I thought it might be a good time for everyone to take a break from the
usual mudslinging and help your fellow RAO members to understand where your
audio opinions come from and what you are all about by detailing your
audio/video setup. Of course it won't answer all the questions but it should
be fun if nothing else. Please feel free to elaborate on the room/system and
your musical preferences as well as the overall place of the hobby in your
life.

Cheers,

Margaret





System Description:

Amplification

Power/Pre, Integrated, Receiver:

Audio processors - room correction, EQ:

Home Theater

Integrated HT (Y/N):

HT/video processor(s), if applicable:

Video display, if applicable:

Speakers:

Sources

CD Player, Transport/DAC:

Turntable/Arm/Cartridge, Phono Stage:

Other Analog Sources - Tuner, tape, mic/pre, etc.:

Other Digital Sources - DAW, HD, tape, mic/pre, etc.:

Video sources, if applicable:

Other

Speaker Cables:

Interconnects:

Video cables, if applicable:

Power Line Conditioner/treatment, cords:

Racks/furnitu

Tweaks (you decide):

Accessories (you decide):

Room

Room Length/Width/Height:

Room treatments:

Dedicated room (Y/N):

Room Comments (SQ, other uses):


Comments on system:

Music Preferences:

The Weakest Link:

I listen to a lot of things.
But the thing I'm listening to right now is/are Kef Reference III's,
Acoustat TNT-200 amplification, Musical Fidelity A324 DAC, with a little
rear channel ambience added by a circa 1991 Sony TA-E1000ESD surround
processor.

I find old Sony ES players to be just fine, with some advantage to be had in
upsampling DACs.

In my office, I listen to Acoustat 2+2's, a Parasound HCA-2200ii amp, and
the same old Sony ES stuff.

For room treatments, I use Sonex mounted on foamcore, plus creative
arrangement of furniture to obstruct paths that create early reflections.

"Margaret von B." wrote in message
...
I thought it might be a good time for everyone to take a break from the
usual mudslinging and help your fellow RAO members to understand where
your
audio opinions come from and what you are all about by detailing your
audio/video setup. Of course it won't answer all the questions but it
should
be fun if nothing else. Please feel free to elaborate on the room/system
and
your musical preferences as well as the overall place of the hobby in your
life.

Cheers,

Margaret





System Description:

Amplification

Power/Pre, Integrated, Receiver:

Audio processors - room correction, EQ:

Home Theater

Integrated HT (Y/N):

HT/video processor(s), if applicable:

Video display, if applicable:

Speakers:

Sources

CD Player, Transport/DAC:

Turntable/Arm/Cartridge, Phono Stage:

Other Analog Sources - Tuner, tape, mic/pre, etc.:

Other Digital Sources - DAW, HD, tape, mic/pre, etc.:

Video sources, if applicable:

Other

Speaker Cables:

Interconnects:

Video cables, if applicable:

Power Line Conditioner/treatment, cords:

Racks/furnitu

Tweaks (you decide):

Accessories (you decide):

Room

Room Length/Width/Height:

Room treatments:

Dedicated room (Y/N):

Room Comments (SQ, other uses):


Comments on system:

Music Preferences:

The Weakest Link:

In , Margaret von B. wrote :


System Description:

Amplification

- Sansui au-X301

Power/Pre, Integrated, Receiver:

- None

Audio processors - room correction, EQ:

- None

Home Theater

- None

Integrated HT (Y/N):

- None

Speakers:

- Cabasse "Sampan 1980"
- DIY MTM "Daline TL" wint chinese Woofers and Norvegian tweeter.

