The System is built around the philosophy that everything matters. Everything either contributes or detracts, and no one single component is any more or less important than any other. Even details as small as where a component goes or how the wire is routed make a difference you can hear. Everything matters.
The System is also built around the philosophy that the ideal component does nothing. The perfect component does not sound a certain way. It does not impart, it does not detract. It is not there at all.
This is why The System looks the way it does. It is extremely difficult to make a rack as good as no rack, ie the floor. A rack puts everything up high closer to ear level and reflects sound more because its all in one block. So The System is mostly on the floor, and with components at differing height and spacing the components diffuse more than reflect. This also provides for shorter and more direct cabling with greater isolation between signal and power cables.
The Solution Turntable rack is the result of extensive testing and comparing and shows the extent one must go to be better than the floor. Its as low as it can be for comfort, and as close to center as it can be for the screen. It could not be much closer anyway, and by happy coincidence happens to be in a bit of a bass null zone- not that acoustic energy is likely to have much effect on 700+ pounds of solid granite and concrete!
The System is dual use. The frame around the screen is a custom Miller creation, identical in dimensions to and covered with the exact same incredibly light absorbing black velvet fabric as the Stewart Filmscreen frame. At 92x52 it provides nearly the same apparent viewing size as seated a little further back than the middle of a typical movie theater.
The single biggest factor in video quality is contrast, and ambient light is the single biggest challenge with projectors. The upper walls and ceiling are a neutral gray for accurate colors, while a darker fabric and carpet combine with window shutters to control ambient light. Most of the light then comes from the screen itself. Direct side by side comparisons show the Grayhawk screen performs much better than a white screen in ambient light.
Stewart Marcantoni taught me it all begins at the wall. The System begins with 4 ga wire at the panel. This 4 ga brings 240v power to a step-down transformer located just beneath the system. Now at 120v, it is only about 5 ft from the Medusa power center. The step-down transformer and Medusa are both grounded to the same ground rod the same 5 feet from the system. Power wire is all cryogenically treated.
Pure silver wire Swiss transformer, 240v to 120v. Plates, bolts, and all terminals treated with Total Contact. Mounted on BDR Cones in a 2" thick MDF cabinet with one Perfect Path Solutions Omega E-mat. Dedicated copper ground.
Miller Medusa Power Center
The Medusa power center is built on a custom Black Diamond Racing Black Beauty Shelf. Incoming power from 4 ga copper is hard-wired direct to a Jungson transformer with filter caps. Point to point Audio Consulting pure silver wire connects the Jungson to Oyaide and Synergistic Research Blue outlets strategically located on the four faces allowing short direct power to components from the centrally located Medusa.
Two Synergistic Research Michael Spallone modified MPCs are also hard wired in silver.
Two Synergistic Research Michael Spallone modified Tesla MPCs hardwired in silver to an additional Audio Consulting silver isolation transformer.
3/4" MDF mitered pyramid cabinet. MPC transformers and all connections treated with Total Contact.
Dedicated copper ground.
Miller Carbon Turntable
Based on the Teres Audio turntable bearing, platter, and Verus Rim Drive Motor, the Carbon features a Black Diamond Racing carbon fiber plinth, arm base, and feet. The brass bearing screws directly into a large 4" diameter by 1.25" thick threaded BDR carbon fiber nut for extreme rigidity and vibration control. The Teres bearing is modified with a silicon carbide bearing and tungsten carbide thrust plate. The Verus motor is modified with a BDR Source Shelf base, Cones, and mini-Pits.
Miller carbon fiber record clamp together with the carbon fiber washer clamps records so secure and flat that when released it takes a second for the record to pop loose, as if held down by vacuum.
One Synergistic ECT and One Perfect Path Solutions E-Card on the motor. 2 ECT and 2 Orange fuses in the motor controller. The motor controller umbilical is modified with Active Shielding added using another Spallone modified MPC. The Verus motor controller is on BDR Cones and Round Things, with a BDR Shelf on top. Internal connections, caps, transformers and other parts treated with Total Contact.
Origin Live Conqueror Tone Arm
2007 Conqueror. Leads modified with Active Shielding using Michael Spallone modified Synergistic Research MPC with upgraded caps and diodes hard wired. One Synergistic Research PHT on the arm, 2 ECT on the arm base.
