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RCPrince's Primary Listening System System

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RCPrince's Primary Listening System System
Last Update: November 11, 2002 at 13:36:15 IP Address: 151.202.157.179
Amplifier: Jadis JA80s, modified with Romantic Era treatment by Andy Bouwman, for 200hz and up; Sonogy Black Knight Mk II amplifiers for below 200hz
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Jadis JP200MC; apparently unusual version using all EF-86 tubes, instead of the usual 12AX7s
Speakers: Sforzando JL-1s (four piece full-range system with active crossover at 200hz, satellites 90db efficient, 8 ohms, woofer enclosures similar efficiency but 4 ohm; unusual design, with midrange firing upwards and front and rear-firing tweeters)
Sources:
CD Player/DAC: Forsell Mk IV transport; dCS Purcell upsampler; Audio Logic 2400 (upgraded from 34) DAC
Turntable/Phono Stage: Basis Ovation with Debut platter/bearing/vacuum upgrade; Graham 2.2 TC Deluxe arm; Koetsu Rosewood Signature Platinum; Lamm LP2 phono stage; Walker Motor Drive
Other Source(s): Sony SCD777ES SACD player, modified by Jerry Ozment to incorporate Audio Logic tubed analog stage; Marantz DV-18 DVD player for the few DADs available; Day-Sequerra FM Reference tuner; NAD 6300 cassette deck
Other Accessories/Room/Misc.:
Speaker Cables/Interconnects: Speaker cables--custom triwire (for satellites) and bass cables made by K-Works, a company run by a member of the NJ Audio Society; interconnects-NBS Omega from preamp to active crossover and from crossover to amps; Graham IC 70 tonearm cable; HMS Gran Finale Top Match (tuner to preamp); Siltech Compass Lake (DAC and phono stage to preamp); NBS Omega from SACD player to preamp; Purist Proteus, Siltech Golden Ridge and Kimber digital interconnects; TG Audio SLVR, Full Spectrum and Siltech power cords
Other (Power Conditioner, Racks etc.): Seakay Line Rover; PS Audio P300 for digital sources other than separate power supplies for DAC and SACD analog stage; Merrill Stable Table I; Justaracks, heavily modified by K-Works to isolate from vibrations
Tweaks: K-Works IsoBases under all tubed and mechanical equipment; Pon-Tunes isolation devices; Walker HDLs; Top Hat tube dampers; Suspendors; Vintage Telefunken EF-86, ECC802S and 803S small signal tubes and Gold Lion KT88 output tubes
Room Size (LxWxH): 20ft. x 18 ft. x 10ft.
Room Comments/Treatments: Not many treatments, as it's our living room--a few ASC tube traps, a few large plants; curtains and rug help damp what would otherwise be a fairly bright room. There are two chestnut fluted columns flanking my listening position which surprisingly act as sound diffusers and, given that my speakers are wide dispersion anyway, don't mess things up. The walls are plaster, and there are large open spaces in the rear and right side wall; the floor is 3-3/4 inches thick, over a 10 foot deep basement.
Music Preferences and Comments:
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Classical of all genres, with a preference for large-scale orchestral and choral works; 60's and 70's rock; folk and bluegrass; a little jazz.
System Goals/Comments: I look for something that can create a reasonable facsimile of the recorded event, and can then let me get lost in the music. I prefer to give up ultimate resolution to be able to enjoy recorded performances. I have a distinct preference for tubed equipment, if you hadn't already noticed.
System Strengths: Very musical and emotionally involving; strikes a reasonable balance between detail and musicality. Excellent bass extension and quality. The speaker system is particularly good at creating a holographic soundstage, very real sounding. The Jadis electronics are, to my ear, as natural-sounding as are out there, at least for everything other than non-acoustic music.
System Weaknesses: While it's my preference, the system leans slightly towards a darker tonal balance, and the highs are slightly rolled off compared to other equipment I've heard. I also really would prefer a dedicated listening room (as would my wife!). The speakers are wide dispersion and thus don't give the pinpoint imaging that some people (not me) prefer. The system on the whole is better suited to classical and acoustic instruments than rock.
Video/HT System: None
Other Interests/Hobbies/Occupation: Corporate finance attorney; I like and play all sports, particularly golf now that I\'m over 50. I sing in a number of choral groups, play guitar and attend many classical and other concerts.

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