CD Player, Transport/DAC:

- Philips 723

Turntable/Arm/Cartridge, Phono Stage:

- Technics SL-D2

Other Digital Sources - DAW, HD, tape, mic/pre, etc.:

- Denon DRS 640 tape deck

Speaker Cables:

- ??? 4 mm²

Racks/furnitu

- DIY

Room

Room Length/Width/Height:

Room treatments:

Dedicated room (Y/N):

- Yes

Music Preferences:

- Jazz - Blues - 50s, 60s, 70s Rock
- Classic piano

The Weakest Link:

- Me 70% of the time

Margaret von B. wrote:
I thought it might be a good time for everyone to take a break
from the usual mudslinging and help your fellow RAO members
to understand where your audio opinions come from and what you
are all about by detailing your audio/video setup. Of course
it won't answer all the questions but it should be fun if
nothing else. Please feel free to elaborate on the room/system
and your musical preferences as well as the overall place of
the hobby in your life.

I'm not a regular, so you guys probably don't care, but I'll post my
system anyway. I started building it about December of last year, but
then ended up redoing the whole thing in the past few months. The only
thing I need still is a good audio rack. Any comments are welcome

System Description:

Amplification

Audio Research D200

Power/Pre, Integrated, Receiver:

Audio Research LS-3

Audio processors - room correction, EQ:

N/A

Home Theater

Integrated HT (Y/N):

N

HT/video processor(s), if applicable:

N/A

Video display, if applicable:

N/A

Speakers:

Spendor s6e

Sources

CD Player, Transport/DAC:

Pioneer DVR-A09XL 16x16 DVD-RW drive (in my computer)

Turntable/

Linn Sondek LP12 Valhalla/Cirkus

Arm/

Ittok IV

Cartridge,

Grado Sonata,

Phono Stage:

Audio Electronic Supply PH-1

Other Analog Sources - Tuner, tape, mic/pre, etc.:

N/A

Other Digital Sources - DAW, HD, tape, mic/pre, etc.:

Computer with an M-Audio Audiophile 2496. I have about 300GB of mp3s
(mostly 256 and 320 kbps) that I'll be converting to FLAC as time
allows.

Video sources, if applicable:

N/A

Other

Speaker Cables:

some 18ga zipcord... According to the Arny formula, I should be using
16ga though.

Interconnects:

MIT's cheapest RCA interconnects, these are like $20 a pair.

Video cables, if applicable:

N/A

Power Line Conditioner/treatment, cords:

N/A

Racks/furnitu

Still trying to decide between a mass-market, black, modern-looking,
metal and MDF rack and a more natural-looking, handmade, wooden one.

Tweaks (you decide):

N/A

Accessories (you decide):

N/A

Room

Room Length/Width/Height:

N/A

Room treatments:

N/A

Dedicated room (Y/N):

N

Room Comments (SQ, other uses):

Wood paneling and drop ceiling, so not very good sounding... I'm moving
soon though.

Comments on system:

N/A

Music Preferences:

EBM, power electronics, (neo)folk, avant, minimal, shoegaze... Lots of
stuff, but I'm not really into classical, jazz, and blues like most
audiophiles. Maybe when I'm older... :\

The Weakest Link:

Definitely the lossy mp3s. Back when I made my fileserver, space was a
lot more expensive than it is now though. There's also some fan noise
from my computer, but I've tried to minimize this with the quietest
fans and PWS most effective heatsinks I could get. My main interest is
computers though, so I wasn't willing to make any graphical performance
sacrifices.

"Margaret von B." wrote
in message
...
I thought it might be a good time for everyone to take a
break from the
usual mudslinging and help your fellow RAO members to
understand where your
audio opinions come from and what you are all about by
detailing your
audio/video setup. Of course it won't answer all the
questions but it should
be fun if nothing else. Please feel free to elaborate on
the room/system and
your musical preferences as well as the overall place of
the hobby in your
life.

Not much has changed for my systems in the last year or so,
since I
previously posted an inventory of my systems.

My main listening room system is still based on NHT 2.5i's
driven by
QSC amplifiers and Rane equalizers and crossover drawn from
the world
of pro audio, augmented by NHT S1s and S0s for center and
surrounds. The custom
12" DV-12 subwoofer is now in the main room. A Pioneer
DV-525 spins
the discs and a Sony SDP-E800 or Technics SHAC-500 decodes
them. A
Phillips 32" TV handles the video.

