Feb 7, 2011
At last...my DIY Screen in action! Happy with the results
Feb 5, 2011
Time for a DIY screen and stand to match-
...to experience a movie with the speakers behind the screen. To kick off this itch, I decided to experiment with just the center channels. If I end up liking the result, I will most likely do the same for the LR fronts.
Thanks to my sidekick...my drawing is slowly turning into a reality.
Update: October-December 2010
I wanted speaker stands that will be high enough (for the sweet spot) but at the same time, match my RS1's wood grain so I ended up going to the neighborhood roadside wood carving shop (going up Tagaytay) and luckily, there was a big enough log to make a pair.
Thanks to my brother in-law, I was also able to acquire these stainless cones thru his machine shop.
Finally decided to jump in the PJ bandwagon and got the Epson 8350.
I do not have the acoustic screen yet but it should get here after the holidays. (currently using a temporary/extra portable office manual pull down)
October 2009
Unorthodox 3 center channels: Just playing around with my 4-channel amp (PA2000)
I was a bit surprised that I actually liked the result. So, the left, right and middle are my center channels.
The ones on the sides are spares so at least now I will not have to worry about rotating them. They all receive the same signal and power. The main L & R (xpl200's) are spaced far enough that channel separations are still surprisingly within normal range, IMO.
Update Sept 18-19, 2009
Just a minor addition...one more badly needed storage box. My first My Book 1T.
As of this time, I have a dual bay (with only 1T installed) plus two more enclosures with 1T each (excluding this My Book), a hard disk dock servicing about 700G split into 4 disks and the egreat's internal 1T.
I am also trying out a new set of tubes for my cdp...the Siemens E88CC with pearl coolers for a different flavor.
Update Sept 17, 2009
Around the same time I got the Cayin tube cdp and MF tube buffers, I decided to play around with my existing interconnects.
And then, an offer to audition some ic's and speaker wires that are being unloaded by the same seller knocked at the same door of opportunity.
Well, I guess it was meant to be. I could use better interconnects since I still have a few gears that are linked together by standard rca's; the kind that gets bundled with cd players.
...a gallery of some of my existing and newly acquired ic's and wires. There will be more "mixing and matching" of cables to do over the next few weeks. I am specially interested in the power cord with the filter.
At the moment, the Tara Labs set of Prime 1000 speaker wire and RSC Reference Generation 2 interconnects are being tested with the Maggies and Cayin cdp. I can only say that the music got even better.
The other speaker wires and ic's are being tried with the MA RS1 set.
Update Sept 13, 2009
I have been thinking about upgrading my cdp and thanks to a wonderful neighbor-seller, I finally got a chance to own this Cayin CDT17A with upgraded Mundorf caps and opamps. I'm so happy with it's performance.
After a week's test on the Esprit amp, well, I guess it was expected that I will be keeping it as it's 4 ohm rating makes my Maggies perform better. So now, it is officially an alvinh room resident.
To somehow insert an MF X10D between my ipod dock and Aikido preamp was also an itch for a while so I took the opportunity.
What i was not expecting was to get hold of an MF X10v3. Truly another great addition.
I am looking forward to audition a set of some well reviewed ic's and cables...and some tubes for new flavor.
I'll resume the panel project after this unexpected route.
Actual cdp photo...the seller took good care of this player.
Actual x10v3 tube buffer with the wireless ipod dock..
Update Aug 19, 2009
Finished my ceiling panels ( portion of the room itself ) and installed "temporary" fiberglass panels on my back wall while I wait to try out the more decorative and hopefully more absorptive panels from a supplier.
I also DIY'd a center speaker shelf attached to my flat screen stand so that my center speaker's tweets are almost in line (within 20cm ) with my mains'. IMO, the center speaker's new location better matches the placement of my fronts and noticed improvement in overall ht sound.
Update July 30, 2009
Still learning the REW. In the meantime, I picked up a few gears like the Xindak LC, ipod wireless, Extigy sound card and the major change for the month, the Magnepan MMG. I gave up the RS6 but kept the RS1.
I should be receiving my 2nd LC and voltmeter soon, crafted by MasterJ.
Update July 5, 2009
I decided to pursue the "treat my room first" route. So now, I am trying to understand more about my little room's acoustic character. Had some diy panels done at home to start...used rockwool 80% density, light wood 2x2 palochina and kacha then had another layer of gray fabric. I was hoping this will make me feel safer about using rockwool.
Fiberglass is still not out of the question. There will be an ongoing series of tests for me...at least for a couple of months or so. (more like until christmas)
The only other hardware I will probably go for right now are power line conditioners...will acquire one soon.
Another is a nice thick area rug...
For now, I am trying to get more familiar with tools like Microlab, Virtual Analyser 8 and Real Time Analyzer using my laptop, an SPL meter and a cardiod mic Shure Beta58. This is going to be a great challenge...starting from scratch. These d**n things are so technical...hahaha. I'm currently using demos...still undecided what to purchase for a 'not so ridiculous price'.
I will most likely try out different combinations of treatments based on whatever I learn going forward.
So, I start with this...with the help of my sidekick driver...
Update June 15, 2009
'Got jukeboxed and harmonized!
...2-bay enclosure with 1Tera each bay and two more single bay enclosures for spare hds ranging from 160G-500G.
...decided to try out the harmony 659 to see if I'll really end up with lesser remotes.
...the rest of the year will be "no upgrades" until I improve my small room's acoustics.
Thanks for viewing.
