A nice little Audio Research System from 2 pieces

[SCAudiophile]

Originally Posted by ariess

Thank you. Here is another pic so you can see a room perspective. The speaker cables (Transparent Reference) dive down through the cabinet, below the floor, than pop up underneath each speaker. Suffice it to say it ain't easy to change speaker cables but I have done it 3 times! I was able to fit a Shunyata Triton conditioner below the ARC components (which must sit on top due to the need for tube ventilation), flanked by digital sources. The space limit is why I went for the two box system. Two dedicated 20 amp circuits sit in the cabinet below for power, fed by Shunyata Zitron Pythons (out of sight).

You can see my "listening couch" opposite the speakers, about 9 feet away. Acoustically, the best feature is having the speakers and listener along a long wall which avoids sidewall reflections and gives good imaging. This is my stealth listening room, though my family thinks its the living room.

Attachment 30386

Congratulations on your system...well done coping with WAF and stealthing your living room!!!

[MPS]

Very nice and clean looking system. Rack makes ARCs blend to interior, not too dominating at all. Well done!

[kingm88]

Originally Posted by PierreB

Those ProAc are lovely. Nice system you got.

Thanks
I am based in the UK where it has always been difficult to source or demo any Audio Research gear.
I've long been an admirer of Audio Research although never actually heard any of their stuff and did purchase a SP16 Pre a good few years back but never got round to building the system.
I managed to get hold of a ARC 100.2 Power Amp and was initially going to build the system around that but found the range of older pre-amps somewhat confusing.
Then I acquired the DSi200 and Kalvin from ARC advised the CD8 valve output would be a better match for the DSi200 over the CD5 so I went for the CD8.
The ProAc's were the remnants of my old system which were the only thing I kept as I knew were pretty good but the ARC system has taken them to a whole new level.
Although the little ProAc's won't shake the house down with their bass I think there is some synergy with the DSi200 in the overall tone and they match the speed of the amp. I will probably look at the larger ProAc's in the future.
I'm still on the learning curve but now the amp is starting to break in and come on song I am beginning to understand what Audio Research is all about and am glad I took the plunge.

[ariess]

A couple of months ago I moved and finally got my dedicated room set up.
Here are a bunch of pictures.
(For comparisons I include a picture of my stream 4 years earlier. Night and day as they say).

Your further suggestions are welcome as are your diagnoses of the level of my insanity.

[2fastdriving]

Originally Posted by ariess

A couple of months ago I moved and finally got my dedicated room set up.
Here are a bunch of pictures.
(For comparisons I include a picture of my stream 4 years earlier. Night and day as they say).

Your further suggestions are welcome as are your diagnoses of the level of my insanity.

Wow, what a COOL ROOM!

[FDPDK]

You got a really great room, gratulations with that.
I am sure thats a big upgrade

[vintage_tube]

Definitely a humongous change. & well executed. Love that GS150front and center.

Originally Posted by ariess

...... your diagnoses of the level of my insanity.

Dr V_T says 8.75 on a audiophile scale of 10. Feel better? It doesn't seem your mental illness interferes with your ability to distinguish right from wrong. So, the Doctor says, carry on.

Best Sir,

Bob

[tutomac]

Wow.

[Garytn]

That is one awesome room. Outstanding job.

[krustycat]

Amazing! [emoji6]

Enjoy in good health.