Ear Candy & Occasional Eye Candy Too

by audiofankj on Ever Evolving
System as of 7/21/07
System as of 7/21/07
Rear of room 7/21/07
Seating 7/21/07
Old Setup - Prior to HT
Setup as of 1/29/06

Description

In process of revising virtual system thread... information below needs to be updated...

After selling my system several years ago, I have been rebuilding and finally assembled a very satisfying system. Upgrades have been more frequent than recommended however, improvement with system synergy in mind is always welcome.

The system goals are to accurately portray lifelike music reproduction - vocals, harmonics, timbre, tonal textures, decay, etc. first and foremost... With that in mind, I want a full range, musical presentation with lifelike dynamic impact, both micro and macro.

We have recently moved into a new home, in which my loving wife allowed me to dedicate the 2nd floor bonus room (16'W x 22'L x 9'H) into a listening room. We had the rear wall configured with built in bookshelves for the vinyl albums, as well as pull out drawers for cd storage. Exposed beam coffered ceiling to help break up standing waves, as well as a double stagger stud wall behind the speakers (shared wall with master bedroom). There is also info in this thread about the "rebuild" of that entire wall...

With the excitement and joy of a dedicated listening room, came the room anomalies that plagued the music reproduction. A great pair of speakers (Meadowlark Audio Blue Heron 2's) were displaced in an attempt to move to a speaker with adjustable bass (Martin Logan Summit). As the Martin Logan's were on order - I became aware that adjustable bass will help, yet not fix the problem... thus started the "wall renovation project." As luck would have it, the room response was improved, however I had been struggling with placement of the Martin Logan Summits. Once finally "dialed in" when you would listen at moderate volumes, you would over excite the room a bit... I tried (for months) to get "permission" to hang drapes behind the Summits - the same ones on the side wall... but no green light. Alas, it was a festering concern that the room wasn't treated properly for the Summits to perform optimally. If they couldn't be allowed to perform their best, the search began for their replacements, and the Summits went up for sale.

As of a couple of weeks ago, I received delivery of the Salk Sound HT3's. They are currently breaking in, and I will be working on room placement and positioning in the upcoming weeks. I am looking forward to getting the system back to a "stable" point!

This is the system "snapshot" as of early September 2006.
Read more...

Components Toggle details

    • Porter Port Porter Port
    1 20A Porter Port utilized on each of the five dedicated 20A lines
    • Fusion Audio Enchanter 20A
    20A IEC used on the RSA D'mitri
    • Running Springs Audio D'Mitri
    Line conditioner
    • Fusion Audio Enchanter Power Cord
    Fusion Audio Enchanter power cord utilized on AMR CD-77
    • Abbingdon Music Research - AMR CD-77
    review here: http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/abbingdon/abbingdon.html
    • JPS Labs Aluminata - 1m Interconnect
    1 meter - from CD-77 to preamp
    • First Sound Audio Paramount Mk II Special Edition
    Top of the line 3 chassis unit offered by Emmanuel.
    • JPS Labs Aluminata - 1.5m Interconnect
    1.5 meter from preamp to mono blocks
    • Fusion Audio Enchanter Power Cord
    One on each H2o Audio M250 SE monoblock
    • H2o Audio M250SE (Special Edition Monoblocks)
    The absolute latest from the mind of Henry Ho. This takes the former top of the line M250 Signature and improves upon it. Details to follow. This is the latest top of the line set of monoblocks from H2o Audio... the M 250 Special Edition.
    • JPS Labs Aluminata 10 ft. Speaker Cable
    10 foot pair, used with Aluminata Jumpers
    • Meadowlark Audio Blue Heron 2
    Pommele Sapele sides and rear, Honduran Mahogany front baffle with dual offset Red Heart stringers.
    A phenominal 1st order, time & phase aligned, transmission line speaker. Have tried many other speakers that fail to produce music they way these speakers do.
    • Sistrum SP-101
    One under each Meadowlark Audio Blue Heron 2 speaker
    • Sony STR-DA5200ES
    http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start?ProductSKU=STRDA5200ES&INT=sstyle-homeaudiocomponents-tophero-7channel_receiver Used in Home Theater for center channel, and rear surrounds. Upconverts analog video to 1080p
    • Sony VPL-VW50
    http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/%3Cwbr%3EINTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start?ProductSKU=VPLVW50&Dept=tvvideo&CategoryName=tv_FrontProjectionTVs

