Home Zen Page E...A...R...s Reviews References Projects Feedback

 

 

The reference system, subject to (frequent) change:

Sota Cosmos Series IV Turntable with Sources:
Analog: SOTA Cosmos Series IV Vacuum turntable, Tri-Planar VIIu2 tonearm
Miyajima Shilabe, Miyajima Mono, and Denon 103R MC phono cartridges, some with Marigo Dots - 4mm
Sansui TU-717 AM/FM tuner
Digital: Custom Windows 7 music server with Prism Orpheus Digital Interface
Phono Preamps: Mark Levinson No. 326S with phono (40dB gain, 47k Ohms) - used with external step up transformers, Prism Orpheus, Bob's Devices CineMag Step Up transformers, DIY "Sowter 1990z-OCC" Step Up Transformers
Preamplifiers: Mark Levinson No. 326S with phono, No preamplifier - Prism converter direct to power amplifiers
Amplifiers: Bryston 7B SST2 (solid state) and Manley Snapper (tube) monophonic amplifiers
Loudspeakers: YG Acoustics Kipod Main Modules, Velodyne Optimum-12 subwoofers, Dali Mentor 5 from the HT system
Headphones: Stax Lambda Pro electrostatic headphones with SRM1/Mk.2 energizer
Cables: Mogami balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA, and other analog interconnects; Mogami Digital for CD-to-DAC cable
Audience AU24 "e", Mogami single-wire speaker cables
Power: Audience PowerChord e, DIY Power Conditioner, and DIY power cords, PS Audio PerfectWave AC-12 power cord, PS Audio AV-5000 Power Conditioner, Audience aR2p-TO Power Conditioner
Dedicated 20A circuits
Other: Shakti Hallograph Soundfield Optimizers

The listening room is L shaped, 12x19x7.5, and I listen across the 12'. The walls and ceiling are double 5/8" drywall on Z channel, and the floor is carpeted concrete. There are two 2x4" decorative panels of 3" "egg crate" acoustic foam behind the speakers, one such panel at the reflection point of the speaker nearest the side wall, and two more on the wall in back of the listening seat.

The natural sandstone rack weighs over 650 pounds and comes from Lyons, Colorado.

More images due soon...

 

Here is a partial list of the music used for the reviews: (this section is currently being edited)

LPs:
Happy Together, The Nylons, Side 1 (all)
Stampede, Doobie Brothers, Side 1 (all)
"Clean As the Driven Snow". The Captain & Me, Doobie Brothers. WB Records BS2694
Dire Straits, ALL!
Hearts & Flowers, Joan Armatrading
"Foggy Mountain Breakdown". After Midnight. Sheffield Lab TLP-30
"Witches’ Brew". Danse Macabre, Saint-Saëns, RCA Living Stereo LP, RCA Victor LSC-2225
"Crest of a Knave", "She Said She Was a Dancer". Crest of a Knave, Jethro Tull
The Diary of Alicia Keys, Alicia Keys, Songs A2 (side A cut #2), B3, D1 & D4. J Records 82876-55712
"Painted Desert", "Takin' It Back". Tropico, Pat Benatar. Chrysalis Records FV41471
CDs:
Thriller, Michael Jackson. Used for dialing in subwoofers.
mo', mo', mo'


 

Copied from a post on Audio Asylum:

 



 

 

 

 

Copyright © 1997-2010, 21st Century Services, LLC.  10Audio.com is a free service of 21st Century Services SM, and is provided for entertainment use only. Use of the content of this site is permitted only if reference is made to 10Audio.com and/or a hyperlink to www.10Audio.com is included on your Web page. Thank you.