Description

Rives Audio Level 2 Design room w/Boulder electronics and Wilson Sasha speakers. The digital source is an Ayre DX-5 and my analog source is a Palmer 2.5 turntable w/Audio Origami PU7 arm and Soundsmith "The Voice" cartridge. Richard at Rives Audio was a pleasure to work with, and helped me with many of the details, including construction of the acoustic panels/treatments, along with the wiring (separate sub-panel w/ 3 dedicated 20 amp equipment circuits run with equal lengths of 10 gauge wire). The latest change was the addition of Equi=Tech balanced power units. This made a significant difference, like moving up several levels in electronics. The room measures very flat, and sounds fantastic!
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Components Toggle details

    • DIY Media Server Intel
    Homegrown Media Server based on Computer Audiophile C.A.P.S. w/Origen M10 case, 4gb ram, 60gb SSD served by 1tb NAS
    • Palmer 2.5
    Belt drive w/separate power supply
    • Audio Origami PU7
    9" Arm
    • Soundsmith The Voice
    Moving iron cartridge
    • Ayre Acoustics DX-5
    Universal A/V Engine
    • Boulder 1010
    Balanced Solid State Preamp
    • Boulder 1060
    300 W/Channel (8 ohms), doubling into 4 and 2 ohms
    • Wilson Audio Sasha
    3 Way full range floorstander
    • Tellurium Q Black Diamond
    Tellurium Q Black Diamond balanced cables
    • Cardas Clear
    Cardas Clear Speaker Cable, 3 m
    • Marantz AV-7005
    Full featured preamp/processor w/HDMI inputs
    • Magnepan MG-SS1
    Used for surrounds
    • Panasonic PT AX200U
    1280 X 720p
    • Rives Audio Level 2 Design
    It was a pleasure working with Richard at Rives. I did the buildout myself, including building the acoustical panels (with the exception of 4 RPG BAD Panels). Some details of the room include: sealed bass traps in each corner (lined with Owens Corning 705, and sealed w/rubber pond liner). Wall traps in side walls at 2nd reflection point. OC 702 absorbtion panels (4") at 1st reflection points, along with BAD panels. Staggered bookshelves in back of room for diffusion. Ceiling system w/baffles and OC 705 for absorption/diffusion. Hemispherical passive resonator in front of room, along with partial wood floor for live end/dead end effect.
    • RPG BAD Panel
    Used for diffusion/absorption on walls
    • Equi=Tech Model 5Q Power Conditioner
    Balanced Power Conditioner for Amplifier
    • Equi=Tech Model 1.5Q Power Conditioner
    Power Conditioner for front end components
    • SteinMusic Harmonizer
    Magic boxes and rocks that actually make a difference!

Comments 29

Owner
Thanks!
Tom

tpsully

Nice system!!

thesaint519

Owner
System edited: Updated cables to Tellurium Q Black Diamond

tpsully

Owner
System edited: Added SteinMusic Harmonizers to component list

tpsully

In the past I visit different clients with Wilson Audio speakers. many had acoustic problems.

I have heard more systems in similar kind of rooms like yours what had a very good control in the low freq.

bo1972

Owner
Thanks! The bass response seems very smooth. The room also seems relatively insensitive to positioning (within 6" or so) at least to my ears/the measurements we've done. I think the room ultimately limits the very low end, but not as much as you'd think (Rives had me use 5/8" drywall so the bass energy can escape the room, and the bass traps in each corner do a good job). The color works well, but I think I'd go with piano black for my next set.
Tom

tpsully

I even think that the shape of your room works positive with the low freq. of the Wilson. Because in my normal size and shape room they are difficult in the low freq. Am I right?

The colour of the speakers fit the room very nice!

bo1972

Owner
System edited: Updated pictures and description.

tpsully

Owner
Got it ;) Will take care of it this weekend.

tpsully

of your speakers :)

bo1972

Owner
Thanks! I need to get some recent pictures posted.
Tom

tpsully

You created a nice room!

bo1972

Owner
System edited: System Updated w/Cardas Speaker Cable and Equi=Tech power conditioners

tpsully

Excellent upgrade Cardas and Sashas were made for each other. Enjoy

needfreestuff

Owner
Thanks! I recently heard the Alexia's and am starting to get the itch. I think an upgraded interconnect between preamp and amp is next on the list, however.
Tom

tpsully

Congrats on the Wilson's. I've owned 4 Wilson models over the last 15 years...really great speakers !

Really nice set up!

jfrech

Owner
System edited: Update speakers and speaker cables to Wilson Audio Sasha and Cardas Clear

tpsully

Owner
System edited: Updated for new turntable, Boulder Electronics. Still need to update the pictures.

tpsully

Owner
System edited: Updated for new speakers, cables, and A/V processor

tpsully

Owner
System edited: Updated for new Wilson Sophia 3's w/Tellurium Q Ultra Black cables

tpsully

Owner
System edited: Updated for new Ayre equipment and Media Server

tpsully

wow - that's spectacular. I cannot quite read the text on schematic...what is the circular pattern indicating?

enjoy - and thank you for posting your room!

soundgasm

Owner
System edited: Added ARC LS16 MkII preamp

tpsully

Owner
System edited: Edited to add new Transport, Benchmark DAC1-HDR, and updated speakers.

tpsully

Owner
System edited: Added picture of room schematic, along with better description to Rives design link.

tpsully

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