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What Home Audio gear do you use?

F

Fifteen20s

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 9, 2012
145
23
My set up is:

Integra DHC-9.9 processor

Anthem Statement A5 amplifier

Klipsch Reference 2 speakers in 5.1
 
I was intending full blown home audio .. but computer audio will work
 
I've gone through many different systems in the 16 years that I've been in this hobby.
Right now I have a modest system but still sounds good.
Yamaha Aventage RX-A830 receiver
WaveCrest Audio HVL-1 speakers (5 identical speakers for left ,right, center, and rear)
Boston Acoustics AW250 subwoofer
Xbox One
Amazon Fire TV
Zotac zbox used as HTPC
 
Yamaha ex-a3020 definitive technology mythos one and mythos three with a supercube 1. Xbox one 50" pioneer elite.
 
Marantz_2245_web.jpg
 
Audio Technica ATH-700 headphones. Perfect for home use. Extremely high frequency range and driver size. I do need to upgrade my speaker system though.

I will say though that the value I received on a 5.1 Sony system approaching ten years old is probably superior to the value you would receive nowadays. Well-built receiver that I'll probably upgrade with Andrew Jones speakers until I replace the system altogether.
 
My setup is a bit of a Frankenstein. Five speakers from my Sony sound system, a subwoofer from my stepdads slightly higher-end Sony (which it took forever to get the cigarette stains off of), and a Panasonic receiver that was probably intended for much better parts.
 
I have an old set of Klipsch Promedia 4.1 that I hooked up to my TV. I fire it up whenever I feel like blasting some jams or when watching a really good movie. Nothing special, but I've had the set for many years. Even got replacement woofers for the sub directly from Klipsch in Hope, AR for next to nothing.
 
I have several systems in my home. Here's a list of my components

Headphone Inventory

Denon D2000
Beyer Dynamics DT770 Pro 250 ohm
Sony MDR-V6
Sennheiser PX100

Headphone Amp Inventory

Woo Audio WA6
Schiit Asgard

Source Inventory

Mac Mini + Schiit Modi DAC
PC + Schiit Modi DAC
Cambridge Audio Azur 550C CD Player
Cambridge Audio Azur 640C V2 CD Player
Music Hall MMF 2.1 Turntable w/ Shure M97xE Cartridge
Kenwood KT7000 Tuner

Power-Related Components

Brickwall Filters on all my equipment

Other Audio Equipment

PrimaLuna Prologue 2 Integrated Amplifier
Parasound 1000A Power Amplifier
Parasound Zamp V3 Power Amplifier
Parasound P/HP850 Pre-Amplifier
Cambridge Audio 540R Surround Receivers V1 and V2
B&W 603 Series 3 Loudspeakers (Pair)
Monitor Audio 700 Gold MKII Loudspeakers (Pair)
Definitive Technology Pro Cinema 100 MK2 Surround Loudspeaker System
Polk Audio RTi 6 Loudspeakers (Pair)
Polk Audio CSi 3 Loudspeaker (Center)
Polk Audio RT 25i Loudspeakers (3 for 6.1 Surround)
Velodyne SPL1200 Subwoofer
Velodyne SLP800 Subwoofer
Definitive Technology Super Cube II Subwoofer
Definitive Technology ProSub 80 Subwoofer


Audio-Related Tweaks
Woo WA6 Tubes in stock

Driver/Output: (8) NOS RCA 6DE7 w/shield (4) NOS Westinghouse 6DE7 w/shield (2) NOS GE 6DE7, (2) NOS Sylvania 6DE7 (4) NOS Sylvania 6EW7 Fat Bottle Clear Tops (2) NOS GE 6EW7 Fat Bottle Clear Tops (4) Sylvania 6FD7 Fat Bottle Clear Tops

Rectifiers: (2) NOS Mullard GZ30 (2) NOS RCA 5V4G, (2) NOS Svetlana 5U4G, (2) NOS RCA 5R4GY (1) NOS Ken-Rad 5R4GY (1) Electro Harmonix 5U4GB (2) NOS Sylvania 5U4GB (1955) (1) Valve Art 274B
 
I have an Onkyo LS3100 2.1 system hooked up to my TV and it is awesome for an out of the box system.
 
senseless said:
I have a Dual CS5000, made in Germany turntable, for vinyl and shellac.
Click to expand...

