Set-Up

*Note: Not all the products are pictured here. Picture was taken from a recent setup picture from 2 review special of the PS Audio Stellar series’ GainCell DAC, S300 amp and Strata Integrated. I’ll link you to the reviews page here if you want to check them out.

Equipment list

• Main Components: Chase RLC-1 Passive Preamplifier, Emerald Physics 100.2SE amplifier, Topping D30 DAC
• Speakers: NHT C3 bookshelf speakers, Sony SS-K10ED (big room setup), SVS 1000Pro Powered Subwoofer [12″ acoustic suspension] (Internal crossover at 80Hz)
• Speakers Stands: Unknown Metal stands with spiked feet on the base (filled with lead beads in the tubes)
• Headphones: V-Moda LP, AudioMX bluetooth headphones, Sony XB50AP earphones, V-Moda Crossfade Wireless 2 (Hi-Res certified in wired mode), Massdrop X Sennheiser HD6XX, Samsung AKG USB-C earbuds, KBear KS2 In-ear Monitors
• Cables: Moster XP High Resolution 16 gauge speaker cables, Amazon basics RCA splitter, Straightwire Flex Connect II
• Audio Playback: Modified CyperPowerPC (see below for specs), Samsung Galaxy Note20
• Power Filter: Monster PowerCenter PC1000, Topping P50 Linear Power Supply (for Topping products only)
• Previous components: Lenovo Yoga 910 laptop, Topping TP-41 (desktop integrated amp), Sony DH800 (receiver), Samsung Galaxy S7 (Source), NHT SuperZero (speakers), JVC receiver, Velodyne CT-100 powered subwoofer [10″ ported], OnePlus 6T (Source), NAD T747 (Receiver), NHT SB1 (speakers), Onix Rocket RS250 (Speakers), Velodyne DLS-4000 Powered Subwoofer [12″ ported], Parasound NewClassic 200 Integrated Amplifier, Audiolab P-DAC (USB C DAC), Lenovo P43s (Laptop for playback)

Descriptions

In a short sentence, my system summarized is an almost serious stereo near-field. Ish. I listen to them up close when I’m doing my coursework, but I will also evaluate and listen to them at a distance when I leisurely listen. I used a Sony STR-DH800, a JVC Receiver, Topping TP-41, NAD T747, Parasound NewClassic 200 Integrated before this temporary usage of the Chase RLC-1. As such since it is better than the NAD T747 as the preamplifier, I’m now running the Chase to the Emerald Physics 100.2SE 2 while also splitting the output signal with an Amazon Basics RCA splitter to my SVS 1000PRO. I’m mostly using it in stereo 2.1 format with the SVS 1000PRO, playing music via my Lenovo p43s Laptop at 24bit 192kHz and the Desktop at the same bit-rate. I was using an HP Envy 3680w (a rather bulky 2008 laptop what was one of the top-of-the-line at that time so it lasted quite awhile), and right before this one the Lenovo Yoga 910 that was replaced for my school workflow reasons. The CyberPowerPC desktop was acquired for further improved workflow during the COVID Pandemic, for coursework and personal project reasons. It is a prebuilt gaming desktop because of the specs I needed (after modification), and it is a prebuilt because it was very cheap to acquire, for the specific parts I was looking to initially build.

CyberPowerPC Desktop specs for those curious:

• CPU: Ryzen 5 3600
• CPU cooler: Noctua NH-U12S
• Ram: A-DATA XPG 8GB 3000Mhz + 16GB (8×2) Corsair Vengeance LPX 3600Mhz (but running at 3000Mhz)
• Motherboard: ASUS ROG Strix B550-F WIFI6 Motherboard
• GPU: XFX RX 580 8GB
• Storage: 500GB Samsung EVO 970 (M.2 SSD, boot), 250GB WD Green (SATA SSD), 2TB Seagate Barracuda (HDD)
• Case: CyberPower specific case (it’s basically a Phanteks case with a CyberPower RGB logo on the front, and RGB control buttons, no fan control, no USB C)
• Fans: 3x CyberPower RGB Fans (unknown specifics) [2 intake 1 exhaust]
• Power Supply: Super Flower Leadex III 650W 80+ Gold SF-650F14HG
• Peripherals: Logitech G502 Hero SE mouse, Novelkeys NK65 flame red keyboard kit, with Drop BOW keycaps, and Cherry Silent Black switches, LTT Aurora Mousepad, Dell SE2719HR 27″ 1080p 75Hz IPS panel Monitor

I used to go to my Samsung Galaxy S7 at an output of 320kbps (MP3) as well as the OnePlus6T for on the go music and watching shows while on the road, etc. I now use my Samsung Galaxy Note20 which I got for cheap because of a trade-in deal. It is a little more troublesome to connect since the S7 because of the lack of headphone jack, however. The Audiolab P-Dac also now does not work with the Note20. I purchased a dongle which was used with the Note10 which works, so I will be using that for wired connections between my phone and headphones. It does also support Bluetooth aptX connection with my V-Moda Crossfade Wireless 2 headphones so at least I have a convenient means of wireless connection. The V-Moda also supports Hi-Res audio in wired mode so it actually performs very well wired for my review testing as well as personal enjoyment. For a contrasting viewpoint, the Massdrop X Sennheiser HD6XX was purchased, as reviews say they are more component influenced. I will also be reviewing these in the near future.

My NHT C3 speakers are powered by the Emerald Physics 100.2SE amplifier, and I connect them with my Monster XP speaker cables, which are originally just bare wires, but I’ve attached Banana connectors for ease of change. I do change things around quite a bit for my reviews. The Sony SS-K10ED is interchangeable with the NHT C3 for their differences in characteristics for review reasons as well. In terms of other connections, an unmarked RCA is used to connect between the Topping D30 to the Chase RLC-1, while I split the pre-out from the Chase to the Subwoofer and the Emerald Physics 100.2SE amp, using and unmarked RCA cable to the Sub, an unmarked RCA to the amp, and an unmarked USB A to USB B from the Lenovo P43s laptop/CyperPowerPC desktop to the Topping D30. All the power cables are just generic black unmarked power cables, that would have come packed with products.

I’ve gotten stands that I use to keep the speakers to the side of the table as shown in the picture of the set-up above. I got them used and I don’t know their brand, but they are very study with metal construction and they did come filled with lead beads in the tubes which make them better anchored and dampened. Also on the base, the previous owner included spikes which I’m using since my entire floor consists of carpet.

As you may know, I’m currently in Taiwan for my job, and since it’s only a temporary relocation to Taiwan, here is my current situation on the gear I’ve brought:

Headphones: V-Moda Crossfade Wireless II, Sony XB50AP earphones (2 of them cuz redundancy XD), Sony WF-1000XM4 Wireless earbuds
Speakers: MiniJAMBOX by Jawbone
Playback: Surface Pro 3 (borrowed, a temporary solution which will not be temporary soon), Samsung Galaxy Note20

More updates on my temporary situation in Taiwan in my blog, so stay tuned!

Last Updated: 4/24/2022