The rest of my non-portable audio systems are in disarray
because of the major house re-construction project that has
been going on for the past 8 months. As I type, the exterior
of my house is being totally re-sided with immense
quantities of polystyrene foam, various resins, pigments,
and other solids. Ironically and sadly for delusional Art,
the only major part of my house that is unmodified is the
foundation since it has always been in good shape. That is,
the foundation is unmodified except for the new foundation
for the new 2.5 car attached garage.

On Fri, 20 May 2005 09:22:52 -0400, "Arny Krueger"
wrote:

That is,
the foundation is unmodified except for the new foundation
for the new 2.5 car attached garage.

Talk to Howard. He now has a .5 car that you might be interested in.

"Arny Krueger" wrote in message
...
[snip]

Not much has changed for my systems in the last year or so,
since I
previously posted an inventory of my systems.

My main listening room system is still based on NHT 2.5i's
driven by
QSC amplifiers and Rane equalizers and crossover drawn from
the world
of pro audio, augmented by NHT S1s and S0s for center and
surrounds. The custom
12" DV-12 subwoofer is now in the main room. A Pioneer
DV-525 spins
the discs and a Sony SDP-E800 or Technics SHAC-500 decodes
them. A
Phillips 32" TV handles the video.

This could be the r.a.o. record, measured as a ratio of quantity/quality
The QSC amps are unlistenable.
The Sony SDP-E800 is a cheap piece that was known for excessive background
noise.

Robert Morein said of the Krooborg's pile of junk:

QSC amplifiers

This could be the r.a.o. record, measured as a ratio of quantity/quality
The QSC amps are unlistenable.

*****************SPECIAL ALERT*****************

Note to Sluttie and SchizTwerp: Please do not read any further.

I would like to know, in all seriousness, how bad QSC amps sound. Also, please
describe the badness if possible. (e.g. sibilant, harsh, poor bass response,
etc.) No "test" results or measurements please.


Sony SDP-E800

The Sony SDP-E800 is a cheap piece that was known for excessive background
noise.

Krooger doesn't care about that. His religion forbids him to perceive any
audible differences between cheap and expensive hardware.


And now, back to our customary programming:

Rane equalizers and crossover drawn from the world of pro audio

Wannabe much, Arnii? ;-)

In , George Middius wrote :

Robert Morein said of the Krooborg's pile of junk:

QSC amplifiers

This could be the r.a.o. record, measured as a ratio of quantity/quality
The QSC amps are unlistenable.

*****************SPECIAL ALERT*****************

Note to Sluttie and SchizTwerp: Please do not read any further.

You are an idiot Middius.
If only you had the simplicity of putting simply a simple question.

Note that I usually prefer "human bias" to measurments.
I just need to be convinced that the so-called "human bias" is desperatly
looking for *freedom*, *independance*.

Have a good day, Goody-two-shoes.

Gawd, I'll bet you all will get a big laugh out of how "low-end" my
system is, but it actually sounds pretty good to me. What's more,
other people tell me how good it sounds to them, too.

Dynaco PAT-4 preamp
Dynaco ST70 power amp
KLH "Rave" speakers
Garrard SL65B turntable with Stanton 500 cartridge
Magnavox CD changer from WalMart
Fry's Electronics "Great Quality" (Chinese) computer with stock cheapie
sound card.

Maybe I'm crazy, but I'm satisfied with the system for the time being.
The only problem worth mentioning is that, since I replaced the solid
state power amp I was previously using with the ST70, I find that the
ST70 has such good bass response that I can hear rumble from the
turntable for the first time. Not bad enough to make me buy an
expensive turntable, though.

"George Middius" wrote in message
...
Robert Morein said of the Krooborg's pile of junk:

QSC amplifiers

This could be the r.a.o. record, measured as a ratio of quantity/quality
The QSC amps are unlistenable.

They sound muddy. Poor midrange definition, muddled highs.
They are low-end sound reinforcement rotgut stuff.

wrote in message
oups.com...
Gawd, I'll bet you all will get a big laugh out of how "low-end" my
system is, but it actually sounds pretty good to me. What's more,
other people tell me how good it sounds to them, too.

