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  3. 1079281851

Hi Fi Pretensions...

I admit it. I'm a vinylholic who has stumbled on to my current system through going to house sales to buy LPs and discovering audio pieces here and there that seemed either cool looking or maybe better than what I had at home. There was little to no thought as to 'synergy'. My ears pricked up when I installed a McIntosh MX-113 and MC-2505 ($25.00 each) which blew away my Pioneer receiver. My LP collection was made anew and I was up all night listening as if for the first time. I then auditioned Vandersteen 2CEs shortly before a classified add popped up with the same. A white Adcom GFA-555 purchased for a song showed me what posibilities existed for bass. The VPI HW-19IV my girlfriend surprised me with and the McIntosh MC-275 from a house sale were the next components to illumine the world of HI FI for me. The MC-275 made my vinyl and even my few CDs sound 10 fold better than what I was used to.

Now my mind races with the possibilities presented through use of synergy. Do I scrap everything or is it possible to work in recerse? Piece by piece what should be my course of action to develop the synergy needed to have a decent analog based system? I have modest means (used is good) and want to more fully take advantage of my vinyl and few CDs. One possible problem is that I listen to music from all over the map (see my system for music and current system) from electronic to chamber music. Please forgive me for being a sheep in wolf's clothing but any advice will be gratefully appreciated.
128x128ashra

Showing 2 responses by jes453dc3

jes453dc3
65 posts
 
Sorry for the misunderstanding, Ashra, my friend. You must admit, you haven't seen much help on this thread. Hmm, wonder why? Could it be the title? Just a wild guess!

You've recieved assistance from two of us, one suggesting that buying better gear is a waste of money (ludicrous) and that you should buy a power conditioner and cables. The other tells you to use your own ears, visit a few audio stores and determine if your finances will allow you a viable improvement. Thanks for taking the time to fully understand my post! Good luck in your quest!
jes453dc3
65 posts
 
Why don't you visit an audio store to see if what they have to offer better suits you? It's free for you to visit the store, explain your situation, listen to a few demo systems and LET YOUR EARS determine whether or not your current system is where you want to be.

Certainly, there are many that are very happy with their McIntosh systems similar to yours. Mac has a good reputation and even better re-sale. If you bought yours at Garage sales, you're really coming out ahead. Withstanding, there are many other manufacturers out there that are known for their exceptional sounding gear. To make assumptions that spending more money and "winding up dissatisfied and annoyed with the cash spent" is ludicrous. Pretentious or not, many have made the move up from their Mac gear, myself included in the lot, and haven't looked back. Before buying power conditioners and cables you owe it to yourself to see and hear what else is available. Determined by your finances, you may not be able to replace your Mac gear with better sounding gear. Then again, maybe you will. It is your choice, your hearing, your money. Listen to what else is available first.

As a side note, you haven't got much help on this because of the way you worded your "subject" field in your thread. HI FI PRETENTIONS sounds more like you are upset that anyone dare say that Mac isn't the best and that anyone saying anything else is just being pretentious. Once again, it's ludicrous. You scared many off from giving you useful advice because of your "Hi Fi Pretentions" title. One can assume that you are 1) looking for an argument or 2) only seeking advice from those who will agree that you should keep your Mac gear.
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