Audio Asylum - Inmate Systems

pRC's Musical Debt Machine System
IP Address: 216.27.62.2	Last Update: July 17, 2008 at 11:07:19
Amplifier:	'il Monstro' DIY low-voltage 845:845 parafeed amplifier (282 pounds, 5 watts). Backup - Monarchy SM70 Single-ended zero-feedback MOSFET amp
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	'Not-so-matic' DIY parafeed globe 27 with Altec 15095 output transformers. Can be reconfigured for 112A or 6SN7 tubes in a few minutes..
Speakers:	Azurahorns with Fostex FE206ES-r drivers, open-baffle 15 inch Augie woofers driven by plate amps. (previously - DIY Fostex FE166ES-R backhorns, based on Nagaoka factory design, working on some Azurahorns with Fostex FE206es-r drivers)
Sources:
CD Player/DAC:	Sony SCD-333ES SACD/CD changer, and a Slim Devices Squeezebox 3 with Wellborne PS - still auditioning DACs...
Turntable/Phono Stage:	Butchered Bogen-Lenco mounted in a laminated cherry base with removeable armboards and several tonearms (Thomas Schick 12 inch arm, Ortofon SMG-212, Michell Focus, Gray 303 wood arm), Denon DL103R and Dynavector 20XL (low) cartridges, plus a variety of lesser carts. Backup table is a tweaked 1962 Empire 208 with modded RB250 arm, custom cabling, Grado Sonata cartridge and beta version Bottlehead 'Seduction' tube phono amp
Other Source(s):	Cambridge Audio table radio used as a tuner
Other Accessories/Room/Misc.:
Speaker Cables/Interconnects:	DIY 16ga magnet wire cables, DIY CAT5/silver interconnects
Other (Power Conditioner, Racks etc.):	Furman power distribution box, custom CMC filters built into amps, DIY braided solid 12ga copper power cables built into tube equipment
Tweaks:	DIY stands, wall-mounted turntable shelf, isolation feet and sorbothane sheets inside components
Room Size (LxWxH):	26'-5" x 14'-1" x Vaulted
Room Comments/Treatments:	1952 ranch trying-to-be-a-bungalow with listening room added with 1970's renovation. Finally, a big enough room for horn speakers! Have hung 4 acoustic panels from crossbeams, still planning a few changes to the room (built-in shelves, wainscoting with hidden sound absorption...)
Music Preferences and Comments:
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Everything from classical to jazz to trip hop. Not so much country, but Hank Williams senior and Johnny Cash are OK.
System Goals/Comments:	Involving - makes you forget the system and enjoy the music. Should sound good at both loud and soft levels. And reliable. And should look good too.
System Strengths:	Good pace, lively and detailed, occasionally wonderful. Getting better as I replace components with DIY versions?
System Weaknesses:	Obsessive-compulsive behavior required to startup and shutdown in order. Sheesh!
Video/HT System: Integrated
TV/Projector:	Mitsubishi 46 inch widescreen rear-projection HDTV
Processor/Receiver/Amplifiers:	B&K ref20 preamp/processor
Speakers (Center, Surrounds, Sub):	Down to 2 main speakers, see above, and I really don't miss the 5.1 action at all.
Sources (DVD/VCR):	Denon 2900 DVD player
URL Link: http://www.cognitivEvent.com/av_monstro.html
Other Interests/Hobbies/Occupation:	DIY tube audio, bicycle commuting, home renovation, woodworking, particle physics and how we ended up on this ball of matter. The whole schmeer.