@newton_john we all have. Different sound we are looking for. I found mines in digital and you found yours in VINYL
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My upgrade path was the same as bassbuyer, I did it over time as well and my system is now worth $85,000 Canadian just upgraded my amp to the SIM audio 861 amplifier which just beat the dagostino momentum MVX-S250 in head to head testing for a month by a customer who owned the D'Agostino he said that the 861 was better in every area and he sold the dagostino and bought the 861, the D'Agostino is $44,000 US and the 861 is $22,000 US, just goes to show you how good SIM audio amplifiers are they will beat other amplifiers at double and triple the price. |
I assembled what I thought was the perfect digital system as the culmination of nearly half a century in this wonderful hobby from vinyl to CD to digital files to streaming. There were many twists and turns along the way, but it took the reintroduction of a vinyl source last year to get me to where I want to be. |
@zavato man I’m here and happy. I got a pretty expensive rig but it’s not the cost that made my system. I got synergy throughout. I’m happy as ever and I’m calling it a day. We have to learn when to hold em. I’m holding! |
I understand your experience... I take my own road to adress it... Happy new year...
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@mahgister thanks for the reply. Man your journey is your journey. Please enjoy. |
@troutstreamnm thats what I’m talking about. It’s fun. Getting just right gives you additional purpose to chase and the listening sessions are amazing when you get it right. |
I understand why you are hurted because the recording you used sound also atrocious on my system... Your wavetouch is better in my system too ... But none of my music sound unnatural anyway ... I control the speakers/room relation with my acoustics devices...My speakers are also modified for the best... Acoustics is key... I own my dream system because my low cost system is optimized and it work at its best for my needs ... As you are i am proud of my creativity... You are right, bad sound is a health hazard...
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I finally got my dream system which is the world best sound system, but I am not happy. Why? Because it sounds bad and unlistenable. What? The world best sound and "unlistenable" don’t make sense. The sound is a relative thing. Like all house wives, they don’t like your expensive and beautiful sound system. Why? because they are used real natural sounds only. They even love noisy music (but natural sound) at a local live-band cafe. To your wife, your un-natural audio sound (like a left speaker sound in below video) is worse than dog’s barking sound. Compare natural and unnatural sound. Like above, this is my situation. Listen to my video at 2:30 (my voice). Then listen to PINK at 4:10. Then listen to my voice at 2:30. Then listen Holy Cole at 5:40. Listening Pink and Holy Cole (recorded w/ unnatural sound mics) hurts my ears. Yes. I can concentrate and listen those music like I did 10 years ago, but I have to almost destroy my brain, my eyes, my ears, my nose, and even my clean conscious too to hear them like before. You don’t know what those unnatural hi-fi sounds do to you. I don’t want to do that again. It’s a health hazard. I’ll only listen my recordings until more natural sound recordings using my Wavetouch microphones are available. Alex / Wavetouch audio |
I got into the audio insanity early, in High School. Worked during High School and college and bought the nicest system I could at the time that included KEF 104/2 speakers, Adcom and Denon components . Held onto that system for 30+ years doing life stuff. Now that I’m about to retire, and we sold our second home, I have spent the past two years feeding the audiophile habit researching, buying, selling to get to my 90% system (it’s never 100% in this hobby!). It a fun, rewarding, frustrating and sometimes infuriating hobby, but there is nothing like listening to fabulous, high quality music while having your favorite cocktail in your comfortable listening recliner 😎
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@gordon It's a good one |
@mglik i definitely understand. I went from tubes to to my solid state all Class A Infigo gear and I have never looked back. I get the speed and clarity of solid state with the musicality of tubes. Yes it was very expensive but it’s worth every penny. Hearing every foot tapping note in clarity and musicality. Enjoy my man! If it makes you smile do it. |
@grislybutter because that's when you dream. Sorry, lame joke on my part. |
@gordon why? |
After being a die hard SET guy for decades, I wound up with my second pair of Quad 57s. Before SETs, I joyfully lived with my first pair of 57s for about 10 years. Always missing them, I found a great pair of ESS 57s. But 8 watts of 300Bs didn’t push them. I made the big transition from SETs to SS. I tried many amps a wound up with my destination amp-Dartzeel CTH 8550 integrated. Never thought I would spend $43K on a component, or live with a SS amp, but it was the best purchase ever. My system built up now based on the Dart is the end point off the merry-go-round system. It is the central, gem of my retirement. |
