The aim is to enjoy music and film together with ample separation between the two systems. Music still takes higher priority, however.
The digital PCM output of the Ayre D-1X CD/DVD transport is fed to the Accuphase DG-28 Digital Voicing EQ before D to A Convertion. The Accuphase DG-28 corrects for room frequency response in the digital domain before digital audio is converted to analog. The MSB Platinum Plus DAC then does the D to A convertion after room correction by the Accuphase DG-28.
Preamplification is handled by the Krell KCT and feeds the Krell Full Power Balanced Amps via CAST cables. Signal is fed to the Power Amps in the Current Domain as opposed to the usual Voltage Domain. The Eggleston Andra's are connected via Au24 cables to the amp.
The same Ayre D-1X is also a superb DVD player. It has been upgraded to feature the new DVI output. DVI is a digital video feed as opposed to analogs like Component and RGB-HV. That way there is no intermediate D to A video convertion, keeping the video in pristine digital form until it comes out of the projection lens.
Now, talk about being there! You listen and watch. You delight two senses instead of just one (by just listening). Seeing the artist perform actually enhances the listening pleasure .
The Home Theater Processor is turned off. No Center Channel, no Surrounds,No Multichannel, No Subwoofer.
JUST PURE STEREO! PURE MUSIC!!
MOVIES? The KCT Stereo preamp switches out of the way in a by-pass mode and the Krell Showcase Processor takes over! The same Stereo pair of Eggleston Andra II Speakers now become Front Left and Right. The same Krell FPB 300Cx power amps powers the Front Left and Right as now fed by the Theater Processor. A matching Eggleston Andra Center Channel fills the Center. One channel of the Krell 3250 Three Channel amp powers the Andra Center.
It's a 7.1 system with KEF TDM-34 THX dipoles doing surround and back channel duties.
It will probably make some audiophiles twitch but computers can be made to sound very, very good! . Inside the PC is a comprehensive collection of High Definition musical performances The digital ouput of the best soundcard in the world, the Lynx, is connected via AES/EBU. D to A convertion is all done outside the PC.
No MP3's played here!
Bass is clean, tight and powerful! There are two subs. The lower 30 Hz and below (to 15 Hz!) are handled by a Servodrive ContraBass and upper 30Hz to 80 Hz are handled by Servodrive B-Deap.
The subwoofer output of the Krell Showcase Processor is split by a QSC DSP-4 and room correction algorithm is also done via this DSP engine. A Crown K2 amplifier then drives the two subs after EQ by the QSC DSP-4. These are very powerful beasts of subs and you need the DSP to tame these beasts.
The subs make a whole of differerence when watching a movie (even though the main speakers [Andra II] can run full range and have plenty of bass). It puts you inside the movie not just watching the movie.!
Stereo Signal Chain:
1.)Ayre D-1X CD/DVD Transport.
2.)Audience Au24 AES/BU Cable.
3.)Accuphase DG-28 Digital Voicing Equalizer
4.)Siltech AES/BU cable
5.)MSB Platinum Plus DAC
6.)Siltech SQ88B XLR interconnects
7.)Krell KCT Pre-Amp
8.)Krell CAST cables 5 Meters
9.)Krell FPB 300Cx
10.) Audience AU24 Speaker Cables.
11.)Eggleston Andra II.
Video Display:
1.)DWIN Transvision 3 DLP Projector.
2.)Stewart Studiotek 130 92 inch Diagonal 16:9 Luxus Deluxe Velux.
Home Theater Sources:
1.) Ayre D-1X DVD Transport updated with DVI Ouput.
2.)JVC HM-DH30000U D-Theater HD-VHS
3.)Motorola DCT-6200 HDTV Cable Box.
4.)DIY HTPCAMD Athlon 64 FX-,Coolermaster Aquagate Mini R80, Asus AN-8SLI Motherboard ,Two 34 GB 10,000 RPM Raptor SATA Drives RAID 0 (for OS and Program Files), DUAL Nvidia 6800 Ultra PCI Express Video Cards in SLI Mode,Thermaltake Bigwater Water Cooling System, Two Koolance VID-NV2-L06 to water-cool the two video cards, Two 300 GB Each SATA Drives RAID 0, 2 300GB SATA Drive Single's , 2 GB PC3200RAM, Fusion Gold -T HDTV Card, Lynx Audio TWO-B Sound Card AES/EBU output, Sony DVD DRU-720 Dual Layer DVD+-R/RW drive., Windows XP Professional , Cooler Master Stacker PC Case
5.)Monarchy Audio 24/96 Digital Interface Processor (DIP) for jitter reduction.
