livestrong
Well-Known Member
Haha - good stuff! Thanks for coming along for the ride and following along with me!
LIVESTRONG's Music Room - A Journey
- Thread starter livestrong
- Start date
slippers-on
Music...let it move you!
Congrats Livestrong and it was a nice journey. But some place back in my mind, I'm thinking one day those 890.2's are going to be sitting in that spot:yes: oh yeah! Enjoy my friend and keep in touch!
Wow Dude! You went nuts in past few months! 
:yes:
I have lusted after the Pro-Ject Xtension 10 since I saw and listened to one at my dealer's home. It was more than I could afford at the time and I ended up with the Concept for now. That one is on my future upgrade list. Your room looks awesome!!!
:yes: I have lusted after the Pro-Ject Xtension 10 since I saw and listened to one at my dealer's home. It was more than I could afford at the time and I ended up with the Concept for now. That one is on my future upgrade list. Your room looks awesome!!!
I'm real curious what you think of the Pro-ject 10 xtension? It is on my short list to acquire. If it sounds half as good as it looks I would be sold. I like it partically because it looks like a turntable should look...
livestrong
Well-Known Member
I haven't posted in awhile as things have been a bit crazy! We had a rather unexpected move come up which has caused me to sell off most of my setup. I took a quick video of it so that I had more than just pictures to remember it by I can't wait until I'm able to get another rig setup!
Until then…
The system: McIntosh MAC6700 integrated | Cambridge Audio Azur 840c CDP/DAC | Pro-Ject Xtension 10 turntable | Shelter 501 MKII cart | Tannoy Definition DC10 T speakers | Logitech Squeezebox Touch
The quick video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANkVGIUpq2Y&list=UUCImKYxPMqUkfIiXe6nlI3g
I can't wait until I'm able to get another rig setup!Until then…
The system: McIntosh MAC6700 integrated | Cambridge Audio Azur 840c CDP/DAC | Pro-Ject Xtension 10 turntable | Shelter 501 MKII cart | Tannoy Definition DC10 T speakers | Logitech Squeezebox Touch
The quick video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANkVGIUpq2Y&list=UUCImKYxPMqUkfIiXe6nlI3g
Last edited:
ambient
Super Member
I haven't posted in awhile as things have been a bit crazy! We had a rather unexpected move come up which has caused me to sell off most of my setup. I took a quick video of it so that I had more than just pictures to remember it by
Until then…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANkV...qUkfIiXe6nlI3g
As my good friend says: "what the...."
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
livestrong
Well-Known Member
McBru6177 - I think I fixed the link.
Thanks, all - it has been an incredibly fun journey and I can't wait to continue on it. My next setup will have to be done on a much lower budget which I think will actually be a lot of fun to put together. I have a pretty good idea of what I might go after and will continue to update that here.
AudioSoul - I like different parts of all of my setups so it is tough and somewhat unfair to pick the system I like(d) best. The Tannoy DC10T's are incredible speakers and for pure 2 channel, I'd highly recommend! My heart is still very much in love with Canton - I hope to own another pair someday. And while I absolutely love my McIntosh integrated, Vincent Audio offers some wicked bang for your buck performance!
Thanks, all - it has been an incredibly fun journey and I can't wait to continue on it. My next setup will have to be done on a much lower budget which I think will actually be a lot of fun to put together. I have a pretty good idea of what I might go after and will continue to update that here.
AudioSoul - I like different parts of all of my setups so it is tough and somewhat unfair to pick the system I like(d) best. The Tannoy DC10T's are incredible speakers and for pure 2 channel, I'd highly recommend! My heart is still very much in love with Canton - I hope to own another pair someday. And while I absolutely love my McIntosh integrated, Vincent Audio offers some wicked bang for your buck performance!
4Play
Super Member
Josh, I really hate to see you had to sell your system. Man, you take "a work in progress" to heights the rest of us could only dream about. However, you have a lot of fans here backing your moves and waiting anxiously on the next chapter. Was this a must move for you and your family. Apologies if this comes across as being nosey.
