Once we decided we were likely in our long-term home, I felt I could finally remodel a basement the way I'd always wanted. Although not perfect, I feel the rooms biggest strengths are it's near perfect symmetry, dedicated circuit box and flexibility. The measurements are around 31x16.5ft. I also think it's a real advantage having most of the equipement in a separate but very close room(esp. turntables which are very suseptable to vibration). The floor is concrete under the carpet and padding. It was put together as a home theater that would not compromise 2 channel sound(at the time CDs). Since then, I've changed speakers and cable a couple times without problem(even though most of the cables run hidden in the walls).
Since construction in the last several years, my focus has switched to about 90% vinyl, 8% movies, and 2% digital. The granite topped serving bar now doubles as an excellent record cleaning station. Movie and sporting event use will likely increase as my four children get older. For now, I mostly try to keep them away from this area.
I haven't added as much sound treatment as I expected. I don't like a deadened room and things sound great in the current state. I feel the detailed solid cherry wood working(esp. the ceiling and columns) provide effective diffusion in a carpeted, furnished room.
Anyway, this is a room I enjoy nearly every day. Hope you enjoy checking it out.
In the future, I hope to add a custom replinthed Technics mk3(if I ever find one)or possibly an idler drive table. I also may look into tubed monoblocks when my kids are old enough to resist touching glowing tubes.(Allnic A7000s?
Fully modded audio section by Underwood/Parts Connexion with tubed output stage
Runco VX 1000D
Now aging technology. Same sharp vivid picture.
Stewart Filmscreen Gray Hawk
100 inch diagonal
Allnic L4000
Reference transformer coupled design.
Allnic H3000
Stunningly liquid, open and dynamic. Very flexible. Highly recommended.
Krell HTS-7.1
Once again, aging technology but highly adequate performance(it's only home theater after all)
Ayre Acoustics MX-R monos
These sit on custom made amp stands by Silent Running Audio.
Krell Theater Amplifier Standard
200 W/channelx5
Vandersteen VSM-1 sigs
Four of these(side walls and rear walls) They all tie into the REL Brittania B1s at the rear of the room for 5 channels of full range sound.
Genesis Technologies 6.1c center channel
Built into a custom, dampened enclosure above the screen. Teathers to the S2/12t sub to make center channel full range. A hold over from prior speaker system, vandy's big center won't fit the enclosure and this works too well to bother with a remodel. The enclosure also tilts the baffle down toward seats.
Vandersteen Model 5A
Wide bandwidth, tonally balanced, and great imagers. Dark? NOT in my system anyway.
Genesis Technologies S2/12t
Teathers to Genesis center channel to make center channel full range. The sub is in a custom triangular-shaped enclosure occupying the center two sections of cabinet. (Double walled MDF with sand fill in void spaces).
Rel Brittania B1
A pair of these in the back of the room connect with surrounds making all channels full range. No LFE used.
Audioquest Cheetah
10 meter pair from preamp to monos
Transparent reference
balanced and single ended on audio side
Audioquest K2
4 foot double bi-wired pair from MX-Rs to 5As.
audioquest Monte Blanc
25 feet to center channel
audioquest midnight
To surrounds
Shakti Hallographs
Front corners of room
Shunyata Darkfield cable elevators
Keeps interconnects and speaker cables off carpet
Zoethecus Reference
Throughout audio and HT system
Music Direct MD 150 record rack
2 of these with 4 shelves each. Rapidly filling. Fit and finish OK, price and performance excellent.
boltz record rack
build quality,fit and finish excellent but more expensive and not quite as functional as the Music Direct racks
Crestron Isys IO
Automated touch screen contols lighting, black out shade, home theater functions, CD/SACD plyback, and preamp volume.
VPI 16.5 record cleaning machine
The Audio Desk has replaced this mess. It worked well but I don't miss it.
Mint LP Best Tractor
Essential tool for both the 10.5i and 312s Magnesium arms(the SME's had to be made specifically for the MHST distance of the Air Tight PC-1 Supreme.
PS Audio Power plant
P600 and P300 both with multi-wave/power port upgrades
Tice Audio Power Block 3C
mostly used for video components
PS Audio Power Ports
On most outlets(Power Port Premieres to the monoblocks) all on dedicated 20 amp circuits on a dedicated circuit box.
Cinematech Cinaloungers Valentino
Seven of these, with electronically motorized recline. Four in the back row(on riser) Three in the front row. Center front is the sweet spot for 2 channel. Site lines meticulously maintained.
U-Line U-2075RB-00
Under-counter beer fridge. Go Hawks!
Homo Sapien Generation Y?
