@jfrost27

Thanks for your comment on my system. Like you it’s a culmination of years of many iterations and system changes to get to here.

There is a recent thread broaching the subject, “An Audio Amateur’s question about McIntosh Audio”…

Although I made a lite comment early on the thread, when I went back to read more from others I found myself reading, for the first time, some of the McIntosh haters comments and why they seem to hate the McIntosh brand…

Sure, I’ve heard the occasional dislike for McIntosh gear with the standard comments of “lack of detail”, the snobbery of McIntosh owner’s, the equipment is overpriced and the dislike of green lights and blue meters, etc., etc.. but some of the commenters have a visceral dislike for the brand and the people who buy the brand. I found it just a little surprising…

I took a peek at your system and “WOW’ what a system and music room you have…”BRAVO!! I want to be like you when I grow up…

Btw, I posted a few new pics of my system with the REL Six-Pack Line Array Sub-System prior to the future room expansion. Will update after the room conversion…

Let’s enjoy our Mac’s and the “MUSIC!”

Thank you for your kind comment about my system. If you’ve read the preceding comments then you already know my story. It was a labor of love putting it together…

The room conversion is slated for this coming Fall. I live in a HOA Community where any changes to a home or property has to go through an Architectural Review Committee before applying for building permits from “The City’s” planning department. Opening the red wall (behind the system) will add an additional 9’ x 22’ space to my dedicated “Music Room”.

Since I posted the system pictured I’ve added 4 more REL S/812 Subs to create the REL Six Pack Line Array Sub System. I bought them in anticipation of expanding the room…The Six-Pack is a bit much for my current 12’ x 12’ x 9’ room. I got a good deal on the subs which is why I have them now. The REL S/812’s have been discontinued by REL, not sure why, they are (IMHO) great subs! I think they were replaced by the S/850’s.

I will contact you when the room is completed.

In the meantime, 

Take good care and “Enjoy the music!”

Thank you for your kind comments.

The system as pictured is the culmination of a life long dream. 

When I was a teenager an older cousin, who was an audiophile, had a McIntosh system, this was in the mid 1960’s. I always admired his music system and thought, to myself, “I’m going to have a system like that one day.”

Fast forward 50 plus years, and my dream has come true. 

I’ve had a number of good systems over the years but a system crash, last Fall, sent me into completing my dream system (pictured). 

Post note,

The room color is a Ralph Lauren’s paint color called “Hunting Coat Red”. I presume the color represents the color worn by the “British Aristocracy” in their 

“Fox Hunt” regalia. However, no matter the paint title, I’m pretty sure my choosing the color was, at least subliminally, influenced by “Red Fire Trucks”!

Cheers!

Hey Davis, Yes, I went to SoCal to hear a Six-Pack Sub Array for the first time, John Hunter was there…

I thought I was happy with the double REL S/812’s until I heard yet another dimension of sound. I have all 6 subs now, just waiting for support parts to setup, tweak and enjoy the system…Can’t wait!!

Thanks for your support!

Thank you for the “Thank you for your service” comment. I had a long, wonderful career…

Thanks on the new room project as well. I made a mistake in not doing the room conversion the year before COVID, when I had a bid to convert a single car garage to join the current “music room space for what now seems a reasonable price. Today the price for the conversion is literally 3 times more. However, the conversion will triple the size of my dedicated music room. Giving the six-pack sub array something to fill.

Thanks again, “Cheers!”

@hide45 

Thank you for your kind comment.

The subs placement was governed by REL’s placement recommendations and the rooms limitations. It’s an average sized room 12x12x9. REL recommends the sub placement be slightly behind the main speakers with specific minimal distancing from the back and side walls. A buddy of mine, who is an audio professional, helped me tweak the subs to an already great sounding system.

I originally had only one sub, a REL 350, placed in a different position away from the main system which sounded fine. But adding double REL S/812’s has added a new dimension to the sound that is, in a word, “Wonderful!”

However, a couple of weeks ago I went to a REL event at Upscale Audio in Southern California (I live in Northern California/ San Francisco area). John Hunter was there auditioning all of the new line of REL Subs including the Six-Pack Line Array…Which blew me away!…So, I lost my mind a little and bought 4 more S/812’s to create a Six-Pack. I haven’t finished the setup yet (still waiting on supporting parts) but I can’t wait to hear the difference. I made this move in preparation for expanding my music room which will triple in size when I’m done.

Thanks for listening! “Bring on the music!”

Thanks for your kind comments!

Yes, the KEF Reference 205/2’s are great speakers. I’ve owned the ones pictured since ‘2008’. I’ve other other good speakers before that but none compared to the KEF’S. They have such a rich well rounded sound that I think is hard to beat. It took me 8 years to buy all of the McIntosh gear you see in my system. And to me, my system sounds great but as we audiophiles will do, I just added 4 more REL S/812 subs to create the REL Array Six-Pack. I haven’t completed the setup yet but will post it when I’m done.

As good as my system sounds to me there is that curiosity of how much longer will the KEF’s last (they are 18 years old now) and like you I’ve been eyeing B&W 800 Series particularly the B&W 801 D4 Signature but they cost more than my car! As an alternative, the Sonus Faber Olympia Nova V’s. Hopefully I’ll get 3 to 5 more years with the KEF’s before I go rouge!!

Let’s enjoy our KEF’s!!

It took me awhile to figure out how to respond to you kind comments…

To answer your question about being an architect. No I’m not but I studied Architectural Drafting and Design in High School and Architecture in College but did not complete my degree. While in my third year of college I took a job as a Firefighter, just to pay my way through college. However, the long hours of school assignments (designing and drawing) and the up all night demands of the Fire Service took its toll, which forced me to make a career decision…I chose the Fire Service and retired from the San Francisco Fire Department after 32-1/2 years of service.

The drafting table that you see in the photos is the same drafting table that I used while I was in college in the mid-70’s. I’m currently drawing plans to expand and create a dedicated “Music Room” in my home. I’ve been an audiophile since teenage.

I’m also designing a new house to be built in approximately 2 years from now. I still have the knowledge and skills, just not a degree.

Thanks for your kind words,

Enjoy the music!!