Audio Asylum - Inmate Systems

Brian Savage's Two Channel Music System System
IP Address: 12.181.66.34	Last Update: June 28, 2008 at 08:18:25
Amplifier:	Audio Research VT-200 with Great Northern Sound Company reference level modifications. Genelex Gold Lion KT-88 output tubes and 6h23-eb driver tubes.
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Audio Research LS-25 Mark I with 6h23-eb tubes and Herbie's Ultrasonic tube dampers.
Speakers:	Wilson Audio Watt/Puppy System 7 with Orchard Bay brass cones coupling the cabinets to the floor.
Sources:
CD Player/DAC:	None.
Turntable/Phono Stage:	Immedia RPM-2 turntable, Graham 1.5T tonearm with Mapleshade Nanomounts between arm and table, Grado Statement cartridge, Audio Research PH-3SE phono stage (with 6h23-eb tubes and Herbie's Ultrasonic tube dampers), Transparent Reference Phono Cable, VPI HW-17 record cleaner.
Other Accessories/Room/Misc.:
Speaker Cables/Interconnects:	Transparent Audio Ultra interconnects and speaker cables.
Other (Power Conditioner, Racks etc.):	PS Audio P-300 for phono stage and preamp. Wattagate outlets for P-300 and amplifier with cast zinc wall plates. Alan Maher Power Enhancer plugged into both system wall outlets. Shunyata King Cobra power cords for P-300, phono stage and preamp. Shunyata Viper power cord for amplifier. Hammond 193M filter choke connected to PS-300 IEC power inlet and Hammond 193L filter choke connected to PH-3SE IEC power inlet via liberator plugs. Symposium Precision Rack with Ultra shelves for turntable, phono stage, preamp and P-300. Billy Bags Pro-24 Amp Stand with Symposium Ultra shelf for amplifier.
Tweaks:	Star Sound Systrum SP-1 platform between turntable and Ultra shelf. Ultra shelf sits on four Star Sound Audio Points and then on Bright Star Audio Big Rock-1. Herbies Audio Big Fat Black Dots between Big Rock-1 and rack. Phono stage, preamp and amp sit on Symposium Rollerblocks with tungsten grade 25 bearings for preamp and amp and tungsten grade 3 bearings for phono stage.
Room Size (LxWxH):	15' x 13' x 10'
Room Comments/Treatments:	20" diameter Jon Risch DIY tube traps, floor to ceiling, in all four corners. Jon Risch DIY wall panels (32"W or 24"W X 10"D X 72"H) at all first reflection points on the front, side and rear walls. Ceiling treatment not yet completed.
Music Preferences and Comments:
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	All sorts of rock including classic, punk, new wave, techno. Jazz especially late 50's, early 60's and big band. Classical including large symphonic works, chamber and Baroque. Bluegrass.
System Goals/Comments:	I want to achieve very holographic, three dimensional images on a large soundstage. I want lots of detail, especially when it comes to hall sound and ambient clues, but I want the sound to be rich, warm and relaxing. I am also looking for excellent dynamic contrasts as I feel this is one place reproduction in the home falls far short of a live performance. I also enjoy tight, articulate bass reproduction that doesn't muddy up the overall sound.
System Strengths:	Sound is warm and smooth, but still has a lot of musical detail. Bass is very tight, deep and dynamic. Both female and male voices sound very realistic. Quiet background.
System Weaknesses:	Can have excess, ear splitting sibilance on certain records and even an individual song on an otherwise fine sounding record.
Video/HT System: None
Other Interests/Hobbies/Occupation:	Motocross, mountain biking, weight training.