Inmate Systems - Audio Asylum

Goyescas's Main Listening Room System
IP Address: 47.204.117.247	Last Update: May 18, 2022 at 19:37:56
Amplifier:	Emotiva XPA-1L Monoblocks (35/wpc pure Class A, switchable to Class A/B 125 wpc, specified at 250 but that's with 0.1% THD). Previously: Classe DR-15 175/wpc SS, NAD 3020A, NAD Model 60 (RARE!), Musical Fidelity A300 (a stellar integrated!), Adcom GFA-535-L (2),
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Audio Research SP-11 MK II (modified/updated capacitors), Grace Designs M 920 (-not- the M-902). Previously: Audio Experience Symphonies, NAD 1020, 3020A, Parasound and Adcom gear.
Speakers:	Spatialaudiolabs M3 Sapphire open baffle loudspeakers bipolaraa
Sources:
CD Player/DAC:	Emotiva ERC-3 GEN II CDP Grace Designs M 920 PS Audio Digital Link III (a veritable classic!, great power supply) Musical Fidelity V-Link MkII Marantz CD67SE as transport to DAC Philips CDR (basically for burning CD's) Dedicated Music Server/Hard Drive
Turntable/Phono Stage:	1. Custom 'Eurokit 2001' (Thomas Scheu design) w/40mm platter (black) Morch DP-6 Tonearm w/Precision Armwand ARC SP-11 mkII (w/infinicaps and MIT's) Custom Benz-Scheu MC w/Ruby 2 motor and MR stylus(1.6mV @ 3.5 cm/sec, loaded 1000R) 2011 rebuild supervised by Jacobsen at Benz. 2. Michell Gyro SE MkII (DC Motor) SOLD 2014 SME Series IV tonearm SOLD 2014 3. Merrill AR ES1 Replica fully tricked-out (June 2014) PS Audio NuWave Phono Converter w/ADC, incl. DSD! NICE!!! AND Morch DP-6 dual pivot tonearm w/silver wire Musical Surroundings Phonomena Pre-Amp Shure V15 VxMR Grado Statement Sonata (0.5mv) Grado ME+ mono cart Denon DL-103R PS Audio GCPH Phono Stage Previously: AJ van den Hul FROG MC (850uV @5.6 cm/sec), AT OC9ML-II, Grado Signature 8MX, Denon DL-103R, B&O MMC4, Stanton 681EEE MK 3+ many other Grado's
Other Source(s):	Nakamichi LX-3 cassette deck (completely factory refurbished April, 1996; what little action it does see is wonderful for tape). Also Nakamichi 600 for recording live guitar Phillips DC-900 Digital Compact Cassette (HA!) TUNERS: McIntosh MR71 Tube (Modafferi Mods) Kenwood KT-917 Vintage 70's SState Yamaha TX-930 (Digital w/AM) Realistic TM-152 AM Stereo w/Mods
Other Accessories/Room/Misc.:
Speaker Cables/Interconnects:	Synergistic Research Alpha Quad Bi-Wire Kimber 8PR Speaker Cable Blue Jeans Cables Vampire Wire Element Cable bi-wire Radio Shack Top-of-the-line IC's Audioquest Argent+ Biwire DH LABS IC for tuner Signal Cable IC for Classe to ARC SP-11, balanced using the inverted and direct outputs of the pre, ground floated at the hot RCA. Beautiful! Lots of Blue Jean Cable as IC's
Other (Power Conditioner, Racks etc.):	Harmonic Tech Pro-11 AC Power Cord SOLD Panamax 5500 AC 'regenerator' & Surge Prot. 2 Dedicated 20A Lines w/separate breakers DIY 20A Extension Box
Tweaks:	Vibrapods, Symposium Svelte Shelf, Sandbox Sound Dynamics Isolation Feet. Basis Audio Record Clamp Scheu TT Harmonic Resolutions Record Clamp Merrill TT Sorbothane Feet from Edmund's Optics ONLY Bright Star Big Rock 19 Isolation Sandbox (Scheu table) 185lb Granite Finishing Plate on welded TT stand. Total weight 300 lbs w/o sandbox! These are important upgrades where one does not have the table in another room.
Room Size (LxWxH):	22 x 14 x 8-12-8
Room Comments/Treatments:	Installed hardwood (Bamboo) Floor; Thick rugs, and custom built acoustic panels for absorption of the first side reflections; thick drapes; all very effective. Ceiling is vaulted, but shared with kitchen/dining area, so peaks 3' into listening room, whose final 11' of 22' on one side is open to dining area. Large window running 8' along opposite right wall (22' total length of wall).
Music Preferences and Comments:
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Classical (Orchestral, Chamber, Vocal, Classical Guitar and Piano), Jazz Combos, Alternative Rock & whatever else turns me on, which includes Funk, R&B, Techno, and sometimes some aural wallpaper, FWIW.
System Goals/Comments:	Really focusing on the analog front-end and room. So far so good!
System Strengths:	Micro- and Macro-Dynamics, 'truth-in-timbre' uncolored sound. Deep soundstage. PERFECT for analog; SACD also nice.
System Weaknesses:	would love a dedicated listening room. Also, would like tone controls to attenuate all of the crappy recordings with peaky treble and/or mid to upper bass humps! such a system is wasted on the plethora of over compressed recordings that signify the ultimate expression of the loudness wars. What a blight!
Video/HT System: None
TV/Projector:	Samsung's last top of the line plasma TV, purchased and installed June 2014. I hope it lasts!
Processor/Receiver/Amplifiers:	None.
Speakers (Center, Surrounds, Sub):	The Vandersteen 5a's have superior subs built-in to the overall design (previously but original owner am I)z.
Sources (DVD/VCR):	JVC XV-D723 (DVD Audio capable) OPPO BDP-83
Other HT Gear:	Home is to Theatre as Surround is to ___.
Other Interests/Hobbies/Occupation:	My guitars, tennis, working out, indoor cycling (spinning!), rowing ('crew'), travel, friends and non-fiction. Classical guitarist/instructor/music coach.