The ride you have allowed us to follow, I have to ask you, will you be happy downsizing your audio system. I have known people, and a relative, who could not. It was detrimental for the relative to maintain the status they were accustomed to.
So, during this time have you put together a game plan for the next chapter? I will be watching along with AK to see what you put together. I believe I read that you kept some of the gear you sold. Will they play a role in the new system?
As the announcer used to say... Same Bat time, same Bat channel!
The ride you have allowed us to follow, I have to ask you, will you be happy downsizing your audio system. I have known people, and a relative, who could not. It was detrimental for the relative to maintain the status they were accustomed to.
So, during this time have you put together a game plan for the next chapter? I will be watching along with AK to see what you put together. I believe I read that you kept some of the gear you sold. Will they play a role in the new system?
As the announcer used to say... Same Bat time, same Bat channel!
livestrong
Well-Known Member
I've taken inspiration from systems like yours
Thanks for your kind words - I love this forum and dudes like you are what make this hobby so much fun!Josh, I really hate to see you had to sell your system. Man, you take "a work in progress" to heights the rest of us could only dream about. However, you have a lot of fans here backing your moves and waiting anxiously on the next chapter. Was this a must move for you and your family. Apologies if this comes across as being nosey.
The ride you have allowed us to follow, I have to ask you, will you be happy downsizing your audio system. I have known people, and a relative, who could not. It was detrimental for the relative to maintain the status they were accustomed to.
So, during this time have you put together a game plan for the next chapter? I will be watching along with AK to see what you put together. I believe I read that you kept some of the gear you sold. Will they play a role in the new system?
As the announcer used to say... Same Bat time, same Bat channel!
Everything is great with me and the family - we weren't planning on moving for several years, but things sort of fell into place. Our new place will be a great home for our kids to grow up in and it is in a school district that we like. So if I have to take a step "back" in my audio journey to make that happen, I'm happy to do that! Family first
Building a system is a lot of fun - I will enjoy doing it…and I don't really believe I'll be going "back" but rather, still moving forward :thmbsp: We have until October before we move into our new home…until then we're living with my mother-in-law so I'm living vicariously through you all
I'll post some thoughts about what I'm thinking for my next rig soon.
Looking forward to it! Good luck in your move.:thmbsp:
livestrong
Well-Known Member
Chapter 15: Life Happens
Well, it has been far too long since my last update. Where we left off, my system seemed near nirvana - then life happened and a unexpected move for my family came up (all good things). In order to fund the move, I had to sell off my gear. It was tough at the time, but it's only stuff - family first Here is a quick video I shot before the system got dismantled: YouTube: JD’s Music Room Tour
Fast forward a few months and a couple of moves and we're in our new home. I started rebuilding around a couple pieces I had left from the sell/tradeoff. Unfortunately I don't have a dedicated space in the new place (at least not yet) so this is what I started with. I picked up a Rega Brio-R integrated amp and paired it with my old (didn't sell) Music Hall MMF-11 w/ Dynavector 10x5 and Tannoy Precision 6.4 speakers (I took them back in on trade from the guy that originally bought them from me).
It didn't take long for me to realize that this room wasn't going to work - with 11' ceilings and open to the back and side, it was a massive space to fill. So I made the move up to our bonus room - still not ideal being on a bouncy upstairs floor and sharing the space with the TV. The Rega Brio-R didn't last very long before I traded it to a local enthusiast that was looking to downgrade. In the trade, I acquired a Cayin H80A hybrid integrated amp and Marantz TT-15S1 turntable.
Things were sounding MUCH better now - the Tannoy's fit nicely in the new room and the Cayin was a HUGE surprise. Yes it is big, but that's not what I mean - this is a fantastic piece. The German designed hybrid tube/solid state puts out 80W of Pure Class A goodness - it reminded me of the Vincent I used to have which is a very good thing! As for the Marantz TT-15S1 - I think it represents a great value at the $1500 price point since it includes the $900 Clearaudio Virtuoso Ebony wood MM cartridge. I wasn't sure what to expect, but was very happy to have it in my system - it didn't disappoint, especially at the price.
