Inmate Systems - Audio Asylum

SHIF's Stereo System
IP Address: 172.56.149.149	Last Update: June 14, 2025 at 13:01:12
Amplifier:	Pass Labs X250
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Cary Audio SLP-2002 (is now for sale) Currently using Marantz Stereo 70s as my audio preamp.
Speakers:	Magnepan MG3.6R with DIY cross-overs: Cherry white fabric with black oak trim. Mye stands (an essential upgrade) REL B2 sub-bass unit, black finish.
Sources:
CD Player/DAC:	Cary Audio 308-T with Amperex 7316 tubes.
Turntable/Phono Stage:	VPI Aries Scout with JMW-9 unipivot arm and medium output Benz Micro ACE moving coil cartridge. Hagerman Cornet tubed phono stage: Various 12AX7 in gain stage with a Amperex ECC82 buffer tube. Bendix 6106 rectifier tube. Plenty of upgraded parts in this project, caps and resistors. My Cornet is unique, I mounted all the parts to the tube-side of the circuit board so the whole thing is very low profile. It's contained in a custom machined aluminum enclosure just tall enough to cover the rectifer tube, very sexy. Wow what a musical phono stage this is!
Other Source(s):	OTL tubed headphone amp inspired from a schematic posted by Kurt Strain on the Headwize.com project library. Also made very low-profile and mounted in a custom machined aluminum enclosure matching my photo stage. I'm using Sylvania 6CG7 and Amperex 7613 tubes. It drives my Sennheiser 600 cans with aplomb! Now using a HD-650 cord on my HD-600 headphones, a nice upgrade.
Other Accessories/Room/Misc.:
Speaker Cables/Interconnects:	Harmonic Tech Pro 11 to speakers. Harmonic Tech Truth Link from CDP to preamp. Audioquest Coral from phono stage to preamp. Mogami balanced interconnects with Neutrik XLR into amplifier (balanced). Synergistic Research Alpha Sterling cables from TT to phono stage.
Other (Power Conditioner, Racks etc.):	Elac Protek 9-outlet surge protector and power filter. DIY power cords on all components made using Belden 83753 shielded cable, 14 gauge conductors (7x22ga), tinned copper with Teflon insulation. Schurter 14 gauge IEC connectors and Hubbell plugs. Shield braids tied to ground at the plug-end only.
Tweaks:	Rebuilt external speaker crossovers using vastly superior parts. Bypassed all stock connection hardware and all fuses. Basically soldered my XO to my drivers. No worries, my Pass amp will never clip, my drivers are safe. Added silicone O-rings to the vacuum tubes in my phono stage which seems to help the sonics.
Room Size (LxWxH):	17 x 14 x 10
Music Preferences and Comments:
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Progressive rock, fusion jazz, and electric blues.
System Goals/Comments:	Find more time to enjoy the great music. And also continue to add to my source material collection. Continuous search for great vinyl.
System Strengths:	3-dimensional and realistic sounding. Full extension in both ends. Satisfying and emotive. Clean and accurate.
System Weaknesses:	None, really.
Video/HT System: Separate
TV/Projector:	75" Sony X90L 4K full-array LCD
Processor/Receiver/Amplifiers:	Marantz Stereo 70s
Speakers (Center, Surrounds, Sub):	No surround speakers. Using my big Maggies plus my REL sub in a 2.1 set-up.
Sources (DVD/VCR):	Streaming everything via WiFi Panasonic 420 4k Blu-ray player
Other HT Gear:	Using Mogami microphone cables with Neutrik connectors for long interconnects, both balanced and single ended types. Mogami 2534 for balanced and 2549 for single ended.
URL Link: http://www.skibuilders.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=4819
Other Interests/Hobbies/Occupation:	Cycling is my main passion, mountain bikes and also road...snow skiing is better than bike riding, that is my true passion...I also build big powder skis in my garage and drink lotza micro-brew.