Description

My system is a pleasure for at least an hour or two a day, often more. Very few things in the world bring me this much enjoyment. People, yes, but not things.

This is a single seater in a dedicated room, and I have a living room system that plays everything (including our old cassettes) that my wife and guests use. I love having public music in my house. But I also love the personal concert hall.
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Room Details

Dimensions: 16’ × 14’  Medium
Ceiling: 8’


Components Toggle details

    • Linn LP12/Lingo/Cirkus/Greenstreet Audio "Keel-Klone"
    I have the original LP12 since 1985, but most of it has been upgraded (bearing, motor, subchassis, speed regulation, etc). I know there are better tables now, but I think I have kept this one up to date and working well.
    • Funk Firm FXR-ll tonearm
    Replaced my venerable Linn Ittok LVlll with this arm a couple of years ago. Everything about it is much better, including its relatively affordable price.
    • Benz Ruby Z
    I have gone through the Benz collection at a steady clip over the years, starting with the Gold, and working my way, step by step, to the Ruby Z. Best cartridge I've ever had, and I've had others I've loved, like the Linn Troika, and the Monster Alpha Genesis.
    • Bob's Devices Sky Cinemag Step Up Transformer
    I like my phono preamp all by itself, but adding the Bob's Devices to the mix made my vinyl playing a richer, more colorful experience.
    • Fosgate Signature ll Phono Preamp
    I had a Linn Linto for many years, and it was very quiet, and had excellent bass. The Fosgate makes the rest of the spectrum, especially the midrange, even better.
    • PS Audio BHK Signature Preamp
    I've had this for less than a year, but it has made a wonderful improvement on everything. Not soft or tubey, not hard and precise, it hits a nice middle ground that is easy to live with. I hear there is some tube explorations that will make it even better, and I look forward to trying them out.
    • PS Audio BHK Signature 250
    I just got this new amp this week (late January, 2018). It is not yet broken in, but it sounds hopeful. The Emerald Physics was plenty good, but I just got a great deal on this amp, and decided to go for it. We'll see...
    • Emerald Physics EP 2.8 speakers
    I've had many speakers through the years - Linn, Audio Physics, B&W, Magenepan 3.6's - but these are by far the best in my room, with my stuff, to my taste. They are quick and real-sounding, like my old Maggies (which I had for 12 years, and loved), but have power and slam and dynamics that the Maggies could not attain. Magnepans got me hooked on the sound of "boxlessness." These Emerald Physics are boxless, too, but with some magic stuff the Maggies didn't have. I know they fly under the radar, but I am so impressed with these things...
    • OPPO 105
    Swiss Army Knife of the digital world, and does everything well. I will look elsewhere soon for other possibilities (Mytek, Schiit, Aurender?), but this has not disappointed. Digital is a smaller part of my music life, but is important, and I do like it.
    • Ayre Acoustics P5xe Power Filter
    I think I have lousy power in my neighborhood, and this really cleaned it up. Less hashy and fatiguing.
    • Sota Saphire/Ortofon Mono Vinyl Set Up
    I use this combo to play my many 1950's jazz albums. Despite the fact that my stereo cartridge is 10 times the cost, I think that my old mono records sound better with a dedicated mono cartridge, however modest.
    • DSPeaker Anti-Mode 2.0
    I had to make a decision - stay "pure" and live with an annoying (really distracting) bass mode at about 40 hz (I've tried everything to diminish it), OR, use a digital room correction to have a smooth response in my smallish, squarish room. It was a deal with the devil, but it seems like a good one.
    • Ayre Acoustics QB-9 DSD
    I recently added this used piece, and it has proved to be worthy. Rounder, richer colors than the Oppo DAC gave. I still use the Oppo to spin discs (and it's pretty darn good), but this is how I play my computer files.
    • Scott 350D Stereo Tuner
    I had a very good Pioneer 9800 TX for many years, and decided to try one of Mapleshade's modded tube tuner's. Once I got the antenna situation (installed a good directional in my attic), I so appreciate how wonderful an FM broadcast can be.

Comments 5

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Great looking room and system, congrats.  Quite the album collection also!

What wood locks are you using under your components?

pops