| davidcauthron's Main System System
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| Last Update: January 09, 2002 at 13:17:14
| IP Address: 66.69.12.238
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| Amplifier: | Bel Canto Evo 200.2 or dual vintage McIntosh MC240 in monoblock mode with NOS Amperex tubes
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| Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): | Sonic Frontiers Line 1/ Siemens NOS Tubes or vintage McIntosh C22 with NOS Amperex tubes
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| Speakers: | Paradigm Reference 80v2, M&K MX-150 MKII
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| Sources:
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| CD Player/DAC: | Sony SCD-777es, superceding a Carver SD/A-360 CD Changer linked up to an AudioAlchemy Ultradac (kept now for entertaining) |
| Turntable/Phono Stage: | Vintage Thorens TD-124 with Shure tonearm and vintage Realistic (ack!) cartridge (yeah it needs upgrading/replacing real bad
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| Other Accessories/Room/Misc.:
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| Speaker Cables/Interconnects: | Homemade 10awg OFC bi-wire for speakers, working on some VenHaus variation interconnects using 5n silver wire
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| Other (Power Conditioner, Racks etc.): | Lovan Pyramid and two Classic IIs, PS Audio PowerPlant, homemade shielded 8awg power cables with Marinco IECs and plugs (Sorry, Ray, couldn't justify the WattGates).
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| Tweaks: | Lead shot and sand in the Lovans, BBC isolation points on all components
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| Music Preferences and Comments:
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| Music Used (Genre/Selections): | I lean toward classical and jazz for critical listening, but I can appreciate all music that has merit behind it (which means no Brittney Spears or Country ;) )
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| System Goals/Comments: | I went to school for music composition, switch to business, and now work on computers. The audiophile sickness is my way of keeping the love of music alive.
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| System Strengths: | Articulation and detail seem to be the hallmark of both the Bel Canto and the Line 1. I've got the McIntosh stuff if I need a full dose of syrupy warmth. My old trusty Paradigms continue to throw a rich, precise soundfield whilst their original harshness has now been tamed by their break-in. Any want for more "warmth" or "oomph" can easily be attained by introducing the MX-150 which only gets used to provide some visceral punch to drum based music or organs.
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| System Weaknesses: | Right now I am pretty satisfied although I am not quite happy with the low end extension of my Paradigms. I am pretty sure that this is a byproduct of both the homebrew copper cables and room interaction. I'd also like some more control over the room's reflections. Drywall is such a horrible surface!
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| Video/HT System:
Integrated
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| TV/Projector: | Princeston Arcadia 3.6 direct view/ Barco 800 projector
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| Processor/Receiver/Amplifiers: | Denon AVR-3300 which has preamp out for the two front channels to the Line 1 (thank you Sonic Frontiers for your Bypass function)
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| Speakers (Center, Surrounds, Sub): | Surrounds are Paradigm Titans for direct radiators and some cheap DCM "tripoles" for diffuse surround.
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| Sources (DVD/VCR): | All HT sources come from a computer system with an ATI Radeon All-In-Wonder card for video sources (providing crude progressive scan conversion) and a Real Magic Hollywood+ for progressive scan DVD. Output to the 3.6 is usually 800x600p which makes for spectacular DVD viewing. Everything is wrapped up around a x-10 mouse remote running MAX-10 for controls. I also have a great RF wireless full-sized keyboard with a touchpad which lets me surf!
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| Other HT Gear: | Sony VCR and Laserdisc player get some sporadic use.
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| Comments on HT System: | The HT system gets a lot less use than the music system, when I am listening to music all of the HT gear gets powered down (and disconnected from the circuit by switching it off from a power strip) and a big piece of black felt gets thrown over the screen.
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| Other Interests/Hobbies/Occupation: | I work in the supercomputer business, but also try to find time to compose (albiet now only to be realized through electronic means).
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