Description

Just recently aquired some ASC Tube Traps;--this has been the weakest link in the chain.

Michael Green RoomTune racks. Plan on getting or looking into SRA bases for components. Very smooth, yet dynamic, to my ears, at least.

Currently (5/2010) working with Rives Audio on a dedicated room.
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Components Toggle details

    • Wadia 21
    Single chasis player with vari. vol. outs.
    • Marsh Sound Design A-400s
    Two channel amp that is an EXCELLENT value
    • Totem Acoustics Forest
    Mahogany finish. Bottoms filled with #9 Remmington lead-shot.
    • Muse Model 18 bal
    Walnut finish. Balanced ins/outs; this is now sitting on top of a ASC 22" Sub-Trap.
    • PS Audio Xtreme Statement
    These are connected to CD player, Amp, and subwoofer.
    • PS Audio P-600
    Upgraded with Multi-Wave II.
    • PS Audio Ultimate Outlet
    I have a high-current 20 amp UO on my sub.
    • Blcak Diamond Racing Cones MK IV and III
    Have these on CD, Amp, and P600
    • PAD Burn-in CD-R
    Burn-in disk I use occasionally.
    • PS Audio Power Port
    I installed two of these into the wall. My P600 is plugged into it with the PSAudio UO plugged into the other.
    • Acoustic Science Corp Round 20
    Old picture of room before the additional Tubes;
    • Denon DVD-5900
    DVD player; sometimes used to play HDCD discs since the Wadia cannot play them; however, the Wadia, though being dated, still sounds extremely good.
    • ASC Tube Traps Round 20
    I have a variety of Tube Traps: (4) 20" X 48"; (8) 16" X 48"; (5) 16" X 39"; (7) 9" Studio; (1) 22" Sub Trap; I'm still experimenting with placement around the room; so far, the change is dramatic! You can hear SO much more of what's on the recording--both good and bad. Good recordings are now great! Want to add some more to the ceiling eventually....
    • JENA Labs Symphony XLR
    (2) 2m length; I have 1 run from the Wadia 21 to the Muse 18, then 1 run to the Marsh A400s

Comments 12

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Owner
System edited: As of 11/2010, I have built a dedicated listening room in my finished basement. There are no windows in this room. I installed an exterior door (solid core with all outside hardware including the threshold, etc.) with double gaskets. The walls and ceiling are all insulated with R-13. The walls/ceiling are a construction of isolation clips attached (screwed) to the wood studs. The isolation clips have a rubber disc which isolates them from the wood studs. Then, a metal 'hat channel' is clipped into the isolation clips (this technique effectively 'decouples' the hat channel from the wood stud as there is a rubber isolation pad between the clip and wood stud. The walls and ceiling are two layers of 5/8" drywall separated by a thick layer of Green Glue (a viscoelastic material). ALL corners, seams, gaps DO NOT TOUCH--AT ALL. All of these 'gaps/seams/corners are filled int with Green Glue. My best 'guess' is that I have a STC rating of approx. 60 or higher (in other words, playing music at the listening chair inside the room at approx. 80 dB ear level, one would have a VERY hard time hearing anything if you were standing outside the room). The very heavy carpet is on top of a 40 oz. (this spec is from the manufacture; I didn't weigh it myself), 5/8" thick felt pad. The room 'feels' dry, until the music starts...then, you are 'immersed' in a soundstage. Also, since this room DOES NOT allow ANY light in, your vision is taken out of the equation. The power from the breaker box (which is in the room) has 3 separate dedicated lines, each one cryo-treated, 10 gauge wire from JENA Labs. Each of these 3 A/C lines is separated from each other by 3 feet in the walls (so, if you could imagine 1 line being about 2 feet from the base of the floor; then the second one 3 feet from that one, then the third one, 3 feet up from the 2nd one; an attempt at isolating). Even the breakers themselves are from JENA Labs and were cryo-treated. The 3 separate A/C receptacles in the front wall are separated by approx. 4 feet. I have also replaced my Nordost IC's and speaker cables with JENA Labs. All I can say about JENA Labs IC's & speaker cables is WOW! Vastly more musical, detailed, yet so relaxed and having the ability to allow more of the artists intentions through (this is all dependent upon the source material, of course). Like all systems, this one is a work in progress. Future plans are to add three JENA Labs Model One.2's on each of those a/c lines. My listening chair is a low back (approx 29" height) Pottery Barn model that doesn't resonated or vibrate that much-even on heavy bass/organ/synth material.

peanutbutter

Owner
Pdreher,
Thanks for the comment; She'll be glad to hear it; I stand corrected though: I'm having 3 dedicated A/C runs in the new room, not 2.

peanutbutter

Owner
System edited: I'm currently working with Rives Audio on a dedicated room. Planning on having two dedicated A/C runs in this new room.

peanutbutter

Owner
Hi Roxy54,
sorry for taking so long in replying back to your comment above.
I've been experimenting with all of them in different configurations; I've mixed results.
One one hand, I have detail and a ability to really hear what's on the recording.
On the other hand, I think some of the life is taken out with this many Tube Traps in here. But, when I take some out, the 'innerness' goes away, but some life comes back.
So, for now, I'm going to continue to experiment and see where that takes me.
I think part of the problem is the 'asymmetry' of the room: meaning that it is open on two sides. This has created a sort of (on some recordings, only) 'pulling' of the soundstage.

On a different note: I'm currently in the process of having Richard at Rives Audio design a dedicated listening room in my finished basement. This room will be ONLY for 2 channel stereo and nothing else--my own sanctuary.
My wife is thrilled with this: 1) she gets to have another room to entertain friends that come over. 2) she doesn't have to explain to family/friends why so many 'cat scratching' post's are in this room. 3) she likes me better when I go and 'escape' with music and come back refreshed/alive.
When all is done with this room, I'll try and post the results--both with written words and photo's--when the room is done or at least, for the time being (I know this will always be an ongoing process) I'm exciting as I've never had a 'dedicated' listening room.

peanutbutter

Owner
System edited: I just added: (1) 22" Sub Trap; (7) 9" Studio Traps; (8) 16" X 48" Tubes; (4) 20" X 48" Tubes in addition to my (5) 16" X 39" Tube Traps. Huge differnce and contrary to initial thinking, not a 'dead' room--VERY, VERY articulate. Still experimenting, though...

peanutbutter

Owner
System edited: Just added 5, 16" X 39" full round Tube Traps; soon to aquire more.

peanutbutter