Dynaco PAT-4 preamp
Dynaco ST70 power amp
KLH "Rave" speakers
Garrard SL65B turntable with Stanton 500 cartridge
Magnavox CD changer from WalMart
Fry's Electronics "Great Quality" (Chinese) computer with stock cheapie
sound card.

Maybe I'm crazy, but I'm satisfied with the system for the time being.
The only problem worth mentioning is that, since I replaced the solid
state power amp I was previously using with the ST70, I find that the
ST70 has such good bass response that I can hear rumble from the
turntable for the first time. Not bad enough to make me buy an
expensive turntable, though.

I do not like the PAT-4. It was built before the last iteration of silicon
transistors for audio; lots of capacitive coupling with electrolytics.
Dave Hafler designed the PAT-4. His successor company, Hafler Inc., built
much better stuff. The DH-100 has comparatively minor defects, while the
DH-110 is, IMHO, one of the finest preamps ever made.
If you want a reasonable upgrade to your system, ditch the PAT-4, and
replace it with one of Hafler's successors.
If you think the ST70 has great bass response, which it does not, try one of
Hafler's successors to these as well: a DH-200, DH-220, SE-240, or XL-280.

Robert Morein said:

They sound muddy. Poor midrange definition, muddled highs.
They are low-end sound reinforcement rotgut stuff.

Rotgut, eh? Funny you should say that right after I mentioned that plonk
from Corbieres.....

I do not like the PAT-4.
OK, I also have a PAT-5 (not the FET version) that I'm not using at the
moment. Do you think this would be an improvement over the PAT-4?

If you think the ST70 has great bass response, which it does not, try
one of Hafler's successors

I'm sure you're right, but here's the deal: I blew almost all my money
in buying the rather large parcel of land on which I live, and didn't
have enough bucks left over to "stick-build" a house, so I bought a
manufactured home. The thing is built really flimsy. The floors and
walls vibrate like hell. When I crank up the bass, I get so much
vibration in the structure that it would serve absolutely no purpose to
get more bass response. Maybe I'll upgrade someday, when I save up
some more $$ and get rid of this ****box. Thanks for the feedback,
Robert.

Reply

George "Betty Boop" Middius wrote :

Rotgut, eh? Funny you should say that right after I mentioned that plonk
from Corbieres.....

Rotgut, eh ?
Is it a word you have read in your encyclopedia of "the overwhelming
consensus of wine connoisseurs" ?

Nice but useless reading for an exclusive "diet soda" drinker !!!

:-D

In .com,
wrote :

Gawd, I'll bet you all will get a big laugh out of how "low-end" my
system is, but it actually sounds pretty good to me. What's more,
other people tell me how good it sounds to them, too.

Dynaco PAT-4 preamp
Dynaco ST70 power amp
KLH "Rave" speakers
Garrard SL65B turntable with Stanton 500 cartridge
Magnavox CD changer from WalMart
Fry's Electronics "Great Quality" (Chinese) computer with stock cheapie
sound card.

Why don't you buy a better sound card ? Very good sound cards are cheap.

Maybe I'm crazy, but I'm satisfied with the system for the time being.
The only problem worth mentioning is that, since I replaced the solid
state power amp I was previously using with the ST70, I find that the
ST70 has such good bass response that I can hear rumble from the
turntable for the first time. Not bad enough to make me buy an
expensive turntable, though.

Lionel, tell me if you've ever heard of this problem. Everybody I've
spoken to who's replaced their OEM sound card with an aftermarket
version has had a lot of trouble getting it to work right, and had to
rip it out and go back to the original one. What's with that, anyway?

said:

Maybe I'm crazy, but I'm satisfied with the system for the time being.
The only problem worth mentioning is that, since I replaced the solid
state power amp I was previously using with the ST70, I find that the
ST70 has such good bass response that I can hear rumble from the
turntable for the first time. Not bad enough to make me buy an
expensive turntable, though.


Are you sure your amp isn't oscillating (motorboating)? ;-)

Another worthwhile upgrade might be replacing the stock
powertransformer for a modern type, since the original tranny was way
underspecced.

Uncle Ned from Tiode Electronics has some nice replacements:
Look at http://store.triodestore.com/dytr.html

--

"Audio as a serious hobby is going down the tubes."
- Howard Ferstler, 25/4/2005

In .com,
wrote :

Lionel, tell me if you've ever heard of this problem. Everybody I've
spoken to who's replaced their OEM sound card with an aftermarket
version has had a lot of trouble getting it to work right, and had to
rip it out and go back to the original one. What's with that, anyway?

In some particular cases yes, but not everybody... ;-)
Most of the time it's just a problem of driver, a conflict with an
integrated sound chipset, or just a change in mixer parameters.

This is a very very good sound card and it costs USD 130.00 :
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_u...2496-main.html

Robert "bad scientist" Morein said:

This could be the r.a.o. record, measured as a ratio of
quantity/quality
The QSC amps are unlistenable.
The Sony SDP-E800 is a cheap piece that was known for excessive
background
noise.

Actually, the QSC amps are built like the proverbial brick **** house
and their performance is rack solid at all frequencies. They are
extremely linear, so if you thought they sounded bad when and if you
ever listened to one, then either you have badly damaged hearing, or
you listened through speakers that were second rate or worse, or you're
just not speaking the truth.

Perhaps you'd like a job reviewing for Stereophile?

"Robert Morein" wrote in
message ...

"Arny Krueger" wrote in message
...
[snip]

Not much has changed for my systems in the last year or
so,
since I
previously posted an inventory of my systems.

My main listening room system is still based on NHT
2.5i's
driven by
QSC amplifiers and Rane equalizers and crossover drawn
from
the world
of pro audio, augmented by NHT S1s and S0s for center
and
surrounds. The custom
12" DV-12 subwoofer is now in the main room. A Pioneer
DV-525 spins
the discs and a Sony SDP-E800 or Technics SHAC-500
decodes
them. A
Phillips 32" TV handles the video.

This could be the r.a.o. record, measured as a ratio of
quantity/quality
The QSC amps are unlistenable.
The Sony SDP-E800 is a cheap piece that was known for
excessive background
noise.

This would be an excellent example of how RAO dispenser of
charm and all-around nice-guy Robert Morein follows the
letter and spirit of the OP:

"Margaret von B." wrote
in message
...

"I thought it might be a good time for everyone to take a
break from the
usual mudslinging and help your fellow RAO members to
understand where your
audio opinions come from and what you are all about by
detailing your
audio/video setup."

On Fri, 20 May 2005 09:22:52 -0400, "Arny Krueger"
wrote:

Not much has changed for my systems in the last year or so,
since I
previously posted an inventory of my systems.

My main listening room system is still based on NHT 2.5i's
driven by
QSC amplifiers and Rane equalizers and crossover drawn from
the world
of pro audio, augmented by NHT S1s and S0s for center and
surrounds. The custom
12" DV-12 subwoofer is now in the main room. A Pioneer
DV-525 spins
the discs and a Sony SDP-E800 or Technics SHAC-500 decodes
them. A
Phillips 32" TV handles the video.

Interesting that your home system is virtually the only one I've heard
of using pro stuff.

Mine (changes regularly, but today) - working down the chain:

Electronics:
Generic Sony DVD/CD player
Rane SM82 mixer
Rane RA30 RTA
Rane Mojo 302S equalizer
Rane Mojo MX22 crossover
Highs - Crown D75A
Lows - Crown K2
Sub - Crown Micro Tech 200
32" Hitachi TV

Speakers:
Highs - JBL 2435 1.5" Beryllium drivers on P. Audio 316 horns
Lows - JBL 2225 15" in 40Hz vented
Sub - 2 X Altec 3182 18" in 24" X 24" X 50" sealed

wrote

Actually, the QSC amps are built like the proverbial brick **** house
and their performance is rack solid at all frequencies. They are
extremely linear, so if you thought they sounded bad when and if you
ever listened to one, then either you have badly damaged hearing, or
you listened through speakers that were second rate or worse, or you're
just not speaking the truth.

