System edited: Updated pictures to better reflect room acoustics.

lwhitefl July 23, 2011 16:45

System edited: Updated system description to include decision to install balanced isolation transformer.

lwhitefl June 20, 2011 18:33

Thanks for the kind words Syd. I sent you an email regarding the checking out each other's systems.

lwhitefl June 20, 2011 16:27

Your system looks incredible! I was also quite impressed with the Raidho's that I heard (C1's and S2's) at this past CES (2011). I live in Florida and noticed that you do as well. If you're anywhere near Broward County, perhaps we can check out each other's systems...

sydsrig June 20, 2011 05:53

System edited: Removed previous acoustic pieces (HDTV absorber panels, bass traps, front wall cornice) not necessary after completing Rives Audio room acoustics design; and completed wall painting touch-up.

lwhitefl April 19, 2011 14:39

System edited: Installed led lighting on top inside edge of listening room clouds. Although the pictures don't fully show the "laser" intensity of the led lighting inside the center cloud frames.

lwhitefl January 29, 2011 18:08

I had previously been using ASC and Echobuster absorber panels for side wall reflection points, Echobuster P4 Towers used as bass traps at the front wall corners; wood verticals to cover right side wall exterior insulated French doors, wood shutters over the front wall arched windows, and a 6' X 8' wool area rug for absorption on the wood floor between the speakers and listening chairs. I had also been placing Echobuster absorber panels in front of the HDTV during listening sessions - these panels have now been relocated to the left back kitchen wall.

The first phase of acoustic design construction involved the installation of the absorber panels in all the plant decorator areas 8’-12’ above the floors in the listening room and kitchen; this significantly quieted the entire area and greatly improved sound system articulation. Next diffuser panels were built for the breakfast nook area French door and etched window during listening sessions, and again I heard improvements in overall room quietness and audio articulation. The final construction was just completed with installation of the four diffuser clouds in the listening room and the absorber cloud over the rear hallway. This further improved the audio system articulation, but fundamentally and dramatically improved the presence and dynamics of the audio system. Frankly, I’ve only heard a few other audio systems with a similar sound in well designed dedicated listening rooms in south Florida.

I still have to install the led strip lighting around the inside top perimeter crown molding of the small center open box of each “cloud”, but the switched electrical outlets are already functional in the ceiling. I think I’m going to try blue led flex strips http://www.ecolightsolutions.com/led-products/flex-tape.html on one cloud to see what it looks like before making a final decision on the color or whether to put led’s around the outside perimeter of each cloud.

lwhitefl January 25, 2011 17:25

System edited: The acoustic absorber panels consisting of 703 Owens Corning fiberglass (2") wrapped with acoustic cloth have been built and placed on the back walls of all planter decorator areas in the listening room and kitchen. This has significantly quieted the entire area. The result I'm hearing more of the music content with increased articulation. The diffuser panels for the breakfast nook are being built as is the ceiling absorber cloud for the hallway between the kitchen and listening room. The final step will be to build the diffuser clouds for the listening room ceiling after Christmas. I'll continue to post pictures as the Rives Audio room acoustics plan is implemented.

lwhitefl December 03, 2010 19:54

System edited: Working with Rives Audio using level 2 acoustic design service, currently working to finalize concept plan. The drawing shows absorptive panels lining the walls of the plant setback areas in the kitchen and listening room, (4) 6X6 "cloud" panels hanging 9" from listening room ceiling, a 2'-6"X15'X18" drop-down ceiling from StarSilent over the hallway at the rear of the listening room, RPG VariScreen diffusers in front of the breakfast nook French door and arched glass window and Graber cellular shades pulled over breakfast nook butt-glass windows during listening sessions, a 6X8 wool area rug on the breakfast nook tile floor, and a 3X11 wool area rug in the hallway. I'm also using an Echobuster absorptive panel at the first reflection point on the right side wall, the same type panel at the listening chair position on the left side wall, an ASC picture panel at the first reflection point on the left side wall, Echobuster P4 towers (bass traps) in the front wall corners, Echobuster absorber panels in front of the HDTV during listening sessions, and a 6'X8' wool area rug between the speakers and listening position. Audio measurements will be taken before the ceiling "clouds" are installed for fine tuning the final acoustic treatment. This project is going to take me into next year full full implementation.

lwhitefl September 24, 2010 18:07

Fantastic system! I was at RMAF 2008 and was enthralled by the Ayra 3.0 the same way you were, and they sound outstanding with the Lindemann gear! Can't wait to read about your upcoming continuation of room treatments. Splendid system, congrats!

