Description

Aug 2022
My current incarnation of my 2 channel stereo rig.  And quite possibly my best yet in terms of sonic quality but also frequency response, time alignment, and more importantly flexibility to control each speaker/sub individually for crossover (frequencies and slopes), delay, volume all via DSP and FIR correction filters.  But it's taken a long time to learn, measure, learn more, measure again and finally go with a multi-channel DAC that was the key ingredient to allow such flexibility and control.  But having the puzzle pieces doesn't mean that they go together easily so more learning and finally bought another key piece which was the Audiolense XO software to create a FIR correction filter for frequency and time alignement.  The multi-channel DAC and FIR filter capabilities were BIG TIME upgrades worth more than any amp or preamp!

Happy listening to you . . .
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Room Details

Dimensions: 25’ × 11’  Medium
Ceiling: 8’


Components Toggle details

    • JRIver Media Centre v27
    > Used to manage my digital music library
    > It's DSP capabilities assign speakers/subs channels to my 8-channel DAC and its convolver runs a FIR filter for frequency response and time domain corrections.
    • exaSound e48 8-Channel DAC
    Stereophile A+ rated digital DAC with 8 channel inputs/outputs.
    I use 6 of the channels to bi-amp my mains and to send signals to two subwoofers.

    Audiolense XO software is used to digitally set crossovers for the subs and biamped mains and to correct frequency response and phase which gets all wrapped up in a FIR correction filter.  JRiver then plays this FIR filter and sends its contents along with 6 channels of musical content to the DAC which deciphers it all seamlessly and routs the right signal to each amp.  This setup provides me with the most flexibility to control each speaker and sub on an individual basis for crossover freq+slope, delay, polarity reversal, EQ etc. which you can't do using just a 2channel DAC.  It's micro level adjustments rather than macro level with a 2 channel DAC.
    • Teddy Pardo Linear Power Supply
    > used for the exaSound DAC
    • PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium Preamplifier
    > build like a heavy tank and great sounding
    • VAC (Valve Amplification Company) Renaissance 30/30
    32 magical wallts/channel of 300B tubes.
    Output tubes:  4 Shuguang 300B-Z Treasures (Chinese)
    Input tubes:  4 Tung-Sol (Russian)
    • PS Audio BHK Signature Premium stereo power amp
    > Bascom H King designed 250watts/8ohms hybrid amp with a tube input stage and solid state output stage
    • Acoustic Zen Crescendo MKI speakers
    > awesome looking and sounding main speakers that are fed by the PS Audio BHK Signature stereo amp for the woofers and bi-amped with the VAC 300B tube amp for the mids/highs.
    • Rythmik F15 subwoofers (two)
    > servo controlled, 300watt subwoofers - two in total
    • RPG Skyline Diffusors (both the 7" and 4" versions)
    • Dayton Audio OmniMic acoustical measurement software tool
    • Audiolense XO Frequency & Time Domain Acoustical Measurement & Correction Software
    > used to create FIR filters that run in JRiver convolver that correct frequency response and time domain problems.
    > extremely flexible and powerful but has a steep learning curve
    > very effective at smoothing out the sound and reducing listening fatigue caused by out of phase drivers/speakers and aligning the frequency response to my customized target curve.
    • TEO Audio GCII RCA Interconnects
    • Audio Sensibility Signature Speaker Cables
    • Cardas Clear Power Cables

Comments 3

Nice Kevin I think I just missed the Vac in your gear list and that sounds like a great setup biamping! And thank you for your comments on my system.

jond

Owner
Hi Jond - thanks for stopping by and for your compliment.  I'll have to check out your system!
Yes, I've still got the VAC 300B tube amp and just put it into the rig a few days ago in a bi-amped configuration along with the PS Audio BHK amp so it sings very nicely . . .   I'll update pictures and add the amp to the gear list.

kevinzoe

Very serious looking system those Crescendo's are huge! Not using the VAC amp anymore?

jond

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