Inmate Systems - Audio Asylum

gordguide 's Modest System
IP Address: 216.197.216.135	Last Update: August 29, 2018 at 03:44:20
Amplifier:	Anthem Amp-1 40w/ch (EL-34 tubes) [mfr: Sonic Frontiers International, Canada].
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Audio Experience Symphonies (tubes) [mfr: YS Audio, Hong Kong, China]
Speakers:	Energy Connisseur C2 [Canada] Energy VSW-V10 powered subwoofer. [Canada] EarSpeakers: AKG K-142 Headphones AKG K-172 Headphones Etymotic Research ER4S In Ear Monitors NAD VISO HP-50 Headphones
Sources:
CD Player/DAC:	Mac Mini; OSX Server v10.9x 2x 1TB HDD in RAID Mirror Array; 2x 2.0GB external dedicated audio HDDs with full-resolution (lossless) files (I active, 1 backup) connected via Firewire 400 Audio-gd DAC 3 24/96 USB>Analog OPPO Digital DV-970HD (DVD-A/SACD/DVD/CD)[China] TEAC UD-H01 iPod DAC w/160GB iPod Classic
Turntable/Phono Stage:	REGA RP3 (RB-300) [UK] Denon DL-103 [Japan] w/Paradox Pulse body LOMC cartridge Clearaudio Concept V2 MM cartridge Sumiko Blue Point HOMC cartridge Acoustic Signature Tango MM/MC phono preamp (Solid State) [Germany]
Other Source(s):	Nakamichi CR2 cassette deck (2-head/2-motor; bias adjust; Dolby B/C). [Japan] Macintosh MR-74 AM/FM tuner [USA]
Other Accessories/Room/Misc.:
Speaker Cables/Interconnects:	DIY Mogami Star-Quad/Canare F-10 Interconnects [Japan] Morrow Audio RCA-RCA interconnects [USA] DIY Bi-Wire speaker cables; military surplus silver over OFC stranded copper, 4x 16GA braided construction, teflon dielectric. Cable is surplus from Boeing Aircraft factory [USA] Under Evaluation: Audio Art SC-5 Speaker Cables; 5' per side [USA]
Other (Power Conditioner, Racks etc.):	DIY speaker stands made from Military Surplus microwave waveguide antennae: 28" tall, 0.375 aluminum rectangular tube, 0.500 aluminum flanges 6"x10" top and bottom, sand filled, dampening layer added to inside walls [Canada] Spikes are Easton Arrow Target Heads [USA] ** Test Equipment: Tektronix 2335 'scope Keithley 2015 DMM / Distortion Analyzer Numerous other test apparatus, interfaces, tone generators, etc Bench System: NAD 7125 AM/FM receiver w/phono Energy Take5 speakers Mabook Pro 10,1 (2013) 15" Retina [16GB RAM; i7 2.8 GHz; 512GB SSD; various audio software [Fuzzmeasure, etc]
Tweaks:	REGA: Ruby Platter Bearing Cork/Rubber turntable mat Van Den Hul tonearm rewire [RB 300] with Cardas cartridge clips and DIN connector VTA adjuster
Room Size (LxWxH):	22 x 14 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	Domestic environment; no special room treatment. 2 full corners (diagonal) and 2 with open doorways 20" from corner. 2 sets of curtains; one behind and one to the side of system. Tapestry behind listening position.
Music Preferences and Comments:
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	All, except most HipHop.
System Goals/Comments:	MSRP $US 13,000.00 Actual Cost $US 6720.00
System Strengths:	Relatively inexpensive; superb imaging; tuneful bass; smooth yet detailed and revealing. The System provides excellent sonics from 2-Channel Audio sources.
System Weaknesses:	It's all good
Video/HT System: Integrated
TV/Projector:	Samsung 43" 720p Plasma (2014 model) [South Korea]
Processor/Receiver/Amplifiers:	DVDO iSCAN HD Video scaler [USA] McKay-Dymek MD-10 Virtual Surround Decoder (Dolby Digital) [Canada]
Speakers (Center, Surrounds, Sub):	Virtual 5.1 from Physical 2-channel via McKay-Dymek MD-10
Sources (DVD/VCR):	See: CD Player/DAC
Other HT Gear:	Roku 3 [China] Parts Express FM antenna (attic mast mount) [China] RCA Powered AM antenna (tabletop) [China]
Comments on HT System:	Extremely high "Bang for the Buck" A/V performance. Viewing distance is short @ about 8~10' (2.4 to 3m); yet it provides excellent sharpness with all video upscaled/downscaled to 720p and excellent simulated surround sound with all A/V audio processed to virtual Dolby Digital 5.1