Dedicated audio room build thread aka The Big Dig

[Holli82]

That's going to be one fantastic room. Thanks for sharing!

I guess you already figured this out but being an audiophile and track junkie ain't cheap

 

[HughP3]

That's going to be one fantastic room. Thanks for sharing!

I guess you already figured this out but being an audiophile and track junkie ain't cheap

Oh yeah. Actually to me the hi end audio is far worse. As you know being a P guy, GT3’s tend to hold their value pretty well. Cannot say that for audio. However I love each one About equally. When i am too old to track or do much else this room will keep me sane.

incredible system btw.... WTB forum is by far heads over any other forum I have seen

 

[PeterA]

incredible system btw.... WTB forum is by far heads over any other forum I have seen

Completely agree!

 

[brad225]

Haven't been on your thread in a while. The progress is wonderful, you should be extremely happy with the results.

 

[Macattack]

i noticed the pictures did not give me a sense of scale. This picture is of my fat old ass at 5‘ 11” and 240lbs to give some perspective. Good thing I don’t have to date anymore ...

That helps a lot! It’s really looked narrow to me and with you in it, huge!

 

[jturbo]

How did I miss this?!? Awesome!

 

[Ron Resnick]

. . .
Amp: Gryphon Antileon EVO stereo
. . .

Would you please tell us your decision process and thinking and preferences in choosing the Antileon Evo over the Mephisto?

 

[QuadDiffuser]

Hello Hugh, I stumbled across your thread just now - I’m totally impressed ! You‘ve built yourself a Godzilla version of my Mini-Me room (located in Hong Kong where real estate prices severely constrain the LxWxH) which performs double duty as both my home office and living room. Like yourself, I’m a two-channel-only guy, stumping all my non-audiophile friends who annoyingly and incessantly ask me about where the LCD TV (or projector screen) is hidden. The very same friends, LOL, who ask me where the “other” six speakers are hidden when they finally hear from my listening chair the deepest, widest, most pin-point, amplitude-and-phase-correct 3D soundstage for the first time in their lives! Good health to you and your family, and looking forward to hearing and seeing more of your posts here.

 

[HughP3]

Would you please tell us your decision process and thinking and preferences in choosing the Antileon Evo over the Mephisto?

as i am not in a position to A/B I went on performance advice and price. The EVO, I was told on these speaker, is darker than the big M. I know myself and tend to prefer the darker/warmer sound. For example I like the Sonus Faber house sound which to me is that warmer presentation. The Mephisto is supposedly more transparent (by how much would require a/b) and of course much more powerfull. But as I am driving only the mids and tweeter the EVO has more than enough power. The price difference is substantial and for speakers already semi active I decided to go with the EVO.

I wish you the best on your room, It will be great.

 

[andromedaaudio]

I looked / heard a couple of trident 2 vids online/ munich 19 , sounds good i must say

 

[HughP3]

Hello Hugh, I stumbled across your thread just now - I’m totally impressed ! You‘ve built yourself a Godzilla version of my Mini-Me room (located in Hong Kong where real estate prices severely constrain the LxWxH) which performs double duty as both my home office and living room. Like yourself, I’m a two-channel-only guy, stumping all my non-audiophile friends who annoyingly and incessantly ask me about where the LCD TV (or projector screen) is hidden. The very same friends, LOL, who ask me where the “other” six speakers are hidden when they finally hear from my listening chair the deepest, widest, most pin-point, amplitude-and-phase-correct 3D soundstage for the first time in their lives! Good health to you and your family, and looking forward to hearing and seeing more of your posts here.

@QuadDiffusor this is great thanks. 99% of the folks we tell about the room look at me as if i have lost my marbles , which might have some truth to it. Folks ask where is the big screen, where is the potty what the hell, so funny. I tell them its not a pool house and potty is next door. Then they see the room as it is now and just say wow and cannot wait to hear it. I have been promised a great Lava Lamp as breaking in present. Btw Great equipment choices and Thanks for reaching out, stay safe.

 

[kach22i]

........ I will (for now) have two Eames chairs with foot stools and two end tables......

I am only 5'-5" tall and had to put a 1" or so pad on mine (Chinese knock off) to get my ears well above the headrest. I doubt you will have this issue, but your wife or short friends might.

Congrats on the room.

I'm loving having my equipment on the side wall next to me, really opens up the front stage and I never have to run back to the chair to hear the first few notes.

I just moved the audio rack back a couple of feet to avoid it being in first and second reflection points. A consideration to be sure.

 

[HughP3]

I am only 5'-5" tall and had to put a 1" or so pad on mine (Chinese knock off) to get my ears well above the headrest. I doubt you will have this issue, but your wife or short friends might.

Congrats on the room.

I'm loving having my equipment on the side wall next to me, really opens up the front stage and I never have to run back to the chair to hear the first few notes.

