I have put this system together mostly in the last year, and mostly with used gear. The only piece I've had longer is the Rega Planet cd player and my Standesign rack. The biggest challenge and restriction on my system is my awful listening room. The only dedicated space I have is a converted attic with low sloping ceilings and a small overall space. The room is 12 feet wide and 13 feet deep. The high point of the ceiling is a center spine 7 1/2 feet high which runs from the front to the back of the room. The ceiling slopes steeply down to the right and left sides of the room hitting the side walls only 1 1/2 feet above the floor. I have mounted Auralex sound absorbing squares over half of the ceiling, especially at the first points of reflection. I still need to add bass traps.
In this space it's hard to get a sense of how good my system could be. To compensate as best I can I am listening nearfield, with the speakers sitting 4 ft. from the front wall and 1 1/2 feet from the side walls. The speaker drivers are 5 1/2 feet apart (toed in to directly face the listening chair) and 5 1/2 feet from the listening chair.
Any comments on how to best tweak the space or equipment for my setup is welcome.
My first entry-level audiophile table, and nice easy set-up player for me.
Rega RB-300 Tonearm
stock with table, but modded the wires to install female rca's on the table so I could run better interconnects out.
Rega Exact Cartridge
about 300 hours on it. Sounds good, and is my first upgrade after initially using a Grado Gold. Much more refined.
Rega Planet CD Player
Original Plantet but still works great. Running it as a trasport now.
Benchmark DAC-1
Latest version. Wonderful unit. Thinking of having the Analog stage modded.
Musical Fidelity A-5 Integrated Amplifier
I probably don't need the 200 watts/channel to run my small floorstanders in my small room, but I like knowing i have it in reserve.
Von Schweikert Audio VR-4
These are the latest VR-4jr's. I got them used and they sound so much more detailed and musical than the Vienna Acoustics Mozart Grands they replaced.
Standesign 5-Rack
Metal frame with MDC shelves and points for top turntable shelf.
Analysis Plus Solo Oval Crystal 8 Interconnects
I have two 1M pairs of these, one from the modded Rega P3 to my MF A5, and one from the Benchmark DAC-1 to the A5. I like these better than the Nordost Blue Heavens they replaced.
Stereovox latest digital coax cable
from transport to DAC. Great detail. The only cable in my system I bought at retail price. Worth it.
Analysis Plus Solo Oval Crystal 8 Speaker Cable
Single run, Shotgun with the big AP spades. I will need a second pair to biwire my Von Schweikert's.
Audience PowerChord
I have this running the Benchmark DAC-1
Cardas Golden Reference Power Cord
This is running the Musical Fidelity A5.
Panamax Max 1000 Power Filter
got used. Running all my gear except my amp.
Myrtle Cuboids Footers
Used under all my gear. Bought on a whim from a guy on Audiogon who cuts them himself in Oregon. Improved the sound when swapped in for my BDR cones.
Auralex Studiofoam squares
1ftx1ftx 2in squares. On my walls and ceiling for sound absorption. Definitely took echoes away from my small room walls and ceiling.
Trends Audio UD 10.1
USB/Coax converter. Takes My U.S.B. cable in from my laptop and converts it to digital coax. I use a Steriovox coax cable out from the Trends to the Benchmark DAC 1. It is seamless, but is limited to 44.1 mhz.
Apple iBook G4 laptop
I use the iBook as my source for digital music files. The files are ripped as Apple Lossless and stored on a 500gb external hard drive and hard wired to the laptop via a USB cable.
Have you used the Oppo w/ the DAC1 as you did using the Planet as a transport?
I know the Oppo's are good for what they are, and really have never been as good as any budget cdp. What differences did you determine with the Oppo and Panet as a transport, or haven't you tried the Oppo as a transport like you did with the Planet?
For quite some time I have wanted to use a Mac based computer front end for music, but the cost of doing it is beyond my budget so I'm stuck with a transports for now.
One more thing. I also have the Oppo 980, which I use for audio/video in my bedroom system. Although I love the Oppo for DVD use, I tried it in my main system in place of the Planet and I honestly feel the Planet is better with redbook cd audio.