Perhaps you'd like a job reviewing for Stereophile?


Maybe this is our good buddy, Richard Malesweski.
Has the same pompous language and obsession with
Stereophile. Did you sell the shack in NWA and
now you are "New York Or Bust" with the cash?
Does this explain your "warm welcome" comments?

Just speculating. It's impossible to keep track of all
the cowardly anonymice with the huge virtual balls.

Do you have a big red nose and a scrawny ponytail?

Surf said:

Just speculating. It's impossible to keep track of all
the cowardly anonymice with the huge virtual balls.

Speaking of which, Krooger has now been proven a coward thanks to HE2005. If
he had a shred of self-awareness, he'd try to hide in anonymity like Dickie.

"Surf" said:

wrote

Perhaps you'd like a job reviewing for Stereophile?


Maybe this is our good buddy, Richard Malesweski.


Am I the only one to whom it's obvious that NYOB123 is actually
Michael McKelvy?

--

"Audio as a serious hobby is going down the tubes."
- Howard Ferstler, 25/4/2005

"Sander deWaal" wrote
"Surf" said:

wrote

Perhaps you'd like a job reviewing for Stereophile?


Maybe this is our good buddy, Richard Malesweski.


Am I the only one to whom it's obvious that NYOB123 is actually
Michael McKelvy?


Mikey is a "peoplepc" guy. What is the NYOB about?

Sander deWaal said:

Maybe this is our good buddy, Richard Malesweski.

Am I the only one to whom it's obvious that NYOB123 is actually
Michael McKelvy?

I entertained that thought too, but I don't think it's obvious. Mickey has
been unable to write coherent sentences for the last 8 years. This new
YACAborg doesn't make nearly as many grotesque errors of grammar and
spelling. He does seem equally "desparate", though. The PeoplePC connection
could be just a coincidence.

Why do you say it's obvious?

George M. Middius said:


Am I the only one to whom it's obvious that NYOB123 is actually
Michael McKelvy?

I entertained that thought too, but I don't think it's obvious. Mickey has
been unable to write coherent sentences for the last 8 years. This new
YACAborg doesn't make nearly as many grotesque errors of grammar and
spelling. He does seem equally "desparate", though. The PeoplePC connection
could be just a coincidence.

Why do you say it's obvious?


His quoting style, his opinions, his use of NYOB ;-)

--

"Audio as a serious hobby is going down the tubes."
- Howard Ferstler, 25/4/2005

"Surf" said:


What is the NYOB about?


That's none of your business.

--

"Audio as a serious hobby is going down the tubes."
- Howard Ferstler, 25/4/2005

"Sander deWaal" wrote in message

George M. Middius said:

Why do you say it's obvious?

His quoting style, his opinions, his use of NYOB ;-)

Just engage in some GOP bashing. That is certain to draw him out! ;-)

On Sun, 22 May 2005 20:07:50 +0200, Sander deWaal
wrote:

"Surf" said:


What is the NYOB about?


That's none of your business.

You mean, none your of business, right?

Sander deWaal said:

What is the NYOB about?

That's none of your business.

Then what would NOYB be?

dave weil said:


What is the NYOB about?


That's none of your business.

You mean, none your of business, right?


A typo, for sure.
Yep, that's Mike :-)

--

"Audio as a serious hobby is going down the tubes."
- Howard Ferstler, 25/4/2005

George M. Middius said:


What is the NYOB about?

That's none of your business.

Then what would NOYB be?


Thank's for exploitiing, my dyslexai in, public, mr. Midiuus ;-(

--

"Audio as a serious hobby is going down the tubes."
- Howard Ferstler, 25/4/2005

Sander deWaal said:

What is the NYOB about?

That's none of your business.

Then what would NOYB be?


Thank's for exploitiing, my dyslexai in, public, mr. Midiuus ;-(

Get a life, tweako.

George "Middleman" Middius a ecrit:

Sander deWaal said:

What is the NYOB about?

That's none of your business.

Then what would NOYB be?


