Description

My initial foray into the world of higher-end audio. After many years with a really basic set of speakers, a basic amp and cheap turntable, I finally decided to get some good components and speakers. I'm upset I waited this long, as I'm amazed at how great this system sounds every time I sit down to listen to it.

Planned upgrades:

Just scored a new Harmon Kardon HD990 CD/DAC for $105 - should arrive within a week or so. That paired with my 13" MacBook Pro should serve digital file duties fairly well.
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Components Toggle details

    • Rega Brio 3
    Open box purchase from A'goner. Great full, warm sound. 50+ watts - perfect size for my loft so I won't irritate the neighbors.
    • PSB Image T5
    Big stage, wonderful sound even at moderate volumes. I fell in love with these on first listen at a local retailer.
    • Project Audio XPression III
    Solid performing turntable. Thick acrylic platter, carbon fiber tonearm. Easy VTA and azimuth adjustment.
    • Denon DL-110
    Quite an upgrade from the stock Sumiko Oyster that came w/ the Xpression! A lot more bass, wider soundstage and better separation of the vocals from the instruments. Also cleared up the sibilance issue I was experiencing with the Oyster. Great cartridge!
    • Mash Studio LAX Entertainment Shelf
    Clean, modern design: solid walnut with a powder-coated aluminum sliding door. 2-channel stuff on the right (CD/DAC coming soon to that top shelf), cable box/surround amp/center channel speaker on left. Great price for actual solid wood.
    • Your basic copper 14 AWG speaker wire
    Plenty of heft for this short run. Going without termination - bare wire to amp and speakers.

Comments 7

LOVE the minimalist look.

subterranean6

i like the clean simple setup, makes me want to upgrade my turntable

jupiterfish

Welcome to the madness!!! Very nice looking room!!! I see the illness has already struck with your cartridge upgrade. I liked your LAX, found it was from LA and their showroom is less than one mile from my house drove over and my wife and I thank you for her new mirror!!! Enjoy the sounds!!!

samhar

Owner
System edited: Edit for new Denon DL-110 cartridge

octanetom

Owner
@Soundgasm - that's the Mash Studio "LAX Entertainment Shelf". It's really nice quality. Picked it up from Smart Furniture - their customer service was outstanding - the first door I received got a slight nick in shipping and all I wanted was a tube of touch up paint...both they and Mash Studio worked together to get me a new door the next week.

octanetom

Really nice clean aesthetic. Well done!

torontonian

nice! welcome. I'm sure you're enjoying your new sound.
Is it all sitting on a blue dot console?

soundgasm

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