Publisher Profile

Located:
Houston, TX, USA

Fred Crowder

Associate Editor

By day, I am an attorney for a large multi-national and spend the majority of my time drafting and negotiating contracts for large construction projects, primarily LNG liquefaction facilities and travel outside the US on a regular basis. I have two grown children and a new grandchild. I live in an area near Rice University in Houston in a sprawling one story ranch style home that has allowed me to dedicate one room to my sound system. My earliest stereo was a KLH combination unit that included a turntable and speakers as a part of the package. Over the years since then I have owned a variety of different equipment, including Dahlquist DQ-10's, an Ampzilla and Thaedra, Crosby modified Quads, Acoustats, Spectral electronics and Infinity speakers, Conrad Johnson, Audio Research, Linn and Goldmund. Of these, the Quad 63's, the CJ Premier One, the ARC SP-10 and the Goldmund Reference are probably the most memorable with an honorable mention to a Spectral DMC-10 and DMA 100 which Richard Lees modified for me many years ago. In equipment, my preferences run to equipment that accurately reproduces tone and timbre, is good at decoding low-level detail and ambient information, is dynamic throughout the spectrum but particularly at the low-end of the dynamic scale, and that creates some semblance of a stage with natural depth and height. Pinpoint imaging is not a high priority. Most importantly, the sound must be musically involving and draw me into the performance. I am particularly fond of those few pieces of equipment that seem to suspend my need to analyse the sound and instead get my toes tapping. LISTENING ROOM: 19 ' by 27 ' by 10 ' with a vaulted ceiling, hardwood floors, tongue and groove mahogany paneling and a large oriental rug on the floor with an oriental rug runner behind the speakers. The front of the speakers is approximately 9' from the front wall. Centered on that wall behind the speakers are two ASC 2' by 4' quadratic diffusers. Large windows measuring 6' by 8' behind the speakers and the listening position are covered with pleated Levilor shades which act to partially absorb higher frequencies. There are 3 dedicated circuits wired with unbroken runs of 10-gauge solid-core copper wire to the breakers. Each circuit feeds a single duplex Oyaide R-1 outlet. The ceiling of the room is laden with two layers of 3/4" sheetrock that have been glued together and are secured to the joists with screws. One side wall is natural stone with a fireplace at the listener end of the room. Sonically, the room is relatively benign but does have a significant, very narrow (low Q) drop out centered at 50 Hz. MUSICAL TASTES: Although I find almost any music enjoyable, I gravitate towards classical (Bach for its structure, Mahler for its lyricism, chamber music for its intimacy), jazz and folk (John Renbourn, Pentangle and the whole British folk/rock movement of the time) with a certain fondness for the rock music of the 60's and 70's (Dire Straits) and for film scores (Bernard Hermann). The majority of my listening is to vinyl, particularly Decca's, EMI's, Lyrita's, Shady Dog RCA's and Mercuries, and Flying Fish, but I am increasingly purchasing CD's and SACD's. Normally, I prefer early pressings to reissues but have been very pleased with the Music Matters jazz reissues as well as some of the Speaker's Corner offerings.

System
						Analog Front End
Rockport Sirius turntable Lyra Atlas SL Pierre Lurne record clamp Yamaha CT7000 tuner
						Digital Front End
EMM Labs TX2 Transport EMM Labs DA2 digital to analog converter
						Amplification
Audio Note M10 Signature line stage Audio Note Balanced Kegons with WE300B from 1970s EMM Labs MTRX monoblocks Ypsilon transformer and phonostage
						Cabling
Nordost Odin 2 (TT to phono) Jorma Prime (remainder of interconnects) Jorma Prime Tri-wire speaker cables Stage III Minotaur and Zyklops Kraken power cords HD Marble PowerSlave distributor
						Speakers
Acapella Triolon Excaliburs
						Headphones
None
						Home Theater
Pioneer Elite 60" plasma
						Accessories
Halcyonic isolation base x 2 Finite Elemente Pagode Reference equipment stand and amp stands Finite Element Cerabases
						Room Treatment
ASC 16" Tube Traps (8), 2' by 4' quadratic diffuers (2) Updated: November 4, 2021.
Articles & Reviews
Sort By: Title A-Z | Z-A | Date

EMM Labs MTRX monoblock Input Board Upgrade Review

Amplification | Mono Block | Solid State | No Comments »

A Visit to Goodwin’s High End

Spotlight | System Profiles | 1 Comment »

A monophonic experience: Miyajima Zero and Artisan Fidelity Garrard 301

Spotlight | System Profiles | 1 Comment »

One man’s dream: the Acapella Spharon Excalibur speakers system (a consideration)

Spotlight | System Profiles | 6 Comments »

Audio Note UK Isis Mains cable Review

Cables | Power Cables | 3 Comments »

Aural Symphonics Optimism Lotus ST optical cable Review

Cables | Digital Cables | 2 Comments »

Lyra Atlas Lambda SL moving-coil cartridge Review

Analog Sources | Cartridges | 3 Comments »

Stage III Concepts A.S.P. Reference Poseidon power cable Review

Cables | Power Cables | No Comments »

Ortofon MC Anna Diamond moving coil cartridge Review

Analog Sources | Cartridges | 6 Comments »

Stage III Proteus power cable Review

Cables | Power Cables | 5 Comments »

Top Wing Seiryu Blue Dragon coreless straight-flux cartridge Review

Analog Sources | Cartridges | No Comments »

EMM Labs DA2 V2 Update Review

DACs | Digital Sources | No Comments »

Stillpoints Ultra 6 Resonance Control Feet Review

Audio Accessories | Racks & Stands | No Comments »

Audio Note UK 4300E output tube

Amplification | Tube | 19 Comments »

EMM Labs PRE stereo preamplifier Review

Amplification | Solid State | 3 Comments »

