Primary | Virtual Listening Room

The revised system and new space

The revised system and new space

Orignal foam

Soldering fixture

Soldering fixture

What had to be cleaned up

What had to be cleaned up

Looking like it's supposed to

Looking like it's supposed to

Ready to go

Description

Relocation to a new city and state meant reconfiguration, component additions and changes. It's now an even stronger 2 channel system with a nearly equivalent 7.2 integration in a much smaller space.

Did have to refresh the monitors; discovered one tweeter blown and the other very weak after a prolonged period of disuse during the change of locations. The Rogers are still the closest I've heard to B&W 801 Series III, and I bought them new so am proud of their 42 year longevity.

My previous MC 302 had to go to it's next loving home due to both size and weight constraints. Replaced it with a pair of Bryston 7B SST2 mono-blocks. The 7.2 rig required 2 additional amps, new surround speakers, new subwoofers and pre/pro. That's where the extra MC 7100, Parasound Halo A23, Marantz AV8802A pre/pro, four B&W M1s and dual SVS SB1000 Pro subs came from. I went with an Epson LS-11000 projector facing a 92" diagonal retractable screen.

I kept the MAC-3, rebuilt the Advents with drivers sourced from Madisound and added a Classe CAV-75 to retain the 5.1 system for another room. I've also added a pair of STAX SR-303 headphones with a STAX SRD-6 adapter to run in my office with the RGR-4A and Belles Model One. The Belles also got a new set of speaker binding posts.

Unfortunately, my inherited antique Sansui 1000x did not survive the move. Something in the preamp section was damaged so no longer has stereo output. The AM tuner is also out of order. There are one or two folks who might be willing to tackle it and I hope it can be resurrected. It was my first stereo after my parents moved on to a newer system in 1975. Lots of sentimental value there.

Room Details

Dimensions: 14’ × 10’ Small
Ceiling: 8’

Components Toggle details

- Sota Sapphire
Original Series III production upgraded to Series IV by Kirk at Sota, oak finish
- Graham Engineering Phantom II Supreme
Black & silver, 9"
- Dynavector XX-2 Mk II
Low output MC
- Rega Planar 3
A very nice early 80's example recently purchased second-hand to replace my Pioneer PL 15D II. I'd had a Planar 2 from the same era as my first really good turntable. This one came with a Grace G-747 tonearm in like-new condition and an ADC 440 cartridge
- Grace G-747 Tonearm
This was what really drove me to buy the Rega Planar 3 above. It's a superior low mass arm with excellent properties, and was in like-new condition. It made the package a can't-lose proposition.
- ADC 440
Like the Grace arm above, this cartridge was already installed on the Planar 3 and was also in very good condition. It's getting a bit long in the tooth and could use a new stylus, but remains very serviceable for recordings that can't benefit from my Sota / Graham / Dynavector deck.
- McIntosh MVP881BR
BR/CD/DVD/SACD Combination disk player
- Tascam DA-3000
This ADC recorder is an addition to facilitate transcription of analog media. I'm impressed with how easy it is to use and how well it records. I must also say it generates a pretty significant 60 Hz EMF; nearby gear needs to be properly grounded, shielded and equipped with good quality interconnects.
- McIntosh C-50
MC and MM phono input capable
- McIntosh MAC-3
Factory updated 2012
- McIntosh MC-7100
Mono bridged for center channel
- Belles Model 1
100 WPC stereo for rear surround
- Rogers Studio 1
Advanced crossover 3 way ported. 40 Hz to 20 kHz +/- 2 dB. Refreshed with new Falcon Acoustics T105 super-tweeters, salvaged Celestion HF1300 tweeters and internal acoustic foam June 2024.
- B&W HTM62
Center channel
- Velodyne DEQ-10R
195 watt 10" HT sub with remote, adjustable crossover and automatic equalization features.
- Advent Mini
Rear surround, also replaced the woofers in these with drivers from Madisound. I expect they will work just fine.
- Bryston 7B SST2
Purchased a pair of sequential serial number units from the original owner, pristine condition. I can vouch for the Bryston warranty, too. The speaker binding posts were cracked from age and they sent me 2 new replacement sets, gratis. Always thought they made great stuff, now I'm a believer too!
- B&W (Bowers & Wilkins) M1
Got 4 of these in white to replace my old Advent surround speakers. The wall mount wire terminals were a challenge with 12 gauge OFC braided cable, but I managed a work-around. Thank goodness I know how to solder!
- Parasound Halo A-23
Got this to drive my rear surrounds. Always liked their design and found this unit when a guy in NYC wouldn't be realistic about his ask for a McIntosh MC 7100 in mediocre cosmetic condition. Some things happen for a reason and I couldn't be more pleased.
- Marantz AV8802A
Another second hand piece from the same guy I got the Halo A-23 from. Original owner, all the original stuff. A great way to upgrade to 7.2 at a price that won't break the bank and with gear that plays well with the rest of my stuff.
- Stax SR-303
Always wanted a pair of STAX headphones and found these in good condition for a very fair price. Don't have a matching amp yet; am using a SRD-6 with my Belles Model One. The bias isn't correct, but it won't damage the phones and they still sound pretty damn good.
- Advent Baby
Gen 1 pair, purchased new with the Mini Advents. Replaced the woofers with Madisound drop-in divers. A good design that still does what it's supposed to.

Comments 5

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Owner

Finally managed to get a few photos posted! I'd mentioned in a forum thread I'd picked up a second-hand Rega Planar 3 to supplant my Pioneer PL 15D II, and it's now documented and photographed.

@islandmandan @vegasears @glenfihi you will all note the absence of my Tandberg TCD 440 A from the system list. Sadly, it ascended to Valhalla and joined its distinguished Nordic compatriots in mid-October. I replaced it with a Dennon DRM-710 that was also mentioned in a forum thread about 60 Hz EMF. It does not appear in the system list because the EMF noise prevents me from installing it in the rack. The only space left is on top of the TASCAM DA-3000, which unfortunately generates the hum. Isolation by distance was the only solution that worked; different cables, revised power isolation and a grounded Faraday cage didn't.

effischer December 18, 2021 15:59

Owner

System edited: Gave a forum response regarding a sub with Celestion speakers and realized I'd forgotten to add my HT sub to the list. It was acquired at the same time as the MC-7100 and HTM62 and is active only in HT mode through the MAC-3. Crossover is set to 40 Hz and matches well with the MAC-3 50 Hz cutoff feature.

effischer June 18, 2015 18:33

Nice system, the Dyna XX2MKII must sound spectacular in the Graham arm. It's a good cartridge, and keeps me happy in a Dynavector 501 arm.

Enjoy! Regards,
Dan

islandmandan April 11, 2014 19:57

Outstanding set up! Like Glen, I really love the Pioneer PL-15D TT. It was my first GOOD TT back in the 70's. Great machine, lots of sweet memoirs there.

Good Luck

vegasears July 22, 2013 23:28

Great collection of gear even down to the old Pioneer turntable. Love the Mc gear and your Graham must really be a joy.

Happy listening and post some pictures for those of us who can dream.

glenfihi July 22, 2013 23:08

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