Audio Asylum - Inmate Systems

desert dweller's 2-channel System
IP Address: 68.0.147.56	Last Update: August 17, 2009 at 15:11:47
Amplifier:	PrimaLuna Dialogue 2 with KT88s, Conrad Johnson MV52 with EL34s or Emotiva XPA-2.
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	PrimaLuna Dialogue 2, Conrad Johnson Premier 14 or Conrad Johnson PV8 modified by Bill Thalman
Speakers:	Von Schweikert VR2, Spendor SP2, Klipsch Heresy, ACI Titan sub for stand-mount speakers
Sources:
CD Player/DAC:	1.83Ghz Intel Mac Mini Core2Duo Leopard 1Gb Ram. Ripped with Max to Apple Lossless. Files upsampled by Mini to 24/96. Played with Itunes over firewire to Apogee Duet.
Turntable/Phono Stage:	PS Audio GCPH w/level 1 Underwood mod or Conrad Johnson PV8, modded by Bill Thalman. Wright Sound WPM100 stepup with Sowter transformers VPI Scout with JMW 9 base and Signature armwand. Audioquest AQ7000 and Shure V15VxMR cartridges.
Other Source(s):	KLH Model 18 tuner, Jolida JD100 CDP
Other Accessories/Room/Misc.:
Speaker Cables/Interconnects:	cables-Audioquest Type 4. ICs-Petra (Music Boys).
Other (Power Conditioner, Racks etc.):	Lack rack, generic power strip
Tweaks:	VPI HW 16.5 RCM
Room Size (LxWxH):	20 x 15 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	Listening room is shared with 42" LCD TV. Few placement options and lots of windows. Open to kitchen behind listening couch.
Music Preferences and Comments:
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Mostly acoustic (vocalists, folk, blues, bluegrass, jazz, swing, world), small-scale classical, rock.
System Goals/Comments:	Aim is an involving, rhythmic, toe-tapping presentation. Want lots of detail, dynamics and dimensionality without being bright or hard. Should be enjoyable even on less than stellar recordings.
System Strengths:	I'm getting there.
System Weaknesses:	Cables and ICs.
Video/HT System: Integrated
TV/Projector:	Sharp LC-42D64U LCD TV
Processor/Receiver/Amplifiers:	same as 2-channel system
Speakers (Center, Surrounds, Sub):	2-channel only
Sources (DVD/VCR):	Mac Mini DVD player, Cox HD cable box, Pioneer VCR.