Whats in your second system?

Family room:

EVS modified Oppo Sonica DAC into
Ars-Sonum Filarmonia SE integrated amp into
Merlin TSM Black Magic Speakers on custom Skylan stands.

Roughly $5500 (purchased the Ars-Sonum and Merlins used) for some of the best digital sound I've ever heard (saying a lot since I'm a vinyl guy; my main system is vinyl/tube only). The only thing missing is the lower octave.

To 1extreme.     Two wives?  Umm!  

Resides in my dining/den combo room:

Thiel 2 2 speakers
Adcom 5300 amplifier
Counterpoint SA1000 preamp
Carver TX-11 FM tuner
Sony SCD-CE775 SACD/CD changer
Dual CS-704 turntable w/Accuphase AC-2 mc cartridge

I use this system largely for FM listening, as we have a superb classical/jazz station nearby. Can’t tell it is FM.

Main and beroom systems as well.

@1extreme Polygamy is The Rule: 80+% of human societies are polygamous ( ref from Jared Diamond, not my uneducated thoughts)

But: it all comes down (as with happy wives) to You being able to Provide.., being unable to setup my second Dream system with Maggies I surrender to headphone listening and Walkmans/Discmans, I have dozens of the little Babies...
the very idea of having more than one Boss makes me suicidal!!! Maybe the original reference is actually Universal?!!

@sevs 80+% sounds high.

https://metrouk2.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/ad_173236258.jpg?quality=80&strip=all&strip=all

 Second system:
  Apogee Duetta II loudspeakers
  McIntosh C-32 preamp
  Sanders Magtech monoblock amplifiers
  McIntosh MR-85 tuner
  Sony 9000 es compact disk player

I have a system in my office:

• Modified Technics SL1210 Mk5g turntable (Benz Wood Cartridge, Origin Live Conqueror Arm)
  
• Perreaux VP3 Phono Stage
  
• ATC  CA2 Preamp
  
• ATC  P1 Power Amp
  
• Spendor D1 Speakers.
  

2nd system
       Streaming from my desktop computer (nothing special)
       HRT Musicstreamer 2+ DAC
       NHT PVC passive attenuator
       NHT Pro M00 active monitors (near field)
       NHT S00 sub
All bought purposely to assemble this for my desk in my home office.  Quite enjoyable. 

Looks like a lot of people have some very nice office systems.
Wish I had an office....lol

Anyone with some of these baller second systems hiring?

I went a different direction:

Pioneer VSX-515
Chromecast
Dayton Audio B652's

Great thread! It's good to know I'm not the only insane audiophile out there. All of my systems are 'second systems' since I never had the wherewithal at any one time to go whole-hog on a main system. But I don't feel like I've missed out on anything, because it's just plain fun to experiment with different pieces until you come up with that right combo that just seems to click. Props to Audiogon, because that's where the majority of my equipment has come from.....it's great to belong to a community where the level of trust in dealing with others gives you the
opportunity to get nice gear at a fraction of the 'new' cost.
Pieces from Adcom, Parasound, ATI, McCormack, PS Audio, Sansui, Musical Fidelity, Denon, Harman-Kardon, Thorens, Sony, Dynaudio, PSB, Paradigm, Polk, Monitor Audio, Sunfire, Definitive Technology, and M&K comprise several different systems throughout my house that keep me boppin' right along.

@discnik 

I thought being an "audiophile" was just another word for temporary insanity.....lol.

Glad you are enjoying the ride!

It’s very enjoyable reading all these descriptions.. It’s interesting to hear of people with more than one dedicated listening room!

I suppose I could say I have secondary and tertiary systems..

The secondary system resides in the kids’ playroom. It consists of a sansui 5900 integrated amp mated to a pair of ads L470/2 speakers. Source is simply a Bluetooth receiver so the kids can play what they want without ripping cords off components. The speaker cabs are in rough shape (can’t expect perfection for $20) but they function perfectly. Both speakers and amp were Craigslist acquisitions that I had to buy because we have almost no decent audio gear show up around here.. I do love the sound of the ads/sansui combo.

My tertiary system is the one I listen to the most and would make overly serious audiophiles cringe. We have an open plan living/dining/kitchen. Being the stay at home dad, I spend a lot of time in the kitchen, so I did the following to get good sound:
-installed 4 BIC speakers in the ceiling/wall corners. These are very small bookshelf speakers, maybe twice the size of Bose cubes, but they are heavy and sound great down to 100hz
-ran cabling through the attic to the speakers and then down the inside of a wall, ending up under my kitchen sink.
-installed an in wall sub on the back of my kitchen island, and built a wooden box behind it since the cabinet space behind it was too big and the bass was junk
-bought a 150w Dayton Audio stereo amp to drive the small speakers and a 250w sub plate amp to drive the sub, both cheaply at parts express
-monoprice Bluetooth receiver with optical out into an inexpensive fiio DAC
-tripplite surge protector lets me turn the whole thing off or on with one switch.

