Description

System Updated: I added a pc-based music server, something I had been contemplating for the past year or so. The opportunity presented itself when a friend was preparing to scrap a Dell C521 low-profile desktop computer. I fitted it out with a a 2.4 GHz AMD Athlon 64 x2 processor, 2 GB RAM, Windows XP Pro, iTunes 9, USB 2.0, Musiland Monitor 01 USD and Blue Jeans Cable BNC/BNC digital cable. Digital bitstream is fed to the S/PDIF in on my Wadia 16. I shuffled a few things around and have sited my ARC LS5 Mk. III on a Black Diamond Racing Shelf with two sets of #4 cones and placed the PC on the Towhshend Seismic Sink. Things sound just a little tighter, with greater impact and more image specificity. This move supplements the tweak I implemented recently, fabbing an acoustic treatment which hangs from the plasma screen in my listening room. The treatment employs three ASC Sound Planks, which are oriented horizontally. Otherwise, I've had the same audio system for going on 12 years and made only minor adjustments to it. This system, more than any I have owned before (and there have been a few) communicates the emotion and magic of the music. The system is situated in a lower level dedicated listening room. Walls were constructed using two layers of 5/8" drywall on 16" stud centers. Floor is concrete slab and is covered with the best fiber-based padding I could find and wool carpet. There are four dedicated 20-amp circuits on isolated grounds, as well as one separate 15-amp circuit for non-audio ancillaries. Room dimesions are the closest I could get to golden-rule proportions. The room is prewired for a future plasma screen and Magnepan 5.1 surround system, however, I'm a two-channel guy at heart. The room is treated with RPG abfusers (side walls), RPG bass traps (front corners), ASC tube traps (rear corners) and ASC Sound planks (front wall). Measured performance of the room/system combination is really pretty good (up 5 db at 80 Hz is the only real anomaly). A non-audio feature of the room is an ultra-quiet vent fan situated above the hot seat, which I installed so I can smoke the occasional cigar. Make-up air is supplied by a large thru-wall return vent. It was a nice idea but I have only smoked one cigar in the room so far. The fan is effective for venting heat generated by the tube amp, however. Overall, I'm pleased on this, my third and hopefully last, dedicated listening room adventure.
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    • Wadia 16
    VRDS disc clamping system, digimaster D/A conversion, 80 MIPS processing, 24-bit resolution, balanced outputs, 45 lbs. Sound compares favorably to newer players, so I haven't been able to bring myself to upgrade it.
    • Dell C521
    Music Server - AMD Athlon 64 x2, 2.4 GHz, 2 GB RAM, Windows XP Pro, iTunes 9, USB 2.0, Musiland Monitor 01 USD, Blue Jeans Cable BNC/BNC digital cable.
    • VPI Industries Aries
    I have been very pleased with this table. I am just now considering the addition of the new Mini Super Feet and SDS from VPI. The table is sited on a Bright Star base designed for the Aries, which I have found to be quite effective.
    • VPI Industries JMW Memorial
    Unipivot design, easy to adjust and swap out for another. Sonic characteristics can also be tuned by increasing/decreasing the amount of damping fluid in the cup.
    • Benz Micro Glider
    This cartridge mates well to the JMW Memorial arm and Aries table. I prefer it to my van den Hul One
    • van den Hul MC-One
    Very low output and very pleasing sound, though I prefer my Benz Micro Glider. Alignment can be difficult due to the short cantilever.
    • Audio Research LS-5 mkIII
    To my ears, an absolutely terrific preamp. Dynamic and clean with great bloom. A keeper.
    • Audio Research VT-200
    I love this amp. An absolutely synergistic match with the Magnepan 3.5Rs, and there is not much it will not drive.
    • Magnepan MG-3.5r
    I'm a real fan of their sound, especially with the ARC VT200. The transparency, reproduction of acoustic instruments and voices, and the soundstaging are, in my opinion, superb.
    • Vandersteen 2wq
    Supplementing the Magnepan 3.5Rs with a pair of these was one of the best investments I've made in my system, allowing the Maggies to do what they do best and releiving the amp/speakers of the need to reproduce the lowest frequencies. I'm running them balanced with the optional Vandersteen high pass filters.
    • Kimber KCTG and KCAG
    Balanced throughout, with the exception of the run from turntable to phono preamp.
    • Audioquest Emerald
    Balanced 9-meter run from preamp to amplifier. Great cable.
    • Audio Research PH-3
    A nice phono preamp. I will probably send this to ARC in the not-too-distant future for upgrading to SE.
    • Audioquest Clear
    Bi-wired 8-foot run from amp to main speakers.
    • Kimber 8TC
    One 8-foot run from amp to each subwoofer.
    • Kimber Homemade
    Kimber 8TC with a copper ground lead down the center, connected to Hubbell connectors and jacketed in a woven sleeve.
    • Audio Power 116
    Just for that extra measure of protection and filtering
    • Audio Power PE-1
    Though there are claimed benefits to sound, I like it for the reason that I am able to monitor line voltage.
    • Black Diamond Shelves and Cones
    Under CD player and phono preamp, each using two sets of three cones.
    • Townshend Seismic Sink
    Under preamp
    • Sound Anchor VT200
    Situated under VT200
    • Ensemble Tube Sox
    Replacing the OEM damping rings on all 6922s in the LS5 and PH3. A noticeable reduction in microphonics can be attributed to the tweak.
    • Panasonic TH-58PZ800U
    58-inch HD plasma screen TV
    • ASC & RPG Various
    Acoustic treatments, including bass traps, Tube Traps, Abfusors, Sound Planks and Skylines. Devices are applied as required according to room measurements.
    • ASC Sound Planks Plasma Treatment
    Home-brew acoustic treatment for 58" plasma screen TV -- I've got my image back! Today I fabricated a simple but effective acoustic treament to hang on my flat screen. I used 3/4" flat stock to make two hooks for hanging, some velcro and three Sound Planks. The insides of the hooks are covered with velcro (loop side) to prevent damage to the TV. The outside of each hook is covered with velcro which enables two 33" "ribbons" of velcro to hang down. The sound planks are affixed with velcro in a horizontal orientation, helping to tame front wall reflections. The device was a breeze to make, is easily stored and affixes in about 30 seconds for critical listening.
    • Nixie Clock and Single Malts Various
    The Nixie clock blows the Tice clock away. It gets the timing right and is much more analog (and therefore real) in its presentation. The single malts greatly improve soundstage width and depth, take the edge off highs, and make 100 dB sound like 90 dB. Using them I have had occasions where I heard things I didn't know were present on the medium of being played (perhaps they weren't).

Comments 51

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Hello,
what kind of tube-rolling-experiences do you have with the Audio Research LS-5 MkIII, which i also use, but until now just with stock Sovtek and JAN Philips tubes.

breezer