Inmate Systems - Audio Asylum

Alex M's mostly DIY System
IP Address: 195.80.8.42	Last Update: October 15, 2021 at 13:27:50
Amplifier:	DIY version of Kevin Kennedy's differential push-pull 6SL7/6SN7/300B monoblocks.
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Vacuum State RTP3 fully differential valve preamp (DIY). Twelve 6922 valves and a hybrid cascode phono input stage to increase gain and reduce noise. Vacuum State SVP valve preamplifier with hybrid JFET/valve phono stage, also DIY.
Speakers:	Troels Gravesen's MUN-17: semi-active floor standing three-way with built-in Hypex plate amps for bass. Previously: Troels Gravesen's SEAS 3-way Classics Mk 2 I have also used, and enjoyed very much, ProAc Studio One Mk. 2 (on Target 17/2 stands), as well as my own design Neptune three-way speakers. I use Sennheiser HD595 headphones, driven by a Graham Slee Novo headphone amp from the record output of my preamp.
Sources:
CD Player/DAC:	Marantz CD6005
Turntable/Phono Stage:	Turntable: Pink Triangle PT TOO, with full Funk Firm Vector upgrade Arm: Funk Firm FX-R with Michell Technoweight, replacing an SME Series IV, Cartridge: Lyra Delos
Other Source(s):	Denon TU260 FM tuner
Other Accessories/Room/Misc.:
Speaker Cables/Interconnects:	Maplin silver-plated stranded copper speaker cable Twisted pair (Cat 5) DIY balanced interconnects, terminated with Neutrik XLRs VdH D102 unbalanced interconnects for CD player and radio
Other (Power Conditioner, Racks etc.):	Five-shelf Hi Fi Racks Podium Slimline unit.
Tweaks:	... as I said, mostly DIY to start with...
Room Size (LxWxH):	6 metres x 5 metres x 2.5 metres
Music Preferences and Comments:
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Classical; prog and heavy rock; folk; jazz; world music BBC Radio 3
System Goals/Comments:	Unfatiguing, dynamic sound with convincing presence, space and timbre.
System Strengths:	With each change to the system (particularly the 300B amps!) the sound gets more listenable and colourful.
System Weaknesses:	The room is an awkward L-shape, which restricts both speaker placement and the listening position. It is also too small to have either the speakers or the listening seat far enough from the wall, so the soundstage at the sofa isn't as expansive as I'd like. The system is also missing some bass impact and definition, which I think is mainly a room issue - my measurements suggest serious resonances at 40Hz and 100Hz. The gain structure is not quite right - while the phono input works fine, the preamp line stage gain is excessive, so I have to turn the volume right down for CDs and radio.
Video/HT System: None
URL Link: http://soundmovements.co.uk/diyaudio
Other Interests/Hobbies/Occupation:	Interests: music, aikido, science fiction, wildlife, food. Occupation: oceanographer/climate scientist.