Thank's for exploitiing, my dyslexai in, public, mr. Midiuus ;-(

Get a life, tweako.


Ah George it's right to know how wine connoisseurs communicate through
a claque with the tongue, eh? ;-)

You kiss Atkinsons butt lately, yes? ;-)

--

"Audio as a serious hobby is going down the tubes."
- Howard Ferstler, 25/4/2005

"Margaret von B." wrote:

I thought it might be a good time for everyone to take a break from the
usual mudslinging and help your fellow RAO members to understand where your
audio opinions come from and what you are all about by detailing your
audio/video setup. Of course it won't answer all the questions but it should
be fun if nothing else. Please feel free to elaborate on the room/system and
your musical preferences as well as the overall place of the hobby in your
life.

Cheers,

Margaret

System Description:

Conventional speakers (mains, centers, and surrounds):

Allison IC-20, Model Four, and AV-1 loudspeakers (main
system), custom-made, 8-driver center-channel speaker (main
system), Dunlavy Cantata, Allison Model Four, custom-built
surround, and NHT VS-1.2 loudspeakers (second system), NHT
ST4 and SC1 and Atlantic Technology T70 loudspeakers (third
system).

Subwoofers, installed in various systems or as reference
units for reviewing work:

Velodyne F1800RII and FSR-12; Hsu TN1220HO, VTF-2, and
STF-1; SVS 16-46PC (modified by author).

Electronics and accessories (some used for reference work
only:

Yamaha RX-Z1 A/V receiver, Yamaha DSP-A1 and DSP-A3090
processor/amps; Carver M-500, AudioSource Amp One power
amps; Onkyo DV-S939 DVD/DVD-A player, Panasonic DVD-A120
player, cheap JVC player, Pioneer, DVD-700 DVD/LD player and
CLD-D503 combi player; AudioControl Phase Coupled Activator
bass synthesizer (includes Linkwitz-Riley crossover);
Paradigm X-30 electronic crossover; Rane THX-44, THX-22 and
AudioControl C-131 equalizers; dbx 120 subharmonic bass
synthesizer, dbx 3BX expander; Memorex 45-inch rear
projection, Sharp XV-H37 LCD front-projection, and Sony
KV-32T TV monitors; Carol Wire Company 12 AWG and standard
12 AWG outdoor low-voltage wire for speakers; Radio-Shack
"Gold" interconnects (most custom sized to minimum required
lengths).

Room Length/Width/Height:

Main: 18.5 x 22 x 8.5.
Second: 17 x 22 x 8.
Third: 16 x 18 x 12 x 10 x 6 x 6 (L shaped).

Room treatments:

Bookcases in main and second room. Drapes in main room.
Normal furnishings in third. room. The first and second
rooms are carpeted. The third is floored with hardwood, with
an area rug.

Dedicated room (Y/N):

Yes. Main room is also a library, however.

Room Comments (SQ, other uses):

Second room is also a gym, computer room, and guest bedroom.
Third room also contains a grand piano.

Music Preferences:

Baroque and classical. The wife likes big-band jazz and
broadway show material. Occasionally, I will listen to
something as radical as Dire Straits or Enya.

The Weakest Link:

The TV monitors. Old.

Howard Ferstler

"Howard Ferstler" wrote in message
...
"Margaret von B." wrote:

I thought it might be a good time for everyone to take a break from the
usual mudslinging and help your fellow RAO members to understand where
your
audio opinions come from and what you are all about by detailing your
audio/video setup. Of course it won't answer all the questions but it
should
be fun if nothing else. Please feel free to elaborate on the room/system
and
your musical preferences as well as the overall place of the hobby in
your
life.

Cheers,

Margaret

System Description:

Conventional speakers (mains, centers, and surrounds):

Allison IC-20, Model Four, and AV-1 loudspeakers (main
system), custom-made, 8-driver center-channel speaker (main
system), Dunlavy Cantata, Allison Model Four, custom-built
surround, and NHT VS-1.2 loudspeakers (second system), NHT
ST4 and SC1 and Atlantic Technology T70 loudspeakers (third
system).