Koetsu Black Goldline
0.4 mV output MC cartridge with body lightly painted with Total Contact, and with one SR Green Dream and one Black Beauty PHT. Pins and leads treated with Total Contact.
Herron Audio VTPH-2A Phono Stage
2018 Herron VTPH-2A phono stage with Synergistic Research Orange Fuse, 3 ECT, 2 Perfect Path Solutions Stop-Its, and all tube pins, transformers, and other items treated with Total Contact.
Miller Solution Turntable Rack
The Solution to turntable vibration control is a modular component rack. Top and bottom shelves are solid reinforced 4" thick concrete with a 2" deep sand bed cast into them. The middle component rack is 2" thick concrete. Legs of polished ABS are filled with concrete, with threaded inserts cast into them. Bottom footers incorporate BDR Cones and are height adjustable for leveling. Assembled on site due to its over 700 lbs total weight The Solution is bolted together for extreme rigidity. The granite machinists plate rests on a 2" deep sand bed.
Synergistic Research Atmosphere X Euphoria (Level3) Interconnect
2m Euphoria, grounded to dedicated Earth ground with all connections treated with Total Contact and supported with ceramic insulators.
Melody I880 Tube Integrated Amp
Melody I880 with 4 JJ KT-88, 4 Sovtek 6SN7, and one D100 rectifier tube. Modified with one pair of input RCA converted to pre-out. The factory feet are removed. Three BDR Those Things on the inside of the bottom cover are screwed together through the bottom plate with three Round Things, with the cover sandwiched between them, and with a Cone screwed into the bottom of each. The Cones are supported on Round Things on top of a Shelf, Cones, 150 lb granite plate, and Cones.
All tube pins and connections treated with Total Contact. SR Orange Fuse and 3 ECT. One pair Stop Its.
Synergistic Research Element Copper Tungsten Silver Speaker Cable
8 ft Element CTS with spades and Michael Spallone modified Tesla MPCs hard wired into the Medusa power conditioner with in-line Audio Consulting pure silver isolation transformer. All connections and transformer surfaces treated with Total Contact. Supported with Cable Elevators and ceramic insulators.
Talon Loudspeakers Khorus X
Talon Khorus with X crossover upgrade treated with Total Contact and Perfect Path E-cards. Synergistic Research Speaker Kit HFT treatment. On BDR Cones and Round Things.
Talon Loudspeakers Roc Subwoofer
Self powered dual 12" drivers in an isobaric design cabinet. On BDR Cones with Total Contact on all connections.
Dayton Audio SA-1000
2 Dayton subwoofer amps. Each one drives two 10" subs, wired in series for 16 ohms. Transformers, caps, resistors and all connections treated with Total Contact. Perfect Path Stop-Its on unused RCAs. Amps stack on each other with BDR Cones.
Miller Morel Subwoofers
A Distributed Bass Array comprised of 2 Morel 10" drivers in sealed cabinets and 2 in ported cabinets. All covered in stained Rosewood veneer.
Black Diamond Racing Shelf for the Source, Shelf, Cones, Those Things, Round Things
Every single component in The System is on BDR Cones- including even parts like the Audio Consulting transformers, Talon Khorus crossover networks, and the Medusa Power Center. Most components, such as the speakers, amp, phono stage, and turntable, are also on Round Things.
The Miller Carbon is on a Source Shelf with Cones and Round Things on both sides.
The phono stage and amp are on a Shelf with Round Things and Cones on both sides.
The Verus motor controller is on Cones and Pits. The Verus motor itself is mounted in a Source Shelf, its factory rubber feet replaced with Cones and Pits.
All the subs, subwoofer amps, and the CD player are on Cones.
Synergistic Research HFT, ECT, PHT, and Orange Fuses
Level 2 HFT Room Treatment. Several ECT on Melody, Herron, Verus motor, and motor controller, and Conqueror arm. Two Green Dream and one Black Beauty PHT on the arm and cartridge. Orange Fuses in Melody, Herron, and Verus motor controller.
Perfect Path Solutions Omega E Mat
Several, located on the main electrical panel, Audio Consulting step down transformer, Talon Khorus speakers, and Medusa Power Center.
