Second Systems

Dpod4

Dpod4

New member
Joined
Apr 5, 2013
Messages
1,321
We spend a lot of time sharing how we evolve our reference systems but don't talk much about desktop or second systems.

I am at my home in Bend this weekend and spent yesterday afternoon changing up my second system.

The initial system started with a perfect wave dac mkii with bridge feeding a CJ Pr350 amp and the KEF LS50 speakers. Then added a sugden headphone amp that did double duty as a preamp.

Then I sold the CJ and inserted the Air Tight ATC-2 preamp and ATM-2 amp. Yesterday I added the REL habitat wireless sub and I A/B'd the Air Tight amp and my Marantz MA9S1 mono blocks that I just got back from Jennifer Crock at Jena Labs. She did a full mod on them replacing many inferior parts and wiring most in the final signal stages, and she replaced all the jacks with top flight Cardas jacks as well as the iec, and she removed the attenuator function from the path. Tried them in my reference system and it was definitely an upgrade that was significant in sonic benefits (holographic space filling sound, more refined and extended / open treble, better separation and placement).

The MA9S1 modded monos trounced the ATM-2 (which has been my go to, beats all but constellation amps). They barely fit in the cabinet but they shall be staying and the ATM will likely go up for sale. The ATC-2 is staying. Air Tight I believe is one of the best at low signal transfer and amplification (phono cartridges and preamps, regular preamps). I think this says more about the Marantz monos (now competing with $20-40k amps) than it does about the air tight amp (a versatile champ in the 5-10k space).

Listening to DSD into Chord Hugo sent to Air Tight now and really enjoying Beck especially at low volume ... Very satisfying and spacious almost surround sound. The dogs are looking behind me for where the sounds are coming from just as I type this!!

Only issue is KEFLS50s. In this room (size and hard surfaces) at high volumes the upper registers can be a little hard (probably more the room than the speakers). Maybe a pair of Audio Note speakers are in order??

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1432403854.694770.jpg
 
I love having a 2nd system in the house that is a lot more stripped down. It's a bit wacky right now, as I'm using a pair of JBL L-100s, driven by the Nagra 300i amplifier and Simaudio 430HA Pre/Dac/Headphone amp. All tunes are digital from NAS and Tidal via ROON software. Tons of fun. Pics to follow.
 
My second system is my HT, which now is mostly two channel hand me downs. I have a small house, and it is in an 11'x12' room, with a 57" Hitachi RPTV between the front speakers. Since the top of this TV is basically a hollow plastic drum, it vibrates with bass. I fixed that by jamming adjustable shower rods between the ceiling, walls, and TV.

Aside from that issue, from a music perspective, it actually sounds pretty good for a small room. When my Magico speakers were broken this system saved my butt every night. Also, the HT is great, and I never turn my sub on anymore.

Gear is

Onkyo SC5509 preamp
Cambridge-Audio 840W (2) amps in bridged mono for front speakers
Sunfire TGA-5400 amp for center and rear speakers
Bryston BDP-1 file player
Auralic Vega DAC
Sony XA-5400ES SACD
Xbox 360
Oppo 103 Blueray
Hitachi 57" Digital Monitor, calibrated

Aerial Acoustics 7T front speakers
PSB Synchrony One surrounds/rear speakers
PSB Synchrony One Center speaker

Shunyata Triton v1 for source, Hydra AV for TV and sub, power conditioners
Shunyata Z Anaconda, Z Python (3), Alpha Digital (2), Z Cobra power cords
MIT Shotgun S1.3 XLR interconnects
Shunyata Anaconda digital IC
Mapleshade Clearview speaker cables (Shunyata Venom on order)

Mapleshade Samson v2 five shelf maple rack for source gear
Mapleshade Samson v2 two shelf maple rack for amps
Mapleshade Micropoint brass footers under electronics
Mapleshade speaker plinths under front and rear speakers.


attachment.php
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    735.3 KB · Views: 158
While my main system isn't much to write home about, my second system is even less so - an embarrassment of simplicity. However, it plays music that sounds like music so it meets its functional goal without being too aesthetically displeasing. :D

Epos Epic 5 speakers, modified PP 6V6GT amp on an old Magnavox chassis, modified 12AX7 pre in an old Dynaco PAS-2 cabinet, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE turntable with 9cc tonearm and Nagaoka MP-500 cartridge, Oppo BDP-83 SACD source, various AudioQuest interconnects, and Nordost Blue Heaven II bi-wire speaker cables
 
Long live second systems. Like the girlfriend we used to have that others didn't appreciate but we knew what made her special. Love the use of shower rods for musical purposes.
 
Last edited:
TONEGUY said:
I love having a 2nd system in the house that is a lot more stripped down. It's a bit wacky right now, as I'm using a pair of JBL L-100s, driven by the Nagra 300i amplifier and Simaudio 430HA Pre/Dac/Headphone amp. All tunes are digital from NAS and Tidal via ROON software. Tons of fun. Pics to follow.
Click to expand...

Let's see pictures Jeff!
 
attachment.php



Here's one shot, I've switched from L-100s to a pair of L-26s for now...
 

Attachments

  • hang out.jpg
    hang out.jpg
    969.9 KB · Views: 124
Sota table SME V arm shelter cartridge , acoustic arts deck, dac swiss made orphpus 1, KR model 18b, speakers Loth X all cables are Cardas and a old valadine sub.
 
My second system tends to get more mileage than my main rig - mostly because it's connected to my PC, and I'm all but connected as well. :D

Source: iFi USB Power and iFi USB DAC
Pre Amp: Holographic Audio Pre-25
Amp: Holographic Audio Amp-17
Speakers: Harbeth P3ESR
 
Double-D said:
I doesn't seem crazy until I see it in writing.

3 - Two channel systems

2 - Home theater systems

1 - Outdoor system

1 - Shop system.


straitjacket-vector-823041.jpg
Click to expand...

Not crazy. You have your priorities straight. Kudos.
 
Garth said:
Sota table SME V arm shelter cartridge , acoustic arts deck, dac swiss made orphpus 1, KR model 18b, speakers Loth X all cables are Cardas and a old valadine sub.
Click to expand...

Some would like that for a first system!!
 
Hmm, Music, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

1 main system (in my basement man cave)
1 desktop computer connected system (in my home office)
1 surround sound system, in the livingroom (but honestly it is usually only for movies)
1 system that functions for both indoor (sitting room) and outdoor via a switch

The there's my daughters vintage turntable based system in her room.
And my other daughter's digital based system in her room.
Plus my wife's boombox in her quilt/craft room.

Sheesh! They do indeed add up.
 
I have my Music and Audio setup both in my Sala

Reference 3a De Capo is Powered by NAD for audio and PSB Synchrony speakers powered by Yamaha Aventage/Emotiva AMP..
 
my second system is a Denon AVR X3100. with NHT speakers. I originally bought this for my 5.1 tv, but I find that I listen to Spotify, Pandora et al almost every day. I can send the music throughout the house, to the deck outside, and to the pool. Its very easy to control through an app on my IPod Touch.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top