@squared80 i understand your point of view. However, my journey has been different. I literally peaked the interest and gained the respect of our owner by simply pulling out cables of a show system and providing the ones that’s literally changed the sound of the system in a great way. I have literally tried almost everything. It has allowed me to understand it’s not what they add but what they don’t take away. They should allow you to hear your speakers and your electronics in the best light. What has worked for you and me may not work for everyone. Enjoy your journey and the music. Thanks for the responses. |
@exupgh12 it took me a while along this journey. I was blessed to find a company to work with that had the sound I was seeking. We actually used my speaker and brand of speaker to test the electronics. It has allowed me to pinpoint any defects and deficiencies in my system and let the designer fix them along the way. I had someone in my home the other day for a demo and he had heard our electronics but not my speakers. Few people have and he remarked how good they were and at 14 k they were a steal compared to all the ones he had heard. We have to allow ourselves to be satisfied and when you get there we must remember to allow ourselves to enjoy. That’s what I’m doing. Enjoying the concert in my home on the regular. I’m glad you are at a great place. Keep enjoying. |
@smerk i understand 100%. I have arrived at my final system. No more chasing for me. I have a lot of money into my rig. But I enjoy it and I’m at a point to where even to get a little better I would have to spend a lot of money. I’m happy and I will allow this system to just play me music and be happy with it. That’s a great feeling. If you are happy that’s all that matters. |
or years, my audio journey revolved around home theater systems. But at some point, I realized I wanted something more intimate, something that could truly immerse me in the magic of music. So, I took the plunge and shifted my focus entirely to a two-channel system. It all started with an Italian ensemble—Unison Research electronics and Opera loudspeakers—paired with a DAC from Cary Audio. The sound was lively and enjoyable, but over time, I began noticing its limitations. It was like sipping good wine but knowing there’s a richer vintage out there. The turning point came when I added my first turntable, a Michell Gyro SE. That humble addition cracked open a door to a new world of possibilities. I began exploring further, replacing my speakers with Magico S3 MK2s and upgrading my electronics to a full Luxman 900 series setup, while still holding onto the trusty Cary Audio DAC. A few months later, my system evolved again. I added another Luxman M-900u power amplifier for bridge\mono-amping and swapped the turntable for a Brinkmann Bardo, complete with a Brinkmann Eddison II phono stage. The depth and clarity were thrilling, but something still felt incomplete. That’s when I turned my attention to acoustics. I reimagined my room, repositioned the system, measured the space, and treated it with acoustic panels. The results were transformative—like adjusting the lens of a camera to bring everything into sharp focus. Over the next year, my system matured. I kept the Luxman 900 series preamp and power amps, added a Luxman D-10X for CDs, upgraded to an MSB Premier DAC fed by a Melco N1, and took my turntable to new heights with the Brinkmann Balance. Each addition brought me closer to the sound I dreamed of. Eventually, I moved on from the Magico S3 MK2 speakers, upgrading to the S3 2023. Then, less than two weeks ago, I reached a new pinnacle with the S5 2024. Every change has been a revelation. Each new piece of equipment has uncovered layers of musicality I hadn’t thought possible, drawing me deeper into the artistry of sound. This journey has been more than a hobby—it’s been a passion, a pursuit of perfection. And with each improvement, my excitement only grows, as if the music itself is thanking me for the effort.
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@squared80 wrote:
+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."
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. |
My system is a shell of what it use to be in the past. I had to have the best or close to it. So I was always chasing the next speaker, amp, preamp, or NOW let's get an integrated amp, WOW how about those tube amps, on and on and on - till I finally realised that I spent a lot of money chasing but never enjoying... I got married late in life and all of a sudden I enjoyed my wife more then my system(s) and the happiness was different - so I have a little system, play my CDs through bookshelf speakers not worrying if my power cable can or should be upgraded, or speaker wires ---- rather I listen to music and share my past with her realizing that my little system brings me to the place I want to be ... Happy New Year To All - smerk |
By first understanding the science of sound; not spending exorbitant amounts of money on boutique power cords, speaker wire, amps, etc., that don't actually change the sound AT ALL but feed into snake oil marketing that is killing this hobby. Then splurging on things that actually matter, like speakers, by listening to as many different brands/models as possible to see what sounds good to my ears.