All the electronics are under the kitchen sink, the only things visible are the subwoofer installed flush on the back of the island and the small, white speakers in the corners.

It sounds pretty damned great. The room has hardwood floors and many large windows, so there’s no way I’m getting audiophile sound no matter what I install, but the sound is clearer, more evenly dispersed and has better bass than any sonos or Bluetooth speaker system that I’ve heard.

But man, crawling around the attic to run those cables, ugh.

I doubt these count as "second systems" because I'd be using the same amps/source.  But though my main speakers are Thiels (3.7 and 2.7) I have a variety of speakers I also switch into the system:  MBL 121 monitors, Waveform Mach MC monitors, Hales T1 monitors, Spendor 3/5s, Thiel 02s.

Yeah, I got the sickness.

My DREAM second system would use Quad ESL 57s.  And in fact I was actually offered a pair free.  But try as I might, I couldn't come up with a place to set them up that would work. 

My God man! Free quads?! I would have take them just to play with

Looks like a lot of people have some very nice office systems.

Gotta work to feed my habit ;-)

I similarly have a spare pair of Quad ELS57s, after I upgraded to the modern 2805. The 2805 is not only better, but of course has a far better remaining life expectancy. My ELS57s are still in good condition, but you can be sure you will need to have them refurbished quite soon, and that is neither easy nor cheap. Which is also why I decicided to upgrade to the 2805. I offered them to my son, but he said no: they are bound to need expensive maintenance, and they are too bulky in a student room. So once I get round to it, I will sell them, but since everybody knows that they need an expensive refurbishment second hand price is actually quite low.
My son is now working part time in a supermarket for a pair of Harbeth M30.1s, the largest speaker that he thinks will work in a student room or small apartment. In the meantime he uses my old LS3/5a’s that he is very happy with. Once he is done with those I will sell them as well. There is a crazy market demand for them.

@toddverrone,

Believe me, it was killing me.  They were a beautifully maintained pair of ESL 57s from an old audio writer.  He just didn't have a place for them anymore.  But neither do I.  The only space I have for speakers shares room with my home theater system, and they have to be somewhat narrow to fit either side of the projected screen image.  So all manner of box speakers work there.  But the Quads are so wide they would just be in the way of the image all the time.  And I thought about placing them somewhere to move in for occasional listening sessions, but I've already pushed my wifely luck with the speakers I have littering the house.  The Quads would be a lot harder to put anywhere discrete for the WAF factor.

Ah, say no more @prof 

My wife would probably lose her cool if I brought motr speakers home without getting rid of some. I have a pair of JBL  L7s in a closet that I need to refurbish and sell...

toddverrone,

Just recently another high end audio store opened literally around the corner from my house, selling Harbeth speakers.  Sitting down in front of one of the cheaper models (7s) I couldn't help but think "man it would be nice to own a pair of these, just to listen to sometimes."  I had to stop those thoughts.  It's a sickness ;-)

Second system is a pair of GoldenEar Triton ones, driven by an Emotiva XMC-1 through an Emotiva XPA-5 (gen 2) with GoldenEar centre channel, surround and subwoofer.

Tertiary system :-) is a pair of Focal Electra Be1027s, driven by an Emotiva XMC-1 through an Emotiva Basx-500 amp, with Emotiva C1 center and E1 surrounds, and an Emotiva BasX-12 sub.

I'm pretty happy with all of them (including the primary system not listed here).

My second and third system are made up of former first system components that I was too fond of to sell.

Second:

Martin Logan (original) CLS
Classe DR3-VHC
Bryston BP17 pre
Conrad Johnson Premier 15 phono
Lyra Clavis
SME V
Sota Cosmos

Great system for acoustic music

Third
Vandersteen 4A
twin Classe DR3 VHC bridged (mids and highs) + twin PSE Studio IV monos (bass) 
Classe DR-7 pre
Source is digital from files on my server.

Very satisfying system using components you hardly ever see but sound very good - only by listening there and then going to my main system are any shortcomings revealed.

Yamaha receiver (for streaming Spotify)
B&W CM5's (living room)
B&W CM1's (dining room)
Yamaha outdoor speakers (decks out back)

My second system has now become my third system...lol

New second system...
Hegel H300 integrated
B&W 805D speakers
Bluesound node 2
Only sources so far are the node but as this can access all of my cd collection from my main system vault 2 and Tidal and Amazon Prime and internet radio stations I think it should do just fine!