The short answer is I like the combo. I use the Planet's coaxial output also. It's a great transport. I find the Benchmark adds detail and punch to the Planet. I have to admit, I have been using the Planet less and less since I started using a computer for front end. I would consider selling the Planet if you are interested. I have the original packaging and the unit is in excellent condition.
I was looking at systems seeing if anyone was using the original Rega Planet with a Benchmark DAC1...and here it is. Please tell me about this combo?
I have a DAC1 I'm using w/ my Oppo DVD player and thought I could get even better performance with the original Planet as a transport. I like its sturdy cast chassis. How well does this combo work?
My thoughts are to use the toslink output from my DVD player to the DAC1 for movies, and use the coaxial output from the Planet to the DAC1 for music. What are your experiences?
Incidentally I don't use a preamp but use the variable output of the DAC1 directly into a tube power amp.
System edited: Update: I have added computer-based digital music files to my system. I have added an iBook G4 to control the files which are ripped to Apple Lossless and stored on an external hard drive. The files leave my laptop via a U.S.B. cable fed into a Trends Audio 10.1 U.S.B./Coax converter. The files leave the Trends via a Stereovox coax cable going into my Benchmark DAC-1. I'm loving this setup and now hardly use my Rega CD player.
System edited: New photos with the Von Schweikert VR4-jr's in place, and Auralex LNRT bass traps added along the ridge of the ceiling. Also Auralex cubes between the speakers (under the tabla drums).
Thanks Glen. With the room treatments and the nearfield listening, there is much to enjoy, despite the room. I am lucky to have a dedicated room, so I'm not complaining.
Never let a in perfect space keep one from having music in your life. Congrats on making the most of your space. Great choice in the new speakers IMO. Glen
System edited: Put Von Schweikert VR-4jr's in. Took the Vienna Acoustics Mozart Grands out. VR-4jr's are so much more dynamic, detailed, and musical. I have them currently bi-wired, with Analysis Plus Solo Oval Crystals with the mid/hi drivers, and an old pair of Synergistic Research cables for the low end. I had to play a little with the placement and microadjustments there continued to have big effects (which reviewers claim shouldn't be the case with the VR-4jr's). I'm sure the room is still causing lots of problems. Later this week I will be adding bass traps. It will be interesting to see what that cleans up. Then I will add leadshot to the speakers.
I know I've received advice to go with coaxial monitors, but I got a great deal on the Von Schweikerts and heard so much about them that I had to give them a try. So far the improvements are worth it, but I *KNOW* I'm not tackling the space issues enough yet.
Summer: hard bop/bebop, punk, also world ethnic music Fall: chamber music. Winter: electronica/ambient music Spring: folk music
Because of heating vent/fans in the winter and ac/fans in the summer, my listening of smaller group music with more quiet passages takes place in the fall and spring. I also get in different general music moods based on the seasons. Summer is always about rock and roll road trips and late night wailing horn jazz sessions. Winter is more reflective, with more novel reading, and thus more conducive for orchestral works and modern electronica/ambient music.
It does get hot up there in the summer. Luckily I have central AC. I still sometimes need to add a fan to cool it too. That's when I play my louder music (the pieces without quiet passages) to offset the fan and AC noise. I find summer more for rock and roll and free jazz with a pale ale or reisling in hand, fall for acoustic singer/song writers and small group jazz with vocalists accompanied by an octoberfest special or a syrah, winter for orchestral music and a guiness or a pinot grigio, and spring for R&B/funk and bluegrass/country with an IPA or a cabernet.
Glad it works for you. Interesting that you feel it equals the Owens Corning sheets. In my other initiated thread on taming my attic space I wrote about how I made DIY tube traps in a prior residence. If I ever get a bigger room I may play with DIY treatments again.
The rear ambience was really impressive but again makes back wall distance critical. My panels worked great on the cheap I used stryofoam insulation for a backboard with batting material for absorbtion and covered it in needled cotton wrap from Wallmart to match room, I used Owens Corning sheets also, but this way works as good and cheap. I used on sides in other house but this new room doesnt allow for them so its used for slap echo behind me.