Chapter 16: Déjà vu!
Well, by this time, the Music Hall turntable found its way to a new home (and a great home at that) as did the Tannoy’s so it was time to put some of that money to good use Enter the Tannoy Definition DC10T’s…yep, AGAIN…
You’ll also see a Vincent SV-236MK in the picture…yep, AGAIN… The guy that purchased my ‘little’ Tannoy’s was looking for some help finding a good amp for them – so I helped him find the Vincent and got to play with it for a day. Here’s a shot of what the room looked like from the back corner…
And if that isn’t enough Déjà vu for you, I picked up a pair of Anthony Gallo Reference 3.1 speakers…yep, AGAIN… This time around, I bought them for a local guy I had been trying to help find the right pair of speakers for his upgrade – unfortunately his wife didn’t like the looks of them. Oh, well – I was able to find a new home for them without trying too hard since they are such a special pair of speakers – they produce one of the best soundstages that I’ve heard!
What’s next? I started playing with some new gear – an iFi Micro iPhono made its way into my system and what a great piece it is. For $400 it gets my no-brainer vote for phono preamp under $500. iFi has got it going on! I’ll expand on iFi in the next chapter.
Well, it has been far too long since my last update. Where we left off, my system seemed near nirvana - then life happened and a unexpected move for my family came up (all good things). In order to fund the move, I had to sell off my gear. It was tough at the time, but it's only stuff - family first
Here is a quick video I shot before the system got dismantled: YouTube: JD’s Music Room TourFast forward a few months and a couple of moves and we're in our new home. I started rebuilding around a couple pieces I had left from the sell/tradeoff. Unfortunately I don't have a dedicated space in the new place (at least not yet) so this is what I started with. I picked up a Rega Brio-R integrated amp and paired it with my old (didn't sell) Music Hall MMF-11 w/ Dynavector 10x5 and Tannoy Precision 6.4 speakers (I took them back in on trade from the guy that originally bought them from me).
It didn't take long for me to realize that this room wasn't going to work - with 11' ceilings and open to the back and side, it was a massive space to fill. So I made the move up to our bonus room - still not ideal being on a bouncy upstairs floor and sharing the space with the TV. The Rega Brio-R didn't last very long before I traded it to a local enthusiast that was looking to downgrade. In the trade, I acquired a Cayin H80A hybrid integrated amp and Marantz TT-15S1 turntable.
Things were sounding MUCH better now - the Tannoy's fit nicely in the new room and the Cayin was a HUGE surprise. Yes it is big, but that's not what I mean - this is a fantastic piece. The German designed hybrid tube/solid state puts out 80W of Pure Class A goodness - it reminded me of the Vincent I used to have which is a very good thing! As for the Marantz TT-15S1 - I think it represents a great value at the $1500 price point since it includes the $900 Clearaudio Virtuoso Ebony wood MM cartridge. I wasn't sure what to expect, but was very happy to have it in my system - it didn't disappoint, especially at the price.
Chapter 16: Déjà vu!
Well, by this time, the Music Hall turntable found its way to a new home (and a great home at that) as did the Tannoy’s so it was time to put some of that money to good use
Enter the Tannoy Definition DC10T’s…yep, AGAIN…
You’ll also see a Vincent SV-236MK in the picture…yep, AGAIN…
The guy that purchased my ‘little’ Tannoy’s was looking for some help finding a good amp for them – so I helped him find the Vincent and got to play with it for a day. Here’s a shot of what the room looked like from the back corner…
And if that isn’t enough Déjà vu for you, I picked up a pair of Anthony Gallo Reference 3.1 speakers…yep, AGAIN…
This time around, I bought them for a local guy I had been trying to help find the right pair of speakers for his upgrade – unfortunately his wife didn’t like the looks of them. Oh, well – I was able to find a new home for them without trying too hard since they are such a special pair of speakers – they produce one of the best soundstages that I’ve heard!
