Audio Asylum - Inmate Systems

Robert C. Lang's Off The Hook System
IP Address: 75.18.230.248	Last Update: December 28, 2007 at 22:36:17
Amplifier:	Musical Fidelity Nuvista 300 (600 Watts into 4 ohm load as currently presented by speakers)-Drives satellites full range (60 hz to 42khz). Pair of Electron Kenetics Eagle 400 (Watts)monos-drives bass modules (200 hz to 18 hz) Musical Fidelity M 250 (Watt) Mono drives center channel Bedini 803 200 watt Class A amp drives rear channels.
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Placette Audio Multi-Channel Passive Line Stage (128 step volume attenuator). This is a one of a kind custom built by Placette Audio's Guy Hammel.
Speakers:	Mains are Nestorovic Laboratories System 16A, the system is comprised of 4 medium sized monitors and 2 large bass modules (2 monitors; one inverted on top of the other and a bass module for each channel); Note, I use the term 'bass module' instead of 'subwoofer'. This is because the modules are actually external woofers in their own enclosure, designed specifically to work with the satellite/monitors. But they are 'sub woofer' like in that they produce clean bass to below 20hz (-3 @18hz, -5 @ 15hz); 93db sensitivity Nestorovic 5AS Reference Signature speakers make up the center and surround channels. Frequency response is 25hz (-3db @ 22hz) to 42khz for the center and rears. Sensitivity is 93db All drivers have been matched by Mr. Nestorovic in anticipation of multi-channel system. See http://www.savantaudio.com/savant3.html#nes16 for more information about the Nestorovic speakers. Also see more below.
Sources:
CD Player/DAC:	EMM Labs DAC6 e and CDSD Transport for CD and two-channel/multichannel SA-CD have replaced the Sony SCD-1 SACD/CD Player (1999 vintage). The Sony is still in the system.
Turntable/Phono Stage:	SME 10/Music Reference RM 4+ phone pre/Koetsu Black cartridge
Other Accessories/Room/Misc.:
Speaker Cables/Interconnects:	Various low capacitance short run interconnects (most 1 meter or less to complement Placette Passive Line Stage); Generic, well constructed, 10 gauge speaker cables
Tweaks:	1) My most effective tweak (all 3 of my tweaks have paid dividends) was changing listening chairs from a large and very reflective 'lazy boy' to a simple 'directors chair'. Unlike the 'lazy boy' that has a high back rising above the ears and head the 'directors chair' has no such reflective sufaces and allows music to sound more open with greater clarity. 2) Dedicated circuit. 3) Custom (cut to order)decorative 90 pound slabs of marble on each bass module.
Room Size (LxWxH):	30.0' x 26.5.0' x 10'
Room Comments/Treatments:	Semi dedicated listening room. It's a livingroom but it is my livingroom; Audio comes first, everything else a distant second. No TV display anywhere in sight. Room is horse shoe shaped, with obtuse angles. (The room is not convex because the curvature is punctuated by a large 5 ft x 8 ft. fireplace) The front wall and the two side walls are exterior walls. About 12 feet directly behind the listening position, at the livingroom entrance, there is a 10 ft. opening in the back wall that leads to the entry hallway. Knowledgeable people have said that opening serves as a near perfect 'bass trap', far more effective than any I could ever buy, that contributes to exceptionally clean bass response. Otherwise, there are no specific room treatments except for heavy room drapes and Oriental area rugs.
Music Preferences and Comments:
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Primarily Romantic Classical, followed by Jazz (re-introduced as a result of SACD format but it was always part of my growing up), Occasional R&B (still have over 1000 R&B LPs and 45s collected as a youth)
System Goals/Comments:	To recreate as realistic a musical environment that I can afford. Hence the recent completion my multi-channel system that does not compromise two channel quality.
System Strengths:	1) I believe I have excellent gear but my greatest asset is my listening room (see decription above) which lends itself to excellent music reproduction with deep clean bass extension. The size and layout of the room permits the satellites to be well away from any room boundaries (including ceiling). The main speakers are 7 feet out on the floor (on either side of the fireplace) and about 5 1/2 feet from the side walls. In addition, there is no gear or furnishings between the speakers, behind the speakers, or between the listening position and the speakers. The listening position is at least 12 feet from the back wall. This all brings out the optimum imaging capabilities of the speaker system. 2) The heart of the system is the Placette Audio Multi-Channel Passive Line stage. Based on Placette Audio's Guy Hammel two-channel line stage it is easily among the most transparent and at the same time among the most dynamic line stage I have heard. (I know this goes against conventional wisdom for a passive pre). 3) Well mastered SACD, especially DSD recordings from audiophile labels, is simply, to my ears superior to a well mastered CD. And the fast growing availablity of quality multi-channel discs has upped the ante significantly. These multi-channel discs can be absolutely astounding in a near life like way I have never heard with two channels from any format. 4) The largely unknown Nestorovic Labs 16A speaker system ranks amongst the very best I have heard. They will scale an orchestra as well or better than the Wilson Maxx in auditions I have attended. It is at the same time large and heavy, able to reproduce the sheer power of Mahler symphonies, but is comprised of over sized mini monitors so is able to reproduce equally well the delicacies of solo instruments, vocals, jazz, as well as my sons' Rap/Funk with life like realism. Satellites, bass modules, and X-over (the high pass filter is by passed, so only the low pass filter is used) are all made by Nestorovic Labs and designed specifically for each other to work with each other as a 'system'. The two bass modules are not an 'add on'. They are specifically made woofers that are in external cabinets.
System Weaknesses:	I am still tweaking the SME 10/Koetsu that I recently added to my system. It is a big improvement but probably still not the equal to my digital set up, especially given the quality of SACD sources that I own. Also, I presently utilize a motley mix of power amps. But they work well together as a real team. Otherwise, there is always room for improvement but I am extremely satisfied with the room/system. To keep interconnects as short as possible I am required to employ relatively long speaker runs (20 ft., 10 gauge) The Nestorovic Labs speaker system is physically unstable. The monitors which are inverted one on top of the other (see decription above) can be toppled if bumped hard or if you are in earthquake country (which I am-San Francisco Bay Area). A definite consideration if you have small children or pets.
Video/HT System: None
URL Link: http://www.langvideoart.com
Other Interests/Hobbies/Occupation:	Videographer/Motorcyclist, long time attendee of the Oakland and San Francisco Symphonies