Audio Asylum - Inmate Systems

tweak48's Livingroom, HT, and Family Room Hornsystems System
IP Address: 70.56.68.195	Last Update: October 18, 2008 at 12:59:37
Amplifier:	VTL ST-85 (EL-34 outputs)drives JBL S-3100s Conrad Johnson Sonographe SA-250 (reissue)drives the JBL 4425's;
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Audio Research SP-5 Preamp, totally refurbed by ARC drives SA-250; Audio Research LS-3 drives VTL power amp.
Speakers:	JBL 4425 Studio Monitors (family room) JBL S-3100s (living room)
Sources:
CD Player/DAC:	Cambrige Audio Azur 640 CD player
Turntable/Phono Stage:	Empire 598III w/Ortofon MC-X5 high output moving coil cartridge
Other Source(s):	h/k Citation 23 tuner
Other Accessories/Room/Misc.:
Speaker Cables/Interconnects:	Garage System: Pioneer SX-727 receiver (circa '73) drives JBL 206 8 inchers in EPI enclosures; Pristine condition, $25 at garage sale. REALLY excellent Radio Shack FM yagi antenna; tons of gain, very directional, with balun coils and RG-59 to the receiver
Tweaks:	Machined aluminum cone thingies attached to the feet of the CD player; a friend gave them to be for my birthday - not sure they do anything
Room Size (LxWxH):	12' x 18' x 8' (family room)
Music Preferences and Comments:
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jazz, Classic Rock, Classical. Canadian Broadcasting Vancouver/Victoria (mixed format) pretty good DX from Seattle where I live.
System Goals/Comments:	none.
System Strengths:	The JBL and Tannoy systems are very clean and dynamic sounding.
System Weaknesses:	Ortofon cart is a little too bright with the ARC phono preamp.
Video/HT System: Separate
TV/Projector:	Epson 720 onto DaLite Video Spectra 1.5 screen; 106 inches
Processor/Receiver/Amplifiers:	harman/kardon AVR-80ii receiver Technics SHAC-500 AC-3 DTS decoder (for satellite box)
Speakers (Center, Surrounds, Sub):	Tannoy Arden (HPD-385) mains Radian 708 coaxial in modified Dynaco A25 box (center channel) Klipsch KSF S5 surrounds. JBL B-380 sub driven by h/k PA2100 amp bridged to mono
Sources (DVD/VCR):	HD DishNetwork box; use digital optical out for audio Cheap-ass upscaling DVD player; waiting for Bleu-Ray to come down in price! harman/kardon FL-8330 CD (used as transport only)
Other HT Gear:	Monster Cable standard speaker wire Rat Shack top-o-the-line patch cords
Comments on HT System:	The audio portion of this system way outguns the TV. Very powerful (95db efficiency all the way around), extremely smooth
Other Interests/Hobbies/Occupation:	Cross country bicycle riding, downhill skiing, drinking. Former hi-fi manufacturers sales rep, now work in sales and marketing for a major aerospace company