SCompRacer

The family room is 14' x 22' with an engineered wood floor floating on a concrete slab. The two rows of ceiling can lights and fireplace eyeballs are on separate switches with dimmers.

R and L rear in ceiling. Speaker wiring was run to the back wall for a future 7.1 option.

Upgrade time. R & L front speakers are now LC265i's, center is an LC65i. These made a huge difference in sound quality.

The HT gear.

Particle board was used for the ceiling ideal-volume enclosures, and 2 x 4 fire breaks were used for the wall speaker enclosures.

A pair of LSi7's fulfills the 7.1 option.

This SVS PB12-Plus rocks.

I built a wet bar after finishing the lower level.

I designed the bar to accommodate a small fridge with freezer and fit a small microwave on the counter top beneath the bar top. There is ample shelved storage underneath the counter top. I installed low voltage lights under the bar top and in the storage area controlled by a touch pad dimmer switch. The GFI is in the wall behind the bar.

Progress on the bar project was delayed so I could get these SDA SRS 2's re-clothed. They were upgraded with the RD 0194-1 tweeters and the crossovers were rebuilt with Solen caps and Mills resistors. Sold to Loud & Clear in March 2006.

I used in-wall wiring to connect the gear to the wall. Someday I'll make the IC's look as good and post a pic of that.....

This was the two channel setup with the Eros speakers and XA 200 active crossover bass amp. The two TAD-60's did a very fine job until I could fund my planned upgrade path with the excellent InnerSound/Sanders Sound Systems SS amps.

Prior to obtaining the improved remote controlled InnerSound MK II active crossover bass amp, I had Phil Marchand build a custom XM44-3 active crossover.

A Nottingham Space Deck with Space Arm/Sumiko Blackbird replaced a Linn LP12 with Dynavector DV 20X. Space Deck’s have a black background and are very musical with a large and lively sound stage. Demo different tables and buy one you like.

My most amusing ModWright Sony 9100ES. Platinum Level mods. You can spend much more, but there are those who prefer how this one sounds. It provides me with superb CD and outstanding SACD playback.

A ModWright SWLP 9.0SE Signature Edition in Blue w/tube rectified power supply. ModWright gear is of high current, low distortion Class A tube design. ModWright's Signature Teflon film caps are used in the signal path. The phono stage is World Class. The gain it offers will allow me to use sub mV MC cartridges.

Another 19 pounds of mass was added with the addition of the Nottingham Space 294 with Ace-Space 294 Arm. The MC cartridge is a low output (.3mV) Dynavector Karat 17D3. A Boston Audio Mat 1 carbon graphite mat replaces the one supplied with the table. Joe’s (hearingimpared) Clamp firmly secures the LP to the platter. A Wave Mechanic generates a clean and stable AC signal to the motor.

A Moerch DP6 replaced the Space 294 Arm. It makes the table much more dynamic.

Someone wanted to know what is in the box.

Vinyl accessories. The record cleaning machine is kept in another room.

The Nottingham base and custom dust cover were replaced with a Gingko Cloud 11 vibration control platform with Gingko Claravu cover. Hardwood floors with the rack sitting on it is a least best combination for a turntable. The Cloud has proved excellent in isolation qualities. I like it much better than the sandbox I tried.

I use and really like a graphite mat, and despite shimming the record label cutout recess in the platter with thin file folder material, it compresses over time due to the pressure applied from Joe’s clamp. That caused the 3mm thick mat to distort and lift at the outer edges. I picked up a TTWeights periphery ring and weight last year to keep it all flat on the platter. I'm saving Joe’s clamp for the [hopefully] next table with 1” thick graphite mat.

Current gear. VTI rack is lead filled. Metal case holds my stash of tubes.

Two 600WPC amps power my speakers. The upper amp is a 600WPC @ 4 Ohm InnerSound MK II bass amp with active crossover. Lower amp is a Sanders ESL panel amp, 600WPC @ 4 Ohms. No worries, plenty of clean and stable power.

The room. I've demo'd many speakers and made my choice. The InnerSound Eros MK III ESL's with transmission line bass. Yes, the sweet spot is small but oh what a place it is. These will do rock and play at hearing loss levels without distortion. I go there sometimes, but not for long. Gotta make the ears last.

I learned I should have done acoustic treatments long ago. I like this arrangement with my dipole speakers. I've made some converts by removing panels while folks listen. Make it a priority if you have not already done so.