Inmate Systems - Audio Asylum

ChrisVH's Dedicated Listening room System
IP Address: 65.26.62.7	Last Update: September 02, 2014 at 07:21:29
Amplifier:	Pics of my system may be found HERE Antique Sound Lab Extreme Hurricane DT 200 modified by Response Audio. V-Cap TFTF Caps used for coupling and PS bypass. 2W Riken Ohm resistors for grid stop, Dale/Vishay for rest of signal path, Bybees in B+, WBT topline binding posts and RCA jacks, and a few other tweaks... Use EH-KT88's for output tubes, and I am experimenting with numerous 6SN7/VT-231 types (Tung Sol roundplates, metal and plastic base base W's, KenRad, Sylvania, RCA, Hytron, Neotron, Raytheon, and Red Base 5692's) for other tubes. Hurricanes were also modified to use balanced inputs by Ralph Karsten (Atma Sphere). Also own a pair of Lumley M120 Monoblocs modded to use a FET driver stage with less than 3 db feedback. V-Cap coupling caps are also used.
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Bent TAP TVC or Atma Sphere MP-3 with V-Cap CuTF series, modified to act as a tubed buffer using 12SN7's.
Speakers:	Legacy Whisper XD, with custom V-Capped crossover. Two Legacy Extreme LF subwoofers. Xilica XD-4080 processor used as electronic xover between subs and mains, as well as xover for large woofers on the XD's. Xilica also used to time align drivers/subs, as well as fine tune for room correction. Secondary speakers: Custom Von Schweikert VR4-SR's (x-overs made with V-Cap TFTF and OIMP capacitors). Sennheiser HD-600 Headphones fed from Furutech GT-40 USB DAC.
Sources:
CD Player/DAC:	Mac Mini modded by Mach2Music, converted to DC operation, and powered with a 24 aH AGM battery. Mini has 8 GB of ram and SSD drive. Use PureMusic for software, and send Mini's signal to an Empirical Audio OverDrive Signature DAC with V-Cap CuTF's, upgraded dual Turboclocks, Hynes regulators, and fanless operation. The 12V portion of the Overdrive is powered by a 45 aH LiFEPO4 battery, but I also have a MonoLith battery supply to use.
Other Source(s):	Meridian 500 Transport, Lavry DA2002 DAC, Meridian 566-24 DAC with custom tubed (12SN7) output stage, Opera Droplet CD player/transport.
Other Accessories/Room/Misc.:
Speaker Cables/Interconnects:	All top of the line VH Audio production models or experimental prototypes.
Other (Power Conditioner, Racks etc.):	Room has 4 dedicated 20A lines with 10 AWG cryoed romex, terminated into Furutech GTX-R duplex receptacles and Oyaide WPC-Z and Z2 wall frames.
Tweaks:	Too many to list.
Room Size (LxWxH):	23 x 16' 8" x 8' 8"
Room Comments/Treatments:	8 ASC 1/4 round tube traps, 8 RealTraps MegaTraps (bass traps), 2 RealTraps RFZ panels at first sidewall reflection points, 2 Furutech RWL-1 diffuser panels at opposite side wall speaker reflection points, many ASC Soundplanks for general diffusion, and Acoustimac DMD-422 panels (24" x 48" x2") for ceiling 1st reflection points.
Music Preferences and Comments:
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Prog Rock, Guitar Rock, Fusion, Jazz, Blues, large orchestral works.
System Goals/Comments:	25 years of being an audiophile has led me to a pretty good place with my current system.
System Strengths:	Outstanding dynamics, deep, extended, taut bass, unfatiguing yet extended highs, and mid textures and weight that are to die for. The system doesn't fall apart at higher SPL's when I want to kick it to "11", yet has the finesse to play intimate smaller scale music. The ability to delineate complex/layered passages is outstanding, and this doesn't get tangled or congealed at higher SPL's.
System Weaknesses:	Room gets warm.
Video/HT System: None
URL Link: http://www.vhaudio.com
Other Interests/Hobbies/Occupation:	Hobbies: Landscape Photography, playing drums/guitar, just about anything that has to do with being in the wilderness, and getting better connected to our natural world. Fine food & wine.