Grainy's gear

[Grainy]

I think I've worked out how to use my wifes DSLR camera, so i've taken the opportunity to showcase my setup. I'm still in early stages, and I definately have the upgrade bug, but we have just finished an extension to the house, so it will be a slow progression as funds build up again. But thats not a bad thing as I learn to be subjective about listening and testing different system components. I think I have to work on some room treatments as well.

Sources:

1- Marantz 5003 CDP -> Kordz interconnects

2 - Pioneer QX-949A Quad Amp used as a tuner -> Jaycar interconnects

3 - HP SFF PC -> MHDT USB Cable -> Musilan Monitor 01 USD to Digital converter -> Rose Voix DG-1 Digital Cable -> MHDT Havana DAC -> Tara Labs Prism interconnects

PC runs J. River Media Centre on Windows 7, output in WASAPI mode. I use EAC for ripping and have shortcuts on there for Internet Radio (the ones my ISP let me stream for free) and Grooveshark. Also use it as a basic media centre for ABC iView, Foxtel Downloads etc. The PC is quieter than my wifes iMac. hee hee, oh yeah, control is via an MCE remote.

Amp:

JVC AX-900B. This is from 1985. I found someone on the internet claiming it was the Japanes component of the year in 1984 It has 120 watts at 8ohm and after running a few lower powered amps (vintage) I can really feel the power and control this amp has. It has the pseudo class A, a very short signal path and gain control to lower the noise floor at lower listening levels. I would love to demo a $2000 price range SS amp one day to see how it really stacks up (and I will when $$$ allow).

Speakers:

Quad 12L2 Standmounts connected by 4 core Chord Silver Screen cables. They seem to be fairly transparent, I can hear differences when I change things in the system. My system lacks bottom end, so I'll be looking at a subwoofer or some floorstanders in the near future. Having said that, they do a great job in my smallish lounge, and the do a good job of portraying bass when it's there in the music.

The pics....

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[cheekyboy]

Good looking system Grainy and thanks for posting the pics. Are the speakers lacking in bass for your music or do you want more for movie viewing etc and that combined with your comment that you need to look at room treatments................what room treatments are you thinking of?

Cheers,

Keith

[lebowski]

that is a lovely looking set up you have. The JVC Amp looks like a monster, a classic.

[Mick35]

Beautiful Room and system Grainy, Thanks for sharing. The Dog looks like he enjoys the space also LOL!!

[Grainy]

Thanks for the reply's (gee my pics are bad, I will have to try harder)

Good looking system Grainy and thanks for posting the pics. Are the speakers lacking in bass for your music or do you want more for movie viewing etc and that combined with your comment that you need to look at room treatments................what room treatments are you thinking of?

It's lacking in bass in the music, I only have it hooked up to the 2 channel system. The TV, Foxtel, Blue Ray etc is hooked up to a Yamaha Sound Bar with it's own Subby. It keeps the wife happy, I'm not a big movie watcher myself. As far as treatments go, I have just added the big red rug and that has made a bit of a difference, so always looking for more. I think curtains in front of the blinds will help as well as some soft furnishings. I think the dog would like that as well

that is a lovely looking set up you have. The JVC Amp looks like a monster, a classic.

Yeah it's big, just like some of your Sansui stuff. It has a huge toriodal transformer in it, so I'm sure that helps.

Beautiful Room and system Grainy, Thanks for sharing. The Dog looks like he enjoys the space also LOL!!

Yep the dog's either in front of the heater or on the couch. He love chilling out on the couch with me while I liisten to music

[dirty]

A fire for the dog, a red for the master, doesn't get any better than that.

[Grainy]

Goes to show what hanging around here does to a man... I've made some changes in the last year, the speakers and DAC being the only things to have stayed (so far). The Havana has a new tube though, a 1950's Western Electric 2c51.

I've gone the shoesboxes route with a Cyrus 8vs2 amp and DAd3 CD Player. With the amp currently doing pre duties to a pair of Denon POA-4400A monoblock power amps. I wasn't going in the pre/power direction, but I could'nt pass up the offer I was given on the Denons. One of my biggest issues was lack of bottom end. I fixed that up with a locally made Note Perfect 12" sub. I'm assuming it's using a Jaycar driver.

It's all a bit mix and match, even the timbers and finishes, but I think every step has seen an improvement (well, different is better, yes? ) the main aspect being improved detail from the big amps and the better tube in the DAC.

I've stuck most of in a old stereo cabinet I got off ebay for $21. The Monarch tuner came with it, as well as a Sansui amp I sold on ebay for $130, and a Dual 1225 TT that's doing duties in the bedroom. After a bit of a clean up they all worked fine.

Oh, and most importantly, I'm averaging a new CD every week

[Luc]

Fantastic Grainy!

Great to see the progression, just showed the Handbrake and she's suitably impressed so there's hope for me yet.

If it wasn't for the standmounts in the first pics then it could double as a still shot from 'Madmen' the TV series.

Excellent stuff!

PS. A tightly wrapped parcel in a black garbage bag arrived today and the delivery guy was wearing Raybans....

Edited July 4, 2011 by Luc
Bloody typo.

[dirty]

Cabinet looks great and the tuner's blue lights look awesome, yep, love the lights, reminds of the Macintosh's.

dirty.

[Grainy]

Thanks Luc. My wife was reasonably impressed when the "cheap cabinet from ebay" was unloaded, the fact I made money on it was even better. The lamp was $20 from ebay as well

Yeah, sorry about the black wrap, but couldn't find any bubble wrap. At least it looked cool