Audio Asylum - Inmate Systems

Mark Z.'s As of Now System
IP Address: 72.251.77.4	Last Update: June 15, 2011 at 13:33:11
Amplifier:	Bi-amping: B&K EX-4420 w/ Signature Mods. by Musical Concepts for tweeters and mid-range. B&K Sonata M200 monoblocks w/ Platinum Mods. (and a bit extra) by Musical Concepts for woofers.
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Musical Design SP-2B Platinum Ultra based on 6922 valves w/ internal phono stage, external power supply, and modified switch with stereo, mono, right side of groove mono, and left side of groove mono (last two used with really old 78s).
Speakers:	B&W Nautilus 804
Sources:
CD Player/DAC:	Musical Fidelity A1008; using valve (ECC88) output exclusively 'cause it sounds better to me than the solid state output.
Turntable/Phono Stage:	Technics SL-1200MK2/KAB Broadcast Std. (78 rpm). KAB Mods.: external power supply; tonearm fluid damper; threaded record clamp; strobe disabler; Cardas tonearm rewire w/ RCA connector plate; tonearm resonance cap and Isonoe isolator feet. Cartridges: microgroove - JICO SAS-MM1 w/ Cardas headshell wires; Goldring 1042 w/ Hitachi LCOFC headshell wires; KAB/Ortofon Concorde ProS30; Stanton 680EE; and Empire 2000E-III. 78s - Grado 78E and Stanton 500-II.
Other Accessories/Room/Misc.:
Speaker Cables/Interconnects:	ICs: PS Audio Transcendent, and NXG Black Pearl Speakers: DIY OFC 14 ga.
Other (Power Conditioner, Racks etc.):	PS Audio Power Plant Premier w/ PS Audio Statement SC power cable; PS Audio Plus SC power cables for components; PS Audio Soloist outlet.
Tweaks:	Vibrapods and Vibracones in a sandwich under the TT. Vibrapods or anti-vibration pads (cork and rubber) under the other components. Herbies UltraSonic tube dampers. Speaker cable risers made of bamboo stick tripods. Nitty Gritty Record Master RCM w/ Disc Doctor brushes and fluid. Milty Zerostat3. Extreme Phono stylus cleaner. Hunt EDA and AudioQuest brushes.
Room Size (LxWxH):	25 x 15 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	Hand-woven rugs on walls, heavy drapes over windows and a rumpled blanket over the TV screen when the music is on.
Music Preferences and Comments:
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Everything (and I mean everything) except gospel, opera, musicals, and Christmas music (except for the Chipmunks Christmas LP). Primarily jazz, blues, and rock.
System Goals/Comments:	The goal is to make me smile, tap my foot, and carry me away. So far, so good.
System Strengths:	Engaging sound. 3000 LPs, 1000 CDs, 250 45s, and 200+ 78s.
System Weaknesses:	Time will tell, but the budget is the biggest weakness. ;0)
Video/HT System: Separate
TV/Projector:	RCA 28"
Processor/Receiver/Amplifiers:	Denon AVR-2105
Speakers (Center, Surrounds, Sub):	Infinity Primus Theater Pack and Infinity PS-8 sub.
Sources (DVD/VCR):	JVC HR-XVC37U (DVD/VCR)
Comments on HT System:	Videos are decent; Music is so-so. Primary uses are watching movies and listening to FM radio while doing other things around house.