Audio Asylum - Inmate Systems

BIOMAN's Digitally Disturbed System
IP Address: 173.175.57.169	Last Update: December 11, 2011 at 15:41:24
Amplifier:	Spectron Musician III Mk. II with V-Cap and Bybee upgrade.
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Benchmark Media DAC1 USB
Speakers:	GR Research Line Source 9 (LS-9)
Sources:
CD Player/DAC:	Optiarc DVD+RW AD7200S in a Dell Studio 540. Intel Core2 Quad CPU Q8200 2.33 ghz; 8 gb ram; 5.2 Terabytes of storage
Turntable/Phono Stage:	Technics SL-10 with Grado Cartridge (MM) and Bellari tubed phono stage.
Other Source(s):	Foobar 2002 direct to external DAC1 USB with no alterations of the digital stream - all music files FLAC or WAV encoded. Yamaha T-750 Tuner
Other Accessories/Room/Misc.:
Speaker Cables/Interconnects:	Reality Cables - XLR Interconnects Reality Cables - Speaker Cables
Other (Power Conditioner, Racks etc.):	Elgems Industrial Isolation Transformer for DAC1
Tweaks:	Second Generation homemade acoustic panels - (42) 4' by 2' panels covering most of the walls. Second generation Bass traps in corners (2) 30" * 24"
Room Size (LxWxH):	32 x 22 x 10
Room Comments/Treatments:	Homemade acoustic panels really do make a difference; at least as much as an amplification chain upgrade
Music Preferences and Comments:
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Everything except RAP and Country Western
System Goals/Comments:	My goal was to upgrade Carver Pro to MC2 Audio Systems MC-1250;16 ohms @ 1kHz: 400 w 8 ohms @ 1kHz: 750 w; 4 ohms @ 1kHz: 1250 w; 2 ohms @ 1kHz: 1800 w. However the units are hard to find second hand and typically need to be bought from GB directly at a steep shipping cost with potential shipping damage issues. So I looked for an alternative and based on the reviews I am giving the Spectron Musician II a chance. 1 kHz: < 0.008% 20Hz - 20kHz: < 0.03% Input CMRR: > 80 dB Hum & Noise: -105 dB Gain: 33dB Sensitivity for rated output, 4 ohms: +6dBu (1.54v) Damping Factor 1 kHz, 8 ohms: > 1000 Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz +0/-0.5 dB Input Impedance (actively balanced): 10k ohms Dimensions - 2U(mm): 130 x 480 x 460 Weight: 30kg Power Requirement: 230 VAC @ 20.0 amps max 120 VAC @ 38.0 amps max
System Strengths:	Will know more in a few weeks after Spectron arrives. The LS-9 are world class speakers.
System Weaknesses:	Still working on speaker placement to get the best these are capable of.
Video/HT System: None
TV/Projector:	Sony 52" WEGO
Processor/Receiver/Amplifiers:	Yamaha seven channel with DSP
Speakers (Center, Surrounds, Sub):	AV123 X-Omnis floor standers for front, sides and rears are Celestion mounted on walls near ceiling level.
Sources (DVD/VCR):	DVD and Yamaha Receiver
Comments on HT System:	Just basic enhanced sound for watching movies.
Other Interests/Hobbies/Occupation:	I run a Clinical Engineering departments in large hospitals for over 30 years. I have been making furniture and cabinetry as a hobby for around 25 years; I plan to do this when I retire in a few years.