The reference system, subject to (frequent) change:
Analog: VPI Aries 3 turntable, Tri-Planar VII SE tonearm, Phoenix Engineering Roadrunner/Eagle precision drive electronics, VPI Periphery Ring clamp, Stillpoints LPI clamp, Symposium Damping Insert Kit, HR-X feet
ZYX Optimum and Miyajima Madake cartridges
Marantz ST-7001 tuner
Phono Preamps: B.M.C. MCCI Signature ULN, DIY Sowter 1990z Step Up Transformers, Bob's Devices CineMag Sky 20 Step Up Transformer
Digital: Custom music computer {Asus B-250M MB, i3-7100t, 8GB, 256GB NVMe, 2TB HD, fanless CPU cooler, PCI-e USB3 card for the DAC, nVidia GT1030 video card, Windows 10 Pro} with JRiver Media Center, Wyred 4 Sound DAC-2v2SE 10th Anniversary DAC, RME ADI-2 Pro AD/DA Converter with external power supply
Preamplifiers: Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE Stage 2, Acoustic Imagery Jay-Sho
Amplifiers: Valvet E2 SE, Benchmark AHB2, Wyred 4 Sound ST-750LE
Loudspeakers: Magico S1 mk. 2, Focal Sopra 1, (2) JL Audio e110 subwoofers, Focal Chorus 714 from the HT system
Cables: Mogami interconnects and speaker cables, Audioquest WEL Signature XLR, and other analog interconnects, Straightwire USB-F, Mogami Digital RCA S/PDIF for CD-to-DAC cable
Power:
Cords: DIY power cords, Straightwire Pro Thunder
Conditioners: PS Audio Dectet, PS Audio Quintet, and DIY Power Conditioner
Dedicated 20A circuits
Other: Shakti Hallograph Soundfield Optimizers
The listening room is L shaped, 12x19x7.5, and I listen across the 12'. The walls and ceiling are double 5/8" drywall on Z channel, and the floor is carpeted concrete. There are a few strategically placed 2x4 foot decorative panels containing 3 inch "egg crate" acoustic foam. One such panel is located at the reflection point of the speaker nearest the side wall.
The natural sandstone rack weighs over 650 pounds and comes from Lyons, Colorado. The top shelf, which the turntable(s) sits on, is solid 4 inch thick maple.
The Home Theater System:
Marantz AV-7704 Pre-processor
Rotel RMB-1565 Amplifier
Sony S570 Blu-Ray Player
Focal Chorus 714 and center channel Speakers
B&W LM1 for the rear channel speakers
Samsung UN65JY7100 4K 3D Not-so-Smart TV
The Desktop Computer Audio System:
Dayton DTA100a amplifier
Audience The One V2+ speakers
Here is a partial list of the music used for the reviews: (this section is updated from time to time)
LPs:
Happy Together, The Nylons
Full Sail, Loggins and Messina, Columbia PC32540
Stampede, Doobie Brothers, Side 1 (all)
"Clean As the Driven Snow". The Captain & Me, Doobie Brothers. WB Records BS2694
Dire Straits, ALL!
Hearts & Flowers, Joan Armatrading
"Foggy Mountain Breakdown". After Midnight. Sheffield Lab TLP-30
"Witches’ Brew". Danse Macabre, Saint-Saëns, RCA Living Stereo LP, RCA Victor LSC-2225
"Crest of a Knave", "She Said She Was a Dancer". Crest of a Knave, Jethro Tull
The Diary of Alicia Keys, Alicia Keys, Songs A2 (side A cut #2), B3, D1 & D4. J Records 82876-55712
"Painted Desert", "Takin' It Back". Tropico, Pat Benatar. Chrysalis Records FV41471
Thriller, Michael Jackson
Nothing Like The Sun, Sting
CDs:
Thriller, Michael Jackson. Used for dialing in subwoofers.
"Make a Mistake With Me", Mud On The Tires, Brad Paisley
mo', mo', mo'
