| cDog's Audio / HT Hybrid (80+% Audio) System
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| Last Update: April 01, 2002 at 08:07:51
| IP Address: 151.199.248.83
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| Amplifier: | Restored/slightly modded Dynaco ST-70. Currently running in triode with upgraded caps and resistors, Vampire posts, gold RCA's, NOS Tesla EL-34's, Mullard rectifier tube, and Sylvania 7199's.
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| Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): | Bottlehead Foreplay with -20 to -50db Sweet Whispers, C4S update, and Auricaps.
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| Speakers: | Meadowlark Kestrel Hot Rod. The Kestrel HR's are amazing.
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| Sources:
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| CD Player/DAC: | Marantz DV18 MkII DVD player, also used as CD player. I can't say enough good things about this unit! |
| Other Accessories/Room/Misc.:
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| Speaker Cables/Interconnects: | Homegrown Audio Super Silver interconnects and jumpers. I also use a Monster LS200 digital cable connected directly to the receiver for DVD's. Audioquest Slate speaker cable (bi-wire to the center channel, single wire to the Kestrels with silver jumpers)
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| Tweaks: | Vibrapods beneath the speakers and all components
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| Room Size (LxWxH): | 20ft. x 11ft. x 10ft.
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| Room Comments/Treatments: | Nothing special, just an area rug and some fluffy furniture.
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| Music Preferences and Comments:
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| Music Used (Genre/Selections): | Very wide ranging -- classic rock, jazz, funk, acid jazz, Wilco, Whiskeytown, ...
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| System Goals/Comments: | My goal was to cost consciously build a hi-mid-fi system tailored to my music preferences that can be used for light HT. Between the used market, combing the Internet for good deals/closeouts, and DIY, I feel that I've had greater success than I could ever have imagined.
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| System Strengths: | Very clear and lifelike all the way around. Flexible and EXTREMELY easy on the eyes, which is key for those of us with SO's and whose listening rooms double as living rooms
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| System Weaknesses: | Depends on your taste. It's a bit laid back for some and of course sounds quite "tubey" and "vintage."
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| Video/HT System:
Integrated
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| Processor/Receiver/Amplifiers: | Marantz SR-5000 receiver. The receiver powers the center channel and does Dolby & DTS decoding. I use the preouts through the Foreplay and Dynaco to power the L & R.
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| Speakers (Center, Surrounds, Sub): | Meadowlark Petrel for the center channel. No surrounds or sub.
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| Comments on HT System: | I skipped the sub and surrounds because I'm not too serious about HT and would rather trade my chits with the wife for other things. I don't feel any need for a sub in this setup, which is counter to what I would have thought when originally building it. The Kestrels (despite having only 6.5 inch woofers) dig plenty deep, perhaps because of the transmission line design. As well, with upgraded caps, the Dynaco puts out a surprising amount of bass.
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