I use only triangle wire in my system. In side by side tests it bested round, rectangular and square wire. The equilateral sides create a synergy that.....Oh for cripes sake, someone always has to rain on the parade don’t they? Congratulations ghd, glad you’re enjoying your system. Have a wonderful new year.
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.
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I’m 62 and am beginning my high-end audio journey. After 7yr of intense research, I almost completed my analog+digital systems- regular, flea watt, and desktop. Only a few cables purchase. Unfortunately, my house remodel is keeping me from assembling. Wife not enthusiastic about my large spending with only components in boxes to show. |
Congratulations @ghdprentice You have a system that inspires me and I’m sure many others! |
Those who are not quite so fortunate as your good self often do some quite substantial research and not rely on luck. I think that there is a non sequitur somewhere in that sermon. As a scientist, you'd know that. |
Yes, I can relate as well. I have been pursuing hi-fi for over 50 years. I built my first stereo speakers (Bozak) in 7th grade woodshop. My woodshop teacher didn't understand why I needed two speakers! I saved all my money from cutting lawns to buy a Fisher 202 Receiver and thought I was in heaven. I convinced my father to take me downtown (Cleveland, OH) to Audio Craft were they holding a McIntosh Amplifier Clinic. We waiting for over 2 hours whist some of the most beautiful equipment I had ever seen was placed on the test bench. I listened to same gear in the showroom and I was smitten. When it was my turn on the bench, the harmonic distortion graph for my lowly Fisher looked like a hockey stick. The technician grinned suggested I upgrade to a McIntosh. Little did I know at the time, he was the infamous Dave O'Brien of McIntosh Labs. Fast forward to the present, my father passed away two years and I cherish our time together and sacrifices he made to nourish my hobbies. So for the past two years I have been researching, networking, searching and building my McIntosh system and 50 years later - it is bliss. (I know that this forum is not necessarily fond of MC, but this is my story and I am sticking to it). |
Ghdprentice, you’re one of my favorite contributors on site too. You consistently provide well thought out and practical advice. Glad to hear how much satisfaction you derive from your current system, which you’ve obviously taken great pains to put together. As a fellow 70 year old, my only concern is that youngsters like Baylinor and Henry58 feel entitled to chime in here at their tender age. Grow up you two. And Happy New Year to you and everyone else here, youngsters included. Mike |
@ghdprentice , once you reach this point it is more about acquiring content than components because changes might actually degrade the enjoyment you have right now, congrats! |
@ghdprentice -- almost 62 here and I still own the first LP I played on my first "stereo" in 1973! I am off to audition some speakers tomorrow and I will be bringing along one or two of my favorite Bill Evans recordings! There is something about him that forges a personal connection to each song and it is wonderful to hear you writing something quite similar. I still have work to do on my "room" but I do have a plan, so more to come on this subject! Thanks for a wonderful reflection and for the advice you have offered as a fellow ARC convert.
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GDH,
GDH, Myy listening room is the same situation as yours is. When I moved in here (29 years ago, now), My system was on the long wall of the house, due to a large and heavy woodstove on the end wall. After a few years, I decided that was no good, so I had the stove moved to a side wall, and located the speakers out into the room, about five feet from the front wall. The difference was instantly much, much better, and it's been that way ever since. Even three subwoofers work well, though they are not at all close in proximity to each other. Bass is nice not at all overpowering, just the way I like it. I was looking at your system, your speakers are very beautiful! Regards, Dan
gdh |
Thanks. Yes, I was so lucky when relocating twenty years ago and running through this house. I noticed this was the perfect place to put my stereo. I wasn’t thinking about acoustics, just the space… so, quite by accident I stumbled on one of the best possible acoustical spaces… well, actually that my dealer has ever heard (he installs many +$200 K systems), so has more experience than I. Just luck. Over the years I figured out why it is so good… but I never would have known. Fantastic! When you retire and take your emphasis off of work / achievement it is great to reap the rewards of all the effort.
