13 Nov 2010: Christos Kantarelis

By Manos Bitsakakis

It was one of the few times I remember that meeting was held in a loose mood and a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, free from all sorts of conversations unrelated to the hi-end such statutes, site, forum, etc etc...

Although such a discussions are necessary, sometimes tend to tune us out of our real objective, thorough the listening of the system of the Club Member...

The system...

At the top of the rack was majestically sitting an amazing turntable, an actual vintage masterpiece, an object of desire for every hifi and music enthusiast, the Trancriptors Hydraulic Reference (1972)... Accompanied by an SME 3009 arm, which in turn was holding the edge of an Ortofon 2M which was sending musical information to a Densen DP drive phono stage ...

In amplificagtion section, the lion's share of listening was the integrated Audion Sterling Anniversary, 1 * EL34 SET per channel and when we needed more driving, two vintage monoblocks Heathkit W-5M, 2 * KT66 Push-Pull per channel driven by a potentiometer (passive ) were used...

The speakers, Tannoy GRF TW Prestige + ST200 super tweeter, also vintage diamonds nowdays, with a commanding presence particularly in look and design of the cabin, with a stunning concentric unit delivering superb sound in vocals and analog instruments, and reveals the depths to which drivers of 6 or 8 inches just can not even reach...

The music...

The program was mostly jazz women vocalists and some pieces of classical music in both audiophile and other versions, but Christos with ease and patience departed from the program to meet guests' choices...

So out of the program we heard Bob Marley, Doors, Jazz trios, even balalaikes on RCA Living Stereo first cut vinyl...

Apart from the main hearing, there was comparisons between the two sets of system amplifiers, with many fine inferences, expected and non... At the end, SET topology was victorious emerged winner (Single Ended Triode EL34) that prevailed in passionate hues and musicality...

On the other hand, however, the Push Pull topology (KT66 monoblocks) defeated in the control of the low... more watts, more intensity, more current, best picture and drive...

The conclusion...

Christos is fan of the theory that a good quality and well-terminated Cable is that system needs and there is no need of investing in something more worthy and complicated... So the system cables were, simply and most DIY... I wholeheartedly agree with this philosophy ...

The big Tannoys play music... This is the conclusion that leads someone when listen to them, as often as listening to them, with any sources and electronics listens to them ...

These speakers, distinguished representatives of english sound culture, perform brilliantly vocals, instruments, air, energy of the recording, and the dynamics and passion, with a captivating clarity and musicality ...

The whole Christos system is dominated musically and visually by these amazing speakers and the turntable, forcing you when playing not to look at them, but between them and beyond them, looking for great female voices and music and the schemes...

Many thanks to Christos and his polite wife for their hospitality...

System Description

• Turntable: Trancriptors Hydraulic Reference (circa 1972)
• Arm: SME 3009 with Ortofon 2M
• Phono stage: Densen DP drive
• CD drive: Micromega Microdrive
• DA converter: Micromega Microdac
• Amplifier A: AUDION STERLING Anniversary
• Amplifier B: Heathkit W-5M
• Loudspeakers: TANNOY GRF TW Prestige + ST200 supertweeter
• Cables: DNM and various others

Christos Kantarelis' Member Page