Audio Asylum - Inmate Systems

Paul Butterfield's High Zoot, Quite Mad Systems [QMS] System
IP Address: 67.76.221.228	Last Update: April 21, 2008 at 04:45:54
Amplifier:	ALL BELOW UNDER REVISION! OUTDATED! Switched between a Pass Aleph 30, a Mac 240, and a Dada Darling [Under Construction]. ‘QMS’ is a balanced [+4] system, with a three position amp selector used to choose between amplifiers. A second Pass Aleph 30 or Hafler TransNova P3000 used for low frequency extension when desired.
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	DIY Balanced passive preamp, switched to either direct coupled or tranny coupled with 2:1, 1:1, or 1:2 Tango interstage transformer. Volume control using Altec 600/600 Z balanced stepped attenuator. Grayhill 4 position input selector and Janco 3 position amp selector. Four inputs: 2 Balanced, 2 unbalanced with both balanced and unbalanced Taddeo Digital Antidote in CD line input circuit.
Speakers:	A nearfield three-way system using front firing Lowther EX4s (15 ohm w/new ‘rolled’ whizzer) used full range as extended midrange drivers on a single baffle, attenuating the high frequency and beaming with an acoustic lense over the ‘doorknob’ phaseplug. High frequencies are augmented with matched pair of TD2001's on 650Hz tractrix Edgarhorns, crossed over with a large 2mf oil cap. Low frequencies are provided using a pair of DX3s in extensively reinforced, overbuilt Hedlund Horns with extended and enlarged mouth. When needed or desired, lowrange drivers, a Lambda Acoustics TDmm prototype [Built for B.Edgar/Al Marcy] and Lambda Acoustics Dipole, are used to ‘sweeten the mix’ in LF and sub LF.
Sources:
CD Player/DAC:	Marantz PMD 331 with digital out to the D/A section of a Sony digital tape recorder.
Turntable/Phono Stage:	Technics, Pioneer, Rek-O-Kut for 45&78 RPM. Luxman LE-109 phono amp.
Other Source(s):	DBS downlink, Streaming radio using Mac iTunes, WAV, AIFF, 16/48, 24/48, 24/96 32/192 from both Mac OS and Win DAWs. Reel to Reel, and a hand crank Victrola.
Other Accessories/Room/Misc.:
Speaker Cables/Interconnects:	Speaker: DIY 28 gauge solid silver wire with Teflon insulation. Cat 5 twisted pair. Interconnects: DIY from Canare, Gotham 'Star Quad' type.
Other (Power Conditioner, Racks etc.):	Three BIG 7.5 foot racks. DIY Power Conditioner. Dedicated AC feed from new drop.
Tweaks:	Too arfin' many to list
Room Size (LxWxH):	20 x 20 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	Floor to ceiling treatment with Owens-Corning 603, 605, with acoustic fabric walls, similar to recording studios. Bass traps in walls, ceiling. Wood glued to cement floor. Quiet. Modeled after Mapleshade LEDE rooms.
Music Preferences and Comments:
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Well recorded music; Blues, Cassic Jazz, Folk, R&B, Big Band and Swing, Regional Ethnic, Zydeco/Cajun, TexMex, and 1925-1940 era recorded music.
System Goals/Comments:	To faithfully reproduce Music from the 1920's to today, achieving a nearfield monitor system that has an expanded L/R front/back soundstage at very low to moderate volumes which has superior emotional presentations.
System Strengths:	Involving enough for me to achieve state of Audio Zen. [Achieved 5/22/2002 while listening to Leonard Cohens new album, 'Ten New Songs'] and again in July 2005 when Hedlund sub completed. *See Gallery.
System Weaknesses:	Room too small. Couch too comfortable. 'The problem with Audiophilia is the fallacy that it has been achieved.' - Unka Paul B (With apologies to Lewis Carrol)
Video/HT System: Separate
TV/Projector:	Yes, TV
Processor/Receiver/Amplifiers:	Yes, as above
Speakers (Center, Surrounds, Sub):	Yes, as above
Sources (DVD/VCR):	DVD, DBS, SVHS, VHS, Laserdisk
Other HT Gear:	None. Using QMS as HT audio system.
Comments on HT System:	DIY Sounds better!
URL Link: http://gallery.audioasylum.com/cgi/view.mpl?UserImages=5615
Other Interests/Hobbies/Occupation:	Photography and Movies