Audio Asylum - Inmate Systems

mark maloof's basic time machine System
IP Address: 68.174.118.68	Last Update: January 05, 2009 at 15:14:08
Amplifier:	Innersound iPower 330 amplifier, with Innersound Kaya crossover amp for woofers.
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	CAT (Convergent Audio Technology) Sig. MK III
Speakers:	Innersound Eros electrostatic/transmission line woofer hybrid with most current crossover amplifier.
Sources:
CD Player/DAC:	Modwright modified Denon 2900 universal player
Turntable/Phono Stage:	Redpoint/Galibier Quattro table with Triplanar MK VII arm and Dynavector XX2, also have a Supex 900 rebuilt by Garrott Brothers. Phono stage in CAT preamp. Use a Stevens and Billington 103 step-up, probably don't need to with the CAT, but it does add a bit of dynamic snap.
Other Accessories/Room/Misc.:
Speaker Cables/Interconnects:	Synergistic Resoluion Reference and Designers Reference, Audience AU24. Speaker cable: Synergistic Research Signature 10 (with active shielding) on electrostatic panels, DIY tri-braid teflon coated wire on woofers. Power cables: All are Kaplan Cable power cords
Other (Power Conditioner, Racks etc.):	Target rack and DIY turntable stand. Turntable stand has a 5.5 inch tall sandbox filled with 50 lbs of sand, using a 45 pound polished aluminum plate with heatsinks as top plate. Power conditioner: DIY Felix power conditioner for Modwright player.
Tweaks:	Oyaide SWO-XXX and R-1 outlets at wall, Denon player on acrylic/rubber ball supports in a sandbox. Herbie's tube dampers on the tubes in the Modwright. CAT preamp also sits on rubber balls. Mapleshade rubber/cork pucks under amps. . Hi-fi Tuning fuses in CAT and speaker outputs of Innersound amps.
Room Size (LxWxH):	27 feet x 27 feet x 10 feet
Room Comments/Treatments:	Not much, a couple of acoustic panels that I'm disguising as paintings, but the nature of the Innersound panels helps keep room issues out of the equation (panels beam at my head, this is a good thing for anyone that wants good sound. Want wide dispersion speakers? Buy some crappy Bose.)
Music Preferences and Comments:
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Many things rock from the 60s to present, esp. 'underground' or experimental rock, pop, noise, psychedelic,etc. 'Classic' rock and pop are loved too. Oh yeah, even metal if I'm in the mood. Death/speed metal can be quite exhilariting and hilarious. Jazz (instrumental, not into a lot of vocal jazz), mostly from 50's (Monk, Miles, Coltrane, etc.) to 70s (free jazz/improv and early fusion, electric Miles, etc) Also contemporary 'freak' jazz stuff like John Zorn. And, of course, Sun Ra. 60s and 70s soul and funk, the real stuff. Some folk stuff (Nick Drake, John Fahey, etc) Some blues (Muddy, Hooker,Lightening, the Howlin' Wolf) Modern composer mayhem (Stockhausen, Cage, Tudor, Xeankis, etc) Some 20th century composers Abba when called for. Bad 70s pop music, because in its own way, its good.
System Goals/Comments:	Detailing without fatigue, holographic imaging, a fun musical experience, 'It just sounds right'
System Strengths:	Nice soundstage and imaging, plus decent coherence, lots of 'I never noticed that in the recording before' detailing, very fun and easy to listen to for hours on end, no fatigue. That 'boxless' sound that panel speakers deliver, but with some real dynamic bass from the Innersound TL woofers.
System Weaknesses:	Reveals bad quality of many of the rock/punk/jazz records I like. Funny mic placement/phase issues on a number of rock records revealed (still doesn't stop me from listening and loving it.) Sound is slightly more on the large presentation size (panel sound) than pinpoint imaging, but I find the speakers easy to get lost in with the music. Tubes do wear, and need to be replaced every year or two.
Video/HT System: Separate
TV/Projector:	Panasonic 46 inch 800U plasma
Processor/Receiver/Amplifiers:	see above
Sources (DVD/VCR):	Modwright Denon 2900 (modded), Panasonic RV80 DVD player
Other Interests/Hobbies/Occupation:	Play guitar in Sumato (downtown NYC instrumental band) Work as a freelance sound mixer for video and film