How Long Did It Take You To Build Your Dream Setup?
I hope this isn't too off topic, but I'm curious as to how long it has taken to build your dream setup? I'm on the ever long hunt for MORE and BETTER and I think I need some other users perspective as my neurotic brain is on the hunt monthly for upgrades.
"Save for longer and make substantial upgrades less frequently."
That's been my strategy too. Back in the day it was like start with a Dual turntable, then upgrade to a Rega 3, and finish with a Linn LP12.
With amps, the NAD 3020 was the entry point, or sometimes the Nytech/ Arcam A60, and then it was suggested to move up to a Naim amp and climb that ladder.
Even back then the idea of a Naim active six pack seemed fairly ridiculous.
Six boxes just for amplification?
To make things worse a few reviewers suggested that simple integrated amps from the same manufacturer could give better, more coherent sound. Hence the popularity of the basic Naim 42/110.
The only relative ambiguity back then was regarding speakers. The suggested Linn ladder of the Kans, Saras and finally the Isobariks (active) had a few dissenting voices even back then.
There were alternates (Heybrooks, Celestions, Monitor Audio, Mordaunt Short, Naim SBL etc) but there was no obviously defined hierarchy.
The sheer choice over loudspeakers has only increased with time. It must be quite bewildering for newcomers today faced with so many different designs.
I tried to stick to only substantial upgrades but inevitably there were still a few timewasting sideways steps. Maybe even a few backwards ones with various cartridges.
The system item that changed the most was easily the loudspeakers, with the pattern generally being an increase in size. I wish it weren't so, but in my experience bigger has been better.
One reason is the sheer sense of ease coming from the large drivers. It's not a huge difference, but it's there. This was the system change that made the biggest difference in sound - by far. No two speakers sounded the same.
In those pre internet days, I bought everything new. Although it's far easier to experiment with upgrades nowadays, I'd still suggest aiming only for substantial upgrades.
It could be likened to mountain climbing without the danger. Its difficult and expensive and mistakes can be costly. You will find not only many different routes to the summit, but also many different summits!
I'm in the same boat. The dream to upgrade is within reach, but the question remains to if I "should". Being newer to the hifi realm has made every upgrade revolutionary, but also creates more of the "what if I do this?" Or the "should I just settle?". Everyone was telling me to upgrade speakers first, but I went table to phonostage to amp and now my Kef's are the weak link. Decisions, decisions...
And thanks for the community's input! I can't believe all the posts and can't thank everyone enough for the effort to help.
I have been at it since the age of 13. like (Sgreg1), most of my purchases made from grass cutting funds.
My parents had a big, all in one console; my father plaid a record every evening while having dinner. listening to music is a way of life for me. I have been upgrading since then (37 years), It's a hobby, a passion, a necessity for me, I take great joy in it... As of late, I have gone crazy and been upgrading dam near everything :-)
Only 2 years with many, many experiments about the embeddings methods ....It was my dreamed set-up in the sense that this is very good sound, one of the best I have heard....But my experience is limited for sure....It is my dream comes true because with low cost electronic components but very good one, vintage or used , I myself create all the controls means to embed them mechanically, electrically and acoustically in an optimal way with only homemade materials or low cost one... The result is astonishing because the ratio price/S.Q is over the roof....( I own a Sansui AU 7700, 200 bucks with new catalytics and a pair of Mission Cyrus 781 ,50 bucks)
To upgrade it with only new speakers and a new amplifier that crush what I already have it will cost me 12,000 thousand (Harbeth+Zotl amplifier)without upgrading the dac that is too good to be true when rightfully embedded (24 dollars on a bet on Ebay miraculously winning) Starting POINT System NOS dac….
I can die with what I listen to right now....The upgrading would be an upgrading but when the music is already there we can live without frustration to upgrade....
The 2 years experiments teach me that heaven is in our own hands and the cost is peanuts …. The Hi-Fi high cost is mostly a marketing myth or an engineering research that we must pay for ....The 3 embeddings with low cost methods is the key of Audio.....
P.S. Before these 2 years of continuous experiments, there is 5 years when I looked for and tried frantically different, speakers, amplifier, dac and headphones....I read and put my faith in the reviewers... That was a mistake....I learned the hard way.... When I decided to takes all that in my hand and forgot about upgrading, I discovered , one by one the secrets of the 3 embeddings....And the same pieces of gear that I was willing to upgrade because I was never satisfied with in the first place transmuted themselves in pure diamond unrecognizable.... Then I discovered that most people really dont even know that the gear they already owns is able to gives in potential S.Q.....They upgrade before even knowing what they afford to buy in the first place.... :)
They dont know the first and sixth law of audio : " dont upgrade before embedding it " " Dont upgrade before embedding rightfully all of them"
30 years. Started with Metal Particle IV mix tapes, then Sony Discmans, followed by thrift store Polks&JVC&Pioneer disc changers, then several rounds of pimped out car audio, followed by a dry period of marriage and young kids (no money and garage sale system), then finally just this year got what i'd been wanting since I was 12, an actual hifi system ;). Was still worth it.
It's been a love affair since I was fine tuning the gear in my car back in high school. Recently, I decided it was time to go all in and upgrade my system of the last 20+ years (Dynaudio Confidence 3, Simaudio W5 and P3, Equi-Tek Power Supply) The new system less than 2 hours burn in Paradigm Persona 7F, Pass Labs XA60.8 Mono's, Prima Luna EVO 400 Pre, Lumin D2, Qobuz. I repurpsed the Power Supply and Nordost interconnects and speaker cable from the old system. I will let the amps run continuous for the next five days, but to be honest, I'm already pleased. It was a ton of research and discussion to get to the point where I felt I had the right components, listening to each independently and reading spec sheets in infenitem. Listening and learning over the years (40+) has been a great deal of fun.