Surround / Home Theater Processor. Dead during Stereo platback
Accuphase DG-28
In Between Transport and DAC
MSB Technology Platinum PS-1
MSB Platinum Plus
Sony Qualia 004
SXRD
Stewart Studiotek 130
100" Luxus Delux Velux Screen
JVC HM-DH30000U
D-Theater HD VHS Deck
Eggleston Works Andra center
Matching Center for the Andra
Krell KAV-3250
Drives Center Channel and Surrounds
Kef TDM-34ds
Two Pairs Surround and Back THX Dipoles
Servodrive ContraBass
Killer Sub- Killed my Velodyne HGS-18
Servodrive B-DEAP
Cover removed to show Contra Bass inside it's custom cavity
Crown International K2
Drives the Two Subwoofers
QSC DSP-4
For Subwoofer Duties
Audience AU-24
Speaker Cables
Siltech SQ-88B
From DAC to Pre-amp
PS Audio Ultimate Outlet
Added AC Conditioner
Chiro C-200
Drives Back Speakers
Monarchy Audio DIP 24/96
Jitter Reduction Device for HTPC Output
HTPC-Home Theater Computer DIY
Custom Built: AMD Athlon 64 FX-,Coolermaster Aquagate Mini R80, Asus AN-8SLI Motherboard ,Two 34 GB 10,000 RPM Raptor SATA Drives RAID 0 (for OS and Program Files), DUAL Nvidia 6800 Ultra PCI Express Video Cards in SLI Mode,Thermaltake Bigwater Water Cooling System, Two Koolance VID-NV2-L06 to water-cool the two video cards, Two 300 GB Each SATA Drives RAID 0, 2 300GB SATA Drive Single's , 2 GB PC3200RAM, Fusion Gold -T HDTV Card, Lynx Audio TWO-B Sound Card AES/EBU output, Sony DVD DRU-720 Dual Layer DVD+-R/RW drive., Windows XP Professional , Cooler Master Stacker PC Case
Before the Isoclean, I had EQuitech balanced Power System. Very good, and very low noise floor, clean video.
But Isoclean took it a lot further, the video just snapped into tighter focus (without focus adjustments), and colors just came to being just right there!
The sound just went into a tighter focus too and each instrument delineated vividly within the soundspace.
Thank you for your very nice remark. Yes, it was years of work and it's not over yet!
I am using a Crown K-2 amplifier to drive the Bass for Home Theater duties. I use a Krell KCT pre-amp for music and a Krell Showcase Processor for Home Theater.
There is built in oak cabinet (sure is not audiophile grade rack but very high WAF) to the side which hides the equipment. An Infra-Red repeater system controls them behind closed doors. If you click on the Krell KCT, Krell Showcase and Accuphase pictures, you'll see what I mean.
Thank you for the kind remark. About the Equitech, funny you asked.
I did find the Equitech to be of great help BUT I found something better.
Two Isolation Transformers the PT-3030G and one Filter the AV-50A3 replaced the Equitech.
Result= the music just bloomed with greater separation between instruments and voices. Layering just happened especially with orchestral works and big choir pieces!
System edited: Equitech 1.5Q Power Conditioner replaced by little known brand of Power Filter and Isolation Transformer from Hong Kong. Highly recommended component! Video just snapped into sharp 3-Dimensionality. Music just bloomed with more distinct separation between voices and instruments.
The link below explains the operation of the DG-28:
http://www.accuphase.com/dg-28_es.htm.
I listened to the Eggleston side by side with the likes of Wilson's, Avalon's, Thiel's, Martin Logan's, Magnepan's and B&W's, in the same approximate price range. All these speakers are very, very good. My personal favorite however is the Eggleston.
I basically concur with a lot of reviews that they have a phenomenal midrange.
Please try to give them a listen and let me know your opinion.