Goal: natural and holographic sound to offset the relative small size (esp. height) of the room.
Application: 80% movies, 20% music (mostly Classical -lots of strings and vocals - and Jazz, some classic rock)
Sources: dedicated HTPC, dedicated NAS server for FLAC streamed through Logitech Touch for audio and another dedicated NAS for movies.
I have kept the old analogue rig (Denon DP52F, CJ PV7,..) for nostalgic reasons, putting on a record once in a blue moon.
This system is the amalgam of my old HT setup (was with Martin Logan speakers) and part of the 2 channel system before the many upgrades (see my current main 2 channel setup which has also Dunlavy designed speakers, hence the title Pas de Deux.)
Before settling on the Duntech Black Knights, I have gone through many, many full range speakers. I am normally manufacturer agnostic but John Dunlavy's superior design prompted me to put his brand in the title. The mid range is colorful, textured and rich. Highs are airy enough, no glare (soft dome tweeters) but a bit rolled off and the bass is tight, thanks to the setup and concrete direct under the wooden floor. The Purist Audio Design cabling enables a smooth flow with dark background and most importantly, a musical and non fatiguing representation.
I started out with the Krell HTS/KAV1500 combo and replaced that with NAD M15/M25, a brand of which I had fond memories when I was in college. The M15 died and was replaced with the modern T187.
Any suggestion for room treatment (I intend to add panels on the ceiling, above the listening spot) and isolation is more than welcome. Fortunately, the concrete floor alleviate some of the need for direct coupled vibration control. The last year or so I went far beyond the average ratio in power conditioning and power cables for my main 2 ch rig, the result being that this HT system benefits from, IMO, pretty clean power (2 dedicated lines, power regen + relatively uncolored passive filtering)
During the last couple of years, constant upgrade to the cabling raised the system to another level. Out went the Audience powerChords, in came NordOst Valhalla for the processor, HiDiamond P4 for the M25. HFC CT1U from Logitech to the T187 in stead of the NordOst Valhalla digital.
Power conditioning was improved (dedicated line) into an Audience adept Response 6-T. Ancillary devices such as NAS and bridges are fed through an el cheapo Belkin PF60.
I may consider going all in wall as the room is not very big and more real estate is appreciated.
A keeper, bought these after switching to Dunlavy SC IV for my main 2 channel system. Does almost everything right and sounds IME better than the SC IV. Mods: add Dueland caps as bypass for the tweeter and mids, replaced the binding posts with Cardas CCCG
Dunlavy Audio Labs SC I
they are used for both center channel and surrounds, maybe I will replace the surrounds with dipole speakers for better coverage.
Sony Sony PS3 160GB
Doubles as game console and BR player. Movies are sourced from the HTPC/NAS server, much more convenient.
REL Acoustics Britannia II
REL subs are the most musical ones. this Britannia II replaced a set of two Velodyne DD10 which were too much for my HT room. The Britannia II sits on top an ASC sub trap
Velodyne SMS 1
sub woofer system room correction, a temp solution before a modern HT processor with Audyssey is chosen
Symposium Svelte shelves
under speakers improved imaging and lowered a bit the back ground
Symposium Rollerblock Jr w Tungsten
Best value for money in isolation, used under CDP and HT processor (two sets). The Stillpoints Ultra SS, now deployed in my main 2 ch system, are indeed better.
HiFi Tuning Supreme
in all devices whenever possible (accessible fuse), added with a WA Quantum chip.
High Fidelity Cables CT1 E digital cable
replaced easily a HiDiamond digital reference.
High Fidelity Cables CT 1 1.5m
replaced the Audience AU24SE IC
NAD T 187
replaced the vintage Krell HTS
NAD M25
replaced the combo of Krell KAV 250a and Krell KAV 250a/3
HiDiamond D8 speaker cables 3m
wonderful sounding, organic and detailed. Simple as that. They used to serve in my main system and are relegated to the home theater, my ears says "thank you" (replaced the Purist Audio Design Venustas)
Audience Adept Response 6-T
the standard powerChord was replaced by a NordOst Valhalla power cord with Neutrik connector.
Nice to see the progress! Having a lot of Vandys, I can well image that the designs of J.Dunlavy worked out well.
viridian, your comment is way off! This is supposed to be a platform to share experience and not to exhibit your envy. Your French is appalling! Va casser les pieds a quelqu'un d'autre svp.
Hi zephyr24069, I am sure there are many great sounding systems but yours is eye candy too, setting a good example when I eventually would merge my two main systems.
The REL 505 is faster and goes deeper compared to the B1 and has a smaller form factor.
The upcoming change would be the mod of my NAD M25 amp with bypass caps and after-market fuses. It is funny to see some comments on my forum thread why there are so many fuses needed (it is after all a 7 channel power amp with two rail fuses per channel).
Thanks for your comments on my system thread as well! Glad to see the updates happening here too....the AR6-TS and everything you are doing should evolve the sound even further as well as expand dynamics and other important aspects. How do you like the new REL subs? I had a B1 and loved it when I had my HT setup as well as with the 2-channel side of my rig. Happy Listening!!!
Haven't update for a long long while but the system has been evolving:
power conditioning: upgraded to the aR6-TS
cabling: after up (sonic wise) and down (wallet wise) with HFC cables, I have partially downgraded them to DIY cables using Western Electric 10ga and 14ga. Keeping the NordOst Valhalla and HiDiamond P4 for PC, HFC CT-1E digital.
sub: upgraded to REL R505 from Britannia II
fuses: SR Red, HiFiTuning (relegated from the main system)
It will remain a home theater centric room. The close distance to the Black Knights and the room treatment makes it more intimate in sound for 2 channel and music decoded through the NAD M15 processor can sound terrific in 5 channels. Recently a 65" UHD TV replaced the 55" one, the 4k makes a difference in viewing experience, though there are few contents in 4k.
As the amplification is solid state, I turn on this system easier for short listening sessions, and often after viewing world news during the evenings.
See my comments on you other system thread as well. This is a very nice and well thought out HT/Video/Audio setup. What's in the future for this system?
Great System. The Duntech Black Knight Speakers were kind of like the Dunlavy 1VA speakers. I heard them in like 1991. They sounded great. Are you using the Rel Sub for home theater or on the Duntech Black Knight speakers.
System edited: Haven't updated the description for a long while despite the many changes
1. AV processor: replaced the Krell HTS with the mid level NAD T187 which has a decent 2 channel sound.
2. Amplification: replaced the Krell combo KAV 250a + KAV 250a/3 with the M25, detailed with hefty lows, a very smooth midrange and clean high end.
3. Power conditioning has been greatly improved with the Audience aR12-T and better power cords.
4. Interconnect got a huge step up to High Fidelity Cables CT1 / CT1E
The improvement vs 9 months ago is pretty significant. As good as my main tube system? Nah, but I find myself enjoy music in this room much more than before.
I have been using this system as the test ground for the various forms of power conditioning and A/B power cables.