I saw a very interesting video by Steve Gutenberg...The question was raised how do you know if your system is good. And to make a long story short, if you’re listening to it a lot and you hate to turn it off, then You’re there.
I know it because my audio system is extraordinary.... Not because I hate turning it off.... Way more than that, I cannot change the cd that is playing for an another one....They are too beautiful when they play.... This IS the ULTIMATE criteria.... Guttenberg must have some road to go on..... :)
It is normal if you look at his room, the embeddings of his system is not optimal at all.....Without being malicious.... The guy is very good and amicable.... I like him.... But.... :)
40+ years is what it `s taken me. And I `m not sure that i am done yet. What I do know is that the river of new and changing components has turned into a trickle. I have hardly changed anything in my setup in the last two years.
"I cannot change the cd that is playing for an another one...."
It happened to me, too. I had to pry it out. For some reason, once I managed to open the drawer, it worked fine afterwards and I could change CDs all I wanted.
I got heavy into audio in 2011, when I stumbled upon a NAD 3020 original amp at the local thrift store. Finally very happy with my system for the past year. S ounder a decade.
My system right now is as good as I could ever imagine. It is my final system and I have not changed any components in 5 years. No change are contemplated either. It took 38 years from my first turntable/receiver/speaker setup to the establishment of my final system. Note though that the system I had 10 and 20 years ago, both of which features almost all different components than I have now (albeit same turntable) were excellent. But to reach a point where I concluded “I’m totally done”- 38 years
I continue to repair/maintain as needed and one day my phono cartridge will say no mas
If memory serves my first component system was purchased in 1961 or 1962 and I am still chasing the dream in December 2020. But I actually started listening to jazz on my grandmother's wind up Victrola way before that.
I don't sell many HiFi Devices when they have been deselected, and are out of use, due to a replacement device taking on their role. This allows me periodically to experience a Retro Configuration of Devices used on my System. To date all exchanged devices have proven to be the correct choices to satisfy my personal preference for a Performance and Sound Quality.
My Speakers have been ESL 57's since the late 90's and are now a Stacked Array. I also have a respected design DIY Built pair of Three Way Speakers, but they are receiving little use.
My Power Amps were designed to be custom built in the early 2000's and still remain as the main used Amp's. I still have my original Power Amp and it is still a impressive listen.
I have been through a few Pre Amp's and now using the Nelson Pass Korg Nutube B1. When a previous used Pre Amp is exchanged to compare to the B1, the B1 is reinstated with almost immediate effect, it is very satisfying and works so well for me..
My Idler Drive TT and SME IV owned since the late 90's is now replaced for the past few years by a DD and a custom version of a Tone Arm with a rebuilt MC Cartridge. I do plan one day setting the two TT's up side by side on a identical support platform.
My Phonostage has gone through a few Topologies from SS, Valve/SS Hybrid, V/SS Hybrid with SUT, and for approximately Two Years has been a Custom Designed Valve Input/Valve Output with SUT, and a New SUT added very recently.
Digital is only in use for a Few Years, I went from tipping my toes in the water with a Cheapo CDP, to loaning a Custom Modified CDP. This evolved into my purchasing a PW Memory Player and a Custom Designed Valve Regulated/Valve Output DAC. I am not feeling the need to improve upon this set up
Cabling changed through various trials and to date I am using Mapleshade Speaker and Digital Foil. I have tried various Interconnects OFC to OCC Copper and Silver and now starting to trial when found at a reasonable price D.U.C.C. and PC Triple C.
I don't see a need to exchange to any New Devices, but do have a curiosity about how to experiment with the interfaces within the system. i.e, Cartridge Tag Wires, Interconnect Cables and Power Cables, Mains Conditioner/ DC Blockers maybe even a Schumann Generator ???
From a personal experience, the system in any of its guises has always supplied music that has been enjoyed. The added personal enthusiasm to continue with learning and creating a very unique System that has a very personal stamp on it, has been a slowly developing realisation. Many of my choices made were to come to fruition, as a result of being actively sociable within a broad range of HiFi Groups, Enthusiast Events, Forums and through being willing to travel to take part through contribution and take on new experiences.
Such a pursuit has offered the opportunity to have met with talented individuals whose work has helped mould my ideas and have undoubtedly helped with my achieving the production of the devices that make up my System.
33 years and counting. I’ve done a major overhaul 5 times and tweaked it twice. Not there yet, but close. I've enjoyed each system immensely. System started in 1987 with Yamaha receiver, tape deck and CD player! Speakers were small, forgot the brand but guaranteed for life. I blew those woofers every other month! Current system is this:
Piega C10 LTDs McIntosh MC402 ampMcIntosh C2200 preTechnics 1200GR TT Luxman PD444 TTVictor TT10115 vintage carts and 6 vintage arms like Sony, FR, Victor and Luxman. What do I need? Mas power. Another 402, then bridge them for 800 watts. Besides collecting more arms and carts, I’m pretty good for now.
Ps: I’ve got a super digital end with Mac mini and Scott Nixon tube dac but removed it as I don’t listen to dig anymore, plus less wires. Also removed HT end for less wires.
Had a mini component systems in the middle school. It’s been 20 years since I got a real job, and it’s been 20 years been building and upgrading hifi systems. Never had a dream system or a goal. Just been upgrading as needed. Wilson Puppy was my dream speakers. Almost had them but settled for Gershman. Regret selling Apogee Diva which was one heck of speakers.
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