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13th Duke of Wymbourne's Stately Music System
IP Address: 70.168.149.115 Last Update: July 15, 2019 at 17:07:57
Amplifier: Presently using one amp per channel from a pair of Meridian M3 active speakers.
DIY mono blocks to follow ..... eventually.
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Deltec CTA80.
Deltec, from Wales, long defunt (became DPA Digital, also long defunct). CTA80 was their first product of early eighties vintage, designed by Rob Watts (of Chord DAC fame).
Only used as a phono/pre for vinyl and has not been used much for many years.
Speakers: Quad ESL-57. Late model pair (serial #51993 & #52052) with removed stuffing and raised on rather stylish (if I may say so) DIY stands.
Completely renovated mid-2018 using refurbished panels, new HT boards, cross-over components and clamp boards supplied by Electrostatic Solutions (I did the fitting).
Sources:
CD Player/DAC: Wadia 830 connected directly to the power amps.
Turntable/Phono Stage: Linn LP12+Ittok+AT OC-9. LP12 is early eighties vintage with Lingo PSU (pre-Cirkus). Has not been used much for many years but I plan to bring it out of retirement.
Other Source(s): Allo DigiOne Signature with BNC SPDIF connection to Wadia digital input. Streaming Qobuz using Volumio.
The Wadia was bought in 2000 and it came fitted with optional digital inputs. At the time I had no use for them and did not want to pay for them but my dealer only had the tricked-out version. Now I am glad as I can play 24/96, which may be all the hi-res I need.
Other Accessories/Room/Misc.:
Speaker Cables/Interconnects: Speaker cables - ChrisVH CAT-5, full 27 pair ~ 5' long.
Interconnects - twisted pair using Belden 1506 co-ax inner cores a la Jon Risch.
Other (Power Conditioner, Racks etc.): Equipment mounted on Tripod (older UK design) welded steel design. Hollow uprights and cross braces are sand filled.
Room Comments/Treatments: Room is large & open plan with a solid floor and vaulted ceiling (speakers are at the low ceiling end firing towards the high ceiling end). Listening fairly near-field on an equilateral triangle approx 7' per side. Speakers are 4' front front wall with large DIY absorbtion panels in corners to damp the dipole back wave (45" x 72", using 2.5" thick recycled denim insulation).
Music Preferences and Comments:
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Baroque and chamber music, especially Vivaldi, JS Bach, Corelli, Handel & Scarlatti. From the classical age Mozart, Haydn & Beethoven. The occasional Mahler symphony if I have the time.

Radiohead, XX, London Grammar, XTC, Belle & Sebastian, U2, REM, The Smiths, Elvis Costello, Yes, Talking Heads, 10,000 Maniacs, Lloyd Cole, later Beatles and many more.
System Goals/Comments: To forget about the system and just enjoy the music. The quads make a really big contribution to the enjoyment of anything played through the system.
System Strengths: I enjoy the music so much that I don't want to get up and swap/tweak things.
System Weaknesses: Quad bass quality is excellent and goes deep but the quantity is lacking. Also, the Quads creak and complain about high volume bass.
DIY dipole woofer project coming one day (eyeing GR Research/Rythmik open baffle)
Video/HT System: None
Other Interests/Hobbies/Occupation: Interests - Rugby referee in SoCal.
Listening to music (obviously), comedy programs and The Archers (UK radio soap).
Watching sport and re-runs of Inspector Morse and Lewis.

Occupation - Engineering Director/IC Designer

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