AudioNervosa

Systemic Development => Bipolar System Disorders => Member's Systems => Topic started by: Barry (NJ) on September 11, 2019, 10:01:42 AM

Title: My Media Room...
Post by: Barry (NJ) on September 11, 2019, 10:01:42 AM
A bunch of the NYAR guys have visited my place a while ago, so may remember the way it was... Well, we've been in this house some 17 years now, and when we first moved in I just set up my stereo equipment in the finished part of the basement. I was never a fan of the decor, but I felt the room worked okay. Well this summer it was time to redo my room. My room/system is a 2-Channel and Surround Sound set-up, but the 2-Channel is pure, the Front L+R of the surround system runs through the 2-Channel pre-amp, and the 2-Channel sources don't interact with the surround pre-pro.

Audio Sources are Sony CDP-xa20es, and a Linn LP12 that feeds an Audio Alchemy VITB.
Those feed an Audio Alchemy DLC with the PS Three power supply upgrade.
The DLC feeds an Audio Alchemy Overture OM-150 with the PS 150-M Upgrade.
And that feeds Anthony Gallo Reference 3.5 speakers.

Video sources are Oppo BDP-83 and a Roku Streaming Stick +.
Those feed an Emotiva UMC-200.
The front out of the UMC-200 feed the DLC, the side and rear surround outs each feed an Audio Alchemy Overture OM-150.
For the side and rear surrounds, I have some Sapphire SAT-1000 speakers.
The Sub-woofer out of the UMC-200 feeds a Dayton Audio SA-1000, which I have feeding the second VC in the Gallo Reference woofers.

Video is projected onto a 110" gray canvas screen by a BenQ HT2050A.

Power for everything but the PJ and main Audio Alchemy amplifier goes through a Belkin PureAV PF60, everything is connected to a dedicated 20amp circuit.

I'd like to add Atmos capabilities as well. Most likely, for Atmos decoding, I'd end up with a receiver, as I feel stand-alone Atmos processors are more expensive than I'm comfortable spending on something like that. So I wouldn't need the additional Audio Alchemy amps I'm currently using for the surrounds, just have to make sure that the receiver has line-level main L+R outputs to feed the DLC. This keeps the pure 2-channel system as is, and takes main L+R amplifier duties away from the receiver, leaving more power available for all the ambiance channels.

That would also allow me to set up a second system with an AA OM150 a DLC and some Anthony Gallo Reference Strada speakers I have stashed away.

And since I know how important pix are to some of you...

As some of you may remember it...

(https://live.staticflickr.com/7887/33415422698_4fdcfc3510_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/SUNLZy)
Rave1 (https://flic.kr/p/SUNLZy) by Barry (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20967309@N06/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/7859/46376310025_1a55de1f9b_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2dE7Hfa)
Rave2 (https://flic.kr/p/2dE7Hfa) by Barry (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20967309@N06/), on Flickr


Here are some pix of the work as it was in progress...

(https://live.staticflickr.com/7909/46376463195_cb51c797ff_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2dE8uM2)
2019-03-05_01-02-13 (https://flic.kr/p/2dE8uM2) by Barry (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20967309@N06/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48020897363_9c6d097966_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2garDLg)
IMG_20190313_085641 (https://flic.kr/p/2garDLg) by Barry (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20967309@N06/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48020976272_8537568e21_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2gas4dL)
IMG_20190401_205627 (https://flic.kr/p/2gas4dL) by Barry (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20967309@N06/), on Flickr


I'd already skimmed and painted this wall, but decided some fresh sheetrock was needed...

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47682858602_6b7851aba8_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2fDz7BL)
Backwall (https://flic.kr/p/2fDz7BL) by Barry (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20967309@N06/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/46819246065_96de42dceb_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2ekfSGr)
Ceiling_open (https://flic.kr/p/2ekfSGr) by Barry (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20967309@N06/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48020896303_1be4873cb9_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2garDrZ)
IMG_20190505_131056 (https://flic.kr/p/2garDrZ) by Barry (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20967309@N06/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48020974367_5ff5c9cdce_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2gas3DV)
IMG_20190513_152604 (https://flic.kr/p/2gas3DV) by Barry (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20967309@N06/), on Flickr


Got some help on Father's Day...