My second system has evolved over time and has largely consisted of equipment that at one time was in my main system. Some items that were previously in my 2nd system I have either sold on A'gon, or given to friends to try to get them interested in the possibilities of a better listening experience. Anyhow, presently my 2nd system consists of :

Ayon Audio Spirit 2 integrated
Blue Circle 509 DAC
JM Reynaud Offrande Supreme V2s
Cambridge Transport (new purchase)
Silnote Audio ICs and digital cable
Audio Art Cable power cables

My 3rd system is headphones based:

Ray Samuels Raptor Tube Headphone Amp
Moon Audio Headphone Cables
Silnote Audio IC
Beyerdynamic T1 headphone
AKG 701 Headphones
HRT istreamer DAC (use with ipod classic0

My second system is a Peachtree Audio Deepblue2 which I’ve been listening to whilst awaiting the arrival of a pair of new Maggie 1.7i’s.  

 N

My second system is a Peachtree Audio Deepblue2 which I’ve been listening to whilst awaiting the arrival of a pair of new Maggie 1.7i’s.  

 N

Well if nobody buys my Hegel H300, I might just have to make a third system out of it, I can stream my Bluesound Vault to it so have all my ripped cds and Tidal. Just would have to buy some more speakers...it never ends...lol

My second system is in a spare bedroom that is converted into my office. There is also a 42" Plasma TV sitting on top of the double-wide audio rack and a cable box/DVR on one of the shelves, but I don't currently have it connected to the audio system. Here's the audio system:

- Audio Refinement Complete Integrated Amp (I always wanted one and jumped on one when the price was right)

- Oppo DV-970HD CD/DVD Player (full mods by EVS)

- Raspberry Pi / HiFi Berry DAC Pro+ Music Server (Running Moode OS)

- Magnepan MMG - (on loan from a friend)  or Infinity Qb (on original Infinity factory stands)

Second system:

-Thorens TD160 with SME 312 tonearm and Dynavector DV20x2
-Audio Research PH3 phono preamp. 
-Krell KRC 3 preamp 
-Rotel RB1080 amp
-B&W 805s speakers 

I feel the worst link in the chain is the Rotel amp. Any recommendations?

Whew, just sold the Hegel H300 so don’t have to go on the hunt for speakers to make the "third" system after all.
My wallet and wife thank me for that.

Depends on your price range Gonzalo.
There are literally thousands of great used power amps out there.

Uberwaltz, not too expensive. The Hotel starts to sing when pushed at high volumen. But sometimes I don't want to turn up the volume that high. Sometimes I want microdynamics to appear at lower levels.

On my first system I have a Classe CA 2200, which is also 200w but shows way more details.

Gonzalo....I was going to say a Classe ca100 simply because i had one as a spare while my BAT was being repaired and to say it "only" rated at 100w i hardly noticed the difference in power.
Now it was a fair bit "warmer" than the BAT but very detailed and airy for sure.
And considering you can pick them up for about $500 to $600 used is a very good deal indeed.
However in that price range there are just so many choices....

Just put together a third system but as it is for my daughter for her impending university "vacation" you could really call it her first system.
Needed to be extremely compact and versatile.

Cocktail Audio X-12 cd ripper, player, amp.
Combined with a pair of PSB Alpha Mini speakers
Stock power cord and 10 gauge bare end Monster speaker cable.

ATM it has her Teac TN-300 tt plugged in .
Have to say for just around $800 all in it sounds pretty darn good, yes 30wpc is not going to take you too far but she is not going to need much in her dorm room, more the versatility.
She can (HOPEFULLY!) plug her ipad in which has a gazillion mp3 files (kids!) and we will be loading it with her fave ripped cds prior to uni.
And it has the all important headphone output for late at night sessions.

Not what some will call hifi I know but for her it is going to be perfect.

I’m assembling a Bedroom (Audio Only) System now with the following:

Headphones #1:  Sennheiser HD-650 Headphones

Headphones #2:  Sennheiser HD-598 Headphones

Headphones #3:  Audio Technica ATH-M50x Headphones (Forthcoming)(Price — $150.00)

Integrated Amplifier:  NAD 3140 Integrated Amplifier

Yamaha RV-V481 Audio/Video Receiver (For Internet Radio & Home Theatre)

Turntable:  Technics SL-1200 MkII Quartz-Locked Direct-Drive Turntable (Forthcoming)(Price Range — $400.00 To $700.00)

Phono Cartridge:  LP Gear Deft 2 Moving Magnet (Forthcoming)(Price — $100.00)

—Charles—

Charles
Sounds tidy system.
I have a pair of those AT cans, excellent vfm.
Not the deepest bass but very tight and accurate and pretty light on the head to boot.
Enjoy!

The Third System is a Mobile Headphone Based System.

