All:
After having been here a few months, I feel confident I have assembled a system that won't be laughed at, and it is I would label as "tuned" to the room for a sort of "First Pass". This is my optimal result within my budget and knowledge, and I trust everyone enough to give me solid advice. I also feel most people in this community have significantly more experience and knowledge in audiophilia than I do and can add true value and I can learn some new things.
I overall find this pursuit extremely enjoying, and have always had music in my life since a child from one degree or another. I play piano and classical acoustic guitar. My favorite genre is Jazz; though I listen to pretty much everything from Gregorian Chants to Acid/House/Trip-Hop/Trance. Only music I can't seem to appreciate is Heavy Metal and it's derivatives.
Back to the topic:
Here is a link to a picture of my current setup:
http://www.stereophile.com/content/improved-critical-listening-final-gallery-post
Also, here is a detailed list of my equipment:
Amplification: Creek Evolution 50A
Speakers: Epos Epic 2, Epos ST15 stand, AudioQuest Rocket 33 8' speaker cables.
Analog Source: Rega P1 turntable w/ Ortofon Red 2M, Cambridge Audio 551p Phono Stage.
Digital Source: DAC: PS Audio NuWave connected via XLR Audioquest King Cobra, Macbook Air 2014 via OEM usb cable to DAC.
Misc: Apple Airport Express connected via optical to DAC
Power: all OEM.
Underneath to the left bottom is an unused Niles SI 2125 Amp from an earlier system. Above the audio is a 55" Samsung HDTV.
Listening Room:
Measures 10' wide by 14' deep by 7.5' high.
It is carpeted, and open on the left side with three walls on remaining sides.
The right wall also has a sliding glass door which is covered completely with vertical blinds when listening.
There is a large couch behind my listening chair, three glass and metal end tables and a floor lamp next to the couch. There is one more framed work of art hanging above the couch on opposing wall. No other furniture other than what is pictured.
My Listening Position:
I currently have the speakers 7 feet apart, and 1 foot from rear wall. I sit in the typical triangle again 7 feet apart from the speakers.
With this configuration, I get deep Bass extension well below 40 Hz.
****However, I have recently moved the speakers out to 2' from rear wall, a little closer together; almost 6', and my chair equally so. I have also further toed-in the speakers as can be seen in the photograph from the link above.
As I learn more about this hobby, I have come to the conclusion again that my SOUNDSTAGE could stand to be deeper. The soundstage I am able to achieve with good recordings can extend side-to-side beyond my speakers about 2 feet, can go "behind" the speakers as deep as 4 feet, and can image in front of speakers a smidgen...sometimes a few feet with vocals, but my soundstage is usually "flat" front to back. I think my side-to-side imaging is excellent....
With the recent changes of moving my speakers out considerably, I do sometimes find a recoding that I am truly immersed in, and "3D", but that is rare.
So..... I encourage anyone and everyone to please "fire at will". My only rules are not to take anything to a personal level, and keep the criticism constructive.
Some hints I have received with critique to my system as well as experimenting:
i. Creek and other British HiFi tend to have excellent side-to-side soundstage but ultimately not much depth.
ii. I could use more raw power in the form of an added amplifier. Would this overtake the Creek if I choose wisely and produce a 3D soundstage?
iii. I originally had a Musical Fidelity V90 DAC, but per advice upgraded considerably in cost to a PS Audio NuWave DAC with a beefy analogue power supply and processing inside. It made a significant difference in the punch and loudness and "live" feeling of some recordings, but not much so in soundstage depth.
iv. I may explore placing wooden blocks under components next; but that is a very incremental and subtle change.
Respectfully,
Ron
ps. When I am traveling or do not wish to upset my neighbor late at night, this is my headphone system:
2014 Macbook Air
Audioquest Dragonfly
Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 Headphones.
All:
After having been here a few months, I feel confident I have assembled a system that won't be laughed at, and it is I would label as "tuned" to the room for a sort of "First Pass". This is my optimal result within my budget and knowledge, and I trust everyone enough to give me solid advice. I also feel most people in this community have significantly more experience and knowledge in audiophilia than I do and can add true value and I can learn some new things.
I overall find this pursuit extremely enjoying, and have always had music in my life since a child from one degree or another. I play piano and classical acoustic guitar. My favorite genre is Jazz; though I listen to pretty much everything from Gregorian Chants to Acid/House/Trip-Hop/Trance. Only music I can't seem to appreciate is Heavy Metal and it's derivatives.
Back to the topic:
Here is a link to a picture of my current setup:
http://www.stereophile.com/content/improved-critical-listening-final-gallery-post
Also, here is a detailed list of my equipment:
Amplification: Creek Evolution 50A
Speakers: Epos Epic 2, Epos ST15 stand, AudioQuest Rocket 33 8' speaker cables.
Analog Source: Rega P1 turntable w/ Ortofon Red 2M, Cambridge Audio 551p Phono Stage.
Digital Source: DAC: PS Audio NuWave connected via XLR Audioquest King Cobra, Macbook Air 2014 via OEM usb cable to DAC.
Misc: Apple Airport Express connected via optical to DAC
Power: all OEM.
Underneath to the left bottom is an unused Niles SI 2125 Amp from an earlier system. Above the audio is a 55" Samsung HDTV.
Listening Room:
Measures 10' wide by 14' deep by 7.5' high.
It is carpeted, and open on the left side with three walls on remaining sides.
The right wall also has a sliding glass door which is covered completely with vertical blinds when listening.
There is a large couch behind my listening chair, three glass and metal end tables and a floor lamp next to the couch. There is one more framed work of art hanging above the couch on opposing wall. No other furniture other than what is pictured.
My Listening Position:
I currently have the speakers 7 feet apart, and 1 foot from rear wall. I sit in the typical triangle again 7 feet apart from the speakers.
With this configuration, I get deep Bass extension well below 40 Hz.
****However, I have recently moved the speakers out to 2' from rear wall, a little closer together; almost 6', and my chair equally so. I have also further toed-in the speakers as can be seen in the photograph from the link above.
As I learn more about this hobby, I have come to the conclusion again that my SOUNDSTAGE could stand to be deeper. The soundstage I am able to achieve with good recordings can extend side-to-side beyond my speakers about 2 feet, can go "behind" the speakers as deep as 4 feet, and can image in front of speakers a smidgen...sometimes a few feet with vocals, but my soundstage is usually "flat" front to back. I think my side-to-side imaging is excellent....
With the recent changes of moving my speakers out considerably, I do sometimes find a recoding that I am truly immersed in, and "3D", but that is rare.
So..... I encourage anyone and everyone to please "fire at will". My only rules are not to take anything to a personal level, and keep the criticism constructive.
Some hints I have received with critique to my system as well as experimenting:
i. Creek and other British HiFi tend to have excellent side-to-side soundstage but ultimately not much depth.
ii. I could use more raw power in the form of an added amplifier. Would this overtake the Creek if I choose wisely and produce a 3D soundstage?
iii. I originally had a Musical Fidelity V90 DAC, but per advice upgraded considerably in cost to a PS Audio NuWave DAC with a beefy analogue power supply and processing inside. It made a significant difference in the punch and loudness and "live" feeling of some recordings, but not much so in soundstage depth.
iv. I may explore placing wooden blocks under components next; but that is a very incremental and subtle change.
Respectfully,
Ron
ps. When I am traveling or do not wish to upset my neighbor late at night, this is my headphone system:
2014 Macbook Air
Audioquest Dragonfly
Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 Headphones.