This was....the new basement room. It was...slowly evolving as a room and listening space....BUT I HAD A FIRE. The wall behind the system -- my shutter collage -- was a brainstorm to replicate room tuning paraphernalia and imitate the many angles of filled bookshelves. It seems to sound great. I'm looking to continue the search for crystal clear transients and punchy, fully defined bass with tube rolling, different amps, and other sources.
Incredibly musical two-way full range speakers that, at 93dB, are easy to drive, and have tunable treble and bass. Super value for the price!
Benchmark DAC1 - Turbo Mod by Empirical Audio
Incredible holographic imaging with Empirical Audio modifications. Used as preamp for this digital system.
Esoteric K-05
Lost in fire.
SAC/CD player with volume control and digital inputs for use as DAC
Lectron JH-50
Lost in fire.
Amazing amplifier. Great synergy with the Audiokinesis horn speakers. Not surprising the Doshi started by modifying these.
Logitech Squeezebox Transporter modded by ASI
Ethernet connected to server with 1,800 ripped CDs and hi-def downloaded albums. Digital music server was modded with upgrade to the analog/digital power supply, to the analog output, and to digital clocking. Fantastic!!! Faster, more precise, with all the data giving a supreme analog presentation -- or digital to the other 2 DACs in the system. :-)
Marantz 6150
The turntable is a wonderful gift from a friend -- after the fire that consumed much of the prior system and room. Someday, I may go to the, I admit, vividness of vinyl, when my peripatetic exploration of the seemingly infinite different types of music/artists has finally slowed me down.
Musical Fidelity X-LP
Another area for future evolution.
Wireworld Toslink Supernova 6
Changing to this Toslink cable made a very notable improvement in sound connecting the Squeezebox to the modded Benchmark DAC1.
Silnote Audio Poseidon
Interconnects and digital coaxial cable. VERY revealing, with lots of micro-detail.
System edited: Adding the Einstein Absolute Tune last night made the system sing with presence. The Einstein and the Audiokinesis Rhythm Prisms are a match made in heaven. They made me giggle with delight last night. I will add a picture soon.
I like Duke's approaches and would very much like to hear any of his speakers someday. They would make a nice upgrade to the small Triangle monitors I use in my wife's sunroom perhaps. The smaller REference 3a models (dulcet and DE Capo) are other I have read about that sound interesting.
Using the shutters for decor and acoustic treatment (+ lighting effect) is a novel idea! Congrats on that as well!
Mapman...the Audiokinesis Rhythm Prisms are fantastic speakers. I'm guessing they rank with the greatest value for money under $3k. Duke's design creates such a large sweet spot without boundary effects. The bass with the 12" woofer and Duke's crossover, as well as the tune-able back ports give both articulation and punch from the lowest lows to upper bass. The horn gives smooth, well defined vocals, as well as the pop of drum heads and the glistening ring of sticks on brass.
The Rhythm Prisms are revealing of equipment (I've switched the Benchmark with the Levinson 360S, the AVA Ultimate 70 with the Red Wine 70.2 LPF-V and Mapleshade The Magic, and many cables) and all shifts could be discerned -- which leads me to believe I have not seen their full potential. I realize Duke voices his speakers with Atma-sphere amps so I'm considering next steps. I think the Rhythm Prisms challenge the belief that 50% of your system cost should be in speakers.
Plato...Not yet. The shutter wall collage is a lot less scary for females than white plastic insulation over cinder block. So far it has gotten a "Oooh, cool Dad." from my daughter.
