audioquattr system, from A to Z

audioquattr

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My first big high-end system (2001) was around Amati (SF) speakers and today the Zeta (Cessaro). So from A to Z ;-).

I got several people asking me about more details of the system so i like to share these in this thread. Here is my main system in a dedicated room of our house.

p1 roomv.jpg


The room is part of our monumental house (1879) which we totally renovated in 2012/2013.

Before we started that project we decided to create a dedicated music room. So from start of the house renovation i could take into account all what's needed for the room.

That is a very solid floor, big isolated walls with sandwhich of 22cm stone than 6cm foam than 5cm rockwool and finally 12mm fermacel. We also made (40cm deep) spaces in the walls (behind the 2 left and 2 right screens) which are used for SMT diffusors 60%, a little bit absorbtion (10%) and woofer sytems. In the backwall are spaces used for bassabsorbers. Also the space above the speakers is partly used for bassabsorbers. Under that, behind the acoustical transparent videoscreen there is a big wooden diffusor.

Offcourse powerlines are separated and straight from the first fusebox in the house. Just one for audio and another for power turntablemotors etc separated also different lines for video etc.



p2 aq CesZ 2.jpg

The room is mostly used for listening and sometimes for watching films or sport in the weekend.
p4 aq CesZ3.jpg

I also can do some work there but it is certainly not my main office .
p3 rear.jpg

p5  rack.jpg

p6 zeta.jpg


The room is mostly used for listening and sometimes for watching films or sport in the weekend.
I also can do some work there but it is certainly not my main office .
It for sure is the room where i spend many hours during the week :).

The size of the room is: 4.8m x 10.2m x 3.8m(height) , about 16ft x 33.5ft x 12.5ft (height)

The speakers/tweeters are about 6.5 ft (1.95m) from frontwall, listening position 11 ft (3.30m) from backwall. Listening distance is 16 ft (4.90m).
 

audioquattr

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Equipment list:

turntable: Techdas AF3 premium, Kronos Pro ; Tonearm: AS Axiom, SME 3012r, Ikeda 407. Cartridge: Grado Epoch, MSL Signature Platinum, Shelter Harmony, Ortofon Mc Anna. Phonostage: Pass XS Phono . Linestage: Alieno pre on order, TAD C600 . Amplifier: Alieno 250 LTD. Loudspeaker: Cessaro Zeta. Cables: AudioQuest Wel

Power: PS Audio P10. Powercables: Shunyata. Musicserver: Aurender W20. Dac: Lampizator Pacific. Room: 4.8m x 10.2m x 3.8m(height) , about 16ft x 33.5ft x 12.5ft (height)

acoustics: SMT S-wings 60%, absorbers 10% behind the left and right screens, Bass absorbers at the backwall


p1 rack.jpg

p2 tdAF3p 3ta.jpg

p3 Alieno pre en pow.jpg

p4 det.jpg

p5 AF3p 4T sme in spot.jpg

p6 rack r.jpg
 

audioquattr

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Some more pictures of the room, aswell from behind the "screens" ... :)

women talk; "Wow what an awesome experience is this". At earlier days with another system; "yes those speakers sounds good".
p1 women enjoying listenen.jpg

Because size matters; to give an idea about the size of the Cessaro Zeta, this woman is about 6ft (1.8m) tall.
p2 size matters  .jpg


Diffusor at frontwall behind acoustical transparent screen.
p3 Diffusor at frontwall behind acoustical transparent screen.jpg

p4 diff volcano.jpg

p5 achterz rack.jpg

View from behind the screen.
p6 view from behind the screens.jpg
 
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Ron Resnick

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Jan 24, 2015
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Thank you for commencing this thread, audioquattr! I am sure many members and guests will enjoy immensely learning about your system and its development!

From my travels over the last several years listening to systems at friends’ homes dealer demos and audio shows your system is one of the very best I have ever heard!

The photos are GREAT!
 
