Audiophiliac readers' astonishing hi-fis & home theaters (pictures)

The readers' desktop systems, full-blown home theaters, and hand-made gear is a dazzling slideshow.

Steve Guttenberg

March 2, 2013 7:36 a.m. PT

1 of 20

Jeremy P.

Morkt Samfunn Console

Jeremy P.'s Morkt Samfunn Console may be a throwback to the entertainment consoles of the 1940s and '50s, but it's outfitted with the best in high efficiency, vacuum tube amplification and speaker design.

2 of 20

Al F.

The Apogee/Krell system

Al F.'s audiophile dream system has flat panel Apogee Diva speakers and Krell amps. Back in the day, this was an ultimate hi-fi rig. It's still pretty spectacular!

3 of 20

Luis Alberto C.

2,000 watts driving two 12-inch subs

Luis Alberto C. says his Pioneer amp feeds 2,000 watts to two L7 Kicker 12-inch subs. The door panels house 14 tweeters and 6 midrange drivers. He says the system "bumps pretty good." I'm sure it does!

4 of 20

Greg S.

Homemade suitcase boombox

Greg S.'s homemade suitcase boombox. It uses a battery-powered Lepai TA2020 amp and car speakers.

5 of 20

Damian G.

A simple setup

This is Damian G.'s setup. It has Audioengine A2 speakers and an Airport Express streaming Apple lossless files. He just ordered an Audioengine DAC and might get the sub, too.

6 of 20

James B.

A serious hi-fi

James B. has the snazziest looking, custom painted Zu Essence speakers, Rega P3-24 turntable, Modwright Oppo BDP-83SE player, Rotel RB-1070 amp, Rotel RB-1070 preamp, Logitech Transporter, Jasmine Audio phono stage, Moth Audio si2A3 headphone amp, and Audio Technica ATH-L3000 headphones.

7 of 20

Keith A.

A DIY audiophile

Keith A. describes himself as a DIY kind of audiophile. His current setup has a pair of NaO RSII speakers, which he made from a plans-based DIY kit from Music and Design dot com. Behind the room divider there's a DIY subwoofer that uses a 15-inch TC Sounds driver.

8 of 20

Eric N.

Headphones and tubes

Eric N.'s Sennheiser HD 800 headphones, juiced up by a Bottlehead tube amp. Bet it sounds great!

9 of 20

Scott M.

Man cave

Scott M.'s big-rig home theater system sports Klipsch RF52-II speakers, a pair of Polk PSW-505 12-inch subwoofers (one just wasn't earth-shattering enough), four Energy Take 5.1 Height/Presence speakers, four Polk M30 monitors for side and rear surrounds, and a Polk TL2 center channel speaker. A Yamaha RX-A3000 receiver powers the whole setup.

10 of 20

Jetro C.

Made in Mexico

Jetro C. sent this shot of his system: made-in-Mexico Aletheia A28 speakers, an old Brazilian Gradiente amp, a Yamaha CDS100 SACD player, and an Akai reel-to-reel tape recorder that was restored by Jetro's uncle.

11 of 20

Roger W.

Getting down to business

Roger W. has Tekton Lore-S speakers, an Oppo BDP-105 Blu-ray player, a Rotel RB-990BX amp, and a Rotel RC-995 preamp.

12 of 20

Guillaume

Magnepan home theater

Guillaume is 23 and lives in Montreal. He has Magnepan SMG flat-panel speakers, a Cerwin-Vega CLSC-6C center speaker, Harman/Kardon SAT-HKS2 satellite surround speakers, a Polk PSW110 subwoofer, a SystemDek IIX turntable with Grado Black Cartridge, Grado SR225 headphones, a Naim amp, a Marantz SR4300 receiver, and lots more!

13 of 20

Thu L.

High-end hi-fi

Thu L.'s rig looks impressive. Thu has a VTL ST-150 amp, a Cary SLP-98 preamp, a Squeezebox Touch, an Eastern Electric Minimax DAC, a PS Audio PowerPlant Premier power conditioner, and Usher Dancer Mini 2 Diamond speakers.

14 of 20

Mike S.

Neat system

Mike S. has a Rega RP3 turntable, an Emotiva USP-1 preamp and an XPA-200 2-channel amplifier, an Outlaw LFM-1 Plus 12-inch subwoofer, and PSB Alpha B1 speakers.