There are so many speakers, that's the hard part. |
Never really had a hifi system. My money went into cameras as that was my profession for 30 years (editorial work). Around 2007 I was teaching and one of my instructors asked me if I knew anything about tube amplifiers. Got the bug. Bought a used Primaluna PL2. and BW 602 ( and Project Expression TT and used Tuna) Replaced the BWs with Triangle Cometes ( sold the TT and bought a VPI HW-19 mk iv) Replaced the Triangles with Ref 3A de Capos Went to see friend in Phoenix who did a small gig at Arizona HiFi, saw and heard a 2/6 watt Grommes PHI-26. fell in love. Had to wait a year. So indulged and bought a used Decware Mini Torii ( keep the Grommes, used in a second system) Love this 10 tube wonder Pretty much this is the system ( added a new CDP Emotiva ERC-4, had a Mac Tuner MR-71 but bought a MHDT DAC and a Schitt Eitr and stream via my Macbook, added a NIB more than 1/2 off KEF 10b sub Only thing I might change is a more efficient speaker (although it will cost) but the de Capos can get pretty loud And maybe a nice streamer with a HD
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My first system was in HS and college - a Fischer stack. It was gone by age 30 at which time I became lost in the Bluetooth wilderness. Fast forward 20 years to the summer of 2023. I bought a used pair of JBL LX300s from a friend and added a Project Debut Carbon Evo TT and a chifi class D Douk “tube” amp. This past October I visited a true audiophile buddy and marveled at his Maggies, Rega TT and Naim amp, along with assorted other high end “stuff”. A month later someone on an audiophile FB page (thanks, Carl) said he was thinking of eventually selling his Maggies and it turned out he lived 15 mins from me. Feeling I might beat the rush, I asked if I could come check them out. A few days later they were playing at my house with his Rogue amp (they needed power they were accustomed to, right?), my black Monday acquired WiiM Ultra streamer and my tried and true TT. The JBLs and Douk amp are now downstairs for enjoyment by my wife and the unwashed masses. (Band name?) I’m a lightweight audiophile at best and my trip has been pretty short but here I am. Content. Satisfied. Dare I say done? |
Through a combination of a relatively inexpensive (digital) speaker management system and a near-state-of-the-art power treatment solution for the entire setup. It requires DIY speakers, but since mine are open-baffle, I didn’t need a full-blown wood shop in my garage.
Speaker management system: With one of those, and once I had comprehensive levels of immediate control over crossovers, timing and (more than enough independent bands of parametric) EQ, I was able to go to work improving my sound without having to upgrade my gear every time out. There’s actually no such thing as getting the crossovers “absolutely perfect”, or at “THE correct setting” for example...that would be impossible for anyone (since there’s literally no such thing) given all the parameters involved. No ear, and no mic in the world can do that perfectly, it’s all a matter of interpretation. The only hope for anyone – whether for individuals or manufacturers – is to devote as much time as possible to the tuning process (whether passive or electronic) until one arrives at what one might wish to call the (relatively) “best”, or most optimum, solution. Obviously, any manufacturer cannot devote an indefinite amount of time to this. Sooner or later, the speaker design has to go out the door to the customer, right? After all, time is money if you’re in production work. But no manufacturer can predict each customer’s specific needs and build the best possible speaker for each one of them. But with comprehensive control over the parameters, I can build the very best speaker system for my own gear, my own room and to suit my own ears. IOW, the full potential is that, for my own sake, I can Literally do a better job at speaker designing than Any manufacturer can do for me. It may take a while to learn though, I didn’t have the technical mastery to know what I was doing right out of the box. That has taken me well over 2 yrs and I’m still learning (though it’s easier now that I seem to have graduated).
Power treatments: But, like any other digital product, a digital speaker management system can sound...well..digital. That, and for the rest of the components, is where the power treatment solution comes in...absolutely critical, but it has been flawless for me and has elevated the entire system, even with somewhat pedestrian components among them, right into the heart of the high end. No compromises.
