Need guidance on my planned Audiophile setup based on Synthesis A100


Hi everyone,

I am new to this  I've been considering this arrangement for my 12 x 12 foot room with a cathedral type ceiling (approximately 15 feet high). I generally enjoy Instrumental and Vocal Jazz, Acoustic pieces, arias, and claasic rock. I want to build the system around the amplifier and speakers. I found the Amator III and Tube combo interesting. Appreciate your feedback. 

* **Speakers** – Sonus faber Electa Amator III

* **Amplifier** – Synthesis Action A100 Titan

* **Subwoofers** – REL Classic 98 (x2)

* **Primary DAC** – Holo May KTE

* **Reference DAC** – RME ADI-2 FS

* **Internal DAC** – Wolfson WM8741 (integrated in A100 Titan)

* **Digital Transport/Streamer** – HiFi Rose RS130

* **Turntable** – Pro-Ject Debut PRO B

* **Phono Preamp** – Moon 110LP v2

* **DSP Processor** – miniDSP SHD Studio (with Dirac Live)

I have a headphone setup with Hifiman Arya, RME ADI-2 DAC, and Topping A90. I enjoy that immensely.

I am looking for suggestions, opinions, and optimization to my planned setup. I am not yet fully decided on the Turntable, phono preamp, and DSP. 

Thanks in advance. 

vzz1924

Square rooms are usually the most challenging. If this is a dedicated listening room try researching how to setup diagonally. It's kinda weird, and many never consider it, but if you absolutely have to use a square room, it will make reducing room impact and treatment planning a lot easier. 

Agree that if you get a Holo May DAC, the RME is completely a waste of money. Cheers,

Spencer

@vzz1924 - Good for you! You will learn a lot and hopefully will find it quite interesting and fun as well.... 

Thank you all for your suggestions. 

@kofibaffour like your guidance about streamlining the setup. I went for the subs for the looks for sure. Rel shows go hook up subs to the amplifier channels directly,  that's one of the main reasons.  Not fully sold on the looks of the 98s. I was also wondering about S510. 

@ghdprentice @larsman I know so little about audio treatments. So, i have started reading up. Thank you. 

 

why that many DACs in the way? You also don’t need a separate streamer if you have the SHD from miniDSP. I know cos I use it

streamline your setup this way:

Analog Side = Pro-Ject Debut PRO B --> Moon 110LP v2 --> miniDSP SHD -->Holo May KTE-->A Discrete Power amp not the amp with an internal DAC unless you have the A100 amp already -->Sonus faber Electa Amator III

Better to just get a dumb power amp that is tube based that has even better current control. The McIntosh MC275 comes to mind

Digital Side = miniDSP SHD --> Holo May KTE --> MC275 or A100 if you already have that ---> Sonus faber Electa Amator III

Also, if you wanna use the miniDSP’s subwoofer integration tool well, I’d say get different subs that will take their input directly from the SHD; but I can see you went for these RELs for their aesthetics.

So, I’d say keep them and follow the REL way of subwoofer addition

@vzz1924 , also keep your headphone setup separate

I would start with about 7’ triangle, say three feet forward of wall behind speakers. Set up speakers to start with the beams crossing about a foot behind your head. Just a starting point. 

Position your triangle. so you can treat the first side wall reflections and wall behind speakers. So any door should be behind the listener somewhere. Twelve feet is small enough you will probably want to treat the wall behind your head with absorption. If floors are not carpeted then you want a thick area rug. If there are windows behind the speakers, you’ll want to either put in heavy treated curtains to absorb... or just partially cover up with acoustic columns. 

Do not put anything except the amp in between the speakers. Put equipment racks off to the side... and away from the front corners.

I have helped a friend of mine assemble and then treat his similar sized room. It was actually rectangular, so for a month it would be one way, then a month the other, until the final configuration. It took over a year... don't be in a hurry. It will be a learning process. Don't buy acoustic treatments at first. Use couch cushions, blankets, and pillows you have laying around the house to learn the room and to get the configuration right. Then you can buy a couple acoustic cylinders or panels at a time to get it right.

Take your time. Consider this your new hobby... what it will sound like after versus before will be completely unbelievable. 

 

 

Nice gear - I've got a Holo May KTE as well. I think one of the first things you'll want to do is check out your room for places where some kind of sound treatment could be of benefit, and it almost always is; the room itself is the biggest influence on the sound. If the sound is bouncing and echoing around all over the place, it won't sound all that great no matter what gear you use. Of course, this is not an issue with headphones.