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48077027972_a6f3ffb2d8_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2gfpkro)
MVIMG_20190616_212121 (https://flic.kr/p/2gfpkro) by Barry (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20967309@N06/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48076961453_27e1f5bb8a_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2gfoZEv)
IMG_20190616_224511 (https://flic.kr/p/2gfoZEv) by Barry (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20967309@N06/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48020891558_ba5ce95ac8_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2garC3b)
IMG_20190604_205851 (https://flic.kr/p/2garC3b) by Barry (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20967309@N06/), on Flickr


And pretty much done...

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48405755931_cb131fc943_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2gKs9NP)
2019-07-29_12-07-18 (https://flic.kr/p/2gKs9NP) by Barry (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20967309@N06/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48405907032_d036e7784f_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2gKsVJ1)
2019-07-29_12-07-32 (https://flic.kr/p/2gKsVJ1) by Barry (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20967309@N06/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48356298582_ac4da21c13_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2gF5ERU)
2019-07-23_09-28-26 (https://flic.kr/p/2gF5ERU) by Barry (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20967309@N06/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48285474571_65c80c44db_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2gyPFmg)
2019-07-14_07-57-53 (https://flic.kr/p/2gyPFmg) by Barry (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20967309@N06/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48566046952_4fd36bb503_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2gZBFK7)
48565890277_731f0fef5e_o (https://flic.kr/p/2gZBFK7) by Barry (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20967309@N06/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48607552291_0f3ffe308e_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2h4hpQp)
Media_Room_201908 (https://flic.kr/p/2h4hpQp) by Barry (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20967309@N06/), on Flickr
Title: My Media Room...
Post by: Guy 13 on September 11, 2019, 07:42:52 PM
Hi Barry,
nice media room, even if it looks small, to me anyway.
That's probably because there is lots of audio stuff in it.

Guy 13
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: djdube525 on September 15, 2019, 05:53:06 PM
Hey Barry - Really nice job! Must feel quite satisfying now everything is in place!

I do have a Q for you.... on the ceiling outlet for the projector... Any chance you have a pointer to the module you're using to feed the video cable through the outlet box? I may be a complete moron, but I've not stumbled on that. I have a similar setup, and I used a 2 RJ45 outlet with the modules popped out, and I cut the piece of plastic between the two.

It "works" but what you're using looks much cleaner.

Thanks in advance!

Dave
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: Barry (NJ) on September 15, 2019, 07:44:46 PM
Hey Barry - Really nice job! Must feel quite satisfying now everything is in place!

I do have a Q for you.... on the ceiling outlet for the projector... Any chance you have a pointer to the module you're using to feed the video cable through the outlet box? I may be a complete moron, but I've not stumbled on that. I have a similar setup, and I used a 2 RJ45 outlet with the modules popped out, and I cut the piece of plastic between the two.

It "works" but what you're using looks much cleaner.

Thanks in advance!

Dave

Thanks Dave, I'm much happier spending time down here these days, it's reignited my interest in listening to music.

As far as the outlet filler goes, I got it at Home Depot, and I just looked, but didn't see it on their website.

Google led me to this one. (https://www.rpssat.com/products/copy-of-bulk-cable-decora-insert-strap)

And I found these on ebay (https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=Recessed+Low+Voltage+Decora+For+Audio%2FVideo+Cables&_sacat=0)

Best, Barry

P.S. here's the search string...

