Audio Asylum - Inmate Systems

mbmiller@bcpl.net's vintage 1970s/1980s System
IP Address: 208.242.126.183	Last Update: September 26, 2007 at 16:45:12
Amplifier:	Quad 405 - purchased in Jan. 1978. A work horse with more than enough power to drive the ADS 1230s.
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Nakamichi 410 - purchased Jan. 1978. Great piece. The only servicing it needed was replacement of the power light. UPDATE: The Nak died as I was listening to a Johnny Cash CD. Now using a Yamaha C-4, a terrific piece of audio hardware. The Nak I sent up to Conneticut for repair. Hope to use it as a backup pre-amp.
Speakers:	ADS 1230s - purchased Sept. 1983. Purchased Sennheiser 595 ear-speakers on 6/9/06. Great sound: Superb bass response and a sense of spaciousness that I've never experienced listening through headphones. They replaced my 20-year old Beyer 414s.
Sources:
CD Player/DAC:	NAD 525 BEE - purchased September 2007. It replaced my 1987 NAD 5120 and doesn't sound nearly as good. So much for 20 years of technological "advances."
Turntable/Phono Stage:	Thorens TD 166, mk 2 - purchased July 1985; Sumiko Blue Point mm cartridge, 8/04 purchase off ebay.
Other Source(s):	Yamaha T-1 tuner, a great classic analogue tuner I wouldn't think of replacing, purchased 1978. XM satalite setup hooked to main system, a X-Mas present from the wife.
Other Accessories/Room/Misc.:
Speaker Cables/Interconnects:	nothing special. I got heavy guage wire at Tweeter, peeled off the plastic and connected the exposed ends. That's my so-called interconnects.
Room Size (LxWxH):	19' x 19' x 8'
Room Comments/Treatments:	Moving into a house revived my interest in listening. The new Berber rug and snotty pine walls of partially finished basement make for fine accoustics. Plus, there's no neighbors to annoy. Update: Moved the system into the hardwood, rugless living room after my daughter moved in the basement, August 2005. A rug would improve the sound 100% - if we ever get around to buying one.
Music Preferences and Comments:
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	classical, opera, jazz, classic rock (The Who, Jethro Tull, Beatles)
System Goals/Comments:	none - after years of tweaking and obsessing, I'm reasonably content. Still, I wished I had bought the Sumiko Blue Note mc cartridge instead of the Pearl. With CD, I figured I should save the $150 difference because I wasn't buying vinyal anymore. My Denon mc sounded more open, especially in the mid-range. (replaced it after 500 hours playing time)
System Strengths:	the ADS 1230s. They reproduce everything accurately. Haven't heard anything better in its price range. (list price in 1983: $1500; purchased for $1200 through a discount house). Only regret is not splurging for the ADS 1530s which would have been $500 more.
System Weaknesses:	Could have more of everything: highs, lows, mid-range, sound stage. That would require more than I'm now willing to spend. I try to live by that old proverb - the truly rich are those satisfied with their lot. Key in stereo system for lot and you've got it.
Video/HT System: None
TV/Projector:	13yr old (Feb. 1994) 19' Magnavox. Video is not important to me.
Other Interests/Hobbies/Occupation:	cycling, target shooting (and you thought audio was expensive - try the shooting sports!)