Audio Note M9 RIAA Signature phono stage Review, Part 2: S9M Step-Up Transformer

Amplification | Phono | SUT | Tube | 4 Comments »

Audio Note M9 RIAA Signature phono stage Review, Part 1

Amplification | Phono | Tube | 2 Comments »

Furutech NCF Boosters Review

Audio Accessories | 2 Comments »

Lyra Atlas SL 0.25mV moving coil phono cartridge Review

Analog Sources | Cartridges | 3 Comments »

Addendum to EMM Labs TX2 and DA2 Review: V2 Firmware update

DACs | Digital Sources | 14 Comments »

Postscript to Audio Note M10 Line Signature preamplifier Review

Preamplifier | 3 Comments »

EMM Labs XDS1 V3 Update

Digital Sources | Disc Media Players | 11 Comments »

Audio Note M10 Signature Preamplifier Review

Preamplifier | 13 Comments »

Audiodesk PRO Ultrasonic Vinyl Cleaner Review

Audio Accessories | Disc Treatment | 7 Comments »

EMM Labs TX2 Limited Edition CD/SACD Transport & DA2 Stereo DAC Review

DACs | Digital Sources | Transports | Transports | 12 Comments »

There and back again

Commentaries | The Columns | 1 Comment »

Nordost Sort Kones Review

Audio Accessories | 2 Comments »

EMM Labs MTRX monoblock amplifiers Review

Amplification | Mono Block | Solid State | 7 Comments »

Nordost QRT system Review

Audio Accessories | Power Conditioners | 6 Comments »

Meet the Designers: Marten and EMM Labs

Commentaries | The Columns | 2 Comments »

Sonorus Audio ProximitySub Controller

Commentaries | No Comments »

A Second Visit to the Home of the Infamous Encinitas Jim

Commentaries | The Columns | 8 Comments »

A Visit to the Home of the Infamous Encinitas Jim

Commentaries | The Columns | 2 Comments »

Audio Desk Vinyl Cleaner Review

Audio Accessories | Vinyl | 6 Comments »

Halcyonics Silencer Isolation Base Review

Audio Accessories | Racks & Stands | 2 Comments »

Stage III Kraken Power Cable & HB Cable Design Marble PowerSlave Power Distributor Review

Audio Accessories | Cables | Power Cables | Power Conditioners | 6 Comments »

CES 2014 – Most Interesting Rooms

CES | Event Reports | 1 Comment »

Pass Labs Xs 150 Monoblock Amplifiers Review

Amplification | 1 Comment »

CES 2013 Coverage

CES | Event Reports | No Comments »

Esoteric P-02 SACD/CD Transport & D-02 DAC Review

DACs | Digital Sources | Disc Media Players | 8 Comments »

Takatsuki TA-300B Vacuum Tube Review

Amplification | Tube | 11 Comments »

Triode Corporation TRX-M845 Monoblocks Tube Amplifier Review

Amplification | Mono Block | Tube | 7 Comments »

An earful of sound

Commentaries | The Columns | 1 Comment »

Nordost Odin Tone Arm Cable & Interconnect Review

Cables | Interconnects | Phono Cables | No Comments »

Ypsilon VPS 100 Tube Phono Preamplifier & MC16 Step Up Transformer Review

Phono | 2 Comments »

2011 CAS Coverage, Part VIII

CAS | Event Reports | No Comments »

A Visit to Audio Federation

Spotlight | System Profiles | No Comments »

2011 CAS Coverage, Part VII

CAS | Event Reports | No Comments »

2010 RMAF Part 5

Event Reports | RMAF | No Comments »

2010 RMAF Part 3

Event Reports | RMAF | No Comments »

Stage III Concepts A.S.P. Reference Minotaur Power Cable Review

Cables | Power Cables | No Comments »

EMM Labs XDS1 SACD Player Review

Digital Sources | Disc Media Players | 1 Comment »

California Audio Show, Part 2 of 2

CAS | Event Reports | No Comments »

California Audio Show, Part 1 of 2

CAS | Event Reports | No Comments »

Pierre Lurne Record Clamp Review

Audio Accessories | No Comments »

Playback Designs MPS 5 SACD Player Review

Digital Sources | Disc Media Players | 2 Comments »

Shuguang Treasure 300B Vacuum Tube Review

Amplification | Tube | 6 Comments »

2010 CES Coverage 11

CES | Event Reports | No Comments »

2010 CES Coverage 9

CES | Event Reports | No Comments »

Jorma Prime Interconnect and Speaker Cable Review

Cables | Interconnects | Power Cables | Speaker Cables | 4 Comments »

2010 CES Coverage 6

CES | Event Reports | No Comments »

2009 RMAF Coverage 11

Event Reports | RMAF | No Comments »

2009 RMAF Coverage 7

Event Reports | RMAF | No Comments »

Aural Symphonics Chrono b2 Interconnects Review

Cables | Interconnects | No Comments »

Audio Note UK Factory Visit

Factory Tour | No Comments »

Bybee Wire Power Purifier Review

Audio Accessories | Power Conditioners | No Comments »

Stage III Concepts A.S.P. Reference Zyklop Power Cable Review

Cables | Power Cables | No Comments »

Audio Note Kegon Mono Block Tube Amplifier Review

Amplification | Mono Block | Tube | 3 Comments »

Acapella Triolon Excalibur Loudspeaker System Review

Floorstanding Speakers | Speakers | 2 Comments »

2008 RMAF Coverage 7

Event Reports | RMAF | No Comments »

Halcyonics Micro 40 Isolation Platform Review

Audio Accessories | Racks & Stands | No Comments »

Fred Crowder traverses the Rocky Road to a Reference Quality Front-End

Commentaries | The Columns | No Comments »
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