Reverse Nose Decora Plate for Cable Management
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: djdube525 on September 16, 2019, 04:52:34 AM
Perfect! Thanks Barry! Especially the search string... knowing what the heck  it's called is the 1st battle. :)
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: Barry (NJ) on September 16, 2019, 11:57:31 AM
I had originally jury-rigged something too, but I noticed this at HD while walking the isles, picked them up, and never searched the web. HD only had white so that's what I got, now that I've bothered searching the web, maybe one of these days I'll order a black one...
Title: Merrill Audio, Thor Monoblocks
Post by: Barry (NJ) on October 02, 2019, 06:58:56 PM
Well, I got a pair of Merrill Audio Thor Monoblocks (https://merrillaudio.net/thor/) to try in my system, and I'm very impressed. Darker background than my Audio Alchemy amps, lots of detail, but very smooth and not fatiguing, great expansive sound stage. So far I've listened to Radiohead: Kid A, and Johnny Cash: American IV

Me like!
Title: Re: Merrill Audio, Thor Monoblocks
Post by: Guy 13 on October 02, 2019, 08:01:44 PM
Well, I got a pair of Merrill Audio Thor Monoblocks (https://merrillaudio.net/thor/) to try in my system, and I'm very impressed. Darker background than my Audio Alchemy amps, lots of detail, but very smooth and not fatiguing, great expansive sound stage. So far I've listened to Radiohead: Kid A, and Johnny Cash: American IV

Me like!

Hi,
is it too early to say they are keepers ?

Guy 13
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: Barry (NJ) on October 03, 2019, 07:28:08 AM
Hi,
is it too early to say they are keepers ?

Guy 13

We'll see Guy, I'll listen for a few more days and then switch back. Sometimes the change sounds better initially just because it's a change. Need to see how the change the other way goes before any final decisions are made ;)
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: rollo on October 03, 2019, 07:39:14 AM
  Big difference in price I would imagine. Merrill is class "D" ? Module or in house build ?

charles
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: Barry (NJ) on October 03, 2019, 09:15:52 AM
  Big difference in price I would imagine. Merrill is class "D" ? Module or in house build ?

charles

The new stuff is designed and built in house, this older unit is Hypex UcD based.

P.S. And yes, my Audio Alchemy amp was about $1,500 in 1994, so that's about $2,500 today, or just over 1/2 the cost of a pair of the Thor amps.
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: Guy 13 on October 03, 2019, 08:41:40 PM
  Big difference in price I would imagine. Merrill is class "D" ? Module or in house build ?

charles

The new stuff is designed and built in house, this older unit is Hypex UcD based.

P.S. And yes, my Audio Alchemy amp was about $1,500 in 1994, so that's about $2,500 today, or just over 1/2 the cost of a pair of the Thor amps.


Any pictures Barry ?

Guy 13
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: jbtrio on February 20, 2020, 03:22:00 PM
The room looks very nice! Long time no see. Hope all is well.

Joe
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: Barry (NJ) on February 24, 2020, 07:40:48 AM
The room looks very nice! Long time no see. Hope all is well.

Joe

Thanks Joe! All's well here, and I hope the same is true for you and yours!
Would love to see and hear what you've got going on these days.
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: Barry (NJ) on April 23, 2020, 12:09:14 PM
New addition, haven't finished painting yet...

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49769561383_8bb809648e_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2iPY1DV)
2020-04-13_01-39-56 (https://flic.kr/p/2iPY1DV) by Barry (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20967309@N06/), on Flickr



Basic system schematic...

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49810714616_e9f6288fa2_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2iTAW5q)
Audio-System-Map-2 (https://flic.kr/p/2iTAW5q) by Barry (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20967309@N06/), on Flickr
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: malloy on April 23, 2020, 03:36:05 PM
New addition, haven't finished painting yet...

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49769561383_8bb809648e_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2iPY1DV)
2020-04-13_01-39-56 (https://flic.kr/p/2iPY1DV) by Barry (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20967309@N06/), on Flickr



Basic system schematic...