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audioquattr

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Thank you Ron!
 

Audiophile Bill

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Some more pictures of the room, aswell from behind the "screens" ... :)

women talk; "Wow what an awesome experience is this". At earlier days with another system; "yes those speakers sounds good".
View attachment 47410

Because size matters; to give an idea about the size of the Cessaro Zeta, this woman is about 8ft (1.8m) tall.
View attachment 47411


Diffusor at frontwall behind acoustical transparent screen.
View attachment 47412

View attachment 47413

View attachment 47414

View from behind the screen.
View attachment 47415

Hey - what a fantastic system. Amazing room.

I think the “woman” is ~6feet not 8feet unlesss I misunderstand you :)
 

bonzo75

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Feb 26, 2014
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Hey - what a fantastic system. Amazing room.

I think the “woman” is ~6feet not 8feet unlesss I misunderstand you :)

8 feet should attract attention of the hyperbole police
 

jeff1225

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Jan 29, 2012
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Congratulations on an amazing system......one of my favorite installations I've seen. Curious, where are the woofers located?
 

audioquattr

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Hey - what a fantastic system. Amazing room.

I think the “woman” is ~6feet not 8feet unlesss I misunderstand you :)

Thanks!
Oops, yes you’re right she is ‘only’ 6feet but still great :)
Thanks for your sharp reading through my notes ;-) !
 
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audioquattr

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Congratulations on an amazing system......one of my favorite installations I've seen. Curious, where are the woofers located?
Thank you Jeffrey!
They are behind the left and right textile screens.
 

Tango

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I see you have the Grid Protectors. Have you tried the Piccolo. Did Ron realize you had the the Scherzinger devices on when he was there.

Tang
 

Audiophile Bill

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Thanks!
Oops, yes you’re right she is ‘only’ 6feet but still great :)
Thanks for your sharp reading through my notes ;-) !

Apologies for that :) Spend my life reviewing medical publications.
 
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Audiophile Bill

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Excellent. What is the design of the base cabinets? Sealed, ported, etc? Will you move to base horns eventually?

Is the big lower cabinet only a mid bass to say 50-70hz then? Didn’t look at specs yet so excuse my laziness.
 

Audiophile Bill

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Thank you Jeffrey!
They are behind the left and right textile screens.

So these woofers are direct radiators in a vented cabinet? Best.
 

audioquattr

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I see you have the Grid Protectors. Have you tried the Piccolo. Did Ron realize you had the the Scherzinger devices on when he was there.

Tang
Yes i have tried the piccolo’s but i didn’t like them after 2 days. First few hours i liked them but after a few days they became to intense.
But the grid protectors i like, only behind the set. Not behind my listening position, than it confuses the soundstage. I have them on the least intense position/config.
No when Ron visited me i didn’t have the Schnerzingers in the room. I just had the speakers running for a few weeks and i was still learning the system.
 

audioquattr

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Excellent. What is the design of the base cabinets? Sealed, ported, etc? Will you move to base horns eventually?
It is ported yet, like the original Cessaro. The port is tuned very low.
Yes the plan is to move later to base horns, i first have to fill my piggy bank again ;-)
 

audioquattr

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Is the big lower cabinet only a mid bass to say 50-70hz then? Didn’t look at specs yet so excuse my laziness.

You mean the lower part of the Cessaro horn?
That's the midbass, 2* 11inch midbass woofers working from 65hz till ~300hz.
 
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audioquattr

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I see you have the Grid Protectors. Have you tried the Piccolo. Did Ron realize you had the the Scherzinger devices on when he was there.

Tang

One more note, please be kind to Ron, he might be sensitive to highs and Sibilance but he easily pics the differents from all the carts and adjustments i was doing behind his back.
He instantly heard when the adjustments were in the optimal position, without knowing what i was doing.

IMG_6455.jpg
 

spiritofmusic

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Oh, didn't you see the eyes in the back of his head?
 
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