    1080p projector
    • Stewart Filmscreen Firehawk SST 100
    http://www.stewartfilmscreen.com/ Firehawk SST - optimized for Sony VPL-VW50 1080p projector - Luxus Deluxe
    • JL Audio Fathom 113's (x 2)
    http://home.jlaudio.com/products_subs.php?prod_id=371 Pair of these 130 lb. each monsters... Used in HT
    • Onix Rocket - RSC200
    http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=100.1 Center channel speaker - used in HT
    • Onix Rocket - RSS300's
    http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=7.1 Rear surround speakers. Used in HT
    • StudioTech U-22T RW/B
    Component Stand - 67" W x 22" H
    • Eighth Nerve Room Pack
    Accoustic room treatment
    • --- Room Renovation --- (listed below)
    pics attached
    • Room Reno - Room Prep - Rear Wall
    Pic of the rear wall. Everything was removed and the shelving for the vinyl was tarped and taped. Furniture that was not moved out of the room was also tarped over.
    • Room Reno - Front Wall - Before
    Pic of the front wall before renovation commenced.
    • Room Reno - Drywall Removal
    Pic of the start... drywall cut above and below metal furring strips in horizontal rows to allow for removal of drywall
    • Room Reno - Drywall Removal continues
    Pic taken after 8 solid hours of work. The metal furring strips were spaced 12" apart. Screws had to be removed from the strips as well as all of the blown insulation.
    • Room Reno - Furring Strips
    This pic shows how poorly the furring strips were installed in some of the areas.
    • Room Reno - Front Wall - drywall mostly down
    Pic of the front wall with most of the drywall removed. There are still some metal furring strips up to be removed.
    • Room Reno - Front Corner - Drywall Removal
    Pic of front corner, most of the drywall removed, metal furring strips yet to be removed.
    • Room Reno - Front Corner - Progress
    Pic of the drywall removed, metal furring strips removed, and insullation removed. Some original studs are removed and laying on the floor.
    • Room Reno - Studs
    stack of studs ready to be installed...
    • Room Reno - Front Wall - New Stud Installation
    Pic of the new studs being installed
    • Room Reno - Front Wall - New Stud CloseUp
    pic close up... studs were glued with Liquid Nails, and screwed together with 3" drywall screws. Spacing was roughly on 9" centers.
    • Room Reno - Front Wall - New Studs Complete
    Pic of the front wall... studs are complete, and insulation installed.
    • Room Reno - Front Wall - Plywood Begins
    Pic of the front wall... 3/4" tongue & groove plywood being installed. Liquid Nails and 3" drywall screws.
    • Room Reno - Front Corner - Plywood Continues
    Pic of the front corner, plywood installation continues
    • Room Reno - Front Wall - Plywood Complete
    Pic of all the plywood up. All Liquid Nailed and screwed with 3" drywall screws. The white lines in seams and around outlets is acoustical sealant caulk.
    • Room Reno - Front Wall - First Layer Drywall
    Pic of the first layer of drywall going up.
    • Room Reno - Front Wall - First Layer Drywall Up
    Pic of the first layer of drywall up. Audio Alloy's "Green Glue" was used between drywall and plywood. First layer was mudded prior to second layer going up. Yes, one piece of drywall is backwards, as the Green Glue was applied before it was realized...
    • Room Reno - Front Wall - Layer Two Drywall Up
    Pic of the front wall, second layer of drywall up and initial mudding
    • Room Reno - Front Corner - Second Layer Drywall
    Pic of the second layer of drywall up and initial mudding
    • Room Reno - Front Wall - Semi Final Mudding
    Pic of the front wall - semi final mudding
    • Room Reno - Front Corner - Semi Final Mudding
    Pic of the front corner - semi final mudding
    • Room Reno - Front Wall - Primer Application
    Pic of the coat of primer being apllied - before final mudding and sanding then final paint
    • Room Reno - Front Corner - Final Paint
    Pic of the front corner, final coat of paint
    • Room Reno - Front Wall - Finished
    Pic of front wall - finished and ready for system to be put back together.
    • Room Reno - Front Corner - Finished
    Pic of the front corner, finished and ready to have system moved back into the room and set up.

