Are your current amps and other gear the best you've ever had?

edcyn  I can't imagine getting rid of a Koetsu to track 45's better.  Jeez! 

Well, on second thought, maybe not.   When I was in college, I had a make-shift stereo where the left channel was a Heathkit mono + speaker, and the right-channel a Fender Bandmaster (slightly 'rebuilt'--in those days it was rumored that the speakers from RadioShack were identical to the originals.  Who knows?).  Alas, I knew nothing about pre-amps (the guy who sold the family the Heathkit hadn't mentioned that), so it required a crappy ceramic cartridge for the TT.   Wonder what that would have sounded like with a modern cd-player!   It sure would have been loud enough.

The best except 1 mistake!!

   Had the Altec Lansing M-510s’ for a while, but far inferior amps at the time.  
   I
at the time, I was interested in volume, not knowing the gems I had right in front of me.    I sent them back, and regretted it ever since.

 I miss them, QUITE A LOT!!

 Been through a boatload of speakers since about 1984, those M-510s’ I should have kept, but made a mistake I have been sad ever since I sent em back.
 The cabinets, sound, amazing clarity I have missed ever since!

  My go to pair I use now, are a damn fine speaker, and I would not give them up at all, but those altecs were just a cut above. 
 We all make dumb choices in life. 

@phd I'm gonna hold you to that, young man... 

I promise this time I will keep what I have and be satisfied.

Yes! Best ever! Although I am extremely careful what I purchase and greatly minimize risk of purchasing gear inferior to what I have.

Yes, both systems.

Coda 06x > Coda 07x > ATC SCM100ASLT.

Herron VTPH-2A > Herron VTSP-360 > Herron M2 monos > Larsen 8.2.

The only upgrade I'm planning is to replace the Larsen 8.2 speakers with Larsen 9.

Never! 
Brown/read leads = pointed outward
Black/blue leads = pointed inward

Yeah...you're content with your system until you realize your fuses are in backwards.

I'm back to using stock Ayre provided fuses so it doesn't matter to me anyway.

This thread altogether so far conveys a general sense of satisfaction that is great to read. I'm sure not everyone feels this way, and maybe those guys didn't want to post here, but it is a good time to be an audiophile (with disposable income, at least). 

Oh yes, I'm content - mo betta be!

As I almost sweated blood, and needed plenty of nudging, and what not, to let go the equivalent of $US 11'000.00 in ZAR. This for my still fine cooking PassLabs X350.5.
This was back in mid 2008. 

Nothing helps for contentment, as being out of that sort of small change - it worked fine by me. 

Michélle 🇿🇦 

PS: Though I'm not sure... if I'd bought junk for 11k... Might have changed the hobby?! 🤣 🤔 

Yeah...you're content with your system until you realize your fuses are in backwards.

I'm finally content with my system.  Been listening to tons of music lately instead of the gear.  And what a revelation. 

Ayre KX-5 Twenty pre
Ayre VX-5 Twenty amp
Pass XP-17 phono pre
VPI Classic w/3D arm
Ortofon Cadenza Blue cart
PS Audio P12 regenerator
Legacy Focus SE speakers
Audio Sensibility cables throughout

My current pile of hifi gear is certainly the best I've had, and it also sounds better to me than anything anybody else has simply because the system has been tuned to my earballs. However, it might not be the best I'll EVER have as ya just never know. 

Indeed ..best so far and matched set .
just enjoying now 

Oh, absolutely; this current setup is by far the best I've ever had, and it's not by a long shot the best there is.  When I started buying equipment in the 1970's I couldn't afford much, and started out with Electrophonic, Airline (Montgomery Ward), Lafayette, Panasonic, Jensen, BSR, to name just a few.  All I have left from those days is a Technics SL-1200MK2 with a Shure V15MR Type V cartridge (I did buy a better cartridge, though).  All of it was substandard to what you can get now for just a bit more money; there's not too much absolute junk out there nowadays.  The thing is, once you have the disposable income to buy what you want you end up spending more than maybe you originally thought you would, but as long as you're not spending the mortgage money on equipment it's all good. 

Most definitely they are but we all have had some pieces that we should have not let go i am inclined to keep just about everything i buy now because there is always something you miss about a good component and all components work better than others in certain systems.

I'll keep it short, yup!

Way! Mega!!

 Took me 35 years to get where I’m at.     Starter small w receiver, etc, moved my way up
it takes time and patience,!

 Don’t think I can get any better....... maybe get new cables n see what happens, for hear, I’m a the top, and any changes would only go to a valley.

 I’m happy!

Ok, I know I will get destroyed but will put it out there. I love my MA-2275. Have rolled tubes, had repairs, etc. Still great. Even if I change to a different brand, I would stick integrated amp.

i'm not really an audiofile. back in the early 70's i had a marantz 4300 with 4 bose 901 series 2 speakers. in the early 2000's i bought a mcintosh mc2205 power amp. in the early 2010's i bought a mc602 amp. and a mx132 unit. still have the bose.since i'm retired now, this will be my last system!