I just moved the audio rack back a couple of feet to avoid it being in first and second reflection points. A consideration to be sure.

I thought about that too as the chairs are low. We will see how it goes. thanks for suggestion.

 

[HughP3]

A very big day tomorrow! After 13 months I am finally setting up. Joe Cali is sending his crew and will arrive in ATL sometime tonight. I wont be able to sleep. Here are some pics of the final mini QRD install. They look fantastic. CNC from solid cherry. I came up with a cool door seam covering you will see in the pictures. It’s real sued leather. Looks great and matches the maple paneling.

 

[LL21]

Wow...that is TREMENDOUS. Many congrats...and an awesome home for an awesome system...all Gryphon with Innuous and MSB! Looking forward to photos of the setup if you can! Stay safe and well.

 

[HughP3]

The system is complete! I am very relieved to say the room and system have met and exceeded my very high expectations. First many thanks to Dennis Foley and Joe Cali for leading me through this adventure. I took a leap of faith on the room build and it has met its design requirements to the T. Joe has been so enthusiastic. His knowledge and experience is far more than I could ever accumulate yet he was so kind in tempering his advice, most appreciated. Joe could not make the setup but managed to have his long time friend and colleague Michael Fuschi (the golden ears) and his ace installer Kenny Medina come out. Let me say not the smallest detail was missed. Michael was Joe’s partner in the Cello/Mark Levison days. He has the ear. Cliff notes version of the setup from him was “shit this is good” and dont’ touch the room. We have not done a sweep yet. I would like for Dennis to do that whenever he is able/willing to travel again. walking around all the corners there was NO bass build up in any corner. Its eerie kind like the old joke about a cooler how does the damn thing know its hot or cold. All that carbon + layering etc. really does work.

The system is incredibly dynamic and the sound stage illusion is like sitting in the best seats. Granted I am not remotely as experienced to many here but I have never experienced such a wide soundstage and dimensional depth. The Tridents allow me to play with the bass volume and Q with a wireless remote. Michael set the Q and said leave it there but play with the bass which can be +- 6 db. Its is so cool. If the male voice is a little thick or the bass is light or too heavy just a few clicks causes the voice and bass to tighten up, snap into place. I love the Lifx leds for mood lighting, yes they are quirky because of typicall IP conflicts but once i boot everything up in proper order there were no issues. The Innuos Statement feeding the MSB Reference to the Pandora with Tidal/ripped CD‘s is fantastic. Only crtisims is iPeng with Tidal. Seems iPeng has buried or lost about half the real Tidal app functionality. For instance where is all of the Tidal ”find Like this track” menu or add to Tidal favorites. Maybe i do need Roon after all if this stuff really is not there.

Thanks all for following this thead. 13 months and a dead bank account but yeah it was worth it.

 

[Lee]

The system is complete! I am very relieved to say the room and system have met and exceeded my very high expectations. First many thanks to Dennis Foley and Joe Cali for leading me through this adventure. I took a leap of faith on the room build and it has met its design requirements to the T. Joe has been so enthusiastic. His knowledge and experience is far more than I could ever accumulate yet he was so kind in tempering his advice, most appreciated. Joe could not make the setup but managed to have his long time friend and colleague Michael Fuschi (the golden ears) and his ace installer Kenny Medina come out. Let me say not the smallest detail was missed. Michael was Joe’s partner in the Cello/Mark Levison days. He has the ear. Cliff notes version of the setup from him was “shit this is good” and dont’ touch the room. We have not done a sweep yet. I would like for Dennis to do that whenever he is able/willing to travel again. walking around all the corners there was NO bass build up in any corner. Its eerie kind like the old joke about a cooler how does the damn thing know its hot or cold. All that carbon + layering etc. really does work.

The system is incredibly dynamic and the sound stage illusion is like sitting in the best seats. Granted I am not remotely experienced to many here but I have never experienced such a wide soundstage and dimensional depth. The Tridents allow me to play with the bass volume and Q with a wireless remote. Michael set the Q and said leave it there but play with the bass which can be +- 6 db. Its is so cool. If the male voice is a little thick or the bass is light or too heavy just a few clicks causes the voice and bass to tighten up, snap into place. I love the Lifx leds for mood lighting, yes they are quirky because of typicall IP conflicts but one i boot everthing up in proper order there were no issues. The Innuos Statement feeding the MSB Reference with Tidal/ripped CD‘s is fantastic. Only crtisims is iPeng with Tidal. Seems iPeng has buried or lost about half the real Tidal app functionality. For instance where is all of the Tidal ”find Like this track” menu or add to Tidal favorites. Maybe i do need Roon after all if this stuff really is not there.

Thanks all for following this thead. 13 months and a dead bank account but yeah it was worth it.

Spectacular!

 

[Macattack]

Outstanding Hugh! Congratulations.

 

[HughP3]

a few more pictures

 

[Believe High Fidelity]

So happy for you. It looks amazing