Audio Asylum - Inmate Systems

VAM's Old Reliable System
IP Address: 24.61.161.64	Last Update: January 21, 2008 at 01:32:42
Amplifier:	Two MC-modded Hafler DH200, various "vintage" amps such as Dynaco Stereo 400, SAE 2400L, Mitsubishi DA-A15DC available when needed.
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	APT/Holman
Speakers:	Snell Type A Series II with updated crossovers (re-capped with modern audiophile caps), re-surrounded woofers (done by Snell), updated tweeters (same tweeters as AIII, also done by Snell at the factory). Bi-amped with Snell active crossover for Type AIIs.
Sources:
CD Player/DAC:	I keep most of my music in hi-rez lossless format on a server. Various media players including Transporter and Roku SoundBridge; a Squeezebox is on my short list as well. I have a couple CD players but I don't use them much.
Turntable/Phono Stage:	Thorens TD165C, Rega Fono MC, Denon 103r cart, connected directly to the Mytek ADC for digitizing.
Other Source(s):	Lots! Teac R2R tape, Nakamichi cassette, Sony PCM adapter, two DAT recorders (one portable, one console), 8-track (I like some vintage), others I can't remember. Mytek Stereo96 ADC (for digitizng vinyl), Shanling PH300 headphone amp, AKG K701 and Sennheiser HD650 phones.
Other Accessories/Room/Misc.:
Speaker Cables/Interconnects:	Speaker interconnects are home-built using 10ga OFC bulk wire with copper crimp-on pins. Most low-level interconnects are home-built also, using copper shielded cable (some IBM biaxial token-ring cable, some double-shielded Teflon dielectric coax).
Room Comments/Treatments:	UNFORTUNATELY, my speakers are currently not deployed because there is no room in our new house big enough to take them. I'm working on a solution but no hurry; for now I'm happy with headphones.
Music Preferences and Comments:
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Solo instrumental; pipe organ (favorite), guitar, piano. Classical in general. Rock, especially guitar rock and 60s-70s. Some "easy listening" jazz-like instrumental. Not a big fan of solo vocals, opera, or improvisational jazz.
System Goals/Comments:	The back end of my system is "vintage" except for my headphones and headphone amp. Eventually I want to get a place to deploy the speakers.
System Strengths:	Paid for :-) I like my speakers a lot, amps are pretty good and go well with the speakers.
System Weaknesses:	Some of the input devices are old. But basically I'm pretty happy with the pieces I use day to day.
Video/HT System: Separate
TV/Projector:	Mitsubishi WS-55809
Processor/Receiver/Amplifiers:	Carver 5-channel THX Amp, outboard Technics audio processor.
Speakers (Center, Surrounds, Sub):	All Cambridge Soundworks. Not great but good enough for what I use it for. After all, it's just a movie!
Sources (DVD/VCR):	Denon DVD player (Faroudja chipset), D-VHS VCR, Netgear EVA8000 HD media server.