Audio Asylum - Inmate Systems

Juan_Gomez's "On a Budget" System
IP Address: 65.15.45.108	Last Update: June 05, 2009 at 07:12:32
Amplifier:	Harman Kardon AVR 335 and Adcom model GFA-555II driving my main front speakers.
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	None
Speakers:	Main L+R: NHT Classic Three's on Atacama 28" high aluminum sand filled speaker stands.
Sources:
CD Player/DAC:	Denon DVD-2900 universal player (stock) with internal Burr Brown DSD1790 Audio DACs.
Turntable/Phono Stage:	None
Other Source(s):	None
Other Accessories/Room/Misc.:
Speaker Cables/Interconnects:	Main L+R: Power Line "Time Coherent" Cable by Monster Cable, Surrounds: Monster XP, Interconnects: Audioquest - Blue Racer II, Subwoofer Int: Audioquest - Blue Thunder II
Other (Power Conditioner, Racks etc.):	Basic power surge protector at the moment.
Room Size (LxWxH):	12'-6" x 13'-0" x 8'-0"
Room Comments/Treatments:	Wood Framed Walls with gypsum board on interior, carpet floor, gypsum ceiling w/ attic above. Moderate ammount of furnishings. No acoustical treatment for now.
Music Preferences and Comments:
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Classical, Chamber, Jazz, Rock/alternative, electronic, hip hop, reggae, folk, all types of music.
System Goals/Comments:	A larger room so surround sound setup for SACD and HT can function properly. As of now I listen to music purely in 2 channel stereo.
System Strengths:	Good deep and wide sound stage that can extend beyond the speakers especially with SACD. My NHT's imaging is pin point and reproduction is very revealing. The Adcom supplies plenty of power and sounds surprisingly warm and smooth for solid state especially with Hi-Rez material. Rock solid bass performance for bookshelf speakers even w/o the subwoofer on! With Subwoofer I can get close to 25 hz w/o much drop in db.
System Weaknesses:	Overall my system sounds a little up-front when compared to setups costing 5 times more. The NHT and Adcom duo can be extremely unforgiving when playing recordings that are bright, loud, and/or compressed.
Video/HT System: Separate
TV/Projector:	34" Panasonic T(tau) series HDTV. Progresive scan CRT.
Processor/Receiver/Amplifiers:	Harman Kardon AVR 335
Speakers (Center, Surrounds, Sub):	7.1 surround. Center: NHT model 1.1c, Surround L+R: NHT model 1.1, Surround Back L+R: NHT Super Zero, Subwoofer: 12" Dayton Titanic 1200 in custom 1" thick MDF 2.8cu.ft. sealed enclosure w/ 2"x2" Bracing and Rhythmik Audio A300 subwoofer plate amplifier.
Sources (DVD/VCR):	Denon DVD-2900 universal player with Progressive scan.
Other HT Gear:	MONSTER CABLE quality component YRB video connection.
Comments on HT System:	Very enjoyable to watch movies with awesome full range dynamic sound at decent SPL's but not as ridiculously loud as the movie theaters. Subwoofer and surround speakers cannot be in the best locations posible due to room layout.
Other Interests/Hobbies/Occupation:	Architecture, technology, art, music, and mountain biking.