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How Do You Live The Audiophile Life

I don’t really have the credentials to be on Audiogon. Kef Q150s and new NAD equipment that replaced my stalwart Arcam Solo. Maybe I can peek over the fence.
So I’ve have a question about the new equipment. I’m browsing the forums, looking for an answer. I know as much as about audio as anyone who isn’t an audiophile. But I was astonished at the number of brands I’d never heard of. And I know the price of the stuff I have heard of.
I’m in NYC. Maybe there’s five high-end dealers here. I’m guessing that number drops off quickly once you cross the Hudson.
This is a long winded way to ask how you live the audiophile life? How do you get access to this stuff? I’d want to hear something before dropping a car-like sum on it. Do you buy blind? Do you travel? Go to the industry shows? Help me, teach me, inform me.
I guess this question applies to speakers as well. Maybe more so. But I was in the amplifier section so . . .
paul6001

Showing 1 response by knotscott

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knotscott
1,136 posts
 
I haven’t stepped foot in an audio store in more than 20 years, yet my system has continued to evolve via several relatively low cost DIY upgrades.

I’m fortunate enough to have acquired a couple of Dynaco ST-70s, and a Lazarus Cascade Basic tube pre-amp years ago. During the Covid 19 lull I rebuilt all of them. The Dynas got the wonderful VTA PCB boards, and the Lazarus got new caps and resistors....all got new tubes. The Dynas are now running in a vertical bi-amp configuration, as suggested by VTA’s Bob Latino.

While I was at it I bought some bulk 4-conductor 12 gauge OFC cables and made some new runs of speaker wire.

Overall, the system has never sounded better to me, and it’s been a lot of fun to find some renewed interest in it.

Next up - A fairly inexpensive outboard DAC for my old Denon CD player.
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