Ivan's systems

[Portugal]

Ivan,

I think it would be interesting if you could share an integrated perspective on your 5 super systems:

- in which order did you build them;
- sound characteristics of each one / how do they compare;
- do you choose / segment the system to use based on the type of music or is it a winner takes all thing?
- any other educational / funny info about them.

Thanks, Pedro

[Masterlu]

Pedro... I would be happy to, just give me a little bit to gather my thoughts.

[Masterlu]

My Florida Room came first, and was the most difficult to execute. I wanted a dedicated 2-Channel music room, as well as a fully dedicated Home Theater. The total time from beginning to end for this project was a bit over three years.

The walls are concrete block, poured solid w/ rebar (doubles as a safe room) the room required my roof trusses to be re-engineered. They had to be cut and reinforced to permit room for my lift and projector to recess completely into the 15' ceiling.

I wanted to use my previously custom made mahogany cabinet which spans 20' wide. This meant that I would have zero access behind any of the equipment. Wiring this system would be my greatest challenge.

I also had to arrange to bring in a dedicated transformer from Florida Power to provide the 400 amp service I felt I needed.

I did plan ahead, and already had a dedicated 2-Ton AC HVAC system for this room. More to come...

[Masterlu]

Since this room would serve double duty as 2-Channel and Theater, I needed to devise a method of having a complete "lights out" mode. Since all McIntosh gear is employed, having the meter lights tuned off would simply not be enough. The green nomenclature from all the amps would pose a huge distraction while watching a movie.

After discussing this issue with Mac's engineer Ron Evans, he mentioned they could produce a run of amps that had "full lights out mode" in other words, turning the meters off would also shut off all of the green fiber optic lighting. He mentioned that I would need to purchase more than just a few amps to make this a reality. No problem, as I had plans to deploy a dozen MC1.2KW's and a pair of MC2kW's

Mac made it happen, stay tuned...

[Robert_Anderson]

Great idea!

[Portugal]

The 3 year project duration, to build the Florida system is impressive. A lot of hard work and persistence was required.

Also the custom made Mac gear is proof of attention to detail.

This thread is already surpassing my expectations, that were already high from the first post.

Thanks a lot for sharing this process. Looking forward for more juicy details.

Pedro

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by Portugal

The 3 year project duration, to build the Florida system is impressive. A lot of hard work and persistence was required.

Also the custom made Mac gear is proof of attention to detail.

This thread is already surpassing my expectations, that were already high from the first post.

Thanks a lot for sharing this process. Looking forward for more juicy details.

Pedro

Great... As long as you are enjoying it, I shall continue!

[LordoftheRingsEE]

--- I find it fascinating as well. ...And I know that there is much much much more ...

[Masterlu]

This Room which was built along with the home shares only approx 8' of common wall with the rest of the house.

A real blessing in disguise since I wanted the maximum amount of sound proofing possible. The only door which enters the room has a double seal made out of neoprene rubber, and a door sweep that closes the gap on the bottom once closed. The door itself is solid mahoghany wood.

I won't bore you with the painstaking wiring details, or the complexity of basically running two complete systems (2-Channel & 7.2 HT) which have access to all of the available sources.

In addition, everything had to be programmed to turn on to the proper mode with "one button"

All in all, it was and probably will remain the most difficult and complex system I have ever conceived and executed.

The finished room dimensions are 22'w x 25'd x 15'h

There is a total of 18KW's of power in "The Room"



Pic with the Cabinet closed, motorized stewart screen is retracted.

[Masterlu]

Cabinet opened to show all the gear.



The seating area.