I was attempting to get the best possible sound out of the Insiders but in a stealth system. I built a wall in front of the wall, then recessed the tv and the speakers into that wall. I think I get a good center image and having nothing in the way between the speakers.
This system consists of:
Joseph Audio Insiders
Bel Canto M1000 Mk 2 Monos
Bel Canto DAC 2.5
Mac Mini for music and video with Pure Music
Cox Cable TV Box
1.5m Cardas USB for the Mac Mini
1.5m Wywires Litespd spdif for the Cox TV digital out
0.5m Cardas Golden Cross XLR from the DAC 2.5 to the M1000's
13 ft Cardas Golden Cross to the speakers running in the wall
Two dedicated 20 A circuits
one duplex is solely for the 2 mono amps
the other duplex I plug in a Chang Lightspeed 6400 and everything else plugs into that and that circuit continues on to a duplex that powers the Elite 60" LCD TV
all duplexes are the Porter Ports Hubbell cryo treated hospital type
Shunyata Pythons Helix Alpha on the amps
Running Springs Mongoose on the DAC
Audioquest NRG 1.5 C-7 on the COX
Bel Canto Ref 150s to simultaneously power the outdoor Bose speakers but it won't be used very often.
The electronics all fit into a 24" x 24" opening with about 12" of additional room inside of the opening above, below and behind that you can't see unless you get really close to the components. The shelves are 24" x 12" x 1/2" thick glass. A few requirements were that the electronics needed to be cool running and left on continuously so my wife can use it without issues. Bel Canto fits that requirement perfectly. I'm considering adding a Ref Link USB.
I added an Empirical SynchroMesh. Sounds great and doubles as a signal splitter to my indoor and outdoor amps. Nice product.
System edited: I added the BSG QOL Signal Optinmizer a couple of weeks ago. It makes a really nice improvement in everything. I think this may be the best money you can spend to take your system to a new level. Much more significant than a new amp or new cables.
I like the 1000M's quite a lot. I can't offer an opinion on the 150S...I have not used it yet and it will be only for the outdoor Bose speakers. I really like the DAC 2.5 too....really clever design and great sound that integrates well with the amps. I think the secret for the ICE amps may be choosing the right interconnects, speaker cables and power cords. I like tube sound but can't manage the heat, can't leave them on 24/7, and I don't like wondering about tube life, so I combined ICE amps with warmer full-bodied cables. I would recommend trying the 500M's or the 500S, both are really top notch ICE amps that will likely not leave you wanting to move up the BC or ICE ladder. I have not heard the 300S. Good luck.