One of four good reasons to keep this stuff locked in the basement
Technics SP-10 mkIII
Power supply rebuilt by Bill Thalman. Mods by Richard Krebs. Plinth by Artisan Fidelity. SME 312s/ PC-1 Supreme and EPA 500 ( 7 wand/Cart combinations)
Technics SP-10 mkIII
Dobbins direct mount. Power supply redone by Bill Thalman. Reed 3P with Benz LP-s, German carbon fiber arm with Shelter 90x
Custom Custom
Custom built record shelving. I am not a hoarder, I am not a hoarder.
Art Vinyl Play and Display
Play and display record frames. Easy to change out cover art. All records accessible to play. Great design.
I don't know. Both pictures are right side up on my Apple based products. I would like to get some pictures posted that were taken with a better camera.
The MKlll is hard but not impossible to find. You just have to be ready to spend the money when one comes up. What I love about these tables the flexibility. You can finish them in any plinth style you want and then change it whenever. Currently I kind of favor the Dobbins style direct mount. I don't know if I'll change the other to that style some day or keep two different styles. Either way, you have top analogue playback with the push of a button with no belts or drive wheels to mess with.
On the speaker front, with Dunlavy gone I think Vandersteen is where I'll stay. I'm just trying to decide whether to do the 5A Carbon upgrade, trade the 5A in on 7s or just keep the 5A. Decisions, decisions.
You're absolutely right. If there were no such thing as the 5A business for the 7s would probably be a lot better. If you have a chance to get a pair in good shape used I think it may be one of the better values out there.
I also used to love the Dunlavy line. Being out of production and having such a huge footprint makes them less appealing these days. I really wish John Dunlavy was still out there coming up with designs.
I've always loved the 5a, in fact, I had a pair for about 4 months and loved them. I didn't have the correct upstream gear with them though, ARC is a classic choice.
I have heard the 7's several times, including in the Vandersteen room at CES when they first came out. I think they are better than the 5's, by about 2%, and they cost about 300% more, so.....
Don't sell them, or if you do, contact me and maybe I will try them again!!
Thanks, Macdad. I'm really happy with the room at this point. Luckily, Vandersteen made the Model 5A extremely well and priced his Model 7 somewhere north of ridiculous. Otherwise, I'd probably thinking about the 7's. The model 7 powered by the ARC Ref 250s would be very tempting were it not for the cost of doing it. Crap, now I've planted a dangerous seed in my mind.
System edited: Update long overdue. Two Sp-10 MKlll projects added. Allnic pieces upgraded with new transformers. Audio Desk record cleaning systeme, changes the game.
Sonofjim, Nice looking system. Congratulations. Have you had a chance to compare the SME V-12 to the 312S? I have the V-12 and Supreme combination, and it is really, really good. A. Porter has replaced his 312S with the V-12 and describes some of the differences on his system page. Happy Listening.
Boonetrc, I really don't check my system page often enough. Thanks for the comments. Should update the photos somewhat too. Nice choice on the Thiels in your system. Like the Vandersteens, they use a first order crossover and are a truly time and phase coherent design, an often underestimated advantage IMO.
Guys, Thanks for the comments. I really must appolagize for not responding sooner. There had been so little traffic on my system page I stopped checking on it after a while. I also really need to update the system but I've had a prolonged process getting two MKllls finalized and have been waiting until their done. David, The SME/Air Tight PC-1 Supreme combination has been reliable and great sounding. I'm sure the Talea and supreme would be nice also. The LP-s has been a struggle for me. It seems quite finicky with arm selection and I may not have a good arm on hand for it right now. I have a 12" Reed 3P on order and hopefully that will control the Benz better.
Referred by a friend to inquire about your impressions of the cartridges you use with your Technics MkII. I have Albert's plinth with a Mk IIa. At present I'm using an Acos Lustre STA-801 arm but am waiting to bring either a Talea One or SME V12 into the mix. Have you heard both? and have you a preference?
What has your experience been with cartridges? I see that you have the Benz LP-S, which I own, and the Air Tight Supreme, which I have heard in a friend's system.
Look forward to your thoughts; thanks in advance for sharing them.
What a cute kid! Would he be "GrandsonofJim"? Beautiful room and well thought out choices of equipment. What else can one say? I am thinking of doing a much cruder version in our basement, which has the space for it, based around Beveridge speakers.
I have a Tice Audio power block 3, have lost one of the circuits and need an electrical schematic to proceed with fixing the unit. Can anyone help by providing the diagrams via e-mail or mail or tell me where I can find this information?
Chris, Sorry for the late response. I love the 5As with the Allnic and Ayre combination. Vinyl's sounding great. I need to update pictures at some point but now will be running a pair of SP10 mk3s each in a double arm plinth by Albert. If you can swing a pair of 5As, you'll definitely have a reference speaker at what amounts to a bargain price. Good luck!!!
