Audio Asylum - Inmate Systems

Steelhead's Steelhead's System
IP Address: 66.58.233.143	Last Update: July 18, 2011 at 14:39:10
Amplifier:	Conrad Johnson Premier 12 monoblocks (mods by backerts)
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Supratek Chenin (mods by Mike Samra)
Speakers:	Martin Logan Summits and Martin Logan ReQuests
Sources:
CD Player/DAC:	Sony SCD-777ES
Turntable/Phono Stage:	SOTA Cosmos Series IV, Fidelity Research FR64fx tonearm, Fidelity Research FR1MK3 VDH rebuild, MC201 cartridge and Ortofon Kontrapunkt B rebuilds by Soundsmith
Other Source(s):	Teac X2000 reel to reel, Nakamichi Noise reduction unit, Nakamichi ZX7 cassette deck, Sony JE330 minidisc player, Alesis Masterlink
Other Accessories/Room/Misc.:
Speaker Cables/Interconnects:	Goertz, Paul Spletz anticables, MIT cables
Other (Power Conditioner, Racks etc.):	SOTA Record Cleaning Machine, Brickwall power filter and PS audio premier wall outlets.
Tweaks:	pucks, reflex Clamp
Room Size (LxWxH):	18 x 12 x 10
Room Comments/Treatments:	Room is small for the speakers (dipoles) but good solid cement floor. Would like to experiment with tube traps and similar treatments but overall it is satisfactory.
Music Preferences and Comments:
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Alternative Rock and Country, Blues, Classic Rock, Traditional Jazz, and some classical warhorses.
System Goals/Comments:	I like the transparency and speed of electrostatic speakers. I like the "stage" that the Logans can produce. The tubes keep it from being too lean and add body and depth to the sound. Very pleasing and non-fatiguing.
System Strengths:	Transparency with warmth. Great at presenting a stage and disappearing. With alt country and folk the speed and vocal ability make for extremely enjoyable listening, matching some of the best systems I have heard.
System Weaknesses:	Bass integration and speed is an achilles heel of ML hybrids and the ReQuests suffer from this. Dynamic compression at higher volumes limit classic rock enjoyment. Inefficiency of Logans makes for big bucks to power with tubes. Large room needed to accomplish best sound. The Summits improve upon the reQuests in every regard and are much more dynamic although still limited in impact compared to dynamic speakers. Some classical music can bring the Logans to their knees and make the illusion disappear.
Video/HT System: None
TV/Projector:	I have no interest in Video being a classic baby boomer who preceded the video era.
Other Interests/Hobbies/Occupation:	Flyfishing, German Sheperds, Home brewed beers.