Description

I'll add some photos of my system in the next week or two for all to see...

The only two pieces that now remain at the nucleus my system are the McCormack amp and Magnepan speakers.

The recent additions of the ARC preamp and DAC have been wonderful. I now have a remote controlled preamp with a HT pass-thru. This was important to me as I really want to use this one system for HT duty as well without giving up the sonic benefits afforded to me by the equipment already in it. To help make that a reality, I have just purchased a Marantz SR-5001 on clearance that will soon be injected for HT only duties. It should integrate well with the Philips 42" plasma I purchased about a year ago.

The next upgrade will probably be to the amp as I would like to take advantage of the ARC LS-16's balanced outputs (and I'd like to have more power for the MG-12's as well). I'd like to eventually use two mono amps to power the Magnepans, so maybe I'll look for a used ARC or Classe amp that both cover these options, then add a second if I am happy with the sound.

As for now, I will focus my time on hunting down used copies of early issue CD's that are still missing from my collection so that I can rip and convert them to FLAC for use on my music server (Intel P4 running Windows XP, Audiophile 24/96 sound card and AlbumPlayer music management system).
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Components Toggle details

    • VPI Industries HW-19 jr
    Bought new from Audio Advisor many moons ago!
    • Moth MK-II
    Purchased new from Audio Advisor many moons ago!
    • Denon DL-160
    Purchased new from Kief's Audio a few years ago.
    • Digital Playback Via Custom PC Home-brew P4
    Pentium 4 running Windows XP with an Audiophile 24/96 sound card and AlbumPlayer music management software.
    • Rotel RDV 1060
    Recently purchased used
    • Audio Research LS-16
    Purchased used on Audiogon for $1,500. Outfitted with four NOS Telefunken PCC88/7DJ8's tubes from Kevin at Upscale Audio for $200.
    • Audion Silver Night Tube Phono Preamp
    Purchased used from a local estate sale.
    • Audio Research DAC-5
    Purchased used on Audiogon for $650.
    • McCormack DNA-0.5 dlx
    Bought used.
    • HHB CDR-830 BurnIt CD Recorder
    Purchased new from Zzounds.
    • Marantz SR-5001
    7.1 surround sound receiver
    • Magnepan MG-12qr
    Purchased used several years ago from a dealer on the west coast for $550.
    • Magnepan MMGC
    Center channel speaker for movie use only.
    • Mirage I-6W
    In-wall speakers for rear surround sound
    • Martin Logan Dynamo
    Purchased used on Audiogon for $350.
    • Signal Cable Analog Two
    New from Signal Cable
    • Signal Cable SPDI/F Digital Coax
    New from Signal Cable
    • Signal Cable Ultra (Double Run) Single-Wire
    New from Signal Cable
    • Signal Cable MagicPower Power Cord
    New from Signal Cable
    • Signal Cable MagicPower Digital Reference Power
    New from Signal Cable
    • Rotel RLC-900
    Purchased new from Audioport.
    • VPI HW-16.5 Record Cleaner
    Purchased direct from VPI.
    • Bright Star Audio IsoRock 4
    Purchased used.
    • Bright Star Audio Little Rock 4
    Purchased used.
    • Sonex Classic Acoustical Foam
    Purchased new from Audio Advisor.
    • Philips Plasma TV 42
    Can't remember the model

Comments 4

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Owner
System edited: Forgot to list the McCormack amp!

listentothemusic

Owner
System edited: I finally got around to taking a few photos, I don't proclaim to be a photographer, but I think you will get a good idea of the set-up from these images. I've been very pleased with the integration of home theater into my two-channel set-up, and the best part is, I didn't have to sacrifice the quality of music reproduction to do it. This is largely due to the ARC LS-16. I use the front stereo channel preamp outputs from the Marantz receiver fed to the home theater input of the LS-16. This allows the receiver to control the LS-16 when operating my video sources. The Magnepans stay connected to the McCormack amp and the system is ready to reproduce music as a two-channel entity by simply switching inputs (which is done via the LS-16's remote control). I just installed the in-wall speakers this past weekend. Got a great deal on them from Crutchfield. I'm surprised at how good they sound for the small amount of money I spent for them. They basically provide rear effects for movies, so they serve their purpose. The Marantz does fine in its role, though I would like to have a preamp only processor from Rotel. However, that would take quite a bit more funds and one or two more amps, so this will work for now when viewing the plasma. Next upgrade will probably be to switch to a couple of amps that can be used as mono-blocs. The McCormack amp does a great job, but I would like to have more power for the front channel Magnepans. But for now, I am very happy. Can't believe how good movies actually SOUND through the Maggies! I hope my system will give others sitting on the fence regarding home theater to reconsider their options. This just goes to show, you really can have the best of both worlds!

listentothemusic

Owner
System edited: Swapped DVD players...

listentothemusic