Audio Asylum - Inmate Systems

spyderx's Main Setup System
IP Address: 75.142.123.125	Last Update: February 07, 2010 at 19:37:21
Amplifier:	BAT VK-300xSE w/BAT "Supertubes"
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	BAT Integrated
Speakers:	Totem Hawk
Sources:
CD Player/DAC:	Benchmark DAC1 USB Cheap JVC player as a transport to the DAC 1 if I want to play a CD, which is rare. I use my MacMini 99% of the time.
Turntable/Phono Stage:	Michell GyroDec SE MKII Michell Tecnoarm-A Tonearm (Rega RB-250 Variant) Michell "HR" power supply Michell Orbe record clamp Benz-Micro "Ace" S-Class High Output Graham Slee Reflex MM Phono Stage
Other Source(s):	MacMini (lossless digital source), data stored on remote RAID 5 NAS in another room, hard wired gigabit network. MacMini is silent and a great source PC. Small, quiet, literally plug and play, no ASIO mess, no USB driver mess. It just works.
Other Accessories/Room/Misc.:
Speaker Cables/Interconnects:	Custom DIY solid silver balanced interconnects from DAC to Amp. DIY speaker bi-wire (Canare wire). Blue Jeans ultra-low capacitance cables from phono preamp to integrated. Michell litz silver from cart to preamp. Power cables are stock.
Other (Power Conditioner, Racks etc.):	Cheap non-filtering power strip. System is dead quiet, no noise, no hum. I'm not tweaking what isn't broken.
Tweaks:	KAB Subsonic Filter placed between phono pre and integrated. This is a really great device. Some cool little Audio Technica isolation feet I got while in Japan. MINT LP protractor. VPI 16.5 cleaner. MILTY gun. And a box full of little tweaky tools and setup stuff for the turntable. I love tweaky tools. Probably 1/2 the reason I love vinyl.
Room Size (LxWxH):	20 x 12 x 10
Room Comments/Treatments:	1920's California Beach Bungalo tweaks: Springy hardwood floors, plaster walls, wood shutters, big Persian rug. How's that for treatments? One day I'll have a dedicated audio room.
Music Preferences and Comments:
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Indie Rock, Jazz, some early/classic rock/pop. 90% of my vinyl is classic jazz. Most other music I buy digital.
System Goals/Comments:	Best sound for size constraints and layout of my main room.
System Strengths:	Imaging, clarity, presence. Given the non-ideal placement and layout, it sounds very good.
System Weaknesses:	Room layout is not optimal. Older house with sort of spring wood floors, plaster walls (SoCal spanish beach bungalo). Super low-frequency extension (what do you expect out of 5" 'woofers'!?!?!). But the bass that is there is super clean and has good punch.
Video/HT System: Integrated
TV/Projector:	Sharp LCD 37" HDTV
Processor/Receiver/Amplifiers:	Rotel integrated receiver. Use BAT to drive front channel in unity gain mode. Use Rotel for decoding digital sources and rear channels
Speakers (Center, Surrounds, Sub):	Sub: Hsu Surrounds: B&W M1 Center: None, I use phantom center These are only used for HT duty. 90% of the time it's 2ch only.
Sources (DVD/VCR):	Cheapy DVD player (JVC)
Comments on HT System:	It works when I want it to. Which is not often.
Other Interests/Hobbies/Occupation:	Audio, Cars, Espresso, Wine, Electronics