Computer audio (vs CD) seems to be the way to go in the future. I have created a sort of a poor man's Soolos with Windows XP computers, MediaMonkey, Airport Expressi (to several rooms for non critical listening)and a DAC on a PC for more critical listening.

Using free/very cheap software I am able to control all of my computers and different music being streamed to different zones simultaneosuly (via 10 a year old laptop). I can see album art, create/modify/edit playlists and view lyrics. All while in a chair with a small laptop (ie a big remote control) in front of me.

Usually I just have 1 computer sending music to 1 system at a time but it is trivial to send music to multiple rooms at the same time.

The expense basically becomes the cost of the harddisks as most folks already have a computer or two.

imdoc January 16, 2010 13:14

Nils: Thank you for the complement. My designer (er, wife) will appreciate it. Wood trim on speaker is black but grill cloths are actually a darkish gray.

Picture was done by Albert Porter and has been shown in some design magazines.

Mdtabor: The red chair and the stool are reversed in position day to day. The red chair is just on the surface of the carpet (just in front of the camera position). I have a eight-foot by eight-foot doorway behind me that is open and give me substantial space behind me. No wall is probably even better than a highly treated wall in my opinion.

imdoc December 13, 2007 10:46

Thank you very much.

imdoc May 01, 2007 17:05

Very nice upgrade with new tube phono stage.

imdoc April 26, 2007 14:17

mjp:
Mitch4t

Thanks. With a glass of wine (or two) one can occasionally suspend disbelief and imagine a small ensemble or soloist is performing in front of the fireplace in my living room.

imdoc February 07, 2007 15:12

Replaced Levinson solid state preamp with the Audio Research for a change of pace.

imdoc January 30, 2007 13:36

Nrostov: Thanks. Goal was to make room at least approximate a real living room vs a hi-fi store.

Amps and crossovers are behind speakers on cheesy stands I built. Preamp->amp interconnects are under the floor in PVC pipe.

Gear on a stand in left rear corner. Will see if I can conjure up a picture.

imdoc May 31, 2006 08:38

Raytheprinter: thanks for your kind comments.

Warrenh: Plain old synthetic.

imdoc February 12, 2006 10:08

System edited: VPI record cleaner is relatively inexpensiveand works quite well

imdoc August 05, 2005 15:42

Warrenh - I do have a pair of amps. An amp channel is devoted to the high end/midrange on each side and an amp channel is devoted to the base panel on each side.

Amazing how much power the speakers can soak up or require (depending on your point of view).

imdoc January 13, 2005 09:49