Mert,

I'm using BetterCables... I had more expensive cables at one point (Nordost Frey) but I've never heard any differences between the expensive cables and much cheaper cables as long as both are built well and neither are malfunctioning. So I based my choice on the materials used more than a perceived sound difference, e.g. I chose copper with a thin silver coating so that I have that much more extra protection from possible oxidization of the copper layer than I would on just copper cables, since the cables run through the wall for distances as long as 80' (that wouldn't be fun to replace if there ends up being issues with the cables later on).

As far as amplifiers go, I'm very happy with the Ayre MX-Rs I'm currently using. With the W/P 8 sensitivity rating and these Ayre monoblocks, I really don't see any need to go higher in price ATM. I also like the Ayre design philosophy of handling the signal in fully balanced mode internally. My whole two channel setup is fully balanced from source to amp (except the turntable and phonostage). If I were to switch to tubes, I would switch to BAT gear in order to get that same balanced benefit from top to bottom most likely.

I suppose if you are in the market for an amp and don't care what it costs, you could check out the high-end Halcro dm88. I heard those Halcros with a dCS stack and B&W 800Ds... It sounded very very nice.

jkalman September 10, 2007 12:08

Jk did Rives advise you on the actual construction of the room from the outset? Did they offer any geometric advice from the start concerning sonic issues generated by 90 degree angles mostly those at the soffits? Tom

theaudiotweak September 02, 2007 06:54

Jkalman

What speaker cables and interconnects are you using for wilsons?
İf cost is not a subject, which amplifier you would use with wilsons?

mert September 02, 2007 03:02

Update: I purchased a Tascam DV-RA1000HD to make DVD-A backups of my vinyl

jkalman August 29, 2007 21:22

Mu6,

Thanks. The only issue with the D-1xe that would be a problem for me is SACD playback. The D-1xe doesn't appear to have SACD playback. I play SACDs a lot on my C-5xe (more than DVD-A and regular CDs lately). The SACDs also sound better on the Ayre gear than on the Denon DVD-5910, so switching my two channel SACD listening to the Denon wouldn't work well either.

I did some comparisons last night, and it could be the Meridian room correction software, or bass management software, that was making it sound so different. I'm going to have to do some more detailed comparisons later. There was a lot more acoustical ambience in the C-5xe playback SACD-wise, which leads me to believe that the Meridian room correction or bass management played a large role in the differences (it wasn't a matter of subtle differences).

jkalman August 20, 2007 12:15

Oneobgyn,

That's ok, it keeps me busy. Once everything in the room is completed I won't post again for awhile (some time in the next two months).

jkalman August 20, 2007 11:44

Hi,

Nice system. I have a few tips. I would eventually replace the C-5xe with a D-1xe. This player is one of the very few which has no grain and I think such a high resolving system needs it. Did you ever try? Try also Component Stands from Stillpoints under the power amps. These will fit very well.

(No Oneobgyn, me also reading this thread)

mu6 August 20, 2007 11:31

Jeffrey

Methinks that you are the only one reading this thread.

oneobgyn August 20, 2007 10:50

Update: Sometime today I'm picking up the remaining portion of my parent's and my own record collection from their house in preparation to clean them up when the new equipment arrives in the next week or two. I've also picked out a nice selection of modern material, as well as some classics, to add to that collection. So a good portion of time will be spent today figuring out if we already have some of those albums in the collection already so I can remove them from the shopping list.

jkalman August 20, 2007 08:14

Cdc,

Thanks!

jkalman August 19, 2007 19:19

Absolutely Amazing Setup

cdc August 19, 2007 18:59

A warning to others: Wear goggles when hanging OC 703 over your head. I woke up today and one of my eyes is bright red from fiberglass irritation! (A breathing mask might be a good idea also...)

jkalman August 19, 2007 10:42

Update: I spent the last two hours adding Owens Corning 703 to the ceiling 1st reflection points. I'm having some kind of problem with my measuring equipment and ETF5 ATM. Though I was still able to get a solid measurement, I just couldn't take them in the usual way, but the FR was coming out normal, as well as the impulse response et al. I have finally eliminated the largest impulse response spikes at 6 ms by adding those fiber board panels to the ceiling. Now I have to wait until the 20th (Monday) when RPG Diffusor Inc comes back from vacation to order custom sized panels wrapped in Guilford of Maine fabric for those areas on the ceiling.