Perfect Path Solutions E-Cards
Located on the Medusa, SR Atmosphere interconnect, Verus motor, Herron phono stage, Talon crossovers, breaker panel, and Dayton amps.
Cable Elevators Ceramic Insulators
Cable Elevators together with ceramic insulators on stands support all wire above the floor and maintain spacing minimizing field interference.
Synergistic Research Power cords
Resolution Reference .5 and Master Coupler power cords to the Herron and Oppo.
Shunyata Research Cobra
Power cord to the Melody integrated.
Electraglide Fat Boys
2 Fat Boy 2 foot power cords to the Daytons.
OPPO Modded DVD Player
Extensively modified player on BDR Cones, with BDR Shelf and dive weights on top.
Sony VPL HW40ES Projector
Ceiling mounted. With 10m cryo'd Cobalt HDMI.
Stewart Filmscreen Grayhawk Screen
Viewable 92x50 screen mounted in custom black velvet screen frame.
Miller Window Shutters
Half inch MDF window shutters for shutting out sound and light.
Miller Solid Core Door
With weather stripping for sound control.
Miller Corner Tunes
Owens Corning acoustic panels covered in Art Deco designer fabric for acoustic control in corners where walls meet ceiling and ceiling and walls come together.
Radio Shack Bulk Tape Eraser
Powerful handheld demagnetizer for demagnetizing records and cables, and charging Omega E Mats.
Macintosh MacBook Pro
When used for movies, sits on top of the Oppo, with one ECT and one E-Card. Video out to projector via HDMI adaptor. Audio out to the integrated via mic to RCA adaptor.
Townshend Audio Podiums and Pods
Townshend Podiums are used under the Tekton Moab speakers.
Pods are used under the turntable, amp, and phono stage.
Research shows the lowest frequencies do not even register on human hearing until as much as a full wavelength. The lowest frequencies then travel 40 to 50 feet or more before we even hear them. Given the dimensions of most rooms this means the bass can go back and forth all the way across the room before we even hear it. Timing is not an issue.
My subs are run line level. The Melody did not come with pre-out. System description includes pictures of how this was modified to create a line out for the subs.
The Miller Carbon turntable is an original design based on the Teres Audio bearing, platter, and Verus motor drive designs of Chris Brady. Its a one-off.
I've had the Talons a long time, since before 2004 for sure. They've been extensively upgraded over the years. First with the X-crossover, mounted on BDR Cones. The speakers are of course on BDR Cones and Round Things. Now they are further upgraded with fo.Q tape on the frames and gaskets. All the crossover components, speaker baskets, magnets, internal wiring and fo.Q tape is coated with TC, and nearly half the internal wiring is wrapped in Mats. They are of course treated with a full Synergistic Research Speaker Kit each. The performance upgrade from all these seemingly minor tweaks is astounding. These are nothing like any Talons you ever heard before. You are welcome any time.
Oregon’s review is reason enough for me to want to hear this system. Must be great for music and movies. Clearly a labor of love or obsession or both! For how long have you had your Talons?
I happened to be in the Seattle area, so I made contact with Chuck to see if he'd be available for a listening session. I belong to a group of audiophiles (better known as Audiofoos by our friends and spouses) and I have the pleasure of listening to some very high end systems. Folks who have dedicated serious time and money to get the best music/sound into their lives.
Walking into Chuck's dedicated listening room, I immediately sensed that it was special. ( Kid in the candy store feeling). Our voices had no echo as we discussed equipment and tweaks. His enthusiasm was calm and controlled. I could see that his objective was to allow me to relax and to listen for myself.
After we agreed to a few selected LPs, Chuck graciously allowed me to sit in the sweet spot. We listened to a dozen LPs. Never was I distracted from the sound by comments or discussion. I was laser focused, my mind and ears totally engrossed in the music.
Excellent tonal balance and wide, pinpoint soundstage! Bass was tight and articulate and seemed to be coming from everywhere, but well integrated with the music, band, performance. Never boomy or out of control. Crystal clear highs and vocal midrange brought the band into the room, or, when my eyes were closed, I was transported to the venue.
In my opinion, Chuck has achieved audio nirvana- that thing about being drawn into the music and hearing more and more detail, hearing the inflection of the voice whether it's pain, joy, or spite (Cry Me a River). Horns were smooth, never harsh.