Comments 316

Showing all comments by amperidian.

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Wow Kirk,

It's been a while since I last visited your system, and am surprised (to say the least) at the swap to HT. After all the A/B comparisons you did, maybe finally you will get a chance to just sit down and enjoy a great movie experience and forget about the scrutinizing part of this hobby.

I think I said this once before: there is no experience like a surround sound movie setup. I still wonder how long before I can set up another separate HT system, some of those experiences were trully wonderful.

In any case, I wish you luck with the new career (I am doing the same) and can't wait for another epiphany X from you.

best regards,

Remy

amperidian

Hi Kirk,

Just wanted to drop a line and thank you for the Epiphany X ... great value for the money in my opinion. It certainly does not lack in SPEED and TRANSPARENCY and was a very good addition to my system.

Also I want to say that reading your posts on the various cords compared is truly humbling for me. I thought I went through hard times trying to find the "RIGHT" powercords for my system. No such thing exists as I have discovered. It's all a matter of personal flavor.

I am very glad to see the post on the Esoteric player and that you are finally enjoying it. The HT setup belongs in another room anyway, and you can get by with more affordable Logans and electronics for that anyway ... just send me an email if you ever catch that bug again, I can share a lot of personal experience with you ... at least for now I am cured of that bug. But no matter what anyone says, watching movies in 2 channel (even on trully highend systems) is no match for a movie experience in 5.1 (again on a high end system) ... just to clarify some points for all interested.

My system is also improving, slowly now and you are welcome to stop by and listen if you are ever in Toronto (about 30 minutes drive away from the downtown hassle). I have recently gotten more from the Capitole ... yet again, this cliche should be banned from my dictionary. But anyways, two different philosophies in the school of sound.

You should definitely audition a whest audio dap in your system ... like I always say!

Thanks again for the pc.

amperidian

Interesting how time makes for want of change. Audition a whest audio dap in your system if you get a chance, before you sell the capitole ... it makes for a very nice step up for the original sound. If you think the capitole is one of the most analog sounding players out there, you're in for a treat ... try that whest (and make sure that powercords and isolation are as good as the rest of your gear). The new HRS damping plates work very well in conjunction with the capitole as well. And those BDR cones that come stock with the player ???? shucks, they should not have been used by AA in the first place ... really take away from the performance of this great player. The nimbus couplers/symposium rollerblocks (in double stacked config. with suberballs) just kill them! Like everywhere else, there is always room left for improvement. ... and that's always a good thing.
Good Luck.

amperidian

You're a lucky man Kirk, no need to worry about the room ... let the system settle in for a while before you start changing things around again. If I remember right, you waited 2000 hours to reap the benefits of the Heron's, what's another 300-500? I find that even in a non-perfect room (like the one I have) you can still enjoy the music even if it's not perfect. Rives Audio is very good for room acoustics and I hear they can address any type of room ... but they charge 2 kidneys :), just kidding ... anyways, start saving for future endeavors, there is so much fine wine out there ... and believe me, music sounds infinitely better after a nice bordeaux. Keep us posted.

amperidian

Hi Audiofankj,

I'm always glad when I see another happy audiophile who uses that AA player ... I just love it and often find that my 1 hour listening session ends when I can no longer keep my eyes open ... needless to say that I can't wait to resume when I wake up again.

I noted in some of your previous posts that you had used some taipan's before moving to the electraglides ... any particular reason why you did not chose to move up in the shunyata line? ... to the anacondas for example? ... I use a vx on the capitole and am looking forward to the day when I can add the alphas to the rest of my system, using powercords that come close to the anacondas in the rest of my system has left me emotionally drained ... even if the frequency spectrum was not all there IMO (due in part to some of the sonic characteristics of some of the other powercords).

Anyways, before I babble on, I just wanted to recommend trying out the symposium rollerblock series 2+ under that player (I use them in double stacked config. with the grade 3 balls) ... the results stunned both me and my wife and were convincing enough to make us add them under every component in our system. Today we feel that they were one of the best additions to our rig, other alternatives are the SRA Ohio XL bases which are greatly reviewed as well, but I've never had the pleasure of trying them out on my player.

If you decide to try them out and like them, please let me know ... there are some more tweaks to make this player sound even better than what you are hearing now ... unfortunately, it never ends.

amperidian

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