Description

Once we decided we were likely in our long-term home, I felt I could finally remodel a basement the way I'd always wanted. Although not perfect, I feel the rooms biggest strengths are it's near perfect symmetry, dedicated circuit box and flexibility. The measurements are around 31x16.5ft. I also think it's a real advantage having most of the equipement in a separate but very close room(esp. turntables which are very suseptable to vibration). The floor is concrete under the carpet and padding. It was put together as a home theater that would not compromise 2 channel sound(at the time CDs). Since then, I've changed speakers and cable a couple times without problem(even though most of the cables run hidden in the walls).

Since construction in the last several years, my focus has switched to about 90% vinyl, 8% movies, and 2% digital. The granite topped serving bar now doubles as an excellent record cleaning station. Movie and sporting event use will likely increase as my four children get older. For now, I mostly try to keep them away from this area.

I haven't added as much sound treatment as I expected. I don't like a deadened room and things sound great in the current state. I feel the detailed solid cherry wood working(esp. the ceiling and columns) provide effective diffusion in a carpeted, furnished room.

Anyway, this is a room I enjoy nearly every day. Hope you enjoy checking it out.

In the future, I hope to add a custom replinthed Technics mk3(if I ever find one)or possibly an idler drive table. I also may look into tubed monoblocks when my kids are old enough to resist touching glowing tubes.(Allnic A7000s?
Read more...

Components Toggle details

    • Denon DVD 5910
    Fully modded audio section by Underwood/Parts Connexion with tubed output stage
    • Runco VX 1000D
    Now aging technology. Same sharp vivid picture.
    • Stewart Filmscreen Gray Hawk
    100 inch diagonal
    • Allnic L4000
    Reference transformer coupled design.
    • Allnic H3000
    Stunningly liquid, open and dynamic. Very flexible. Highly recommended.
    • Krell HTS-7.1
    Once again, aging technology but highly adequate performance(it's only home theater after all)
    • Ayre Acoustics MX-R monos
    These sit on custom made amp stands by Silent Running Audio.
    • Krell Theater Amplifier Standard
    200 W/channelx5
    • Vandersteen VSM-1 sigs
    Four of these(side walls and rear walls) They all tie into the REL Brittania B1s at the rear of the room for 5 channels of full range sound.
    • Genesis Technologies 6.1c center channel
    Built into a custom, dampened enclosure above the screen. Teathers to the S2/12t sub to make center channel full range. A hold over from prior speaker system, vandy's big center won't fit the enclosure and this works too well to bother with a remodel. The enclosure also tilts the baffle down toward seats.
    • Vandersteen Model 5A
    Wide bandwidth, tonally balanced, and great imagers. Dark? NOT in my system anyway.
    • Genesis Technologies S2/12t
    Teathers to Genesis center channel to make center channel full range. The sub is in a custom triangular-shaped enclosure occupying the center two sections of cabinet. (Double walled MDF with sand fill in void spaces).
    • Rel Brittania B1
    A pair of these in the back of the room connect with surrounds making all channels full range. No LFE used.
    • Audioquest Cheetah
    10 meter pair from preamp to monos
    • Transparent reference
    balanced and single ended on audio side
    • Audioquest K2
    4 foot double bi-wired pair from MX-Rs to 5As.
    • audioquest Monte Blanc
    25 feet to center channel
    • audioquest midnight
    To surrounds
    • Shakti Hallographs
    Front corners of room
    • Shunyata Darkfield cable elevators
    Keeps interconnects and speaker cables off carpet
    • Zoethecus Reference
    Throughout audio and HT system
    • Music Direct MD 150 record rack
    2 of these with 4 shelves each. Rapidly filling. Fit and finish OK, price and performance excellent.
    • boltz record rack
    build quality,fit and finish excellent but more expensive and not quite as functional as the Music Direct racks
    • Crestron Isys IO
    Automated touch screen contols lighting, black out shade, home theater functions, CD/SACD plyback, and preamp volume.
    • VPI 16.5 record cleaning machine
    The Audio Desk has replaced this mess. It worked well but I don't miss it.
    • Mint LP Best Tractor
    Essential tool for both the 10.5i and 312s Magnesium arms(the SME's had to be made specifically for the MHST distance of the Air Tight PC-1 Supreme.
    • PS Audio Power plant
    P600 and P300 both with multi-wave/power port upgrades
    • Tice Audio Power Block 3C
    mostly used for video components
    • PS Audio Power Ports
    On most outlets(Power Port Premieres to the monoblocks) all on dedicated 20 amp circuits on a dedicated circuit box.
    • Cinematech Cinaloungers Valentino
    Seven of these, with electronically motorized recline. Four in the back row(on riser) Three in the front row. Center front is the sweet spot for 2 channel. Site lines meticulously maintained.
    • U-Line U-2075RB-00
    Under-counter beer fridge. Go Hawks!
    • Homo Sapien Generation Y?
    One of four good reasons to keep this stuff locked in the basement
    • Technics SP-10 mkIII
    Power supply rebuilt by Bill Thalman. Mods by Richard Krebs. Plinth by Artisan Fidelity. SME 312s/ PC-1 Supreme and EPA 500 ( 7 wand/Cart combinations)
    • Technics SP-10 mkIII
    Dobbins direct mount. Power supply redone by Bill Thalman. Reed 3P with Benz LP-s, German carbon fiber arm with Shelter 90x
    • Custom Custom
    Custom built record shelving. I am not a hoarder, I am not a hoarder.
    • Art Vinyl Play and Display
    Play and display record frames. Easy to change out cover art. All records accessible to play. Great design.

Comments 37

Showing all comments by peterayer.

View all comments

Sonofjim, Nice looking system. Congratulations. Have you had a chance to compare the SME V-12 to the 312S? I have the V-12 and Supreme combination, and it is really, really good. A. Porter has replaced his 312S with the V-12 and describes some of the differences on his system page. Happy Listening.

peterayer