This is my current reference system. It's finally set up again. The room is quite good. It's treated with some absorption panels RPG, Hemifusors and Skylines and variscreens. There are broadband helmhotz resonators hidden in the front of the room. Ceiling diffusion using RPG Hemifusors are in. Ceiling is painted black and walls in a medium grey.
I believe it is the Audioquest Hawk. It's a fairly old cable, but I did audition a few at the time that I bought and this one did make a noticeable difference. To me it was definitely worth the extra money and I've never really experimented with it very much since then.
System edited: Major changes to the system over the last few years. Changes in acoustics were huge and of course the additional of the Talon Phoenix (active version) was also incredible. Couple that speaker with the VAC 15/30 amp and you have the best of all worlds. 300 B tubes driving the mid/tweeter and a 500 watt digital switching built in amplifier for the bass.
It's the best I've heard. Comparing it to the MFSL of Led Zep II, the Classic 45 box set is clearly better in every aspect, quieter background, better micro and macro dynamics, and overall improved clarity. The MFSL version was one of their best. For the most part, with a few exceptions recently, I've found Classic Records to do absolutely fabulous work. Recently there have been some noted quality control issues, and I did receive at least one or two of those, which I did return. The box set on the other hand has been perfect--everything I've played thus far anyway.
System edited: Added the Rives Audio sub-PARC to the system. This is really amazing. I'm using it on one of the subs for Music and Home Theater. The crossover point for Music is 30 Hz. It takes the 2 channel music out and just rolls in the sub for that last octave--and this is with very full range speakers, but it just adds enough to give the music a better foundation. I absolutely love it!! Okay, maybe I'm biased (the cook always likes his cooking), but I will not live without it now. Then when I start the theater, the sub-PARC automatically (through a 12 volt trigger) switches into theater mode and takes the LFE input from the processor. It has a completely different set up and much higher level for theater. This thing is really fantastic for music and theater.
I am thinking about a Colibri. Now the Frog is the gold version and is specially designed for the effective mass of my tonearm. So it's really quite good. I will say I am partial to Van den Hul cartridges. I've had such a great experience both with the cartridges and the service from VDH.
I am using Ref 20s in another area in the home. They are great amps. I actually sold the 20.5s. The 20.5s are better in the bass, but I like the top end of the 20s better.
System edited: Updated with Talon Firebird Reference Loudspeakers and VAC Auricle 160 Monoblocks. This is really an incredible combination--one I will likely stick with for a very long time.
What can I say, I love music and I listen to all that I own. Jazz, classical, and vocals (particularly female) are my favorites, but folk, rock, including techno and alternative--I do love it all. Except rap--haven't been able to make a connection there.
Thanks for compliment. The grey walls and black ceiling do amazing things for the projector performance. I always knew it would help, but didn't have any idea how dramatic the impact was. It also looks much nicer even when lit--the black ceiling just disappears.
We do not have a store front in Iowa City. Our dealers do that. However, if you happen to be in the area, give me a call--we can show you our operations here.
Thanks for the compliments. I like the fish tank too. I've recently gotten into corals which is really fun. However, I have to turn off the pumps for critical listening sessions.
I don't really know what other drivers to recommend. I researched these with speaker manufacturers and then discussed it with the folks at Martin Logan.
At the time you could get the Focal Audiom drivers from several sources. Focal has sense gotten out of that business and sells only to speaker manufacturers with a history with them.
I'm glad I didn't post the pictures of the other rack. It has all the Mosaic collections, all UHQR, some really incredible original classical box sets, and some japanese jazz import box sets. Fortunately, Albert doesn't dig any of that, so I'll send him the scratched up early 70s rock albums that were abused in college. Albert--just send me your UPS account number--and don't question them when you get a whole bunch of international shipments on your bill.