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49810714616_e9f6288fa2_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2iTAW5q)
Audio-System-Map-2 (https://flic.kr/p/2iTAW5q) by Barry (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20967309@N06/), on Flickr

Barry,

Nice sub! What is it? 18"? It looks like it weighs a ton. Even with the locking casters, how do you keep it from moving around, or does the weight prevent that? Also, I feel like it will move serious air and cause all your media on your shelf to fall down! :shock:

Paul
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: Barry (NJ) on April 23, 2020, 05:12:34 PM
Barry,

Nice sub! What is it? 18"? It looks like it weighs a ton. Even with the locking casters, how do you keep it from moving around, or does the weight prevent that? Also, I feel like it will move serious air and cause all your media on your shelf to fall down! :shock:

Paul

HA! Yes Paul, 18" from Parts-Express (https://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-18-ultimax-subwoofer-and-cabinet-bundle--300-7099) with this Amplifier (https://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-sa1000-subwoofer-amplifier-rack-mountable--300-811).
I used to have the amp powering the second voice-coil on my Gallo speakers, but now the stress of LFE is off of them, and this beast does a very nice job.
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: tmazz on April 23, 2020, 05:34:25 PM
Yeah, beast is a good word for it.

I am sure that it will really kick some serious butt on movie soundtracks like Jurassic Park or Top Gun.  :shock:
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: Barry (NJ) on July 02, 2020, 06:27:00 PM
Finally finished the sub...

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50001747307_0f9e80589e_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jbu2rv)
IMG_20200613_084638 (https://flic.kr/p/2jbu2rv) by Barry (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20967309@N06/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50001752462_bee77cc47c_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jbu3Yo)
2020-06-13_09-45-35 (https://flic.kr/p/2jbu3Yo) by Barry (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20967309@N06/), on Flickr


In it final resting place...

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50016658213_0b13874ec4_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jcNrW6)
2020-06-17_04-29-12 (https://flic.kr/p/2jcNrW6) by Barry (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20967309@N06/), on Flickr
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: Nick B on July 02, 2020, 09:10:20 PM
That’s a really nice result, Barry, and a great looking room  :thumb:
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: Barry (NJ) on July 04, 2020, 10:46:40 AM
Thanks Nick!
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: Folsom on July 04, 2020, 06:42:35 PM
Damn, that's only an 18?
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: Barry (NJ) on July 05, 2020, 11:00:18 AM
Damn, that's only an 18?

That was my initial thought as well :wink:
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: dflee on August 29, 2020, 07:04:54 AM
Barry:
Curious, did the Thors stay or are you stickin with
the AA?

Don
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: Barry (NJ) on August 31, 2020, 05:58:35 AM
Hey Don,

Like so many things audio, there are pluses and minuses to everything, but I'm not a reviewer, so maybe can't articulate this as well as I'd like. The Thor amps are more pure, cleaner sounding, quieter background, faster(?) They aren't strident or sibilant, they are very smooth and clean sounding, quieter background. But to me the Audio Alchemy amps, are richer, have more dimensionality, more warmth.

So, they are staying, but in rotation. I go back and forth every few weeks or so, and always marvel at, and enjoy, the change  :D

Maybe if I were to start looking at different pre-amps, or cables, I would stop swapping, but we all know the rabbit hole ;)
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: jbtrio on September 01, 2020, 09:53:54 AM
That's some big sub! Hey Barry your room looks really nice! You did a great job. :thumb:
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: Barry (NJ) on September 01, 2020, 12:50:29 PM
That's some big sub! Hey Barry your room looks really nice! You did a great job. :thumb:

Thanks Joe!
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: Triode Pete on September 01, 2020, 05:16:50 PM
That's some big sub! Hey Barry your room looks really nice! You did a great job. :thumb:

I concur, Barry! Looks spectacular!

Cheers,
Pete
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: Barry (NJ) on September 01, 2020, 05:52:56 PM
I concur, Barry! Looks spectacular!

Cheers,
Pete

Thanks Pete!
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: dflee on September 01, 2020, 06:29:47 PM
Guess I'll quit checking your garbage every night
looking for the AA to show up.
But if you do decide to ditch it, I volunteer to take
it away for you (you lucky devil).
And ya, the place looks pretty, pretty, pretty good.

Don
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: Barry (NJ) on September 02, 2020, 01:59:07 PM
Guess I'll quit checking your garbage every night
looking for the AA to show up.
But if you do decide to ditch it, I volunteer to take
it away for you (you lucky devil).
And ya, the place looks pretty, pretty, pretty good.

