Reviewer's Bio

Dr. Michael R. Bump
Percussive Arts Society Board of Directors
Professor / Director, Percussion Studies
Truman State University's Department of Music

  Like you, I'm a consistent fan of Enjoy the Music.com, referencing the reviews/information many times over the years.

I'm also a career professional musician, thus my attraction and addiction to fine audio pieces and synthesis is a result of seeking the right sound in rehearsal and performance. I transfer much of this real-time awareness to my assessment of sound reproduction and those pieces which come closest to an organic, holographic presence of the recorded source. I'm no engineer, have minimal language in these fields, but speak fluent music. I've heard $800,000 systems that can get you there. Have also heard systems for a tiny fraction of this that can come pretty close. As you may agree, its all about synergy.

The audiophile hobby has been truly enjoyable through the years. I've been engaged since my teenage years in the 1970's with a humble Sherwood, Garrard, Teac, and Advent system. My wife (who is also a professional musician and professor of music) and I have crafted a home audio system that serves both downtime as well as critical listening of recording projects, reference study, etc.

Professional Career
For 34 years, I've served as Professor of Music / Director of Percussion Studies at various universities -- from the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), Ohio State University, to Truman State University in Missouri. I've also been performing with professional orchestras as timpanist / percussionist for over 40 years, including national summer music festivals and numerous recordings. As an avid steel pan performer/arranger, I have been to Trinidad and Tobago, performing at the Panorama Competition during Carnival.

I am also an artist / endorser / guest clinician / solo artist for Pearl Drums, Sabian Cymbals, Innovative Percussion, and Evans Drumheads, and a published composer of several works for concert percussion. I also have a long-standing association with the Percussive Arts Society -- an international organization of over 10,000 members -- for which I currently serve on the Board of Advisors.

In short, I'm a percussionist and drummer... and an audiophile. A deadly combination!

Review Equipment (Two-Channel/Audio-Only)
Preamp: VAC Signature mkII SE (w/ phono)
Digital Source: Esoteric K-03
Analog Source: VPI Scoutmaster Signature (w/ Dynavector XV-1s cart)
Speakers: Daedalus Athena v.2
Sub: Velodyne DD10+
Cables: JPS Aluminata pc's, interconnects (XLR balanced & RCA unbalanced), JPS SC3 speaker cable
Conditioning: Running Springs Haley
...and a Nitty Gritty 2.5fi vac

Listening Space
Dedicated room that is 15' x 19' with 12' high ceiling. Fully carpeted. Speakers off the long wall, 42" / 8' spread. Centered listening point 11' at mid-range level. Have occasionally adjusted to nearfield listening at 5' just for fun. No professional acoustic treatments (as-yet).