Audio Asylum - Inmate Systems

andyr's Linn / Graham / Benz / AKSA / Maggie IIIa replaced by "Frankenpans" System
IP Address: 203.12.195.65	Last Update: July 10, 2011 at 17:30:18
Amplifier:	6 x AKSA Lifeforce monobloc power amps for active tri-amping. Each side has 25w/55w/100w (into 8 ohms) amp modules.
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	AKSA GK-1R remote-controlled, tube/ss hybrid pre-amp. With TKD stepped attenuator upgrade.
Speakers:	Maggie IIIAs for 20 years. Replaced in mid 2010 with "Frankenpans" - a 'mongrel' Maggie which is, in effect, a IIIA which has the mid driver on a separate sheet of mylar to the bass driver. This allows me to isolate the mid driver & ribbon from vibrations created by the bass driver ... and stops IM distortion happening, between bass & mid drivers. Bass drivers came from some MG-2.5s; mids & ribbons came from a T-IVa. Drivers are mounted in hardwood frames - 2 per side (1 for the bass driver; 1 for the mid & ribbon). Each frame is mounted on its own 1.5" thick spiked plinth, which enables the frames to be placed in an arc - so they are effectively time aligned. They are angled to be perpendicular to a spot about 3' behind my ears ... so I have to move the inner frames (the mids/ribbons) slightly back, to keep all of them equidistant from my ears.
Sources:
CD Player/DAC:	H-K CDR-20 for recording my LPs (for the car!).
Turntable/Phono Stage:	Linn LP12, Lingo 2/Graham 2.2 arm/Benz Ebony LP cartridge. CF-composite subchassis and armboard on the LP12 plus, recently, a custom-made plinth. Bill Beard BBP100 discrete ss phono stage with new power supply.
Other Source(s):	Yamaha T2 FM tuner.
Other Accessories/Room/Misc.:
Speaker Cables/Interconnects:	Main interconnects (from preamp to active XOs) made from Belden twinax, to give low-C interconnects (as they are 11m long). Other ICs from 'The Super Cable Cookbook' put out by Allen Wright (Vacuum State Electronics). Each channel consist of 2 strands of XLO Teflon-insulated, solid-core Cu wrapped around a 4mm teflon tube ... kinda like a 'lightweight racing' XLO.
Other (Power Conditioner, Racks etc.):	Nitty Gritty RCM. DIY isolation platforms for phonostage and preamp. These consist of a 15kg slab of slate resting on 8 squash balls (see www.enjoythemusic.com for the basic idea).
Room Size (LxWxH):	27 ft x 17 ft x 9-16 ft
Room Comments/Treatments:	Room has /\ ceiling, 9 ft at walls and 16 ft in the centre. Cork board covering most of one side, stopping 'flutter echo'.
Music Preferences and Comments:
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Baroque to Pink Floyd, Bob Marley and Jean Michel Jarre, opera and some jazz.
System Goals/Comments:	IMO, superb vinyl reproduction ... missing only some of the lowest octave.
System Strengths:	Very coherent reproduction for small forces.
System Weaknesses:	Deep bass (<30Hz) and bass "punchiness".
Video/HT System: None