edesilva's Redbook Digital System

by edesilva on Opinions Please

Description

Would love any constructive suggestions for improving 2CH performance...

I started off years ago with big Infinity Kappa 9s and Adcom gear. As time went by, and my listening got more discriminating, that turned into a system built around Quicksilver Silver Edn Mono tube amps and a pair of ProAc Response 2s that kept me happy for a long time. Somehow, that system began to morph into a home theater system that, in its "biggest" incarnation, consisted of a Theta Casablanca digital pre/pro, Theta transport, Audio Research VT- tube amps, and Martin Logan Prodigy - Theater - Scenario speakers.

Then I figured out that the system wasn't particularly satisfying to me--the stats were nice on some material, but didn't do the dynamics the way I used to like with my ProAcs RS2s, and I kept feeling like 2CH performance could be better. I also realized that multichannel didn't enhance my experience a whole lot...

So, that is how I ended up where I am. The dCS stuff is wired together with Kimber Orchid, and everything else is Kimber Silver Streak balanced or ADGL for digital. I tried using the dCS stuff to drive the two VT-100s, but lost something, so I added a preamp into the mix. Also let me drive the two VT-100s with the two balanced outputs from the LS-16 instead of using a Y-splitter. Whatever the reason, sounds better than w/o a preamp. It sounded even better when I used my LS-5 Mk III in the mix, but the convenience of a remote for the LS-16 won out. I think the pre is probably the weak link, and probably the next thing that gets revised.

This also does double duty in the living room for video stuff. I've got component from a CATV HD DVR (SA 8250HD), the DVI from the DV-50S, component from an XBOX, and DVI from a Mac Mini feeding a Pioneer Elite 61" plasma. Video switching done by a Gefen DVI 4x1 switch and an Audio Authority 1154 component video switch. My CATV provider promises me a move to the SA 8300HD DVR "shortly," which will allow me to go DVI to the TV from that as well.

The Mac Mini, I'll note, also connects with a remote 1TB RAID 5 NAS downstairs for serving up .wav files. I've ripped my 1000+ CD Rock/Alt/Blues collection to the server in uncompressed format using EAC. Mucked around with consumer drives, but had enough crashes to warrant the big box--in this case a Dell Powervault 745N inside an Acoustilock xCab acoustic cabinet. Now thinking about a second server to handle the classical CDs.

Like I said, suggestions welcome...
Read more...

Components Toggle details

    • Proac Response 3.8
    In the nice yew finish, acquired from A'gon!
    • Audio Research VT-100 Mk III
    Keeps 1/2 of room warm in winter...
    • Audio Research VT-100 Mk III
    Keeps other 1/2 of room warm...
    • Audio Research LS-16 Mk II
    Probably next on the list to be replaced...
    • dCS Delius
    1/2 the DCS stack...
    • dCS Purcell
    Other 1/2 of the DCS stack...
    • Teac/Esoteric DV-50S
    Too bad it doesn't come in black...
    • PS Audio Power Director 4.7
    Fed from a dedicated line...
    • Kimber Kable Orchid
    AES/EBU digital cables...
    • Kimber Kable Monocle XL
    Double set, since I'm bi-amping...
    • Kimber Kable Silver Streak
    Think there are four or five sets of balanced runs...
    • Solidsteel H.6 Partner
    3 to hold the electronics...
    • C. Ven Haus PCs
    Two Flavor 1s for the dCS gear, a Flavor 2 for the pre, and four Flavor 4s for the amps, Power Director, and DV-50s. All cryo'd.

Comments 22

Showing all comments by pitdog75.

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Right now we are also in the process of intense culinary research, which is fine with me. I really like good food, i think if i wasn't what i am now, i might have become a chef lol.
My lady is also very cool and tolerant with my hobbys, heck - she accepted me with my 2dogs, she certainly accepted my sports interests, so the whole stereo thing is noproblemo (I guess she sees it the other way around, stereo doesn't eat or greet you at the door).

these dolls - you just gave me a great idea, i think i'll go for it as well.

Finally - i didn't star my post with the damned "well" :)

pitdog75

well, I just go with the flow. its all for her this whole shebang (no pun intended). as long as we can indulge in our little projects and manly silly hobbys after the whole deal, its ok :)

pitdog75

well, congrats on the wedding. right now im in the same kind of predicament ;)

pitdog75

well, as far as using the main display with Mac Mini i thoght it would be not practical, better to add a small lcd, or a wireless touchscreen lcd like this Viewsonic.

as far as the U24 goes - it seems there may be trouble purchasing it, so im thinking about EDIROL UA5 right now.. it as some upsampling capabilities to boot.

now, why did you choose the mini-ITX comp, what other options did you consider? how about Hush http://www.hushtechnologies.net/

and - all these little Squeezebox and/or Roku devices - how do you use them, do they get the music from the same NAS as the main system wit mini-ITX? ane where they send the music then?

btw i really appreciate your answers, your hands on experience is very
helpful for someone, who is about to jump into this whole comp-based music server thingy :)

pitdog75

forgive my asking such a lame question, but let me get this right: you're feeding your stereo with music from basement NAS server, and Mac Mini is used as a front-end user interface. (the music goes via USB to Waveterminal U24, then to Mac Mini and stright to the DAC; or via USB to Mac Mini and then U24 and the DAC?). and the Mac Mini does not have any external little USB drive with ripped music.
is Mac Mini a better front-end than Roku or Squeezebox? or a quiet passively cooled hidden pic (or possibly a laptop)

im trying to figure out how to approach this whole music-server thing, its very temptning (im lazy you know) but i wanna be sure wchich way to chhose before i start buying stuff...

pitdog75

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