Don

Thanks Don, and look closer, I've got 3 of them ;)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50016658213_0b13874ec4_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jcNrW6)
2020-06-17_04-29-12 (https://flic.kr/p/2jcNrW6) by Barry (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20967309@N06/), on Flickr
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: dflee on September 02, 2020, 05:39:14 PM
Sweet.
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: Barry (NJ) on February 16, 2022, 05:32:07 PM
Well it's been a while but some changes have been made. Still running the 2-channel side pure, with the HT feeding the 2-channel pre-amp, but I recently purchased a new AVR, Marantz SR6015 so that I could add Atmos decoding to the HT portion of the room, I've also removed the center channel speaker and running a phantom center in the HT now...

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51874916310_0abe4869da_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2n31vjN)
Media_Room_20220210_Atmos (https://flic.kr/p/2n31vjN) by Barry (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20967309@N06/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51874606714_b6f6148e18_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2n2YVhW)
PXL_20220207_224509385 (https://flic.kr/p/2n2YVhW) by Barry (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20967309@N06/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51873327812_60932a8243_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2n2Sn7U)
PXL_20220208_030938260 (https://flic.kr/p/2n2Sn7U) by Barry (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20967309@N06/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51877131972_68f4655aa6_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2n3cRXS)
PXL_20220212_204931990 (https://flic.kr/p/2n3cRXS) by Barry (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20967309@N06/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51878174513_de502d6d36_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2n3icSH)
PXL_20220212_204837970 (https://flic.kr/p/2n3icSH) by Barry (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20967309@N06/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51874893955_0279910b7d_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2n31oFn)
2022-02-10_05-53-39 (https://flic.kr/p/2n31oFn) by Barry (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20967309@N06/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51878412684_ffcba96e11_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2n3jqF7)
Audio-System-Map-20220210 (https://flic.kr/p/2n3jqF7) by Barry (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20967309@N06/), on Flickr
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: malloy on February 16, 2022, 09:34:59 PM
This is great, Barry!  :thumb:

One question though - How good are those black curtains at absorption/diffusion? I think I need to put up something like that to tame some early reflections.

Paul
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: Barry (NJ) on February 17, 2022, 10:26:43 AM
This is great, Barry!  :thumb:

One question though - How good are those black curtains at absorption/diffusion? I think I need to put up something like that to tame some early reflections.

Paul

Thanks Paul, and they're actually pretty good, so much so that I prefer listening to 2-Channel with them tied up as shown below. I tried them hanging down opened, and closed in various positions along the rod, and I find I get a much broader and deeper soundstage when they are up. In my room, I feel the shelving and books do a great job of absorption and diffusion on their own, and the curtains become too much of a good thing. I just use the curtains for watching movies, to remove the visual distraction of the shelves, and prevent reflection of light back onto the screen, improving image contrast.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51874233666_52ca8eb2a7_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2n2X1p5)
PXL_20220210_223522341 (https://flic.kr/p/2n2X1p5) by Barry (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20967309@N06/), on Flickr

These are the curtain rods I ordered > https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0792FZBDD
These are the curtains I ordered > https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071VNH8JS

You may not need as much as I did just to tame some reflections ;)
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: rollo on February 17, 2022, 12:09:10 PM
  Looking Good Enjoy !


charles
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: Nick B on February 17, 2022, 12:37:06 PM
This is great, Barry!  :thumb:

One question though - How good are those black curtains at absorption/diffusion? I think I need to put up something like that to tame some early reflections.

