Audio Asylum - Inmate Systems

gbeard's Ultrafication System
IP Address: 98.223.185.223	Last Update: May 11, 2008 at 03:51:08
Amplifier:	MonaClone: a DIY version of Larry Moore's Ultra Fi 845 SET amp. 6SN7 input, 46 Driver, and 845 ouput. Also Ultra Fi Putnam Park 300B SET Monoblock amplifiers. Eico HF-86 EL-84 push-pull amp rebuilt by yours truly. Looks a bit unrefined but sounds fanastic in my system.
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	AudioTropic Moebius built by Poinz (Eric Kingsbury). Sylvania 6AQ5 tubes.
Speakers:	Omega SuperHemps built by Louis Chochos and soon to have the new Alnico Hempcone drivers! Skylan 4-post speaker stands built by Noel Nolan. REL Strata III Subwoofer.
Sources:
CD Player/DAC:	A computer front end consisting of a Red Wine Audio (modified by Vinnie Rossi) Slim Devices Squeezebox 2 music server. All music is ripped to Apple Lossless format and stored on a PC harddrive.
Turntable/Phono Stage:	Music Hall MMF-9 with MH modified Eroica HO-MC cartridge (excellent value). Wright Sound WPP100C Phono stage with Wright Sound Step-up transformer. Amperex 6ER5 and RCA 12AU7 cleartop tubes (Awesome!)Technics SL-1600 direct drive turntable with Grado Z+. cartridge.
Other Source(s):	Sony DVP-7700, Marantz CC65SE
Other Accessories/Room/Misc.:
Speaker Cables/Interconnects:	Final Labs Speed IC's. Kimber Silver streak, and Hero interconnects. Shunyata Sidewinder power cord. Homebrew Marinco/Hubbell/Belden power cords, and Max Rochlin DIY digital cable.
Other (Power Conditioner, Racks etc.):	Richard Gray Power Station, Monster HTS1000,TNT DIY 'Flexy Table' Rack.
Tweaks:	Daruma's,DIY Cones, and Vibrapods.
Room Size (LxWxH):	19' x 12'-6' x 8'
Room Comments/Treatments:	Carpeted, only one chair right now. Kind of funky with lots of doors and openings to other rooms, but I am hoping I have found the beginnings of a Man Cave. Now to fix it up!
Music Preferences and Comments:
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Almost everything...except teeny-bop, hip-hop (goes the bunny), and serious rap.
System Goals/Comments:	In general: To reproduce music for personal enjoyment. I have made the commitment to move toward a computer-based system with a high value bias that simplifies the music listening process. Low volume/high contrast with excellent off axis for a difficult room. No more head-in-vice for me!
System Strengths:	Coherent and lucid sound with Superhemp single driver. Beautiful midrange and good extention. Lots of drive courtesy of the Moebius linestage. Good bass extension. The RWA Sqeezebox 2 sounds very good and is unbelievably convienient. The Eico seems to have a terrific synergy with the rest of my gear.
System Weaknesses:	Treble is rolled off and the bass is bit rounded. The normal trade offs associated with a flea powered SET. Gets a bit muddy with really complex music. Even though the RWA Squeezebox 2 sounds excellent, there is still room for improvement from my digital source.
Video/HT System: Separate
TV/Projector:	Sony 32'
Processor/Receiver/Amplifiers:	Yamaha DSP-A1 with Yamaha RX-950 tuner
Speakers (Center, Surrounds, Sub):	Mix of leftovers from previous systems: PSB, Polk, and a nice Infinity Inifitesimal Sub/Sat system. Phase Tech Octave 10 powered subwoofer.
Sources (DVD/VCR):	Sony DVP-7700
Other HT Gear:	A small room multichannel set up consisting of a Panasonic SA-XR50, Pioneer 578A UDP, and Hsu Ventriloquist VT12 with subwoofer. Fantastic little system for SACD and DVD-A!
Comments on HT System:	Sounds great with movies, and casual music listening. Made me realize how much more important listening to music was to me.
Other Interests/Hobbies/Occupation:	Collecting music, writing (poorly, some say), traveling, and golf! New in 2008--a little audio DIY! New amp on the way!!!!