Audio Asylum - Inmate Systems

JP van Son's Main System System
IP Address: 66.189.210.17	Last Update: July 26, 2007 at 14:58:52
Amplifier:	Fisher SA-16 6BQ5 amplifier on the ribbons until I can build a better digital amplifier to replace the now melted modified Sonic Impact. 2x SWTP Tigersaurus Monoblocks (Modified)
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Onkyo TX-DS696 in Direct Bypass mode Denon DCD-1650AR Variable Out for critical listening
Speakers:	Flatline Design Model 175 Hybrid Ribbons by Lewis Muratori (Any information greatly appreciated)ribbons running from 350Hz to 44kHz. Magnepan Tympani IU bass panels handling from 350Hz to ~35Hz. DIY Adire DPL-12 w/ PR-15 AVA-250 powered subwoofer crossed in at 40Hz.
Sources:
CD Player/DAC:	Denon DCD-1650AR, Toshiba SD-4960
Turntable/Phono Stage:	Sony PS-X500 with Grado Gold
Other Accessories/Room/Misc.:
Speaker Cables/Interconnects:	12 gauge Sound King speaker cable, Radio Shack Fusion Interconnects
Tweaks:	Heavily modifed speaker crossovers
Room Size (LxWxH):	16 x 16 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	Attached kitchen sans divider makes for a bit larger room than the dimensions imply and does a great deal to tame room bass issues. Strategically placed comforters and pillows are added as pseudo-room treatments when a critical listening session is desired.
Music Preferences and Comments:
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Most everything from classical to classic rock. I must admit a weakness for fine female vocals and, oddly enough, Balkan music such as Goran Bregovic.
System Goals/Comments:	Looking to find a 6' tall pair of Magnepan bass panels to build my own planar design employing the ribbons from the Flatlines with the Maggies. I'd like to eventually go fully active once I can find a nice electronic crossover that doesn't add too much garbage to the signal.
System Strengths:	The speakers by far despite their short-comings. There's much to be said for the capabilities of a good nearly full-range ribbon. The TT is mighty good despite the general audiophile aversion to Sony products being capable of rejecting all manner of vibration issues without loss of sound quality. Thanks to the Denon, CDs now far exceed vinyl in sound.
System Weaknesses:	The amplifier -- these speakers require an amplifier stable into as little as 1 ohm, but I've only one thus far that doesn't launch into protection when trying to drive them. The Magnepan panels mostly solved the integration issues in the original Flatline Design between the line source ribbon and little point source midbass cone.
Video/HT System: Integrated
TV/Projector:	32" JVC CRT
Processor/Receiver/Amplifiers:	Same as stereo system
Speakers (Center, Surrounds, Sub):	Same as stereo system
Sources (DVD/VCR):	Toshiba SD-4960 Semi-universal DVD/CD/SACD/DVD-A player, Pioneer CLD-S104 LD player
Other HT Gear:	Comfortable Sofa
Comments on HT System:	Used to use a pair of Infinity RSbs for the rear channels, but after a room rearrangement I've discovered that just the stereo setup made for superior sound. Startingly, using the Toshiba's built-in decoder, the surround effects are almost better with two speakers instead of four.
Other Interests/Hobbies/Occupation:	Books & Literature, Music, Electronics, and casual science