Audio Asylum - Inmate Systems

vinylfind 's Main System System
IP Address: 72.28.216.251	Last Update: October 16, 2008 at 21:56:35
Amplifier:	Perreaux PMF 3150 Dual Channel Power Amplifier (300 watts into 8 ohms) also a Yamaha Natural Sound CR 2020 Receiver
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Audio Research SP9 Mk.III
Speakers:	Magnapan Magnaplanar MG 16QR, currently not bi-wired, set up in Cardas Golden Ratio arrangement for dipoles. also pair of ProAc Studio speakers
Sources:
CD Player/DAC:	none at this time
Turntable/Phono Stage:	Basis 1400 w/ Rega RB 300 with Incognito rewire kit installed / Heavyweight / Benz Glider 2 High Output
Other Source(s):	Pioneer 707 Reel to Reel Tape Deck
Other Accessories/Room/Misc.:
Speaker Cables/Interconnects:	Monster Cable
Other (Power Conditioner, Racks etc.):	VPI 16.5
Tweaks:	Hunt Carbon Fiber Brush, Zerostat3 pistol, Mobile Fidelity Cleaning Solutions and Brushes, MoFi inner sleeves, Spray and Wash, Tip Toes, Cardas Caps, Cardas Burn in LP, Ayre Burn in CD, Quiet Lines AC Filters (4) Elfix Polarity Tester
Room Size (LxWxH):	16 x 13 x 9
Room Comments/Treatments:	I live alone, so my living room serves as a dedicated listening room, located on the second floor of a two story apartment building. It has a suspended wood floor. The walls are uninsulated. The center 2/3 of the length of the right side is a continuous set of 36" x 72" louvered windows covered with one long heavy blackout rolldown vinyl shade. There are two entrances, the main entrance is centered on the back wall and has a metal faced, foam core wooden entrance door. The other is a set of french doors located to the left of the left speaker. It was poorly installed, on that the doors do not meet and close exactly and a 1" gap is open at the bottom presumably to accomodate wall to wall carpeting (all the doors in the apt. have the same gap). Equipment is in the room against the center of the back wall, placed on a five foot long wooden cabinet, which rests on a steel frame with spikes. The cabinet is heavily weighted down by the complete Franklin Mint 100 Greatest Recordings Of All Time, which fills the entire length of the interior. It provides a very steady support for the components. Footfalls do not bother the turntable at all. The amp is plugged directly in the wall, while the preamp and turntable are plugged into a Monster Cable power strip. The outlet receptacle is hospital grade. A 6x9 padded wool area rug fills the space between the listening chair and the speakers. There is no other furniture or room treatments. The Maggies are toed in so that the tweeter is on axis with the ear. I have them set up so that the tweeter is at the outer edge. They are not bi-wired at the moment and the resistors are not installed. I believe the preamp has stock tubes.
Music Preferences and Comments:
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	large scale orchestral, 60's and 70's rock, folk, dance, opera, more and more classic jazz. About 5,000 lps, a fourth of which are audiophile 180gm, half-speeds, Japanese, 45rpm sets, with the remainder standard commercial pressings. 50 Mercury and RCA 4 track Stereo Reel to Reel Tapes and 5 CDs
System Goals/Comments:	One of the main problems I face isto be able to play music at realistic levels without bothering the neighbors, one whose bedroom wall is shared with the front wall of the listening room (behind the speakers). I'm planning to cover this wall head to toe with acoustic panels sold by Cardas. Hopefully it will cut down the sound heard on the other side as well as absorbing the back wave from the Maggies. I also want to install heavily padded wall to wall carpet for the same reasons,
System Strengths:	no comment at this time
System Weaknesses:	The sound can often be stunning, but that happens more often with a great LP in a late night session. I think I need to address power conditioning.
Video/HT System: None
Other Interests/Hobbies/Occupation:	Passionate record collector. I have an online store that sells collectible records at http://vinylfindco.gemm.com