Chadnliz, Will do. Luckily the back wall is the one area where I have some room for adjusting in this space (32"-48"). With some bass traps behind there, hopefully it won't be bloated. The side walls/ceilings are the tight spots. The VR's have basically the same dimensions as my current VA's, but also have a lot more bass. They also have rear mid/high drivers that can be tuned for ambience. That will be interesting.
Chadnliz, I see you made DIY absorption panels. How are they working for you?
Thomas, pay close attention to the bass...make sure it is to your likeing, I enjoyed the JR's when I was shopping for speakers but was only nervous about placement near back wall (or I should say how far I could place them from back wall) and powerful bass that may thrill at first but make sure its not bloated. Hope you love them, buying new gear is a bunch of fun.
Audiobrooke, I will let you know soon. I should have the VR-4jr's in the system in the next few days. You have a nice little system put together. Cool that you make your own power cables.
I like the Bongo assortment. Take a good listen to the Von Schweikerts before you buy. I don't know how much improvement you will notice to justify the cost. I've read the reviews and was kind of shocked when I heard them in person. Just my 2 cents. Good luck..
Chandnliz, Your wisdom spreads in many directions. Yes, I do feel lucky that I have this space of my own. Many folks, even audiophiles with a some means for putting together a decent system, have to place it in a multi-use room that meets spouse-approval. And I even luckier that I'm with a good woman. We audiophiles sometimes think of our spouses as adversaries, but having a compromised audio system and a loving spouse is not a bad thing at all.
And your point about not throwing good money after bad in is also well-taken. There is only so much I can do in this space. All the money in the world isn't going to buy me a system that will make me weep in this attic. Spending the money on music rather than upgrades is a good choice. But I still think my equipment and room treatment could be adjusted to get decent sound for where it is. That is all I'm after for now.
Yup, while your room isnt ideal atleast you have one! I spend more time dreaming of a room of my own than I do thinking of any upgrade. You have some nice gear that I have no doubt you enjoy and just think someday you will have all this education and understanding of audio that you can employ in hopefully a great room to further enjoy this hobby. In close I would suggest you load up on music in these few years then only upgrade when a new room dictates. In the end if you feel this is a good path to travel you will have a killer collection of music, and a room that can be the perfect companion for your educated well thought-out equipment choices. My favorite saying goes like this, Never cry when you dont have shoes....many have no feet!
You are totally right, Chaoticmass. Last year I moved into my wife's house which she has owned for 14 years. It's a great house, but there are no spare bedrooms and it's already filled with her things, so this attic space is my little personal retreat.
I have also worked in a surround sound setup in our bedroom, but nothing obtrusive. Just a way to ease her into higher-fidelity.
She has two kids from her former marriage that live with us, and the oldest is 4 years away from college. So my little attic space will have to do for quite a while.
By the way, I like your philosophy on building a system (I will soon test your 'speakers make the biggest difference' by upgrading mine in the next week.) I agree that live accoustic and live jazz music are the most enjoyable way to hear great sound.
Thanks, Chaoticmass. Yes it still sounds good. The mids and highs are very detailed, maybe a little bright. The lows are present, (especially with the sub on) but a little boomy and not totally integrated. I think the room is playing a big part in the low bass spike. I am interested in trying Auralex LENRD Bass Traps, as they don't take up much space and claim to be effective. The other problem in this space is that it's hard to develop a wide or tall soundstage.
I've experimented with moving the listening chair back, but I lose image focus. I think I may be inviting more first order reflections when I do that. It also condenses the soundstage even further. The equilateral triangle seems to work best for now. The sound is really effected by the microadjusting of placement of my Mozart Grand speakers. I will be replacing them with Von Schweikert VR-4 jr's next week, and I will see if they open things up. I believe they will be more resolving, dynamic, and musical, but the room may still be the big factor in how much improvement I can get.
Milpai, I am just a beginner at tabla, but I love percussion instruments, especially how they can influence the overall flavor of a piece of music.
I am interested in hearing opinions on whether my 10 year old Rega Planet transport (going into my Benchmark DAC-1 via coaxial) is significantly reducing my cd potential.
