Inmate Systems - Audio Asylum

newdreams 's An economical stereo listening system System
IP Address: 96.48.113.194	Last Update: January 10, 2014 at 21:32:46
Amplifier:	Hitachi HMA-7500 power amp (used $100) now sidelined: Nikko Alpha 130, 100 wpc ($150 with the Beta 30 preamp)
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Onkyo P306RS preamp ($80 ebay purchase)
Speakers:	Paradigm 9SEs ($200, used)
Sources:
CD Player/DAC:	Luxman DZ-121 and Denon DCD 815 ($20 each used) I was using a Toshiba SD-9100 DVD player (new around $2K, thrift store find $20) as a CD source, due to it's decent DACs. However, no easy visual interface for playing CDs.
Turntable/Phono Stage:	Rega Planar 3 with ADC XLM Mk III cartridge ($450 from local seller) I have a used Rega Exact cartridge I plan to set up and try out on the Planar 3.
Other Source(s):	Denon DRM-700a and Sony TCK-71 3-head cassette decks (about $20 apiece at thrift stores) Teac 3440s 4-channel reel-to-reel with outboard DBX system ($125 from a friend).
Other Accessories/Room/Misc.:
Speaker Cables/Interconnects:	Home Depot 12 gauge speaker wire, plus reasonable interconnects. Monster and AR connects at a local discount/$1 store for under $10 each.
Tweaks:	VPI 16.5 Record cleaning machine. A great investment!
Room Size (LxWxH):	12' x 20' x 7'
Room Comments/Treatments:	L-shaped room, and difficult to place things properly, given a path through the room. However, it's all underground with no windows, so loud late night playing is no problem.
Music Preferences and Comments:
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Rock, especially 1955-1975 Jazz - Blue Note, ECM, Swing Era and much more World Music Blues, Celtic, Folk, some classical
System Goals/Comments:	I'm happy for now. Big improvement over Denon HT receiver system. I needed to get a decent separate stereo system on a budget, and I'm there for now. I have a separate Rega Planar 2 I want to set up for 45 rpm only.
System Strengths:	Plays loud when I need it. Very good sound to my ears. Nice turntable/cartridge combo. Whole thing under $1K, given a lot of patience and homework...
System Weaknesses:	Paradigms have nice detailed high end, maybe a little brash at times. They seem to handle loudness well. Hard to place speakers properly in a room that is traveled through.
Video/HT System: Integrated
TV/Projector:	Panasonic 42" Plasma TC-P42S2
Processor/Receiver/Amplifiers:	Denon AVR 1804 6.1
Speakers (Center, Surrounds, Sub):	KEF Kalindas (Front L/R) Paradigm CC-370 center Mission 700s (Rear L/R) Paradigm PS-1200 v.3 subwoofer Paradigm 3SE rear center
Sources (DVD/VCR):	Panasonic BMP-BD85 Blu-ray Player
Other HT Gear:	Yamaha DVD-S2700 DVD/SACD/DVD-A player
Comments on HT System:	Better than our local theatres, although now I have a 42", I'm thinking even bigger would be nice.
Other Interests/Hobbies/Occupation:	Computer education as an occupation. Ex-pro and still playing/recording musician. Still developing digital MIDI/audio home computer-based studio (Cubase/Firestudio Project/Mackie DAW). Lots of money going here now.