Second audio system in your house?


Hi, just curious how many of you have a second audio system in your house, and, actually use it? I've recently bought some new components and had planned on selling my old amp, but I'm still attached to it, and with a small investment, say $1000, I could get some bookshelf speakers and a CD player. On the fence about the whole idea. There's a whole lot of other things to do with $1000 mind you, so I'm not sure if it's the most sensible thing to get into. I won't even ask the wife what her opinion is, as I already know it.
wetfeet48

Showing 4 responses by strateahed

Forgot to mention the Audioquest Jitterbug USB filter in front of W3 adapter. Definitely improves streaming sound IMHO.
Yeah, I have a second system (bedroom) that gets regular use. After being unable to sell a modified Oppo 983, I took that and an old Outlaw subwoofer to build around. Added a low-cost (< $300) Yaqin Chinese tube integrated and small speakers, with Blue Jeans cabling throughout. Volex and Pangea cords provide power. With upgraded tubes, this budget system sounds pretty darn good. What makes it really useful is the Audioengine W3 wireless adapter with add-on receiver. Using my laptop as source, I can listen to iTunes library, Pandora, or internet radio played stand-alone or simultaneously on the main rig and bedroom system. Like this morning when the Mrs. left to go shopping, I had both systems playing - upstairs and downstairs - while I was busy doing a few things around the house.  
@vicweast I should have been more specific. The integrated is really a hybrid. Tubes in front of Class AB … versus all tube design. The tubes I rolled are small input tubes, unlike your power valves. At any rate, I replaced the stock Chinese 6N1’s with a matched quad of 1960’s Amperex Orange Globe 6DJ8’s. I prefer the sound of these more than anything in that class - except maybe Amperex PQ (6922).

The unit was purchased direct from China via eBay. One last thing: Lots of folks like to trash Chinese gear, but I found this unit to be fairly well-built and definitely up to “second system” task. To that end, it sounds great to me and that’s really all that counts. The only annoyance was it gave off kind of a funny electrical smell when it was new. It took a little time, but that finally disappeared after it was broken in