Paul

Thanks Paul, and they're actually pretty good, so much so that I prefer listening to 2-Channel with them tied up as shown below. I tried them hanging down opened, and closed in various positions along the rod, and I find I get a much broader and deeper soundstage when they are up. In my room, I feel the shelving and books do a great job of absorption and diffusion on their own, and the curtains become too much of a good thing. I just use the curtains for watching movies, to remove the visual distraction of the shelves, and prevent reflection of light back onto the screen, improving image contrast.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51874233666_ _c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2n2X1p5)
PXL_20220210_ :D223522341 (https://flic.kr/p/2n2X1p5) by Barry (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20967309@N06/), on Flickr

These are the curtain rods I ordered > https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0792FZBDD
These are the curtains I ordered > https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071VNH8JS

You may not need as much as I did just to tame some reflections ;)

It really looks great, Barry  :thumb:  I would suggest a bigger sub, though   :roll:
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: Barry (NJ) on February 17, 2022, 04:19:23 PM
   Looking Good Enjoy !
charles

Thanks Charles!

It really looks great, Barry  :thumb:  I would suggest a bigger sub, though   :roll:

Well it's an 18", crossover is set to 30Hz for 2-channel and it barely moves, and because of that, it integrates very smoothly with my stereo pair.
For HT, crossover is set much higher and it literally shakes the house when called to :D
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: malloy on February 17, 2022, 09:32:12 PM
This is great, Barry!  :thumb:

One question though - How good are those black curtains at absorption/diffusion? I think I need to put up something like that to tame some early reflections.

Paul

Thanks Paul, and they're actually pretty good, so much so that I prefer listening to 2-Channel with them tied up as shown below. I tried them hanging down opened, and closed in various positions along the rod, and I find I get a much broader and deeper soundstage when they are up. In my room, I feel the shelving and books do a great job of absorption and diffusion on their own, and the curtains become too much of a good thing. I just use the curtains for watching movies, to remove the visual distraction of the shelves, and prevent reflection of light back onto the screen, improving image contrast.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51874233666_52ca8eb2a7_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2n2X1p5)
PXL_20220210_223522341 (https://flic.kr/p/2n2X1p5) by Barry (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20967309@N06/), on Flickr

These are the curtain rods I ordered > https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0792FZBDD
These are the curtains I ordered > https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071VNH8JS

You may not need as much as I did just to tame some reflections ;)

Thanks for explaining and for the curtain info. I had mistakenly thought that there were only cds near the speakers, but clicking on your fickr, I see you have books and LPs.

By the way, is that a Joy Division "Heart and Soul" boxset I see on the left in the earlier photo?

Paul
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: Barry (NJ) on February 18, 2022, 02:27:08 PM
Thanks for explaining and for the curtain info. I had mistakenly thought that there were only cds near the speakers, but clicking on your fickr, I see you have books and LPs.

By the way, is that a Joy Division "Heart and Soul" boxset I see on the left in the earlier photo?

Paul

My pleasure Paul, and yes, good eye, they're a favorite, if there is such a thing... I love so much music, of all types, for so many different reasons... Bach, Bauhaus, Miles Davis, My Bloody Valentine, Rostropovich, Ramones :D I think you get the picture ;)
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: malloy on February 19, 2022, 02:51:57 PM

My pleasure Paul, and yes, good eye, they're a favorite, if there is such a thing... I love so much music, of all types, for so many different reasons... Bach, Bauhaus, Miles Davis, My Bloody Valentine, Rostropovich, Ramones :D I think you get the picture ;)

Awesome, Barry!  :thumb: I used to be very heavily into new wave/new romantic/post punk stuff. The Cure, The Mission UK, etc. before I got into more, ahem *serious" music.  :lol:
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: Barry (NJ) on February 05, 2023, 06:56:12 PM
So, I've been playing with DIY speaker isolation footers for some time. Originally I was using these silicone mini-frisbees, but positioning the speakers was a royal PITA. They were never really in quite the same spot after lifting them to put the isolators under the spike disks. Recently I came up with a better solution that includes a metal cup that holds an even softer silicone disc and I can now slide the speakers into position and make very fine adjustments to their position and not have to move them again to put the isolation discs in place. The softer silicone of these discs offers better isolation as well. I'm very pleased...