The other spikes on the impulse response after 6 ms were all eliminated except for the one that is furthest out. I still can't figure out where the hell that one is coming from... I've tried everything, covering bookshelf cubbies, back wall areas, front wall areas, the pipe, etc, etc. I guess I will keep looking because it is the only reflection left interfering with the imaging. I believe it is coming from behind the listening position because I occasional hear a slight imaging from behind me that seems abnormal and it is always in the same spot (my back right). I will have to look into this further once I get these others things fixed permanently. It is so rare that I hear it as to be almost inconsequential.

The other spikes were the opposite wall 1st reflection points for the front speakers, because my final listening position moved outside the range of the panel on the left wall (that covered the right speaker, left wall 1st reflection point) and the right wall was never covered with a panel to deal with the left speakers reflection point there.

I will say this though, the ceiling treatments were a tremendous improvement in the soundstaging. Vertically there used to be a sense of stretching of the soundstage image. The precision and detail of the soundstage was slightly compromised by this as well. There is now more of a ceiling on the vertical imaging of instruments and vocals. It wasn't terrible or anything previously, but it was a little smudged in comparison, in the vertical plane. I am hearing things in the music that were previously veiled by the smudging. It is amazing how GREAT an impact simple things like treating EVERY reflection point can have on the resolution, ambience and overall focus (if that doesn't cover everything, then add whatever else comes to mind to that list, because if it exists in the speaker output, it is improved) of the music.

The next big things I need to do are explore two channel EQ, to consider straightening out some of the frequency response issues, and explore building my own helmholtz resonators as an alternative option to EQ.

jkalman August 18, 2007 19:55

Update: Oops, see last two posts...

jkalman August 18, 2007 16:20

Later on, as I add the final treatments in certain places, and finish tweaking their positioning (since I moved my seating one last time), I'll post some more accurate measurements.

jkalman August 18, 2007 16:20

I've started adding room treatments and pics to the equipment list, since they are an important part of my system and there was an interest expressed. I'll also add info on the in-room built in treatments designed by Rives Audio for my room.

jkalman August 18, 2007 16:18

Undertow,

Those are RPG Diffusor Systems Inc. diffusors.

Thanks for the compliments!

jkalman August 17, 2007 09:11

Thanks, nice layout ;^) You could almost just turn the couch around and listen to a good 2 channel system on either end of the room! Whos diffusors are those on the ceiling?

undertow August 17, 2007 08:44

Undertow,

It is medium pile carpet with medium padding.

jkalman August 17, 2007 08:37

Hard to tell, is your Floor really thin carpet, or some type of Tile? Thanks

undertow August 17, 2007 08:17

Update: Changed the back of the room photo to a temp with the Sophia 2 speakers in it. I'm waiting on stands to put them on to raise them up a little bit at which point I will add a permenant photo.

jkalman August 11, 2007 10:21

Oneobgyn,

I look at those Alexandrias and I start to suffer from speaker envy! I'm going to upgrade up the line slowly most likely. In a few years I'll likely trade-in for the Maxx II (or III?).

I'm extremely happy with the W/P 8s right now though. I still can't believe the big sound coming from those speakers. The B&W 802Ds I had previously didn't put out as much and they were a lot larger in footprint.

Also, I spent anything extra I felt comfortable spending on that SME setup (Doh!). I could have chosen to trade in for Maxx II speakers instead, but I think I'll wait a couple of years and then make the leap. Besides, I have all my old records from the 70s and 80s as well as my parent's records to use on the turntable. It is like instantly doubling my music collection with one purchase.

- Jeff

jkalman August 11, 2007 09:39

Jeffrey

You need to hurry up and play with the big boys

You are almost there .

oneobgyn August 10, 2007 21:14

Update: items without pics are on order, but not received yet.... Unless otherwise stated below this update.

jkalman August 08, 2007 08:01

Update:

I added a pic of one of the Sophia 2 speakers. I also changed the Bryston 9B SST to the PowerPac 300 SST amps I will be replacing the 9B SST with soon (in the next week or two).

I'm also adding two overlays comparing different Meridian 861 functions on and off in different combinations. In particular, room correction and bass management. A 1/6th Octave measurement and 20 Hz to 200 Hz Frequency Response.

jkalman August 07, 2007 21:10