Nice turntable. I've never owned a Dual but I've owned just about every other popular brand since the late 60's. Right now I'm using an inexpensive $300 Music Hall MMF 2.1 turntable with a Shure M97xE cartridge. It's pretty good, especially for the price
 
Bose Acoustimass 10 with a Harmon/Kardon Receiver... an older model of it (version 3?). It was inherited (and not what I would have purchased had it been my money). The sound is ok but not great. The low's are particularly unsatisfying as the bass module is not a real subwoofer, and the highs are a bit lacking as well. I suppose living in a 100 year old apartment building the subpar bass might be a good thing so as not to annoy the neighbors (though I'm amazed at how soundproof this building is from floor to floor). I find the system alright for movies, but terrible for playing music.

I also have a Yamaha MCR-E100 mini system in my bedroom that I love. I got it as a present at my bar mitzvah back in 2002 from my father who is an audiophile. I've been enjoying ever since. It's nice and small but produces a very satisfying experience. It's a way better choice a Bose WaveRadio and not that much bigger.
13023_12001_1.jpg
 
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Here is my list:

Theater:

Pioneer Elite VSX-03TXH
Atlantic Technology System 350 THX
Crown XLS 402 (X2) amps for Center and mains

House:

Sonos Play 5 X1
Sonos Play 3 X1
Sonos Play 1 X2

Computer:
Behringer Digital Monitor Speakers MS40's
 
Man, you don't see too many home audio threads anymore with all of the Internet connected devices, smartphones, multi-channel HT in a box etc. I still do and will always love my 2 channel gear. What I use is listed below, and Mr. McMac, when I was into vinyl years ago I always spun them with Linn gear. If you are into vinyl I am sure that you have used one in your time. :)

Levinson 336 - Power Amp
Levinson 38S - Pre Amp
Levinson 37 - CD Transport
Levinson 36 - DAC
Wilson Audio Cub's - Speakers
TDL Reference Standard - Speakers
Kimber Kable for all wiring
 
Out of all my gear, this is my favorite piece. It's a PrimaLuna Prologue 2 integrated amplifier. It puts out 45 watts per channel with KT88's installed. I have A few sets of EL34, KT66, and KT88 output tubes in stock for different sound signatures. I've owned it since 2005 with no issues.

7c98ac4e.jpg


This is my beside headphone system. A Woo Audio WA6 tube Headphone Amp with a Cambridge Audio Azur 550C CD Player, and a Schiit Audio Asgard Headphone Amp. The source for that is a Mac Mini with a Schiit Audio Modi USB DAC. Headphones shown are Denon D2000's and Beyer Dynamic DT770 Pro's (250 ohm)

DSC_6391_zpsdeb15269.jpg
 
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jkeekij said:
Man, you don't see too many home audio threads anymore with all of the Internet connected devices, smartphones, multi-channel HT in a box etc. I still do and will always love my 2 channel gear. What I use is listed below, and Mr. McMac, when I was into vinyl years ago I always spun them with Linn gear. If you are into vinyl I am sure that you have used one in your time. :)

Levinson 336 - Power Amp
Levinson 38S - Pre Amp
Levinson 37 - CD Transport
Levinson 36 - DAC
Wilson Audio Cub's - Speakers
TDL Reference Standard - Speakers
Kimber Kable for all wiring
Click to expand...

WOW, you have some really nice equipment there! A buddy of mine had a Mark Levinson JC2 Pre Amp back in the 70's His Power amp was a Krell, I forget the model number but it was the first model Krell made. It was 100 watts pure class A per channel. I remember to weighing at least 80 pounds. The thing was a beast.
 
