Rather than a close up of the system, the picture is of it in action, which represents our experience and the point of this system and the post.
Went through a series of systems and components, some nicer stuff, buried in separate rooms, but then took a turn to the real world and am far better for it.
Kids (2 years and 2 months) and a puppy (dachshund). No dedicated listening room, but rather crammed in a corner of the front room behind a baby gate, (replaced a TV).
We use it every day and the daughter loves it, picks the records, dances with her puppy. Only sure fire way to calm the baby - works like a charm.
Fostex 127 in canary yellow Voigt pipes (early custom job by Tekton Designs). Tektons are run free but supplemented with a Gallo MPS sub (strongly preferred it to their newer line). Turn table is a cheapo technics (basically a semi-auto version of they classic). Needs to be semi for the kids - and rugged as the day is long. Some cardas leads and an ortofone red cartridge help as does the Jolida JD9 phono preamp (tube-based with some mods). Arcam A-65+ integrated is a nice fit given the sensitivity of the Tektons and having the gallo sub (would love to use the bottle head i have in storage but can't pull it off in the real world, also need a remote to reside here too).
Vinyl is the main event but we do a good amount of listening from an Audio Engine D2 wireless dac, which works like a charm (also a little DAP the kid uses herself and enjoys immensely).
There's some cheaper Kimber and Wireworld and MapleShade accessories in there too - but nothing too esoteric and very much in line with the value orientation (most pieces bought used). 'Rack' is made out of reclaimed barn wood from local tobacco barns (Kentucky).
On the whole it works together nicely, good coherence and imaging (despite what the room looks like - tough to beat the smaller fostex for the dollar here). Tuneful bass down into the 30s, which the daughter loves. Some tube goodness with the records from the Jolida that helps with the cheapo technics (which has turned out to be an everyday work horse; can't bring myself to use anything better given the goings on :-)
Also a reasonable digital everyday solution with the Audio Engine D2 (turned out to be a pleasant surprise) and even the little MP3 player the daughter uses to play with and enjoy through the main system.
Don't really plan on upgrades in the near future as it works together like a charm. I wouldn't mind a little more power to the tektons but need to keep it integrated (space) and with a remote - and very value oriented. But every time I play around with the idea, it breaks down or looses the spirit of the system. I am tempted to break out the Bottle Head SeX and get a source selector :-)
-
Update - daughters (7, 4 and 1 years old) are still listening, dancing and the like. From time to time we play with different components, most recently revamped some old Klipsch Heresy speakers with Crites parts as a family project : - )
My goodness, this actually brought a tear to my eye. You are one lucky audiophile and dad. When I finally have a family, I hope they too have an innate love of quality audio (especially analog!) and good music. The pic of your little one with the puppy is one of the most adorable things I've ever seen. Good on you, sir!
Thought I'd do a quick little update since the site is revamped - daughters are growing up, still listening and dancing... now we dabble in family projects such as revamping some old Klipsch Heresey speakers with Crites parts. Girls did the disassembly and reassembly of cabinets, gaskets, crossovers, etc. Good learning and rewarded with epic dance parties now : - )
First, thank you for posting this: what a beautiful daughter...and a cute puppy.
You wrote in one of your posts: "I know it's a little silly posting a system like this on Agon - but I wanted to post something showing the value we get from using it."
That's the whole point: whether you spend a $1000, or $100k....it's the value you get from it. I suspect your system, even with the occasional mac-and-cheese smeer on the speakers (did I get that right?) brings you and your young family more enjoyment than many of the people who spend thousands more.
In the end, all this gear is only designed to bring you front-and-center with the musician. Obviously, a dancing girl, a happy puppy and a contented family....understand that.
Who knew there were such wonderful stories of memories past and present out the (the link has a comment with someone's boy taking his first steps to the Beatles - couldn't resist the beat)!
eldest daughter (in the picture) just asked "dada, will you dance with me" while holding an alison krauss record she picked, so off we went tonight, with the baby, momma and even the little wiener dog joining in
not sure about cause vs. effect here but happiest family times definitely revolve around the stereo...
Thanksmformposting this, jrosen. I have two smaller kids and a penchant for Magnepan and planars but for our living room system has box speakers to avoid painful "mechanical failure." I think it's great that your daughter clearly loves music so much. That's a love that will only grow.
Just to echo the thoughts of all the previous posts .... BRAVO !! A fantastic system which allows us to appreciate the original purpose and perspective of our hobby --- the pure enjoyment of music ! I'm suddenly remembering my childhood, when my Dad (who is now enjoying all his favorite tunes from a comfortable listening chair up in heaven) would spin wonderful records on our family Victrola...... those were some of the best "listening sessions" I ever had !
It never ceases to surprise me what kids will like. We just had a neighborhood kid over who is seven. Her dad is a musician from the Ivory Coast and her mom is a huge reggae fan. When I asked her what her favorite music is, she told me it's country.
Thanks for all the kind words from all - both on the system, its use and sharing it all here as well.
I know it's a little silly posting a system like this on Agon - but I wanted to post something showing the value we get from using it. I've really appreciated and enjoyed seeing other folks systems, but had I come across more posts like this, I might have moved in this direction more quickly.
The 2-year old daughter has been enamored with music, all things electronic (has an old personal CD player and a pink Tivoli radio and plays them like 'tiny records') since she's been about a year old. As of late, we do extended dance parties :-) Here's a flickr set of the one that's in the system picture: http://goo.gl/vm8mj
When we first had kids, I went pretty seriously into headphone systems, and still love them. There real turn was figuring out how to share it with the family. Some of that was live & learn (old maggies lasted 1 day before I figured out that they were an obviously bad idea :-) Do note the fostex drivers have been dented (even through the grills :-) occasional mac & cheese is smeared about - but on the whole they are good with it all. And at the end of the day I wouldn't have it any other way.
It's also been great for music appreciation, instruments, etc. We listen to a good deal of bluegrass (banjo in particular, it's Kentucky after all), some choral & organ, some real esoteric foreign early modern music, some Bach, a good deal of Jazz (big ban & swing - and yes some Ella here) - but a good chunk f the menu is what the daughter calls 'silly music' - basically anything with a beat you can dance to (Elvis Costello, Midnight Oil, Talking Heads, They Might Be Giants - and then some really silly electronic stuff). Her favorite, is actually Johnny Cash, particularly the later American Recordings (ain't no grave, etc.)
I think you'll find that the hi-fi gods smile on those who share music with their children.
My tube amp has survived countless wild playdates. I'll usually slap the grills on my monitors if I have advance notice, but no other precautions are taken.
My seven year-old can't get enough Tune Yards, Sharon Jones or Ella Fitzgerald. What does your daughter enjoy?
Pretty funny your system is followed by Albert's as I write this. No comparison in cost but who could argue the value yours has? Perfect picture and lovely daughter. Mine is 22.
We use it every day and the daughter loves it, picks the records, dances with her puppy. Only sure fire way to calm the baby - works like a charm.
My son is grown now, in grad school and engaged to be married. Still, your words bring back memories of him dancing in the living room with Patti and the cat under foot.
Enjoy it and the musical joy you're spreading with your family.
