If only this were more common “back in the day” when audio salesmen weren’t as hungry. The best known store in Toronto is Bay Bloor Radio. When I was home from college for holidays I’d sometimes pop in to see the latest and greatest gear. But the only visit I really remember was my last one, when I asked a sales guy who was twiddling his thumbs about a particular integrated amp and he said to come back when I could afford it.
I hope you gave him an appropriate reply!
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Speakers and Amplification
Coherent Audio Neo 18 Speakers - coaxial, high efficiency/sensitivity
Shindo Cortese 300b current 2023 version / Decware Zen Triode, basic model current version.
Shindo Monbrison Preamplifier current 2023 version
Sources
BrinkMann Bardo with 10 arm/ Hana Umami/Icon Audio SUT/ Granite slab base
Artisan Fidelity Garrard 301 Statement V.2/ GrooveMaster III/ Ortofon SPU Classic GE Mk II/ Sound Carrier UTPS/ Ned Clayton Cinemag 1254 SUT
Antipodes S30 player, S40 server, S60 power supply
Ayre QB 20 DSD DAC
Naim CD 5 with Flatcap 2
Cabling
Auditorium A23 speaker wires/ Luna Mauve speaker wires
Graham Slee CuSat phono cables
Wireworld Eclipse 8 interconnects
Shindo power cords/ Wireworld Electra 7 power cords
Furniture
Plateau stands, sand filled
Target amp stand
Power
Dedicated panel and circuit to room. Hospital grade plugs.
Basic high quality star grounded power strip, no conditioner
Room and Treatment
Dedicated room: My attempt at room design, based on my understanding of a great book, Acoustic Techniques 2nd Edition by F. Alton Everest. No doubt flawed but the room sounds good to all those who come and care to listen.
Initial design was done in 1990 when I had my present house built. Although I had already envisioned a dedicated room I ended up modifying the final design to accommodate some structural and ergonomic issues.
Dimensions: L 18.25 / W 13.25 / H 8.67 / 2096 Cubic Ft./ Basically Louden's 1971 third best ratio 1:1.5:2.1
Location: walkout basement, concrete floor with faux hardwood, picture window, French doors, large opening at back of room into an equally large space, total cubic ft over 3750. In slab heating.
Construction: 2x4 and 2x6 studs strategically and randomly cross braced. Fibreglass filled walls. Double drywalled with adhesive and screws. Ceiling joists filled with fibreglass and single drywalled and stippled.
Large picture window, triple panes. Adjacent French doors.
Angled back corners, single drywall, fibreglass filled. Large open archway into adjacent room.
Room Treatment:
Echo Buster Absorptive panels, custom made corner bass traps - on front wall.
Echo Buster large panels, portable, used for first reflection as needed.
Double Buster Diffuser panels - on back wall
Carpet, curtains, pictures, furniture.