Any Audiophiles in the house?

[Polrean]

I was wondering if there are any among us cursed with the sickness for high quality sound reproduction. A never ending quest some might say.

I just started to get in the hobby a couple of months ago and semi-completed a gainclone as well as the Zaph Audio SR-71 7" 2-way speaker build. I really like the DIY sub community because it provides the best bag for the buck, and avoids the ridiculous mark-ups high end retailers smack the buyer with.

I'm already thinking about the ultimate 7.1 system and this is what I'm leaning towards.

3 GedLee Abbey 12 Speakers for Left Center and right.
- 2 buffered gainclones for bi-amping each speaker, and replacing the stock crossover with an active one.
4 Mirage audio OS3-Sat omnipolar surround speakers.
- Probably powered by a class-d amps from 41Hz.
3 Subwoofers. 3 different sizes and frequency responses setup in the room randomly for the smoothest frequency response.
- Most likely powered by class-d amps from either 41hz or Hypex.
Outlaw audio model 997 HT preamp/processor

Its a bit spendy and I could save some cash by simply buying one completed speaker from Gedlee and then only ordering the waveguide for the tweeter for the other 2. I would use the completed speaker to help build my active crossovers for all three. I could for-go the DIY amplifiers, but a good 7 channel amp would easily cost over $250 per channel.

In any case this is what I've landed on for the future. I'd like to hear what other other audiophiles on the this board are up to.
-

[TheAnalogman]

My dads ancient Scott tube amp is used once in a while.

Main gear:
Sansui AU-919 integrated amp.
Sansui TU-919 tuner.
Dual 1229 Turntable.
Cambridge Audio 640C CD transport
Acoustic Energy AESprit 309 floor standing speakers.

I have a couple of Marantz amps in the stable when I want that "2 martini" sound, lol.

I don't do 5 or 7 channel for music.

Hardly audiophile even though I worked in a high-end Stereo store back in the day, but it's about the best I'm gonna do. I bought about half of my gear off of Craigslist.

Analog rawks, dude!

[Polrean]

Nice frugal system A-man.

Can you describe the 2 martini sound? Right now I've not heard enough systems to really attribute different words (airy, sweeter mid range, tight bass) to specific sounds. I'm intrigued by full range systems run by tube amps fed vinyl. Almost the total opposite of what I have now. Have you heard any good ones?

[TheAnalogman]

Nice frugal system A-man.

Can you describe the 2 martini sound? Right now I've not heard enough systems to really attribute different words (airy, sweeter mid range, tight bass) to specific sounds. I'm intrigued by full range systems run by tube amps fed vinyl. Almost the total opposite of what I have now. Have you heard any good ones?

"Frugal"?
That's the first time I've heard that!

No Martini sound:
You plop yourself down in your listening chair, knock back a couple of double expressos, then put on some hard punk metal arena rock music (Spinal Tap?) on your first generation Yorx CD player coming at you through your 300 watt Soundesign amp and speakers.

2 Martini sound:
Instead, imagine a pleasant day at the beach. Afterwards, you clean up and sit back in your easy chair with your slippers and silk smoking jacket. Your wife brings you a nice cold martini while you put on some Sinatra or Norah Jones on your Rega turntable, playing through a TOTL Marantz pre-amp/powr amp and some English high end Spendors or Harbeths.

From a friend's post at Audiokarma.org.

IOW, smooth, nothing shrill even at high volumes.

[Polrean]

"Frugal"?
That's the first time I've heard that!

Sorry, I read too much 6moons where the authors admit to taking out second mortgages to pay for amplifiers.

The 2 martini sound might be my kinda of deal. The speakers I have now sound kind of shrill. I think thats due to a combination of factors. For one they aren't placed properly with both the left speaker and my head being less that 3 feet away from the same wall. I also think I'm not used to hearing such clearly defined trebles so cymbals really pop out, perhaps because I'm not used to hearing them that way.

I'm using them nearfield for now. I actually like this sound better for the time being. It gives the soundstage a really spacious hollow sound.

[TheAnalogman]

Yeah, those 6moons guys are quite a hoot!
Have you tried some tweaks? The only ones I've done is spikes on the AE's (tighter bass, but it wasn't sloppy to begin with) and home brew cables, similar to the cat6 experiment on tnt-audio. I may redo the wiring in the crossovers in the AE's as well The British speakers will get you to a smoother sound faster than a Marantz, imo.

I've found a new friend!

[Jnthn]

I'm an audiophile of sorts...I'm more concerned with the quality of sound when it comes to amplifying my guitars and basses. I can usually hear a dodgy part of the signal chain - usually cables - and I tend to see buying good quality shielded gold conducter cables.

J

[Polrean]

Yeah, those 6moons guys are quite a hoot!
Have you tried some tweaks? The only ones I've done is spikes on the AE's (tighter bass, but it wasn't sloppy to begin with) and home brew cables, similar to the cat6 experiment on tnt-audio. I may redo the wiring in the crossovers in the AE's as well The British speakers will get you to a smoother sound faster than a Marantz, imo.

I've found a new friend!

I'm in the process of finishing my own pair of cat5 cables using the four braid method. I played around with the stuffing inside of the speaker enclosures and found that I like it densely stuffed with wool. I know the ports aren't long enough, but I stopped working on the boxes once it got too cold to comfortably sand for long period of time outside. Once it gets warmer I'm going to rebuild the crossovers so they take up less space, line the boxes with some carpet padding, paint them and finish the stands. I also have to build a box for the DIY amplifier. I have it where all its guts are just laying all over the place. I might add a buffer too.

I also want to get some measuring equipment. I'm sort of torn between the subjective and objective worlds right about now. A full on objectivist would suggest that there is zero audible difference between a 256kbs mp3 and CD quality audio. I don't quite ascribe to that and would prefer to do critical listening with the highest quality source material. A full on subjectivist would say that silk wrapped silver interconnects sound superior to high quality copper interconnects. I don't quite ascribe to that either, and would rather spend that money on better speakers. I'm sort of a mix between the two. So for right now accuracy is my main goal and after I establish some good experience with that kind of sound I'll start to experiment more.

Isn't it good to find others interested in what you are outside the circles of that interest?

I'm an audiophile of sorts...I'm more concerned with the quality of sound when it comes to amplifying my guitars and basses. I can usually hear a dodgy part of the signal chain - usually cables - and I tend to see buying good quality shielded gold conducter cables.

Yeah I hate crap guitar cables. I'm not even a good guitarist, I just play for fun and a bad cable or junky amp bother me. What style do you play?