I've put the Quads up on 10.5" solid wood stands to get the soundstage up off the floor. Tried alot of amplifiers (EAR, Quicksilver, ARC) - thus far the Cary's take the day as far as the combination of liquidity and resolution. The Odysee Stratos is also a very fine sounding SS amplifier I sometimes listen to.
As for cabling, I haven't gone very far with experimentation yet. I'm running Harmonic Technology Truthlink interconnects (12 ft b/t preamp and amps) and Canare star quad speaker cables. I tried a few interconnects, and thought the HT was very neutral and a good bang for buck. Not sure where to go on speaker cable. One need be only 6 feet long, the other 12!
As you can see from the system pictures, the sources and preamp are in built-in cabinets, the amps are in a rack in the corner of the room. This is a dedicated listening room. I first contructed and installed way too many absorptive panels and bass traps. I've since taken many out, leaving 7 panels and two bass traps.
Albert - would you consent to sharing that song with us overall the digital conduits - or do we have to listen to it in vinyl. I'm sure it is THAT good.
Marco - beware - I think this guy wants to serenade you! You're right - we will need to change the pictures and I'll need to tell the tale - from Quads to Maggies to Avalon. You've gotta bring your camera out here :)
Thanks guys for your compliments about the room. I am definitely still trying to bring it into "tune".
Kuzibri - where should I inquire about this speaker cable? Do you think it would be worthwhile to just buy some bulk silver wire and make my own speaker cables?
Yoel - I own 2 TBI subs, and I think they are very impressive as to their linearity and their fastness. First time I head them (at CES) I thought that these would work for the Quads. But I haven't spent the time required to optimize them yet, and so I've been playing the Quads straight out.
Transmissionfluid - yes I made all of the bass traps and wall panels myself. The wall panels are very easy to make - just buy yourself some Owen's Corning 703 rigid sheets with foil or paper backing, build some wood frames that fit around them (2x4 feet), stretch some porous fabric over the framed sheets, and hang them on the walls or ceilings. They are most effective as you move them slightly out from the walls. The sound was definitely hushed - didn't have the live and resonant qualities of a room. Without any insulation, echo was unbearable. Making tube traps is more complicated, and I was lucky to have a friend help me who knew how. Feel free to contact me and I can tell you more. See Marco's comments on the acoustics of the room.
Ummm - Marco, now there is little chance I will change the spelling of your name! No - I'll see what I can do, Mr. Prozzo. Maybe some scotch shorted out my keyboard while I was typing!
Well, I am still trying to upgrade my preamp (yes, I'm interested in suggestions, and just posted a request for feedback on ideas) and still interested in cable suggestions. Thanks All.
