Showoff your Audio System

[EdLancer]

Well with a so-so winter amongst us here in eastern Canada, my attention has shifted to my other sense that needs attention. So I have been researching to upgrade my hi-fi system, amps and speaker were my main concern and the hard part was to get an audiophile class system for under $500CAD.

Post your systems

Here is the list I selected for ear candy:

Amp: Trends Audio TA-10 Class T-Amp
Speakers: Klipsch RX-5
Cans: Grado Labs SR-125

[firegate]

I don't get a chance to power it up very often since it's back home and I'm off at school, but:

Speakers: B&W Nautilus 805
Preamp: Adcom 715
Amp: McCormack DNA 0.5
Subwoofer: Hsu Research VTF-3
Source: Rega Planet
Interconnects are Nordost Solar Wind from Pre to Power and Kimber Silverstreak from Source to Pre.

I do have the headphone setup with me, which is a pair of Beyerdynamic DT880's being driven by a Headroom Total Airhead (older one, not the ugly new one).

[John Styrnol]

At Home:

2 - CHANNEL AUDIO

Rotel RB-1080
Rotel RC-1070
Rotel RCD-1070
B&W CDM 9NT
Transparent HP14-2 Speaker Cable
Transparent Link 200 Interconnects

In the X

Alpine CDM-9803
Stock Speakers (Don't really know for sure, but I doubt it)
JL Audio 10W3D2 (Custom Enclosure)
Alpine MFR-F306
Crossfire TEK 35.2
Lighting Audio Interconnects

[ZaneO]

Our set-up is very basic right now and done for home theater.

Onkyo TDX-474
Paradigm Cinemas
Paradigm 10" sub
Tara Labs cables

[DSVWGLI]

Harman/Kardon AVR 445
Totem Sttaf speakers (should be here today)
Paradigm ps1000 sub
Yamaha cd player
Toshiba dvd player
Monster cable (Z series reference energy time correct)
Monster QuickLock Gold Flex Pin Connectors

I had all Yamaha audio from 10 + yrs ago, then just recently purchased the H/K receiver and Totem Staff's. Well when I played the H/K with my old Yamaha speakers (tower, twin 8" driver's) I couldn't believe how great the H/K made them sound. The music was much more detailed and clear. I can't wait to get the Totem's, they should be here any time now. I listened to a lot of spearkers be before I chose the Sttaf's, they are second to none in build quality at any price of speaker and for up to $2,000.00 cd, sound absolutely amazing. If you haven't heard of Totemacoustic check them out at Totem Acoustic - Guide Your Soul.

[DSVWGLI]

Originally Posted by John Styrnol

At Home:

2 - CHANNEL AUDIO

Rotel RB-1080
Rotel RC-1070
Rotel RCD-1070
B&W CDM 9NT
Transparent HP14-2 Speaker Cable
Transparent Link 200 Interconnects

In the X

Alpine CDM-9803
Stock Speakers (Don't really know for sure, but I doubt it)
JL Audio 10W3D2 (Custom Enclosure)
Alpine MFR-F306
Crossfire TEK 35.2
Lighting Audio Interconnects

Hi John, how do you like your Rotel system? How would you compare the sound quality to a high end A/V receiver? I was thinking of going with separates but thought I would try a quality A/V receiver to see if I like it.

[firegate]

Originally Posted by DSVWGLI

Harman/Kardon AVR 445
Totem Sttaf speakers (should be here today)
Paradigm ps1000 sub
Yamaha cd player
Toshiba dvd player
Monster cable (Z series reference energy time correct)
Monster QuickLock Gold Flex Pin Connectors

I had all Yamaha audio from 10 + yrs ago, then just recently purchased the H/K receiver and Totem Staff's. Well when I played the H/K with my old Yamaha speakers (tower, twin 8" driver's) I couldn't believe how great the H/K made them sound. The music was much more detailed and clear. I can't wait to get the Totem's, they should be here any time now. I listened to a lot of spearkers be before I chose the Sttaf's, they are second to none in build quality at any price of speaker and for up to $2,000.00 cd, sound absolutely amazing. If you haven't heard of Totemacoustic check them out at Totem Acoustic - Guide Your Soul.

The totem's are great floorstanders. I got a pretty good listen to most of Totem's lineup at HE a couple years back and was fairly impressed - great midrange detail on most of their speakers. A lot of people think they tune the tweeters a little hot, but I think that works out nicely for Rock, Jazz and Blues.

[John Styrnol]

Originally Posted by DSVWGLI

Hi John, how do you like your Rotel system? How would you compare the sound quality to a high end A/V receiver? I was thinking of going with separates but thought I would try a quality A/V receiver to see if I like it.

To me no comparison, a true analog signal, a good match-up with the CDM 9NTs, mids are right there, nice low end, and the high's are clean and crisp. Separates are always the way to go if you want better control and sound, well I at least think so. Rotel is entry level gear on the high-end spectrum of audio gear. Also look into some Classe' and Meridian there are a few other's that I cannot remember off hand right now, but are very nice. Look to spend close to $5000 for a setup like mine. Go to a nice Hi-End Audio Store, you will find what you are looking for.

[paradigm]

i have a decent home theatre setup...haven't changed anything for over three years now...when i move into a house with a bigger basement i'll upgrade to a projector rather than a plasma.

--Denon 2802 a/v receiver
--Klipsch RF7 / RC7 in the front...no good place for rears in this basement
--SVS 20-39 PC+ ...this thing is a beast and only mid-line for SVS
--Panasonic 42" plasma
--Panasonic DVD player (nothing fancy)

[GregCavi]

Yamaha 5.1 home theater system
Yamaha Subwoofer
Samsung DVD player
55" toshiba big screen
Xbox 360

*All in our my buddies and my college apartment. Its all his lol*

Greg

[EdLancer]

I don't know if you guys heard about Class T-Amps yet, they work similar in power effciency to a Class D, but sound more like a Class A/B tube. It has created alot of heartaches for many hi-end amp manufactuerers in the past year. Don't pass judgement till you hear it !, the owner of the company had no idea what he created until audiophiles started buying up the unit like candy, the company sold a couple hundred units a month suddenly sold more than a couple thousands a week and depleted all his stock three time in 2005-2006 !

Sonic Inpact's T-Amp, the little guy that started the revolution. It costs $39 MSRP - no typo !

T-Amp - Class T integrated amplifier - [English]
6moons audio reviews: Sonic Impact Class-T amp

The class T-Amps have become an underground cottage cheese industry for DIyers and alot of smaller companies are producing higher end Class Ts:

The King of Class-Ts - Bel Canto:


Red Wine Audio, the owner of the company loved the original T-Amp so much he started a new audio component company:


The son of T-Amp - Sonic Impact's Super T-Amp:


Trends - Audio - My choice in the Class Ts, this little wonder that fits in the palm of my hand: