Need guidance on my planned Audiophile setup based on Synthesis A100

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. 

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. 

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

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. 

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

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 your room being square in the L x W also means I’d rather you prioritize the best placement iteration and broadband absorption at the front wall corners, the rear wall and the ceilings.

Cos this is a simulation of your speakers in your room below 300Hz at the normal "audiophile" distances (which are BS and detrimental imo but that is another discussion for a different day)

and this is the same simulation but with room treatment on every reflective surface not called floor or front wall. So, the ceiling, side walls, rear walls are all treated. See how less chaotic and much balanced this is even with the less-than-ideal speaker/subwoofer placements. You can’t spend your way around this phenomenon. Physics remains undefeated

Here is a couple photos from my friends audio room as he worked on setup:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/jdflood/54694295057/in/dateposted-public/

You can scroll and see several photos in various states,

@sbank thank you. Room is settled.. only option  square 12 x13 bumpout of my main bedroom. :) won't be able to do diagonal. I have RME in my home office because my Arya is fed through it. Want holo; don't have holo. When I do it will become primary for the speakers. 

@kofibaffour thanks again. Can you please suggest what i will be looking for room treatments? I saw some YouTube videos and checked out sites like GIK and Artnovion.

here's what i am thinking based on chatgpt research.. not happening right away.. over time ..

🎧 Listener Position: Centered about ⅔ from the front wall

🔊 Speakers: 1.5 ft in from side walls, 2.5 ft out from front wall

🟪 Bass Traps: All 4 vertical corners (high-priority)

⬛ Side Wall Absorbers: At first reflection points on both side walls. Left wall has huge window. So, only option is curtain. Is there any other? Right wall is drywall and can be treated. 

🟦 Ceiling Cloud: Suspended above listening chair to handle vertical reflections from the sloped ceiling. What Cloud?

🟩 Rear Wall Diffuser: Behind listener to scatter backwave energy. There is a window directly behind the listening position.  It will have curtain and two diffuser panels like this one: https://www.etsy.com/listing/584791684/wood-wall-art-sound-diffuser

The link didn't work above..

ceiling, side walls, rear walls are what are to be treated from my sim @vzz1924 

We don't add diffusion until you have controlled the room first. So, the Rear wall is also broadband absorption not diffusion.

Are you open to DIY or contracting someone to DIY for you if you have the materials?

I will be most likely go for contracting route after I have a decent grasp of the room treatments. 

@vzz1924 this video is a step-by-step process you can show the contracted panel builder to give you what you want to get - How to Build the ULTIMATE DIY Acoustic Sound Panels for Music Studios

Yes, it says music studios but they're for any space with speakers loading it imo. I used this during my build

You might get a copy of "Get Better Sound" by Jim Smith. 

You folks are the best! Thank you.