Description

Small system. The current speakers are fun: nice balance between smooth and detailed; great bass for the size. Sub blends nicely. Seas metal domes are great, not fatiguing at all, but will try some soft domes at 1.5khz for fun in the coming months. Would like a new source but not sure which direction to go.
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Components Toggle details

    • Onix Audio XCD-88
    A decent budget CDP. Internally identical to Music Hall CD25.
    • Cayin TA-30
    Overachieving 35 watt EL34 integrated. Bizzy Bee mods, new tubes.
    • DIY Seas L18 Monitors
    DIY monitors using Seas L18 and 27TBFC/G drivers designed by John Krutke. Cabinets built by diyspeakercabinets.com.
    • JBL L8400P
    12 inch subwoofer.

Comments 12

Owner
System edited: Updated system. Added a 12 inch sub and lowered the tuning of my monitors. They blend surprisingly well.

ethanh

Owner
System edited: built some solid diy stands. thinking about which direction to take next; component upgrade, perhaps. maybe an interconnect or cdp mod.

ethanh

Owner
System edited: Sold the Totems and built a pair of monitors from John Krutke's website. Very satisfied with these speakers - smooth, fun, and fantastic bass for the size. A good upgrade, especially considering the price. Next step will be better quality speaker stands.

ethanh

Owner
System edited: Added a second amp and PC about a month ago. I also began school and just moved into a new apartment, so hopefully the audio gods will smile on my new room when I set things up this weekend.

ethanh

Owner
System Edited: I sold my B&Ws and picked up a pair of Totem Arros. I've been enjoying my first day with the speakers and look forward to playing around with placement and so on. All in all, a worthwhile change for my system.

ethanh

Owner
Thanks for the comments! I appreciate the suggestions and will definitely look into them.

Tubes have indeed been a great start for me. I've had plenty of fun with tube rolling; the amp is by far the best audio purchase I have made as of yet.

And the DH Labs sound intriguing - in fact, these days just about anything "spooky good for the price" peaks my interest!

Thanks, Ethan

ethanh

For low end puch try DH Labs Q10 speaker wire and BL interconnects. Buy them used on audiogon or ebay and sell if you do not like. They are spooky good for the price. Phil Brady.

philbrady

Your system looks pretty nice. Tubes are a great start. Room setup my help some once you find your place.

I go for the less expensive cables. I really like www.signalcable.com I have them in my system with great results based on the price.

Good luck on your system and school

mark02131

Owner
System edited: Moved out of my apartment in an effort to save some money before law school next year. Pictures are of my current "setup" in mom and dad's house. The sound is not very good. Can't wait to find out where I'm going so I can move there already.

ethanh

Owner
System edited: System edited: added pictures.

ethanh

Owner
Hello Phil, and thanks for your response.
My room is about 14' square, with thick carpets and plenty of books that provide decent acoustic dampening. I use generic 14AWG speaker cables but am planning to try something like Kimber or Cardas after addressing my current objectives of gaining more LF extension and dimensionality.

ethanh

EthanH, you are on the right path. What cables do you use and what size room is your setup in. Ill bet your system is very warm and easy to listen to. Phil Brady.

philbrady

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