Audio Asylum - Inmate Systems

chriscmore's Seymour AV System
IP Address: 168.103.53.104	Last Update: October 14, 2008 at 21:57:35
Amplifier:	3 Seymour AV Ice Block 2001 monoblock amps for L/C/R mid/highs (>150Hz, 200Wpc), 3 Seymour AV Ice Block 10001 monoblock amps for L/C/R woofers (<150Hz, 1000Wpc), Rotel RMB-1075 for surround (SR/BR-Epsilon-H/BR-Epsilon-L/BL/SL, ~160Wpc at 4 ohms) amplification, O Audio BASH plate amp used for Infinite Baffle sub (16-30Hz, 500W).
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Lexicon MC-12B, version 5EQ with 4-mic set for room correction, and 2-mic set for LIVE.
Speakers:	3 Infinity IRS Epsilon L/C/R fronts (22Hz-45kHz), 3 Infinity Renaissance 80 for surround (SR/BL/SL) channels (35Hz-45kHz). Extra Epsilon used for Back Right. Infinite Baffle subwoofer for <30Hz, using an 18' Avalanche driver (for 16Hz-30Hz, 27mm p-p excursion, ~6L air displacement)
Sources:
CD Player/DAC:	Lexicon RT-10 CD/DVD-A/DVD-V/SACD multichannel player. AES balanced digital for redbook CDs, analog outputs for high-rez.
Turntable/Phono Stage:	Rega planar 25, Sumiko BPS cartridge, Parasound P/PH-100 phono stage.
Other Source(s):	Sony PS3 (1080p/24), Toshiba HD-A2 HD-DVD player (1080i/720p).
Other Accessories/Room/Misc.:
Speaker Cables/Interconnects:	Seymour AV analog RCA cables, Seymour AV (lockable bananas) speaker cables bi-wired for bi-amped fronts.
Other (Power Conditioner, Racks etc.):	Tripp Lite SU1500RTXL2U 1200w online regenerator with battery backup for 4 Ice Block amps and the two Epsilon servo crossover units. Stock fan (very noisy) replaced with auto-rpm temperature controlled Antec 80mm SmartCool (w/ 100ohm resistor in series) 21dBA fan. Tripp Lite SU1000RTXL2U 800w online regenerator with battery backup for all other non-power amp stuff, including projector, also with noisy stock fan removed. Nixie vacuum tube clock for fun.
Tweaks:	48 sq. ft. of 4” acoustic panels at reflection points, 4 sets Pandafeet sorbothane feet.
Room Size (LxWxH):	33.7 x 33.7 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	Speakers placed at 1/5 the long dimension (firing lengthwise), and at 1/7 the width dimension away from the sidewalls. It's a bit close to the sides, as this is a narrow room, but any closer closes down the soundstage too much. I heavily toe in, which helps off-axis listeners get a more balanced sound, and treat the first reflection points on the walls with 4'x4'x4” foam. The front projection screen is a Center Stage screen from Seymour AV, an acoustically transparent, electrically retractable with 1.16 gain. The only audiophile solution, allowing for a full-size center channel. The Lexicon room EQ does an incredible job fixing room modes <300Hz.
Music Preferences and Comments:
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jazz (Davis, Peterson, Smith, Roberts), Classical (Mozart, Beethoven, Vivaldi), Blues (Brown, Dr. John), Bluegrass (Stanley), selective Pop/Rock/World (Gabriel, Everything But The Girl)
System Goals/Comments:	Spend more time enjoying it.
System Strengths:	A very cool mix of technologies: Seymour AV Center Stage acoustically transparent electric screen, room correction, planar magnetic dipolar drivers with ICEpower monoblocks for mid/ highs, servo-controlled monopolar woofers with ICEpower amps for bass, infinite baffle LFE sub with BASH amp. A very hybridized but well-integrated system.
System Weaknesses:	I’d like a larger room.
Video/HT System: Integrated
TV/Projector:	Panasonic PT-AE2000u
Processor/Receiver/Amplifiers:	see above
Speakers (Center, Surrounds, Sub):	see above
Sources (DVD/VCR):	see above
Other HT Gear:	Seymour AV Center Stage screen: acoustically transparent (AT) projection screen, 1.16 gain
Comments on HT System:	Incredible since it's my audio system foremost. As high-res multichannel music has proven wonderful (simulated or discrete), my original need to split the system into music and HT is gone. Stereo is dead.
URL Link: http://www.seymourav.com