Inmate Systems - Audio Asylum

13th Duke of Wymbourne's Stately Music System
IP Address: 118.201.124.84	Last Update: September 10, 2024 at 00:27:28
Amplifier:	Presently using one amp per channel from a pair of Meridian M3 active speakers. DIY mono blocks to follow ..... eventually.
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Chanel D Lino C 2.0 transimpedance phono amplifier feeds into the analog inputs of a miniDSP SHD. I prefer the DAC in the Wadia 830 over those built into the miniDSP so I feed digital out to the Wadia over spdif.
Speakers:	Quad ESL-57. Late model pair (serial #51993 & #52052) with removed stuffing and raised on rather stylish (if I may say so) DIY stands. Completely renovated mid-2018 using refurbished panels, new HT boards, cross-over components and clamp boards supplied by Electrostatic Solutions (I did the fitting).
Sources:
CD Player/DAC:	Wadia 830 connected directly to the power amps.
Turntable/Phono Stage:	Linn LP12 + Supatrac Blackbird + AT OC9XSL. LP12 is 1984 fluted afro' with Karousel, Stack top plate and subchassis with Lingo1. Suspension springs replaced with elastomer In-Soles. The LP12 sits on an Ikea Lack table in the dipole null between the speakers.
Other Source(s):	Streamer built into the miniDSP SHD
Other Accessories/Room/Misc.:
Speaker Cables/Interconnects:	Speaker cables - ChrisVH CAT-5, full 27 pair ~ 5' long. Interconnects - twisted pair using Belden 1506 co-ax inner cores a la Jon Risch. I am fairly cable skeptical but it was fun to make the cables and I learned to braid.
Other (Power Conditioner, Racks etc.):	Equipment mounted on Tripod (older UK design) welded steel design. Hollow uprights and cross braces are sand filled. Except for the LP12.
Room Comments/Treatments:	Room is large & open plan with a solid floor and vaulted ceiling (speakers are at the low ceiling end firing towards the high ceiling end). Listening fairly near-field on an equilateral triangle approx 7' per side. Speakers are 4' front front wall with large DIY absorbtion panels in corners to damp the dipole back wave (45" x 72", using 2.5" thick recycled denim insulation).
Music Preferences and Comments:
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Baroque and chamber music, especially Vivaldi, JS Bach, Corelli, Handel & Scarlatti. From the classical age Mozart, Haydn & Beethoven. The occasional Mahler symphony if I have the time. Radiohead, XX, London Grammar, XTC, Belle & Sebastian, U2, REM, The Smiths, Yes, Talking Heads, 10,000 Maniacs, Lloyd Cole, later Beatles and many more.
System Goals/Comments:	To forget about the system and just enjoy the music. The quads make a really big contribution to the enjoyment of anything played through the system.
System Strengths:	I enjoy the music so much that I don't want to get up and swap/tweak things.
System Weaknesses:	Quad bass quality is excellent and goes deep but the quantity is lacking. Also, the Quads creak and complain about high volume bass. DIY dipole woofer project coming one day (the miniDSP will aid equalization).
Video/HT System: None
Other Interests/Hobbies/Occupation:	Interests - Rugby referee in SoCal. Listening to music (obviously), comedy programs and The Archers (UK radio soap). Watching sport and re-runs of Inspector Morse and Lewis. Occupation - Engineering Director/IC Designer