monitor.jpg=The digital control center includes a large monitor so I can comfortably scan the library from the great comfy chair. Input is provided courtesy of a wireless keyboard and mouse.
boombox.jpg=Center stage, a true video monitor speaker that gives a brilliant edge to vocals when driven with the L+R output of the Carver H9AV. Double shielded, so no interference from all the other electronics. Next to that is a dbx BoomBox sub-sonic synthesizer that takes the lowest octave of the source material - and adds one more below it for earth shattering bass. Last but not least, a Magnum FM Sleuth antenna amplifier that can take a barely readable signal and make it sound like it's next door.
snr1-art.jpg=The dbx SNR-1 on the bottom of the pile was originally made as a sound reduction device for tape, but is also excellent for dropping the noise floor on vinyl. I use this regularly for playback and ripping. Above that is the external phono stage (Art DJ PreII) that allows me to do that. There's also a spare Maverick D1 DAC and dbx 200 switcher. And ... drumroll please ... Devo Plasma Ball!
eq-amp-sacd.jpg=The black box with all the sliders and pots is a Technics SH9010 parametric equalizer. A recent addition, it replaces any one of several graphic eq's that I'd tried over the years. I was able to dial the system in perfectly and highly recommend it. Above that is an Oppo 980H SACD player, built specifically to be the best at SACD playback. It does video too, but that's more of an afterthought. Not an issue as this is a SOUND system. Above the Oppo is a dbx 200 switchbox which adds almost infinite capabilities to one tape loop.
htpc.jpg=The digital heart of the system is a Bach Media HTPC running Windows 8 and jRiver Media Center. It's also set up to dual boot to Windows XP for vinyl rips, as it's just a lot easier to do it that way than upgrade and reinstall all the software needed for that. Recently gutted and updated to a current generation board and chipset which runs absolutely quiet and cool, unlike the old system that could cook eggs on a hot August day, even with six fans running.
pulsar.jpg=This is a Pulsar SLC4000 light controller that's used to program a set of six photo floods that light and wash the room in sound active mode. One simple connection to the receiver via a headphone jack is all it needs.\

bill_krupiczewicz.jpg=Bill Krupiczewicz (Skizo) of Cedar Springs MI sez of the Royal Rat, a 1996 Std: "I salvaged this one from a barn with only 6000 miles on it a coupla years ago and have put another 60k on without even trying. Did some digging and found an old Tracy (now defunct) fairing, some old K&G (also blotto) saddlebags, whipped up some hardware from bar stock and such, threw on a custom Corbin saddle, put it all together ... anyway, I'm told it's unique. The rats came about from everybody telling me I drive a rat - Hey, I wash it once a year, whether it needs it or not !! "\

BobVail.jpg=Bob Vail of Denver CO says this of Black Bertha, a '97 black and chrome RSTD: "Mods include V-Max R&P gears, Bigfoot III, and DK3 make her go. Bub 4X2s give her a husky voice. She sometimes pulls a pop-up camper with no complaints, but the extra weight can make her pretty thirsty. Weather doesn't faze her at all, even blizzards. See seems to enjoy all the compliments given her at stops, as does her owner. He appreciates the cushy Mustang seat/backrest and KuriAkyn pegs and grips, especially on long rides."
phantom-amp.jpg=Tada ... an empty spot! This area reserved for a custom Latino ST120 tube amplifier I'm currently building. Those like to "see the sky", so I did some shuffling and cleared space right up top to keep it happy.
backlights.jpg=Here are the six photo floods that wash and fill the room when the light show is on. These are controlled with a Pulsar SLC4000 color organ in sound active mode. Also makes a handy headphone rack.
BillKrupiczewicz.jpg=Bill Krupiczewicz (Skizo) of Cedar Springs MI sez of the Royal Rat, a 1996 Std: "I salvaged this one from a barn with only 6000 miles on it a coupla years ago and have put another 60k on without even trying. Did some digging and found an old Tracy (now defunct) fairing, some old K&G (also blotto) saddlebags, whipped up some hardware from bar stock and such, threw on a custom Corbin saddle, put it all together ... anyway, I'm told it's unique. The rats came about from everybody telling me I drive a rat - Hey, I wash it once a year, whether it needs it or not !! "
sansui-qrx6001.jpg=The analog heart of the system is currently a Sansui QRX-6001. I picked this up cheap on that auction site to use while it's big brother (a QRX-9001) undergoes a complete makeover. Problem is, the 6001 does everything just as well as the big one, having the exact same vario matrix quad encoding system, and there hasn't been much incentive to get to work on the 9001. The only thing I use the built in amps for is the rear channels, as the front channels are driven into a McIntosh MC2205 via a tape loop.
dbx.jpg=The dbx 3BX is a spacial enhancer that restores the original dynamic range of the source material based on sonic cues encoded even into old recordings. Three bands allow it to boost each target area as needed without pumping. Above that is a Maverick D1+ TubeMagic DAC - my favorite new toy. Integrates the new digital output of the HTPC seamlessly with the old school analog system.
july2013-system.jpg=The entire system as it stands today fits on one wall. The cabinet is custom and made entirely of good old #2 pine 1x material, edge planed and joined with biscuits. I added a face frame to give it a bit more of a beefy look, and it's supported on six teflon gliders so it moves surprisingly easy for it's size and weight.
Bill Krupiczewicz.jpg=Bill Krupiczewicz (Skizo) of Cedar Springs MI sez of the Royal Rat, a 1996 Std: "I salvaged this one from a barn with only 6000 miles on it a coupla years ago and have put another 60k on without even trying. Did some digging and found an old Tracy (now defunct) fairing, some old K&G (also blotto) saddlebags, whipped up some hardware from bar stock and such, threw on a custom Corbin saddle, put it all together ... anyway, I'm told it's unique. The rats came about from everybody telling me I drive a rat - Hey, I wash it once a year, whether it needs it or not !! "
dp-ec10.jpg=The Mitsubishi DP-EC10 logic controlled auto return table is something of a rare bird, bought new in 1980 for $400. Heavyweight 16 pole motor and 30 pounds of composite carbon acrylic make this a solid platform for vinyl.
xr16.jpg=My pride and joy - a set of McIntosh XR16 speakers. Bought these new and have had 35 happy years with absolutely no incentive to replace them or try something else. Recently had the cones professionally refurbished, so they should be good for another 35. These produce usable SPLs down to around 22 hz and can really rock the room. Excuse the green tape at the base - that marks the "sweet spot" for the sonic holography.