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52671889499_cfab6145b8_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2ofrcFR)
2023-02-05_09-01-13 (https://flic.kr/p/2ofrcFR) by Barry (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20967309@N06/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52672096263_88560e3f95_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2ofsg9K)
2023-02-05_09-00-29 (https://flic.kr/p/2ofsg9K) by Barry (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20967309@N06/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52672096698_bbd4bf2bc8_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2ofsghf)
2023-02-05_09-00-52 (https://flic.kr/p/2ofsghf) by Barry (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20967309@N06/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52671887804_4c5522f168_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2ofrcbC)
2023-02-05_08-59-47 (https://flic.kr/p/2ofrcbC) by Barry (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20967309@N06/), on Flickr


I also removed the sub from the 2-channel system, it doesn't thump as hard, but the bass is more articulate and finger pluck on upright is more apparent .

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52651027738_64950780e7_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2odAhdj)
Audio-System-Map-4 (https://flic.kr/p/2odAhdj) by Barry (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20967309@N06/), on Flickr
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: GDHAL on February 06, 2023, 11:21:29 AM
So, I've been playing with DIY speaker isolation footers for some time. Originally I was using these silicone mini-frisbees, but positioning the speakers was a royal PITA. They were never really in quite the same spot after lifting them to put the isolators under the spike disks. Recently I came up with a better solution that includes a metal cup that holds an even softer silicone disc and I can now slide the speakers into position and make very fine adjustments to their position and not have to move them again to put the isolation discs in place. The softer silicone of these discs offers better isolation as well. I'm very pleased...

Hi Barry. Glad to read you have things sorted out to your liking. Also good that you are handy in a sense and can do a DIY "project". Just checking if you're aware, that there is a product on the market meant to do precisely (seemingly) what you've developed.

https://herbiesaudiolab.com/products/cone-spike-decoupling-glider?variant=12645103435831

As to precision placement in the sense that once you move your speaker you want it set back in the exact same spot, based on your photos it looks like you have the speakers on a wood or wood laminate floor. Could you not just use painter's tape around each of the feet (cup) prior to moving the speaker, to act as a guide when repositioning them back into the exact same spot?
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: Barry (NJ) on February 06, 2023, 01:56:01 PM
Hi Hal, no, I hadn't seen those before, and it seems they're out of stock with no pricing available. I'd bet that with my R&D included, I've still spent less than those would have cost me. At least one of the reviews mentions that though working well, they seem somewhat expensive/over priced, for what they are.

And yes I use tape on the floor, but once the speakers are placed to my liking, they're never in exactly the same spot once lifted and placed on the isolators. A 1/2" here, 1/4" there, and they couldn't really be moved once on the early isolators I was using. Now I can make fine adjustments with the isolators in place.

I could be tempted to try the Herbie's offering, but I'm really quite happy with what I was able to develop on my own ;)
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: Barry (NJ) on February 07, 2023, 07:26:09 AM
A little bummed...
My X10-D tube buffer developed a hum yesterday. The system definitely loses something without it. Wondering if it's a tube or a cap(?) May try to source some replacement tubes to see if that addresses the issue.
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: GDHAL on February 07, 2023, 07:49:46 AM
A little bummed...
My X10-D tube buffer developed a hum yesterday. The system definitely loses something without it. Wondering if it's a tube or a cap(?) May try to source some replacement tubes to see if that addresses the issue.

Probably unrelated but you might also want to try a DC filter, especially if you've added anything to your environment (same circuit) like fluorescent lighting. I use a DC filter (Emotiva CMX-2). I've always felt it doesn't hurt anything and can only help. My system is dead quiet. They don't call this site audio Nervosa for no reason. I've had a stethoscope up to my speakers when powered on, no music, volume all the way down (7am), volume at midway (12pm), and volume all the way up (5pm). Only at 5pm can you hear the faintest hiss from the tweeter with the stethoscope, not by the naked ear.

Pro Tip - (not implying you're not a pro, Barry  :) ) If possible, you want to keep all of your electronics plugged into the same outlet. Plugging into multiple outlets greatly (as in many many times) increases the chances for ground loops and other noices.

Best.