Mr. McMac said:
WOW, you have some really nice equipment there! A buddy of mine had a Mark Levinson JC2 Pre Amp back in the 70's His Power amp was a Krell, I forget the model number but it was the first model Krell made. It was 100 watts pure class A per channel. I remember to weighing at least 80 pounds. The thing was a beast.
Click to expand...

All of the Levinson gear is quite old, but still perfect. The 336 amp is a two person move if you don't want to hurt afterward. The TDL's are downright huge as they are a dual transmission line design with 7 drivers total.

I see that you have some Schiit gear. I have been looking at some of their models and was thinking it would be a good option for me. I have Grado cans and I used some HiFiMan gear in the past, but just didn’t like it. My headphones have been neglected lately.

----------
Mr. McMac said:
His Power amp was a Krell, I forget the model number but it was the first model Krell made. It was 100 watts pure class A per channel. I remember to weighing at least 80 pounds. The thing was a beast.
Click to expand...

That was probably a KSA-100. That thing was a tank!! That was Krell's first high current Class A amp. I know folks that still have the old Krell amps.
 
jkeekij said:
All of the Levinson gear is quite old, but still perfect. The 336 amp is a two person move if you don't want to hurt afterward. The TDL's are downright huge as they are a dual transmission line design with 7 drivers total.

I see that you have some Schiit gear. I have been looking at some of their models and was thinking it would be a good option for me. I have Grado cans and I used some HiFiMan gear in the past, but just didn’t like it. My headphones have been neglected lately.

----------



That was probably a KSA-100. That thing was a tank!! That was Krell's first high current Class A amp. I know folks that still have the old Krell amps.
Click to expand...

Just got off the phone with him. You're right, it is the KSA-100 and he still owns it. I haven't seen the guy since he moved to Florida several years ago.

Yeah, Schiit makes very decent headphone amplifiers. Mine is the original Asgard 1 with revision 2 circuit board with turn on delay muting relay. The newer Asgard 2 is supposed to be better. I haven't heard it though. The Modi USB DAC works and sounds fantastic, especially for $100. They have since updated it to the Modi 2, and the Modi 2 Uber which cost $50 more. Has more features, plus it uses a Wall Wart for power instead of the USB Buss.
 
Mr. McMac said:
Yeah, Schiit makes very decent headphone amplifiers. Mine is the original Asgard 1 with revision 2 circuit board with turn on delay muting relay. The newer Asgard 2 is supposed to be better. I haven't heard it though. The Modi USB DAC works and sounds fantastic, especially for $100. They have since updated it to the Modi 2, and the Modi 2 Uber which cost $50 more. Has more features, plus it uses a Wall Wart for power instead of the USB Buss.
Click to expand...

I was looking at the Magni and Modi. Looking at the low end to get a feel for the product and gauge quality for a possible upgrade later. I do like the external power option that you report the Modi 2 has, so I may need to research that as well. I really miss my headphones and need to get something going again for when I am sitting at the computer...
 
jkeekij said:
I was looking at the Magni and Modi. Looking at the low end to get a feel for the product and gauge quality for a possible upgrade later. I do like the external power option that you report the Modi 2 has, so I may need to research that as well. I really miss my headphones and need to get something going again for when I am sitting at the computer...
Click to expand...

The Modi 2 Uber has the external PS, not the standard Modi 2.

Some more equipment. This is my PC setup

Parasound P/HP850 Pre-Amplifier
Parasound 1000A Power Amplifier (125 Watts per channel into 8 ohms, 200 Watts per into 4 ohms RMS)
Schiit Audio Modi DAC
Monitor Audio 700 Gold MKII Loudspeakers (I've owed these since 1993)
Velodyne SLP800 Subwoofer (8" Woofer, 600 Watts RMS, 1200 Watts Peak)

DSC_6463_zpsc6b09zjy.jpg
DSC_6466_zpshsivcgu9.jpg
 
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