Description

This rig is the culmination of many attempts (all failed and all very expensive) to build a system that would satisfy me long term. It has, and does.

It's not even close to the most elaborate system I've put together, yet it possesses a unique synergy and speaks-with-one-voice coherence that makes listening over the long haul incredibly easy. It allows great insight into the recording process and spatial characteristics of the venue, but without becoming overly analytical. The use of JENA products is a huge reason why. They've helped get me off a ridiculously expensive and very frustrating merry-go-round.

The room (located in the basement) doesn't look like much--Architectural Digest centerfold material, it ain't!--but I've gotten feedback from those whose opinions I most trust that it's a good-sounding room: nicely balanced (not too lively, not overdamped). I sit in the quasi-nearfield, a seating position I've come to like a lot over the years. It's not for everyone, and not for every speaker, but I enjoy the intimate presentation and the sonic benefits that nearfield listening brings.

The system is far from perfect--there are rigs here on Audiogon that make this look like a toy!--but I'll summarize in four words: IT DOES THE JOB! And does it pretty well, I like to think.
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Room Details

Dimensions: 24’ × 20’  Large
Ceiling: 7’


Components Toggle details

    • Marantz SA-7S1
    CD/SACD player.

    Modified by JENA Labs. 

    This has been my trusty source for more than five years now. It's stood the test of time and has fought off some stiff competition, and isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Along with the speakers, it's the heart of my system. 
    • JENA Labs Studio Reference
    Transmission-line loudspeakers. 

    Overall, the best speakers I've ever owned--and more than a few have passed through my various systems over the years. 

    Very easy load for an amplifier, which was an important consideration for me, because I didn't want to spend mad money on a monster amp.

    Like any transducer, they have limitations, but used within their (surprisingly wide) operating envelope, pure magic! Imaging precision, holography, tonal balance, and speed are first-rate, and unequaled in my room. Designed for use with a subwoofer.
    • Coda S12.5
    Class A/AB stereo power amplifier. Mildly modified by JENA Labs.

    125W/8, 250W/4, 500W/2. I had the Class A bias increased beyond the standard 20W.

    An extremely synergistic match with the JENA speakers. Nothing terribly exotic, just good, solid engineering. I've owned all manner of amps over the years, some costing in excess of $30,000, and this humble little box from California portrays the music in as convincing a fashion as any of the big hitters I've had. Of course, it needs the right speaker--it can't drive every load known to man--but it gets the job done quite nicely in my rig.
    • Rythmik Audio 15" subwoofer
    EQ'd with DSPeaker Anti-Mode 8033.

    I've owned lots of subs--I like what they do when they're dialed in correctly--and this Rythmik is my favorite thus far. Like my Coda stereo amp, nothing incredibly exotic, just sensible, high-value engineering.

    After much experimentation, I settled on corner placement. Despite that, it integrates very well. The Anti-Mode helps a lot. 

    I played with a two-sub setup at one point, but IMO it didn't do enough in the system to justify the extra cost (and I don't crank the bass). That flies in the face of conventional wisdom, I know, but that's what my ears told me!
    • Silent Running Audio Craz
    Equipment rack
    • Silent Running Audio Component bases
    Ohio Class under source, VR under amplifier and regenerator
    • JENA Labs Awakening
    XLR interconnect (between player and amp).
    • JENA Labs Twin 25 (Dreamdancer)
    Speaker cable.
    • JENA Labs Sequoia Sapling
    Line conditioner. 

    In prototype chassis. The production version is in a very nice stainless steel box, but I opted for the cheaper alternative. 

    Does an amazing job of cleaning up hash on the line. Easily competes with, and in many cases surpasses, a lot of the big boys I've owned or tried. 
    • JENA Labs Model One
    Power cords (on amp, source, sub, and regenerator).
    • Dussun X800
    Voltage regenerator.

    Harmonizes extremely well with JENA line-conditioning products. Used for source.
    • Acoustic Revive RR-777/RR-77
    Schumann Resonance Generators.

    One of my favorite tweaks. When dialed in correctly, it makes an impressive improvement to soundstage width/depth and imaging. For my size room, I opted for two.

    Powered by KingRex linear PSUs.
    • JENA Labs AC outlets
    Cryo-treated Hubbells.

    Of the several outlets I've experimented with (including Oyaide and Furutech), these synergize the best with the rest of the system. The balance is just right.
    • Oyaide AC outlet mounting plates
    For the six dedicated lines.

Comments 5

Owner
Mornin'!

I'm sure the TADs were a bear to move! My JENAs weigh close to 180 pounds apiece, and I needed my (very strong) buddy's help to steer them down a steep hill and through a doorwall into my basement. Boy, was that nerve-wracking! I was thinking of taking them down the stairs, but I chickened out. I can only imagine taking the much heavier TADs up a flight of stairs!

 


lynott

Good Morning and Thank You!  The TAD R1s are an amazing speaker but no small matter to get up a flight of stairs!  They are the most clear/transparent speaker I have ever heard out of many contenders...glad the picture fix tip helped.  Sometimes what you see is definitely not what you get (when something gets posted)!

zephyr24069

Owner
I can say the same about your rig, Zephyr. Wow, you've left no stone unturned!

Love those TADs. Those are the speakers I should have gotten instead of Von Schweikert VR-9s. Oh well, live and learn. :)

The Esoteric stuff is gorgeous. I've owned a modded X-01 and DV-50, and they were great.

I fixed the Marantz pic. Thanks for the tip!

lynott

Very nice system,...well thought out and beautiful.

To fix the picture issue, if you are on Windows or Mac, bring up the original photo in the default photo viewer on your computer, use the tool/menu option to rotate the photo clockwise several times around a 360 degree access until you the get the right orientation and then SAVE the original and repost it here.

zephyr24069

Owner
Sorry for the sideways pic of the Marantz! Can't figure out how to correct it.

lynott

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