Description

Goal: natural and holographic sound to offset the relative small size (esp. height) of the room.

Application: 80% movies, 20% music (mostly Classical -lots of strings and vocals - and Jazz, some classic rock)

Sources: dedicated HTPC, dedicated NAS server for FLAC streamed through Logitech Touch for audio and another dedicated NAS for movies.
I have kept the old analogue rig (Denon DP52F, CJ PV7,..) for nostalgic reasons, putting on a record once in a blue moon.

This system is the amalgam of my old HT setup (was with Martin Logan speakers) and part of the 2 channel system before the many upgrades (see my current main 2 channel setup which has also Dunlavy designed speakers, hence the title Pas de Deux.)

Before settling on the Duntech Black Knights, I have gone through many, many full range speakers. I am normally manufacturer agnostic but John Dunlavy's superior design prompted me to put his brand in the title. The mid range is colorful, textured and rich. Highs are airy enough, no glare (soft dome tweeters) but a bit rolled off and the bass is tight, thanks to the setup and concrete direct under the wooden floor. The Purist Audio Design cabling enables a smooth flow with dark background and most importantly, a musical and non fatiguing representation.

I started out with the Krell HTS/KAV1500 combo and replaced that with NAD M15/M25, a brand of which I had fond memories when I was in college. The M15 died and was replaced with the modern T187.

Any suggestion for room treatment (I intend to add panels on the ceiling, above the listening spot) and isolation is more than welcome. Fortunately, the concrete floor alleviate some of the need for direct coupled vibration control. The last year or so I went far beyond the average ratio in power conditioning and power cables for my main 2 ch rig, the result being that this HT system benefits from, IMO, pretty clean power (2 dedicated lines, power regen + relatively uncolored passive filtering)

During the last couple of years, constant upgrade to the cabling raised the system to another level. Out went the Audience powerChords, in came NordOst Valhalla for the processor, HiDiamond P4 for the M25.  HFC CT1U from Logitech to the T187 in stead of the NordOst Valhalla digital.

Power conditioning was improved (dedicated line) into an Audience adept Response 6-T. Ancillary devices such as NAS and bridges are fed through an el cheapo Belkin PF60.

I may consider going all in wall as the room is not very big and more real estate is appreciated. 
Read more...

Components Toggle details

    • Duntech Black Knight
    A keeper, bought these after switching to Dunlavy SC IV for my main 2 channel system. Does almost everything right and sounds IME better than the SC IV. Mods: add Dueland caps as bypass for the tweeter and mids, replaced the binding posts with Cardas CCCG
    • Dunlavy Audio Labs SC I
    they are used for both center channel and surrounds, maybe I will replace the surrounds with dipole speakers for better coverage.
    • Sony Sony PS3 160GB
    Doubles as game console and BR player. Movies are sourced from the HTPC/NAS server, much more convenient.
    • REL Acoustics Britannia II
    REL subs are the most musical ones. this Britannia II replaced a set of two Velodyne DD10 which were too much for my HT room. The Britannia II sits on top an ASC sub trap
    • Velodyne SMS 1
    sub woofer system room correction, a temp solution before a modern HT processor with Audyssey is chosen
    • Symposium Svelte shelves
    under speakers improved imaging and lowered a bit the back ground
    • Symposium Rollerblock Jr w Tungsten
    Best value for money in isolation, used under CDP and HT processor (two sets). The Stillpoints Ultra SS, now deployed in my main 2 ch system, are indeed better.
    • HiFi Tuning Supreme
    in all devices whenever possible (accessible fuse), added with a WA Quantum chip.
    • High Fidelity Cables CT1 E digital cable
    replaced easily a HiDiamond digital reference.
    • High Fidelity Cables CT 1 1.5m
    replaced the Audience AU24SE IC
    • NAD T 187
    replaced the vintage Krell HTS
    • NAD M25
    replaced the combo of Krell KAV 250a and Krell KAV 250a/3
    • HiDiamond D8 speaker cables 3m
    wonderful sounding, organic and detailed. Simple as that. They used to serve in my main system and are relegated to the home theater, my ears says "thank you" (replaced the Purist Audio Design Venustas)
    • Audience Adept Response 6-T
    the standard powerChord was replaced by a NordOst Valhalla power cord with Neutrik connector.

Comments 10

Showing all comments by zephyr24069.

View all comments

Thanks for your comments on my system thread as well!  Glad to see the updates happening here too....the AR6-TS and everything you are doing should evolve the sound even further as well as expand dynamics and other important aspects.  How do you like the new REL subs? I had a B1 and loved it when I had my HT setup as well as with the 2-channel side of my rig.  Happy Listening!!!

zephyr24069

See my comments on you other system thread as well.  This is a very nice and well thought out HT/Video/Audio setup.  What's in the future for this system?

zephyr24069