arthursmuck September 06, 2010 20:27

System edited: Since the listening room is at least as equally important as the audio equipment, I'm currently working with Rives Audio to improve listening room acoustics via their level 2 acoustic design service. To date the listening room area has been defined to the Rives CAD system, and Rives has recommended the best speaker/seating position based on my prioritization of room asthetics. Rives is now working on the conceptual plan that will define the extent of acoutic treatments to the listening room, breakfast nook, and kitchen areas. This phase will be followed by implementing the fundamental acoustic treatments. Though no walls will be moved, acoustic treatments to ceiling areas, glass windows/doors, and decorator setback areas are likely candidates. When this work has been completed, professional acoustical measurements of the listening room will be used to do the final tuning.

lwhitefl September 06, 2010 15:25

System edited: Updated system description to reflect acoustic room changes.

lwhitefl June 01, 2010 19:55

Thanks for the post Sam. We are indeed fortunate to be able to enjoy music reproduced at a very high level in our homes. I first heard the Raidho Ayra C3.0 speakers at the 2008 RMAF and thought they were in a small group of speakers representing best of show. I never thought I'd be able to own them, but an Audiogon seller presented me the opportunity and I grabbed them!

I've made a significant number of audio system changes since that 2008 RMAF and the C3.0's are certainly the most significant. But perhaps the most valuable changes I've made are attributable a 2008 RMAF siminar I attended that aptly demonstrated power conditioning, synergistic cabling, and resonance control are crucial to hearing the true capabilities of any audio components.

lwhitefl May 31, 2010 18:34

Wow!!!! Those speakers are beautiful!!!! Lots of replacing and tweaking. I'm also retired so I know how much enjoyment your getting from 4-5 hrs listening/tweaking time per day!! Being able to get back to "it" the next morning/day helps continuity resulting in faster tuning and more great listening time!! I see you also like the Solid Tech ROS system, a PITA to set up but works great.

Sam

samhar May 28, 2010 21:10

System edited: Updated to reflect addition of etched glass window and french door at right rear of listening room, and a pocket door in kitchen. These changes better close the listening room from the remainder of the house.

lwhitefl May 23, 2010 18:36

System edited: I began this transformation with my audio system shortly after returning home from the 2008 RMAF. I went to that show with the objective of upgrading my B&W N802 speakers, and I heard some wonderful speakers (Acoustic Zen, Coltrane, Hanson, Kharma, Marten, Raidho, Tidal) that I had never heard before. Although I had previously tried a few modest power conditioning, cabling, and vibration control products, I had always been a little skeptical they could have any significant effect on sonic quality. But I returned home with a set of Nordost Ti Pulsar Points and a new purpose because of what I learned (and heard) in various demonstration rooms and a seminar espousing the virtues of using good power conditioning, synergistic cabling, and resonance control. I visited the Nordost room early the first morning where Lars Kristensen demonstrated the effect of Nordost Odin cabling, Quantum QX4, and Ti Pulsar Points with Raidho Ayra C3.0 speakers. I heard a remarkable improvement when Ti Pulsar Points were inserted under the preamp and CD player. It was hard to believe such a small piece of titanium could improve resolution, articulation and dynamics so significantly. Then we heard a Quantum QX4 that widened and deepened the sound stage also improving dynamics, when the QX4 was switched off the sound stage collapsed towards the center. During the “System Setup & Tuning” seminar on the second day, Roy Gregory told us “you’ll never truly hear your audio system unless you address the system foundation”. RG demonstrated how power conditioning, system cabling, and resonance control could significantly improve the sound of the same modest speakers, preamp, amp, and CD player. The demonstration played the same music selections beginning without power conditioning, inconsistent cabling, and no resonance control to a full out assault which included a Stillpoints rack, Vertex cabling, and a Quantum QX4. The resulting improvement in coherence, resolution, and dynamics was anything but subtle! Returning home I placed the set of Ti pulsar points under the CD player with no other audio component changes and immediately heard improvements with articulation, resolution, presence, instrumental air, and dynamics. I purchased two additional sets of Ti pulsar points for my preamp and amp and heard more sonic improvements of the same nature. My next purchase was the Quantum QX4 power enhancer which did indeed widen and deepen the soundstage. I was very pleased with the improvement in my B&W N802 based system and that was the extent of the changes I made to my audio system in 2008. At the beginning of 2009 I had an opportunity to purchase a pair of Raidho Eben X3.0 speakers. Even though I had not heard them, the Eben’s had a similar size and the same drivers as the Raidho Ayra C3.0’s that so impressed me at RMAF. I replaced my B&W N802’s with the Eben’s towards the end of January 2009 and had a new reference speaker system in place. The Eben’s produced a degree of articulation, resolution, timbre, and dynamics (particularly at the low end) I had never experienced with the N802’s in my listening room. I listened for about two weeks before deciding to make additional system foundation changes. I had been using a mixture of modest system cabling (DH Labs, Straightwire, Krell CAST) and decided to use cabling from the same manufacturer. I first changed the all the power cables on my preamp, amp, CD player, and QX4 to Nordost Brahma and again heard system dynamics and articulation improve. Next I changed the speaker cables to Nordost Frey and sonic improvements became still more pronounced. Next I changed the IC’s on my CD player to Nordost Valhalla and heard a significant improvement in resolution and articulation – I should have changed that first! Finally I changed the regular Krell CAST to MMF CAST and heard another incremental improvement. This year I incredulously had an opportunity to purchase a pair of Raidho Ayra C3.0 speakers, the very speakers I had heard and admired so much at the 2008 RMAF. I also decided to use a Lindemann preamp and amp with the Ayra’s because they work really well with Raidho speakers. The transformation is now complete – at least for the foreseeable future. My audio system has now moved to a new plateau of music reproduction. The solid system foundation allows me to easily hear even subtle differences in equipment and recordings. My audio system now reproduces music with a higher level of presence, timbre, coherence, resolution, articulation, authority, and great imaging I’ve previously not heard. The speakers literally disappear allowing me to focus on listening to the various instruments collaborating to create great music. I’m sure there are other audio systems setups in great listening rooms with even greater sonic realism, and I’m certain improvements can still be made to my audio system, particularly the cabling and digital front end. But I’m amazed by this experience and immensely enjoying reproduced music more than ever. I’ve been intently listening to music from my audio systems since I was a teenager, and since retiring on average five days a week, 3 - 4 hours a day. I receive immense pleasure from well reproduced music! So much so that I’ve found many “live” (amplified) musical events lacking the quality of the music I’m able to hear at home. I'm certainly enjoying my audio system!

