Description

Main system: tower speakers, tube preamp (based on Ultraverve III), solid state DAC, tube or SS amps; sources are DIY intel nuc based streamer and CD transport. 

2023 updates: added Holo Audio Spring DAC KTE; Vicoustic diffusion on sides and ceiling. Removed some dampening from ceiling.

Fall 2022 updates: Added a Schiit Bifrost 2/64 DAC and a 6SN7 DIY preamp. A Pass XA-25 amp now alternates with my QS mono blocks.

March 2022 updates: System now showing Ascend Acoustics Sierra Towers with RAAL tweeters and custom made audio rack from Clay Street Woodworks (Morrison, CO).

Spring 2021: Added photos with mixture of deflectors (boards), diffusors (GIK, bookshelves), absorbers (ATS, GIK), and bass traps (Real Traps), along with some DIY (utilizing OC 703, OC R38 pink fluffy).
Read more...

Room Details

Dimensions: 35’ × 14’  Large
Ceiling: 7’


Components Toggle details

    • Ascend Acoustics Sierra Tower
    with RAAL tweeters
    • REL R 328
    Purchased used, 2020.
    • Rythmik Audio (2 subs) F12SE
    • Intel NUC streamer (DIY) Intel nuc
    • Cambridge Audio CXC CD Transport: Version 1
    Purchased 2020 but v. 2 was out already.
    • Holo Audio Spring DAC Level 3 "Kitsune Tuned Edition"
    Acquired used in December 2023; replaced Schiit Bifrost 2/64
    • DIY Preamp, roughly like DeHavilland Ultraverve 3 Ultraverve 3
    Local designer
    • Quicksilver Mono 60s
    2020 model.
    • Pass Labs XA-25
    Pass Labs XA-25 stereo amplifier.
    • Audience Adept Response AR-2p
    • Shunyata Research Venom Defender
    • Wiremold Legrand Power Strip
    Nothing fancy.
    • Porterhouse Audio Porter port
    Outlet plug.
    • Analysis Plus Inc. Copper Oval-In
    Various other AP wires, connects here.
    • AudioQuest Type 4 Speaker Cable
    • GIK Acoustics Tri Traps, HF Limited Bass Traps, Q7D Diffusors
    • RealTraps Mondo Traps
    • NOT IN USE NOW Acopian power supply feeding modified Node 2i Bluesound Node 2i
    I swapped in a power supply board from PD Creative and then added an Acopian power supply purchased on Ebay from Florida Industrial. Good deal and a real improvement.
    • NOT IN USE NOW Bluesound Node 2i
    2020 model
    • Quicksilver SOLD Line Stage Preamplifier (upgraded caps)
    2020 model.
    • Schiit SOLD Bifrost 2/64 DAC
    DAC
    • SOLD OFF MHDT Laboratory Orchid
    2020 model
    • SOLD OFF Salk Sound SS-6M
    Designed and built in 2020.

Comments 39

Beautiful rig, man! Quicksilver stuff is great. I own a pair of mid monos and had a Don Sachs preamp and a Tavish phono, and I love it. 
That diagram of your listening space is very well done. Cool playlist too! 
Bravo on all fronts! Enjoy your rig, dude! It’s a beaut! 

technick

Hey Bro, the systems lookin’ great!  Quite the journey we’ve both been on over the past year.  I remember when we first started talking and you were were considering the wow1.  The wow1 might be the best bargain I’ve come across with regards to driver cost vs selling price.  Just off the charts with the wow1.

Anyhow, congrats on putting together a really nice system.  I bet when you started this journey, you didn’t plan on having something like you’ve got now.  I sure didn’t think my rig would be where it’s at now after just 1 year.

Not much else to do now except to enjoy the music and share the knowledge you’ve gained.  Enjoy!

b_limo

Owner
I'm just seeing the comments here on this page -- was viewing them on thread before.
Thanks to all for your nice comments. For the few questions, let me try to answer...

@jond The Salks are 14 inches deep: 20x14x9, overall.

@douglas I keep the speakers at a fairly wide separation -- 8-9 feet apart. They're only closer here so they can fit into the photo.

@fatdaddy2 Thanks -- there is really no first reflection with sidewalls with these Salks. The problem (if I can call it that) is the low ceiling.

@el34 I did a little research and cannot easily determine if they are transmission line speakers. They're front ported for sure -- maybe that implies they are transmission lines? Out of my depth here.

@toro3 Glad the playlist and diagram were good additions. It's quite hard for us to project ourselves into another's system with photos of gear; I was hoping that some additional elements might offer some insight into what I chose.

hilde45

Nice system! Love the exposed brick and those Salks look cool, are they as deep as they appear in your photo?

jond

Congratulations! Nice advancement of the rig! 

You have changed the speaker location significantly. Have you tried to return to the wider placement? Why not have two "settings" for different experiences? :) 

douglas_schroeder

Nice job setting up a good nearfieod arrangement within a particularly difficult acoustic space!  I'm using Salk Veracity's in my den system, so know how special those Salks can sound.  Enjoy!

fatdaddy2

Great room and system!  Happy Listening!

jafant

Very nicely and thoughtfully put system. Congratulations! I am sure you are having tons of fun listening to it.

milpai

Looks excellent. Enjoy the heck out of it!

edcyn

Near field listening, nice work.

millercarbon

Well done, looks great!!

Enjoy in good health, 
Jose

jg2077

Nice room, Man, brick is a cool look.

Can't imagine it could sound anything but great. Not familiar with the Salk speakers, is that a transmission line design?  Quicksilver amp/preamp probably the best sound per dollar out there. I had a pair of V4 amps once upon a time in my audio journey and they were stunning. I've since simplified things, but I do miss them from time to time.

Enjoy!

el34

I agree that is a nice looking speaker...Wow..

I like it. Nice components, very clean.

Everytime I see someones system, I think "I sure would like to try that".

Always something.. Time for a meeting.. SA, Stereos Anonymous..LOL

Regards

oldhvymec

Appreciate the playlist and the diagram - both rare on this page. Would love to hear some Salks one of these days. Great looking speakers.

toro3

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