Control Room M

by mashif on Getting Started
Listening Room
Rack
Preamplifier
Bay Window has non parallel surfaces plus windows. There's a 24x48x4 movable panel in the middle.4
Back wall. 4 24x48x6 panels plus curved diffuser/absorbers in the corners. Barnwood slats and PVC diffusion tiles are configurable but I'm happy with the current arrangement. The one panel with no diffusion is my sweet spot.
Back wall from bay window
JBL 4311wxa control monitors with my DIY grill fabric.
4311wxa without grill. Still sounding and looking good after 46 years.

Description

My approach to music listening reflects my 37 year career as a recording engineer/mixer. My room is my best attempt to recreate a studio control room as this is my happy place for listening. My goal is to make my room disappear and hear only what is coming out of the speakers. I continually experiment with acoustic treatments and speaker placement. 

Until 2020, I was a "vintage" guy playing with mostly '70s gear. I enjoyed that but the only tech I trusted retired and I decided to "go modern". The choices are so vast I decided to put a budget system together, listen to what needs improvement, and upgrade over time. 
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Components Toggle details

    • Bluesound Node 2i
    LPS from PD Creative. Digital out to DAC
    • Schiit Audio Bitfrost 2/64
    Both my streamer and CD transport go through.
    • Panasonic DVD-S52
    99% of my listening is streaming and I only play CDs of the few recordings not available on my service. It extracts the digital files well enough.
    • Linear Tube Audio MICROZOTL MZ2 Preamp/Headphone amp
    This recently replaced the Schiit Valhalla 2 as my tube preamp. I upgraded a couple of tubes and it sounds quite beautiful.
    • Bryston 3b Cubed
    I recently (11/24) replaced my Parasound A23+ with the new Bryston. They're similar in many ways but the Bryston outperforms at everything. Dead quiet, stunning transparency, that rare combination of warm and crystal clear. Everything sounds exactly right.
    And as an added bonus, it's 35lbs. That's important at my age. 
    • JBL 4311wxa
    These unique speakers have been with me since 1978. The incredible dynamics and rich acoustic and harmonic interaction between the drivers due to a simple first order crossover, the concentric driver layout, and the midrange wired in reverse polarity, is unique to this model.
    I built new crossovers in April 2024 with Solen FastCaps and DH Labs hookup wire. New L-Pads means no cleaning for many years. The transient response is remarkable. 
    • Romeo Cables RCA interconnect
    Neotech LECT-20 OCC with KLEI Copper Harmony connectors. For Subwoofer.
    • SVS SB2000 Pro
    Single subwoofer. I tried two but decided one sounded better in my room. It blends beautifully with my mains.
    • Transparent Audio Premier 75ohm Digital Cable
    • Marchand Electronics Passive Balanced HPF
    I cut the low frequencies going to my mains and use a sub below 80hz.
    • Cardas Audio Clear Sky x4 Speaker Cables
    • Morrow Audio Level 4 XLR interconnects
    • Transparent Audio MusicWave Plus RCA Interconnects
    from DAC to Preamp and out to amp.
    • Schiit Kara
    Another recent addition, it is a very neutral SS preamp. It's quiet and versatile, with balanced I/O, a passive mode, and two stages of gain. It sounds fine on its own but I primarily use it in passive mode for connection purposes. I can have multiple preamps passing through and switch between them instantly.
    • Schiit Audio Valhalla 2 Tube headphone/preamp. Not pictured
    Headphone amp in another room. I rarely listen on headphones and this is more than adequate.

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