Yes. Absolutely. 

I currently have the best system I have ever owned. My speakers and probably my integrated amp are “forever” pieces. I am upgrading my two of my power cables one at a time, but am happy with the rest of my cabling.  I will make a significant upgrade to my DAC even though I like what I have (I heard an awesome one and must have it so saving my pennies!).  My turntable is 24 years old but it is still incredible.  Overall, I love listening to music in my system as it site and will be a happy old man if it never changes. 😁

Sorry! that's Gustard A18 Dac and not Guitars ! lol!

Why yes indeed
Marantz 8805 pre and surround processor
OPPO 203/ Guitars A18 
Parasound JC5 (just replaced A21 and oh my!)
Anthem Mca 30
Emotive A700
Boston Acoustics E100 (mains)
Boston Acoustics E70 (center)
Energy ,Canton ,Boston's (ceiling and surround)
Ken Kresiel  DXD 12012 dual subs stacked up front 
Rythmik F18 sub in rear
Morrow Xlr  and speaker cable
Clear day cable on center
DH labs digital cables
PS Audio perfect wave AC cables 
Clarity Cable Vortex AC cable
Furutech Gtx  ncf  AC outlet
As Edison outlet
PS Audio Dectet  
Shunyata  defender 
Isotek  Iso  plug
GIK alpha and monster bass trap and panels 
Ats Acoustic
dedicated 20amp 10awg and 12awg lines
This my current SOTA for 2/check all the way to full 7.1.4..

Amps are the only thing in the system that I’m absolutely positively certain will never be replaced. Custom 2 x 6BL7 + 4 x KT77 monoblocks (with $7K worth of Dueland caps!) built by master builder Charlie Cocci, old pal of Gary Dodd and Danny Ritchie. Charlie has built hundreds of amps of many designs and heard many amps from other designers...he called these the best sounding amps he’s ever heard. I believe him. They’re certainly the best I’ve ever heard.

I agree, fun thread. Good to see these still pop up once in a while.

And yes, happy listening to all! Play some music on this 3-day President’s Day weekend! :)

Fun thread for a change. I would say ’yes’.
Some things I don’t see worth changing for now. Then again, I’ve made a lot of changes the past couple of years and, so far, I haven’t made any missteps. *knock wood*

• Acoustat 1+1s
• RHLabs sub
• +ARC VS110
• +ARC Sp11 Mk2
• +Bluesound Node2i
• +Border Patrol SE-i
• +Hana EL MC cartridge
• Linn LP12 Valhalla/Rabco SL-8
• California Audio Labs Aria CD player
• +Marrow interconnects and speaker cables

+Denotes "new" (ARC gear is new to me)
Happy listening.

Indeed it is!
For my loudspeaker system I've got:
MSB S-200 power amp
MSB 'Analog DAC' preamp/DAC
MSB Universal Transport
Harbeth Super SL5 speakers
Rega P3 turntable (which I'm researching a replacement for right now)
For headphones, it's:
Focal Utopia with upgraded Danacables cable
RME ADI-2 DAC
Quicksilver Audio tube headphone amp....

I’m sure my gear is one of the most inexpensive setups on this thread, but I’m enjoying it, and the mods helped:

Klipsch Belle Speakers
Mcintosh MX110z pre
Whammerdyne Integrated DGA1 SET amp
Denon 62dp-l turntable
Jena Labs SUT.
Jena labs cables/IC’s

Mods:

ALK crossovers
High end NOS tubes for the amps
Replaced stock power cords/phono cords on TT
Bass traps

I used to have Quad Electrostatics 57 model and twin Lecson AP3 monoblock power amps. So special. My current front end is streets ahead of what I had then though.

Classe’ DR5 > Audioquest Lapis > Krell LSA250 > Symo cables > Apogee Duetta Signatures (then Stages). Nowadays, all that is sold off. I’ve downsized into a combo HT/2 channel system consisting of a Dual 701 turntable / DVD-CD / Media Server-Streamer > NAD M17V2i > M28 > Apogee Minor with Velodyne subs. I also have a set of B&W N805 on B&W stands and the matching HTM center channel speaker and they are outstanding although they might be getting sold someday soon. The B&Ws were class A products that are excelllent, maybe better than the Apogee Centaur Minors in my room (the most important component?). This ''man cave' room is also pretty small and that has a huge effect on the system, of course. BTW, the NAD M17V2i with Dirac live has made the single biggest difference in the system in years. It actually sounds remarkably better since I EQ'd the room with it - I’m REALLY happy I bought it and the M28, which is a clean, musical powerhouse of an amp.

Much as I love my Dynaudio Evokes (they've brought me much closer than the Excites did) I will always miss my Dynaudio Audience 82's. The Evoke 50's are pretty special for sure but the Audience 82's were just pure magical. Though in all fairness to the Evoke 50's I am now in a different house and a completely different room and I've now put another 20 years of hard miles on my ears (including 2 more Iron Maiden concerts) since my time with Audience. So it's not truly a fair comparison...But I miss them nonetheless...

