Audio Asylum - Inmate Systems

kvk's Family Room System
IP Address: 173.48.131.207	Last Update: September 19, 2009 at 09:32:26
Amplifier:	Rotel RSX-1057
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	None
Speakers:	Fronts-- B&W 602s3 Rears -- B&W 600s3 Center-- B&W LCR600 Sub -- B&W ASW600
Sources:
CD Player/DAC:	DIYParadise Monica USB DAC (driven with HP/WinXP laptop to play CDs, internet streams and downloads)
Turntable/Phono Stage:	None
Other Source(s):	Motorola Set-Top Box with Verizon Fios
Other Accessories/Room/Misc.:
Speaker Cables/Interconnects:	14ga speaker wire, bought a 250ft spool at HD. All the interconnects are stuff I just bought at monoprice.com. Nothing fancy but better (or at least cheaper) than RatShack or box-store stuff.
Other (Power Conditioner, Racks etc.):	Monster HTS 1000 MkII powerstrip We take lots of power hits at our house for some reason. I've lost a few old TVs, CD players and the plate amp in my sub before we got a power strip.
Room Size (LxWxH):	16.5' x 21' x cathedral ceiling 8 to 12'
Room Comments/Treatments:	My kid's toys. Sofa and chairs.
Music Preferences and Comments:
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Bluegrass, Rootsy Folk, Jazz, Blues, Grateful Dead, Texas Swing, ...
System Goals/Comments:	The wall unit was just rebuilt to take a 40-46" TV in the upper center section. The side sections were built 17.5" wide to take standard width cable boxes and CD/DVD players.
System Strengths:	Much better than my 20-year-old college stereo that blew up a year ago.
System Weaknesses:	The room positioning. For practical reasons, the fronts have to sit in a built-it wall unit. I don't have the speakers positioned to get really nice imaging and the soundstange is not very open. The early reflection of the glass doors on the right doesn't help. My old DVD player as a CD source sounded aweful. I haven't tried the new one since now I have the USB DAC. CDs do sound much better with the USB DAC than my old DVD player.
Video/HT System: Integrated
TV/Projector:	Samsung 4061F I think this an awesome set. A great buy. The entry-level Sony 1080P 40" set is several hundred more and I think this looks better. After owning it a while, I do think it's better at HD than standard resolution. I think I like standard res a little better on our 37" Aquos that's now in the bedroom.
Processor/Receiver/Amplifiers:	See above.
Speakers (Center, Surrounds, Sub):	See above.
Sources (DVD/VCR):	Pioneer 410V. It was about $100. Consumer Reports rate it highest; of course they only cover the consumer brands. I happen to really like this player. We used to by a $40-50 one at BJs and it last 6-12 months and then stop working. After doing that two or three times I decided to buy the best consumer-brand DVD player I could find. I think this one has fine picture quality and good sound, at least for movies. It has a lot more features than the $40-50 players. And, it's latest over a year so far. Until we upgrade to an HD player, I'll be very happy to keep this one.
Other HT Gear:	See above.
URL Link: http://mysite.verizon.net/kenmandoski/wallunit.JPG
Other Interests/Hobbies/Occupation:	Skiing and Ski Instruction Mandolin Bluegrass Jamming Software Architect by trade.