HOW DID YOU END UP WITH YOUR DREAM SYSTEM?

@calvinj wrote:

I want to know for those who have arrived got their best system together. What is the story behind how you ended up with your gear

Some 10 years ago I started to resaddle into a different approach with speakers that are high efficiency and at least partially horn-loaded, with the initial intention to use low powered SET amps in conjunction with these. While the combo of all-horn speakers and SET’s offer a sonically alluring and extremely well-sounding solution, I slowly veered into a different direction with dedicated horn-based subs, large format pro segment horns, direct radiating mid bass section, SS amplification (eventually class A/B) and outboard active configuration.

Macro parameters were then sought with proper height of acoustic center, smooth power response at the crossover between midbass and horn section above (i.e.: sameness in directivity pattern here, which requires of the mids/tweeter horn to be large to control directivity that low), relatively unrestricted LF extension down to 20-25Hz, virtually unlimited macro dynamic envelope for effortless reproduction at every desired SPL, optimizing the amp to driver interface with active configuration, and finally taking advantage of a high quality digital crossover/DSP for use with horns and the requirements here for delay settings, steep filter slopes (to keep the horn sections within their safe and sonically best operating range), filter notches, PEQ’s, etc.

From this physically and acoustically appropriate framework, which is a requirement for me in whatever form or shape a specific setup would take (but which is still somewhat dictated due to these requirements), there’s a fairly meticulous tweaking process that’s ongoing. There are no severe bottlenecks in my setup as is; a some 10-12 old ref. model DAC/preamp that’s still excellent sounding compared to new iterations, a high quality DSP, great studio amps and cabling (mainly Mundorf silver/gold), and high quality pro drivers. Dedicated, some 50 year old JBL Alnico tweeters will be implemented over the next month or two.

.. and will you be happy for a long time with it.

Most surely, already have been for some years now, and it will only be better in the following years with further tweaking and smaller modifications here and there. Whatever changes may come down the road will be in keeping with the overall philosophy as outlined above.

@squared80 wrote:

By first understanding the science of sound; not spending exorbitant amounts of money on boutique power cords, speaker wire, amps, etc. ...

+1

I would add, or rather clarify the area of physics and acoustics with speakers as an extremely important aspect to be conscious about and be a guide in acquisitions; get the basics right, and then start the process of fine tuning. The former isn’t necessarily expensive, but combined with the latter aspect is time consuming to get to a point where the right choices and results are made.

Time (and experience) is gold, as they say, as well as an open mind and a dose of "anarchistic" spirit to counter much of the marketing BS, business mechanisms, vanity and a sense of status flaunting. With speakers, what needs to be done needs to be done, and it usually isn’t pretty, rarely small in size, or doesn’t necessarily cater to expectations or preconceived notions of "you get what you pay for." Instead, form follows function, or rather it should, and not the other way ’round.

The problem with current states is that "the basics" don’t mesh well with the illusion and gospel of constant technological advancement and interior decoration demands. It’s not good for business - you can’t sell the next "evolved" piece of gear if it isn’t sprinkled with a unique company profile, claims of sonic heavens, new "groundbreaking" materials or design approaches and what doesn’t stay within an accepted physical size.

It’s a balancing act of eyeing that which needs to be done, prioritizing the different areas accordingly and the expenditure required. Some gear, like DAC’s and preamps, I find I won’t get by with "mid level" stuff to wring out the sonic potential I’m looking for. If one can’t afford it, buy used gear - there’s a lot to be saved here, and even older ref./top level components more than hold their own against new mid level ditto. Great amps can be found for a manageable price in the pro studio segment, besting much more expensive varieties in the typical "high-end" arena, not least if they’re configured actively. Again, if price is (still) an issue, buy used. The same with speakers; the pro segment holds gems of speaker solutions that actually abide by physics - if one can accept their physical appearance and larger size. Bearing in mind one isn’t scared away by uninhibited dynamics and a physicality of presentation that by some is deemed "exaggerated."

... that don’t actually change the sound AT ALL but feed into snake oil marketing that is killing this hobby.

Cables, decoupling/coupling etc. do change the sound, but it’s how they change the sound and what to make of it and balancing it all out with the rest of the setup and acoustic particularities. What’s clear to me here is that price is not (as much) a factor being that different or no solutions can be required in different contexts.