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August 18, 2015, 06:59 PM
#1
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A Day With Jim Smith
A couple of weeks ago I booked a RoomPlay Reference session with Jim Smith at his home in the Atlanta area.
Get Better Sound - RoomPlay
I have to say it was an experience like I've never had before. Jim's expertise in room setup is well known in the audio community. I had purchased his book and DVD, "Get Better Sound", a couple of years back. And it has been a vital tool in helping me set up my own system.
As some here know, I have moved to a new home in Georgia. It's much different than my house in Texas, room wise. The new home has a VERY open floor plan. And it's also a much livelier room than my old room. Susan and I like to have our system in our main living room, instead of a dedicated room, because we love to listen to music and enjoy a cocktail while I prep and then cook dinner. It's the way we love to live each day. This room is a challenging room to set up. But I feel much better about how it sounds now after spending the day at Jim's place.
When I arrived a Jim's, we sat and talked a while about various things. He explained his thoughts on setup, and the things he listens for when setting up room. He explained the 3 things he listens for. Dynamics,Presence, and Tonality.
We then entered his listening room for my session. He proceeded to play selected tracks to highlight each of the" Holy Trinity", my words not his. I truly have never heard a system do the things that his did. It was absolutely amazing.
We all talk about how a speaker disappears, but I never experienced it to this degree. It was so spooky that in the first few moments I started to giggle uncontrollably. Simply amazing.
The best part of the session was that I learned what to listen for in my own system, and it has helped me immensely.
I'm now confident that I can make my new room sound the way I want to. But I still am going to have Jim come to my house and tune my system to my room. If I can get half of what I experienced at his place, I will be thrilled to death.
Jim, if I made any errors about your thoughts, please chime in.
Mark
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Pass Labs X350.8 Stereo amplifier
Classe' CP 800 preamp
Revel Ultima Salon 2's.....again !
REL S2 Subwoofers
Lumin A1 Network Streamer
VPI Avenger with Magnetic Drive
Manley Chinook Phono Pre
Ortofon Cadenza Black cartridge
Klaudio Ultrasonic record cleaner
Kimber Select 6063 speaker cables
Kimber Select 1116 XLR IC's
Shunyata Cobra Zi-tron,and Ansuz Ceramic power cords,
Ansuz Mainz D8 power distributer
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August 18, 2015, 07:19 PM
#2
Re: A Day With Jim Smith
Thanks for the write up! I would love to have Jim come to my house to tweak things. I love his approach.
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August 18, 2015, 07:25 PM
#3
Re: A Day With Jim Smith
Mark.......Very interesting. I also have Jim's book and have taken advantage of a number of his suggestions while setting up and dialing in my two channel system in the studio. There is much to be gained from putting Jim's knowledge to good use.
Dan
STUDIO - McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MR88, Aurender N10, Esoteric K-01X, Sonos Connect, Stillpoints Ultra SS & Ultra Mini, PurePower 2000, Furutech Flux 50, Michell Gyro SE, Michell HR Power Supply, SME 309, Ortofon Cadenza Black, Sonus faber Amati Anniversario
LIVING ROOM - McIntosh C2300, MC452, MR85, Magnum Dynalab 205 Signal Sleuth, Sonos Connect, Simaudio MOON Neo 260D-T, Schiit Audio Yggdrasil, Aurender N100H, Sony DAT 60ES, Nakamichi BX-300, Micro Seiki DD40 w/m505A tonearm, Ortofon Cadenza Blue, PS Audio P10, Furutech Flux 50, Stillpoints Ultra Mini, PMC EB1i, JL Audio f113
VINTAGE - McIntosh 4300V, McIntosh MA230, Tandberg 3011A tuner, Olive 04HD, JBL 4312A
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August 18, 2015, 09:20 PM
#4
Re: A Day With Jim Smith
I would love to have Jim optimize my speaker position. I spent quite a bit of time dialing my speakers in, but still feel I'm leaving something on the table. Bet Jim can get that last few %'s that's missing...
Allen
Speakers: Magico S7
Amp: CH Precision A1
Preamp: Trinity Preamp
Phono: Trinity Phono
TT: Kronos Sparta, Helena arm, Airtight PC-1
Cables: Various: Nordost, Shunyata, Unity Audio, Ansuz
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August 18, 2015, 09:59 PM
#5
Re: A Day With Jim Smith
Sounds like a great time Mark!
Jock
If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have integrity, nothing else matters.
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House: Lumin U1, Studer A80/Doshi V3, Gryphon Diablo 300 w DAC, Raidho D5, 2 Magico QSub15s, Shunyata Sigma IC/SC/PCs, Denali/Typhon.
Workshop: Lumin U1/BorderPatrol custom DAC, Border Patrol Pre and Power, Avant Garde Duo Mezzo XD, Magico Q15 subs, Shunyata IC/SC, Shunyata Triton V3/Sigma PCs.
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August 18, 2015, 10:41 PM
#6
Re: A Day With Jim Smith
Very cool, Mark, and thanks for sharing. I too have his book and DVD and have learned a lot from them. My current project has been getting my electrical plugs in proper phase and polarity based on his advice.
McIntosh MC501s, XRT29s, XR27, WS350s
ModWright LS 300 preamplifier
Denon AVR-A100 HT Receiver
JL Audio F113 subs with CR-1 Crossover
Schiit Audio Yggdrasil DAC
Sonore Ultrarendu with Uptone Audio LPS-1.2
Oppo UDP-205 with ModWright Signature Truth Tube Modifications
Clearaudio Performance SE TT with Hana SL MC cartridge
ModWright PH 9.0 phono stage
ASC & RealTraps Panels; APS PurePower 2000; Daedalus Audio DiDs
LAT International, Wireworld, WyWires Cables
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August 18, 2015, 10:47 PM
#7
Re: A Day With Jim Smith
Mark...thx for sharing. Hope you get the system dialed in as you want in the new place and since he will be coming to your house, sounds like he should be able to get them to sing when it's all said and done.
Cyril
Speakers/Amp/Preamp: Thiel CS2.4 / ARC Ref 110 / ARC Ref 3
Sources: Basis 2001/Graham2.2/Nagra BPS/Benz Micro Glider SL, Dynavector 20X2-L, ARC CD7, Oppo BDP-83 SE
Cables/Power/Other: Nordost Heimdall ICs, SCs / Shunyata Hydra 8, Shunyata Python Helix PC / VPI 16.5, HRS Nimbus isolation system
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August 18, 2015, 10:57 PM
#8
Re: A Day With Jim Smith
This is fantastic Mark! When is Jim coming over to your house? Can't wait to hear the results when we visit in December.
Keep us posted!
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August 19, 2015, 04:27 AM
#9
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August 19, 2015, 09:02 AM
#10
Re: A Day With Jim Smith
Pretty cool Mark. Sounds like a wonderful experience.
Chris
(2 Chl): Kef 201/2, Pass xa30.5, W4S STP-SE Lumin D1, VPI Classic 1, Manley Chinook, Dynavector DV20x2L.exaSound e32, Marantz SA11S2. ( computer) Win7, Synology DS413 NAS ,Vincent SP-331MKII , Quicksilver LS,Vapor Audio Breeze, Rythmik F12se. Cables: Acoustic Zen, DL Labs, Blue Jean.. ,Bryston BCD-1,Timbernation Rack,
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