Some pics of my current system revision . . .

[SolidSqual]

I'll likely be selling it off soon for no obvious or foreseen reason . . . :D

[zombie boy 2000]

Are you and Early running off to join the circus?

[Early B.]

Are you and Early running off to join the circus?

This forum IS a circus, you clown!

[Early B.]

I'll likely be selling it off soon for no obvious or foreseen reason . . . :D

Sounds logical to me.


BTW -- that's one of the best setups I've seen. I bet it sounds ridiculously good.

[SolidSqual]

Sounds logical to me.


BTW -- that's one of the best setups I've seen. I bet it sounds ridiculously good.

You know I had my Dad over this past weekend after moving back from Chicago. He was stunned by the sound. We started listening at 10:00 pm and didn't stop until 2:30 am! The 56 year old guy wore me out. He kept asking if I had a center channel . . . being stunned by the imaging in the center. It was a good bonding experience.

Thanks for the compliment.

[dkg999]

You need CFRIZZ's 12 step program to help you be content with what you have and avoid upgraditus :)

Let me know if it works for you and maybe I'll try the program :o

[Face]

I'd switch the PS3 and Raysonic. Why hide such a nice looking CDP?

[engtaz]

Where are both subs????? Very very nice setup, SolidSqual. Beautiful.

engtaz

[zombie boy 2000]

This forum IS a circus, you clown!

I was thinking more of an asylum.

[Ricardo]

That's a really nice looking setup; I bet it sounds as good as it looks.

[zombie boy 2000]

It is freakin' gorgeous. I can only imagine what else you have in the works.

[SolidSqual]

I'd switch the PS3 and Raysonic. Why hide such a nice looking CDP?

Right now it's a matter of cable length. I do want it the way you suggest but when I got the PS3, the cables were in the way of where the PS3 sat. And since the cables are not long enough to go under the rack and back up to the CDP, it is the way it is. Once I get around to it, that will be fixed.

[SolidSqual]

Where are both subs????? Very very nice setup, SolidSqual. Beautiful.

engtaz

I returned them. With the new XPA-2 amps, my system actually has all the bass I want. The D Class amps were completely holding my system back. I have tight clean bass now that is absolutely believable. What's better, on those low notes that are actually meant to be felt and not heard, I even have the right amount of tactile bass.

The Valors were great but not needed in the end. I was glad to return them and put some more money back in the audio jar.

The one thing I gave up with the D Class amps is some background quiet. Since my speakers are so efficient, they pick up everything. The XPA-2s introduce a slightly more hiss coming from the tweeter. It really is moot in the end however since I can't hear the hiss from the sweet spot anyway.

Also, the I played my first Blu-ray yesterday - "300" and my first PS3 game "Metal Gear" . . . I can't believe how amazing this system sounds for HT as well as 2 Channel. The same speed, dynaimcs and clarity in 2 Channel is just as appreciated in HT.

Good Times! Any of you are welcome to come over if you ever stop by Indy.

[AndyGwis]

That looks about 50 times better than it did a few months ago when you posted. Much cleaner, harder to step on stuff, etc.

Nice work! Great looking, and I'm sure fantastic sounding setup!

BTW, wtf is an "ultradrive pro?"

[SolidSqual]

That looks about 50 times better than it did a few months ago when you posted. Much cleaner, harder to step on stuff, etc.

Nice work! Great looking, and I'm sure fantastic sounding setup!

BTW, wtf is an "ultradrive pro?"

In this application, it's used as the the external crossover for my speakers but it can do a whole host of other things that I don't care to learn or understand. Clayton of Emerald Physics loaded it with a program with different room settings that can be modified in order to make the system sound the best it can in your room. This unit is what makes the steep crossover possible in my system.

[nikolas812]

That looks amazing!!!

I bet it sounds amazing too...

I'll have to find a way up there. I might have to see if my dad wouldn't mind going up there for a listen. If its OK for both of us to come up??



Nick

[engtaz]

Those XPA-2 amps are great. I had a chance to listen to them at a FL GTG. They stood out immediately. Dann asked me which amp I like the most out of the amps he brought and I chose the XPA-2 amps, hand down. Super clean, with power and no coloration of the sound.

Congrats on a fabulous setup,
engtaz

[Early B.]

I was thinking more of an asylum.

What do they call those homes for kids with mental retardation? 'Cause we keep making the same mistakes over and over again. Sounds like a learning disability to me.:o

[zingo]

How's the match between your 100db Emeralds and monster power from your XPA-2s?

[SolidSqual]

How's the match between your 100db Emeralds and monster power from your XPA-2s?

Well as I mentioned earlier in the thread, there is an increased amount of "hiss" coming through the tweeters with the XPAs. By contrast, the Bel Canto S300s were dead quiet, which of course is a major positive of D Class amps. That being said, the "hiss" can't be heard from my listening position so its really a non-issue.

In terms of power, the XPA is amazing. These amps have mega dynamics and really make sure your drivers are producing the full range that they are capable of doing. This is especially noticeable with the mid to low bass. The way in which a piano, guitar or drum was articulated became noticeably more natural. The musicians really are available in the room for your listening pleasure. So much so, that my Dad at one point swore he could hear Diana Krall breathing on the microphone.

I think the extra power and capacitance really show-off their worth when you play something like the 1812 overture or "Saving Private Ryan." Tracks with 10dB shifts set the XPA apart from the S300s. There's no strain at all, even at super high SPLs. So, I'm not really sure whether its the extra power or the A/B Class designation or maybe it's just a better made amp . . . with the 100dB sesitivity, I don't even know if I'm using any of the power, but I do know my system has never played with such authority and still retained every bit or finesse and musicality.

[SolidSqual]

That looks about 50 times better than it did a few months ago when you posted. Much cleaner, harder to step on stuff, etc.

Nice work! Great looking, and I'm sure fantastic sounding setup!

BTW, wtf is an "ultradrive pro?"

God, I was hoping you all would have forgotten about that! You know if you would have kept your mouth shut then I would have never tripped over my CD player while walking back from the kitchen with beer in hand. That experience led me to rearrange my setup and left a permanent, "I told you so . . . !" ringing in my head.:confused:"

[Ern Dog]

I like the the way you placed the gear/speakers in a curved way and that everything has its own shelf so that nothing is stacked. Looks very professional.

[SolidSqual]

You slay me earlyb jr. :D :D :D :D :D Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet.

engtaz

Not sure whether this is a compliment?:)

http://emotivalounge.proboards54.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=amps&thread=2053&page=1

[GV#27]

Thats a real nice looking set up. Intersting speakers and its quite slick of the designer to utilize the Ultracurve as the active crossover instead of designing a custom unit.
So with an active system with 100db sensitivity and a bus load of power, I bet the system is not lacking in dynamics.

[janmike]

Nice looking setup Mike. Glad who had a good time with your Dad. I envy that.

[SolidSqual]

Nice looking setup Mike. Glad who had a good time with your Dad. I envy that.

Yeah, my Dad is a good guy. He's old school and often has a very dry sense of humor, but we connect and I understand him on a lot of levels that others don't. I'm grateful more and more as I get older and more mature.

[zx_toth]

Sorry for my ignorance SolidSqual .... but what speakers are those? I caught 'Emerald' .... since I havent been exposed to many sets of speakers I havent seen those beaut's before.

Thanks.

Zsolt

[nikolas812]

Emerald Physics CS2

http://www.emeraldphysics.com/intro.htm