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Secondary listening systems

I't seems that many audio hobbyists have, besides their main listening room, other places in their homes set up for music also. Most of these seem to have small systems in their bedrooms or spare rooms. I'm one of these but my favorite second listening spot is in my garage and I like this little setup, at least for some music, as much as my living room system.

This setup consists of a laptop playing lossless files through iTunes. It is also the sync source to the Apple TV. The amp is a repurposed B&K AVR 307 that I used when I was into surround and at one time served as a power amp for a Rogue Audio preamp. The speakers are the tiny but very capable Monitor Audio Radius 90's. For light jazz and solo guitar this system is very easy to listen to.

My main system is Shanling CD player, Peachtree Nova as preamp, DBX graphic equalizer and Martin Logan Ethos speakers.

BTW, I'm sitting in my garage listening to an old Bob James CD and am so much enjoying what some might consider a minimalist system, that I just wanted to share.
broadstone
mesch
3,530 posts
 
Broadstone, I also have a secondary system which I use primarily outside on my deck when overlooking my “back forty”. I very much enjoy listening when the speakers are provided so much “air”. It is no where near the equivalent of my main system, however the outdoor listening experience is equally enjoyable. In winter I spend time in my dedicated audio room, in summer i need to be outside.

My secondary system consists of: Mac Mini w/itunes AIFF, V-Link & V-DAC, Pioneer A35r integrated, Pioneer SP-bs22 speakers. All but speakers bought used. I do have other amplification I am comparing to the integrated just for fun.
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,571 posts
 
I have a secondary system in my home office and it is much less expensive than the main rig, yet it gives me immense musical pleasure. It features a Rogue Cronus Magnum integrated with NOS signal tubes, a Magnum Dynalab FT101A Tuner and Sony Scd777ES sacd player. The speakers are Odyssey Kismet Reference. This system plays 8-10 hours daily and I never grow tired of it.
rshak
422 posts
 
I also spend more time listening to my secondary than my primary system. The secondary is made up of: Rega P9 TT with Ortofon Jubilee cart; Eastern Electric phono stage with vintage tubes; Eastern Electric CD player; and PrimaLuna DiaLogue Premium Integated Amp; Omega Hemptone speakers. The secondary system gets about 2 to 3 hours of play each day, and I enjoy it very much.
kjweisner's avatar
kjweisner
293 posts
 
I work from home and my office system gets the most use these days--5 to 6 hours in between phone calls and meetings. ALAC files to Apple Airport Express > Meridian 565 dac/pre > Meridian 555 power amp pushing an old pair of B&W 601s. A bit overkill for a desktop system, but it's all gear I had laying about so why not!

Weekends it's the garage via another Airport Express > Yamaha integrated from the 80s and another pair of 601s. Good enough for garage work!
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,976 posts
 
There is no rule that says you can only have one really good system. Once
you set the bar it's fun to try to match it in different ways. Helps one better
deal with upgradeitis as well. Headphone rigs count as well. The Internet
and digital streaming means you can listen to your music anywhere, not
just at home.
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