My system

[John Gallup 14]

Just did an upgrade from Treo CTs driven by a VTL integrated amp to Quatro Wood CTs with the M5-HPA amps and a Rogue Audio RP-9 preamp.   Sources are very tweaked Rega turntable, Rogue Ares phono preamp, and an exaSound DAC and streamer. The new speakers and amps have been in place for a month and the dealer (Stereo Unlimited in San Diego) is coming back soon to tweak the equalizers on the Quatros. The sketch shows the converted bedroom I'm able to use as a dedicated listening room, and I've done quite a bit of do-it-yourself room treatment.

[andrewtgt 5]

Nice setup. This must sound great with such a high ceiling.

What kind of room treatment did you do, are those bass traps behind the amps?

[Steve Edwards 72]

SWEET!  Maybe someday, I'll replace my Quatro fabrics and run M5-HPA's on 'em.  Right now, I can only imagine how good your system sounds.  Play on

[ctsooner 55]

Thanks for sharing.  Great set up and congrats.  I dealt with Bruce back in the early/mid 80's when I was stationed there.  Met Richard there for the first time too.  Would love to visit if I ever get back to SD.  Love it there.

Quatro CT/M5HPA here too.  Will try to run direct. They are installing an analog volume control in my DAC/Server/Streamer.  I'll get a proper pre if I need one.  Hope you start posting on the other threads too.  

[John Gallup 14]

On 11/9/2020 at 4:08 AM, andrewtgt said:

What kind of room treatment did you do, are those bass traps behind the amps?

Yes they are bass traps, 8" of Rockwool foam, and the brown fabric above hides 2" of the same stuff for higher-frequency absorption.  The shelves are "Billy" bookcases from Ikea so I don't feel bad about hacking them up to do this stuff. There are also similar bass traps in the opposite high corners of the room. It's all done unscientifically on the theory that you can hardly ever have enough sound absorption in a room this size.

On 11/9/2020 at 10:29 AM, ctsooner said:

 I dealt with Bruce [Stereo Unlimited dealer] back in the early/mid 80's when I was stationed there.  Met Richard there for the first time too.  Would love to visit if I ever get back to SD.  Love it there.

Stereo Unlimited seems to be going strong, surviving  COVID thus far. It's a huge place, with their own theater for presentations (by Richard V, among others) and a vast collection of used and new LPs. Well worth a visit for any audiophile in San Diego.

[ctsooner 55]

Wow, I was a customer when he had the smaller shop.  That's cool that it's so large now.  I do want to get back out to SD once Covid allows us to travel.  I'm planing a Navy reunion with a bunch of my former shipmates.  I'd surely make it to see Bruce although he won't remember me.  I have sent him some business over the years though.  lol

[John Gallup 14]

On 11/29/2020 at 1:02 PM, ctsooner said:

Wow, I was a customer when he had the smaller shop.  That's cool that it's so large now.  I do want to get back out to SD once Covid allows us to travel.  I'm planing a Navy reunion with a bunch of my former shipmates.  I'd surely make it to see Bruce although he won't remember me.  I have sent him some business over the years though.  lol

 

On 11/9/2020 at 4:08 AM, andrewtgt said:

Nice setup. This must sound great with such a high ceiling.

What kind of room treatment did you do, are those bass traps behind the amps?

Here're a couple of shots of the bass traps at the back wall.  As I understand it, having them in the vertical corners would be preferable, but it's not really possible given the configuration of the room.

Edited November 30, 2020 by John Gallup

[ctsooner 55]

fits in nicely aesthetically.  I'll try to get a pic of the speakers up later today.  Don't have my server until later this week.  Cant' wait.

[John Gallup 14]

Picked up an Audioquest Niagara 3000 on Audiogon. Looks good, sounds good.

 

[ctsooner 55]

Awesome.  I'm place my order for one yesterday.  

[GdnrBob 24]

Peter, if you aren't running amplifiers through it, I'd just get the Niagra 1200. I asked Johnny if it was worth moving up and he said 'no'.

Bob

[ctsooner 55]

I have the 1000 right now.  I was going to run the speakers through the 3000.  I think I'll just run the speakers and amps direct to the wall outlet as it's a dedicated line anyways.  I'll save some coin, lol. 

[TomicTime 27]

On 11/30/2020 at 2:26 PM, John Gallup said:

 

Here're a couple of shots of the bass traps at the back wall.  As I understand it, having them in the vertical corners would be preferable, but it's not really possible given the configuration of the room.

love, love the room. what wood are the floors ? we are neighbors, have a winter condo in Carlsbad, Bruce is my dealer also...fun

[John Gallup 14]

1 minute ago, TomicTime said:

love, love the room. what wood are the floors ? we are neighbors, have a winter condo in Carlsbad, Bruce is my dealer also...fun

The floors are from old industrial buildings, or maybe boxcars, I'm not sure. My wife (who designed the house) found them through a dealer. When the wood was delivered it looked like a pile of kindling or rubble. The installer put it down and then sanded it enough to give the highlighted effect you see in the pics. Then it was oiled. The whole second floor (except bathrooms) was done this way and it does give a nice rustic feeling.

[TomicTime 27]

Fantastic !,,,,

[ctsooner 55]

As a woodworker, it’s easy to appreciate those floors. Love reclaimed wood. I literally just made Sapelle bases for the M5’s last week

[John Gallup 14]

Beautiful. Sapele is from Africa, right? Love the rowed grain, like mahogany. Is it hard to get a smooth finish?

[ctsooner 55]

Thanks. I use a special finish. I hand plane and hit lightly with 600 grit. I use a semi gloss oil poly. Three coats but I seal end grain with a half and half poly/thinner mix first.  I lobe the open grain. 

[Steve Edwards 72]

Those are gorgeous Peter!  

[ctsooner 55]

Thanks.  Since you see the ends, I took extra care on those as Sapelle drinks the finish, lol...

[BKDad 43]

You have three M5's?

I admire your ability to photograph yourself while busy at work.

[stratocaster 5]

@ctsooner

Amazing job and an equally amazing end product.. especially the bevelled edges. I wish I had the skills and the tools to work with wood.. 

[ctsooner 55]

3 hours ago, BKDad said:

You have three M5's?

I admire your ability to photograph yourself while busy at work.

No, I also made a knife sharpener holder with the cut offs, lol.  I have put it off for three years and need to get the sharpening jig up and running for my Japanese kitchen knives, lol.  Can't do by hand anymore.

[Tomstruck 15]

Really nice job Pete post some photos with the speakers 

[ctsooner 55]

Will try in a few.