I still have my 1980 SAE Two A14 integrated amp and 1981 Sherwood receiver. I’ve listened to MANY amps over the years and have never been left wanting.

The SAE was designed in USA, built in Japan. Smoothest, most liquid sounding SS amp I’ve come across in 41 years. A sleeper. Dual mono construction. Fabulous preamp, MC and MM separate inputs. I was wise enough to hold onto it.

Yes, by far the best I’ve ever had, NAD M33 Integrated amp/streamer into Monitor Audio Gold 100 bookshelf speakers into my treated, smallish bedroom.  The only thing that might get better would be speaker cables and power cable, but very satisfied with what I have now.

Yes although I’m on the low end of scale relative to most of the people here  I have the best components ever. MA 5200 which works well. PCD with acrylic platter, power box and ortofon  blue. Denon 3910 disc player which I kept over an oppo 103. Tannoy 6.2 precision LEs for brighter sound. B&W CDM7SEs for beautiful midrange. Sonus Faber Auditor Ms for all around goodness. REL strata III which is flawless. Have some vintage amps that I switch in sometimes including a Pioneer SA 9500II. And some old paradigm studio 20s that really do justice to AC/DC Etc. So I am comfortably numb. Oh and I completely treated my 12x18x 8.5 dedicated room which made a world of difference. Should probably upgrade my turntable (thinking of RP6) and maybe sell some or all of my speakers to get a killer pair but I am finding good synergy with the front end and the Mc right now. Interested in any thoughts and critiques. 

The gear I have is absolutely the best I've had. I have a SIM audio w8 amp and a P8 preamp, and esoteric P10 transport, wyred for sound 10th anniversary dac, monitor audio Platinum 200 G2. All the wiring is harmonic technology magic generation 3 speaker wire and interconnects. The power cords are all harmonic technology pro 11.

I had BAT VK 5i Preamp and VK 150 mono blocks, the source was Wadia 20/21 CD system. They are over 20 years old. I traded in for all PS Audio gears including DirectStream DAC with Bridge II, BHK Preamp, and M1200 mono blocks. My source is now an Oppo UDP 205 as a transport feed into DAC. I also changed my power conditioner to PS Power Plant 15 when it was on sale. 

The result? I could not be happier. The Oppo/DAC really is better than my old Wadia, and I really like the M1200 amps. The entire set up was more than 50% cheaper than my old gears. 

Yes, by far.
Tekton Ulfberht speakers
Parasound JC 1 monoblocks
LTA Microzotl tube preamp
Holo Audio May Level 2 DAC

Yes.  Magnepan 3.7's, Sonographe 400 amp, Apt Holman pre-amp, 
new Technics SL1200 turntable, Marantz UD7007 universal player.  
Roughly 1,000 LPs, 2,000 CD and 100 SACDs.  If anyone is selling 
SACD's, I'm in the market for them. 

Yes...my current stuff was once state of the art......Im too old now to invest in the multi thousands needed to get any better if at all.

I had an original Futterman OTL amp while I had the Quad's. Then I stupidly sold both when I needed some fast cash. Now I again have Futterman OTL's - a mono pair of H3aa's and a Harvard Music H3 stereo. Plus now two pairs of Quad's! 

No.
But fairly close.

Yup... Best systems I've ever had. I'm done spending,  until the next time anyways. :-)

Regards

For me, yes.

The OP asked if our current systems are the best we've ever "had", not the best we've ever "heard".
I started out with an excellent system and through the years have traded down so now I finally have achieved a really crappy system that I enjoy complaining about.

Yes, my almost 30 year old Adcom system with B&W 802’s is the best I’ve ever had and all I need!  

yes, I was thinking last night that my current system is the best I have ever heard. I've never had the chance to go to a show to hear any dream systems, but I've heard plenty of 300K showroom set ups. The reason its right for ME is the incredible system tuning awareness and components we have access to now. Plus there are so many high quality components, each with a different house sound. We get to tailor all these great components and mix them till we get our own version of what's right. My lament is that its so difficult to demo gear locally or to hear it within our own system and room. Imagine if the industry could figure that out and we could try more gear. I'm sure the "now that I've heard this I can't go back" wish list would lead to a huge increase in sales overall. I'm seeing more manufactures go to in home trial and liberal return policies and that is exciting. I don't know how that mixes with our local dealers, but I'd like easier access to more gear, and I think that is a broadly shared desire. 

Yes. 

Yes. Five years in and it’s shaping up nicely.

Best system today but still room for improvement looking at changing my Bluesound Vault 2i for Aurender N10
you can check out my system in Virtual Systems 

Enjoy the Music 
Tom

The best I ever heard was north of $350K.  So not even close, but it's good enough for my ears and budget.