What’s next? I started playing with some new gear – an iFi Micro iPhono made its way into my system and what a great piece it is. For $400 it gets my no-brainer vote for phono preamp under $500. iFi has got it going on! I’ll expand on iFi in the next chapter.
livestrong
Well-Known Member
Chapter 17: Let’s get digital, digital…
I have been wanting to get more into digital for a while now. I had a local guy build me a Mac Mini specifically to use for music, but it just sat there for a number of months. Until I started reading a thread that Slippers_on started about “Going Digital” with the help of some iFi products. So I decided to finally bite the bullet and jump in. I first picked up the iFi Micro iDSD and quickly after that I followed up with getting the iFi Micro iUSB Power, iFi Gemini cable and iFi iRack. I was so impressed immediately by the sound I was hearing that I knew the iFi stuff was here to stay.
My only disappointment was the iRack – it looked cool, but was far too light/flimsy for integration into my 2 channel rig. So I decided to box all of the iFi goodies up and send them out to Audiophile Vibration Control where Mike spent a few weeks designing, redesigning, prototyping, rebuilding, and eventually coming up with what I think is the perfect rack for the iFi gear! If you’re considering getting any of the iFi gear (and I recommend that you do) be sure to check out the AVC IRACK – it is available in 4 different colors and you can get it built with 1, 2, 3, or 4 shelves. The improvements over the iFi iRack are substantial – I absolutely love it! I’m calling the iFi Micro iDSD / iUSB Power combo the “iDSD Stack”
iDSD Stack, meet AVC's IRACK...
And just in case you have more to stack I think he'll have an option for that...
Available colors…
I have been playing around with both the Mac Mini (Late 2009 w/ 8GB RAM and 120GB SSD) connected directly to an external 3TB drive and MacBook Air (4GB RAM and 128GB SSD) connected to a networked 4TB drive. While I like the Mac Mini/external HD stack, I prefer the flexibility the MacBook Air gives me – simply unplug it and I can use it for other non-music duties. Plus it has the added benefit of having a screen and track pad built in if I need it. I’m also running JRiver and plan to get the JRiver Remote app for my iPhone once I get things settled a bit.
I have been wanting to get more into digital for a while now. I had a local guy build me a Mac Mini specifically to use for music, but it just sat there for a number of months. Until I started reading a thread that Slippers_on started about “Going Digital” with the help of some iFi products. So I decided to finally bite the bullet and jump in. I first picked up the iFi Micro iDSD and quickly after that I followed up with getting the iFi Micro iUSB Power, iFi Gemini cable and iFi iRack. I was so impressed immediately by the sound I was hearing that I knew the iFi stuff was here to stay.
My only disappointment was the iRack – it looked cool, but was far too light/flimsy for integration into my 2 channel rig. So I decided to box all of the iFi goodies up and send them out to Audiophile Vibration Control where Mike spent a few weeks designing, redesigning, prototyping, rebuilding, and eventually coming up with what I think is the perfect rack for the iFi gear! If you’re considering getting any of the iFi gear (and I recommend that you do) be sure to check out the AVC IRACK – it is available in 4 different colors and you can get it built with 1, 2, 3, or 4 shelves. The improvements over the iFi iRack are substantial – I absolutely love it! I’m calling the iFi Micro iDSD / iUSB Power combo the “iDSD Stack”
iDSD Stack, meet AVC's IRACK...
And just in case you have more to stack I think he'll have an option for that...
Available colors…
I have been playing around with both the Mac Mini (Late 2009 w/ 8GB RAM and 120GB SSD) connected directly to an external 3TB drive and MacBook Air (4GB RAM and 128GB SSD) connected to a networked 4TB drive. While I like the Mac Mini/external HD stack, I prefer the flexibility the MacBook Air gives me – simply unplug it and I can use it for other non-music duties. Plus it has the added benefit of having a screen and track pad built in if I need it. I’m also running JRiver and plan to get the JRiver Remote app for my iPhone once I get things settled a bit.
