This is my attempt at an exceptional two channel system that includes a nice Home Theater rig.
The room functions as a Family room and a dedicated Two-channel audio/Home Theater. The system is used 80% for two channel listening and 20% for movie playback and sports.
The two channel system front end consists of a VPI Aries "Extended" turntable with a Koetsu RSP cartridge mounted to VPI JMW 12.6 tonearm and an Electrocompaniet EMC1 CD player with all the latest mods and "Spider" clamp. The phono stage is an "all tube" design custom built by Tom Tutay.
The remainder of the playback chain is an Air Tight ATC-2 preamp, ATM-3 monoblocks and Thiel CS 7.2s
The Thiel CS7.2s have great synergy with ATM3 monoblocks. Plenty of power to spare.
The Home Theater side of the system is anchored by the Yamaha A/V receiver handling video switching, surround sound processing and power to the three pairs of in-ceiling speakers. HDTV and DVD and playback are over HDMI directly to the TV and Projector.
The front main, surround and surround back speakers are all in the ceiling. The Thiel SCS3 center channel is driven by a dedicated Marantz 200 watt monoblock amp. Finally, a Phase Tech Octave 1 15" sub does the LFE work.
Movie soundtrack reproduction does not suffer at all with the surround speakers in the ceiling. I have no interest in multichannel music, so it is a moot point for me.
Finally, the quality of LCD front projector is very good provided there is NO ambient light in the room. This means the projector can only be used after nightfall with all lights in the house turned off.
Light control is a serious issue with this room so I put in the 55" HDTV for daylight viewing.
Thanks for looking.
