Description

 I prioritize the midrange and use class A amplification with a tube preamp and solid state power amps feeding 2.5 way speakers with direct-coupled midrange drivers. 

A balanced dual-mono approach in the DAC and amplification chain, along with an optical cartridge for pure analog, provide for an exceptionally clean signal to the speakers with minimal crosstalk. Digital hygiene is provided by redundant clocks, linear power supplies, and only ethernet and fiberoptic connections.  

I have tried to attenuate mechanical, electrical and acoustic interference. Stands, speaker bases and footers address mechanical energy. Electrical integrity starts with a whole house surge protector/noise filter followed by three dedicated circuits, one for digital, one for both power amps and one for everything else. Extensive room treatment then ensures that the sound that reaches the listener is relatively free of acoustic anomalies. 

The final pictures show how a four-subwoofer array contributes to a smoother and extended low end (Fig.1), as well as a reduction in room modes (decay times) (Fig. 2-5). Active bass traps do not do much with the frequency response (Fig. 1), but they have a significant impact on modal frequencies/standing waves (Fig 2-5). Turning them on is akin to activating a subwoofer. Absorption and diffusion room treatments put the room "within spec" at the higher frequencies (Fig. 6). 

But the real magic comes from the midrange, running "full range" from below 200 Hz to above 5 KHz without a crossover.   
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Room Details

Dimensions: 28’ × 18’  Large
Ceiling: 8’


Components Toggle details

    • Roon Labs Nucleus Plus Server
    Tony Pardo LPS; Qobuz
    • Nagra Streamer
    • Playback Designs MPD-8 DAC
    Fiberoptic N-Link from Nagra Streamer
    • DS Audio DS003 Cartridge and Equalizer
    • Eminent Technology ET2 Tonearm
    High pressure manifold with upgrades; manometer
    • VPI Industries HW-19 MkIV ÜnStock Turntable
    Black Diamond Racing Shelf for the Source; Boca ceramic bearing; Sota Total Eclipse SAMA with Sota LPS; modified base and suspension with Black Diamond Racing Cones, Rotalocks, and Herbie's Audio Lab Tenderfeet and Pucks. 
    • Vinnie Rossi L2 Signature DHT Preamplifier
    Western Electric or Takatsuki 300Bs
    • JL Audio CR-1 Crossover
    • Pass Labs XA 60.8 Amplifiers
    • Wilson Benesch A.C.T. 3zero Loudspeakers
    • Townshend Seismic Isolation Podia
    Wilson Benesch A.C.T. 3zero
    • Dayton Audio SA1000 Subwoofer Amplifiers
    • James Romeyn DEBRA Subwoofer System (aka Swarm)
    Four subs/distributed bass array with 10 inch drivers
    • IsoAcoustics GAIA III Footers
    James Romeyn DEBRA (Swarm)
    • Nitty Gritty Model One Record Cleaning System
    Original version with motorized capstan and vacuum
    • SolidSteel Equipment Racks
    HF Series 4-shelf rack
    HF-A amp stands
    410 rack
    • PSI Audio C214 AVAAs
    Active Velocity Acoustic Absorber bass traps
    • Vicoustic Room Treatment
    Multifuser Wood 64 MkII: front and side walls
    FlexiWave Ultra: front and side walls
    Multifuser DC3: ceiling
    Super Bass Extreme Ultra: front corners
    Ultra Wavewood: front and side walls
    Cinema Round Premium: ceiling
    • GIK Acoustics Room Reatment
    242 Acoustic Panels: side walls and ceiling
    Polyfusors: side walls
    Turbo Trap Pros: rear corners 
    B4 Acoustic Panels: side walls
    244 Acoustic Panels: side walls
    Gotham Quadratic Diffusers: rear wall
    • Acoustimac Room Treatment
    Side wall and doors
    • Preston Area Rug
    Wool, handmade, cut pile, 9' x 13', 1/2" with  3/8" felt pad
    • MiniDSP UMIK-2 Microphone
    REW
    • Indiana Michigan Power
    3 dedicated 15 amp circuits
    • Environmental Potentials EP-2050-EE Surge Protector
    Whole house surge protection and filter
    • Zero Surge Power Filter
    8 outlet 
    2 outlet
    • iFi Audio Power Supply
    iPower Elite to Xfinity modem/router
    • AudioQuest Niagara 1200 Power Conditioner, Vodka Ethernet Cables
    Vodka: Xfinity modem to Nucleus Plus and to Nagra Streamer
    • Empirical Design Cables

    ED 422X XLR: MPD-8 to L2S to CR-1

    ED 422AX XLR: CR-1 to XA 60.8

    ED 422 RCA: DS003 cartridge to equalizer to L2S

    ED Omniwire RCA: CR-1 to SA1000s 

    ED 213 Speaker Cable: bi-wired XA 60.8 to ACT 3zeros

    ED 416X Power Cords: XA 60.8s, Niagara 1200, L2S, MPD-8, CR-1, DS 003, Tony Pardo, Swagman Labs

    • Furutech Power Cords
    DIY to SA1000 subwoofer amplifiers

Comments 26

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Beautiful system and room - and thoughtfully curated. Well done!

mgrif104