A dual Audio and Home Theator setup with no compromise of 2 channel audio to work in with HT. Room is 17x27x10ft, and has a separate breaker box with 15 individual outlet circuts. Two layers of sheetrock add up to one inch (one layer each 5/8 and 3/8. Floor is suspended but suported by a "two by four" truss system which is very solid.
System edited: Changed to the ARC Ref 5 linestage and the Ref 2 phono. With a couple hundred hours on the tubes I am thrilled with the results. To summarize the things that I heard. The bass is more tunefull, goes lower and has more slam. It has more of a spooky-ness to it in that it seems more detached from the speakers. I could understand voices better in all recordings. The high end has more air, is sweet but still seperates sound sources better. There is a significant increase in dynamics top to bottom. If you want it to, it rocks! Soundstaging at first struck me as being a bit more layed back and it can be depending on material. Over time I realized that is the most three demensional it has ever been and that the system projects better than ever. Vinyl playback is the quietest its ever been. I feel that I am getting the full benifit of a balanced phono pre. There is more detail everywhere, but not the highs are tilted up kind. I think that is part of my praise of improved voices,highs and soundstaging. I simply hear more information. Ambient sounds are there in a way that did not exist before. Equipment changes were from Ref 3 and Einstein Turntables Choice Balanced phono. I credit the improvements equally between the Ref 5 and the Ref 2 phono with a little extra added in for system synergies. The surprise is that the Ref 5 is as much better as it appears to be over the Ref 3. I had it up and running for a couple days before the Ref 2 phono so I had a chance to have just that change in my system.
I'm also a former Dunlavy user (SC V)and currently am using the 5As in a combined 2 channel and home theater room. I have four Vandersteen surrounds but like you, the VCC5 was too deep for my pre-built space. Currently I have a Genesis center channel(had a Genesis system in the transition from Dunlavy to Vandersteen-Long live 1st order time and phase coherent designs is all I can say on that one) I still find that the Genesis blends quite well with the 5As and have no intention of spending the money to change. I'm sure the Dunalvy center works as well or better. You did it right by emphasizing 2 channel first and building theater around that. I would love to hear an AC Raven with the 5As. I'm using the VPI SSM Ref and I'm not sure I could be happier.
Chadnliz, I doubt the difference between systems is all that large.
I care more about 2 CH sound than surround but both are good.
My center is a Dunlavy (had a Dunlavy system when I moved) SMG (SMG1?) and is behind the screen. Its a good speaker and it works well with the 5As. I might go for a VCC5 some day but right now the VCC5 is one or two inches too deep to fit!!! It can be done some day.
Thanks, Shadrone. The room is very nice and I am happy, but it could be better. I built the house and at this point I know even more. We keep learning...
I bet your room is a nice place as well. I've never heard ATCs and I would like to.
The surrounds are JBL SA2s if I recall(boxes are long gone) which are low on the long line of JBL Pro HT stuff that goes way out there. One speaker can be seen high up on the right in the shot looking back. They are 2 way horn hf di-poles and are fine for HT.
Could not agree more about being able to hide equipment as much as one can.
Nice system! My dad has a system we put together with many same manufactures but not as high end as your's. He has the Quatro Wood, Audio Research SP16, Lexicon MC8 for video and uses the Mont Blac and Niagra and Sky I.C.'s with a VPI svoutmaster and Esteric player along with Classe mono amps and it is an extremely pleasing system...but yours is a whole other level and without a doubt a fantastic sounding rig! Not sure if you are 2channel for HT but the VC5 is a pretty awesome center and for how good it sounds its pretty cheap, congrats on a superb system! Great looking room you have there aswell!!!!!!
Really impressive. I like the setup a lot. (I like wood) Great speakers. Did I miss something - I couldn't see the surround speakers? You seem to have thought of everything (including acoustic treatment)- very well thought out and a very pleasing environment (as you may guess I prefer the gear stashed away rather than out obtrusively on display, after all it is the music that we hear and should be proud of and not the imposing chrome)
tdaudio on Ever Evolving