Hal

EDIT: Barry, something else likely unrelated, however, one never really knows until they try for themselves. And this is irrespective of anything else you do to rid the noise. Purchase a modest balanced power transformer and plug your gear into that. There are plusses and minuses in doing so. The minus id you may void certain warranties and/or cause electrical non-grounding issues. The upside is you will definitely (well, I can't really speak/write to your hearing acuity, but...) notice a difference. The system sound signature completely changes. Some like it, I don't. However, to qualify that statement, I used an $850 balanced transformer at one point. If I stepped up the ladder to $5G I think I would keep/live with it. Profound difference. Not better or worse. But definitely different.
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: Barry (NJ) on February 07, 2023, 08:19:17 AM
Probably unrelated but you might also want to try a DC filter, especially if you've added anything to your environment (same circuit) like fluorescent lighting. I use a DC filter (Emotiva CMX-2). I've always felt it doesn't hurt anything and can only help. My system is dead quiet. They don't call this site audio Nervosa for no reason. I've had a stethoscope up to my speakers when powered on, no music, volume all the way down (7am), volume at midway (12pm), and volume all the way up (5pm). Only at 5pm can you hear the faintest hiss from the tweeter with the stethoscope, not by the naked ear.

Pro Tip - (not implying you're not a pro, Barry  :) ) If possible, you want to keep all of your electronics plugged into the same outlet. Plugging into multiple outlets greatly (as in many many times) increases the chances for ground loops and other noices.

Best.

Hal

Hal, :rofl: I don't think you've read through the thread, but I get it, it's pretty long ;)

I've got a dedicated, single unbroken 12 gauge line on a 20amp breaker, from main box to the room, which then has one branch that goes to the projector at the back of the room, so only AV equipment is connected ;)

Prior to the start of this noise, just yesterday, the system configuration has been stable for a few weeks. Once I noticed it, I tried a couple of changes, and the one that fixed it was removing the X10-D. I opened it up, and there's no immediately apparent failure. No leaky caps or burnt resistors, and the solder joints on the board look good too.

I started pricing tubes, looks like I can get a replacement pair delivered for about $80~$100, or maybe a bit less, or a whole lot more :shock:

Not sure if it's time to start looking for a tube pre-amp... decisions... decisions...  :-k
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: GDHAL on February 07, 2023, 08:35:11 AM

Hal, :rofl: I don't think you've read through the thread, but I get it, it's pretty long ;)

I've got a dedicated, single unbroken 12 gauge line on a 20amp breaker, from main box to the room, which then has one branch that goes to the projector at the back of the room, so only AV equipment is connected ;)

Prior to the start of this noise, just yesterday, the system configuration has been stable for a few weeks. Once I noticed it, I tried a couple of changes, and the one that fixed it was removing the X10-D. I opened it up, and there's no immediately apparent failure. No leaky caps or burnt resistors, and the solder joints on the board look good too.

I started pricing tubes, looks like I can get a replacement pair delivered for about $80~$100, or maybe a bit less, or a whole lot more :shock:

Not sure if it's time to start looking for a tube pre-amp... decisions... decisions...  :-k

No, I haven't read back through the entire thread. Glad to read/understand you have it sorted out.  :)
Title: Re: My Media Room...
Post by: Barry (NJ) on February 07, 2023, 09:01:25 AM
EDIT: Barry, something else likely unrelated, however, one never really knows until they try for themselves. And this is irrespective of anything else you do to rid the noise. Purchase a modest balanced power transformer and plug your gear into that. There are plusses and minuses in doing so. The minus id you may void certain warranties and/or cause electrical non-grounding issues. The upside is you will definitely (well, I can't really speak/write to your hearing acuity, but...) notice a difference. The system sound signature completely changes. Some like it, I don't. However, to qualify that statement, I used an $850 balanced transformer at one point. If I stepped up the ladder to $5G I think I would keep/live with it. Profound difference. Not better or worse. But definitely different.

This is something I'd thought about for some time, though I don't believe it will fix my current issue. I actually have a rather large transformer here that is capable of this, I'm just not comfortable making the changes to its inner connections to make it work this way. I was given instructions, but still intimidated  :oops: