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jihad's DIY System
IP Address: 67.184.196.104 Last Update: October 01, 2012 at 00:17:36
Amplifier: Self Blameless, DX-ST ver., NX-150 DIY kit amp from Aussie Amps with upgrades in critical areas, 800VA transformer, 44,000uf capacitance. DIY PASS F5 Class A monoblocks, 90,000uf of capacitance each, Matched Toshiba output devices.
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Borbely Super Buffer w/12db of gain, Caddock/Black Gate/Wima resistors and caps, 128 position R2R ladder attenuator,Dispre v.4 all discrete pre, 64 position R2R attenuator, remote shunt power supply. Homebrew passive with solid silver wiring and 24 pos. series attenuator. Homebrew, active, direct coupled pre amp with OPA627Ps, 9 db of gain, Goldpoint attenuator, external, shut regulated power supply and awesome imaging and staging.
Speakers: Genesis APM-1s, homebuilt monitors with Vifa soft dome tweeters, Vifa drivers, and tuned passive crossovers, JBL L65 Jubals, Advent Prodigy Towers, Advent Heritage w/rebuilt crossovers and rewired.
Carver Amazing Mk II
Sources:
CD Player/DAC: Denon DVD 5900, stock so far.
Turntable/Phono Stage: Michele Gyro SE with an SME 309 w/Benz Reference, this one gets the most mileage lately.

Rek O Kut NL-33H w/ROK arm,

JVC QL-5,

Technics SL 1200 MkII,

Thorens TD-150 MkII AB modded plinth. Hadcock unipivot tonearm.

Sony 2251, Infinity Black Widow Mk II tonearm w/fluid dampener, mint condition.

Technics SL-110A with SME 3009

Teac TN-400 with Syntec S220

Too many carts to mention.

Home brewed, modded design, AN-1651 phono currently running LME49990s. DC coupled, variable gain, variable input resistance, variable input capacitance. Shunt power supply based on Borbely shunt using jfets/mosfets.
Sounds like nothing you could pay less than $4K for. I've compared to Aesthetix, Sutherland, Manley, Acoustech, Ear, none of which I would pay for after comparing to my DIY effort. Full, quitet, resolving, dynamic, engaging, musical.

Vendetta Mk II phono stage found (stole it) locally for $700. I couldn't pass it up.

Other Source(s): Tuners: Denon TU-850, Sony XDR-F1HD, Denon TU 1500RD
Other Accessories/Room/Misc.:
Speaker Cables/Interconnects: Tara Labs Omni ST 14 ga. speaker cable, Furutech speaker/ Q interconnects/Mogami 2549, 24 awg 99.99% OFHC magnet wire as a twisted pair, DH Labs and various other homebrew interconnects.
Other (Power Conditioner, Racks etc.): DIY rack, DIY power cables, DIY ac line filters.
Tweaks: Roof mounted homebrew 88-92MHz 10' antenna w/rotator, room treatments, LEDE dedicated room.
Room Comments/Treatments: Acoustic foam, LEDE dedicated listening room. Wide, deep soundstage, when you look at the speakers when playing music there seems to be no music coming directly from them. It seems to be coming from 3 to 4 feet behind them.
Music Preferences and Comments:
Music Used (Genre/Selections): jazz, jazz, blues, instrumental rock, folk, bluegrass and some classical.
System Goals/Comments: always experimenting.
System Strengths: Soundstaging, air, retrival of low level information. My DIY system is more impressive than most of the store bought boutique equipment that I have heard and auditioned for comparison sake.
System Weaknesses: room placement less than ideal.
Video/HT System: Separate
TV/Projector: None
Comments on HT System: Not really into home theater, the magic is making a 3 dimensional soundstage with 2 channels and that's what I love to work on!
Other Interests/Hobbies/Occupation: Spending time with my family, building things, shooting things, bullshiting, FFL holder, firearms, fishing, planning my retirement.

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