Audio Asylum - Inmate Systems

stevenk's MG IIIA System System
IP Address: 99.139.42.223	Last Update: February 10, 2009 at 21:05:51
Amplifier:	Bi-amp setup with VTL MB-125 monoblocks with SED EL 34's and Sylvania Gold Brand 6201's on mids/highs and VTL Deluxe 300 monoblocks on the bass panels with SED 6550's and Sylvania Gold Brand 6201's on the mids/highs Active crossover: Dahlquist LP-1
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	VTL 5.5 with MC phono stage
Speakers:	Magnepan MGIIIA's with Paul Speltz ZERO Autoformers heavily modified with outboard mid/high crossovers (Solen and Alphacore Inductors, Sonicap Gen I caps with Jensen PIO bypass caps and Blackgates) I also reversed the panels on the IIIA's so the magnets are at the rear like the 3.5-3.6 series. Replaced stock binding posts and eliminated the midrange fuse. Ribbons are rewired internally with 20 ga. magnet wire.
Sources:
CD Player/DAC:	Slim Devices Squeezebox with Peter Daniels' DAC-1 kit
Turntable/Phono Stage:	VPI HW-19 MK III with REGA RB-250 arm, Expressimo Heavyweight and VTA adjuster and Audio Technica OC-9 cartridge, VPI PLC Line Conditioner
Other Accessories/Room/Misc.:
Speaker Cables/Interconnects:	DIY 12 Ga. Magnet wire speaker cables, Clarity Emberglow and Harvest, Blue Jeans cables. Volex 17604 power cords on preamp and power amps.
Other (Power Conditioner, Racks etc.):	AudioPrism QuietLines line conditioners, Monster HTS 2000 MKII Powercenter
Tweaks:	Herbie's HALO tube dampers
Room Size (LxWxH):	24' x 24' x 7'
Room Comments/Treatments:	DIY Wood Quadratic Diffusor on wall behind speakers. Fabric Wall hangings on wall behind listening chair.
Music Preferences and Comments:
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jazz, Classical, Rock, Female Vocals, Electronic
System Goals/Comments:	Biamping has been the single best overall improvement to my system. I can't recommend it enough with IIIA's. It provides a rock solid soundstage between the speakers and beyond; the speakers disappear and there is much more space in the soundstage. The characteristics of each individual instrument are delineated much more clearly now.
System Strengths:	I like to think that I get a reasonably accurate, detailed yet musical sound from my system. It's smooth, musical, very three-dimensional and room filling.
System Weaknesses:	The rooms too small, the speakers aren't Magnepan 20.1's and the amps aren't VTL Siegfieds. :-)
Video/HT System: None
URL Link: http://www.audiocircle.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12504/rehabbed_maggies_012.jpg
Other Interests/Hobbies/Occupation:	music of course, photography, cycling, carpentry, architecture.