have incredible control, no capacitors in the signal path, which in turn makes them highly resolving yet supremely musical. Also, it helps that the craftsmanship is absolutely top-notch and that I consider them to be drop-dead gorgeous. Everything from 580hz upwards is handled by these great amps and I couldn’t be happier.

And what about the Karans? Is that a bit of an overkill? Sure! But I own them and they are superb. And you can never have enough power and control in the bass.

The “star” of the system though is my own creation — a tube-buffered eight channel digital active crossover, with an integrated streamer and digital volume control. This project was a massive undertaking. I have stripped the digital parts to their bare minimums while taking great care in ensuring all of the best parts are used for the analogue section — Duelund capacitors, four matched pairs of Mullard KQDD/K M8136 CV4003 tubes (pure magic), top-of-the-line linear power supplies, separate for the digital and analogue sections, EZ81 Philips Mullard 6CA4 tube rectifiers instead of solid state. Furthermore, copper cooling to keep the digital components (DSP chips, etc.) running at their optimal temperatures, network filters, and many more tricks, too many to recount here.

For the power, I use a combination of my own power generator (AB class) which powers the active crossover and the two Burmester amps, while the Shunyata Everest handles the big Karans.

Put simply, this system is a combination of engineering work and resources to spend on top-notch commercial equipment. It is a no-compromise approach to hi-fi which spares no expense but also factors in that commercially available products just don’t cut it if you are looking for the ultimate fidelity.

Finally, how does this system sound now that the work is complete?

Quite simply, in my opinion, it beats any home system I’ve heard (regardless of the type of speaker or electronics used) and it gives the super systems I’ve heard over the years in Munich (think Kharma, MBL, Aries Cerat, Clarisys room) a run for their money. It’s that good. In a home setting, aside from Marty’s system, I haven’t heard better… and I’ve heard many.
Wow .. what are you using for designing and implementing the digital crossover
 
Congratulations on putting this complex but fascinating system together!

Are you woofer-cooking?
I've essentially set up the house curve exactly how I prefer it in the bass, so in essence, yes. It's completely "genre-proof" meaning rock and pop rock sounds just right. You have the mid-bass energy you need for that music, but it's also ideally suited to the room.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ron Resnick
Wow .. what are you using for designing and implementing the digital crossover
The usual suspects, meaning REW, UMIK2 mic, but I also use AI tools that I've created to run various simulations, phase calculations, etc. Quite intricate, but the end result is spot on. Of course, I do all final testing and fine tuning by ear, as long as I'm objectively within the required parameters.
 
The usual suspects, meaning REW, UMIK2 mic, but I also use AI tools that I've created to run various simulations, phase calculations, etc. Quite intricate, but the end result is spot on. Of course, I do all final testing and fine tuning by ear, as long as I'm objectively within the required parameters.
Yes Matlab xovers can be setup via AI .. its pretty good if your across that math ( not me)... I have been using a acourate for convolution filters and , after a steep learning curve , finding it very impressive .. Uli has his own filter which I think is like an elliptical xover .. worth looking at
Phil
 
  • Like
Reactions: Thundersnow
Thanks for replying, I looked them up about $1300 each USA wow .
this may sound dumb but have you heard clarysis larger 3 way setup ?
I know it's not the same as what your doing
But you still can't move the bass panels away from the tweets and amt drivers.
in owning the diva speakers it becomes difficult to make all work well .
Where the infinity IRS V I can move the bass panels
I see Florian has also made the driver panels flexible .
 
Thanks for replying, I looked them up about $1300 each USA wow .
this may sound dumb but have you heard clarysis larger 3 way setup ?
I know it's not the same as what your doing
But you still can't move the bass panels away from the tweets and amt drivers.
in owning the diva speakers it becomes difficult to make all work well .
Where the infinity IRS V I can move the bass panels
I see Florian has also made the driver panels flexible .
There are multiple advantages in using the AMT driver vs. going with a 3-way Clarisys, like not going through the transformer and the vertical dispersion is better. There are some disadvantages as well but most all of them can be resolved with using the active system. Steep slopes, time alignment, etc., allow me to do a perfect integration.

As for the bass, I use no PEQs for it. For some reason it’s almost perfect “as is” in the room, so I really have no need to move the bass panel around (thankfully since I can’t anyway :)
 
Can you post some room sweeps ?
I have been forced to learn more then I wanted to getting the diva to sound good , not perfect yet
On mine I use all stock , two krell amps and dax .
Both the amps are rebuilt by myself to spec same on dax .
The krell amps reside in the room behind my audio room due to heat .
Even after I lowered the bias on the ksa200b .
The bias is matched to the ksa,80b .
What I did have to do is lower the gain inside the DAX for the ksa80b a 2 or 3 db to match all on bass panels .
Now I use stat phones to get the sound closer to match the apps
My reason for having bass panels removed is for better room placement .
My room is about 15 feet wide and 19 feet deep .
9 foot ceilings. My room is but small for the bass panels so I need to keep a door open to level things out . If the door is closed I loose bass .
I've heard your videos a few times as we have a mutual friend.
Heard get better and want to hear your room now if you can.
Martys place last I heard is the most balanced sound in a room .
While I've heard others more to my brain pleasing it does come down to each
But martys is not panels and panels are different in how the sound fills the room . Panels puts you in the box where speakers are as opposed to you in a room with speakers in front of you.
headphones are neither but well made does show how much can missing and requires more time in panel setup
What size is your room if I may ask ?
 

About us

  • What’s Best Forum is THE forum for high end audio, product reviews, advice and sharing experiences on the best of everything else. This is THE place where audiophiles and audio companies discuss vintage, contemporary and new audio products, music servers, music streamers, computer audio, digital-to-analog converters, turntables, phono stages, cartridges, reel-to-reel tape machines, speakers, headphones and tube and solid-state amplification. Founded in 2010 What’s Best Forum invites intelligent and courteous people of all interests and backgrounds to describe and discuss the best of everything. From beginners to life-long hobbyists to industry professionals, we enjoy learning about new things and meeting new people, and participating in spirited debates.

Quick Navigation

User Menu

Steve Williams
Site Founder | Site Owner | Administrator
Ron Resnick
Site Owner | Administrator
Julian (The Fixer)
Website Build | Marketing Managersing