Audio Asylum - Inmate Systems

krikor's Main 2-Channel/Multi-Channel Hybrid System
IP Address: 173.162.51.109	Last Update: January 24, 2011 at 08:04:14
Amplifier:	PS Audio GCC-100 Control Amp modified by Rick Cullen (custom Gain Cells, tweaks to ICEPower modules, ERS cloth, wire, posts)
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Audio Refinement Pre-2DSP for six-channel sources only (via HT Bypass on the GCC)
Speakers:	VMPS 626r w/ FST, Supermax OXO and Sonicaps ... or Magnepan 1.6QR (front), modded 10.1QR (rear, AlphaCore foil inductors, Obliggato oil caps)... ACI Force Subwoofers (2)
Sources:
CD Player/DAC:	Wyred4Sound DAC-2 and Squeezebox v3 (w/ Elpac linear power supply) via wired ethernet from dedicated music server in basement (for FLAC files archived on hard drive and internet radio sources; Cary can be used as a DAC since it has digital inputs)
Turntable/Phono Stage:	Music Hall MMF-5 and Monolithic PS1 with HCB power supply
Other Source(s):	Denon 2900 'universal' player (and as a transport for 24/96 DAD titles feeding W4S DAC); old Yamaha CT-800 tuner
Other Accessories/Room/Misc.:
Speaker Cables/Interconnects:	Illuminati digital coax (not the Kimber version, this was designed by Chris Sommovigo of Stereovox and has a solid casing you bend like a wishbone to fit between transport/DAC), Harmonic Technology Pro-Silway II Balanced from CDP, Reference Line Silver (Kimber silver varistrand) for DVD two-channel into the GCC, homemade Kimber PBJ for six channel source material via Pre2DSP, DH Labs Q-10 external biwire speaker cables
Other (Power Conditioner, Racks etc.):	PS Audio Power Plant Premier
Tweaks:	Salamander Synergy with custom solid maple top/bottom, Bright Star Little Foot on each speaker's rear legs, Ginko Mini Clouds under CD/DAC, various cones/spikes/etc.
Room Size (LxWxH):	18.5' x 13' x 8.5'
Room Comments/Treatments:	System along short wall. Room is L-shaped and opens into kitchen area, increasing width to 16' where the listening position is located.
Music Preferences and Comments:
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Wide range including pop/rock, jazz, blues, some classical, avante garde and world
System Goals/Comments:	Two-channel sounds fantastic. Still trying reconcile it with HT/MC as they require different speaker positions. Getting multichannel to sound right is a pain.
System Strengths:	Openness, airiness. Fantasically smooth sounding with a tremendous sound stage. GCC is very detailed yet incredibly smooth, with fantastic bass response and control, adding to the incredible capabilities of the Cary CDP/DAC.
System Weaknesses:	Unfortunately, the listening position is near a null point for the bass, though I have been able to largely fix this with the variable phase and dual crossover filters of the ACI subs (my spouse won't let me move the couch ... yet).
Video/HT System: Integrated
TV/Projector:	None, I tossed my JVC 36' direct view TV into another room and can't believe how good the system sounds without that giant reflector panel between the speakers!
Processor/Receiver/Amplifiers:	Wyred4Sound 200S amp (for rear channels only, basically a modified PS Audio A-100)
Speakers (Center, Surrounds, Sub):	Magnepan 10.1 rears (may get a CC3 center in the future, which would also require another amp, but for now the 'phantom' center works great with Maggies)
Sources (DVD/VCR):	Denon 2900 DVD-A/SACD player
Comments on HT System:	I want to keep it as separate as possible from the audio system. GCC control amp has a unity gain processor loop for the front channels. Digital input to Cary 306 via coax (used with 24/96 DADs).
URL Link: http://www.audiocircle.com/gallery/index.php?cat=13488