Audio Asylum - Inmate Systems

Dr. Philosophy's Number One System
IP Address: 109.157.172.112	Last Update: January 04, 2012 at 15:23:56
Amplifier:	Transcendent Sound T16 Monoblocks (38W@8ohms)
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Transcendent Sound Grounded Grid, modified for 12AT7s.
Speakers:	Zingali Home Monitor 112 (97db @ 8 ohms)
Sources:
CD Player/DAC:	Sony SCD-777ES Modified by Vacuum State Electronics, level 6+.
Turntable/Phono Stage:	Michell Gyro SE w/ Gert Pedersen platter and armboard modifications. SME series V. Lyra Argos cartridge, S&B MC step-ups, and HR DC Power Supply. Transcendent Sound Phono Pre (6C45pi, 52db gain); with Allen Wright's Super Reg added.
Other Accessories/Room/Misc.:
Speaker Cables/Interconnects:	Lamp cord speaker wire, various ICs but bought before saw the light. I'm now at most agnostic on cables.
Other (Power Conditioner, Racks etc.):	All electronics fed from single Transcendent Sound balanced power supply.
Room Size (LxWxH):	24 x 24 x 10ft
Room Comments/Treatments:	Room is much too bright, including large windows directly behind speakers. Carpets helped.
Music Preferences and Comments:
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Classical, jazz.
System Goals/Comments:	All electronics except CDP built from kits.
System Strengths:	Soundstage/imaging/resolution. Euphonious, coherent, and muscular.
System Weaknesses:	To be honest I've not heard many systems at this level, so I can't compare very well. The single-driver speakers in my bedroom system provide more snap and immediacy but they are highly coloured, and don't have a lot of bass or high treble: a full-range system with no passive crossovers might do better, but I remain unconvinced. Another way would be bi or triamping, but that's expensive and more difficult. No question that the very best system I ever heard resolved low-level detail better, but that would cost more than 3x the money. I also have a weakness for electrostatics but that is another direction entirely. The main weakness is that many LPs are dirty and I can't be arsed to clean them. I do prefer LPs, by the way.
Video/HT System: None