Every so often we have the opportunity to work on a system that is genuinely rather special. Mark Pitchford's is certainly one of them.
Built around an exceptional analogue front end, this is a system assembled from some of the finest equipment from SME, Icon Audio, Klipsch, Siltech and Townshend. We recently had the pleasure of taking it another significant step forward with the installation of a DS Audio W3 optical cartridge and DS Audio TB-50 valve equaliser.
And the result? Quite simply, fantastic.
The analogue front end
At the heart of Mark's system is the formidable SME 20/3 turntable, partnered with SME's superb Series V tonearm.
The latest addition is the DS Audio W3 optical cartridge. Rather than generating its signal using the conventional magnets and coils found in moving-magnet and moving-coil cartridges, the W3 uses DS Audio's optical technology.
We've partnered it with the DS Audio TB-50 valve equaliser, creating a particularly interesting combination: cutting-edge optical cartridge technology coupled with an equaliser featuring a valve buffer stage in the amplification.
Having supplied and installed the W3 and TB-50 for Mark, we were able to hear the finished system properly set up and working as a whole.
It sounds absolutely superb.
There's tremendous scale and presence, but what really impresses is the sense of openness and effortless detail. There's an immediacy and natural quality to the presentation that makes it remarkably easy to forget about the equipment and simply listen to the record.
And that's ultimately what a system at this level should achieve.
Valves, horns and serious amplification
Downstream, things get equally interesting.
Mark's amplification includes an Icon Audio PS3 MkII SE valve phono stage and a pair of the mighty Icon Audio MB845 MkII valve monoblocks.
The loudspeakers are the legendary Klipsch La Scala II, supplemented by Townshend supertweeters.
The combination of high-efficiency horn loudspeakers and substantial 845 valve amplification gives the system enormous dynamics and scale. It's capable of sounding wonderfully delicate when the music requires it, yet has the ability to produce the sort of effortless dynamics and sheer physical presence that very few conventional systems can reproduce.
Everything is supported on bespoke Hi-Fi Racks shelving, with Siltech cables used throughout the system.
Mark's system
Turntable: SME 20/3
Tonearm: SME Series V
Cartridge: DS Audio W3 Optical
Optical Equaliser: DS Audio TB-50 valve equaliser
Power Amplifiers: Icon Audio MB845 MkII monoblocks
Digital: Audiolab DC6
Loudspeakers: Klipsch La Scala II
Supertweeters: Townshend
Cables: Siltech
Equipment Support: Bespoke Hi-Fi Racks shelving
The finished result
One of the great pleasures of running Peak HiFi is getting the opportunity to see—and hear—the systems our customers have built over many years.
Mark's is a perfect example of what makes high-end audio so interesting. It's not simply a collection of expensive components; it's a carefully assembled system where the individual components complement one another.
The addition of the DS Audio W3 and TB-50 has taken an already exceptional analogue system and moved its vinyl reproduction onto another level.
A fabulous system, and one we've thoroughly enjoyed being involved with.