lwhitefl March 12, 2010 01:45

Thanks Samhar - the arched windows aren't as much of a detriment to the sound as one might think, probably because the bottom of the window is 42" off the floor. But I agree, it's a difficult room because of the open floor plan with glass windows and doors everywhere. The room acoustic pieces I have in the room help considerably. Perhaps one day I'll get that dedicated listening room.

The X3.0's are internally wired with Nordost and the Raidho speakers I heard at RMAF sounded awesome with all Nordost cabling. Nordost cable is pricey, but the company has consistently been a R&D leader in cabling. And like you I've been able to buy from fellow Audiogon members which has made my system possible.

If you can find a dealer in your area that carries the Nordost product line, I urge you to consider giving Quantum QX4 a listen. It significantly increases the width and depth of the soundstage. HiFi+ gave it their 2008 Discovery award.

I've also been amazed at how much the Ti Pulsar Points increased articulation and tightened the sound in my audio system. The X3.0's use Cold Ray resonance control devices to effectively decouple the speakers from the floor as well.

I heard the Sophia's in an audio friends dedicated listening room last year and they sounded really good. It looks like you've put together a really good system in a short space of time and that you too are really enjoying music. I encourage you to pay close attention to your "system foundation" (including a dedicated electric line). I agree with HiFi+ - it will pay big dividends.

lwhitefl February 25, 2009 21:06

Great job in a "difficult" space (the three windows)!! I also am trying cable consistency, power regeneration and eventually dedicated lines. Your commitment to all Nordost is impressive it seems your getting great results, keep us posted as it breaks-in.

samhar February 25, 2009 14:13

System edited: Major changes to my audio system since I attended RMAF last October 2008. At RMAF I attended a HiFi+ setup and tuning seminar emphasizing the importance of the "system foundation" to optimize audio performance in any system. This includes power supply conditioning, resonance control, and consistency in cables (all from same manufacturer). I heard Raidho speakers in the Nordost room at RMAF and thought they were one of the best speakers at the show. I now have a pair of Eben X3.0's I purchased on Audiogon. The system is still not broken in because I have just now completed all the system updates. But the coherence, articulation, timbre, imaging, and dynamic range of my newly updated system is a significant improvement. I'm enjoying music more than ever (SACD, RBCD) - now if I could only swing a dedicated listening room!

lwhitefl February 24, 2009 21:16