I am really glad to hear so many similar experiences. One of the reasons I enjoy posting is to help folks start off right and that high end audio can be really rewarding. But there is a steep learning curve and it is easy to get off on the wrong foot and head down a dead end. You can see them all over this site, denying the sound quality of great designs, high quality components, high end wires, or thinking that measurements are everything. etc. |
Now at 75, having the best system I've had in 50 years, I couldn't be happier. All it took in the end was a few dollars spent for a quality line stage and that made all the difference. Music is still such a joy to listen to, even at this age I'm getting more enjoyment than I was a few short years ago. Like the old saying goes, "don't worry, be happy". Happy holidays, Dan |
@ghdprentice Nice post, as always. My only next step is to get a better space such as yours. |
Thank you all for your great comments. I am also happy to hear how many other folks are enjoying there system and living over 70. The process has been incredibly enjoyable… one of discovery and ongoing enjoyment, what I like most in life. I was privileged to be an exploration geologist for ten years. People actually paid me to, “go find x (mostly gold)… and said come back when you find it. Stay in the country.” That was pretty much my entire instructions. Stuff like that makes me come alive. Where to start, how, where to go…etc. High end audio is like that. You got to figure out where you want to go, where to start, how to get there. Unfortunately no one pays you to do it. Oh well.
For those of you nearing retirement or nearing 70… well, blink and you will be there. But you guys know that already. With age comes wisdom. |
I’m 79 (but only look 78) and I’ve been interested in hi end audio since 1969. I have progressed in spurts, however, not as a steady pursuit but as I head into retirement I went and splurged big time (for me). I now have my “forever system” with which I’m totally happy. The challenge now is to continue to get The Absolute Sound, attend Axpona and check in with this forum and still resist the temptation to buy anything more. |
What’s cool is than I have less than 30% [12% in mid 80’s dollars] invested today. Back then "On well recorded material, this system could raise the hair on the back of your neck. One felt as though one could walk up and join the band playing in the room, be it a Ben Webster trio, Queen or the London Phil... some said it sounded too good..." Ditto today |
Not yet 70 (but close), been into hifi and music since 1969. Many aspects have led to massive improvements. Of course design and technology but also quality control. God some 1970's stuff was abject rubbish? Current system built around Cayin tube amp and Audio Physic speakers is quite incredible compared to system costing many times more even 20 years ago. Of course real cost has decreased but in my case the internet means each of these items were purchased at 40+% off retail. So even supply chains, retail and media have played a part in the transformation. Anyway guys merry Christmas and a happy new year and enjoy what you have, it's never been a better time to be an audiophile. |
Yeah. My 2022 system is pretty good. But I didn''t mind my 1972 system and the music was much better then. So were my ears! Glad we're both still loving it @ghdprentice |
I'm 74, I changed a lot the last few years while staying home avoiding covid. Back to my vintage Horn speakers, tube preamp and tube amp. New to me Vintage TT with 3 arms, existing Teac R2R, and it took me quite a while, but found a CD player that has me re-discovering my many CDs. I too couldn't be happier. |
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Congratulations on your system and enjoyment of it! I too passed a certain threshold a few years ago where engagement with the music far surpassed my analysis of sound quality. Sometimes I think to myself this level of sound quality is one of the major achievements of life, seems silly but I can't help myself.
But it isn't silly when we get to engage with music with this level of sound quality, experiencing a sense of these artists performing in our listening room is the payoff. These close encounters with great musicians brings about emotional experiences that must be important for our well being. |
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@jl35 I hear you though I did go the Tube integrated route with the Qualiton X200 (54Lbs) and can still lift it at 60 years young. |
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@ghdprentice your post is what this hobby/passion/obsession is all about. The journey, traveling the winding roads the people we meet, the music we discover, the equipment we buy, and the day we find that inner peace where it all comes together. I am with you my friend and I am almost in that place, just not at the same scale as you.
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You are one of my favorite voices to chime in on Audiogon message boards. Like stated above, your true interest and passion in music are always a delight to read. Thank you! I am reaching retirement age soon and have been working on my end system so that I will be able to enjoy more time focused on the music. I wish you many many happy and healthy years to enjoy! |
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ghdPrentice, you have a wonderful system the only thing holding it back is those awful transparent wires they use junkie ofc, you should really try the new rectangular OCC single Crystal wire from Neotech, it is far superior to anything ofc on the market at any price and lot of companies like Transparent rip people off for cheap ofc wire, I have the Sahara which is the rectangular copper OCC wire and it totally blew away my round OCC, it's not cheap but boy is it worth it, my speaker wire was 4300 US and the only thing that will beat it is the Amazon which is the rectangular silver OCC wire and that's double the price. |
