Audio Asylum - Inmate Systems

Metralla's usa System
IP Address: 24.219.30.145	Last Update: May 07, 2011 at 21:53:46
Amplifier:	Lamm ML2.1 18w SETs, based on the 6C33C. Stock tubes from Lamm. Power cord: TG Audio Lab HSR-A Gen II
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Remote-controlled BAT VK-50SE. Original tubes. Power cord: TG Audio Lab SLVR
Speakers:	Coincident Super Eclipse. Series II with the Revelator tweeter, TSR internal wire. Black finish. Black extender feet with extra large all-brass spikes.
Sources:
CD Player/DAC:	Sony SCD-XA5400ES SACD player. Power cord: TG Audio Lab SLVR
Other Source(s):	Travel System Source: iPod Classic 160GB (black) with an Audio Line Out dock based on Jena wire and a Switchcraft right-angle plug Amp: Headroom Supreme, Headroom Total Airhead 2 Phones: Bose QC15 Noise Cancelling Headphones
Other Accessories/Room/Misc.:
Speaker Cables/Interconnects:	Speaker Cables 6' DIY silver foil (99.99% pure, 1.25" wide by 0.008" thick) using the simplest construction. Each foil mummy-wrapped with wide Teflon tape, then placed together and mummy-wrapped with two layers of Teflon tape. Ends folded and cut-outs made to fit binding posts - no connectors. Interconnects - SACD to pre-amp 3' Grover Huffman Balanced Silver Reference Series II with Switchcraft XLRs Interconnects - pre-amp to power amps Mogami 2534 Neglex Quad Cable balanced interconnects from Markertek - $50 for 2m pair. XLRs on the Lamm are pseudo-balanced.
Other (Power Conditioner, Racks etc.):	Running Springs Audio "Maxim" Deluxe Power Device - 4 outlets. Acme Audio silver-plated Pass & Seymour 5242-I dual-outlet receptacle. PolyCrystal 18' rack, natural oak, 2 UHD shelves. Top shelf replaced with a massive soapstone (steatite) slab.
Tweaks:	Herbie's HAL-O Damping Instruments on the eight 6H30s in the BAT. Acme Audio silver fuse in the preamp. Herbie's HAL-O Damping Instruments on XLRs at preamp and SACD ends.
Room Size (LxWxH):	26' x 13' x 8'
Room Comments/Treatments:	Apartment lounge room. Thick wall-to-wall carpet. Speakers on the long wall.
Music Preferences and Comments:
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Female vocal, classic rock, jazz, classical. Complete collection of DCC Gold remastered CDs; all of the MFSL UDIs (Japan). My tastes have become far more eclectic since I bought the SACD player. 1000 SACDs but not growing now. I've been buying a lot of second-hand original CDs lately - made in Japan and West Germany in the '80s and early '90s. These sound better than the later reissues and remasters.
System Goals/Comments:	The Lamms replaced my Welborne Labs Laurel IIx SETs using WE300Bs. Not sure what to do with the Laurels. One day I will get the Vacuum State Electronics upgrade to my 5400. I have a set of 6H30s for the BAT - but it keeps on going. I'll have to put them in one day, though.
System Strengths:	Realistic, enchanting, musical, accurate tone. Powerful SET response. Quite dynamic for an apartment system.
System Weaknesses:	I live in an apartment so I don't play it very loud. I guess I need a house.
Video/HT System: None
Other Interests/Hobbies/Occupation:	Solution architect designing and implementing Cisco VoIP contact centers for Hewlett Packard.