Great thread---I've been in the audiophile world for about 30 years. My first 10-15 years was a swap fest with different gear, etc, since I had close friends at a local hifi shop. Then I settled down with my older system (now vintage) for quite a few years before the bug bit me again about 3 years ago. I bought some new gear for my reference system and started getting new gear for my 'fun' system. What I'm starting to learn is that I'm listening more to my fun system than my reference. Interesting how this turned out---I may make another post about this later.
After fifty years… amazing. What high end audio can be.
I am just enjoying my system. I am in awe of what an audio system can be. I have been listening to Bill Evans in the 60’s and 70’s on my system (see my userId). Having relentlessly pursued the high end for fifty years, alway stretching to achieve the next level. It is so rewarding to have a system that completely surprises and delights me each time I listen to it. What a treat…personally, really well worth the thousands of hours and dollars to achieve it. At 70, glad I did it.
Showing 3 responses by bluorion
@ghdprentice As for my reference system, I started going through different gear about 3 years ago---I played around with NAD, Bel Canto, Modwright, McIntosh, Naim, Focal and a few others but ended up getting a Luxman 505uxii integrated, Dynaudio Special 40s, REL sub. Streaming through a Marantz ND8006 and a VPI TT. I also upgraded the ICs, speaker cables, added a power conditioner and so on. Since I had my left over gear (Denon PMA 757, Canton Karat 200, Tekton Lore Reference, B & O TT, Denon cassette deck) I decided to create a 'fun' experimental system that was more vintage. Then I bought a Ifi Zen DAC v2 and added it to the Denon---switched speakers to the Tekton Lores. Results were very nice. Then decided to check out a demo class A Sugden A21 and got a Bluesound Node just before the holidays and so far I'm really loving the synergy of this second system. I'm starting to feel like I'm moving over to the high-sensitivity, low watt clan. It's all subjective but my ears seem to enjoy system #2. I may try moving the VPI to the Sugden since it has a phono stage. I even tried the Dyns with the Sugden---but I prefer the high sensitivity Tektons for some reason. Now I'm wondering what Heresy IVs sound like with the Sugden---apparently, they also have great synergy too. My journey continues. |
@whart I agree with you regarding the younger generation and their music, gear, etc. Us older folks had to 'shop' for music back in the day and we had more access to hifi shops (at least here in VA). It took effort to go out and hunt down import vinyl (or CDs) and we had fun doing it. Gear was less expensive and easier to obtain back then. Today---easy streaming, and no access to affordable gear has left the younger folks with Beats headphones and desk top speakers. I have a couple of friends in their 20s (from another hobby) and they love my system and one has started working on building a system. He loves vinyl too---I got him a Kraftwerk album for Christmas! It's a shame that the current record stores don't showcase or offer mid-priced, quality gear for blooming audiophiles. |