Room Size

13' (W) x 17' (L) x 9' (H)

System Overview

A dedicated music listening room built over time to achieve the most revealing and full playback possible within the constrains of the room and my budget.

Music Preferences

Jazz, Rock, Classical, Blues, Bluegrass.

Room Description

The room was spec'd during home construction by carving out the size noted as the largest possible, given other uses for the basement. Behind the room is a seldom accessed unfinished area where the main water shutoff exists. I had to leave that accessible, and it doubles as a small secondary storage area. Room treatments help smooth out nodes and help with imaging.

Acoustic Treatment

GIK bass traps and diffusors at the first reflection point as well as on the back wall. Vicoustic diffusors on the front wall.

Listening Impressions

Sitting in the sweet spot you get full side to side channel separation if the recording supports that. Imaging depth is not bad, but the room doesn't support bringing the speakers out more than I have them. The JansZens mated with dual subwoofers create a wonderfully full and very linear experience. The clarity, degree of realism, and ability to place individual performers is very good. Louder than I care to sustain volumes without distortion can be achieved.

Media Storage

Only racks of vinyl and CDs in the room. Although I'm beginning a digital streaming setup, I don't intend to manage or download any digital sources on other devices.

Other Comments

I'm "done" other than maintenance items as needed and purchasing a few new LPs that really interest me. Having the digital streaming gear has allowed me to wet my interest in new and/or unknown artists.

Components

Digital Source

Qobuz music streaming. Marantz SA8004 SACD player. Bluesound Node 2i streamer. Denefrips Ares 2 R2R DAC

Analog Source

Technics SL1200G. Bob's Devices SUT. Custom built phono stage from Don Sachs. Primary carts are Audio Technica ART9 and Lyra Delos. Both are MC. I also have a few MM carts. Using a Funk Firm Acromat for SL1200 tables.

Other Sources

None

Signal Processors

None

Preamp

Linear Tube Audio MZ2 with the best tubes available

Power Amp

Linear Tube Audio ZOTL40, recently upgraded with their best electronics available today. Tubes are also the best available, notably NOS Mullard EL34 XF2s

Speakers

JansZen Valentina passive model, recently upgraded with larger woofers and new crossover.

Subwoofer

Twin Rythmik F12G using GR research drivers

Speaker Cable

Cerious Technologies Graphine Matrix

Interconnects

Cerious Technologies Graphine Extreme and Morrow phono cabling

Power Cables

Cerious Technologies and Shunyata Venom

Headphones

none

Racking

VTI equipment rack and amp stand

Power Cond

PS Audio Quintet