Headphones #1: Sennheiser HD-650 Headphones (Same Ones Used In Second System — Home Listening Only)(Music Only)

Headphones #2: Sennheiser HD-598 Headphones (Same Ones Used In Second System — Mobile & Home Theater Listening (For Now)(Mobile Listening Only When The Audio Technica ATH-M50x’ Finally Arrive)

Headphones #3: Audio Technica ATH-M50x (Same Ones Listed In Second System — Multi Purpose Listening (Both Music & Home Theater)(Home Theater Headphones When They Arrive)(Price — $150.00)

Haedphone Amplifier/DAC: xDuoo XD-05

Music Player: Apple iPhone 6S — 64 GB (For Now)(Eyeing Cayin i5 OR Cowon P1 Plenue Down The Road)($400.00 To $500.00)

Lightning To USB Camera Interface:  Apple

—Charles—

Just updated my second system
Time for a change of its heart,
Have replaced the Linn Classik with a Peachtree Audio Nova integrated with tube pre.
First impressions, a lot more and tighter bass and just sounds altogether more modern for want of a better word.
For now I have turned off the little Jensen sub as it really does not need any bass help imho.
A nice upgrade and as I am mostly streaming music nowadays the digital inputs were all I needed. 

Two more additions to the second system.

Sony Walkman disc player
Nakamichi LX-3 cassette player.

All running through the Peachtree Nova integrated/DAC into Tannoy Ellipse speakers.

The sq belies the extremely modest total cost outlay!

wow some really fantastic systems out there....I plan to present this thread to the War Department when she asks about my next Audiogon purchase.....

system 2: Basis 1400, Rega OEM300, Delos ,  NOVa II phono, NAIM Atom, Vandersteen Treo CT mix of Shunyata and Kimber wire Isotek power conditioning...use serious listening ...

system3 aka vintage: Denon DP35 F , Nakagoka Cart, Croft RS Phono, MCD-205 CD, MX-110 Z rebuilt by Modeferi , MC240 into Vandersteen 1ci while I rebuild QUAD ESL-63 This is also my therapy room...hunting/ fishing tackle repair and readiness....

garage rocker...Nakamichi deck, Denon CD, variety of gear NAD, RANE, various tube amps Klipsch Cornwalls...yes they are loud...I can and do triamp them with RANE amps.....rarely..

Tomic601.

Some pretty stout gear there.

Been resisting adding a tt to the second system but it just might happen.

And another rabbit hole to dive headfirst into!

I suppose I could also rehash the 3rd system too, which is really in my daughter's room and very simple.

Jvc tt, PS3( CD, Spotify, Pandora) just into a Klipsh wall mounted sound bar.
Been toying with idea of a cheap integrated/DAC and bookshelf sized speakers.

But the sound bar does sound surprisingly good so I should probably leave well alone!

Charles
Very nice sounding system.
I think you will like the AT headphones, I just sold mine in favour of a pair of audeze el8 open backs but they were extremely precise and detailed and imho punched way above their price point.

Good call on the Nakamichi deck, I own 3 now...lol. 582, bx100 and lx3.

Can't bear to see my pile of tapes just sitting collecting dust.

I live in an interior townhouse, flanked by people who still work. My bedroom system had to yield to not disturbing the neighbors, so, I have a Magnum Dynalab FM tuner feeding a BP-6c preamp, with   STAX Lambda Pro Headphones from the preamp.  We have a wonderful 24/7 classical music station (WBJC) nearby, so I can lie in bed and either read or listen.
My third "system" is a pair of B&W MM-1 speakers for my iMac so I can listen to classical stations on Internet Radio while I'm writing this input. (The B&Ws have their own DAC,  OK for the purpose.) 

@uberwaltz which is my mobile recording rack...which I will just summarize as a collection of ribbon and other vintage mics, fern and United audio preamps, Mogami cables, Ayre A to D, Wadia A to D, Revox B77 mkiii high speed half track, some word clocks, a Marantz pro Cd burner, Bryston power amp, Sonus Faber concertino and Stax monitor headphones....

sorry scrambled..thank you Uberwaltz

cool thread.....hope spouses stay away..ha

@wspohn those PSE amps are gold.....but you know that.... Dean is around and working....he and Richard Vandersteen collaboration on the new M7 and now M5 power amps..... they are amazing....

My first system is now my second system in my rec room:

Group 1:
McIntosh C31V A/V controller
McIntosh MC2600 power amp
McIntosh 7008 cd changer
McIntosh Tuner
TimeWindow 3 speakers

Group 2:
Pioneer SPEC4 power amp
SoundCraftsman SP4001 equalizer/pre
Boston Acoustic L1000 speakers

Group 3:
Rodec Professional DJ Mixer
Techniques SL1600MK2 turntable
Squeezebox Duet
Teac X10R reel-to-reel
dbx 224 noise reduction unit
dbx 3bx range expander