Ear Candy & Occasional Eye Candy Too

by audiofankj on Ever Evolving

Description

In process of revising virtual system thread... information below needs to be updated...

After selling my system several years ago, I have been rebuilding and finally assembled a very satisfying system. Upgrades have been more frequent than recommended however, improvement with system synergy in mind is always welcome.

The system goals are to accurately portray lifelike music reproduction - vocals, harmonics, timbre, tonal textures, decay, etc. first and foremost... With that in mind, I want a full range, musical presentation with lifelike dynamic impact, both micro and macro.

We have recently moved into a new home, in which my loving wife allowed me to dedicate the 2nd floor bonus room (16'W x 22'L x 9'H) into a listening room. We had the rear wall configured with built in bookshelves for the vinyl albums, as well as pull out drawers for cd storage. Exposed beam coffered ceiling to help break up standing waves, as well as a double stagger stud wall behind the speakers (shared wall with master bedroom). There is also info in this thread about the "rebuild" of that entire wall...

With the excitement and joy of a dedicated listening room, came the room anomalies that plagued the music reproduction. A great pair of speakers (Meadowlark Audio Blue Heron 2's) were displaced in an attempt to move to a speaker with adjustable bass (Martin Logan Summit). As the Martin Logan's were on order - I became aware that adjustable bass will help, yet not fix the problem... thus started the "wall renovation project." As luck would have it, the room response was improved, however I had been struggling with placement of the Martin Logan Summits. Once finally "dialed in" when you would listen at moderate volumes, you would over excite the room a bit... I tried (for months) to get "permission" to hang drapes behind the Summits - the same ones on the side wall... but no green light. Alas, it was a festering concern that the room wasn't treated properly for the Summits to perform optimally. If they couldn't be allowed to perform their best, the search began for their replacements, and the Summits went up for sale.

As of a couple of weeks ago, I received delivery of the Salk Sound HT3's. They are currently breaking in, and I will be working on room placement and positioning in the upcoming weeks. I am looking forward to getting the system back to a "stable" point!

This is the system "snapshot" as of early September 2006.
Read more...

Components Toggle details

    • Porter Port Porter Port
    1 20A Porter Port utilized on each of the five dedicated 20A lines
    • Fusion Audio Enchanter 20A
    20A IEC used on the RSA D'mitri
    • Running Springs Audio D'Mitri
    Line conditioner
    • Fusion Audio Enchanter Power Cord
    Fusion Audio Enchanter power cord utilized on AMR CD-77
    • Abbingdon Music Research - AMR CD-77
    review here: http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/abbingdon/abbingdon.html
    • JPS Labs Aluminata - 1m Interconnect
    1 meter - from CD-77 to preamp
    • First Sound Audio Paramount Mk II Special Edition
    Top of the line 3 chassis unit offered by Emmanuel.
    • JPS Labs Aluminata - 1.5m Interconnect
    1.5 meter from preamp to mono blocks
    • Fusion Audio Enchanter Power Cord
    One on each H2o Audio M250 SE monoblock
    • H2o Audio M250SE (Special Edition Monoblocks)
    The absolute latest from the mind of Henry Ho. This takes the former top of the line M250 Signature and improves upon it. Details to follow. This is the latest top of the line set of monoblocks from H2o Audio... the M 250 Special Edition.
    • JPS Labs Aluminata 10 ft. Speaker Cable
    10 foot pair, used with Aluminata Jumpers
    • Meadowlark Audio Blue Heron 2
    Pommele Sapele sides and rear, Honduran Mahogany front baffle with dual offset Red Heart stringers.
    A phenominal 1st order, time & phase aligned, transmission line speaker. Have tried many other speakers that fail to produce music they way these speakers do.
    • Sistrum SP-101
    One under each Meadowlark Audio Blue Heron 2 speaker
    • Sony STR-DA5200ES
    http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start?ProductSKU=STRDA5200ES&INT=sstyle-homeaudiocomponents-tophero-7channel_receiver Used in Home Theater for center channel, and rear surrounds. Upconverts analog video to 1080p
    • Sony VPL-VW50
    http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/%3Cwbr%3EINTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start?ProductSKU=VPLVW50&Dept=tvvideo&CategoryName=tv_FrontProjectionTVs

