Audio Asylum - Inmate Systems

chris.redmond2@bushinternet.com's Main stereo system - bedroom. System
IP Address: 90.217.195.178	Last Update: September 12, 2009 at 13:36:56
Amplifier:	Border Patrol SET amp - hardwired amp with separate power supply which really does give punch low down. Use Western Electric 300Bs.
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Audio Note M3. Also use Music First Silver TVC pre.
Speakers:	Audio Note AN/E SEC Signatures (minus the Sogon wiring) but still Wow. Also have a pair of AN/E Spe HE which I'll be respraying when I get time, probably in racing Green or Ferrari red. Dynaudio Contour 1.3 MK2s, JR149s and revel F30s also live here.
Sources:
CD Player/DAC:	AMR CD-77. The player which ticks virtually all the boxes I'd have drawn up in a wish list, and a few more besides. For the second system I have a Sony 227 which has been modified with a valve output stage designed by Lucasz Finkel, AKA Lampizator.
Turntable/Phono Stage:	n/a
Other Source(s):	Denon DVD-3800 Blu-Ray player.
Other Accessories/Room/Misc.:
Speaker Cables/Interconnects:	Kimber Select KS-3035 speaker cable. Kimber Select KS-1030 connects CD to Pre-amp, and the same from Pre-amp to Power-amps. Digital Cable is Stealth Fineline Silver.
Other (Power Conditioner, Racks etc.):	PS Audio P600 Powerplant. Rack is the 'spider' design which looks great.
Tweaks:	The system runs from it`s own consumer unit, out of which comes 11ft of Kimber mains wire with an eight way Kimber extension block on the other end - this does away with the socket and it`s associated dry joints that extension blocks are usually plugged into. All mains leads from the components are Kimber, except the leads to the power-amps which are JPS Kaptovators. The whole idea behind my system is that from source to speakers there should be an absolute minimum of components, wire and joints. Further more, what components there are should be physically isolated and allowed to function without interference from each other, with the actual mains electricity being optimised - allowing each component`s power-supplies to operate without hindrance. Hopefully, if the power-supplies then provide a purer feed to the electrical circuits within each component, everything is working at the highest allowable level, meaning less stress, heat and distortion. The PS Audio P600 is a big help in this aspect, as sound quality of my system varied from poor at around 6.00p.m. (when the mains has most drainage from cookers etc) and superb at 2.00a.m. when things are turned off. The P600 generates it`s own pure mains meaning that the voltage/purety stays constant.
Room Size (LxWxH):	15` x 15` x 9`
Room Comments/Treatments:	No room treatments are used apart from some treatment in the two room corners behind the speakers, as the furnishings should break up much in the way of reflections. For the size of my speakers the room is in theory a little too small, but in practice I enjoy the immediacy and dynamics; once all the brass ornaments had been blue-tacked down, and the windows sorted out things settled down somewhat.
Music Preferences and Comments:
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	There`s two kinds of music in my book - good music and bad music. That being said I`m tending to take more interest in jazz at the moment, while classical is pretty much absent from my collection. Favourite individuals include Keb Mo, Robert Cray, Dr John, Diana Krall, Des`ree, David Gray, Miles Davis, The Corrs, Santana, Counting Crows (August and Everything After - superb album), Matchbox Twenty (Rob Thomas - best known as vocalist on `Smooth`, Santana`s `Supernatural` Album), Allison Krauss and special mention to the finest singer ever in the history of the Universe - Eva Cassidy, her voice being one of only two things to move me to tears, the other being a swift kick in the family jewels.
System Goals/Comments:	The goal of the system is to provide a dynamic, immediate, natural performance equally as suitable to Rock as it is with an intimate Jazz or vocal rendition. Bass should be unforced, not overpowering but integrated with the mid without drawing attention to itself.
System Strengths:	After reviewing the Audio Note Quest Silvers I just had to have SET amplification and found a very good deal on the Border Patrol amp which numerous reviews suggested was a SET amp with real bass due to the design of the separate power supply. Fortunately the reviews were correct for once.
System Weaknesses:	System is now set up downstairs and is better for it.
Video/HT System: Separate
TV/Projector:	Pioneer PDP LX5090 Kuro 50" plasma.
Processor/Receiver/Amplifiers:	Onkyo Integra RDC7.1 processor/Onkyo Integra RDA7.1 power amp.
Speakers (Center, Surrounds, Sub):	Revel F30 main, Mission Elegante sides/rears.
Sources (DVD/VCR):	Denon DVD-BD3800 Panasonic NV-HD660 VHS Video recorder.
Other HT Gear:	n/a
Comments on HT System:	The Onkyo power amp was designed by our very own Victor Khomenko of BAT audio and is a keeper.
Other Interests/Hobbies/Occupation:	Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts, gym, formerly into hunting with running dogs, running, psychology, member of MENSA, films. Occupation is mobile auto body repairs.