Description

I have been building this system since about 2001. Although it is a second system (the first being a home theater system in the family room).

I named the system Pax (as in harmony) Cubiculum (Bedroom) because that was where it used to be. But after about five years of putting up with my listening to music late into week nights, my better half asked me to move it into basement.

It remains my primary system for listening to music.

Room area is about 2000 cu. ft. I don't listen at loud volume. Generally listen to rock--with increasing fondness for 70s FM radio rock/pop as I grow more nostalgic with each new year.

In any case, thanks for viewing my system. Love to hear your thoughts, and best wishes to you and yours.
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Components Toggle details

    • Sony Sony DVP-NS999ES
    Sony's current flagship DVD/SACD player. RCA ouputs connected to Manley Shrimp pre-amp for SACD playback. It is used as a transport for CD/DVD video playback with its digital coax output connected to Kora DAC.
    • Kora Electronics Hermes
    24-but/196k tube DAC acquired based on feedback from fellow Audiogonians (see System Description).
    • Rega Planar 3
    (Purple) P3 with standard RB300 tonearm.
    • Rega Super Elys
    Good match for P3--but took more than a few hours of listening for it to sound good. Much too hot when new.
    • Creek OBH-15
    MM/MC phono preamp with external power supply
    • Manley Laboratories Shrimp
    Tube pre-amp
    • Quicksilver Mid Mono
    Most recent acquistion--a replacement for the Pass Labs Aleph 30, which served me very well for about three years
    • Revel Performa M20
    2-way monitor w/accompanying stands
    • IXOS 1014 Gamma Audition II
    Interconnects
    • Tara Labs Prism D-2 Digital
    Digital cable connecting Philips 963SA to Kora Hermes
    • Audioquest Slate
    Speaker cables

Comments 19

Showing all comments by gmwong.

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Owner
Thanks for comments from Timrhu and Linnie01. Apologies for not acknowledging them sooner--just found out about them.

>>Is it still in the basement?
Yes it is. I do have a bedroom system that consists of an Outlaw preamp, Odessey Stratos amp, Vandersteen 2ce Signature speakers. I am contemplating moving the Vandys to the basement--but don't know if it will work well with the Quicksilver mid mono tube amps. Decisions, decisions.

>>My question concerns the IXOS Audition cable. I recently received a set with the purchase of a subwoofer. Do you remember the approximate value of the Gamma Audition.
I bought them back in 2003 (I think) for $30 three-metre cable, list was $75. See http://accessories4less.com/ for updated prices.

>>Very cool P3
Yeah--love that purple!

gmwong

Owner
System edited: Rhohense comment (from Nov-05) below: "All tube but no Turntable? hmmmm" got me thinking. Point taken. So, this year I got me a P3 with Super Elys and Creek OBH-15. Still no amp stands. But don't need it because my wife has kicked the system into basement, where I have placed them on counter top. (I guess bedroom harmony is now basement harmony.)

gmwong

Owner
Mjcmt,
Thanks for taking time to look at my system. Your idea of getting granite/marble for amp stands is a very good one. I will look into it. Meanwhile, I am enjoying the the music from the system. As stated in the system description, the Quicksilvers are my first venture into tube amps, and I really do enjoy them, especially with female voices and acoustic instruments.

gmwong

Owner
System edited: I have finally done it: this is now a all-tube system with my acquisition of Mike Sander's tubed 50-watt (using KT88s) Quicksilver Mid Mono amps to replace Nelson Pass's Aleph 30 Class A amp, which served me very well for about 2 1/2 years.

gmwong

Owner
Thanks to Rogerroger and Calanctus for their responses. (Apologies for not replying sooner).

Not to be wishy-washy about this, but I believe there is truth to both your recommendations even though your suggestions are opposite. On the one hard, 30 watts seem to enough as I am getting good sound, no clipping, etc. On the other hand, how do I know for sure I am getting the best sound I can get from the M20s? I think this is the dilemma most of us have with this hobby. Of course we don't want to upgrade for the sake of upgrading. But on the other hand, we do want to upgrade if we believe we can get better sound. Presumably, in upgrading we do reach point of diminishing return, but I (presumably most audiophiles) struggle to know what that point is. And I might add that vendors know this.

In any case, thanks Rogerroger and Calanctus for your responses to my query. I'll keep you updated on my decision. I supposed there is some pleasure in the pursuit. Best to you and yours.

gmwong

Owner
System edited: Sept. 27, 2004 Update: Latest configuration. Also, is 30 watts enough?

gmwong

Owner
System edited: Updated comments and equipment list.

gmwong

Owner
Hi Viggen,
Yes, you are correct that the latin word "pax" as used in "Pax Romana" does mean peace, as in quiet and calm. But the word in Latin does also mean harmony, which I exploit in the naming of my audio system.

Best to you and yours,

gmwong

Owner
System edited: October 13 update: Pictures added.

gmwong

Owner
System edited: For fun and for my wife's sense of irony, I have changed the name of my system to Latin meaning: Bedroom Harmony. I hope this is linguistically correct (used Internet resources for translation).

gmwong