Getting into the music

Thanks. No, I don’t think high cost is the only way to get there… but for me… I always want upgrades to be better in all aspects while closing in on the sound I want. You can put together a musical system at most levels. It is about the choices you make… and knowing what you want. 
 

Over the decades in this pursuit I would occasionally hear a system that would really grab my emotions. I can think back to seemingly random systems that just stuck in my mind. When I listened to my 300b headphone systtem, then my main system… it all fell together. All those seemingly random experiences just came together and I completely understood rhythm and pace, the out of proportion details, and what those systems had in common. 
 

Take for instance the Audio research I-50 integrated amp. It cost $6K. So building your system around that does not require a fortune. If you don’t mind ferreting, I am sure you could find some less expensive. 

This has happened to me. In improving my system, I listened for details and enjoyed more slam and as upgrades occur the venue and mastering technics on recordings became more obvious… the quality of the recording became more and more obvious. It is easy to be seduced by hearing details you have never heard before front and center.

I used to call this my reference system. Step by step I had striped all the rhythm and pace from the system… the musicality was gone. 45 minutes, the max I could listen before I got bored. Then I had a wake-up call.

For me, it came when I upgraded my headphone system to a powerful 300B tube system. I could not believe how musical it was… midrange bloom… made me want to tap my feet and move to the music. I got up, turned on my main system expecting to hear even better music and I literally said to myself, “that sounds like sh*t”. It did. Incredibly detailed, great slam, fantastic soundstage and imaging… cold, without emotion. Yep, I had a $70K reference system. If I was mastering albums… it would be great. But for a musical experience… nope.

I changed most everything from a $18K Sim Moon DAC / CD player, and my Pass 350 amp, and now with my Audio Research components I listen to the music, nearly all but the very worst albums sound fantastic.

I have been going to the symphony for over ten years with season tickets in 7th row center… I can attest that the presentation I have now is real… just like the real thing. The venue doesn’t come out and grab you… it is in its place… all the details are there, but in appropriate volume.

It was probably the most important turn in my audiophile journey. I now listen for three hours a day and have to tear myself away each day. You can see my systems under my UserID.