2011/07/31 created
2021/05/06 updated

The contents of this page were reprinted from the previous homepage of mine, 'Tonochi's Audio Room'. Some parts were edited.

---

At present, Gaudi is the three-way multi-amplifier system (tri-amplified system) as I planned in 1974 (block diagram), except the following two differences:

• Full-range drivers (Fostex 6N-FE88ES) are used as midranges instead of horn-loaded midranges
• The amplifier for midrange is not my original work

Since midrange has a significant influence to sound quality of the system as a whole, I am planning to upgrade the midrange some day in the future. But I can hardly afford so far. On the other hand, Gaudi also functions as a single-amplifier system by switching the midrange to full-range with a switch of the network CD-211. I often select this system configuration when I want to enjoy music casually or want some background music. I am kind of satisfied with the current system design. I would like to use Gaudi as it is for the time being.
[Block diagram]

The tone of the three-way system resembles that of the full-range closely. It can be said that 6N-FE88ES has great influence to the whole system. Of course, the three-way is more excellent than the full-range in sound quality; both the low and high ends are extended, and the amount of information reproduced is far more than the full-range; the acoustic image is more clear, and localization of sound is more accurate.
However, I sometimes feel I get too much information. For example, while listening to performance of the harmonica (CD, Joe Sakimoto, The Art of Harmonica, CAMERATA 30CM-482) with the three-way system, I sometimes feel uneasy because the sound of breathing can be heard clearly, which cannot be heard so clearly with the full-range. The same thing goes for Bill Evans' live recording, Waltz for Debby (LP, Bill Evans Trio, Waltz for Debby, Analog Productions APJ009). I sometimes feel the background sounds are a little too noisy.

I think 6N-FE88ES is excellent for a full-range driver. Though its power capacity is as low as 4W, it surprisingly produces undistorted sounds at the top volume. As might have been expected, bass is not enough, but the overall sound quality is enough to enjoy music.

There have been a number of small improvements in Gaudi, such as upgrade of the cables and insulators, though there haven't been a big one since I designed and built CD-211. Interestingly, vinyl records have been getting more and more attractive than CDs as I improve Gaudi. The medium of the highest sound quality in Gaudi is vinyl record, and SACD, CD, cassette tape and FM follow it in this order. FM is worst because the reception is currently bad. It seems that SACD is not popular even among audiophiles, though, SACD is superior in sound quality to CD, as long as I listen to it with Gaudi.

Though I don't like nostalgia for the good old days, I can't help wanting vinyl records for they are the best in sound quality. I am collecting records. I cherish old records, though, I want new HQ disks more eagerly. They are scarcely available in Japan. I import them from a record shop in USA.
Among records I have imported lately, the following ones are my favorite: Sonny Clark's Cool Struttin' (LP, Blue Note BST81588), Eden Atwood's Waves - The Bossa Nova Sessions (LP, Grove Note GRV1012), and Joshua Redman's Mood Swing (LP, Nonesuch 45643).

Each time I have a guest, I let him/her listen to Gaudi. Many of them looked pleased with the sound of Gaudi. Some of them apparently flattered. I can tell whether the guest is flattering or not by looking at his/her facial expression when he/she is listening. Generally, women tend to have better hearing than men and utter her impression without hesitation. So I take women's comment seriously.
The sound of vinyl records may appeal to young generation too. I have had several chances to play records for young people. They were delighted. Some of them was listening with shining eyes. I do believe our generation should teach our knowledge about analog records to young generations.

