Audio Asylum - Inmate Systems

Monkeypunch! 's Main system System
IP Address: 70.247.114.162	Last Update: September 25, 2007 at 12:54:42
Amplifier:	Pair of Fairchild 275 amplifiers wired in triode (using KT90s instead of 6550s)
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	EAR 864
Speakers:	Alon Lotus Signatures, or Dahlquist DQM-9cs, depending on the room setup.
Sources:
CD Player/DAC:	McCormack SST-1 transport with a Lavry DA10 DAC
Other Accessories/Room/Misc.:
Speaker Cables/Interconnects:	Black Orpheus 15' triwire speaker cables, Vampire CCC and Analysis Plus interconnects
Room Size (LxWxH):	12' x 12' x 9.5'
Room Comments/Treatments:	Room Tune pack
Music Preferences and Comments:
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Straight-ahead jazz, Be Bop, or loud, noisy rock
System Goals/Comments:	The 864 plays upon the strengths of the Fairchilds... bringing even more weight and coherence to the music. The 864 has an enormous sound... tremendous weight and detail... and a very low noise floor. I lost very little detail going from a passive to the 864... and gained immeasurable dynamic strength and authority. The McCormack transport is an incredibly dynamic unit that is very easy to listen to... not the usual source of listening fatigue that digital can be. It paints a very, very involving canvas of sound onto an absolutely 'black as night' background. It's highs are very crisp and yet dark and easy to listen to... the lows are tight and authoritative. Changing to this transport made my room sound as if it had increased in all dimensions by two feet.
System Strengths:	Speed, imaging, soundstage, detail, depth of presentation... lots of emotional content to the music. Goosebumps had previously been a rare thing...
System Weaknesses:	Interconnects could use a bit of upgrading.
Video/HT System: None
Other Interests/Hobbies/Occupation:	Musician - drummer primarily