The sound was wide and big, speakers disappeared . Room is surrounded by 4 small subwoofers and one in front. Lots of tweaks that is common among the most dedicated audiophiles I've known (personally, I'm kind of lazy and I don't have the patience). But, it is truly impressive how everything works and one realizes the it is the sum that makes this system sound fantastic. Chuck knows exactly what works. Look closely at his system notes for details.
Each time he played an LP, he carefully attended to each record and a process of order. Cleaning the stylus, demagnetizing...
Of course, I am not an expert, but I am a music lover. I loved what I heard.
If you are ever in the Seattle area, invite yourself to Chuck's place. He might be available and you can hear for yourself the results of one crazy, seriously dedicated audiophile.
From a recent visit: "Amazing that you can still pull more out of the system. I heard fabulous clarity and fat, full soundstage. I’m not just saying. I heard and felt it!"
Rectifier diode. Components connect to AC but run internally on DC. Diodes allow current to pass only one direction, thus converting AC to DC. How smoothly this is done has a great effect on the sound, because even huge high quality power supply caps never are entirely able to remove all diode ripple. Melody doing this with a tube probably has a lot to do with its beautiful deep stage and relatively liquid, for the money, sound.
Fantastic system you’ve built and thanks for sharing. I have question about the Melody. That big beautiful 101dx1 power tube. What does it do exactly? I see the KT’s and know what they do but...
Its a testament to persistence. Some years after the room was done my wife told me she never really got it at all but now has to admit its the best room in the house. Walk in, close the door, you're not even in the house any more. Whole different vibe. Lower the needle, now you're in a whole other world. Play a movie, you are at the theater- only better food, way better audience.
But keep in mind this is over a lifetime. Heck practically a lifetime even before the room. The Listening Room, a lot of the acoustics and wiring, goes back to the 90's. Then when the room was done it started with a Dynaco on a plank. Yeah of wood. I am not kidding! Slow and steady, fits and starts, hardly even matters just as long as the direction is ahead.
Regular wood joist, post, and beam. If you're asking about stability for the turntable, if you go right up to it and stomp it will rock. But the rack takes care of that. Being so massive, and with so much mass up high, it drives vibration down into the subsonic range. Another example of why its better to think in terms of vibration control than isolation.
There is room under there to add a concrete pad and posts that would make it a fair bit more stable. I have the posts. Concrete is cheap. I just keep finding lower hanging fruit. It might be getting to where that's just about worth doing ....
Yeah the Melody is one beautiful little amp. I buy em for sound not looks but it sure is nice when they look good too. I put a lot of time and effort into that turntable so really appreciate when people like it. Thanks!
All the machining was done by Bryce Brady, brother of Chris Brady who developed them as part of the collaborative Teres Audio turntable project. The machining would be prohibitively expensive to do as a one-off.
The main benefit of the step-down transformer is less voltage drop with 220 vs 110. The one in the Medusa is from a power conditioner, and works more on the principle of transformers serving to filter out RFI.
Mine is 500VA, or 500 watts, and should be plenty for all but monster HT systems. See my system thread for a longer more complete answer.
Thanks for adding your system and the insight. I did see your other profile on another site. All awesomely obsessive! So you have 2 transformers for the main rig? The step down and another in the 'Medusa' (I get it)? What's the rating you'd recommend for my rig? What benefits does it bring? I have no big hum issues.
The Miller Medusa is my power conditioner, hard wired into the circuit. Its in the description. The Medusa is my own creation. Its basically a Jungson isolation transformer and caps from a conditioner that was quite good, but had a cheap case and outlets. So I gutted it, put it on BDR Cones on a BDR Black Beauty Shelf, added Oyaide and Synergistic outlets, added an Audio Consulting isolation transformer, hard-wired it all with pure silver wire and installed it all in MDF. Four Synergistic MPCs were added later, also hardwired. The two Tesla MPCs that power Active Shielding on the speaker cables are run through the Audio Consulting transformer.
This stuff was all done in stages over years. Each part and change was compared and tested. So unlike off the shelf conditioners where you never really know what's going on with the Medusa I know exactly what everything is doing.
