Shaun's high-end audio and video obsession led to this

This is Shaun. He is from British Columbia, Canada. And he's really into high-end audio and video. Brace yourself.

This is really two Show Us Yours installments in one. Shaun has two high-end systems, one strictly for audio and one for home theater.

Shaun took 10 years to put together his audio system. He says the Bowers & Wilkins Diamond 802s were always in his plan, and through a series of upgrades he settled on them and hasn't looked back. 

Shaun chose the Marantz MA9-S2 Monobloc amps because he wanted something that had "the liquidity of a tube amp with the control of solid state, yet provided extreme musicality and tonality."

Shaun says the matching Marantz SC7-S2 Preamp was the next purchase and "moved the enjoyment of the system to a place I didn't think possible."

He purchased the Marantz SA7-S1 SACD player to complete the Marantz system.

The PS Audio P10 Power Plant is a high-end AC power regenerator that delivers clean power and helps improve audio transparency, Shaun says. It costs more than some people's entire audio systems.

Close-up of the PS Audio P10 Power Plant.

Shaun says he chose the phono preamp for the musicality and the tonality that the tubes brought.

The Pro-Ject HL Signature 12 turntable was a blind purchase -- Shaun hadn't auditioned it before buying it. But he ended up being very happy with the purchase.

"I upgraded to this piece from a great turntable that was built by a well-known American manufacturer and am very satisfied with its abilities." Shaun says. "I chose a Grado Statement 1 Cartridge because it beats out many cartridges at higher prices and gives me the tonality and presence I am looking for."

B&W Diamond 802s.

Shaun listens primarily to vinyl now and is building a jazz collection at a pace that he says gives his wife cause for concern.

The cabling was chosen over the years by trial and error, Shaun says.

B&W Diamond 802s from the side.

Shaun says: "My friends cannot believe how good music can sound, and are blown away by how intoxicating vinyl can be when played on a great setup."

And now for the home theater...

Shaun says this system began in 1996 with the purchase of his first Yamaha high-end home-theater receiver as a graduation gift. "That began the obsession," he says. Since he's owned several of Yamaha's flagship amps.

The Star Wars Lego collection is his wife's.

Shaun says the speakers were his first higher-quality purchase in the audio realm.

The Paradigm Studio surround system consists of two Studio 100's in real cherry wood veneer, a matching Studio CC, four Studio ADP surrounds, two Titans (smaller speakers mounted high beside the screen for use with Yamaha's DSP modes) and the "wonderfully visceral" Paradigm Servo-15 subwoofer that uses an active servo woofer system that enables it to drop into the realm of 14hz.

There's a pool table in the back of the room.

Close up of the pool table.

Shaun says the JVC projector was chosen for its 4K upconversion capabilities and black levels. It can also do 3D. 

Elunevision Reference 4K screen.

The Yamaha turntable is a mid-'80s model.

It's a direct drive and holds a Grado Platinum cartridge. Shaun says it sounds incredible considering its age.

"The Studio ADP surrounds use a dipole radiating system which creates an out-of-phased dispersion pattern that better fills the room and enhances the feeling of being in a large theatre," Shaun says.

He partially chose Paradigm because it is a Canadian company and "we get great value in it up here in moose country."

More Lego Star Wars along with packed shelves of vinyl and discs.

Paradigm Servo-15 subwoofer with Studio 100. 

The room does get dark.

"We love this system, as do our friends, and enjoy watching films with them," Shaun says. "I am very thankful for a wife who not only gave me permission to build both systems, but who also appreciates the joy that comes from them."

Thanks, Shaun!

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