My room is 11 by 21 by 10, which is not ideal but with the right components and room treatments (especially room treatments) the music can really "lock in". I use Corner, Echo and Bass Busters in their appropriate locations.
I use three sets of speakers...the MMGs, Totem Model 1s with Storm sub or an older pair of B&Ws, depending on the type of music I'm in the mood for. All three sound great in my room but "different great". I use the Creek as a preamp when I fire up the Heath monos or my Outlaw M200s, which I purchased to match with the MMGs.
I'm just beginning to explore music using a music server (actually a Windows based computer or two). I'm playing with a desktop system running Windows XP through a DAC via S/PDIF out to the Creek and a laptop running Windows 7 through another DAC (Jolida Glass FX) via USB. Results are interesting so far. We'll see...
I'm in the process of updating my photos. A few more will be coming soon.
David, Congratulations yourself! ;^) Being someone who is design-savvy you might be interested to learn I've studied interior design (not gay though! LOL) and have stumbled upon some interesting data that empirically proves that design does have quite a physical impact on us. For example, the color red (the strongest color effect) increases our blood pressure and heart rate (if I remember correctly) as much as 8% / +5 bpm's in middle aged adults. I.e., walking into the most intensely red painted room you've experienced will have a similar effect on your body as lighting up a cigarette...minus the chemicals and the cancer! That same room will usually have people exiting it in a real hurry. It's no wonder (to me at least) that people spend so much time, money and pay so much attention to spaces and their aesthetics. About the clean/dirty car...my truck is absolutely filthy right now - but it'll be running good again after I wash it. Ah vacuum tubes, so easy to listen to...it still amazes me how quickly they were abandoned it favor of (typically) grainy, dull and fatiguing solid state - especially with those metal domed tweeters. If you think your vintage piece sounds nice I think you'd be truly shocked by the new tube amps...they can sound quite creepy-real. Enjoy that listening space you have - I'm waist deep in remodeling right now and will post my virtual rig when my room is around "92%." -Bruce
VM, Your system is right up my alley! I've a good deal of experience with the Quads (21 and 22L's) and believe them to be the absolute best choice @ the price. I'm planning to get a pair of 21L's (they're a bit easier for my ASL 1003 integrated to drive than the 22L's) and eventually a Manley Stingray because of their synergistic relationship. I also own a (bone stock) MMF 2.1LE and the Bellari phonostage...very smooth combo (imho). I know that Underwood claims very high resolution for that cdp mod, having listened to it, what do you think? I currently own a Music Hall Maverick but am considering the slightly less expensive Consonance CD120 Linear for its smooth analog sound. We, obviously, have similar tastes in gear so what do you think about the Consonance? I also wanted to mention that the consistency of your color scheme with the gear and room is excellent!...Well done. -Bruce
