Inmate Systems - Audio Asylum

LarBo's Throbbing Gristle System
IP Address: 174.68.100.163	Last Update: January 14, 2013 at 10:39:33
Amplifier:	CTC BBQ
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Parasound JC-2
Speakers:	Merlin VSM-MM w/ single-ended 'superBAM' Subwoofers: stereo ACI Force XL subs.
Sources:
CD Player/DAC:	MacBook Pro (2.3 GHz Core Duo; 8 GB RAM; 60 GB SSD (Snow Leopard & Mt. Lion dual boot)). Various "optimization" tweaks to each OS. Mercury Elite Pro 2TB HDD for music files (WAV) PureMusic * Audirvana Plus Berkeley Audio Alpha USB & Alpha DAC (series 1)
Turntable/Phono Stage:	Someday I'll use my boxes of vinyl again.......
Other Accessories/Room/Misc.:
Speaker Cables/Interconnects:	Digital ICs: * Oyaide NEO d+ firewire cable from HDD to server (1.5m) * Acoustic Revive USB-1.5PL (Server to Alpha USB) * Acoustic Revive DSIX-1.0PA AES/EBU from Alpha USB to Alpha DAC. Analog ICs: * T.G. Audio High Purity HSR (with Xhadow RCA connectors): Alpha DAC -> JC-2 -> Merlin BAM -> BBQ * VH Audio Pulsar w/ Eichman RCAs: JC-2 -> subwoofers. Speaker (spades all around): * T.G. Audio HSR & TG HSR jumpers Power: * Dream State Dreamcatcher from wall feeding Sound Application RLS-1. * Elrod Statement from wall feeding BPT balanced conditioner. * Tel Wire PCs (original low-current) from the BybeeSucker feeding USB converter, DAC and linestage. * Tel Wire HCs from the RLS for BBQ amp.
Other (Power Conditioner, Racks etc.):	* Cryoed Oyaide R1 receptacle at the wall with WPC-Z cover system. Power Conditioning: Front End: BPT 2.5 signature balanced power conditioner feeding a T.G. Audio BybeeSucker (Oyaide R1 outlets in both). Alpha USB, Alpha DAC and JC-2 linestage each run from separate circuits on the BybeeSucker. Amplifier and Subwoofer: Sound Application RLS-1 feeding the BBQ amp and Force subs. Two Hammond 193M chokes employed - one at the wall, the other into the BPT. 'Rack': * Hardwood (teak?) cabinet that's not intended for this purpose, but it holds the gear up and looks nice.
Tweaks:	Isolation: * BDR shelves and myrtlewood blocks under digital server and linestage. * BDR cones (MKIII)) under the Alpha USB and Alpha DAC. VPI Brick on top of Alpha USB for stabilization weight. * Polycrystal amp stand on floor with TG Audio Pointy Thangs between stand and amp chassis. * Herbie's IsoCups with Gabon ebony balls under the Sound Application conditioner. * BDR MKIII cones under BPT conditioner. * 3" thick maple blocks (Timbernation) under the Merlins, with Z-feet spikes directly into the maple. Herbie's Big Fat Dots between the maple blocks and the hardwood floor. This really helps with the suspended wood floors. Misc. * EVS Ground enhancers on Merlin (-) terminals. * BudP-style ground loops on (-) speaker terminals of the BBQ. * DIY RC networks following Al Sekela's multi-tier recipe (I use these in place of the ones provided by Merlin). * Various types of crystals from Alan Maher near power supplies. * Synergistic "quantum" fuses (Berkeley gear) and HiFi Tuning "supreme" fuses (preamp & amp)
Room Size (LxWxH):	15' x 15' x 8'
Room Comments/Treatments:	Hardwood floors (suspended over crawlspace). Half of one wall opens into adjacent room. 6' x 6' scalloped skylight transom in ceiling center raises at an angle to a max of 10' from floor. 18'd x 24'h Risch bass trap in one corner, behind subwoofer
Music Preferences and Comments:
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	classical (early music through romantic; some modern); straight-ahead jazz; bluegrass; rock; metal; blues; R&B/soul; some electronica
System Goals/Comments:	Realistic timbre, pacing, dynamics and soundstage.
System Strengths:	Good detail and dynamics while at the same time being musical (e.g. it swings). Decent soundstaging and depth, width and height.
System Weaknesses:	Minimal room treatments - the room needs them, but I need my wife more and it came down to a choice..... Not the last word in dynamic attack.
Video/HT System: None
Other Interests/Hobbies/Occupation:	Brewing, then drinking Beer. Brewing, then drinking Peet's coffee.