Homage to those who are pleased with your audio rig

Only thing left is streaming for me. In fact starting getting stuff for it this week. Other than that, my system is now completly satisfying, analog rig, digital CD and digital audio tuner rig. Simplest way to find out how I got there is to see my house of stereo system. Click on my handle then click on details and there you will find it. Congrats to those who can actually enjoy their music. I know it's all about the journey but as you get up there in age, the end result is surprisingly just as satisfying and much more relaxing 👌

When I finally reached that point of clarity that tells one that there is no such thing as audio perfection, I began chasing the important Dragon. The music. When I opened myself up to all music genres the magic really took hold. There is always something beautiful or interesting just around the corner. What a blast it is at 58 years old to find music from all over the world with just a click. My system still excites me and gives chills on rainy Oregon nights, so all in all I feel blessed. At this moment I am running Klipsch Khorns, LaScalas and Heresy speakers driven by 3 Mac MC252 amps and a Mac C50 pre. Subs are SVS SB4000, SVS SB300 and an SVS PC2000 Ultra. CD player is a Marantz SACD7S1. Cabling by Audioquest and Audio Envy. All in a large room that is a well treated living quarters that I do not share with anyone so I get on it a lot. Life is good.

I absolutely love my system very analog sounding, here's what the system consists of, Sim audio p8 preamp, Sim audio w8 amp, esoteric P10 transport, Wyred 4 sound 10th anniversary dac, this thing is a giant killer one of the most analog sounding dacs that I've ever listened to, monarchy audio up sampler, digital and analog interconnects are all Harmonic technology magic gen 3, speaker cable is Harmonic technology pro 9 gen 3 bi-wired and the power cords are all Harmonic technology pro 10, all the wiring is OCC single crystal wire which has been proven now for 50 years to be the best wire for audio, and finally the speakers are monitor audio platinum 200 Gen 2 and they're sitting on my latest addition the Townshend podiums which stop all Earth and speaker vibrations from shaking the speaker the most significant upgrade I've made it sounds like I have a whole new system with the addition of the podiums far superior to the isoacoustic Gaia but they cost three times as much and well worth it, the system is worth over 60,000 Canadian and I will put it up against $200,000 systems and I know this will beat them.

I have to admit, that I finally scratched the itch. Even though there is still room to grow, I finally got the music in my system to a point where I am not hearing any sound that is lacking, where I think I need some other upgrade.

I can finally just sit back, relax and enjoy; instead of lean forward, inspect and investigate. :)

I enjoy the heck out of my system. It fits my tastes perfectly -- a system that offers up three-dimensionality,  unforced, natural tone quality, and that doesn't have to play very loudly to get this. I truly don't need a lot of volume, anyway.. 85db peaks are all I need for a good time. True, I've had my share of components that went belly-up over the years, but I guess that's par for the course. I've had cartridges that could no longer track. Turntables that began to suffer from bearing noise and that developed wow. Tone arms that got sticky. CD players that just up & died. Last but not least, I must say that listening quality took a substantial leap when I buiilt a house with a special, dedicated stereo room.

OP,

Thank you. Yes, most importantly we need to enjoy what we have! Music is such an enjoyable experience. If not retired, a great place to go and just experience the moment and forget the daily frenetic pace of life and live in the moment. You don’t need a mega system to do that. But nice to have something to dream about and look forward to.

prentice

Wow retired and all that you mentioned. That is wonderful. Not quite to the retirement age, but I think my idea of an ideal situation might be very close to yours. Although my wife and I would like to travel around for some months.... if we have the means to do so. You have a wonderful audio system. Although like I proposed, we all need to be happy with the system we have and enjoy the music a little more.

Congratulations. That is a good place to be. Me as well. Photos of my systems are posted as are yours.

I have gone through five to seven year periods of being really happy and just enjoying the music. Then I was financial able to afford an upgrade. Then a year or so of upgrade to a new level of performance. A few years before I retired I upgraded my systems. I expected that to be the last. But I have been fortunate in retirement an was able to do the largest upgrade I have ever done and significantly upgraded all my components and moved to all tube systems. This had an enormous impact.

My main system is Sonus Faber Amati Traditional with all Audio Research Reference components. A new nearly Klimax Linn LP12 turntable and flagship Aurender Streamer put vinyl playback, streaming, CD playing, and file playing at equal sound quality levels with the same tonal balance… exactly what I want. I also have a similar headphone system.

Being retired, my system gives me great enjoyment and is so addictive, no matter how many hours a day I listen, it is never enough. My system is the culmination of fifty years of relentless pursuit and investment and is a tremendous source of satisfaction..

I happily have a whole floor with my library, fireplace, office, audio room and systems that have made hibernating due to the pandemic a real pleasure. The forest and quiets streets affording daily dog walks and bicycling a real pleasure. So, my audio systems play a central focus, but within a broader context. 

Yes. I am enjoying the music. Finally. I was about to give up or chase the dragon of upgraditus. I determined though to be sure I got the best out of what I had before any more moolah spent. By proper speaker positioning and finally getting my subs integrated I am finally enthralled. At this point I'm not sure I need to do much more. Is it immoral in the audiophile sense to decide you're happy enough? More than likely the bug will bite but the itch has been delayed. My system is modest as well, at least to some on this site but it is a crazy amount to a lot of people "just to listen to music"! I am streaming using Bluesound Node 2i, a DH Labs coax feeding an Aqua La Voce DAC. Heaven's Gate XLRs to my Parasound Hint 6 Integrated. Straightwire Expressivo Bi Wire speaker cables to my Dali Opticon 8s and a pair of REL T7i. Maybe my inexperience hearing high end rigs puts me at a disadvantage as far as comparison, but it sure sounds sweet to me!