I can live with this.
Been in audio for quite a few years and having gone through more equipment than any sane person should, I've landed on a Topping Pre90 and a SMSL VMV A1 amp, pushing a whopping 10 WPC in Class A. I've still got a far too much gear sitting around (VTL, Cary, Pass, Audio Research, etc) but am totally fine with the simple, inexpensive gear currently driving a pair of Totem Tribe Towers. Yep, these supposedly power-hungry speakers. But the room is small and my listening levels aren't high so they work just fine.
I lean toward a "tube" sound, but my listening routine nowadays consists of a few minutes here and there throughout the day, oftentimes skipping many days so turning on tubed hear for the day only to listen a few minutes sporadically got kind of wasteful, IMO. I've not compared, but I don't think the current rig loses much in terms of spaciousness in the soundstage, which I've always been a fan of.
I realize many audiophiles like the latest and greatest and lust for the more expensive gear, but I've gotta say that nowadays, a modest priced system can literally kick some serious musical ass!
Anyone else have a similar experience?
Great to hear you have found a great place you are happy with. That is really the point. Listening for me when I worked was 45 minutes... one album was the time I allotted a day. I worked towards a very specific sound goal for nearly fifity years. I am there now and often will listen for two to three hours a day. Real nirvana. |
A few weeks ago I installed a Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II into the system, replacing a smaller SS amp, and powering Reference 3A de Capos. Like you, my room is small and my listening levels are on the low side and this synergy is perfect for me. No urge at all to get more expensive equipment And @kerrybh is right; those Totems are beautiful speakers. |
