The reference system, subject to (frequent) change:
Analog: Acoustic Signature Montana Neo turntable, Origin Live Agile tonearm, Acoustic Signature TA-7000 Neo tonearm; Stillpoints LPI v2 and Origin Live Gravity One center clamps
ZYX UNIverse Optimum, Miyajima Destiny, Koetsu RSP, and Tzar DST moving-coil cartridges; DS Audio Grand Master optical cartridge
Marantz ST-7001 tuner
Phono Preamps: CH Precision P1-X1, DS Audio Master 1, DIY Sowter 1990z and Bob’s Devices Sky 20 Step Up Transformers
Digital: Custom music computer {Asus B-250M MB, i3-7100t, 8GB, 256GB NVMe, 2TB HD, fanless CPU cooler, PCI-e USB3 card for the DAC, nVidia GT1030 4k video card, Windows 10 Pro} with JRiver Media Center
Bricasti Design M1 Series II DAC, RME ADI-2 Pro fs r Black Edition AD/DA Converter with external power supply
Preamplifiers: Luxman C-900u, Benchmark HPA4
Amplifiers: Valvet E2 SE, Benchmark AHB2, Conrad Johnson MV-55
Loudspeakers: Alta Celesta FRM-2M, Magico S1 mk. 2, B&W 805 D4, (2) JL Audio e110 subwoofers, Elac Vela speakers from the HT system
Cables: Mogami interconnects and speaker cables, Audioquest WEL Signature, and other analog interconnects, Audience Front Row USB
Power:
Cords: DIY power cords, Straightwire Pro Thunder
Conditioners: PS Audio Dectet, PS Audio Quintet, and DIY 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 a few strategically placed 2×4 foot decorative panels containing 3 inch “egg crate” acoustic foam.
The natural sandstone rack weighs over 650 pounds and comes from Lyons, Colorado. The top shelf, which the turntable(s) sits on, is solid 4 inch thick maple.
The Home Theater System:
Marantz AV-7704 Pre-processor
Rotel RMB-1565 Amplifier
Sony S570 Blu-Ray Player
Elac Vela speakers
JL Audio d110 Subwoofers, pair
B&W LM1 for the rear channel speakers
Samsung QLED Not-so-Smart TV
The Desktop Computer Audio System:
Dayton DTA100a amplifier
Audience The One V4 speakers
The Portable Music System:
Fiio M15 DAP
Hifiman Arya Stealth headphones
Here is a partial list of the music used for the reviews: (this section is updated from time to time)
LPs:
Happy Together, The Nylons
Extensions, The Manhattan Transfer, MFSL 1-199. Check out “Coo Coo U”.
Full Sail, Loggins and Messina, Columbia PC32540
Stampede, Doobie Brothers, Side 1 (all)
“Clean As the Driven Snow”, The Captain & Me, Doobie Brothers, WB Records BS2694
Dire Straits. Take your pick.
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
Thriller, Michael Jackson
Nothing Like The Sun, Sting
CDs:
Thriller, Michael Jackson. Also useful for dialing in subwoofers.
“Make a Mistake With Me”, “Mr. Policeman”, Brad Paisley
mo’, mo’, mo’