In fact, it looks like I’ll be coming into a good amount of money this next year, God willing. The prospect is enough for me to consider throwing this system out in favor of an all new one, with perhaps almost any budget I might like to throw at that. I’ve had some months to consider that now. And you know what? I’ve pretty much decided against it – and for no other reason than this setup now sounds so excruciatingly good, that I think I’d be crazy to throw it over for the promise of anything else. I'm 65, and I think I’d rather spend my time enjoying what I’ve worked for, than to chase the dragon all over again. But, I'm in no way merely surrendering to my age - it truly does sound that good! I may get an additional amp and extra pair of woofers to increase the power response, and get a 10-mghz atomic clock for the digital front end, and I can call it a day. When I build a new home soon enough, I can build an appropriate custom room to put it all in. So yeah, I plan on keeping this one! |
@brauser i understand completely after years of searching im in a great place now. Im just gonna stay right where i am. If there is better out here the so be it. My system is giving me all the things I like so im gonna stand pat and be happy! |
@nitrobob i hear you my brother. I know I’m in a good place because I no longer equipment search. That’s a sign. When you music search only you are in a great place. I’m music searching only. |
Hooked up with Bill over at Legacy Audio and shelled out 50 grand. Of course, like many I spend 50 years.. starting with Webcor, Sony, Hafler, Denon, Marantz, Yamaha, Nakamichi, BIC, B&O, Oppo, ATI, Outlaw, PSA, Klipsch, Infinity, Polk, Bose, Miller Kreisel, Ascend Acoustics and FINALLY, Legacy |
@decooney the audio gods smiled on me. Me and Hans were looking for the same kind of sound. He recognized it early and we chased and improved. Chased and improved. When we go to shows people ask me about other stuff I heard that I liked and I tell them I’m enjoying our stuff so much I rarely leave the room. |
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If you like them and they do what you need, that’s far ahead of many others who keep trying and trying different speakers looking for something more that may or may not exist. Finding something you really like is a great achievement in itself. For me, I sort of prefer to narrow down to 1-2 speakers I like [build or buy], and then rotate different sources, preamps, amps, tubes, cables and fine tune from here. Seems easier and more effective to evaluate components if you are not constantly rotating to different speakers in/out of the mix. Or, that’s how I like to approach it, fwiw. |
@decooney i have thrown mega buck amplifier and sources at the gato and it performs in spades. When I put the Infigo Audio stuff on them. They just kept performing. Not missing a beat. I was at a show with a 75k speaker and I still preferred my 14k gatos on my infigo gear. I’ve tried to replace them but they say no sir. We are here for life. lol 😂 |
@moto_man congrats. Man I tell people all the time. This job is high stress. Music is the release that makes me happy. Then on top of that to listen to musicians and vocalists put their entire souls into it all. I have an all Infigo system. Amp, streamer , dac, Infigo cabling, gato fm6 speakers and 2 rel 212se subs for the bass. I’m arrived at this system by chance. Most haven’t heard my speaker. But when I do demos they are wowed. Keep listening my man and enjoy. |
@dentdog my system is my stress reliever. Music makes me smile and allows me to think clearly. Thanks for you sharing. |
@ricred1 glad we were able to assist you with some of our cabling. Also thank you for sharing your journey. Most think I’m in the business of audio for money. I have my own company for 23 years. I don’t do it for that. I do it so that I can help folks get there. That’s why we give free trials. I’m glad that you have found your way to the great system you have. I’m glad that Infigo Audio cables are a part of it. Thank you. |
Spoiled myself in the early seventies with top gear, Mc275s, JBL 250s then professional school cut into it until early eighties, did it again then divorce and kids made it impractical. Got them through college and ’08 got in the way. Finally in 2014 things opened up and saw a rabbit hole. Actually saw that Jim Smith lived about 45 minutes away so picked his brain a few times at his home. Between his advice and a few others, (Almarg rest his soul), came up with a pretty good system, tube based with high efficiency speakers. Which is how I was introduced to noise in the electricity. Ended up with balanced power throughout, then a balanced audio signal throughout. I feel like I’ve been blessed by God every time I sit down to it. All in all we are a very foutunate group and good listening to all. Good thread
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@ghdprentice same kind of thing with me. I wanted an organic sound but with loads of detail, great dimensionality and excellent image placement. Also I like silky like vapor type airy treble. All of these things in one system can be hard be hard to do and still have balance. I have managed to achieve this. |
@bassbuyer well said. Hans is as ocd about sound as I am. A match made in heaven. I listen as much as I can to my system. But I stopped listening in morning because it was making me late to work. lol. I’m excited to be a part of company that brought me to the best sound I have ever had in my life. It’s a beautiful thing. Going to audio shows are nit work for me. They are vacation listening sessions. I spend time now trying to find music. Tweaking a little and just happy listening to my favorite stuff |
Fifty years of passionate pursuit, including constant reading, major multiple year upgrade cycles every five to ten years, an increasingly successful career and ten years of season tickets to the symphony and lots of acoustic jazz concerts. During the time, an extended period to study interconnects of hundreds of hour, and similar comparisons of speaker cables and power cords. In the last twenty years it got much easier to the point I mentally decided what I wanted and finally able to pick the exact components to achieve it. |
