Audio Asylum - Inmate Systems

IBSmiester's The Blue Room System
IP Address: 142.161.160.20	Last Update: January 14, 2009 at 20:06:06
Amplifier:	(active monitors: 50W for tweeter, 50W for woofer, per channel)
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	NAD 3155 (Integrated, only using preamp section)
Speakers:	Dynaudio Acoustics BM5A Active Studio Monitors
Sources:
CD Player/DAC:	Sony SCD-CE595 (SACD/CD)
Turntable/Phono Stage:	Denon DP-45F (DD, fully auto) Ortofon 2M Blue (primary) Denon DL-110 (backup, older) DIY Cork Mat, AudioQuest Headshell Leads, EON Pod Clamp, Zerostat Gun, AudioQuest Carbon Fibre brush, Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (stylus cleaner) and KAB EV-1 RCM are my accessories.
Other Source(s):	Tuner: Onkyo T-22 Headphones: Koss KSC-50 Spares: Dual 1219 turntable, a pair of AR-2ax loudspeakers (need pot/cap repair), Koss ESP/7 electrostatic headphones, and a bunch of spare cartridges/headshells (usually with busted stylii).
Other Accessories/Room/Misc.:
Speaker Cables/Interconnects:	Interconnects: Monster Cable Interlink 4's on the CD player Canare L-4E6S Star Quad cable with Neutrik Gold Plated XLR connectors between pre and active monitors Crappy stock IC's on the rest Stock Power Cords on all
Other (Power Conditioner, Racks etc.):	Black speaker stands Woods ProPower Outlet Bar
Tweaks:	I have a little bit of shipping foam under the turntable to cut back on vibration problems, along with that DIY cork mat.
Room Size (LxWxH):	10.5 x 8.5 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	Small bedroom so it's a bit cramped, but I still get good quality sound.
Music Preferences and Comments:
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	EVERYTHING. Around 600 LPs and 200 CDs. Genres do nothing but limit peoples' horizons. Here are some of my favs: (jazz) Miles Davis, Keith Jarrett, Eric Dolphy, John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman... (rock) The Beatles, Radiohead, Talk Talk, Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Genesis, Peter Gabriel, Jimi Hendrix... (classical/other) Mahler, Stravinsky, Bartok, Beethoven, Steve Reich, John Cage...
System Goals/Comments:	There's something I call musical fluidity that I truly desire; I suppose it's a combination of warmth with clarity and detail. I want the music to simply flow, clearly, dynamically with both detail and musicality, just like the best sounding live music.
System Strengths:	For the money I've spent, I think it's a very good system. Lots of dynamics and detail (from the Dynaudios), along with good flowing musicality. Bass is tight, and transients sparkle. Classical, jazz and rock are all well represented. Never fatiguing. Certainly not a 'warm' or 'romantic' sound.
System Weaknesses:	At times, the system lacks that true fluidty I desire, and some recordings (especially on CD) can exhibit dryness. Cartridge is unforgiving of surface noise on LPs. The small room impedes soundstaging and depth. Certainly not a 'warm' or 'romantic' sound.
Video/HT System: None
Other Interests/Hobbies/Occupation:	University Student: Mathematics Major/Philosophy Minor Interests: Math, Philosophy, Cycling, Film, Art, Design, and lots and lots of Music.