Description

I think the individual component descriptions say most of it. Also pertinent: dedicated 20-amp AC line with Hubbell hospital-grade duplex outlets; Torus RM20 isolation transformer/surge protector on the way.

Although there are "bigger rigs" in the bedroom and living room, this is the one which logs the most playing hours, because it's in my home office where I toil (independent scholar of Buddhist studies and freelance editor/translator) day in and day out. I'd describe the system as having good resolution, excellent dynamics, limited but quality bass, and slightly "warmer" overall than many solid-state setups, due to both the pre- and power amps.

Room acoustics suck (wood floors, wood-panelled and plaster walls, but it's above all a work space, so no anxiety there. Does well on everything from Persian classical to heavy roots dub.

The only upgrade plans I have are as mentioned: the Torus isolation transformer. I've got one in the living room system and the improvements in clarity and low-level detail are comparable to a component upgrade. Beyond that, I may take the transport in to a local modder with whom I've worked before for power supply and digital output circuitry upgrades (cf. Empirical Audio)--or copy all my discs onto a Mac Mini and press into service the Empirical Audio Off-Ramp USB-to-XLR converter that sits in the closet.
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    • Sony DVP-S7700
    Bought used, Sony's top-of-the-line DVD player from 2000 makes an inexpensive quality CD transport (even have an extra for backup). I may have mods done in future; so far all I've done is replace the RCA digital output with a 75-ohm BNC.
    • Lavry Black DA10
    One of the alternatives to the Benchmark DAC1. I have both and they're very close with the DAC1 having the slight edge in detail and transparency and the DA10 having a comparable edge in (for want of a better world)
    • museatex PA-6i
    The Museatex Meitner PA-6i is still one of the best preamp deals on the used market. John Wright did the full
    • Spread Spectrum Technologies Son of Ampzilla 2000
    A 100/200/400 wpc (@ 8/4/2 ohms) power amp in a small case. Overkill power supply (2400-watt transformer). Bucks the trend by using a 12 AWG captive power cord, which is okay with me, as I've not had significant results from even quite expensive power cords.
    • Tannoy System 10dmt
    Tannoy System 10 DMT II, which has slightly higher sensitivity and a slightly lower crossover point than the MK I. I'm one of those people for whom the Tannoy DMT series is hard to beat at any price. I've got the System 15 DMT II in the living room system and the active version of the System 12 DMT II (AMS-12A) in the bedroom.
    • Sony ST-S555es
    With Joseph Chow (Component Plus USA) mods.
    • David Winsor Designs Custom
    26-inch stands custom made by local cabinetmaker. MDF/Birch plywood composite base and speaker plate, joined by tapered, sand-filled MDF pillar. About 85 lbs. (36 kg) each; locking castors make positioning easy.
    • Mogami 2534
    Standard in better recording studios worldwide and costs all of 50 cents a foot retail.
    • XLO Pro 1200
    7 feet, with Vampire copper spades.
    • Supra ???
    Bolt-together rackmount stand from local pro audio shop, with additional bolt-on shelves since none of the components have rackmount faceplates. Modest use of granite sheets, sorbhothane footers and suchlike for additional vibration control.

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