Equipment

Category	Model	Features	Description
ADP	NOBODY PS-104	*Turntable: SONY TTS-8000 *Tone arm: GRACE G-1040 *Cartridge: GRACE F-14MR	I've been using it w/o major modification since 1982. I'll continue to use it as long as it works.
DAP	SONY SCD-555ES	SACD/CD player	First generation SACD player. Also excellent as CD player having useful features such as a digital filter selector. I bought it in 2001.
DAP	PIONEER BDP-330	Blu-ray Disc/DVD player	I bought it for 18,000 yen in 2010. The sound quality is better than I expected.
Tuner	SONY ST-S333ESJ	Highly functional FM/AM tuner	Although it has various features, I use only basic ones. The sound quality is not so good because the FM radio waves, supplied from a cable TV station, are not strong enough.
Tape deck	AIWA EXCELIA XK-007	One-way, three-head cassette tape deck with stabilizer	Not so famous but excellent for its very high fidelity sound and high reliability. There has been no trouble except one belt replacement since it was purchased in April, 1989. It is now used as a tape player because the preamp PA-210 doesn't have REC OUT.
Preamp	NOBODY PA-210 Simplicity	Tube preamplifier All stages are SRPP CR-type phono equalizer Non-NFB flat stage Separate power supply	A tube preamp made in 2001-2003. Featured by out-and-out simplicity and low noise.
Network	NOBODY CD-211 A-NET	Solid state Three-way channel divider (network)	The first NOBODY-branded model that uses OP amps. Made in 2004. Crossover frequencies: 620Hz(18dB/oct), 8000Hz(18dB/oct)
Tweeter amp	NOBODY MA-208	Tube power amplifier 6BQ5 UL PP	Designed for horn-loaded tweeters. Made in 1999. Split load phase splitter; rectifying tube. Output power: 13W+13W
Midrange amp	Flying Mole DAD-M100pro HT	Mono digital power amplifier	Power amp for midrange/full-range. Warm sound like tube amp. Output power: 100W (8ohm)
Woofer amp	NOBODY MA-201C	Tube power amplifier 6CA7 UL PP	The first NOBODY-branded equipment, made in 1974. Used for woofers. The current revision: C Output power: 30W+30W
Loudspeaker	NOBODY SS-309	Three-way speaker system *Tweeter: Fostex T925 *Midrange/full-range: Fostex 6N-FE88ES *Woofer: Fostex FW305	12" woofer-based three-way loudspeaker, made in 2001. It doesn't include network and attenuator since it's designed for the multi-amplifier system. Separated vented boxes for woofer and midrange.
TV	Victor LT-37H905	37" LCD flat TV	The sound quality is very good for TV. Even so I use Gaudi when I play BD/DVD.
Pnono cable	PS-104 -> PA-210	GRACE genuine cable	Low capacitance cable using 6N copper. It looks like the original cable attached to the tone arm. I can't tell which is better.
Line cable	SCD-555ES -> PA-210	Handmade cable *Wire: BELDEN 8412 *Plug: Teflon RCA plug	Handmade cable made of balanced type shield wire. Though the RCA plug is a generic one, the insulator material is teflon. The plug's metal cover is not attached. Shrink tube is applied instead.
Line cable	PA-210 -> CD-211	Handmade cable *Wire: BELDEN 8412 *Plug: Teflon RCA plug	Handmade cable composed of balanced type shield wires. One end of the cable is soldered in CD-211.
Line cable	CD-211 -> MA-208	Handmade cable *Wire: BELDEN 8412 *Plug: Teflon RCA plug	Handmade cable composed of balanced type shield wires. One end of the cable is soldered in CD-211. The wires were Audio Technica AT6A48 when CD-211 was built (2004). They were replaced with BELDEN 8412 in 2008. BELDEN is unquestionably superior. The metallic cover of the plug was replaced with a thermal shrink tube.
Line cable	CD-211 -> DAD-M100pro	Handmade cable *Wire: BELDEN 8412 *Plug: Teflon RCA plug	Handmade cable composed of balanced type shield wires. One end of the cable is soldered in CD-211.
Line cable	CD-211 -> MA-201C	Handmade cable *Wire: BELDEN 8412 *Plug: Teflon RCA plug	Handmade cable composed of balanced type shield wires. One end of the cable is soldered in CD-211.
Speaker cable	MA-208 -> SS-309 tweeter	Handmade cable *Wire: 47 Laboratory STRATOS *Plug: none	Handmade cable made of 0.4mm copper single wires twisted at 30cm pitch. One end of the cable is soldered to the output terminal of MA-208. The other end is plated w/ silver loaded solder.
Speaker cable	DAD-M100pro -> SS-309 midrange	Handmade cable *Wire: 47 Laboratory STRATOS *Plug: banana plug for isntruments	Handmade cable made of 0.4mm copper single wires twisted at 30cm pitch. Banana plugs for measurement instruments are attached to one end. The other end is directly soldered to the terminal of the midrange driver.
Speaker cable	MA-201C -> SS-309 woofer	Handmade cable *Wire: 47 Laboratory STRATOS *Plug: none	Handmade cable made of 0.6mm copper single wires twisted at 30cm pitch. One end of the cable is soldered to the output terminal of MA-201C. The other end is directly soldered to the terminal of woofer.
Room		25m2 living room	Fairly soundproofed. Slightly live at mid and high frequencies and slightly dead at low frequencies. Almost no standing waves thanks to the slant ceiling. Equipped with outlets for audio equipment; both 100V and 200V. The sockets are for medical use.

 

---