Hmmm. Would this be 5.1, 7.1 and 5.1 systems? Wow!

Subwoofers, installed in various systems or as reference
units for reviewing work:

Velodyne F1800RII and FSR-12; Hsu TN1220HO, VTF-2, and
STF-1; SVS 16-46PC (modified by author).

Electronics and accessories (some used for reference work
only:

Yamaha RX-Z1 A/V receiver, Yamaha DSP-A1 and DSP-A3090
processor/amps; Carver M-500, AudioSource Amp One power
amps; Onkyo DV-S939 DVD/DVD-A player, Panasonic DVD-A120
player, cheap JVC player, Pioneer, DVD-700 DVD/LD player and
CLD-D503 combi player; AudioControl Phase Coupled Activator
bass synthesizer (includes Linkwitz-Riley crossover);
Paradigm X-30 electronic crossover; Rane THX-44, THX-22 and
AudioControl C-131 equalizers; dbx 120 subharmonic bass
synthesizer, dbx 3BX expander; Memorex 45-inch rear
projection, Sharp XV-H37 LCD front-projection, and Sony
KV-32T TV monitors; Carol Wire Company 12 AWG and standard
12 AWG outdoor low-voltage wire for speakers; Radio-Shack
"Gold" interconnects (most custom sized to minimum required
lengths).

Room Length/Width/Height:

Main: 18.5 x 22 x 8.5.
Second: 17 x 22 x 8.
Third: 16 x 18 x 12 x 10 x 6 x 6 (L shaped).


You seem to have lots of stuff geared toward synthesizing and managing bass.
Something like the custom system in my Navigator, AudioControl this and
AudioControl that. :-) Do you constantly tweak it or do you just leave it
where it is? I recommend a Tact as a much more sophisticated alternative.
You should test one some time. Your rooms are large but with low ceilings so
they don't have that much volume. Hmm. What kind of floor/foundation do you
have?

Room treatments:

Bookcases in main and second room. Drapes in main room.
Normal furnishings in third. room. The first and second
rooms are carpeted. The third is floored with hardwood, with
an area rug.

Dedicated room (Y/N):

Yes. Main room is also a library, however.

Room Comments (SQ, other uses):

Second room is also a gym, computer room, and guest bedroom.

Does your gym turn into a "wind chime" when you *really* play loud?

Third room also contains a grand piano.


Nice. What kind?

Music Preferences:

Baroque and classical. The wife likes big-band jazz and
broadway show material. Occasionally, I will listen to
something as radical as Dire Straits or Enya.


Radical as...Heh! I guess there's still hope even for you. :-)

The Weakest Link:

The TV monitors. Old.


I thought Memorex made tape!?! The new Qualia projector is unbeatable, check
it out!

Cheers,

Margaret

PS. Folks -just in case- before you slam Howard's system you better have
listed your own.

On Sun, 22 May 2005 21:48:25 GMT, "Margaret von B."
wrote:

Your rooms are large but with low ceilings so
they don't have that much volume. Hmm. What kind of floor/foundation do you
have?

I'm sure that he's on a slab. Most Florida homes are. He's also got
super-duper framing as well.

I've made the same point about his rooms. The dimensions ratio is
substandard. Of course, he's going to trot out Toole, who thinks that
you can use any ole room any ole time.

dave weil wrote:
On Sun, 22 May 2005 21:48:25 GMT, "Margaret von B."
wrote:

Your rooms are large but with low ceilings so
they don't have that much volume. Hmm. What kind of floor/foundation
do you
have?

I'm sure that he's on a slab. Most Florida homes are. He's also got
super-duper framing as well.

I've made the same point about his rooms. The dimensions ratio is
substandard. Of course, he's going to trot out Toole, who thinks
that
you can use any ole room any ole time.



Well, let's give credit to Toole where credit is due. He has made a
crusade of designing loud speakers for people who are unwilling to
adjust their living spaces to their audio systems. That really is most
people. I think he has done a real service to people who just want some
good sound without any hassle.




Scott Wheeler