It sounds so damn good that everytime I turn it on it seems like the first time I ever heard it. I never get use to it or can stop from tapping my foot. It forces my attention to the music and away from everything else. I never get tired of it and can sit in the sweet spot from when I get up to I go to bed |
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I feel like the above, only at least 300 septillion times stronger...or maybe even more than that!! What's the real point of this thread, other than bragadoshia? That's all you're going to get, it seems to me.........................And now that I've responded, my "carl-haters" might really ruin it for you (I hope they don't...I promise I won't respond to them if they do)...sorry about that...but they ruined my thread, so they might as well have a crack at yours too, lol! (Or maybe my prediction will keep them away??) |
Hi Carl. The point to this thread is exactly as stated. For example, when I purchased my amps I noticed a "feeling" very similar to the "feeling" I had when I met my wife. This was and is a very good "feeling". I very specificly want to avoid any type of bragging about or promoting of specific brands and hoped to get people to write about the joy they receive by playing music on their audio systems. BTW, I am a "carl-lover" and you may respond to items on this thread in any way you see fitting. You, in particular, Carl are someone that obviously enjoys music and the equipment used to facilitate this enjoyment. I am just returning to quality audio after being away for 15 years and am absolutely loving it myself. Merry Christmas. |
Merry Christmas to you, and thank you very much for your kindness! I didn't mean to diminish these wonderful feelings you are having via your system, and I DO want you to feel them as much as possible. It's good to hear someone so satisfied, and it's also a fine accomplishment to achieve it. Congratulations, and keep the music flowing!! May God bless you and your family! |
Carl, Merry X-mas and a best New Year to you. I hope you find that woman that has at least half the passion you demonstrate in your love of audio and music. Best to you. |
If I did, I'd have to have to replace something with a "bionic something"!!! All the best to you, and Merry Christmas!!! Ho Ho Ho, is that a Wilson WAMM I see under yout tree?? jj, Carl |
No Carl don't know who jj is but you got part of it right. Brian Wilson remastering of "Pet Sounds" in "Living Stereo" can you believe it? (CD unfortunately) Of all the albums made in the rock era, that is one that should have been recorded in stereo. After all it was the inspiration for "Sgt Pepper" |
Hi Welfred: We share a common history in that I stopped owning decent gear and pretty much listening to music from 1985 up to the year 2000 (it's a long story). When I started to put together a system earlier this year I was faced with digital as a source which was new to me. I have gone through three sets of speakers in the past eight months and three CD players as well. The system that I now have, though it is both SS and digital (the opposite of what I have owned and truly enjoyed in the past), is at the point at which I am more enamored by the music than the gear (it has finally reached it's turning point, so to speak). I did not attempt to reproduce the low registers, which to do so would be far beyond my budget, but instead have focused on what is left and also the musicality of the system Vs sound stage, imaging and the other visual aspects of sound reproduction. These aspects are not really lacking, but were not first on the list as was tonal accuracy and the rightness of vocals and instruments on a whole. I, like everyone else have my own interpretation of what music really sounds like and follow this (my own) mind set on the matter. I decided to go with a SS amp due to practicality and cost. What I first noticed about budget SS amps was that many seemed to accent (boost) the mid bass frequencies as did most of the mini monitors that I auditioned. The combination of the two though "snappy" sounding was a little too much for me and I also was unable to differentiate many of the lower bass notes (their pitch) from each other (I believe that this is referred to as "one note bass"). Anyway, the amp that I selected is not known for it's bass slam and has a very linear output in this region, which is why I also believe that the midrange of the amp is so open and "tube" like. The midrange is what sold me on the amp as well as it's cost. It also operates primarily in class "A" at the sound levels that usually listen at, but so do many SS class A/B amps as far as my understanding goes. When selecting a CD player I was torn between detail and musicality and also disappointed at the LF response of most players when compared to good vinyl. All of the detail was new to me and was very impressive at the start, but eventually began to wear me out as the auditions progressed and I was thinking boy this is entertaining, but where is the music? The player that I opted for was somewhat laid back and analog sounding. The laid back part of it's character was easily remedied with the use of power conditioning, silver analog IC's and the addition of an upgraded power cord. The end result was that it still sounded "somewhat" analog but with increased dynamics and detail. The player/source was then upgraded by the addition of an out board DAC which brought it to a new level of performance that I am currently very pleased with (most instruments are "right on". The DAC's power cord was also upgraded with a significant improvement in overall dynamics and the new micro wire digital IC (being used in conjunction with the silver analog IC's) also seems to be a very good match. My current speakers are French mini monitors on 29" stands, that I could not be more pleased with as they are the most musical speakers that I have owned to date and this includes a pair of Rogers LS3/5a's in my history of ownership (this is also the sound that I have been trying to match, but with better overall performence). Without going into detail I am also highly pro on the use of isolation devices as well as room treatment (I admit to doing the bare minumum with what I have in this area) and of course speaker placement. Until the addition of the DAC and the last digital IC the system was good enough to impress friends, but did not offer me enough listening satisfaction. The current set up (when playing well engineered CD's) allows me to forget the gear and enjoy the music. It is also relatively kind to lesser source material which means that it would most likely not offer enough detail for many of the Audiophiles at this site. At this point I will experiment more with isolation devices, speaker stands, cables and cords as my budget allows (the Cable Company offers cable comparison without tying up too much money in the long run). But for now I am almost afraid to touch anything. Total system cost is a little over $3K. PS: I have no gifts to open this morning, I have already been listening to them:-) |
PS: I would also like to note that the all in one CD player, that I originally lusted after retails with tax for the same amount that I paid for my entire system. So from a potlicker's standpoint I am doubly pleased with what I now own. I am also aware that many of your system would most likely blow me away, but within my budget I am a happy camper. |
Tubegroover: it means "just joking". I'm glad that you are so pleased with that recording. I don't know much about them, but do like The Beach Boys very much, along with most of "classic rock". Some Beatles songs I don't like, such as "Yesterday"...just too sad, too pop. "Day Tripper" is more my style. |
I have a love affair with my system! Each piece is synergistic with the others. And I feel fortunate to have had great help in putting it all together, along with the funds. I feel good that I've connected with so many wonderful guys here so that I can feel even better with future improvements. |
Everytime I listen to the music pouring out of my system I cannot be happier! It´s true that my analog section needs some careful matching of cartridge, but I hope to correct this weakness asap! Regards! |
well, thats changes as the days on the calender do. this is somewhat perplexing, but let me state, i'm extremely happy with the pleasure provided by my system with the current (last 6 months) upgrades/changes i've made. i guess i'm- like most -overly critical and a seeker. while the journey has not met with sonic nirvana (nor do i really want it to seeing that i get so much enjoyment from the striving) yet, what is most rewarding is that the changes i've made have addressed the needs i sought. i guess everything is better- much better -than a year ago and so on. will it be much better a year from today, who knows, my system is killer and i could live with her as is. i've been an audiophile for the last 25 years, and like yourself recently (well, october 96) began my current and ongoing upgrade to my 10 year old system that had remained stable till then. my goal was to explore what current technolgy had to offer while (hopefully) deriving more enjoyment from my music. i didn't really intend to own a hi-end audio system, it just sort of evolved (slowly) in that direction (to no surprise to me). enjoyed the question. mike |
I'm at a strange point in my audio quest. My system Sound's better than your's.. It can't get any better... But I still don't like it.... God! HELP ME!!!!! |
