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TimNaff's Two-channel Solid State System |
| Last Update: January 12, 2003 at 17:23:40 | IP Address: 24.214.77.102 |
| Amplifier: | Musical Fidelity A3CR Dual Mono Power Amp, 120 watts (see speaker sensitivity) |
| Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): | Musical Fidelity A3CR (do not use phono pre) Z-Systems RDP-1 Digital Preamp |
| Speakers: | Avantgarde Duos (Sensitivity: 104.5 dB, 1 watt, 1 meter) |
| Sources: | |
| CD Player/DAC: | Sony SCD 777ES. On Red Book use a Channel Islands Modified MSB DAC (with Z-Systems Preamp inserted in front of DAC) |
| Turntable/Phono Stage: | VPI Aries Scout with Benz Micro Glider HO. Cary SLP-94 preamp phono stage. Do not use the rest of the Cary preamp, because the MF sounds better. |
| Other Source(s): | Yamaha T2 tuner |
| Other Accessories/Room/Misc.: | |
| Speaker Cables/Interconnects: | All interconnects custom made by Have Inc., using Canare wire. Speakers bi-wired with two identical pairs of 8-foot Audioquest Midnights. |
| Other (Power Conditioner, Racks etc.): | Tice Power Block IIIC transformerless conditioner fed by two separate, dedicated 10 gauge runs from the breaker box |
| Room Size (LxWxH): | 25 x 20 x 9.5 |
| Room Comments/Treatments: | Some use of Sonex Acoustical Foam |
| Music Preferences and Comments: | |
| Music Used (Genre/Selections): | Classical, Jazz, Blues, R&B, Some Pop, a little C&W every now and then. I'm interested in hearing any high-end recording. |
| System Goals/Comments: | All I want is a sound that's indistinguishable from a live performance in a perfect sonic venue. I'm a big fan of SACD and the Hi-Res Highway forum. It has been extremely valuable in choosing equipment and software. |
| System Strengths: | Extremely high resolution. On the best material it is as good as I've heard in 50 years of listening. |
| System Weaknesses: | Very unforgiving on bright, strident material. Less than stellar Red Book CD performance on some material. |
| Video/HT System: Separate | |
| TV/Projector: | Antiquated 12-year-old 53" rear projection Magnavox that works like new. |
| Processor/Receiver/Amplifiers: | Yamaha DSP-A1, 110 (legit) Watts per channel, with a Sunfire Power Amp (400 watts into 6 ohms) into the mains (augmented by 1250 watt, 18" sub). The center channel uses two speakers driven by two separate 110 watt power amp channels from the Yamaha. Only five discrete sonic channels, total, however. |
| Speakers (Center, Surrounds, Sub): | Two Sound Dynamics 300Tis for center; four more for surrounds; Velodyne FSR-18 Sub (1250 watts rms, 3000 watts peak, 18" single vented driver). The 300Tis are medium sensitivity, full-range speakers, 6 ohms nominal. |
| Sources (DVD/VCR): | Panasonic 301A DVD, various VCRs |
| Other HT Gear: | TiVo (Sony's service has been abysmal.) A couple of Panamax line conditioners. |
| Comments on HT System: | This system is in the same room as the two-channel system above. So it's integrated spacially but totally separate electronically. This HT system is better than most movies' sonics deserve. Will eventually upgrade to HDTV and more channels, but facing a possible move, so have upgrades on hold. Will upgrade DVD player when upgrade monitor and will be sure to include SACD and probably DVD-A as well. |
| Other Interests/Hobbies/Occupation: | Occupation: VP of High-tech engineering-services firm specializing in aerospace, modeling and simulation, and defense. Have a Ph.D. in physics -- and I don\'t believe that measurements tell the whole story in audio! Primary other hobby: My terrifi |