New 2 Channel System

AudioFilet
AudioFilet Posts: 235
edited May 2011 in 2 Channel Audio
Last month, while on a nice long, slow and boring cruise through the Indian Ocean on a brand new drillship, I got to looking at some of the fine equipment on display at Roy Mottram's website, Tubes4HiFi.com. Naturally, I fell in love with all of it and had to buy something. So, I ordered up Roy's finest preamp, the SP12, with all available upgrades & options. Included with that is the phono preamp, PH12, with all available upgrades & options. I had to have Roy build the thing for me because I can't be bothered with that now, can I? The grand total come out to about $1300. So now, I had to build a new system around my new preamp in order to justify it's existence. Not hard to do since I had most of the stuff already, just doing closet duty around the house anyway. The only other new things needed were a TT & a rack to put it all in. So, here's what I wound up with:

TT: Pro-Ject Xpression III with Ortofon 2M Bronze
Preamp: Custom VTA SP12 with PH12
CDP: Marantz SA 8001 SACD Player
Amp: Emotiva UPA-2
Speakers: DefTech StudioMonitor 450
Rack: VTI series 404

I first had a set of NHT Classic 3's hooked up, but those really need a sub to shine, so I hooked up the DefTech's next. They sound OK, but I am going to try it with some Polks next. I have a set of RTI A3's, and there is a small set of towers around here somewhere to try too.

I also have some other amps I can try too. I have an Onkyo M-5140 (probably a little too small), Emotiva XPA-2 (probably too big), an Outlaw, some "T" class amps and a Sansui.

What I really want is a TOOB amp though! Looking hard at the Rogue Audio Atlas Magnum. I like that one.

Anyway, I just thought I would share all this with you guys, and ask the question:

How did I do??

I've also posted a photo of the new setup for you guys to drool over!
2 Channel rig:
LSi9"s (modified xover's) & HSU Sub
Harman Kardon HK 990 Amp
Onkyo C-S5VL SACD
Music Hall MMF 5.1
Furman Elite 15

HT rig:
HK AVR-745 & Polk Monitor Series
Post edited by AudioFilet on
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Comments

  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited April 2011
    Very cool man.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • soundfreak1
    soundfreak1 Posts: 3,414
    edited May 2011
    Very nice set up!!!!
    Main Rig:
    Krell KAV 250a biamped to mid/highs
    Parasound HCA1500A biamped to lows
    Nakamichi EC100 Active xover
    MIT exp 1 ic's
    Perreaux SA33 class A preamp
    AQ kingcobra ic's
    OPPO 83 CDP
    Lehmann audio black cube SE phono pre, Audioquest phono wire (ITA1/1)
    Denon DP-1200 TT. AToc9ML MC cart.
    Monster HTS 3600 power conditioner
    ADS L1590/2 Biamped
    MIT exps2 speaker cable
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,650
    edited May 2011
    I have two sets of the SM450 - you can do alot if you throw about 100-150 bucks at them...

    Crossover mods go a long way and No-Rez on the interior of the cabinet really really helped these speakers sound from ok to great for the money.

    Nice clean looking setup!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited May 2011
    Sweet system!
    Linn AV5140 fronts
    Linn AV5120 Center
    Linn AV5140 Rears
    M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
    Odyssey Mono-Blocs
    SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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