    1080p projector
    • Stewart Filmscreen Firehawk SST 100
    http://www.stewartfilmscreen.com/ Firehawk SST - optimized for Sony VPL-VW50 1080p projector - Luxus Deluxe
    • JL Audio Fathom 113's (x 2)
    http://home.jlaudio.com/products_subs.php?prod_id=371 Pair of these 130 lb. each monsters... Used in HT
    • Onix Rocket - RSC200
    http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=100.1 Center channel speaker - used in HT
    • Onix Rocket - RSS300's
    http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=7.1 Rear surround speakers. Used in HT
    • StudioTech U-22T RW/B
    Component Stand - 67" W x 22" H
    • Eighth Nerve Room Pack
    Accoustic room treatment
    • --- Room Renovation --- (listed below)
    pics attached
    • Room Reno - Room Prep - Rear Wall
    Pic of the rear wall. Everything was removed and the shelving for the vinyl was tarped and taped. Furniture that was not moved out of the room was also tarped over.
    • Room Reno - Front Wall - Before
    Pic of the front wall before renovation commenced.
    • Room Reno - Drywall Removal
    Pic of the start... drywall cut above and below metal furring strips in horizontal rows to allow for removal of drywall
    • Room Reno - Drywall Removal continues
    Pic taken after 8 solid hours of work. The metal furring strips were spaced 12" apart. Screws had to be removed from the strips as well as all of the blown insulation.
    • Room Reno - Furring Strips
    This pic shows how poorly the furring strips were installed in some of the areas.
    • Room Reno - Front Wall - drywall mostly down
    Pic of the front wall with most of the drywall removed. There are still some metal furring strips up to be removed.
    • Room Reno - Front Corner - Drywall Removal
    Pic of front corner, most of the drywall removed, metal furring strips yet to be removed.
    • Room Reno - Front Corner - Progress
    Pic of the drywall removed, metal furring strips removed, and insullation removed. Some original studs are removed and laying on the floor.
    • Room Reno - Studs
    stack of studs ready to be installed...
    • Room Reno - Front Wall - New Stud Installation
    Pic of the new studs being installed
    • Room Reno - Front Wall - New Stud CloseUp
    pic close up... studs were glued with Liquid Nails, and screwed together with 3" drywall screws. Spacing was roughly on 9" centers.
    • Room Reno - Front Wall - New Studs Complete
    Pic of the front wall... studs are complete, and insulation installed.
    • Room Reno - Front Wall - Plywood Begins
    Pic of the front wall... 3/4" tongue & groove plywood being installed. Liquid Nails and 3" drywall screws.
    • Room Reno - Front Corner - Plywood Continues
    Pic of the front corner, plywood installation continues
    • Room Reno - Front Wall - Plywood Complete
    Pic of all the plywood up. All Liquid Nailed and screwed with 3" drywall screws. The white lines in seams and around outlets is acoustical sealant caulk.
    • Room Reno - Front Wall - First Layer Drywall
    Pic of the first layer of drywall going up.
    • Room Reno - Front Wall - First Layer Drywall Up
    Pic of the first layer of drywall up. Audio Alloy's "Green Glue" was used between drywall and plywood. First layer was mudded prior to second layer going up. Yes, one piece of drywall is backwards, as the Green Glue was applied before it was realized...
    • Room Reno - Front Wall - Layer Two Drywall Up
    Pic of the front wall, second layer of drywall up and initial mudding
    • Room Reno - Front Corner - Second Layer Drywall
    Pic of the second layer of drywall up and initial mudding
    • Room Reno - Front Wall - Semi Final Mudding
    Pic of the front wall - semi final mudding
    • Room Reno - Front Corner - Semi Final Mudding
    Pic of the front corner - semi final mudding
    • Room Reno - Front Wall - Primer Application
    Pic of the coat of primer being apllied - before final mudding and sanding then final paint
    • Room Reno - Front Corner - Final Paint
    Pic of the front corner, final coat of paint
    • Room Reno - Front Wall - Finished
    Pic of front wall - finished and ready for system to be put back together.
    • Room Reno - Front Corner - Finished
    Pic of the front corner, finished and ready to have system moved back into the room and set up.

Comments 316

Showing all comments by muralman1.

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Hi Kirk,

if you have any time (ha ha) you should try turning Henry's babies around backwards (why not, they aren't going to win beauty contests ) and hide them behind your speakers. The time is needed to develop short thin ribbon speaker cable. I honestly have not tried any better. I sent a bicable set to Henry. He loves them.

Everything improved over all the cables I have tried, or heard. The stage front to back differentiation is the most noticeable. Increase in resolution, dynamics, and extension also improved significantly.

Vince

muralman1

Interesting. I was wondering about your source, fearing the worst. I was relieved to see you have a player that not only gives you a choice between NOS and OS, but also varying degrees of filtering in between. Very cool.

Every OS CDP brought my way, no matter price, failed miserably against my NOS gear. There is a lot of room for source improvement, but at least I know which players to look to.

I know you must have played intensively with the various filtering modes. What are your findings?

Oh, maybe that question is premature. Your H2O amps need a lot of breaking in, as if you don't remember. All of my discussion is meant conveyed in context with the H2O.

muralman1

Oh you dirty dog you Kirk. It must be a bigger box, no? Is there a Fire in the coming? The two together really blows me away. What are the bypass caps?

muralman1

I am intrigued.

muralman1

Do tell....... :)

muralman1

Hi Kirk..... It's Sonicap Platinum bypass caps for sure, and very thing wide short ribbons for my speaker cables. Don't know how to make anything better now.

muralman1

V-Caps in...... and they need some more breaking in. I have Michael Hedges on now happily strumming away.

so, you were right. (gulp)

muralman1

Hi Kirk,

My V-Caps are on the way. I can only guess what the improvements will be. I already have never heard Apogees sound so good.

Vince

muralman1

I meant to say I wondered if you have had experience with other caps.

muralman1

Kirk, there is some negative noise going on about V-Caps. Some chaps in Europe found better caps. Another found Sonicaps superior. I have Theta bypass caps on all four big caps. My sound is damn good compared to the real thing.

muralman1

Kirk, you are on the right track, that is for sure. I sure wish I could hear the Meadowlark. It seems those guys did something extraordinary with the box speaker genre.

I have installed bridging caps, and improved modules. Since I can't hear anything lacking in my playback, I am at a loss wondering what I might be missing without the V-Caps. I will have to talk to Henry. I'm sure I can do that operation myself.

What front end do you have on order? Guido sent me a note on his new TentLabs CDP kit. It was given a complimentary reviewed at 6Moons. It's a NOS player.

Happy Listening!

muralman1

Back to Meadowlark, eh? Man, I want to hear those. They have to be special box speakers.

Hey, if ever decide to cast in for other lost big fish, I would love for you to dress it with the lowly Anti-Cable, and the best AN DAC and transport your money can buy.

muralman1

Captain Kirk, thanks for beaming us up. Your craft is exemplary.

It fascinates me your room is nearly the same as mine superficially. I don't have the close spaced studs and all, but the dimensions are similar, 17/21/10. I have coffered ceilings that came with this old 1906 house. I am happy to see you have opted to include the same in your room. I always thought they make great ceiling diffusers. I find getting bass equalized is my biggest challenge. Frankly I am a bit nonplussed. Bass is an aroma in my preferences, while mids are the main course, and highs the spice.

muralman1

Kirk, you just have to hear my set-up, and you will feel herbal as well...... :D

Oh yeah, I just soldered in Theta bridge caps, and, well... Irish Spring is on the shopping list.

muralman1

Kirk, yes, yes, I do see what you mean.......... Oh yes I do.

muralman1

Hi Kirk, hate to cut in on a cable party, but did you know new H2O amps are being fitted with revised ICE 500A modules? Henry says the new modules are, "Much better." He wouldn't say that, if there weren't notable positive changes. Given the great results you and I are witnessing, I can't fathom the change.

BTW You should try his Fire preamp. It is not the one you heard at his place.

muralman1

See if you can audition a nonwhateversampling player. Their presentation is startingly different than the run of the mill. It's my opinion the nonners more closely resemble the real event. Srajan is very fond of his Zanden player. He has stated, in an interview at Positive Feedback, Nonoversampling players can be as satisfying as analog by using 16 bit Phillips chips, no digital filter.

If you haven't listened to the interview, its a hoot:

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue23/ebaen_podcast.htm

At any event, the front end is where it all begins, and I can't think of a "funner" exercise. Enjoy!

muralman1

Kirk, you are an audiophile with an itch. I wonder, what component have you kept for the longest?

As you have pointed out, the H2O is a blank slate on which you can write any scenario you so desire. I happen to like crystalline clarity, with as little flavoring as not to be noticeable by me. I love the nuance tubes add to the mix. As with food spices, a little can go a long way.

Have you tried non-oversampling digitals?

muralman1

Tis true, Kirk, I love my Scinnies. I owe Henry for nearly all my audio successes. It has been a whirlwind of quantum leaps in audio evolution at this house.

Have you sorted out your system's bass performance problems to your satisfaction?

muralman1

Kirk, a local A-phile neighbor of mine ran MLs for years. I remember he would never have me over for a listen if it was raining. I really don't know. I understand you have a wealth of experience with the brand.No worries.

muralman1

Kirk, I don't believe I have heard Elektraglide wires. I may very well have. I have a neighbor who changes PCs more often than my cat changes her mind.

I guess I don't have to ask whether your room has climate control. MLs I've heard get fat with humidity.

muralman1

oh...... God

muralman1

Hi Kirk. I love the room! It has a coffered ceiling! I can attest to that beautiful ceiling's audio benefits, as I have a similar one. I love the quiet gray color you chose for the walls. The cabinet is gorgeous.

muralman1

Ditto on Henry's "site." The chaos is so unnecessary. The fact is, Henry is not a starving audio entrepreneur.

My Scintillas are sounding awesome. Thanks for asking. I will post a system report soon.

I understand Art's lament. I have looked at scads of model homes ing the 4 to 5ksf range, and have yet to find a comparable room to the one in my hundred year old home.

My listening room, the old dining room, has always seconded as a family room. I have a projector movie system. The collapsable screen transforms the room into a nearly ideal music room. All is well.

muralman1

Yo Kirk,

Florian a.k.a. Tiny Tim, a.k.a. Prince Magnepan has given us H2O owners our own home:

http://nc0740.eden0.netclusive.de/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=3

muralman1

Well, it should be fabulous, when done, Kirk.

muralman1

How are things progressing?

muralman1

Our H2O sigs review is up at 6Moons.

muralman1

My link isn't working. Go to Audio Circles and see, "Sad news."

muralman1

Hey Kirk, and other Meadowlark fans. There is bad news.

http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/viewtopic.php?p=160438#160438&sid=63ee92ab69013402c262436c5d98da15

Another respected speaker company, Von Schweikert, is also in trouble.

muralman1

M too - just funnin- couldn't resist :D

muralman1

Nice listening room. One thing is for sure, Kirk, you won't need room correction. ;)

muralman1

Kirk, I love reading your journey.

BTW you got my listening room specs off a foot here and there. The coffered ceiling, and length of room measurement are spot on, but the ceiling is 10' and the room width 17' - :D

BTW (2) Howard lives around the corner from me.

Vince

muralman1

Hoping Kirk doesn't mind, I'd like to answer your question Lloyd. I own the
world's least resistive speaker in existence. It dips to .8 ohm, and operates at
76dB sensitivity. I'm using the same amps as Kirk. The sound is as Kirk
describes. These amps don't care what your speakers are. My last SS amps
were Pass X600 monos.

muralman1

I know what you are talking about. A friend of mine sent me a compilation of female country singers (Chapman, Bloom, Griffith, and Newcomer) some time ago. Before the cable transformation, the voices were distinct, warm, and almost angelic. Installing the double shielded power cords put the singers right in front of me. Now I'm hearing all those human imperfections, like tiny pitch corrections. These singers may have lost their halos, but they gained in life likeness.

muralman1

Kirk, are all of your power cords well shielded? I am finding that is a must. My Scintillas are sounding so crazy real!

muralman1

Well??

muralman1

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