Audio Asylum - Inmate Systems

RC Daniel's Living room music System
IP Address: 124.185.236.15	Last Update: December 24, 2010 at 12:03:20
Amplifier:	Modified Metaxas Audio Systems Iraklis (older style with the 1KVA EI power transformer).
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	See DAC
Speakers:	Ambience Ultraslim 1600.
Sources:
CD Player/DAC:	Mac Mini (2010, 8 GB RAM) running Pure Music (Hog mode and Memory Play without upsampling) => Kimber USB-Ag => W4S DAC2 (used as DAC/Pre)
Turntable/Phono Stage:	None yet... secretly saving for Scheu?
Other Source(s):	SONY XA-50ES with LC Audio Clock and dedicated PSU - used as an alternative CD transport (rarely)
Other Accessories/Room/Misc.:
Speaker Cables/Interconnects:	Kimber: 8TC for speakers with Select for i/c.
Other (Power Conditioner, Racks etc.):	Timbre Acoustics power filter; Highwire wraps for Marquis and CDP; Lovan (lead-loaded) equipment rack.
Tweaks:	GS ceramic cones with pads under CDP; well routed cables (essential for MAS equipment); regular(ish) cleaning of contacts...
Room Comments/Treatments:	Little, other than appropriate speaker positioning.
Music Preferences and Comments:
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Fairly eclectic taste with no distinct preferences. Seeking to try various 24-bit recordings.
System Goals/Comments:	Present music so that I can connect emotionally.
System Strengths:	Achieves the system goal adequately. Nuanced, delicate, open (since the memory upgrade), deep, layered without being overtly detailed or etched. Nice sense of drive and flow; dynamic presentation for this type of system (the MAS gear is the iron fist...). Plays music. The Kimber USB cable has made a surprising degree of 'improvement'.
System Weaknesses:	Small driver reflex-type bass; moderately inefficient speakers.
Video/HT System: None